Veiled Threats

The floating city of Atlas hung suspended in the sky, a marvel of human ingenuity amidst the clouds. Its towering spires reached for the heavens, gleaming in the sunlight with a brilliance that spoke of progress and innovation.

Airships crisscrossed the sky between districts, their engines humming softly as they navigated the bustling cityscape. Colossal defense platforms loomed ominously, their sleek surfaces a stark contrast to the fluffy white clouds that surrounded them from below

Atlas's architecture was a testament to the fusion of technology and militarism, with sleek, futuristic designs blending seamlessly with the city's defensive structures.

Energy shielding enveloped the city, crackling with power as it protected against potential threats from the outside world.

Beneath this facade of progress, however, lay a society driven by order and discipline

High in the Thermoshere of Remnant in which Atlas has been ejected, and in a certain office of this advanced city, the person who currently commanded the most authority in this world stood

Within the confines of his office, he sat at his desk, a figure of authority and determination. With a stern countenance softened only by the weight of responsibility etched into his features, his presence commanded the room.

His posture was rigid, reflecting unwavering resolve, while his piercing gaze, tinged with both concern and resolve, spoke volumes of his dedication to his duties.

And behind him, the skyline of Atlas stretched out, a constant reminder of the challenges he faced as the city's leader.

Behind the polished surface of his desk, strewn with meticulously organized documents and strategically placed mementos, lay the heart of a leader burdened by the complexities of his position yet fortified by an unyielding commitment to protect and serve.

He was General Ironwood, the leader of Atlas

"General Ironwood! General Ironwood!"

A sharp shout interrupted his thoughts, and Ironwood turned to see an official burst into his office, a stack of documents clutched in his hands. The man's movements were erratic, a clear indication of the urgency of the situation.

Ironwood's gaze narrowed, his expression unreadable as he assessed the situation.

"What is it?"

His voice echoed, cutting the tension throughout the room. His piercing gaze stayed on the official who barged into his office without permission.

The official saluted, his hand trembling slightly. "We've detected an increase in Grimm activity," he reported, his words rushed. "Towns are being destroyed, and our defenses are struggling to hold them back."

As the official reported the current situation of Remnant, he seemed nervous. Even as a trained soldier, this person seemed to be struck by mass panic by the situation, like the other citizens.

Ironwood's jaw tightened at the news, his mind already racing with strategies to combat the threat. He accepted the report from the official, his eyes scanning the details with a steely focus.

"General, what should we do!?"

The official spoke out of turn, looking at Ironwood with a copious amount of hope in his eyes. He believed that the General could find a solution even to this seemingly unsolvable problem- that's just how much faith a soldier of Atlas has faith in Ironwood

"Leave" Ironwood coldly replied, not addressing the official's concerns

"Yes general!"

The soldier nodded, believing that despite the General's non-committal answer, he still had a plan

…

..

.

As Ironwood watched the soldier exit from his office, his eyes shifted toward the report that was delivered to him.

[REPORT: INCREASED GRIMM ACTIVITY

Prepared by: Winter Schnee

Executive Summary:

Recent observations and reports indicate a substantial surge in Grimm activity within the designated areas of concern. This heightened aggression and frequency of encounters pose significant threats to civilian populations, infrastructure, and resource supply chains. Immediate action is recommended to mitigate potential risks and safeguard affected regions.

Situation Overview:

Over the past few days, there has been a notable escalation in Grimm activity across multiple regions, as documented by reconnaissance teams, Huntsmen/Huntresses, and civilian reports. The intensity and frequency of encounters with Grimm entities have surpassed seasonal norms, indicating a shift in their behavior and potentially underlying factors influencing their movements.

Key Findings:

Increased Sightings: Reports from various outlying settlements and transportation routes highlight a significant uptick in Grimm sightings. Encounters range from small skirmishes to large-scale assaults on populated areas, posing direct threats to civilian safety and security.

Heightened Aggression: Grimm entities have exhibited heightened aggression levels, displaying more coordinated attacks and targeting strategic locations such as supply depots, communication hubs, and civilian shelters. This aggressive behavior suggests potential influences or catalysts driving their actions.

Variety of Grimm Species: Observations indicate a diverse range of Grimm species participating in the escalated activity, including Beowolves, Ursa, Nevermores, and even sightings of more formidable entities such as Goliaths and Sphinxes. The presence of larger Grimm poses significant challenges to containment and defense efforts.

Impact on Infrastructure: Attacks on critical infrastructure, including transportation networks, energy facilities, and agricultural centers, have resulted in disruptions to supply chains and essential services. The economic impact of these disruptions is exacerbating existing challenges faced by affected communities.

Analysis:

Several factors may contribute to the increased Grimm activity:

Negative Emotions: Heightened tensions, socio-political instability, and economic hardships within the affected regions may be amplifying negative emotions, attracting Grimm and fueling their aggression.

External Influences: The presence of external threats, such as rogue factions, criminal organizations, or malevolent forces, may be leveraging Grimm for their own purposes, exacerbating conflicts and instability.

Death of Key Officials: Death of the Headmaster of Beacon and the Headmaster of Haven Academy have contributed significantly to the spread of negative emotions. The mass panic that ensued from the deaths of prominent figures as such has caused chaos, resulting in Grimm not only being attracted to the populace but also lowering response time and the ease at which Grimm are being subjugated.]

He sighed, something uncharacteristic of him

Although such results are tragic, Ironwood is also feeling at ease. Remnant is in a state of chaos, but Atlas is mostly unaffected.

Perhaps he has to thank those three beings that suddenly appeared; otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a rush to implement his plan.

One of these three 'outsiders' also sneaked into Atlas. It was quite obvious, but that one wasn't so skilled in infiltration

Sure, the ejection of Atlas into the atmosphere was a bit rushed because that outsider tried to touch the Relic, but at least they didn't have to suffer from the consequences of Ozpin's and Lionheart's deaths.

Ironwood sighed once again. The death of his friend and Lionheart came as a shock to him. When he received the report of the Headmaster of Haven's death, he instantly put his plan forward, even if it wasn't entirely ready.

Who knows? It was most likely those people who suddenly appeared that killed the two headmasters, but he won't dismiss the other possibility

When they appeared, the two headmasters died; is that a coincidence? Perhaps it is, but the most likely possibility is that those beings killed them in order to get the Relics.

So when it was detected that one of those three entered the vault, he immediately activated his plan without hesitation. He wouldn't allow those 'outsiders' to come in contact with any more Relics!

Although the state of Remnant seems irreversible….Perhaps putting the blame on these 'outsiders' and announcing it to the public would calm the masses, somewhat

After all, those three people had no paper trail, no records, and they had never been spotted before. In fact, it is as though they suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

If it is for the greater good of Remnant…Then it is better to sacrifice innocent people for the many. And it is somewhat lighter on his conscience to blame some 'foreign beings' than the people of his Kingdom.

Ironwood took a moment to gather his thoughts, his mind swirling with the weight of his decisions. He knew that the path he was considering was fraught with moral ambiguity, but in times of crisis, difficult choices had to be made.

Grimm activity escalating, key figures slain, and the sudden appearance of enigmatic outsiders—all these elements intertwined in a web of uncertainty, pushing him to act swiftly and decisively.

With a heavy heart, he reached for the intercom on his desk. "Summon Winter Schnee," he commanded, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within him.

A moment later, the door to his office opened, and Winter Schnee entered, her demeanor composed and professional. As his most trusted confidante and operative, Winter's presence brought a sense of assurance to his troubled mind.

"General Ironwood, you've summoned me?" Winter inquired, her tone respectful yet curious.

Ironwood nodded, gesturing for her to approach. "Winter, we have a situation on our hands," he began, his voice grave. "The Grimm activity has reached critical levels, and I fear there may be external influences at play."

Winter's brow furrowed in concern as she listened intently to his briefing. She had always been a steadfast ally, unwavering in her loyalty to Atlas and its cause.

"Assemble a team of our best operatives," Ironwood instructed, his gaze unwavering. "I want detailed reconnaissance of the affected regions, and I want answers. Find out everything you can about these outsiders and their connection to the recent events."

Winter nodded, her expression resolute. "Consider it done, General," she affirmed, a sense of determination shining in her eyes.

As Winter left to carry out her orders, Ironwood couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. The shadows looming over Atlas seemed to grow darker with each passing moment, threatening to engulf them all in their depths.

But amidst the uncertainty and turmoil, one thing remained certain—General Ironwood would do whatever it took to protect Atlas and its people, even if it meant facing the darkest of truths and making the hardest of choices.

For in the heart of every storm, there lay a glimmer of hope—a beacon of light that refused to be extinguished, even in the face of overwhelming darkness.

And as long as that light endured, Atlas would stand strong against whatever challenges lay ahead.

…..

….

…

..

.

Meanwhile:

"Shouldn't we be heading to confront Salem?" Rias queried, trailing behind Adam. "What's the plan here?

Adam let the ice thrones dissipate before they descended to the forest floor, venturing into the uncharted woods.

The forest emanated a haunting aura, its towering trees untouched by human hands, shrouding their path in mystery.- and because of that, they were currently going in blind, without knowing the exact structure of the forest

.... However, for Adam and the blue-haired girl beside him, equipped with [Magic Sense] and [Great Sage], navigating the unknown held little challenge.

GRRRRR

Suddenly, a menacing growl pierced the quietude, and a dark Grimm creature leaped toward them. It had a huge body and a menacing appearance that exuded an oppressive aura capable of instilling fear in anyone who crossed its path.

"Hn"

Adam uttered, without even glancing at the Grimm. With a flick of his finger, a beam of pure destruction pierced through the creature like a hot knife throught butter

The Grimm slumped down, whimpering pathetically as it started dissipating, being reduced to nothingness- the only indicator of its death being a fingernail-sized hole on its twisted forehead

"Hah?!"

Rias stood frozen in her tracks, disbelief written on her face as she stared at the dissipating Grimm.

"Was that... The Power of Destruction...?" She hesitantly asked, her eyes flickering between him and the already dissipated Grimm

"Indeed" He confirmed, already moving forward without looking back.

The red-haired girl opened her mouth, but she mechanically closed it in the end, continuing to follow him with stiff steps,

Her eyes were dazed as she followed him, her mind reeling from what just hapenned

The slime, Rimuru, was also walking behind these two, but her attention was preoccupied with something else

'Are you sure you want to do that?' She asked the silver-haired boy telepathically

They were keeping this conversation a secret from their companion... Not for a particular reason, but communicating with telepathy is a lot faster than normal

'That's right'

'Why do you want me to physically go there? Can't you just corrupt that database with the help of the internet of this world?' The slime girl asked with some doubt

After all, needing to physically go into the government's headquarters in order to corrupt their database sounds like a wasted effort.

From what Rimuru has seen, Adam's power can corrupt the internet, and since their database is connected to the internet, it can still be corrupted

'.....'

'Although I can indeed corrupt Atlas' database with the help of the internet... I'm not familiar with the digital world of this verse, so it would take time to get used to it... Time we do not need to waste' He answered her question, his voice echoing through the blue-haired girl's head

'And besides… It would be a good chance to scout its surroundings and obtain more information'

Adam wanted to corrupt the internet of this world. Unfortunately, the digital world is somewhat different from what he is used to, so it would take time and a bit of help from [Great Sage] to adapt

Corrupting Atlas is also one of his goals. After all, being the prominent government of this world, they would have a lot of advanced knowledge- unique knowledge that isn't present in the honkai world

Beyond that, he also wants to know what the hell happened to that floating city. It was a bit ridiculous hearing the slime girl's description, but he still wanted to have more information, just in case

Besides…. Whoever had the bright idea to take a floating city far above in the atmosphere is stupid. Unless one had sufficient technology, such a task was impossible

Ignoring the energy needs (Perhaps the Relic of Creation could fulfill that role), there would also be a need to have something separating the inside of the city from the harsh atmosphere.

Despite what one might think, being high in the troposphere and above isn't something that can be withstood by a normal human without any external protection

It isn't a marvel to do so, planes exist, but Atlas is a whole city. There would be a need to maintain a delicate balance in order for such a structure to maintain stability for an extended amount of time

With the current technology of Remnant, living up there permanently is a fool's errand

'Alright.... But what are you going to do with Rias in this forest....?' He snapped out of his thoughts when Rimuru agreed with his request, but she was still suspicious about his intentions with being alone in a forest with a hot girl like Rias

'... Do you take me for such a person?'

'....'

Rimuru didn't reply, but Adam felt that she was mentally sending him a look of 'Yes, you are such a person'.

Evidently, establishing a soul corridor and a link with the slime girl made it easier for each other to know what they were thinking... But it also made them have a better grasp on each other's personality

'Haaah' He mentally sighed 'I just want to train her... After all, her use of her powers is too wasteful- so much so that I can't bear to look at her when using it'

Rias is truly talented... But that's just not enough- while talent is important- equal hard work and effort needs to be expended for a person to truly blossom and make use of their potential

Adam felt an intense gaze on his back, it was as if the slime was looking at him with her golden eyes entirely focused on him

'Adam....' Rimuru hesitated after she processed his emotions 'After we defeat Salem.... Can you train me too...?'

Her voice sounded so sincere... It seemed as if the slime didn't even care about actually training, rather, she wanted to spend more time with him to further their bond

Catching onto the intentions of the slime, the silver-haired boy smiled slightly

'Sure' he agreed quite easily, not being resistant to such an idea 'I have an idea for what we could do in this world.... But that's after we defeat Salem'

There were still many things left to do in this world... And many things to explore too, which he spends time on this as he wants to uncover every secret of Remnant- having company, even in the form of Rimuru and Rias, will surely make this process far more enjoyable

'Thank you!'

The blue-haired girl thanked him, appreciating his acceptance of her request

Poof

After their chat, Rimuru glowed slightly, before immediately disappearing from their view afterwards

"Eh!?"

A surprised exclamation sounded from beside him, the source of this voice being none other than the red-haired devil

"Teleportation" Adam chuckled "Have you never seen it before, Rias?"

"Hmph" Rias huffed as she crossed her arms under her chest "I was the one who showed you teleportation magic, so don't tease me!"

Despite what she said, Rias was still looking dazedly at the spot from where Rimuru disappeared

He sighed, walking up to her

"Don't question it" The silver-haired boy shook his head as he patted her shoulder "Rimuru is overpowered, and she will get even stronger- it is foolish to question what she does"

Although Adam knew exactly what Rimuru did there, that didn't mean that he would be able to keep up with the slime. While both of them have roughly the same skills, it still doesn't necessarily mean that he will get as strong as her

Considering that the blue-haired slime will become a hyperversal entity and as strong as the outer gods from Lovecraft.... Indeed, being as strong as her- let alone surpassing her- it is quite delusional

Still.... That didn't mean Adam would not try. Trying and failing is a multitude of times better than not trying at all. Besides, they have roughly the same starting skills, so who knows? Perhaps it is possible

"So...." Rias shifted slightly, an understanding expression crossing her features "She is the overpowered protagonist of a power fantasy anime, in which the writer doesn't even try and find a good excuse to make her even more overpowered"

The silver-haired boy silently lifted his hand from her shoulder, putting his limb at his side as he continued walking

"That was quite.... accurate"

His voice echoed through their surroundings as he inadvertently praised her analytical abilities....

"Hehe" Rias giggled, surprising him as she didn't pay more attention to their companion's power "Thank you! I have watched a lot of anime, so I know such a setting when I see one!"

She put her hands on her hips, proudly showing off her figure as she looked at him with a look in her eyes that conveyed 'Praise me!'

"Good job" Adam clapped, a stiff smile emerging on his face " Now if only you had such capabilities on other matters..."

.... Even though she was partly right because of all the cliches she has seen in anime, she still deserved some praise

"Hey!" She huffed again, crossing her arms under her plentiful bust "What's that supposed to mean?! I can be really smart when I want to!"

"Really?"

Stopping in his tracks, Adam turned to fully face Rias as a teasing smile slowly replaced his stiff one

"Then... Show me!"

His challenging words echoed throughout the desolate forest. The silver-haired boy's eyes being completely serious as he awaited her response