Black Heart

Pangaea South Ward, Black Heart City — Outer District

At the back of Sigma's shop in the outer district, a bright light shined revealing a dimensional portal the size of a door. Out from this doorway of swirling light walked Jodye Trill, Dessa Chimes, Aiken Moon, and the Neofrost Master. The latter disappeared in a flash as soon as they arrived, leaving Jodye and company dumbstruck.

"How irresponsible," Jodye Trill shook his head gently. However, Joovee leaving had to somehow be in Jodye's best interest as the heavenly tribulation didn't appear in the sky to judge Joovee Nile. Thus, Jodye put it out of his mind.

"Okay guys, here's the plan. Let's…" however, before Jodye Trill could even finish his sentence he was interrupted when his divine awareness picked up the danger, and he threw his arms up forming a barrier of thunderbolt qi around him and his two companions.

*BOOM*

*CRASH*

*Shingshing*

A curvy silhouette crashed heavily into the shop blowing the entire entrance into rubble, before rolling to her feet. However, merely a couple of seconds later a brawny man with depraved eyes and long, spiky, red hair flashed into the hole and slashed down with a mighty great sword.

"Hehe, you gonna taste real good tonight, baby," sneered the red-haired man. The curvy woman's face which Jodye noticed was flawless carried a deep frown. The qi from the blade formed a small tornado surrounded by blue lightning. The curvy woman in white armor condensed a two-meter-tall white paladin shield that shined with golden fate qi and impaled the ground in front of her with it.

*DONG*

The shockwave of the two weapon's impact caused countless cracks to appear in Jodye's thunderbolt barrier before it shattered and the gust sent the three youths tumbling away.

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Two hours earlier…

The huge Black Heart City was bustling with activity as per usual. Merchants yelled on the streets of the outer district, while aristocrats mingled and plotted against each other in the inner district. Only the Golden District which housed the three major sage houses, two saint temples, as well as the office of the Mayor of Black Heart City appointed by the Pharaoh King Thoth, had been unusually quiet. On the top floor penthouse of the Golden District's ten-story tall Shooting Star Heavenly House, Sigma Octanis gazed at the mayor's office in the distance. The pressure surrounding the office would increase with every step one took near Sigma. Next to him, Temple Sheppard Erykah Maat levitated gently while cultivating with hundreds of little firebirds swarming around him. Behind them were two Gold Mages, four Silver Mages, and ten Great Scholars under Sigma's direct command. This was the expert sage team that Sigma put together during his time on this planet. He trained these sages from the Origin Science Realm all the way to their current prowess.

"I sense the presence of more and more fiend qi in the direction of the Mayor's Manor," Sigma Octanis' face darkened as he spoke solemnly. "Deidrick has yet to respond to any of my messages. If he is not dead, he would be able to respond even under watch. I must accept that he has fallen."

"What would you have us do, master?" asked one of the Gold Mages, a negus with blonde hair and hazel eyes named Allan Kissam.

"They do not know that I have returned. The attack should be starting soon, as Deity Succubus has already infiltrated the city." Sigma Octanis' eyes and voice softened noticeably when he mentioned Deity Succubus and his eyes started to daze.

His subordinates all exchanged a look when noticing this change, but they didn't comment since it wasn't their place to do so. Rumor had it that the leader of Deity Succubus shared a unique and ambiguous connection with their commander.

Only the two Gold Mages, Allan Kissam, and Rogue knew the truth of the matter.

Sigma's daze vanished and his stern voice continued, "Deity Succubus' Dark Valkyrie Guild is starting to pull their agents out from the middle district, including the ones hidden in the camp of the thirteenth royal army division's Commander Uganda. This news is as wonderful as it is terrible. This means our agents are no longer forced to conceal themselves so deeply. However, it also means the war had already started. What could have made them act so rashly…"

"Master," Rogue's raspy voice suddenly sounded out. Sigma didn't speak or turn around but Rogue felt like the commander was now looking directly at him so he continued, "I submitted a report to senior Cassan about this previously. My agents report that 30 weeks ago, Tsukisasu Shin kidnapped and raped a member of the Dark Valkyrie Guild named Shaunda Chimes. She has been missing since this time. It is my belief that Tsukisasu Shin used a dark art to consume her vital qi, as after this incident both his breath of life and spiritual aura have increased substantially."

"When did the Dark Valkyries discover this information?" Sigma's face grew darker with each word his subordinate had reported to him. His magic qi pressure started to leak from his body, making his subordinates sweat bullets.

Something like this actually happened under their watch?

"Akeem," Allan Kissam only spoke one word, calling for a subordinate.

"I am responsible for the report, master," a Silver Mage who looked 75% similar to Allan Kissam stepped forward. Sigma finally turned around and observed at this young genius Akeem Kissam. If Sigma had to say who was his best spy, it would be this youth. The youngster was a mere 17 years old this year but under Sigma's guidance, he was already a Magic Priest at the Void Door Sage Realm and the Heaven's Master Saint Realm. If Sigma was being honest with himself, this brat was slightly more intimidating than his older brother Allan. Once his cultivation advanced a bit more, Allan would not be able to defeat him. Sigma nodded, and Akeem Kissam proceeded to report, "Dark Valkyrie operative Maaylan Isi infiltrated Commander Uganda's camp as his serving lady. She has been servicing the commander directly for a few months, in any way you can imagine. The Thirteenth Division Commander made the mistake of reprimanding Tsukisasu Shin for touching Shaunda in front of Maaylan. When she heard it, she dropped the tray she carried by accident. For this reason, I am certain that was the moment they discovered the truth, as this is not the mistake a spy of her level would make easily."

"And when exactly was this?" asked Sigma Octanis barely containing his rage.

"It was not long after you accepted young master Jupiter as your apprentice," all of Sigma's personnel knew about Jodye's importance to their master.

Sigma Octanis waved his hand at the mention of Jodye and Akeem stopped talking. Since the boy popped up in his life, Sigma had nearly forgotten about many of his obligations. After all, he didn't plan on staying on this star for more than a few years after he found a worthy disciple. Unfortunately, he may have to leave early due to the current circumstances. Luckily, Cassan would be able to stay and guide Aiken Moon in his stead. He reflected silently before saying, "Enough. I understand. In the future do not refer to my apprentice as Jupiter or he will definitely scold you. His name is Jodye Trill, and you may call him young master Trill."

Sigma suddenly felt as if he had been too frivolous lately. Had he been paying attention to these matters and not left their management up to Cassan, he definitely would not have sat idly by while Shaunda Chimes was kidnapped. Shaunda was of half-negus half-white elf descent, and she was the granddaughter of Azura, the leader of Deity Succubus. It was no wonder they were ready for war after discovering the cause of Shaunda Chimes' death. There was nothing he could to prevent them either, as Sigma also wanted to go to war at this moment.

"It seems, we must make a move after all…sigh," Sigma closed his eyes and exhaled before they snapped back open with a forceful and sharp glint. "For Commander Prop Uganda to employ two villains like Tsukisasu Shin and Ian Murphy, I have long had suspicions of his allegiance. Now I am certain he is working with the Death Missionary Guild, and he is likely already rather influential within. Teams A and B will immediately investigate the mayor's manor. Make haste, I want a full scope of the situation inside. Team C will head to the middle district and support the efforts of Deity Succubus. There is no need to continue pretending, recall your agents and be ready to attack. We are now at war!"

"YES!" responded the warriors in unison. Sigma Octanis waved his hand, and an invisible bubble surrounding the entire floor of the tower suddenly popped. The stifling and oppressive atmosphere of the office disappeared with it. As soon as this feeling vanished, the sages in the room moved out to handle their mission.

"Akeem, stay behind," remarked Sigma calmly.

"How may I serve you, master?" Akeem Kissam bowed to show his respect.

"I need you to head to the city gates," replied Sigma with slight concern in his voice, "The profound formation there should prevent any Prism Mage rank elites or above from getting in the city. Your task is to ensure both Layla and Azura make it through."

"Yes, Commander."