Angel Monarch-Chapter 529: The Foundation

"So, the big question now is, where should we build the Colosseum?" asked Sera while leaning over a giant holographic world map.

Representatives from every continent surrounded the map. Antarctica sent Inari again, while South America sent Fabiano. They kept their continents informed through text during the conversation.

Xinya, of course, represented Asia, while multiple people gathered together from Europe. Antal came to represent Buda-Pest. Elizabeth and Valerie came to represent London.

Sera tried inviting the Federal Alliance's remnant leaders who still controlled Barcelon and Madrid, but their answer never arrived. The same went for Napoleon's faction and New Paris.

Since neither gave their answer, Sera simply pretended they had declined the invitation, making them enemies of the Angelic Order and the combined forces of the Human Race.

"You can always build it near our city!" said Valerie with her usual wide smile. However, Elizabeth, the smarter and more serious of the pair, quickly corrected her...

"No, they can't! A bunch of Stellars and Ethereals will fight in this tournament! Even if those Runes and Contracts will keep them in check, I don't want them anywhere near London!"

Inari and Fabiano both nodded in agreement, but they also preferred that the Colosseum wasn't built on their soil. Xinya also didn't want the arena in Asia, which left...

"Fine, Sera will build it in Europe, but where exactly? It should be near a city-state, which leaves us with only a few options." Said David while glancing over the massive map.

Overall, four Pocket Realms opened inside Europe. The Norse Pantheon, up at the northernmost part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The Greek Pantheon, above Mount Olympus. And finally, Heaven and Hell, right above and below where Rome once stood.

"Hmm... This leaves us with the northern plains above the Italian Peninsula. The southern area below New Paris and above the Pyrenees Mountains. Most of the Scandinavian Peninsula. And the northeast area of the Balkan Peninsula."

Everybody nodded at Antal's words. There were other, smaller gaps between city-states, but for the Colosseum, only these could be considered viable.

"The Scandinavian Peninsula isn't an option. Odin doesn't want the fight to be held so close to Asgard's hidden location." Said Frejya, who represented the Angelic Order's northernmost allies.

Sera nodded in agreement, while a few others scoffed since there was plenty of space for the arena without being near either Asgard or a Human settlement.

"The Italian Peninsula and the area below New Paris aren't great either. They're too close to enemy settlements, which makes their placement suboptimal."

While a few disagreed with Freyja, everybody nodded upon hearing David. Sadly, this left them with only one viable placement.

"Northeast of the Balkan Peninsula," said Sera thoughtfully before glancing towards James. "Could you calculate the most optimal area? Furthest from the Italian Peninsula, Mount Olympus, Buda-Pest and Sofira."

James silently acknowledged Sera's request, then closed his eyes. The holographic map glitched a few times as calculations ran down the Cyborg's head. After a few seconds, the map showcased the area of a vast abandoned city.

"The city's name is Sarajevo. It was abandoned before the Last War's end, so it escaped the heavy bombings and destruction. Some Evolved already killed all the monsters on its premises, but they probably left a few stragglers. We should build the Colosseum there."

As James spoke, the holographic image changed a few times, showcasing actual, realistic images of the city. Vines and other plants grew over the walls and rooftops, but looking past the obstructions revealed a fascinating ancient city.

"That looks quite beautiful. It's a shame we'll need to destroy it." Said Melinda, her voice a mix of sadness and inevitability.

"Yeah. The Dwarves' blueprints said the Colosseum needs to stretch about three kilometers across to give the participants enough space to fight. Also, the seats for the audience further increase that width."

Sera's words revealed the same emotions as Melinda and many others felt. This city, while wasn't anything special, was still part of Human history. It's a shame their plan required its demolition.

"Okay! Fine! I'll move the city if you insist!" said Valerie with a heavy sigh.

Everybody glanced in her direction, as if she'd lost her mind. Even Elizabeth stared at her in confusion.

"It's a fucking city. What will you do? Sing it into a different place?" asked Lucy with a light chuckle, and others quickly followed.

However, Valerie's expression remained serious as she said, "Yes, that's exactly what I'll do! You people should learn how powerful Ethereals are! We don't need to obey the laws of physics, like everyone else... But if you don't believe me, then I'll show you personally!"

While everyone felt skeptical, they eventually agreed to Valerie's offer. If it didn't work, they could always destroy the city.

However, before they could've begun the displacement, they needed to make a few changes to the Dwarves' blueprints. They didn't include electrical wirings and such, which will be necessary to control the giant screens they planned to set up for the audience.

It would've been difficult to follow the battle from kilometers away, so drones will be broadcasting the entire tournament to every holo-screen. Even the screens in people's homes will showcase the fights.

It took James nearly an entire day to rework the blueprints. In the meantime, Mary built a portable, smaller version of the Aegis System. It'll be placed somewhere under the arena, to secure the area while they were still building it.

They arrived in the city called Sarajevo. A group of about twenty-five people stood at the city's edge, awaiting Valerie's magic show.

Supposedly, she'll move the city twenty kilometers to the north, far enough away not to disturb the constructions, or draw unnecessary attention.

The massive woman stepped forward, away from the group. She glanced back at Elizabeth with a grin, then turned back towards the vast city.

Sarajevo was in a small valley, surrounded by mountains and hills. The group stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the city. From here, Valerie's voice could echo far and wide.

She took a deep breath, and a moment later her divine voice reached everybody's ears. Yet again, they couldn't understand her words, but the feelings behind her song were obvious... She asked for change, requesting the city to move...

For a few seconds nothing happened, but eventually, a ripple went across the city. The buildings seemed to shake, or more like resonate with Valerie's singing.

The ripples dancing over the cityscape became more frequent until the rhythm perfectly harmonized with the mesmerizing voice.

The air vibrated with the same rhythm as Valerie's singing, echoing through the cityscape and surrounding mountains.

As Valerie's voice reached its crescendo, one last powerful ripple went across reality. Everybody blinked in surprise as the sound of glass breaking reached their ears and suddenly... Sarajevo disappeared...

Within the valley, only green plains and a few gently blowing trees remained. Not a single building remained from the city.

Henry stared at his mother in shock, while Vicky opened a wide portal before the group. It led to the exact empty area where they wanted to move Sarajevo.

Indeed, as nobody other than Valerie expected, instead of empty green plains, a familiar vast cityscape spread out before the group's eyes. All the structures looked intact, and it seemed Valerie's magical voice didn't damage anything.

Everybody glanced towards Valerie as the portal closed. They had a mix of awe and fear in their eyes, but after processing their feelings, they all thoroughly apologized for doubting the giantess.

Afterward, Valerie stepped back into the group with a haughty, proud expression.

However, she immediately blushed when Elizabeth stepped forward and gave her a sincere apology. She became even more embarrassed after Henry and Vicky both began bombarding her with excited questions about the extant of her power.

While they had their fun, Sera stepped up to the cliff's edge. She spent the last night creating small models of the Colosseum so she could perfect the design.

She took a deep breath just as Bea arrived by her side. The magnificent woman's warm hand wrapped around Sera's own as she gave a reassuring smile to her partner.

Sera smiled back, then without thinking, she killed herself and revived instantly. The group hadn't even noticed her death and resurrection, but Bea saw the change... She saw the light disappearing from Sera's golden-green eyes...

Bea knew the effects weren't permanent, but her heart couldn't help aching upon witnessing the sudden death. A sigh of relief whistled through her nostrils as the light reappeared in her partner's vision.

The Angel didn't notice Bea's concerned gaze as she summoned an insane amount of Angelic Metal in gaseous form. It spread all across the valley, condensing near the middle.

The Essence left Sera's body fast as she controlled the exorbitant amount of Angelic Metal. A gentle, bright green glow appeared over Bea's hand as she transferred even more Essence to Sera.

A mind-numbing, exhausting pain marched across Sera's soul. Her Essence expenditure reached unnatural levels, but she kept going.

It wasn't possible to build the entire Colosseum at once, but she wanted to finish at least the foundation before passing out.

The Angelic Metal became visible near the ground, as silvery flakes landed in large piles. These flakes then turned into liquid metal, and took on a specific, desired shape.

Cold sweat ran down Sera's burning hot skin. Her face and arms took on an unhealthy pale shade, while her entire body trembled as bile rose up her throat.

"Just a little more," she whispered to herself as a mantra.

Bea kept pumping her full of Essence, since Sera's reserves had run out long ago. She also drained Faith's Essence storage, which pushed her out of Sera's shadow.

The liquid Angelic Metal finally took on the required shape, and with a last single command, Sera solidified the structure.

The Angel gazed upon her creation with a proud, satisfied expression, then a moment later, her eyes rolled back and she passed out. Bea quickly caught her, and using one of Vicky's portals, transferred Sera to her bedroom.

Everyone else just stood there atop the mountain, marveling at the gigantic Foundation of the Colosseum.