Perfect Avatar-Chapter 266: Empress

The tone having been set, Eva begun the preliminaries of the debate.

"We know the concept of the Apocalypse hitting us, an army of Players has entered our world and is rampaging everywhere. Due to their presence, human forces have their hands full and can no longer focus on regular Rifts , which results in several Rifts outbreak being opened."

She opened one hand, releasing a mist taking the shape of a globe in the middle of the table.

"Our first mission is to eradicate all Players from around the world and ultimately deal with a being residing directly in the Eye of the Rift. The events of the previous era showed us that time is the enemy Players, the longer they stay without an avatar, the weaker they become..."

Several heat marks appeared on the globe she created, covering most of the surface.

"However, it only took them 2 years to erase almost all traces of our current era. In the past, they lived for about a century before running out of power, I’m afraid we won’t have the privilege of time to handle this matter. However, it’s a minor concern at the moment."

She looked at Rhea and Dora, a hand on her chest.

"In the current era, the world can rely on the two strongest to take them on. I do not doubt that both of you will be capable of suppressing them even with their full power, so I am not worried about that part of the plan."

Rhea and Dora didn’t react, both staring at each other. Eva nodded, then observed the map, on one specific point, a red mark appeared.

"The real challenge would be to face what’s beyond the Rift. For this part of the plan, I need you all to follow this, and I insist, for the success of our mission, you must process as follows: all the Players you will hunt have to be ultimately absorbed by Anesidora."

The gazes of Fenrir’s warriors straightened. Except for Rhea, everyone was deeply confused.

A man in regular military uniform raised his hand. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"My Empress, I do not doubt your vision, but if I may ask, I think that at this point we need more clarification on the situation. The General is the strongest, so why strengthen someone else?"

"This is another part that remained blind to all, but now that we are reaching the edge, I can share more information. Players are not the only threat brought by the Twilight Gods. There is a a superior being beyond the rift, a being against whom we are currently powerless, even with the power of the seven sins it would be impossible for us to face him."

The old man turned his gaze to Dora.

"And in your opinion, the right solution would be to focus on Greed and his versatility?"

Eva took a moment to think, then nodded slightly.

"That’s a correct point, even the strongest people have a limit. We now know that a Sin Avatar can be killed by another Sin who dominates him. To face the true enemy, we need the highest possible source of power, and in fact Dora is the only person with the ability to bypass the compatibility rule in absorbing soul stones. To put it simply, no one besides Dora can use 100% of the power of a Player. We will need to create the most powerful weapon, so the best option would be to bet everything on the one with limitless potential."

They all looked at each other with a little indecision, but no one challenged the Empress’s decision.

The Personas exchanged a brief glance, it was a strange outcome, but considering their primary objective, it was a golden opportunity, and that was exactly why they felt uneasy.

Rhea and Dora’s eyes met far too often, this whole situation was Fenrir’s plan, and even if it benefited him, he was playing into their hands.

Eva opened her hand towards the globe, triggering a new change. Many bright spots appeared around the surface.

"These marks represent the current location of each player who has entered our world. We will attack each of them, and each time Anesidora will absorb their soul, once this game is over, we will enter Ambrosia to lead the final assault on the Rift. Now that the plan is settled, if you have any suggestions, it’s time to ask questions."

The old man raised his arm again.

"Suppose the plan succeeds and the threat is removed, what will Greed’s situation be like? Aren’t we just replacing one threat with a greater threat?"

Eva nodded again, then turned to Dora with a smile.

"Don’t worry, I believe in Anesidora. At the end of our operation... We will have a savior."

Dora froze for a moment, his gaze slowly turning towards Eva, but again, no malice could be found in her attitude.

Another man raised his hands.

"If we have to enter Ambrosia for the final part of the plan, how do we deal with Gluttony? I doubt she will sit peacefully while our army marches through her territory."

Eva lowered her head for a moment, this was an important matter but they needed a perfect indication of Gloria’s situation to proceed, and in this room, only one person knew the answer.

"We can enter Ambrosia." Dora sighed.

A simple sentence that sounded like a confession. Eva let out a slight sigh, before smiling at Rhea.

"I see... Then, we can continue with the plan without changing course, no matter what. Anesidora will enter Ambrosia with all his power and we will leave everything in his hands to determine what happens. Now, if there are no more questions, let’s finish our meeting. We will begin our operation in two days."

The globe disintegrated into particles, and one by one, everyone exited the room, leaving only Dora’s group with Fenrir’s trio and Eva.

Eva signaled for them to stay, and after everyone else had left, she clapped her hands.

"Whew... that was more exhausting than I anticipated... but we can’t take a break, we only have one day to introduce ourselves properly."

She smiled at them, but they exchanged glances in a silent battle of wills, which Lucca promptly lost.

"Since you’re so eager to chat, why don’t you share what you couldn’t tell your own people? You used the excuse this guy said to justify your goal, so what’s your real objective?" Dora folded his arms.

Eva looked at him with a glint of curiosity in her eyes, then cheekily stuck her tongue out while ruffling Dora’s hair.

Marie, Lucca, and Giudecca flinched, fearing Dora’s reaction, but strangely, the boy did not react.

"You’re always so sharp, huh? You haven’t changed much either after all."

She looked at the Personas with a little hesitation.

"Like I said, now would be a good time to make introductions, so why don’t we let our friends spend some time together? Let’s go somewhere else, okay? You too, Rhea."

She headed towards the door she came from, followed by the two Avatars, leaving the war zone behind them.

The 3 walked for a while in a long corridor, then reached a balcony with a splendid view of the base, the ice mountains in the distance, and a magnificent starry sky.

On the balcony, there was a carpet with many cushions on it.

"There, it will be perfect."

Eva sat on one of the cushions, looking up at the stars, while Dora and Rhea remained still, looking to either side of the horizon.

"Isn’t it too cold to stand?"

Neither of them responded, keeping their position like two mirrors, which amused Eva.

"Of course, you’re so tough, a little cold could never make any of you flinch."

She materialized a tea set and biscuits, then began making a cup for each of them.

"Will 7 sugar cubes be enough, Rhea? You preferred it very sweet, right?"

Rhea lowered her head, took off her hat, and sat down next to Eva to take her cup.

She took a small sip, without a word. Eva smiled and brought a cushion to her right.

"Dora, I know you prefer cupcakes, but I’m really bad at making them, so I made cookies instead. They’re berry, that’s your favorite, right?"

Dora let out a slight sigh and imitated Rhea. The two avatars with the Player having her best moment, her joy visible on her face.

Dora took a bite, and as he savored his cookie, he felt a foreign, but all too familiar sensation.

"...It’s probably a good time to get emotional, but why not tell us exactly what to cry about?"

Next to him, Eva was sipping her tea with a few tears streaming down her cheeks.

"...Ah, sorry. I was just thinking... It’s been too long since the last time we did this. I wonder if I deserve to experience this moment."

She put down her cup, wiping her tears.

"We went through a lot before finally rewinding this moment together. I’m grateful to the universe for making our reunion possible so I will enjoy every second with you two... But I shouldn’t leave you in the dark, right? So let’s talk about what you want to know."