Not wanting another bicker session to start between these two, Levi asked the High Chancellor for more details... he knew that such Ancient Distorted Sites rarely made an appearance on their planet’s soil.
Many conditions needed to be fulfilled for even a low-grade site to emerge... for one as high as this to emerge? It implied that the entire world was going to make a move on it... nightcrawlers and humans alike!
After all, those sites were connected to ancient ruins of civilizations across the entire universe and its realms, which were touched by the corruption of the Shadow dimension, but weren’t completely devoured by it.
This gave birth to Distorted Sites, where corruption’s levels were just enough to create artifacts, natural materials, and such resources from the ancient memories of the site, while simultaneously giving a chance to non-Shadow dimension creatures to explore them somewhat safely.
"I know that Ancient Distorted Sites emerge only when a certain area with a rich history has been corrupted, which makes it possible for the Shadow dimension to turn it into a gateway, connecting it across dimensions to another area that shares great similarities in its history." Levi inquired, "Since it emerged in the fallen Sphinx’s region, does this imply the gate will link us to an Ancient Distorted Site filled with treasures related to desert, undead, sunfire, spirit, and maybe even life?"
"I know that much..." Arthur murmured on the side, but everyone ignored him.
"That’s the gist of it." Lord Idriss nodded, "We don’t know for sure, but if there might be a place for a miraculous medicine, we believe there is a high chance it will be in this Distorted Site."
"But... why are you telling us this?" Nurah tilted her head in confusion, "Such a treasure-rich ground will be sought after by even Solarbound Daywalkers and Tier 5 nightcrawlers... I doubt we have what it takes to survive such a conflict."
When treasures of such rare affinities emerged, hell broke loose... not even Solarbound Daywalkers could 100% survive such exploration. The true danger wasn’t even related to the Site itself... but the monsters it attracted.
"We also thought the same and had plans to send Feng Ling, Hicham, Madam Ysara, and Idriss to explore it... However, we have just received news that Solar Aegis Sanctuaries Headquarters had claimed it under its jurisdiction."
"They did?" Shia’s gaze lingered, filled with confusion.
"Yes." The High Chancellor said, "We don’t know why for sure... but the news mentioned that it planned on using it as a training mission for the first three ranked teams in the Conference... but we all know, that was just a part of it."
The Governors nodded in agreement... they understood that claiming the site under their jurisdiction implied investing a Holy Pillar to keep outsiders away... at least, until the teams entered the gate and it was about to close.
Holy Pillars weren’t free resources... The CRS Platform using them for their Death Games was one thing, and the Sanctuaries applying to use one was another.
After all, the Solar Aegis Sanctuaries branches on such planets were run by the Saviors... not the Radians, who were given their blessings and such.
Although they could descend on the planets if a situation called for their attendance, it seldom happened.
The SAS Headquarters clearly needed something from the site, and with the Conference already running, why not use it as a mission for the teams to retrieve it? Win-win.
"Again... why does this concern us?" Nurah frowned, "As much as I would like to head there and test my luck, for myself, and the Instructor, I doubt we are welcomed."
"We weren’t welcomed before... but not after today." Levi answered her, his gaze affixed on their name in the top three ranking.
"You mean it’s possible to have us join the exploration even though we have yet to be invited?" Arthur raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"That’s what we will be trying to do..." The High Chancellor nodded, "You guys have already done a great job at putting your name on the map... It’s our turn to sell your potential to the Headquarters and make an exception, given Seraphis’ dire situation."
"The Ancient Distorted Site Exploration is believed to be planned in two weeks from now, so it’s best that you don’t commit to any other raid until we try our chances first."
Levi and the others nodded in understanding.
"Again... amazing job, and I hope you keep the same consistency in your future raids." The High Chancellor smiled, "We have already eaten enough of your time, go take a rest... we will reach out if there is any development."
The Governors also gave them some words of encouragement, understanding that the hope of a greater nation fell on their shoulders.
Levi and the rest gave them head nods in appreciation and left the Council.
The moment they exited the door, they glanced at each other and asked simultaneously, "The Rooftop?"
***
The Shadow Dimension... Inverse Sanctrum.
While Levi and his friends had grouped up on the roof to meet up with Rayan, Jamal, and Sergio to discuss their successful bets, the Bishop was seen sitting on his throne, his shadowy head resting on his palm.
He had a dimensional screen in front of him, showing him the latest piece of news his pawns across the continent of Africa had collected.
As he kept scrolling through the endless useless updates and intel, his eyes finally moved after noticing a significant piece of news... The emergence of the Ancient Distorted Site in the Sphinx’s region.
"Grade A site... a Gate showing signs of opening up inside the Great Pyramid of Giza... Interesting... but it has fallen under the Solar Aegis Sanctuary’s jurisdiction? That’s gonna be annoying... Hmm?" He murmured... But then, he got pissed off after noticing that the news was three days old.
This was an unacceptable delay, but he had no one to take it on... He had taken Lord Darius as his right hand because of how early he got such important news due to his high standing in his region.
The rest of his pawns were either nest owners or had low access to classified information from their regions... Darius was different.
Yet, the Bishop’s ego was too high up to let himself feel an ounce of remorse for his decision to eliminate Darius... for all of his importance, he was too hung up on reclaiming Heliodor’s region for himself, and he didn’t like that.
The Bishop wanted everything to be about him... A pawn should have no dreams or goals bigger than his master.
’Hound... are you still stuck inside that little domain? Do I really need to come down there and drag you out?’ The Bishop reached out to the Hound, his tone not too pleased.
’No need, master...’ The Hound replied with an indifferent tone, ’I am almost done...’
’Good, I will need you for an errand.’
’Understood.’
’If you won’t make it out in the next two weeks, I will send Rain instead.’
’No need to involve that creep... I will be there.’
’You better.’
With that final warning, the Bishop closed the dimensional connection and started tapping his finger on the throne’s armrest, his mind suddenly wandering to what occurred in the Silent Convergence.
It was held some time ago and lasted for a day... as expected, with him coming short of Refined Daywalkers’ Blood, his time didn’t go pleasantly.
But, he toughed through the storm of mockery under the emotionless eyes of The Black Veil and accepted his punishment gracefully... a grim challenge for someone with an ego of a continent.
While he was under the abuse of his peers, the one thing that kept him sane was the treasured eyes of Levi.
’Radian Descendant... you are full of secrets.’
He thought to himself, a scene replaying of Levi switching his staff to a sniper rifle to kill Demetris... He obtained the information from Darius before he finished him off.
If it wasn’t for the Silent Convergence being around the corner, which consumed most of his mind, he would have given Levi’s situation more attention.
Now that the Hound was about to be freed, he already had him on his radar... and he wanted him alive.
If it were up to him, he would have made his move personally, just like what he did when he retrieved Levi’s eyes... However, Levi and his teammates were part of the Great Campaign, which placed them under the protection of the CRS Platform until the event ended.
Protection in the sense that neither force from the Duskbound Order nor the Solar Aegis Sanctuary could make a move on either team of both sides.
The Bishop was part of the Duskbound Order, so were his pawns... on the other hand, the Hound and Rain weren’t officially registered in the organization!
They were considered the Bishop’s personal dogs... raised personally by him through some questionable means from childhood, but they still belonged to him.
They were loyal to the Bishop, not the organization... this gave the Bishop the reach to carry on such missions, which should have been frowned upon under the CRS Platform’s rules.
’What else do you have in store for me? Maybe, my dream of promotion in this decade isn’t killed yet.’ He said, while a sinister smile formed slowly on his shadowy face.