Chapter 52: The Core Dome
The Core Dome was a cavern of secrets, its polished obsidian walls reflecting the glow of pulsating artifacts and living maps that traced the world above like mana veins.
The crimson light of the runes danced in the air, casting shadows that seemed to conspire with each other.
In the center, the four black stone thrones formed a circle, each occupied by a guild master.
Kelna, Vaen, Lorith, and Rethar watched the central orb, which projected flickering images of Eren and his group advancing along the path towards Barovik.
But Vaen’s eyes, from the Throne of Systemology, were fixed on another figure: Liriel, the fairy of Hagan.
Vaen adjusted his hexagonal glasses, the HUD projecting real-time data about the fairy. His fingers drummed on the arm of the throne, a nervous habit revealing the unease behind his cerebral facade.
"Something is wrong with this Liriel," he said, his voice low, laden with subtle irony. "She isn’t bound to Hagan. No contract recorded in the system. This is... irregular."
He tilted his head, the floating symbols around his shoulders blinking as he analyzed the logs.
Kelna, from the Throne of Biothermy, turned, her neon-green eyes glowing with clinical intensity. Her hair shaved on one side displayed biological runes pulsing in sync with her pulse.
"Irregular?" she retorted, her voice sharp as a blade. "She’s a fairy, Vaen. Those creatures are unpredictable by nature. Maybe Hagan released her to act as bait. That doesn’t change the plan." She pointed to the orb, where Liriel hovered above Eren, offering a partnership proposal. "He accepted. This gives us time to collect data."
Rethar, from the Throne of Fragmented Theurgy, slammed his fist on the throne, the runes etched on his tunic trembling.
"Time?" he roared, his voice filled with fervor. "What if she betrays Eren? If Hagan is using her to eliminate him before we can control him? Sylha was tamed, but Barovik is a battlefield. The Flaming Eye will not wait." His scorched eyes glowed, reflecting the light of the runes. "We need to act, not observe."