The raid [9]

"I summoned all of you here on this day because every single human alive is concerned by what am I going to say," Solomon began. "But first, I want you to this about this question, what do you know about the Abyss?"

Solomon needed first to make sure that everyone was on the same page. A lot of people had grown accustomed to the state of things, and their doubts disappeared. They had become blind, in a certain way.

"You may think that it's the home of mutated beasts, the origin the relics and foreign artifacts are found, but I want you to understand one thing. Everything that humans know about the Abyss, about the universe is comparable to a single grain of sand in an endless desert. To this point, we can even say, that humans don't know anything at all," Solomon continued.

The adventurers listened to Solomon and began to chatter, trying to understand what he was trying to say.

"With that in mind, I want you to think back about what happened a few months ago. A challenge was raised for all humans. Until now, we had never encountered intelligent beings inside the Abyss, apart from mutated beasts. And those who dived too deep inside that abyss never came back. You may not see it from this perspective, so I want you to give this question a few seconds of reflection…"

During all of these years, humans could only reach a certain depth after going down inside the Abyss. After the number of people who never come back after going down further from that point, the Emperor decided that humans didn't have yet the power and the technology necessary, so he officially prohibited it for registered adventurers.

But even so, humans hadn't even finished exploring the area that they could access. It was as big as the Earth, although they were supposed to be underground.

"…If these beings want to annihilate humans, can we survive? You seem to be under the impression that all intelligent creatures are like humans, but think about this. We don't anything about the Abyss, but these beings live inside the abyss. Considering that, and to put it simply, we are inferior," Solomon said, his voice a little tense.

The adventurers began to raise their voices. It seemed like what Solomon said affected them, mostly because of their pride.

"I have been hiding something from all of you. Taking everything that I said into account, I want you to listen to me, then decide what you would do by yourself. And as I said, everyone here is concerned."

Solomon already knew that adventurers would not immediately take his words to heart.

"A few weeks ago, these beings came to me and declared that they would annihilate humans. But they were giving us a chance to survive. That challenge was our chance. That was why I summoned all of you here. If we want to survive, we need to go inside the Abyss and fight for our own survival. If we manage to reach the place where the Lords of the Abyss reside, they will grant our wish and will spare the human race."

After Solomon said these words, a commotion broke out inside the building.

"Now decide. I will go inside the Abyss even if I need to go by myself," Solomon said, his voice full of conviction, but some of the adventurers weren't pleased with his words.

"Bullshit! It's utter bullshit!" Welsch shouted. "The Emperor is trying to control you. The Lords of Abyss might spare humans, sure, but what would happen after that? Isn't the Emperor the one profiting from it if what he said was true? He gets to maintain control, and adventurers would be just used as tools to maintain his position like always. Are you going to throw away your life for something like that?"

"Wilsch! You brainless fool!" Zoe shouted in anger.

Even Boris who was calm all of this time showed an irritated expression on his face. He was a tall and bald man with intimidating red eyes.

"I didn't say anything wrong," Wilsch rebuked. "Look around you, are you saying that all of these people should sacrifice their lives for the Emperor?"

Welsch was twisting Solomon's words, whether he was aware of it or not, and some of the adventurers present there began to doubt.

"You are the one who doesn't understand anything. This concerns the survival of the human race. Do you think that Emperor would joke about that? He even said that he will participate in the raid," Zoe replied.

"That's just bullshit. What can he even do? In the end, it's us who are going to protect him," Wilsch berated.

"Welsch. If what the Emperor said is true, are you sure that you can guarantee that everyone will keep their life if they do as you say?" Caesar interrupted.

"What? Why wouldn't they live? If adventurers join forces, I don't think humans would lose," Wilsch replied confidently.

"I won't force anyone to follow me, as I said. You are free," Solomon said, not arguing back, knowing that it was pointless. Welsch was beyond determined.

"In that case, we will protect the city while you are gone," Welsch said. "There are no rules saying adventurers should be the ones who need to go. We don't owe you anything. If we need to protect something, it would be our homes. Your royal guards should suffice. Who else agrees with me? Raise your voice! You are free men!"

"Yeah! He is right!"

"Adventurers aren't your possession!"

The situation had gotten out of hand. Some of the adventurers who were still hesitating after hearing Solomon's words began to side with Welsch. Most of them were just afraid or didn't want to go.

"Silence!"

Suddenly, the entire area was enveloped by an invisible pressure that brought some of the weak adventurers to their knees.

A voice came from above, and when they raised their head, the adventurers saw Lucian floating in the air.