Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 988: Mobilizing Grand Cathia

Having said her piece, Miki did not linger.

She turned and walked out of the council chamber.

The doors closed behind her with a heavy thud.

Shouts erupted immediately on the other side. Furious voices overlapped as the nobles vented their outrage, but Miki did not slow her steps.

The noise faded as she moved down the corridor.

"You should’ve done that earlier, Captain." One of the guards grinned. "I swear those people think they’re invincible even though you’re around."

Miki shook her head.

"I wouldn’t be so certain."

Her gaze drifted briefly back toward the council chamber doors.

"There were several strong ones hidden in the shadows of that hall. The ones I knocked out were merely for show." Miki exhaled slightly. " Let us focus on what we should do instead."

She gestured to another guard.

The man immediately handed over a small device Suyin had developed.

"First, we need to calm the civilians. We cannot force surveillance over them, but that does not mean we are powerless."

Miki fitted a small earpiece into her ear.

A press of the device triggered a faint click.

A projection flickered to life above it.

"Captain. Awaiting instructions." Her assistant greeted her.

Taking a deep breath, Miki focused her gaze.

"We are pausing Nightmare research for now. The realm remains largely unknown, and chasing power blindly will only worsen the situation. Our resources will be redirected."

The assistants raised her eyebrow.

"Should I relay this to the command centre so preparations can begin immediately?"

"Please."

A brief pause passed as the connection shifted.

Moments later, the command centre appeared within the projection.

Dozens of guards, officers and researchers stood ready. All waiting for Miki’s orders.

"We now have three objectives if we want to maintain order in Grand Cathia." Miki’s gaze swept across the people.

"First, we reestablish contact with the Underground. That will naturally be my responsibility. However..." She paused. "We are not approaching so that they can help us quell in chaos. No, we’ll commission their network to locate and track Abyss Beasts for us to eliminate."

A few of the guards looked at each other with uncertainty.

"Do not trust in the Nightmare for it is an insidious trap. One that is designed to exploit humanity’s hunger for power."

When the easy path appeared, people naturally fixated on it.

Tunnel vision.

Not her.

Not while she still had a say in how this city survived.

"Nightmare abilities are easier to obtain than Abyssal ones." She continued. "However, they are far more restrictive. The builds our department have created heavily rely on the synergies between abilities and equipment."

"Unfortunately, items cannot be brought outside the Nightmare. Which means many of the builds we have developed are effectively useless."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"So what do we do?"

The room remained silent.

"We will venture deep into the Abyss as Hunters. We will hunt and claim our bounty. That is our next goal. We will take advantage of all of the resources we have at our disposal.

"Form connections with the surrounding cities. Exchange information for resources and travel. It doesn’t matter if our memory are temporary erased when we leave the boundaries of Extalia.

"Miss Bai is already in the process of creating a device that’ll allow us to retain our knowledge."

Clenching her fist, Miki took a deep breath.

Now that the Nightmare wasn’t hanging over their heads like a guillotine, it’s time for them to act.

Information, resources, power.

Obtaining these three are the keys to their success.

"We will claim power through Sigils. Power many struggled to claim in the past due to the risks involved."

Her eyes sharpened.

"But now you possess experience and knowledge granted by the Nightmare.

"So tell me... what exactly are you afraid of?" Miki chuckled.

"Safety remains our highest priority. The research department will conduct final evaluations to ensure all hunts are carried out as safely as possible."

Her gaze settled over the projection.

"Now then..."

A small pause followed.

"I don’t believe there are any questions."

For a moment, there was silence before cheers erupted.

Officers began relaying orders across their stations. Messages were drafted. Routes were reviewed. Departments that had been focused almost entirely on Nightmare research began reorganizing their priorities.

Grand Cathia was moving again.

But this time, it was not reacting to a siege.

It was preparing for the future.

Miki lowered the device slightly as the projection faded.

"Mobilization will begin immediately." One officer announced from the fading projection.

Another voice followed.

"We’ll notify the logistics division."

"Research will prepare Abyss encounter reports."

Finally, it dimmed completely as Miki exhaled quietly.

For the first time since the Nightmare has begun, their actions were not dictated by survival alone.

With the knowledge they have gained and the freedom they’ve been given, they can help the other cities stabilize their situation.

"Send word to the guards around the city walls. Full mobilization. If the Nobles want to play governor, let them. Focus on what we need to do right now."

"Yes, Captain."

Within minutes, Miki could see the guards running around the city.

Messengers hurried past them in the corridors carrying sealed letters. Clerks running between rooms carrying stacks of documents.

The Nightingale family had always been meticulous with logistics. Her father was someone who had rather high standing within the Underground after all. This much was the bare minimum.

Miki closed her eyes.

Even now, it felt like just yesterday when her father was still petting her on the head.

A small bitter smile hung on her lips.

’Don’t worry dad. I won’t fail you.’

Making her way down from the upper layer, Miki noticed Alice staring out at the city.

"So this is what the whole city looks like when the Nightmare isn’t an immediate danger. It’s quite the sight." She smiled, glancing towards Miki.

"It’s only a fraction of what could’ve been. Should you come visit the city sooner, you would’ve been awestruck." Miki chuckled, standing next to Alice.

She dismissed her guards, allowing them to carry on with their orders.

"That so? Shame indeed then. I heard your orders earlier. Suyin is trying her best to shrink the device down but it’ll be difficult."

Miki shrugged.

"That’s fine. No need to rush a genius when she’s already working hard."

"So it’s time for you to link up with the Underground again right? Need a personal body guard to help you out?" Alice offered.

Thinking about it for a moment, Miki nodded her head.

With the Underground being split into two. The side that stands with the Zenia family and the side that stands against.

Standing by Alice’s side was probably the safest place in the world outside of Lords who stand at the pinnacle.

"There’s quite a few things we need to do. Linking up with the Underground is just one of them. The closest city when it comes to Abyssal access is Cyradil. Helping them resolve the Nightmare will be important." Tapping her finger.

"Will you be meeting up with the ones in charge there or are you going to focus on the Underground."

"Underground comes first. The sooner we do the better. While the enemy doesn’t know what we’re doing, I need to raise the power level of the guards in the city. That way, we can maintain order from the threats both inside and outside."

Alice nodded her head.

"Just let me know when to set off for the Underground. After that... We’ll see what happens."

###

Erwen had a smile on his face. He watched the entire exchange between Miki and the nobles.

To think this was the same girl he used to know in the past...

She was truly shaping up to inherit the role of the Nightingale family head.

If he left things as they are, even if the Nobles wanted to intervene, things won’t pan out the way he wanted.

Standing up, he sank into his shadow and disappeared.

At the same time... One of the nobles received a message.

###

A man could be seen lounging around in front of a garden.

He sat facing a small pond while abyssal beasts swam around.

These beasts were small yet deadly. Able to pierce through most defences in order to take over a host body.

Yet despite that, there was no safety measures in place. Just an open pond and him resting before it.

He smoked a long pipe and blew smoke into the air.

"Seems like the Nightingale kid is kicking up a storm." A grin appeared on his face.

"Hm? Hah! Yes you’re not wrong. If it’s just that kid alone I wouldn’t move. Her father was the one I had the agreement with. She needs to prove herself. But the girl next to her is a different question." He laughed, looking like he was talking to himself.

"She’s an anomaly. One with too many ties to the players of this game. A history with the Zenia family while also having a bunch of ties to powerhouses, including the sleeping gal in the Void. Then there’s that woman Allura." He blew out a cloud of smoke. "I still haven’t cleared my favours with her yet and you know how much I hate owing people."

Just thinking about the debt he owes to Allura caused him to grumble in annoyance before sitting up.

"She’s in Exatlia and the girl she’s looking after is also here. And soon, she’ll be coming here with the Nightingale kid. Don’t you think it’s a wonderful time to clear out some debts?"

Despite no one else responding to him, the man nodded before standing up.

The leader of the Underground will personally make a move.