Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 986: Noble Council

The announcement spread through Grand Cathia like wildfire.

At first, people thought it was a mistake.

A malfunction of the Nightmare.

A misunderstanding.

Something had to be wrong.

But as the same message echoed again and again within the minds of those connected to the system, doubt slowly gave way to realisation.

It was real.

The sieges were over.

No more beasts crawling out from the fog.

No more desperate defences along the walls.

No more looming dread hanging over the city every two days.

For the first time since the Nightmare had begun, Grand Cathia was quiet.

The change was so sudden that many found it difficult to accept.

Clusters of people gathered throughout the streets, forming small circles of restless conversation. Their voices were low, uncertain, as rumours spread faster than anyone could control.

"Did you hear it too?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The announcement. It said the sieges are finished."

"So that means we’re safe now, right?"

Some remained sceptical, wondering if this was some trick of the Nightmare itself. Perhaps it was a way to make them lower their guard before something even worse arrived.

A few people laughed nervously, trying to brush away the unease.

Others kept glancing toward the towering walls surrounding the city, their eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting the familiar fog to begin rolling in again.

But nothing happened.

No horns sounded.

No alarms rang through the streets.

The gates remained closed.

The guards on the walls stood watch, but there was no enemy to face.

The city was peaceful.

Unnaturally so.

There hadn’t even been a siege earlier that day.

Normally, the absence of danger would have brought relief.

But instead, a strange tension settled over Grand Cathia.

Because the people had begun to understand the other meaning behind the announcement.

The sieges might be over.

But the Nightmare itself remained.

And now the rules had changed.

They could enter it whenever they wanted.

Even during the day.

There was no longer a waiting period.

No two-day cycle.

No looming attack forcing them to prepare.

The door had simply been opened.

If someone wanted power, all they had to do was step through.

A farmer standing beside a well slowly clenched his hands.

A merchant stared at the door leading to the Nightmare.

A young guard lowered his spear as the thought crossed his mind.

Power.

Strength.

A chance to change one’s fate.

It was no longer something reserved for those desperate enough to face a siege.

Now it was available to anyone who dared to reach for it.

And once that thought took root...

It was impossible to ignore.

###

Miki sat on her chair as a deep frown hung on her face.

The atmosphere was not good, even for the people who have been following her.

The guards knew full well that the announcement was real.

The experiment department tested it out and entered the Nightmare.

Now, whenever you rest at a branch, there was the option to leave.

Miki exhaled heavily as she massaged her brows.

Standing up, she walked over to the windows and looked down on the city.

Groups were gathering everywhere.

Markets.

Plazas.

Street corners.

Behind her, several guards stood around a long table scattered with reports that were still being delivered.

One of them cleared his throat.

"Captain..."

Miki didn’t turn around.

"Mnm? What is it?"

"We’re receiving reports from across the districts. And... Well..." He hesitated before finishing his report.

"People are... testing the system. They’re seeing whether or not they can enter the Nightmare and they’re getting positive results."

A brief silence filled the room.

Miki already knew that.

She could see it too.

That door staring at you from within your mental realm.

Waiting.

Power, authority. All of it was waiting so long as you can prove yourself in the Nightmare.

Since there was no time constraint, you can be as careful as you want. Take as long as you need.

"People are fainting in the middle of the streets when they enter the Nightmare. We’re moving them to safe areas whenever it happens, but..."

He hesitated again.

"...I don’t think we can stop them anymore."

Miki slowly closed her eyes.

"So what do you suggest?" Miki asked, already knowing what they were suggesting.

For them to enter the Nightmare themselves.

They have the resources, the information. The necessary departments.

They could navigate the Nightmare far better than the civilians. With enough time, they’ll guarantee domination.

The guard didn’t answer.

"Hold off on it for now. Let’s see how the situation develops." Miki sighed.

He nodded but there was a layer of doubt in his eyes.

Everyone else in the room felt the same.

How can they be expected to maintain order when civilians could get to the point where they kill guards with a single punch?

Before anyone could linger on that thought, another guard ran into the room.

"C-captain!"

Miki turned around.

"The noble council has sent a message."

The room grew quiet.

"They are requesting your presence at the council hall."

Miki narrowed her eyes.

"So eager. They didn’t even wait a full day." She sighed.

There was no surprise in her voice.

Of course the Nobles would move now. During the sieges, they had tolerated her authority because they had no choice. But it’s not like she could drive them out either since they had guards stronger than her.

Stronger yet they didn’t make a move to help the city.

To them, she was simply a useful tool. They tolerated her authority because someone needed to coordinate the city’s defence.

To make the decisions and take accountability for them.

But with the sieges being over, the justification for her authority was gone.

Even if she was classified as the head of the Nightingale family, with her father dead, the standing of her family has dropped significantly.

"What bullsh*t reason did they give this time?" She asked.

The messenger hesitated slightly.

"They claim that since the emergency has ended, the temporary command structure should be dissolved."

A few guards immediately muttered in irritation.

"Of course they did."

"They hid in their estates while we were fighting on the walls."

"And now they want control again."

Miki raised a hand, silencing them.

This had been inevitable.

The Nightmare had opened its doors.

And now everyone wanted control of what came next.

Miki grabbed her coat from the back of the chair.

"Prepare a small escort." She ordered.

"Captain... you’re actually going to meet them? They’re just going to find excuses to push you down."

Miki shrugged.

"Even if I don’t go, they’ll look for me eventually. It’s not something I can avoid." She sighed.

Not only that, but avoiding the Nobles would only create a bigger scene.

Alice was waiting outside the door.

"I would offer my help. But the only thing I can do is help you kill the noble guards if they step out of line." Alice smiled helplessly.

"That would only give them justification. Calling me a tyrant or something along those lines." Miki chuckled.

"Mnm. Let me know if there’s anything I can do."

Miki nodded her head before leaving the command room behind her.

###

The council chamber was already loud by the time Miki arrived.

Voices overlapped one another in irritated arguments as nobles filled the long hall, their expensive coats and polished rings glinting under the chandelier light.

Many of them were standing rather than sitting, as if the mere act of waiting had already insulted them.

When the doors opened and Miki stepped inside, several heads turned.

A few expressions immediately soured.

"Well," one noble said loudly, leaning back in his chair. "She finally decided to grace us with her presence."

Another scoffed.

"I was beginning to wonder if the Captain had forgotten who actually governs this city."

Miki ignored the remarks and walked toward the centre of the chamber.

They were always like this.

An older man seated near the centre of the table tapped his cane against the floor.

"At last."

His voice carried easily across the hall.

"Captain Miki."

The way he said the title made it sound like an insult.

"We appreciate you attending our... little gathering."

Miki stopped a short distance from the table.

"You requested an assembly."

"Yes, yes." The noble waved his hand dismissively. "Let us not waste time with pleasantries."

He leaned forward slightly.

"The sieges have ended. Fortunately, that means the danger is over for the city. Don’t you agree? Martial law is no longer necessary."

Miki exhaled softly.

"Frankly, they should never have been granted in the first place."

A woman wearing a necklace heavy with jewels folded her arms.

"This city has always been governed by its noble houses."

Her gaze swept over Miki with open disdain.

"Not by soldiers."

Another noble chimed in immediately.

"You were tolerated because of the situation."

"Now that the crisis has passed, it would be best if authority returned to its proper place."

Miki remained silent.

Across the room, one of the younger nobles leaned forward eagerly.

"Besides, shouldn’t you stop playing soldier and actually do your duties as a noble?"

Several others nodded.

Even though the head of the Nightingale family had passed away, it was still difficult to fully root out the foundations that the family had created.

Which was precisely why the nobles found Miki so irritating.

She was not supposed to still be standing here.

A thin noble with slicked-back hair clicked his tongue.

"Really, Lady Nightingale," he said with exaggerated patience, "the war is over. There is no need to cling to borrowed authority."

Another noble laughed softly.

"You’ve had your moment of glory. The walls didn’t fall, the city still stands. Congratulations."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Now you can return to your proper responsibilities."

His smile widened slightly.

"Leave governance to those actually qualified to handle it."

"Someone like you should be looking to get married so that the Nightingale family can continue. It is both your responsibility and duty as the daughter of the previous head."

Miki closed her eyes.

Perhaps this is what Erwen felt.

The urge to just...

Silence them all.