A few minutes later, the projection flickered, revealing the image of a middle-aged man.
He wore the formal uniform of the Virtual Universe Company. The insignia on his chest identified him as the Chief Inspector of the Mediation Department.
His name was Victor Kranz.
"Silvermoon, we've received your emergency communication request," Victor said in a grave tone. "I was informed that it concerns a major threat. Give me your full report."
"Chief Inspector, the situation is far more serious than we initially believed," Silvermoon replied without hesitation.
"While Rowan and I were investigating the conflict between the Black Dragon Mountain Empire and the Ganwu Empire, we uncovered a massive conspiracy."
"What kind of conspiracy?"
Victor frowned.
Taking a deep breath, Silvermoon began explaining everything they had discovered.
"Our investigation confirms that the conflict between the two empires was never a natural political dispute. It was carefully orchestrated from the very beginning."
"More importantly..."
"The masterminds openly identified themselves as servants of the Dark Lord."
"The Dark Lord?"
Victor's expression immediately darkened.
"That name exists within the company's ancient archives."
"Are you certain that was the title they used?"
"Absolutely."
Silvermoon nodded firmly.
"We also obtained physical evidence."
"We discovered the remains of a massive mind-control formation, and we personally fought several of those servants."
Victor fell silent.
After several moments of thought, he finally asked,
"How strong were these servants?"
"Every one of them was at least Eighth Level Stellar Rank."
"They've mastered ancient mind-control techniques, and their objective extends far beyond provoking a war between two empires."
"They intend to plunge the entire star region into large-scale warfare, harvesting negative energy to accelerate the Dark Lord's resurrection."
"The entire star region?"
Victor's face turned pale.
"That would affect hundreds of star systems..."
"...and trillions of lives."
"Yes."
Silvermoon confirmed with another nod.
"According to the information we've gathered, this organization has bases throughout multiple regions."
"What happened at Reno Port is only one part of their overall plan."
Victor immediately understood the severity of the situation.
"Silvermoon."
"Did you uncover anything else?"
"Especially concerning the Dark Lord's estimated resurrection."
"We did."
Silvermoon included everything Rowan had learned inside the Storm King's palace.
"According to the records left behind by Storm King Severus, the Dark Lord shouldn't awaken for roughly another five thousand years."
"However..."
"If these servants succeed in creating widespread chaos, that timetable could be shortened dramatically."
Victor's expression became exceptionally grim.
If the legendary Dark Lord truly returned...
The entire universe would face an unprecedented catastrophe.
"Silvermoon."
"I'll report this directly to the company's highest leadership immediately."
"Remain where you are and keep communication channels open."
"The company will respond as quickly as possible."
"Understood, Chief Inspector."
Silvermoon nodded.
"But please emphasize the urgency."
"Rowan is still trying to prevent the war between the two empires from escalating."
"The two of us simply don't have enough strength to handle this alone."
"I understand."
"The company will dispatch sufficient reinforcements."
"Until they arrive, protect yourselves."
"Don't take unnecessary risks."
After the transmission ended, Silvermoon remained within the secure communication zone instead of returning immediately.
She knew the company's response would be swift.
Meanwhile...
Inside the headquarters of the Virtual Universe Company...
Victor was already contacting the company's highest decision-makers.
At the top floor of headquarters lay the Board Chamber.
Normally, the room remained unused.
Only crises threatening the entire company justified summoning every director for an emergency meeting.
"The emergency notifications have been sent."
Victor's assistant bowed respectfully.
"All active board members will attend through holographic projection within one hour."
An hour later...
Twelve holographic figures appeared throughout the conference hall.
They represented the twelve directors of the Virtual Universe Company.
Each one stood among the universe's most influential beings.
Every director possessed at least World Lord-level strength.
Several had already reached the Immortal realm.
At the head of the meeting sat the company's CEO.
She appeared to be a young woman.
In reality, she had lived for well over one hundred thousand years.
Her name was Elena Stardust, one of the descendants of the company's founders.
She possessed the strength of a King-Level Immortal.
"Directors."
"I've called this emergency meeting because our Mediation Department has uncovered an extraordinary threat."
"Chief Inspector Victor, present your report."
Victor rose and explained everything Silvermoon had discovered.
The moment he mentioned the name...
Dark Lord...
Several elderly directors visibly changed expression.
"I've seen that name before."
An aged director named Marcus spoke slowly.
"It appears within the oldest records preserved by the company."
"If those records are accurate..."
"...then this is one of the most dangerous beings ever to exist."
"Director Marcus."
Elena looked toward him.
"Could you explain those records?"
Marcus nodded.
"According to the ancient archives..."
"The Dark Lord was once among the most powerful entities in the universe."
"He wielded the Laws of Darkness and Corruption."
"He could turn light into darkness..."
"...and transform order itself into chaos."
"Then how was he sealed?"
another director asked.
"According to the records..."
"Every supreme powerhouse of that era united."
"They paid an unimaginable price to imprison him."
"But the seal was never permanent."
"The prophecy stated that one day..."
"...he would inevitably return."
Silence filled the chamber.
Every director understood what that meant.
If the Dark Lord awakened...
Not only would the Virtual Universe Company face destruction...
The order of the entire universe could collapse.
"The real question," Director James finally said,
"is how we respond."
"First."
Elena remained perfectly composed.
"We must confirm the threat beyond all doubt."
"Our mediators have provided substantial intelligence."
"But before making decisions that affect the entire universe..."
"We need additional evidence."
"I recommend dispatching an investigative task force immediately."
Victor spoke up.
"They can reinforce Rowan and Silvermoon while conducting a full investigation."
"What scale are you proposing?"
James asked.
"Considering the severity of the threat..."
Victor answered,
"I recommend deploying our elite forces."
"That includes several Immortal-class experts..."
"...along with a dedicated technical analysis team."
"Immortals?"
One director frowned.
"Isn't that excessive?"
"Not at all."
Marcus immediately objected.
"If the Dark Lord truly exists..."
"No amount of resources is excessive."
"If he successfully resurrects..."
"...the consequences would be beyond imagination."
Elena considered the proposal briefly before making her decision.
"I approve."
"We'll dispatch a large-scale support force."
"I will personally lead the expedition."
"The team will include three King-Level Immortals."
"The CEO herself?"
Several directors looked genuinely surprised.
"Yes."
Elena nodded.
"The importance of this matter justifies my direct involvement."
"I've also spent considerable time researching ancient Dark Laws."
"My presence will greatly improve our chances of identifying and countering this threat."
Victor asked,
"What about technical support?"
"We'll bring our most advanced detection systems..."
"...long-range communications..."
"...and specialists capable of analyzing ancient laws."
James added another suggestion.
"We should also prepare to coordinate with outside organizations."
"You mean an alliance?"
Elena asked.
James nodded.
"If the threat is genuine..."
"The Virtual Universe Company alone may not be enough."
"We should cooperate with the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance..."
"...the Interstellar Mage Association..."
"...and even the major empires."
"Against an enemy like this..."
"We need every ally we can find."
"A good suggestion."
Elena agreed.
"But first..."
"We verify the threat."
"We can't create panic without undeniable proof."
Victor asked,
"What's the deployment schedule?"
"We begin preparations immediately."
Elena answered decisively.
"The support fleet departs within twenty-four hours."
"The longer we wait..."
"...the worse the situation becomes."
"Understood."
"I'll begin mobilizing personnel and equipment."
Marcus raised one final concern.
"We also need contingency plans."
"What if the situation proves even worse than expected?"
"You're right."
Elena nodded.
"I'll assign a dedicated team to prepare multiple emergency response strategies."
"Including full-scale war preparations, if necessary."
The meeting ended.
The entire Virtual Universe Company shifted into emergency operations.
Every department received the highest priority orders.
All available resources were redirected toward the mission.
Within the company's military division...
Three King-Level Immortal experts received emergency summons.
These were among the company's greatest warriors.
They rarely deployed together.
"This mission won't be easy."
An elderly veteran known by the codename Thunder God crossed his arms.
"If the CEO is personally leading the operation..."
"...the threat level must be at the absolute highest."
"The Dark Lord's servants certainly sound dangerous."
A female Immortal known as Ice Empress calmly analyzed the situation.
"We'll need to prepare thoroughly."
"No matter how powerful the enemy is..."
"The company's honor will never be stained."
The third warrior, a middle-aged swordsman known simply as Sword Saint, spoke with unwavering determination.
Meanwhile...
The Technical Division scrambled to prepare its most advanced equipment.
Ancient Law scanners.
Mind-control analysis systems.
Protective devices capable of resisting Dark Corruption.
"Most of this technology is still experimental."
The head of the department looked uneasy.
"Using it in actual combat carries unpredictable risks."
"It doesn't matter."
Elena answered firmly.
"Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures."
"Our enemy is an ancient force."
"Conventional equipment may prove useless."
Twenty hours later...
Preparations were nearly complete.
Standing atop headquarters, Elena gazed over the support fleet waiting within the spaceport.
The force consisted of:
One state-of-the-art command ship.
Three heavily armed battleships.
Dozens of support vessels.
Its overall military strength rivaled the entire armed forces of a medium-sized empire.
"CEO."
Victor approached respectfully.
"Everything is ready."
"We can depart at any moment."
"Excellent."
Elena nodded.
"Notify Silvermoon."
"Tell her reinforcements are on the way."
"She and Rowan only need to hold out a little longer."
"I've already informed her."
Victor replied.
"She understands."
"Then..."
"Let's depart."
Elena gave headquarters one final glance.
"I only hope we arrive in time to stop this catastrophe."
The fleet activated its maximum-speed hyperspace jump and disappeared into the stars.
Estimated arrival at Reno Port...
Forty-eight hours.
While the headquarters mobilized...
Silvermoon received Victor's latest transmission.
"Silvermoon."
"The support fleet has departed."
Victor's hologram appeared before her once more.
"CEO Elena Stardust is leading the operation personally."
"They'll arrive in approximately forty-eight hours."
"The CEO herself?"
Silvermoon stared in shock.
"The company truly recognizes how serious this threat is."
"Yes."
Victor nodded.
"The board considers this one of the greatest crises in company history."
"The support force includes three King-Level Immortals..."
"...along with a complete technical analysis team."
"That's wonderful."
Silvermoon finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"With reinforcements like that..."
"...we finally have a chance to stop the Dark Lord's servants."
"But until they arrive..."
Victor warned.
"Be careful."
"Don't force yourselves into unnecessary battles."
"Your safety comes first."
"I understand."
"I'll tell Rowan immediately."
After ending the call, Silvermoon hurried back to the deserted island.
She found Rowan quietly meeting in secret with representatives from both empires.
"The company's response was even faster than I expected."
Rowan smiled after hearing the news.
"It seems our investigation was taken seriously."
"Now all we have to do is hold out until they arrive."
Silvermoon nodded.
"Once the experts are here, we'll finally be able to uncover the full scope of the Dark Lord's servants' activities."
"I just hope we can stop them in time."
Rowan looked toward the distant battlefield, where explosions still illuminated the horizon.
"Every minute we lose..."
"...means more innocent lives."
"I'll go meet the commander of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire."
He turned toward Silvermoon.
"You continue monitoring the battlefield."
"If anything unusual happens..."
"Contact me immediately."
-------------------------------
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