Supreme Paragon Reborn: Humanity's Rise To Galactic Supremacy-Chapter 256: At All Costs

Aside from locating Ruby’s kin, there was also proven human involvement with the creation of the AI. It made sense, after all, the probability of a sentient AI being born on its own was rather slim.

Sadly, there were no signs of who the mad scientist behind this devastation was, where he might be hiding, or whether he had fallen victim to his own creation.

With the danger behind them, the Prime Minister called a meeting. By mutual agreement, it was decided that Magmorious, Venus’ capital, would make use of the tunnels for transportation instead of dismantling them.

In true human fashion, it was a defiant middle finger to fate and the cosmic forces.

While all of this was unfolding, the documentary about the incident was making waves, showing no signs of slowing down, and catching the attention of many.

At the headquarters of the Immortal Legion... 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"You have got to be kidding me!" A man emitting the aura of an Early Master bellowed, slamming his tablet against the wall.

"I grew so powerful, so quickly, and yet... this bastard, Michael. He has to be cheating somehow! This kind of progress... it can’t be explained any other way!"

Another man bearing the aura of a Middle Grandmaster sneered mockingly.

"Oh, admit it, Oliver. You’re just bitter! Irritated that no one remembers you! You were, and still are, nothing more than a minor, annoying side character, who Michael humiliated back on Triton, even before departing for Neptune. You failed to court Victoria and were nothing more than forgettable trash! The one mission you were assigned ended in complete failure!"

"Isaac!" Oliver shouted at the top of his lungs. "How can you even joke about this? Victoria, the same woman we stripped of her base on Triton, now rivals you at the Grandmaster stage! Despite you making a breakthrough pretty recently! Not to mention, the reports say their crew has more Middle Grandmasters!"

A cold shiver ran down Oliver’s spine. "What am I going to do... when father meets me?"

Enraged, Isaac shattered a nearby table into rubble.

"I KNOW!" The man roared. "You’re beyond fucked! And by extension, me, stuck babysitting you, I’m fucked twice over!"

"..."

Tense silence settled into the room. At last, Isaac’s lips parted once more.

"We are part of the Immortal Legion... Failure will not be tolerated! Regardless of what happens, you will tie the knot with Victoria... or we will perish trying. Death is better than answering to your father."

After a brief silence, he continued.

"Forget about Michael. Act like he doesn’t exist altogether... Our aim is Victoria. I don’t care if we drug her, kidnap her, or whatnot. We need her at all costs."

A grimace twisted Oliver’s face. Even though he was told to forget about Michael, he still wanted to make the man suffer.

"But at this point we are powerless. Even calling Chloe and Austin... Heck, even that old geezer Nathan, we would still be inferior to their crew. And they wouldn’t take too kindly to us taking one of their own by force."

"I am aware." Isaac sighed.

"So, knowing our limitations, I asked a certain man for help. With him on our side, even their so-called genius, Michael, will not see it coming until it is too late."

Oliver’s eyes sparkled.

"Really?! A Lord? Or maybe a King or a Queen?"

Isaac shook his head.

"Something... Far more terrifying. Few know of the existence of the Emperor’s right-hand man. Though I warn you. When he comes, ensure your mouth remains shut lest you want us dead. I will do the talking."

As if on cue, the door to their room creaked open, and a tall figure cloaked in a hood stepped inside. The temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

’What the?!’ Oliver’s breath hitched. ’I can’t feel it! There is no spiritual aura emitting from this man! He should be even weaker than a mortal!’

Unexpectedly, Isaac immediately rose to his feet and bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

"Thank you for answering our call."

The hooded figure nodded.

"My target?"

Scrambling across his desk, Isaac showed him an image of Victoria.

"We need her alive... Preferably whole. It will be for the best if her squad doesn’t notice you. If they do, take them out."

"So you want my servants to kidnap a mere woman?" The hooded figure scoffed. "She’s rebellious by nature. What possible use could she have for you?"

Isaac sucked in cold air through his teeth. Ensuring his tone remained respectful.

"Victoria... That girl is much more important than even she realizes, we need her to get with Oliver at all costs."

He paused briefly.

"It’s vital that no other man besides Oliver claims her... No one."

"..."

The Emperor’s right-hand man fell into a deadly silence.

"Is King Zaiden really involved, or are you trying to make a fool of me?"

Goosebumps rose across Isaac’s back as he retreated backward.

"You got me. B—But please! Before you kill me, just hear me out!" Isaac pointed at Oliver, who stood there, dumbfounded.

"This person may be a pathetic loser, a coward with no redeeming qualities, and a disgrace to all men, but for better or worse, he is destined to lead the Immortal Legion one day."

Isaac gulped audibly.

"By kidnapping Victoria you would have both ensured the rise of a future King and silently eliminated the Golden Vanguard from the board, reducing inner conflicts in our ranks. Is that not what the Emperor ultimately wishes?!"

Momentarily Isaac’s heart stopped as he awaited his fate.

A few seconds later, the hooded figure erupted into chilling laughter.

"HAHAHAHA! What pathetic, backstabbing vermin you all are! Alright, fine, I’ll bite! But with the target’s surge in popularity, don’t expect things to happen overnight."

"T—Thank you!" Isaac’s knees buckled as he bowed, his forehead hitting the floor.

Oliver wasn’t sure what was happening, but his instincts for self-preservation told him to do the same. Otherwise, death awaited.

"..."

The two stayed in a bowed position long after the man disappeared.

"What the heck just happened...?" Oliver muttered, glancing at Isaac. "What are we supposed to do now?"

In turn, a menacing smile tugged at Isaac’s face.

"Nothing. The hit has been confirmed. All we have to do is wait."