Gargoyle Supremacy-Chapter 63: I’m Back at ECD Base, But…

Anna’s face drained of color at Carn’s revelation, but she pressed on with more questions.

"Can you tell me more about this invasion? Who are they? What are they? What’s their purpose? And how do you know all this?"

Carn scowled. "Too many questions and none of them are your business. As a negotiator, you have two choices: comply with my simple request, or we can end this ceasefire conversation right now."

Uncertain and unable to make a unilateral decision, Anna subtly touched her earpiece, signaling for advice.

Ferdinand’s voice came through the comms. "Give him what he wants, but tell him only their leader and ECD-333 are allowed to come to the facility. The rest of his forces must stay outside."

Anna tapped her earpiece in acknowledgment and relayed the orders. "We can meet your request, but we cannot allow your troops inside the facility due to security concerns. Could you gather them outside the base and away from civilian or military contact? Any location will suffice as long as they remain isolated."

Carn shrugged, indifferent. "Fine, but in that case, I need a vehicle. I’m tired of walking."

Anna smiled as she turned to gesture at the nearby Humvee driver. Before the driver could approach, a convoy of military trucks rumbled onto the highway and passed Anna’s vehicle.

Soldiers began disembarking from the trucks, revealing themselves to be the ECD’s experimental cyborg units.

Contrary to the fictional robots, these cyborgs had the same battlesuits as the hunters that Carn had fought and killed earlier. But Carn and Gawain could see something more sinister about them.

These cyborgs carried concentrated Aether, but it wasn’t like the natural or crimson energy he was accustomed to. It was unnaturally sterile yet reeked of decay, resembling the undead legions of the Lich King.

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Gawain unsheathed his sword. The gargoyle troops behind Carn mirrored his unease, baring their fangs and snarling at the encroaching cyborgs.

Carn remained calm, scanning the perimeter as the cyborgs encircled them, and their imposing railguns locked onto his forces.

Anna, however, panicked. She hadn’t been briefed about this sudden deployment.

"I DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS! CALL YOUR MEN BACK!" she shouted into her comms.

Ferdinand’s voice responded. "Relax, Anna. They’re there to protect you and contain the gargoyles."

"YOU’RE RUINING OUR NEGOTIATION!" Anna snapped.

"No, I’m not."

One of the truck drivers climbed out of his vehicle and removed his hat. He strolled toward Anna and patted her on the shoulder before continuing toward Carn.

The driver was none other than Ferdinand himself. An imposing man standing at 6’7", he towered over everybody. The three stars on the military uniform’s shoulders gleamed under the sunlight as he extended a hand toward Carn.

"This is our first face-to-face meeting. I’m Ferdinand Ariel, SOC of ECD and your father’s superior officer. Nice to meet you, Carn Yunho."

Carn’s eyes widened at the mention of his surname. He tilted his head back to look up at Ferdinand, but he refused to shake hands with him.

"Ariel? Your last name is Ariel?"

Ferdinand chuckled. "Yes. Why? Do you know someone with the same surname? It’s not exactly uncommon in Florida."

"Yeah. Very uncommon."

Slowly, he removed Gawain’s helmet, handing it back to the knight as there was no point hiding his real face. Now exposed, Carn locked eyes with Ferdinand.

"By chance, do you know someone named Kaim Ariel the Thousand Eyes?"

Ferdinand stroked his chin before he shook his head.

"Never heard of it. But I still find it hard to believe," Ferdinand changed the subject to control the conversation flow, "The real Carn Yunho is dead, and you’re nothing more than a doppelganger pretending to be his son. Quite a good imitation, I’ll give you that."

Carn raised an eyebrow, stunned by the misunderstanding, "I’m Carn Yunho from birth. I’m not a doppelganger. I already went through all your scanners."

"That’s what every doppelganger says." Ferdinand snorted derisively. "Anyway, we’ll overlook that for now and pretend you’re one of us. Regarding your requests, you can leave your minions behind. Only you and ECD-333 will accompany me to the base. We’ll continue our negotiation there."

"…"

Carn clenched his fists but said nothing, irritated by Ferdinand’s smug assumptions and manipulative tone. Still, he knew the offer had some merit. If it meant protecting his family and furthering his goals, he could tolerate Ferdinand’s arrogance for now.

.

Carn and Gawain boarded a military truck, escorted by a convoy of cyborgs and drones, and headed toward the ECD base. Upon arrival, they descended to the first underground level. Only Anna, a handful of cyborg guards, and surveillance drones were present for added safety.

The group entered a spacious observation room that Carn had visited when his blood had been tested. This time, the clinical lab had been replaced with a round table surrounded by a few chairs. The sterile atmosphere remained, but it was quieter.

Ferdinand took his seat at the table and gestured for Carn and Gawain to sit as well. Anna stood behind Ferdinand, acting as his secretary.

Carn hesitated for a moment before sitting down. His eyes flicked to the observation deck above, where he sensed the presence of a dozen individuals monitoring the exchange. None of them exuded the distinct aura of Aether or the decayed scent of the cyborgs.

Once everyone was situated, Ferdinand broke the silence.

"Very well. Let’s begin. How about you introduce yourself properly? Who are you exactly, and what brings you to our world?"

Carn exhaled deeply, already tired of repeating himself. Still, he recounted the same story he had told Anna earlier.

For ten minutes, he outlined the situation, explaining his origins and his mission without delving into dangerous specifics about reincarnation or Aether, especially the Mother Tree.

When he finished, Carn crossed his arms and leaned back.

"Any more questions?"

Ferdinand turned his attention to Gawain. "What about you, ECD-333? Does his story align with yours?"

Gawain straightened in his seat, "By the honor of dragoons, I can vouch for his story. He comes from the same world as I do. As long as you don’t threaten him or his family first, he’s not an enemy of mankind."

Ferdinand’s eyes locked onto Carn, sizing him up. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands.

"Tell me about the undead invasion."