Chapter 315: A Rapid Reversal (1/2)

Wrath's rumbling forewarned her crushing into our cavern, her flowing mass crossing a vast field of distance in moments. Her dark blue form coalesced into a large amalgam, golden plates of enamel flowing across her shifting body. She gasped out through a telepathic tether,

”You already killed Plazia?”

I gave her a thumbs-up, ”We did. He's dealt with, and your planet will return to normal after a few days.”

Wrath peered down, ”But Plazia rests in every corner and piece of the planet. H-how would you even begin to remove his remains-”

I raised a palm, ”There's no point in worrying about how we did it. That's my business, not yours. The point is simple; Plazia's gone. He'll be out of here in a few days as his mana fades.”

Wrath writhed around with alien gestures, ”You...What proof do you have of this otherwordly deed? There were no shattering rumbles or distant quakes from your battle. No mana ebbed across the desolate horizons, and no craters formed across Svia's surface.” She closed in, ”Is Plazia truly dead, or are you simply playing me and my entire species as fools?”

I shrugged, ”My 'deed' will manifest over the next few days. Now, after the magma insects are gone, you guys need to help out the Empire. That was our deal. Remember that.”

Wrath shrunk down, ”W-What? It took you two hours to do this. We'll be taking your place in a galactic war for that?”

Florence walked up, having listened in the entire time. He linked up with her telepathically. Florence smiled and thought, ”It's simple, really. Sometimes, different people can accomplish different tasks at different rates. It isn't that Daniel was able to outdo your race and its centuries of effort in seconds. It's that he approached the situation from a fresh angle, and sometimes, that's all it takes to solve a problem.”

Florence turned a palm to Wrath, ”In fact, you guys killing the Hybrids could be a lot like that. Svia isn't rich in resources, and you might get some plundering rights for taking out these enemies of the Empire. Think about it: you'll gorge on those enemies while amassing immense wealth.”

Florence raised his hands as if framing a picture, ”For us in the Harbinger's Legion, it was a complete and utter slog. We sacrificed ourselves, throwing our people into the fire, but we had no choice. It was the only way to win. You all? Pshhh, this will be a cakewalk by comparison. That's the beauty of deals and exchanges.”

Florence pressed his fingertips together, ”It's that both sides truly do win when a deal is done well. I'm a firm believer in this. You, having gained your home back in hours and a new battlefield to rage across, well, it should be obvious to you too.”

I suppressed a smile from encroaching on my face. Florence flipped and turned a situation over and over until it fit his means. I called him out for that in our talk with Plazia, but Wrath might not be as aware. As the razor queen spoke, that became apparent.

”I-That is not...We have been taken advantage of...I think.”

Florence put a hand over his chest, his eyes widening, ”Now wait one minute. You're telling me that the razor queens, the illustrious rulers of this world, the renowned Fringe Walkers, the destroyers of metal and sentients alike...You're perjurers? Liars? Cheats?”

Wrath seethed, ”We are pure. We never lie. Those words carry more weight on tongues like yours.”

Florence grinned, ”Perfect. Then after Plazia's remnants dissipate, the Emperor will see you guys across our realms.”

Wrath's entire body bristled with golden horns and spikes, ”If Plazia is dead, then it shall be so. Otherwise, we will not allow you to escape.”

She approached Florence before I loomed over her. I frowned down at her, ”Then it's been good doing business with you. I hope you have luck on the battlefield. You'll find plenty of blood there or here if you keep pushing your luck. Don't forget who I am and what I can do.”

Wrath backed away from Florence, ”Of course, Harbinger.”

I turned to Helios, ”Perfect. Let's go back to home base.”

Helios shook his head while mouthing, ”It would seem the both of you have lost your minds now.”

A warp towards Earth popped up, air whistling towards Svia from our rich world. Wrath drooled at the sight of grass and trees, but I stepped in front of the portal. I gave her a knowing look and a telepathic message,

”Please, kill plenty of the Hybrids for me, will you?”

Wrath trembled, ”We shall, eater of monsters.”

The three of us hopped over towards Mt. Verner. The grass sheened under the sun, and the cool wind welcomed us in its unseen arms. I spread out my hands, relishing in my own home planet's grace. Earth amazed me at times. Wanting to ensure its future, I turned to the others,

”Florence, tell Torix and the others about my decision for Plazia. Make sure to present it as a sound decision and mention the benefits and my reasoning. That beachhead in a different dimension. Make sure Torix knows about that. He's a strategic thinker, and he'll definitely appreciate that opportunity.”

Florence gave me a wave, walking off, ”I will see to it. No doubt about that.”

As Florence paced away, I appreciated his presence. Most diplomats required exact instructions or maybe even a prewritten speech. Florence broke off from that norm, the guy able to take a simple instruction and work with it. Even better, I could tell him not only what to say but even how to say it. Given his silver tongue, he'd get it done. That saved me a lot of time trying to smooth the situation over.

I turned towards the others. Helios's left eye twitched, his nerves shot. Amara stayed in an almost comatose state, the eldritch likely even more whiplashed than Helios since I shoved her into stasis. I pointed at Amara, ”Could you have me put back into Schema's system if I was exiled again?”

Amara shook her head, snapping herself back to the moment at hand. She hissed out, ”What? Yes, I could. It would be simple.”

I nodded, ”Just making sure. Could you make a system like Schema's too? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”

Amara tilted her head, her palms peering off to the side, ”I...I could, in theory. It would require eternal life unless I amassed an enormous team of those like me. Vast legions of Builders...Cipheric knowledge before the age of time...Infinite mana and resources. All that and more, I would need all of it. The prospect is daunting.”

I raised a brow, ”Just asking. Anyways, you're free to go. Helios, when will you have those warping lessons ready?”