The Extra's Rise-Chapter 827: Infernal Armis (2)

The palace’s strategic command center had been hastily converted into a crisis management facility, its walls lined with holographic displays that showed satellite feeds from the impact site. The Infernal Armis rested at the center of a massive crater that extended far beyond the border of the Western continent into the land of the Savage Communion, its presence bending space-time around it like a predator coiling its claws around its prey, in this case, reality.

"Seriously, what the hell is that thing?" Kali demanded, her dark eyes fixed on the main display where distorted space rippled in impossible patterns around the artifact. Her usual composure had given way to obvious unease at the sheer wrongness of what they were observing.

"A Mythical-grade artifact," I replied grimly, studying the way reality seemed to bend and flex around the fallen object. "One of seven that swim through space-time itself, appearing wherever the barriers between worlds grow thin enough to permit their passage."

Mythical-grade artifacts weren’t created nor limited to one world like lower-grade artifacts. They were on another level entirely.

Jin stepped closer to the display, his analytical mind clearly working through the implications. "The energy readings are beyond anything our sensors can properly measure. It’s as though the artifact exists partially outside normal dimensional space."

"That’s because it does," I confirmed, noting how even the advanced magical technology struggled to process readings that defied conventional understanding. "The Infernal Armis doesn’t just possess power—it fundamentally alters the laws of magic in its immediate vicinity, something like a Gift but on a larger scale."

Rin, who had been quietly observing from beside her parents, spoke up with careful curiosity. "Is it dangerous to approach?"

"Extremely," I said, my enhanced senses detecting the way the artifact’s influence was already spreading outward from the impact site. "But not in the way you might expect. The Infernal Armis isn’t actively hostile—it’s selective. It will test anyone who attempts to claim it, and those tests will be designed to kill anyone it deems unworthy."

Meilyn frowned as she processed the tactical implications. "What kind of tests are we talking about? Military challenges? Combat trials?"

’The artifact of carnage,’ Luna’s voice whispered through our mental link, her ancient knowledge providing context that made my blood run cold. ’Its trials will reflect its nature—brutality, endurance, the willingness to destroy anything that stands in your way.’

Before I could relay Luna’s warning to the others, something fundamental shifted in the energy patterns surrounding the distant artifact. Through my enhanced perception, I felt a sudden spike of activity as the Infernal Armis’s selective process reached some kind of conclusion.

"No," I breathed, the realization hitting me like a physical blow. "It’s choosing someone."

"What do you mean?" Valen demanded, his grey eyes sharpening with immediate alarm.

"The artifact has found a candidate it considers worthy," I explained, my voice growing more urgent as I felt the distant energy signature beginning to stabilize around a single focal point. "Someone is being granted access to its trials right now."

Through our mental connection, Luna’s warning struck my consciousness with devastating clarity. ’Arthur, I’m detecting something else. The Heavenly Demon’s power signature—it’s reemerging. Stronger than before.’

The implications crashed over me like a tidal wave of dread. If the Heavenly Demon’s influence was somehow connected to whoever was approaching the Infernal Armis, then we weren’t just looking at the birth of a new artifact wielder. We were witnessing the emergence of what would become known as the Second Calamity.

"We need to move," Valen said with the kind of decisive authority that had made him an effective ruler. "Strike teams, immediate deployment. If we can reach the artifact before—"

"No," I interrupted, shaking my head as I processed the tactical realities of what we were facing. "We can’t break through the protective shell that forms around a Mythical-grade artifact during its selection process. Our combined power isn’t sufficient to breach that kind of defense."

"Then what do you suggest?" Kali asked, frustration bleeding through her controlled demeanor. "We just sit here and watch while someone claims an artifact that could reshape the continental balance of power?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of decisions that would affect millions of lives pressing down on my shoulders. My original plan had been to leave the cleanup of the Savage Communion to the Ashbluff family while I returned home with Stella. But the arrival of the Infernal Armis had fundamentally changed the equation.

This wasn’t something I could delegate to others, no matter how capable they might be. And if the Heavenly Demon’s power was somehow involved, then this situation had implications that went far beyond regional politics.

’I haven’t even reached Radiant-rank yet,’ I thought with growing concern, my enhanced senses cataloging the immense energies swirling around the distant artifact. ’If whoever claims the Infernal Armis gains demigod-level capabilities, can I really face them with my current strength?’

But even as doubt crept into my mind, I knew there was no choice. The responsibility had fallen to me, regardless of whether I felt ready for it.

"I need to make some calls," I said finally, reaching for the communication crystal that would connect me to my most trusted allies. "This isn’t something the Western Continent can handle alone."

"Who are you calling?" Meilyn asked with obvious curiosity.

"The people I trust most in this world," I replied, channeling mana into the crystal while preparing to send messages across continental distances. "Five women who have stood with me through impossible odds and whose strength I know absolutely."

The first connection established quickly, Cecilia’s familiar presence filtering through the magical link with warm recognition. "Arthur? What’s wrong? I can feel your tension from here."

"I need you in the Western Continent," I said without preamble. "Mythical-grade artifact, potential Calamity-level threat, and not enough time to explain properly. Can you come?"

"Already packing," she replied with the kind of immediate trust that reminded me why I valued her so highly. "How urgent are we talking?"

"Drop everything and come now," I said grimly. "Bring whatever you think might help against something that operates beyond normal power classifications."

The second connection linked me to Rachel, whose sharp intelligence immediately picked up on the gravity in my voice. "Arthur? Please tell me this isn’t about another impossible situation that somehow fell into your lap."

"Worse," I admitted. "I think we’re about to face the emergence of the Second Calamity. I need your tactical analysis and fire magic. Are you available?"

"For you? Always," she replied without hesitation. "Coordinates?"

The remaining connections proceeded similarly—Seraphina responding with calm professionalism, Reika offering gentle but absolute support, and Rose providing business-like efficiency that cut straight to the practical details of rapid deployment.

As I finished the last call, I found the others watching me with expressions that ranged from curiosity to growing alarm.

"Five of them?" Jin asked with something approaching awe. "Just how strong are your allies?"

"Strong enough that I trust them with my life," I replied simply. "And more importantly, strong enough that together we might be able to handle whatever emerges from that artifact’s selection process."

Rin stepped forward, her newly stabilized power creating subtle ripples in the ambient mana around her. "What about us? Surely we can contribute something to whatever plan you’re developing."

I studied her for a moment, noting how her recent transformation had left her with capabilities that rivaled most legendary combatants despite her lack of practical experience. "You’ll stay here with your family and help coordinate the defense of the continent. If we fail to contain whatever emerges from the Infernal Armis, the Western Continent will need every advantage it can get."

Through the command center’s displays, we could see energy patterns around the distant crater beginning to shift and intensify. The selection process was accelerating, and soon we would know exactly what kind of threat had been unleashed upon the world.

"How long until your allies arrive?" Meilyn asked with the kind of tactical thinking that had made her an effective military commander.

"Hours," I replied, checking the various magical signatures that were already moving in our direction at tremendous speed. "But I’m not sure we have that long. The artifact’s trials might conclude at any moment."

Kali’s expression grew more determined as she processed the implications. "Then we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. It’s not like we have any other choice."

As if summoned by her words, a new surge of energy erupted from the crater, visible even at this distance as a pillar of otherworldly light that pierced the sky like a beacon calling to every power-hungry individual on the continent.

"The trials have begun in earnest," I said quietly, feeling the artifact’s influence spreading outward like ripples on a pond. "Whatever happens next, the world is about to change forever."

The birth of the Second Calamity was underway, and we could only watch and prepare for whatever emerged from that crucible of impossible power.