abnabooks Chapter 426 Staten’s Angel [Part 2]
Chapter 426 Staten’s Angel [Part 2]
Step. Step.
The door swung open of its own accord, revealing the golden-haired man whose hands were tucked into his pockets as he walked into the hall.
His hair bounced with each step, his eyes steady. Dark and piercing. He didn't need the perfect face or the best hair to gain attention; his presence did it all.
It drew all attention toward him like a piece of gold under sunlight placed at the peak of a mountainous forest. Even in that expanse, the gleam of gold was as breathtaking as it was mesmerizing.
"Good morning." Godfrey removed his hands from his pockets and sat, resting both hands on the long table in the hall.
Isolde copied the design of the Alchemists' table, thus creating a mimic. The table was so large it was almost outrageous, but fitting for an order of demigods.
"Who knew you could look this charming in a good outfit." Neila chuckled. Isaac looked at his attire and wished he wore something different.
He couldn't be the only one who looked like he was about to grace a fashion runway. Others looked formal in a way.
From the corner of her eyes, Neila caught Isolde tucking her hair behind her ear. Neila understood the flicker in those eyes.
Isolde sat on Godfrey's right, Neila at his left, and Isaac leaned on the long-backed chair Godfrey sat on.
"Just take a look at that." Isaac pointed at the massive television. As the crowd thickened, a summoner had been sent to cover the statues already hidden behind a massive cloth in a thick gray fog.
People over there weren't just individuals from Staten Island; many from Pendragon Island were also there. There were also curious people from other cities across the States.
"I hope my face wasn't hidden." Godfrey looked at Isolde.
She shook her head. "It wasn't."
"Good." If he eventually became the Unknown King, that statue would be a clue. All he was doing was leaving breadcrumbs for who he was about to become. The known, creating a path for the unknown to find his way.
When he told Rick that, 'When the people see gold, they would think of the king. Of me,' it wasn't just for the public.
It was also for one man, that sword-wielding shadow who might one day grace this world. He would stare at that statue, he would hear whispers, good or bad. From the little he figured out, anything that had to do with him drew the Unknown King.
Even without knowledge, it knew what was true because deep within that Unknown King, he was still there, just not complete.
"Where are Percival and Lucy?" Godfrey asked.
"I couldn't find them." Isaac replied.
"Snow?"
"Adrian, you mean. Snow is his alter ego—"
"Did you find him?" Godfrey interrupted.
Isaac shook his head. "He's a demigod. Not a summoner but an actual monster right now, with the power of illusions, and he wants to hide. I don't think it's possible to find him."
"Even if they're not here, they'll see us." Isolde replied.
Godfrey responded with a nod, then entwined his fingers, leaning forward.
"As Master of this House, our objectives are simple. We shall clear all high-risk dungeons across the globe… for a cost, of course. We'll expand our objectives, but this is the best right now."
He inhaled and exhaled.
"Normally, once we take a price, they'll naturally request the spoils of the dungeon, including the cores. But this is the Ruination. There are lots of dungeons, too many to control, and we'll also manipulate the public with what we've seen. We'll be doing them a favour."
He glanced at everyone.
"It's the truth. The authorities will be seen as vile if they don't request our aid and the dungeon does appear." Godfrey explained. "That leads to our main objective. This is the true reason for this organisation. We will change the narrative that has existed ever since Cain came. I'm not the only one who suffered from having a humanoid summon. I'm just one of the few, if not the only one, who emerged with the authorities' collar chain around my neck."
"So we're a resistance?" Neila said.
"You see, Cain did something smart. He created Paradise and let the rumour spread so instead of people fighting the narrative, they ran to a land of safety. We called this place the outside world, but it's Earth, our home." Godfrey leaned back.
"Now… that resistance would be in broad daylight, and with the backing of the people, the government won't be able to do anything about it. While they try to kill our momentum and change the narrative, we hit the UK. Then Japan, cementing ourselves."
"Not bad." Neila replied as she stared at Isolde, who leaned back, one leg crossed over the other like her. This young woman was proud of what her man was becoming.
In Isolde's mind, she knew. This was where her vision stopped the last time. With Godfrey speaking to the public.
It finally came.
"I really can't believe there's someone as daring as you. Using the Ruination, a world-destroyer, as an advantage."
"It will eventually bite. So why coop up myself until then when I can do the opposite?"
Some people cried when they knew their death was coming. Few lived their short lives to the fullest. Ate the best, dressed the best, spent unreasonably.
Life at that moment… was so full and rich.
Godfrey was the latter.
***
"You said Staten's Angel is going to be cutting the tape?" a journalist asked a commissioner. New York was in fragments, barely held together by a government that might lose its grip at any moment.
With the rise of Great Families and guilds, and years of lawlessness during the apocalypse, the five boroughs were more or less their own cities now.
This was the weakness of the government. This was why they needed to keep the public hating one source so they could be the fixer, the good guys, and be able to fully restore the power of the government to its glory days of the past age.
"Staten's Angel will undoubtedly be here. I personally spoke to Selyne Pendragon, and she gave us her word." While the commissioner replied, he watched the crowd. It had been a long time since this number of people gathered in one place.
It was like the entire island shut down just to see one man. He had not witnessed something like this in his life and was afraid of unruliness.
The entire island's police force was here, but strangely there was peace.
Of course, amongst the crowd was Nathan, who had gone live.
"This is a big moment. Look at this crowd." He turned around. "Are they here to see Staten's Angel and Selyne's beauty in person, or to see… the Golden Armoured Devil?" Nathan whispered the last part.
"What do you—!"
"HE'S HERE!!"
The roar of the crowd disoriented Nathan for a moment. He was at the barricade a moment ago, but somehow three people were before him!
His eyes widened and he forced himself to the front, almost falling over, but his eyes landed on the golden-haired man a few meters away in a white top and black pants.
Beside him was Selyne Pendragon. God, she was the most breathtaking woman he had ever laid eyes on. And who was that white-haired picturesque woman? She looked alien, yet mesmerizing, and there was this black-haired dude with a bright smirk.
Wasn't that the spider summoner people were talking about?
All of them wore white and had looks that made his heart pound like a fanboy's. He wished he was a demigod.
Godfrey, on the other hand, didn't need that facial charm.
His eyes, his stature, those hands tucked into his pockets.
It felt like he was looking at royalty.
There was a tiny smile on Godfrey's face as he waved his hand, summoning his knights.
They stood like gods amongst men, thick golden armour in full view.
Nathan could tell the detailed craftsmanship put into forging those armours. He gawked in awe, head raised so he could see their faces.
Clearing his throat, Godfrey spoke, his voice echoing as though there were speakers around.
"Staten Island."
"Godfrey!"
"Godfrey!!"
"Godfrey!!!"
That one utterance caused chaos. Chants of one name spread far and wide.
Many watched online, and a good number were not pleased with this development.