Klaus picked up a report from the table. Its pages were filled with numbers and time markers. He placed it in the center of the table.
"Ever since we discovered the Copper Pillars being pushed up from underground, we've been monitoring them continuously." His finger traced several Copper Pillar markers on the map. "The data shows that the signs of emergence haven't stopped. They're accelerating. At first, it was three finger-widths a day. Then four. Today's record was five."
Klaus's voice remained flat, but everyone in the room understood the weight of his words. The Copper Pillars were the core structures of Bronze City's seal. If the pillars were moving, it meant something below was active.
"We must descend ahead of schedule," Klaus continued. "We need to find out what exactly happened in The Abyss, or resolve it completely. Even if we can't resolve it, we at least need to confirm when the next Ghouls will appear and buy Bronze City a window to prepare."
The Earl could not help frowning at this. Adrian's benevolent smile did not change, but the fingers tapping the tabletop stopped. The Great Ascendant had not moved from beginning to end, his silver-gray pupils constantly sweeping across the room.
Klaus continued.
"Of course, I assume everyone is aware that there was a group of Fourth Order Transcendents within Bronze City. Therefore, before the descent, we cleared out the Grey Covenant's forces in the city."
His tone remained steady as he listed them one by one. Jie, killed. Nine, J, and Q, detained.
"The only one who escaped was K. He was rescued by something, and his whereabouts are unknown. K is currently the greatest threat."
Klaus made a few simple alterations to K's information, then paused. His gaze swept across the table before finally settling