[Epic cybernetic gained, 200 Skill Points gained]

With this, Michael's reserves of skill points rose to 400. Like before, he preferred to keep them as a trump card for something that demanded it.

Not wanting to let the people around him spot the cybernetic, he intentionally slowed down his steps. Since the soldiers were either tired or anxious, they didn't pay him much attention.

'Let's see what this is.' He mused, putting the chip in his neural link.

[New technique comprehended: Fade]

[Rank: Epic]

[Description: A passive ability that allows you to resonate with the spiritual energy around you, concealing your presence in the process]

While this wasn't a technique that focused on fighting, Michael wasn't any less happy.

Thanks to Natalia, one of the Masters from Vespera, the benefits of a concealment technique were apparent.

Had it not been for her technique, Michael's plan to free the criminals wouldn't have worked since he needed to travel across the city undetected.

Sadly now wasn't the time to make use of the technique. There were more pressing matters to deal with.

Erasing the small smile that had formed around his face, he went back to his place without anyone realizing that he had comprehended an Epic technique in a flash.

On the way to the Lord's quarters, Evelyn gave a brief summary of what had happened to Alice.

"I see…"

The Grandmaster went quiet. The description of the streets filled with human corpses disturbed her greatly. But knowing that an Overlord was hidden somewhere in Celestia, she couldn't form a liberation party no matter how much she wanted to.

In a timely manner they reached the Lord's room. The abysmal darkness was present as ever.

"Mysterious…" Richard whistled playfully, unbothered by the fact that he was about to report to a Lord.

'I can feel a headache coming…' Alice heaved a sigh as they entered.

Unsurprisingly, the Grandmasters of the city were already present. Their status permitted them to take part in the procedure.

"Allow me to." With a bow, Stephen used his communication device. Several seconds later the silhouette of a woman appeared as a hologram.

Her features, such as eyes, face, and hair, were blurred, yet despite that, the aura she was giving off unmistakably belonged to a Lord.

"Quite the gate up…" Richard mused, witnessing how many people were staring at him with anticipation.

A few seconds later the cold voice of Azure's Lord sounded.

"You may begin."

"..."

Instantly, Richard's eyes locked onto a specific point amidst the darkness. Almost like he could perceive something the others couldn't.

"HAHAHA!"

In a bizarre turn of events, he erupted into laughter. Whatever he saw must have stunned him pretty badly, as he put two hands over his stomach, unable to contain his laughter.

"When I saw how mysterious the place was, I expected many things… But to think this is the Lord! HAHAHA!"

"..."

Dumbfounded, everybody stared at Richard like a madman.

According to his words, he was able to see the true appearance of the Lord. Oddly enough, whatever he saw had been so comical that even under the gazes of so many powerhouses, he wasn't able to keep it together.

'So he can see things others can't.' Michael analyzed, his gaze shifting to the hologram of Vespera's Lord.

He was curious to see how the woman was going to respond.

It was faint, but he managed to pick up the way her slender shoulders trembled slightly. Unlike Richard, she was able to barely suppress her laughter.

'So there is some merit to Richard's words…' Michael concluded.

"ENOUGH!" A powerful shout caused goosebumps to rise on everybody's back.

Not wanting to risk it, Richard finally calmed down.

"I am sorry, Lord. It's just that nothing could have prepared me for that…"

The way things were going, it looked like the Lord of Azure was about to blink Richard out of existence. Perhaps this was why the Lord of Vespera butted in.

"You can't blame the young lad. You are aware most would react in a similar way if they saw you. This is why you hide yourself, no?"

Everybody turned silent, too afraid to interject in the conversation between the two godlike figures.

"Keep what you saw a secret and don't react like this again. Do that and you may keep your life." Ultimately the Lord of Azure came to a decision.

"I appreciate your hospitality." With a salute of appreciation, the Master relayed what he had witnessed when he observed the Overlord.

Once finished, eerie silence stretched. A General capable of soul attacks was already terrifying, but an Overlord with such power made the danger unimaginable to the soldiers.

"Knowing this, we should be able to handle it just fine." The Lord of Vespera reasoned.

"Perhaps, as long as we divert its attention between us and reinforce our souls, it shouldn't prove much of an issue."

Yet before the Grandmasters and the other soldiers present could descend into despair, the casual conversation of the Lords lifted their spirits.

If the Lords themselves were willing to join the battle, winning was possible.

"Good work, Richard, even if your behavior is… questionable at best. You can consider your past pardoned. From now on you are an upstanding soldier."

The Lord of Azure said, leaving no room for arguments.

"It's an honor."

With the report complete, everyone left the Lords to their discussion. They were about to contact the other city rulers, and the tension in the room was sure to grow even more suffocating if not deadly.

"You can relax, but don't get lax. I have a feeling that we would soon be departing to liberate Celestia." Alice commanded the troops.

Since the scout teams had entered and left stealthily, they hadn't managed to learn how many Generals were in the settlement. But it was surely going to be a hard-fought battle. Especially with the General tier portal still open.

Bidding Vespera's troops farewell, Michael's crew went to rest.

Meanwhile, he was about to test the new Epic technique he had comprehended. His instincts were telling him that it was going to be crucial in the near future.

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