"Welcome to the monthly meeting," the Champion said from his throne.
At the bottom of his throne, to its left, stood the Politician.
He was meticulously groomed, and he looked into the round of Shields with an evaluating gaze.
To the right of the throne stood a confident and tall man who just smiled casually.
This was Zandur, the Juggernaut.
And as to the Right Arm's last wishes, he had been made the new Right Arm.
The other Shields stood in a circle.
To the right of the new Right Arm stood a tall and gruff man with two gigantic shields on his back.
This was the Wall, and he was subservient to the Right Arm.
To the left of the Politician was one of the new Shields.
It was a tall woman with icy blue hair.
If Nick were present, he would recognize her.
Aurelia Icegem.
This had been Simon Francium's superior for many years.
She had kept watch over the hole that contained Envy.
Before the disaster with Envy happened, she had been transferred to a different position since her substantial skills had been wasted watching over a Specter that was essentially already contained.
Aurelia had become one of the new Shields, and she was directly subservient to the Left Arm.
Her title was Icestorm.
While her offensive capabilities couldn't compare to the deceased Knife, they were still substantial.
She was a sniper with a devastating capability of destruction.
To her left stood the Technician, who was also only present as a hologram, which was unusual.
Normally, the Technician was stationed inside Aegis, which meant he was usually present.
But not this time.
The Technician was stationed outside so that the Icestorm could be present.
The last person stood between the Technician and the Wall.
It was a tall and slender man with bright red hair and a long lance on his back.
This was the last new Shield, and he was subservient to the Right Arm.
His title was the Inferno.
He excelled at suppressing Force Specters with pure strength.
When the Shields had been told about the meeting, they had expected it to be just another meeting.
Sure, sometimes, one of the ones stationed outside was called in so that they could also be present.
But they knew that this was not a normal meeting as soon as they saw the Technician being present as a hologram.
That never happened.
Naturally, they also quickly noticed that only the new Shields were present.
By now, they were no longer the new Shields.
They had been in this position for decades now, but compared to the old Shields, they could still be seen as new.
And yet, during these decades, the Technician had never been outside Aegis' headquarters during the meetings.
Something was up.
The Politician believed that this was related to the secret mission that Nick had talked about, but he couldn't be sure.
"You might have noticed our peculiar choice of present Shields," the Champion spoke.
Everyone looked at him.
"There is a reason for that, and I think it's best if we get that out of the way first."
The Champion fell silent for a couple of seconds.
Then, the doors opened, and a tall woman with purple hair entered the office.
Everyone looked over.
They had never seen this person before.
Naturally, this was Nick, and he had disguised himself.
The further his identity was from his true one, the better.
"This is Cynthia, and she has a unique ability that will prove very useful during this meeting," the Champion said.
Nick walked to the middle of all the Shields and performed a polite bow in front of the Champion.
The Champion nodded, indicating that Nick could start.
Nick turned to the physically present Shields and looked at them.
"Greed is in this room," he said.
The atmosphere became heavy, and the mood dropped.
The Wall's eyes opened in shock.
The Juggernaut watched with interest.
The Politician narrowed his eyes.
The Icestorm also narrowed her eyes, and the Inferno gritted his teeth.
"What?" the Wall asked.
"I'm not referring to you," Nick said, throwing a glance at the Wall. "You, the Champion, the Politician, and the Technician are safe."
"That's not what I meant," the Wall answered awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, are you sure? Every Shield gets thoroughly tested. I don't think any Specter can infiltrate us."
"Let her talk," the Politician said. "She has the Champion's blessing."
"Sure, but how are we supposed to prove who's a Specter?" the Wall asked. "Are we just going to believe her word?"
"Quiet," the Champion ordered.
The Wall took a step back and indicated that he wouldn't say anything else.
"I am suspected of being Greed?" the Icestorm asked with narrowed eyes.
The Champion didn't answer.
"Isn't it natural?" Nick asked, looking at her. "You conveniently were not present when Envy escaped. If you were, you would either be dead, or your cover would be blown."
The Icestorm narrowed her eyes at Nick, and her Zephyx turned the air in the room cold.
"And who are you to question me?" she asked.
"Her words are my words," the Champion spoke from his throne.
The Icestorm glared at the Champion before looking back at Nick.
"Fine, go ahead," she said. "Prove I'm Greed."
"I don't need to prove it," Nick said. "My ability already told me."
"You are Greed."
The Icestorm's eyes narrowed.
"How? Prove it," she demanded. "I passed all the tests!"
"There will be no tests," Nick said. "My word is all that is necessary."
"I know you are Greed, and you will be killed. If I am wrong, I will be killed right after you," he said.
"I am so certain that you are Greed that I am even willing to bet on my life."
The Icestorm looked with shock at Nick before turning to the Champion.
The Champion rose from his throne and pulled out his sword.
"You can't be serious," the Icestorm spoke in shock.
"Her words are my words," the Champion spoke as light gathered on his sword. "If she is wrong, she will be next."
The Icestorm took a step back as panic appeared on her face.
No!
She wasn't a Specter!
She was innocent!
Then, she turned to Nick.
This woman!
Why was she willing to kill herself just to kill her as well?!
"I am certain," Nick said.
The Champion nodded.
The breathing of the Icestorm quickened.
She couldn't possibly escape in front of the Champion.
"That she is not Greed," Nick finished.
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