'Clan Song seems to be in for a very unpleasant surprise.’
Sunny contemplated silently,
He wanted to say something, but at the moment, the tranquil atmosphere of the underground chamber was suddenly broken by a grating, echoing ringing sound. The sound came from two directions, impossible to ignore.
Sunny frowned, recognizing it.
'Really? Now?’
Across the table from him, Morgan paused for a moment, then reached elegantly into the inner pocket of her suit jacket and pulled out a slick communicator. At the same time, Nephis unbuttoned her waistcoat and produced hers.
The two of them studied the screens in silence. After a few moments, Nephis showed her communicator to Sunny.
The Lord of Shadows had abandoned the waking world to dwell in the Dream Realm, so he naturally did not have one.
Sunny looked down, already knowing what he would see.
There, on the screen, an emergency notification was blinking urgently:
EMERGENCY ALERT
EMERGENCY ALERT
GATE ACTIVITY DETECTED IN YOUR PROXIMITY
ETA: ~37 minutes
EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!
‘Thirty-seven minutes...'
The Obel Scale had become much more reliable after the conclusion of the Chain of Nightmares, but it had never quite managed to return to its past stability. Thirty-seven minutes was much more time than the citizens had received back when a Gate opened near Rain's school, but still far from a stellar result. 𝚏r𝗲ewe𝚋𝐧𝚘vel.𝚌𝚘m
Nephis pressed on the notification, and a map opened on the screen, denoting the impact zone. After another tap, a further message showed up:
ATTENTION ALL AWAKENED
REQUEST IMMEDIATE ACTION
Gate Category: 2 (61% probability), 3 (34% probability), HIGHER (undefined).
Strike Force ETA: 14 minutes, 44 seconds.
He let out a small sigh.
This time, at least, the government forces would arrive far in advance of the Nightmare Gate's descent. The disaster would be contained, and civilians would have plenty of time to evacuate.
Then, Sunny glanced at Morgan with suspicion.
...Had she known that this would happen?
Logically, she could not have. But then again, all of it was a little too convenient. Choosing such a public location for their meeting was premeditated, without a doubt - Morgan clearly wanted to send Song a message that the Lord of Shadows was taking Valor's side.
Was there a better way to announce it than to be seen clearing a Gate side by side with him?
Not to mention that it was a good opportunity to gauge his strength.
Sensing his gaze, Morgan looked up from the screen and smiled helplessly.
"Ah, how bothersome. Do not worry, Lord Shadow... we can stay here until the turmoil ends. The restaurant is outfitted with top-notch defenses, and employs Awakened guards,"
She leaned back and then added in a relaxed tone:
"Or, you know... we can respond to the summons and help the government contain the Gate. You are my guest today, so you decide."
Sunny stared at her coldly, feeling like he was being played.
Before he could answer, though, Nephis wiped her lips with a napkin and stood up.
She hid her communicator, buttoned up her waistcoat, and glanced at Morgan calmly.
"I'll go."
Morgan laughed.
"My little sister is an example to us all, as always. Well, in that case, I'll go too."
Sunny sighed and threw a regretful look at all the food on the table.
Should he secretly leave a shadow behind and make it steal all these delicacies once they leave?
Abandoning that thought, he pushed back his chair and stood up, as well.
His voice remained indifferent:
"...Then let's go.”