BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.999: Building a New Frontline

Erik and June landed inside the Red Palace garden. The cheers and jubilation from the citizens were still audible in the distance, but here, a distinct tension hung in the air.

<We did well, > June said as they landed.

<We did, Master.>

June then turned human again, and Erik gave him his shirt so at least June could cover his, or better, their, little brother.

However, as June put the shirt on, Erik saw Stephen Middleton being dragged out of the Red Palace, flanked by guards.

Middleton's face was pale, his eyes darting around in panic as he got brought away.

<The fucker didn't think the blackguards would lose, uh?>

The guards wasted no time shoving Middleton into a flying car. The vehicle lifted off, heading to an undisclosed location.

Erik watched it disappear into the horizon behind some sky scrapers before his attention went back to the clone.

<I'm done, master.>

<Good.>

They both turned their attention to the Red Palace and walked through the main door.

Inside, the people were celebrating their victory. People who had been risking their lives until now finally found a moment of respite.

Though the conversations hushed as Erik and June entered. Honestly, they didn't know how to react to them.

They didn't know June was the Black Wyvern, but Erik... Oh, Erik had made an impression. Eyes followed him, respect, curiosity, and fear clear in every gaze. But Erik expected that much, and didn't care. He got used to this kind of look back in Etrium, when people looked at him in adoration and envy after what he did in less than two years in that nation.

Then Van Dyke and Fischer appeared from the elevator that had just arrived on that floor. If by coincidence or not, Erik didn't know, though their expressions were unreadable.

They shared a silent look with Erik; they didn't utter a single word. Erik was reading their minds. While Fischer was happy, he was conflicted about many things about how the situation unfolded. Also, from one side, he was sorry that Erik had to carry most of the burden of this entire situation. It wasn't just because of the battle, but the burden of this entire rebellion.

Fischer thought he was the adult one, a military at that, and yet he failed to defeat Volkov. A kid helped them, and while the world didn't allow kids to be just that, kids, and have a simple life, that didn't mean he was happy about the fact that a kid had to win a war for them, it brought shame to him.

Erik then turned to Van Dyke. In his case, he didn't feel sorry for Erik, instead; the man feared him.

Erik was strong; he showed that many times. He knew the young man had multiple powers; even his ability to create impossibly strong clones was proof of that; however, what he showed within the prison, what he did with the black wyvern, with June, was something else altogether.

"Follow us," the old man said.

The elevator ride was silent, the hum of the machinery the only sound. When the doors opened, the top floor came into view. They started walking toward Van Dyke's office. Though on the way, he saw them. Emily, Amber, Mira, and Richard.

Emily was clutching her father's leg while tears streamed down her face. Mira and Amber were by her side, comforting her and caressing her back.

Richard was there, alive, thanks to Erik's intervention. Amber and Mira glanced at Erik when they saw him turn the corner. Their eyes were full of gratitude. They gave him a quick nod, and Erik nodded back.

Van Dyke and Fischer led him into the principal's office; there, Captain Lain was already waiting. The woman's face was cheerful but... troubled. Though there was also gratitude in her eyes.

The room was nothing like Erik imagined. Van Dyke was rich, the leader of the most prominent training facility in the country. He imagined his office being full of pricey stuff- trophies and stuff like that.

Instead, it was simple, with a large table in the center surrounded by chairs. Maps and strategic plans were strewn across the table, remnants of their battle preparations.

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Van Dyke was the first to speak. "Erik, what you've done today... is beyond... commendable. We've struck a major blow against the blackguards. We freed Frant's capital, but... I guess you are aware of the fact that... this is not the end, right?"

Fischer nodded in agreement. "The city is ours, but this victory, while significant, is just a battle. There are many more blackguards throughout New Alexandria, and Volkov's troops... Let's say they weren't just people who had been forced to join the army."

Of course, Erik knew that. But still, a lot of them were criminals-the Crystal Cross Gang, the supplier.

"I know. I had no intention of stopping here. We need to solidify our hold on the capital and prepare for the inevitable attacks on the other cities. We must free the nation, right?"

Captain Lain stepped forward. "What do you suggest?"

"Well... I know for a fact we don't have many people anymore. Many died, but you know I have a solution for this."

"You want to make more clones?" Fischer asked.

"Of course, I will continue to create more clones and strengthen our forces. When Becker's comes back, things will be even easier. I doubt people would say nothing once they see him. I'm sure they will be relieved that he is here again, and... they will probably help us get rid of the blackguards."

"Many people will die."

"Many people already did." Erik had a sombre look on his face. "Besides, do you really think the other nations won't attack Frant now? The blackguards will tell everyone to attack us. We need as many people as possible."

That was an undeniable truth. The blackguards had power across the globe, or better, across the human-controlled territory.

If they controlled the underworld, if they controlled the mercenary guild in Etrium... It was clear they controlled the other nations.

Hin, for example, had been created for them, an entire nation. It was impossible for Etrium and Hin not to attack, and that was just based on the fact they were the closest nations to

Frant.

The blackguards needed to reclaim the nation, so that they could control the entire world again. Besides, their target, Erik, was there.