The Empty Throne remained vacant, and the hall remained deathly silent.
But the Five Elders, prostrate on the floor, began trembling involuntarily, even more violently than before.
The information they had received was too scant, too fragmented, yet it contained something terrifying enough to overturn everything they knew.
The lord... had been injured?
Burned by some kind of "fire"?
Had even felt... fear?
Was that why the order had been "do not descend"? Was the prolonged silence because the lord was licking its wounds?
No wonder... no wonder he could defeat Nusjuro! No wonder the lord was so wary!
"So... so that was it..." Saint Saturn was the first to slowly raise his head.
He understood now why the order had been "do not descend." It was an order to avoid battle and maintain vigilance at the highest level.
"That 'fire'..." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter murmured, his voice dry.
"We must get to the bottom of it!" Saint Mars gritted his teeth, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes. "Use every resource. Search the Poneglyphs, the surviving documents-
every record concerning 'D,' every forbidden legend... search them all!
Even if we have to turn over every foundation stone of the Red Line, we must discover that 'fire's' origins and weaknesses!"
"If Gern can use it, then we... must understand it too, and even control it!"
Nusjuro remained silent, stroking his uninjured neck.
So my defeat had not been undeserved.
"Then, as for descending..." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter looked toward Saint Saturn, seeking a final decision.
Saint Saturn slowly stood. Having knelt for too long, he brushed nonexistent dust from his knees.
"The lord's order was 'do not descend.'" Saint Saturn's voice regained its composure.
"That means we, along with the Holy Knights and Cipher Pol's highest-level fighting force, CP0, must