"A System-generated Lord."

Sariel's words causing the numerous imaginary mental constructs within the room to pause, eyes widening at her declaration. Even Wilheim and Shamael were no exception to this, Despoina in the corner of the room halting the preening of her feathers, focusing her attention solely on Sariel.

The Adeptus Sanctus Medicus stood at Jon's side, clearing her throat before turning the page and continuing on with the report.

"Sampson reports that a recorded three thousand insects assaulted Saltstream Town in the middle of the night. Although lacking structures such as the Boundless Heaven Gate and Wonderous Citadel Dwelling, the Safe Zone does possess two Knights that wield Memento Source Items, one of which also possesses a summoned companion with the Memento Trait."

"Nicolai Vladivostok, a floresiensis and Second-Veined Knight who possesses Argenteum; Silver-Stream Liquid Cloth. From the report it was formed from a Fragment Of Liquid integrated into an Armour Mana Core. The base material was a Mortal Ranked Silver Chainmail."

"Gremy Rei, a nadian and First-Veined Knight who specializes in stealth and obfuscation. The name of her Memento Source Item is unknown, although is stated to have been created using a Void Mana Core. The base material was a Mortal Ranked Shadow Candle."

"Gremy is also said to have manifested a Memento Source wielding summoned companion as well [Phantasia Delight; Darkspring Flower Child]. Manifested from a Flower Mana Core and Fragment Of Darkness. Her Memento Source Item was called Hei Yin; Midnight Flower Garden."

Sariel took a sip of water from one of the glasses in front of her before continuing.

"Nicolai and Phantasia Delight took it upon themselves to hold the line during the battle. There was no time to shift defensive structures or prepare traps in advance, so it was up to the two of them to hold off the approaching insects until the defenders of Saltstream Town rallied themselves against the swarm."

"The population of Saltstream Town is about two thousand people, give or take ten percent. Not even five hundred of their citizens are Knights and yet the swarm of insects all possessed Knight Ranked physical capabilities. The branches of the Creationist Guild, Explorers Guild and Merchant Guild all assisted in the defence of the Safe Zone within minutes, summoned companions used as shields to stall their advance while Mortals and Knights cleansed the streets of insects."

"The entire battle lasted more than three hours. More than ninety percent of all the deaths were Mortals who had ran out of spiritual energy."

Shamael could not help but let out a small sigh, shaking his head and muttering a small prayer for the deceased. Several other members of the Merchant Guild replicating the action, performing small religious gestures or whispering about the unfortunate loss of life.

Jon did not appear moved at all by the number of deaths, instead turning towards Shamael.

His subtle movements attracting the focus of everyone present.

"Figure out how many Knights and creationists we can spare to send to Saltstream Town. Reassign them from our Mountain Craig Pass and Lakeriver Valley teams. If you can, choose those that specialize in manifesting defensive structures or possess numerous summoned companions. Saltstream Town requires additional manpower right the moment, the more abled bodies the better."

"Leave within twenty-four hours. Use the Boundless Heaven Gate to transport yourselves. Bring enough supplies to last a month if need be."

The Legionnaire Of Virtuous Pestilence nodded in response, knowing Jon had chosen him due to his Summon Mana Core. With six different summoned companions at his disposal, Shamael possessed the third highest number of summoned companions within Springtown, if one did not include Avahni.

Fortunately for him, both the first and fourth placed individual also worked for the Merchant Guild.

There was no doubt in Shamael's mind that Jon wanted him to take both Yueli and Vaa'mina along within him.

Shamael had already started rummaging through his Throne Of Temperament Mycelium remembering the dozens of abilities and specialities that each member of the Merchant Guild possessed. Individuals that could summoned defensive constructs sprouted first in the form of enormous mushrooms.

While Knights and Mortals with storage type abilities and other supportive type fragments grew swiftly beneath the canopies of these larger mushrooms. Thoughts, memories and experiences took the form of mushrooms while emotions, desires and feelings spread across said mushrooms like a fungal growth.

Jon continuing to order the other team leaders within the Merchant Guild.

"Sundri, you and the others will take over the regular shipments, deliveries and trade with Mountain Craig Pass while Shamael is assisting Saltstream Town. Inform Xanh and Toph of the changes to scheduling and that no-one is to head straight to Saltstream Town until this threat is evaluated and defeated."

"Matias, you will do the same on your regular convoys to Lakeriver Valley. Tell Alexa and Victor that direct trade with Saltstream Town is not an option until this situation is resolved. Additionally, request for them to push the creation of additional defences surrounding each of their Safe Zones. Creatures below Lordship are incapable of entering Safe Zones due to the Systems interference, although it is possible that System-generated Lords and their creations are the exception."

"In the meantime, the rest of us will do what we can to increase patrols to the western regions of Springtown. Communicate intent with the Explorers Guild and Town Guard to assist in the patrols and excursions out towards the west. I have no doubt that Delila would have already disseminated this information with Maliq and Amadeus."

"Springtown might be strongest Safe Zone within a thousand kilometre radius, but as such also makes it the greatest target. Lords, regardless of their species or origins would possess an intelligence matching that of an uninitiated sapient. Although this is just speculation, this is the reason we have contingencies."

Wilheim, Sariel and the others nodded at his words before the Wisdom Of Myriad Lands spoke up.

"Should we look to recall the Expeditionary Group?" He asked.

Jon furrowing his brows, pursing his lips for a half-second before shaking his head in dismissal.

"The Expeditionary Group are tasked with discovering new Wonders, Dungeons and Safe Zones. Song Lian Yu is with them, and I can feel him even over this immense distance. There is no need to recall them at this moment. In the event that one of the other Safe Zones fall…".

"Then I will personally ask Maliq to borrow his Piercing-Void Ship in order to bring them back. At whatever unreasonable price he dares to ask." Jon grimaced, allowing his hands to sit on the armrests at his side.

Each member of the Merchant Guild present showing a wry smile, knowing just how much the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation and Right-Eye Of Life And Nightmares hated each other. The Merchant Guild and Creationist Guild often opposed each other as a result, both within Springtown and the other Safe Zones.

Sariel rolling her eyes at Jon's actions before turning over the page once more, taking note of the last page within Sampson's report. The Second-Veined Knight who lead the Merchant Guild leaving one last paragraph on a single page that she almost missed.

Jon's bestial senses noticing said page and turning his head towards Sariel, watching her examine the report. From the growing frown on her face, he could see that whatever it was Sampson had written displeased her immensely.

"Is something the matter Sariel?" Wilheim asked, resting his chin on his knuckles.

The green-skinned satanas nodded, half-glancing towards Jon, showing an irritated expression.

"Sampson also mentioned… that someone reported seeing an enormous bat-shaped creature above the skies of Saltstream Town at the same time as the battle. Alongside a blonde-haired man who seemed to-."

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The sound of Jon's hand slamming into the Knight Ranked Quiet-Fortitude Table echoed throughout their meeting room. The various wards and formations that stretched across the inside of the Merchant Guild headquarters deafened the monstrous amount of spiritual energy released from War Mana Core.

"Wilheim."

Jon did not utter a single other word, causing the hazelnut-skinned floresiensis to sigh before nodding in response. The Wisdom Of The Myriad Lands scratched the top of his head feeling an annoyance bloom within his Imaginary Sylvascape Forest.

It had been several months since the last sighting of the Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue. The Murder Of Temperance And Humility had not shown his face within or around Springtown after Delila obtained her Memento Source Item.

"Alright. I'll accompany Shamael to Saltstream Town. Hopefully I should be able to discern whether or not the entire thing is a-."

"No."

Jon interrupted him, standing up.

Wilheim, Shamael and Sariel each showing a confused expression, before the floresiensis felt his eyes widen, knowing exactly where Jon was going with this. It was beyond surprising considering that he had not left Springtown in over two months, with the sole exception of clearing newly discovered Dungeons or exploring new Wonders.

Wilheim stood up, shaking his head while placing his hands on the table as well.

"Jon. There is no need for you to head out personally. Shamael and I together are more than enough to deal with Theodore and Itsumade. If you let me bring Sariel than the three us could overwhelm him together even with that blood-night acerodon tyrant backing him!"

Jon just took a deep breath, half-glancing towards Shamael and Sariel, watching as the two of them both nodded at Wilheim's words.

Sariel in particular, placing her hand on his shoulder. His Mana Cores constrained from flowing spiritual energy into his Knight Ranked Spirit-Protection Shirt.

"Jon. The three of us can deal with Theodore on our own. There is no need for you to involve yourself directly. It is as Wilheim said, you are our leader and there is no need for you to head our personally." Sariel spoke, giving Jon a small smile.

The Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation pausing for a moment before letting out a small sigh, nodding his head in acceptance. His mind somewhat drawn back to the first encounter he had with the Murder Of Temperance Of Humility, remembering the grin etched on his face.

Leaning back into the chair-type spiritual item beneath him, Jon felt his expression grow stern and serious, Minerva-Infiltration Eyes narrowing as they swept across the room.

"All of you have your orders. Although I have but one more demand of you before you leave."

The figures of his eleven subordinates stiffening for half a second. Watching his expression soften for just a moment, although was almost unnoticeable to those without a Knight Ranked sensory ability.

"Don't die."

His words causing the expressions of everyone present to shift, each growing their own grin or smile in response to his words. The serious tone of the room shifting, becoming more friendly with just a wish of their safety.

The room emptied out within a matter of minutes, Wilheim, Shamael and Sariel all leaving to begin preparations to travel towards Saltstream Town. Despoina trailing behind after Sariel, resting on her shoulder despite her incredible size and not-so-small weight.

Leaving Jon alone within the meeting room.

His eyes glancing towards his status page, examining all the abilities that he had transformed over the past twelve months.

Name: Jonathan Randall Guilliman Age: 20 Rank: Knight Tier: Third-Veined Title: [Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation]

Mortal Title Fragments: [Pathstrider] [Adept] [Sui Generis] [Invictus] [Bastion] [Thracian] [Knightslayer] [Overlord] [Memento-Touched] [Wisdom] [Learned] [Explorer] [Guide]

Knight Title Fragments: [Forerunner] [Journeyman] [Specialist] [Linguist] [Polyglot] [Dungeoneer]

Mana Core(s):

[1]: Knowledge [Fragment Of Instinct] [Bestial Intuition] (Knowledge, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Sensory, Perception) (Beast)

[Fragment Of Mind] [Mine Is The Three Sea Of Knowledge] (Knowledge, Mind, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Resistance, Self) (Trinity)

[Fragment Of Tree] [Ashvattha Rana Devi; Earth Reincarnation Womb] (Summon, Knowledge, Tree, Spell, Buff) (Bodhisattva)

[Fragment Of War] [Cometh Thy Red Horse Awaits] (Knowledge, War, Spell, Enhancement, Buff) (Conquest)

[Fragment Of Draconian Shadows] [Thou Is Mine Shadow, Born From Dragons And Knowledge] (Knowledge, Shadow, Dragon, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement, Construct, Self, Debuff)

[Fragment Of Eyes] [Eyes Through The Looking Glass] (Knowledge, Eyes, Mutation, Enhancement, Ability, Spell, Perception, Sensory) (Infiltration)

[2]: Wood [Fragment Of Regeneration] [Green Is The Flesh, As Red Is The Blood] (Wood, Regeneration, Passive, Recovery) (Hydra)

[Fragment Of Eruption] [Carnivorous Wood Art; Thorned-Mouth Eruption]. (Wood, Eruption, Spell, Curse, Debuff) (Carnivore)

[Fragment Of Spear] [Behold Thy Luminous Spear, Clad In Green Radiance] (Wood, Spear, Summoning, Ability, Weapon, Buff, Debuff) (Transformation)

[Fragment Of Barrier] [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier]. (Wood, Barrier, Spell, Shield, Buff) (Tower)

[Fragment Of Incarnation] [With Thou In Hand, Wood Shalt Live Forever] (Wood, Incarnation, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff) (Twin)

[Fragment Of Prana] [Green Shall Become The Ode To Eternity] (Wood, Prana, Mutation, Ability, Passive, Enhancement, Buff) (Mudra)

[3]: Ice [Fragment Of Spellfrost Destruction] [Frosted Requiem Of The White Spellstar] (Ice, Destruction, Spell, Technique, Spell, Ability, Enhancement, Debuff)

[Fragment Of Heart] [Lamentations Of A Frozen Affection] (Ice, Heart, Mutation, Ability, Passive) (Perpetuity)

[Fragment Of Hunt] [Rhapsody Of The Cold Star] (Ice, Hunt, Technique, Buff) (Phantom)

[Fragment Of Marrow] [Ours Is The Blood That Births Winter And Ice] (Ice, Marrow, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement) (Arhat)

[Fragment Of Summon] [Schwarz Eis Seir; White Devil Of The Ninth Circle] (Summon, Ice, Spirit, Spell, Defensive, Shield, Spell, Memento, Debuff) (Devil)

[Fragment Of Annihilation] [Frozen End Art; Ice Mountain Annihilation, White Sea Cataclysm] (Ice, Annihilation, Spell, Technique, Ability, Curse, Debuff) (Cataclysm)

[4]: Spear [Fragment Of Spirit] [Thou Art The Monarch Of Spears And Truth] (Spear, Spirit, Mutation, Ability, Spell, Curse, Debuff) (Rune)

[Fragment Of Trap] [False Spear Art; Multiple Spear Detonation] (Spear, Trap, Spell, Technique, Debuff) (Preparation)

[Fragment Of Eradication] [Imperial Spear Art; Vajra-Spear Extinction] (Spear, Eradication, Technique, Spell, Ability, Debuff) (Vajra)

[Fragment Of Weapon] [Behold Thy Phantasmal Spear; Enveloped In Thulian Grace] (Spear, Weapon, Summon, Ability, Spell, Debuff) (Rain)

[Fragment Of Ira] [Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips] (Spear, Ira, Spell, Technique, Buff, Debuff) (Courage)

[Fragment Of Superbia] [Helel] (Spear, Superbia, Mutation, Ability, Spell, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff, Self) (Star)

[5]: War [Fragment Of Stealth] [The Fools Advance, Inversing Life And Death] (War, Stealth, Spell, Ability, Technique, Enhancement, Sensory, Debuff) (Illusion)

[Fragment Of Avaritia] [With Thou In Hand, Even War Will Be Dyed Yellow] (War, Avaritia, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff) (Treasure)

[Fragment Of Armour] [Behold Thy Heretical Armour, Adorned In Chalk Light] (War, Armour, Summon, Ability, Defensive, Shield, Buff) (Helm)

[Fragment Of Invidia] [Envious Is The Beast That Lurks Within] (War, Invidia, Spell, Technique, Buff, Debuff) (Parasite)

[Fragment Of Contract] [Thy Name Shalt Be Written In Blood And War] (War, Contract, Spell, Ability, Binding, Buff, Debuff) (Permanence)

[Fragment Of Library] [Red Archives Of Mars Quirinus] (War, Library, Ability, Spell, Technique, Storage, Construct, Self) (Lock)

[6]: Weave [Fragment Of Slash] [Spring Weave Art; Ten Thousand Flower Threads] (Weave, Slash, Technique, Spell, Ability, Debuff) (Blossom)

[Fragment Of Creation] [Threads Through The Loom] (Weave, Creation, Spell, Technique, Ability, Enhancement) (World)

[Fragment Of Ward] [Spiritual Weave Art; False Faerie Ward] (Weave, Ward, Defensive, Sensory, Spell, Technique, Construct) (Lies)

[Fragment Of Door] [Violet Doors Of Janus Quirinus] (Weave, Door, Spell, Ability, Technique, Movement, Construct) (World)

[Fragment Of Horror] [The False Weave Of The Yellow King] (Weave, Horror, Mutation, Enhancement, Spell, Debuff) (Shapeless)

[Fragment Of Dragon] [Song Lian Yu; Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est] (Summon, Weave, Dragon, Aura, Ability, Technique, Debuff) (Heart)

[7]: Lies [Fragment Of Facelessness] [Lethe; Mask Of Jade Lies] (Memento, Lies, Facelessness, Mask, Smiling, Ability, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Self)

Jon smiled.

'Defeating a Lord… might earn me the Title Fragments I need to push Lethe to Knighthood. Fragment Of Facelessness layered beneath a Fragment Of Theft. I wonder just what manner of abilities such a thing would manifest?'

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