Gargoyle Supremacy

Chapter 41 - I Receive a Prophesy, Is This Real Life or Fanta Sea

ECD Facility, Class-A Section 

The emergency underground train screeched to a halt at the exit tunnel, and Lt. General Ferdinand stormed out alongside a group of Class-A researchers. The team quickly surfaced, splitting into two groups.

Non-combatant personnel evacuated to reinforced bunkers, while Ferdinand and his combat-ready entourage made a direct path to the ECD Facility's secondary command center.

The secondary command center, housed deep within a nuclear-grade shelter 10 kilometers from the facility, was designed for crisis scenarios just like this one. Ferdinand moved with precision and fury, barging into the heart of the command bridge, where rows of glowing monitors and operational consoles sprawled like the nerve center of a massive supercomputer.

Ferdinand's voice echoed through the chamber. 

"REPORT! What the hell is happening while I wasn't watching?!" 

Inside the command center, over 200 agents operated their consoles, each focused on monitoring and controlling the ECD entities. One agent, trembling slightly, leaned into his microphone to deliver the grim update.

"Sir, ECD-6677 has disappeared from its containment. It teleported to an unknown location!"

Another agent interjected, "ECD-6677 reappeared inside ECD-145's containment chamber at 16:03. Both entities disappeared together at 16:07, sir!"

Chaos erupted across the bridge as more agents called out alarming reports.

"ECD-8888 has overridden all major sector controls and disabled 25% of our automated defense systems! It's demanding the return of ECD-77, or it will feed trapped staff members to ECD-4!"

"Sir, the containment seals on ECD-4 are degrading rapidly! ECD-4 has begun its awakening process and is actively attempting to breach containment!"

"ECD-7 has torn open a dimensional rift in its chamber! All ECD-7-1 sub-entities and isolated Class-C personnel have been relocated to its pocket dimension for safety!"

"ECD-13 and ECD-207 have escaped to the surface! Warden-3 Unit was completely annihilated!"

"Sir, ECD-333 has emerged on the surface and is engaging ECD-13 and ECD-207 in combat!"

Ferdinand's metallic jaw creaked under the strain, clenching his teeth. He understood the catastrophic implications of these breaches. ECD-145, in particular, was a cornerstone of the facility's containment network. Its absence weakened the "seals" that kept numerous hostile entities subdued.

"Damn it," Ferdinand growled. "At least ECD-333 and ECD-7 are on our side. We'll need their help to stabilize this mess."

Despite the chaos, Ferdinand wasn't overly concerned about ECD-8888's rebellion. The entity could be forced back into a hostile rift and let the entity die in there. 

Unfortunately, political interference from the bureaucrats made such solutions impossible. ECD-8888 was an entity that automatically excreted random raw materials, which could not be found on Earth. It was too valuable as its existence provided endless natural resources and technological advancements.

As finding the missing ECD-145 and ECD-6677 might be a hurdle, Ferdinand turned his attention to the artifact division's chief, who was responsible for a certain object. 

"Who's the moron responsible for experimenting on ECD-77?" Ferdinand's voice carried a razor's edge.

The department chief hesitated. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. "It's… Dr. Jasmine Snowcreak, sir."

Ferdinand froze. His blue, cybernetic eyes narrowed into slits. "What?! That fraud bitch still around?! I thought I ordered you to kick her out!"

The chief stammered. "The directive came from the Secretary of Health and the Senates, sir."

Ferdinand's composure shattered. "F-CK THAT BITCH AND THOSE BUREAUCRATS! They don't care about containment! They just want the juice!"

In a fit of rage, Ferdinand drove his fist into the bunker's reinforced wall. A loud crack echoed through the room as the concrete fractured slightly. His human knuckles, however, fared worse. Shreds of synthetic flesh peeled back, revealing gleaming blue metallic bones and the pulsing flow of artificial blood coursing through his augmented veins.

The sight silenced the room. Agents exchanged uneasy glances, and even the artifact chief stepped back in nervousness. Ferdinand's cold, calculated fury burned brighter than ever as he stared down the bridge.

"Get that damn bitch on the line. And if she starts bitching, tell her I'll personally drop her in ECD-4's containment chamber. Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

.

.

Meanwhile, in Carn's Room

Rosa materialized in Carn's room without warning. She extended her arms, presenting a glowing golden branch full of glittering gold leaves.

Carn's eyes immediately locked onto the object, and his brow furrowed deeply. Recognition dawned on him like a cold wind.

"Mother Tree's Envoy? What's it doing here? How did the humans of this world even come into contact with Mother Tree? I thought the Kirin Dragons protected her forest."

Rosa's voice sounded in his mind through telepathy, "According to the Akashic Grimoire, the humans of this world stole it from the royal treasury of the Brilliance Sword Kingdom. As for the details, I don't know. That geezer only cares about sleeping these days."

Carn was skeptical about this information, "Are you sure about that? Those sword fanatics don't hand over royal heirlooms so easily. What happened to them?"

"The kingdom has apparently turned into a dungeon. Either it's in ruins, or its population has mutated beyond recognition. That's what I think. The geezer never told me anything else."

Carn chuckled, "If that's the case, then serves them right. That's what they get for summoning angels and stabbing us in the back." 

His smile faded as he shifted his focus to the branch. Carn took a deliberate step back and lowered himself to one knee. He then prayed, using Aether to speak and showing utmost respect. 

"I, Pebble, greet the emissary of Mother Tree. My deepest apologies for failing to recognize you earlier."

The branch glowed brighter. Slowly, it floated toward Carn, hovering just above him. A resonant telepathic voice, ancient and serene, reverberated in his mind.

"Well met, Demon Lord. It has been a long time."

Carn tilted his head upward, "Indeed. Your Holiness, how fares the Mother?"

The envoy's voice softened. "She is well. No human nor beast can touch her."

"That is a relief."

The branch's tone turned firm, "Do not grow complacent, Demon Lord. The mother has sent me a message of great importance. I specially requested your servant to bring me here so I could deliver her words to you directly."

Carn's smile faded, replaced by a grave expression. Whenever the Mother Tree sent a message, it was no trivial matter. Her warnings often foretold impending calamities or ordeals. The last time he received such a message, he underestimated it, and it cost him everything.

This time, he vowed silently that he would not make the same mistake.

"I am ready," Carn inhaled deeply, centering himself on the heavy responsibility he knew was coming.

The golden branch emitted a brilliant glow, enveloping the room in ethereal light. A melodic, feminine voice resonated within Carn's mind. 

It was the voice of the Mother Tree herself.

.

Seven armies of corrupted might,

Immortal legions, veiled in blight.

Upon Earth's soil, their shadows loom,

Heralds of chaos, reapers of doom.

Divine sloths, in their gilded spire,

Turn blind eyes to the world on fire.

They shun the bold, the hearts that fight,

Yet envy heroes born in night.

Join with those who dwell in shade:

The Headless Knight, with blade unlaid.

The Ferryman, who bridges fate,

The Soul Catcher, sealing death's gate.

Detective Saint, his eyes see though,

Together weave a bond anew.

The sloths must wait, their wrath delay,

Till death's dark march is kept at bay.

Fear not the stains on innocence pure,

The blood of virtue, your path's allure.

For karma's tide, though dark it sways,

Shall cleanse your soul in judgment's rays.

When verdict calls, and truth is shown,

The weight of sins shall be atoned.

So walk the shadowed road with might,

And face the dawn that ends the night.

.

The gold light faded as the branch ran out of power. It dropped to the floor and turned to gold dust, which flew into Carn's right shoulder. 

Carn gritted his teeth as intense holy power coursed through his right arm. 

20 gold marks…

30 gold marks…

40…50…70…100…

200 gold marks formed a new pattern tattoo on his right shoulder!

Unlike the previous gold marks that Carn had received, each line was at least an inch long. They intertwined into a web-like fabric, painting his shoulder in gold. 

Just like that, Carn received an unexpected blessing from Mother Tree.