OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 526: Internal War

Judas, in the moment after the flash subsided, looked at where Emir once was for a few moments, then glanced at the girl, picked her up by the throat, and flashed away.

There was no need for him to be here anymore.

Emir had died. Killed by his Sun's Blade.

The ability had swallowed him whole.

He had no way to escape.

Truly, Emir had died...

Or so he thought.

Unfortunately for him, he was against a man who timed everything he did in his life.

He knew exactly when to delay or extend a moment to his advantage, helping him reach a certain time when and where he wanted.

The class was pretty good practice.

Now... what recurring event happened on Thursday but not on any other day?

Their little chess gathering.

The rest of what happened could be understood by just that fact.

Emir had already expected an attack by Judas.

After all, the man knew that he could kill him and face no consequences.

And so, his every action down in the slums had been a setup for that very moment.

Of course, even he couldn't calculate and plan for the exact fraction, variables existed to dilute any chance of that.

But, Mr. Player was watching.

He did not doubt that he would throw him a bone.

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And that was what happened, his portal pulsating for no one to see.

Across that portal was a different realm, a half-complete Celestial Realm.

The center of that realm housed a dimly lit room where its usual cast had gathered.

Everyone was in their seats below their very own chess piece.

Usually, the gathering would kick off with a round of greetings, with Emir-Mr. Pawn- taking the lead.

But today?

Today he sat in silence, hands resting on the table, his breathing steady but an obvious tension radiating from him.

Ms. Knight noticed and, with her usual easygoing smile, leaned in to fill the silence.

"Well, guess it's on me this time. Howdy, Mr. Player! Howdy, everyone!"

The rest picked up on that and the wave of greetings continued:

"Peace be upon you, Malik ul-Sout."

"I hope your week went well, Mr. Player."

"Hello... Mr. Player."

"This's the best of days, Mr. Player!"

"My most sincere greetings, Mr. Player. I pray that your path continues to shine brightly before you."

With the last of them, Mr. Board, spoken, Emir finally looked up, meeting Mr. Player's gaze, or at least the fog before it.

He nodded, acknowledging him, and then, in a quieter voice than usual, he added:

"Thank you, Mr. Player. Really..."

Mr. Player gave a slight nod in return, an unspoken understanding passing between them. "Fortuitous timing, wasn't it, Mr. Pawn?"

Emir's lips twitched in a faint smile.

"You could say that. Would've been... a nasty end, but let's leave it at that."

Ms. Knight and Mr. King exchanged glances, intrigue piquing in their eyes.

"Sounds like you were in one hell of a fight lad!"

"Knowing you, you were probably going toe-to-toe with someone stronger than you."

Emir shrugged, letting them assume as they would.

"Yeah, I was almost done in..."

Mr. Player leaned forward slightly, his hidden gaze scanning the group.

"Setrenc welcomes you all... Before we begin, do present your scripts, if you have any."

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""

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As was usual, a short silence stretched with each member looking around, wanting to be surprised. But, as expected, no one raised a hand or spoke up.

"It appears lately our worlds are dry on that front."

Mr. Player commented, noting how none of them had brought in a single Script since the start

of last month.

"Then you may talk."

Ms. Knight cleared her throat, straightening up.

"I'll go first! Another monster tide taken care of. Nothing too fancy, just your standard horde that needed culling. And we cleared two planets in a single sweep. Got to say, nothing that interesting, but hey, another day, another cleanup, right?"

Mr. Rooklet out a low whistle.

"Two planets in one sweep, you say? How much that net you, rich girl?"

"Oh, please."

She waved him off.

"Look who's talking. Hah! Here's the day, a golden spoon calling me rich!"

Ignoring their bickering, Mr. Board leaned forward.

"But two planets in one go? Is there something going on? Let's not pretend that's just your

usual weekend."

Ms. Knight grinned.

"Good you picked up on that! I'm sure ye heard of the auctions going on all at once... Bastards want millions of cores and we're there to foot the bill."

Mr. Rook snorted.

"What's got you in a bunch? Those you're hating on are just doing their jobs, same as you."

"I know, I know, just letting out some steam, ye know? I just dunno what came over the Ten."

Mr. Bishop raised a finger, and they all turned to him.

"It isn't unusual for the Mega Corps to have tens of thousands of auctions in the same day, but what is unusual is the involvement of factions. I've heard that they even allowed Elite

Families in, the type that isn't beyond planet scale."

Ms. Queen nodded her head and added:

"The trend is obvious, they need Veez, now, but for what, I'm not sure... There are no unusual movements from the enemy, none from our allies, it's the same old same old, so I don't get

it."

She glanced at Mr. King, silently asking for his input.

"...I don't know either."

Letting out a sigh, he played around with the gold on his right hand and then said:

"I heard a few rumors in my circles, like how the Veez's value will skyrocket, or how the resources for creating those coins are at an all-time low, but I don't believe them to be true. They wouldn't warrant such a reaction from the Ten, it has to be something else."

As his words came to an end, everyone slowly turned to the head of the table, Mr. Player,

wondering if he would chip in.

He did.

"They are preparing for an internal war."