Chapter 1085: Command Base
After Northern and the others left, Annette seized command of the battlefield. Well, not the entirety of the battlefield bowed to her—she hadn’t expected that anyway.
But she commanded the submission of allies that mattered, ones that everyone feared so deeply.
She couldn’t help but feel that Northern knew exactly what he was doing when he ordered his minions to submit to her, because that became her foundation of authority and command—what allowed other humans, despite their issues with her sudden rise to leadership, to hold their tongues rather than challenge it.
Humans were quite reasonable, really. Just give them something to fear.
Everyone in Drywall was strong. Annette didn’t need to set an example to help them realize how dangerous the ’things’ surrounding her were.
There was Nebulous Lord’s bone-chilling stillness—the creature stood as silent and stoic as carved stone. When motionless, it was easy to forget he could move at all; he seemed sculpted in place, frozen in time.
He was deeply unsettling to behold, always stationed on her left, while on her right stood Abyss Tyrant, resembling a priest of destruction with his staff clutched like a divine weapon.
The others flanked behind her: Light of Featherstone and the goat. The Blood King loomed near the wall, its colossal frame impossible to ignore.
Corpse Eater and Mr. Fluffy were usually present too, though not always.
After Northern’s departure, everyone began working together to push forward. With Drywall’s calamity contained, it was only right that they venture to other nations and offer aid—which was precisely what they were discussing now.
They had spent considerable time repairing the damaged city, not merely out of goodwill. Annette’s strategy was to transform South Drywall into their fortress of safety and operations, especially since they could control the city itself through Erik’s talent.
It was an extremely convenient location for their base.
Afterwards, they continued discussing their path forward.
They gathered around a rectangular table with a weathered map of the continent spread across its surface.
Annette pointed to their current location on the map.
"From the southern island—the academy—all the way here has been cleared during our flight to Drywall. We don’t know the situation in other countries, but one thing we must all agree on is that the entire continent needs to wake up to the danger we’re facing."
She looked up at everyone assembled around the table.
"We also need to prepare backup for the team that’s gone to confront the Origin and Tyrant. Northern might make it look like everything’s under control, but I can’t even fathom what battling an Origin would entail. It would be naive and reckless to assume they don’t need our help."
Gourdon sat at the table as well, hands folded, wearing a knowing smile.
He served as another gravitational point of authority, but remained too passive and rarely spoke, except to laugh off most situations. So the secondary leadership naturally extended to the elites at large, with figures like Zeek and Sael taking the helm.
"So what is our path forward?"
Annette’s gaze found Gourdon.
"You mentioned we need to reach other nations. Right now, we have no means of transportation—what do you suggest?"
The entire table fell silent, awaiting Annette’s response.
From the far end of the table, Erikson slowly lifted his head.
"Um, I have an idea..."
Most heads swiveled toward him, their collective stare almost crushing in its intensity.
Annette smiled and encouraged him:
"Go on, Erik."
He stepped forward to the table’s center.
"You know South Drywall has a vast network. This is just a theory, but I’m thinking it might not be limited to South Drywall alone."
Annette tilted her head slightly.
"What do you mean, Erik?"
The others leaned in with equal attention, causing a weighted silence to blanket the hall like a heavy shroud.
Erik nearly choked on his own breath, but he inhaled deeply before anxiety could claim him. He steadied his breathing and focused solely on Annette.
"I’ve been able to completely synchronize with the entire city. Deep underground, there’s a network of tunnels that leads out of the city. I’m not exactly sure where they lead, but they definitely stretch beyond the city—that much I’m certain of."
Annette leaned across the table, bringing her face closer to Erik’s.
"This network—how large is it?"
Erik met her gaze with complete seriousness.
"Very... large."
He gestured expansively with his hands.
"It seems like something built by giants. Honestly, I have no idea how something of this magnitude could exist—it makes me question what Drywall really is. But if this network isn’t limited to Drywall alone, then I don’t know... maybe the entire continent was deliberately constructed?"
Annette stared at him intently, silent. Everyone else remained equally quiet.
The assistant to the Headmaster of Caelvyn Citadel suddenly burst into laughter.
All heads turned toward her with subtle frowns, especially Annette’s. Ever since the Headmaster of Caelvyn Citadel had departed, she’d been nothing but trouble.
"So you all believe this wild tale? A network of tunnels beneath the ground, built by giants? Really?"
Annette’s head tilted slightly, her frown deepening with displeasure.
She straightened and fixed her gaze on Nahia, who stood directly across the table.
"Erikson here possesses a unique talent that allows him to fuse with objects—to put it simply, he can commune with and become part of things that shouldn’t be sentient: trees, walls... Unless you can do something similar, I’d appreciate it if you kept your rotten mouth shut, young lady."
Nahia’s face twisted with indignation.
"What?"
"Sure ma’am."
Gourdon immediately cut through the tension with a sharp clap of his hands.
"We don’t need to bicker and pick fights over petty matters when the fate of the entire continent hangs in the balance, aye?"
Both women stepped back, and the atmosphere grew restless with murmurs.
Gourdon turned his attention to Erikson.
"Thalen trusted you completely, and I witnessed what you accomplished with the city and the wall. I trust your talent."
Erikson bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, sir."
Gourdon smiled warmly.
"So, do you believe these tunnels will lead us out?"
Erikson nodded confidently.
"Yes, sir. I just need to map them out, and we can determine exactly where they’ll take us."
Gourdon nodded and clapped again, his voice rising with renewed energy.
"Well then! Seems like you have your work cut out for you—and the rest of us too! We should find an alternative while he does his work, right?"
Everyone murmured and nodded in agreement with Gourdon.