A pile of Artifice landed on Michael's hands, each one as light as a feather. He didn't know how much these were equivalent to GodForge pieces, but it must be a lot.
Ten of those Maugnetics were in the 3rd stage, while Platinum was at the peak of the 9th stage, just a half-step away from the Nascent Spirit realm.
It was definitely enough to turn another Unity Clone into a quasi Nascent Spirit Maugnetic like Alpha.
That was the main reason why he agreed to Katarina's proposal. Seeing as how Alpha was able to best even a Nascent Spirit Piece, he knew from then on that he should focus on turning his other Unity Clones into the same as her.
If he were to encounter another one of those disembodied Diva—which in his luck, wasn't that far-fetched—then he'd feel a lot safer knowing that he could summon any one of his Unity Clones and have them defeat the Nascent Piece.
According to Katarina, the one he encountered was only a tiny sliver of the real thing. If he had encountered a much bigger piece, it was more than possible that Alpha would be the one in the ground right now.
And if he encountered a true Nascent Spirit cultivator, his only chance of survival were those Unity Clones. If not for defeating them, then for purchasing enough time for him to escape.
"Are there more of these guys in Ersatz?" Michael asked Katarina, gesturing at the dead, debonair man on the ground.
She nodded. "There are multiple levels in their organization.
The ones that you saw here today populating the stronghold are simple Pawns. They range from the 1st stage to the 8th stage of the Body Formation realm.
Now once they reach the 9th stage, then they are eligible to become a Platinum."
So that wasn't his name, but his title.
"Then how about Grandmaster?"
Katarina's eyes shifted imperceptibly as he mentioned that name. But with nary a change in expression or countenance, she continued on as if she was unaffected by the name.
"Grandmaster is a title meant for the strongest beings in Ersatz, a realm just a wisp away from godhood. He is in the 9th stage of the Nascent Spirit realm."
After hearing that, Michael couldn't help but thank his lucky stars.
As it turned out, that Shadowy Knight Diva came not just from an ordinary Nascent Spirit cultivator, but one at its peak!
Grandmaster was only a half-step away from breaking through to the next realm! Michael didn't even know there was a next realm.
Even with all of his strengths and advantages, he was 100% certain that he wouldn't stand for even a second in an encounter against him. The gap was too large.
"He wouldn't know I defeated his Nascent Piece, would he?" he asked with consternation.
She shook her head. "No need to worry. He won't know. You've killed the only witness."
Nascent Spirit Pieces were connected to the main Maugnetic, but they couldn't communicate back to them.
"In each Ersatz Stronghold, you'll find only a single leader. In this case, the entire castle was led by a Platinum. This is probably because this stronghold doesn't have that much of a significant value to their organization.
Usually, Strongholds are guarded by Emeralds, Diamonds, or even Masters."
According to Katarina, Emeralds were Nascent Spirit cultivators in the 1st to the 3rd stage. Diamonds ranged from the 4th stage to the 6th stage, and Masters from the 7th stage and onwards.
"Wait, I thought Grandmasters were for cultivators in the 9th stage of the Nascent Spirit?"
She shook her head. "Those in the 9th stage are considered as Masters. But those in the peak of that realm are worthy to become Grandmasters. Some say that the difference between the two are as massive as the difference between the Body Formation and the Nascent Spirit realm."
In short, Michael should let go of any thoughts about dealing with the Grandmaster. In fact, he should avoid Ersatz Strongholds entirely—at least, until he also reached the Nascent Spirit realm.
"The more important the Stronghold, the more powerful its protector?" Michael tried to confirm.
"Yes. But make no mistake. The fact that only a Platinum guarded this stronghold doesn't mean its significance is mild. Each stronghold destroyed is another wrench in their plans. Trust that they will feel the ramifications of what we've done today—of what you've done."
It did give him comfort in knowing that the spread of Artifice would be hindered because of today.
But there was something that Platinum said that was still making him uneasy.
"Then, does that mean that the Stronghold in New Sparta contains extreme importance for Ersatz?"
Katarina furrowed her brows, her eyes shifting at the implication of his words.
"Before he died, Platinum said that he'd return to the Grandmaster's side in New Sparta."
A huge gale of wind burst in front of Michael as Katarina rushed to his side. "Is this true?"
Her eyes were burning with fervid hate and vitriol. Her diamond armor was subconsciously manifesting around her body, as if reacting to the intense emotions rumbling through in her mind.
Michael furrowed his brows realizing that the hate wasn't directed towards him.
Her hateful eyes were unfocused and hazy, as if her mind was embroiled in her own emotions and memory.
Katarina despised the Ersatz, but not to this extent.
The resentment she felt for this 'Grandmaster' was visceral—it was personal.
After a few seconds, Katarina's emotions calmed, with the diamond armor around her body dissipating back into motes of light.
She stepped back, mortified at her own outburst.
"I'm sorry. I just—"
He stopped her. "It's okay. I understand."
With a nod, Katarina pursed her lips. "If Platinum is telling the truth… if he is in New Sparta, then this means that we're underestimating the importance of this place. I have to tell this to everyone."
This information needed to be relayed with the utmost haste. She needed to tell them herself.
But just then, they heard the sounds of hurried footfalls echoing through the chambers.