The Demon’s Menu

Edmund awoke half an hour later.

He confirmed this through the two clocks on the wall, the watch on his wrist, and a small electronic watch hidden at the hem of his garment.

These were habits he had formed in the past.

And clearly, once a habit is formed, it becomes difficult to change.

Rubbing his swollen temples, he casually reached for the communicator.

"Esther? Esther?"

Edmund called out directly.

"Senior Edmund, you’re awake?"

Esther’s surprised voice came from the communicator, which eased Edmund just a bit.

Edmund knew Lawrence well.

If the other party’s contingency plans had been truly activated, those closest to them, like Esther, wouldn’t stand a chance at survival.

"Please inform me of everything that has happened below."

Edmund pulled out the intravenous tube and, as he rose from the bed, rebuffed the doctor’s examination.

He was quite aware of the condition of his body.

Weak, but only from exhaustion.

No actual injuries.

Still, after standing up, he staggered several times.

At this, Edmund gave a wry smile.

It had been too long since he had been in such a state, and the feeling now was truly awful.

A sense of helplessness filled Edmund’s heart.

And Esther, hearing the sound through the communicator, anxiously asked:

"Senior Edmund, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

"Tell me, what transpired after I lost consciousness."

"Yes, after you passed out, there was..."

Esther spoke rapidly yet succinctly, outlining the recent events in detail.

Including the misfortunes of two D-class personnel.

The traps set due to a miscalculation, then the posted guards...

It was all typical of Lawrence’s style.

When Edmund heard that the large lizard-like creature seemed to be capable of continuous evolution and adaptation, he frowned.

The stronger the guard, the more important the guarded object must be.

Moreover, knowing Lawrence’s modus operandi, that thing or being was certainly in a state of restraint, yet capable of precisely countering the guard!

If the guard were to leave,

That thing or being would utterly unleash a true disaster.

However, with Lawrence’s malicious nature, it would not be so simple.

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What he wanted was for them, after painstakingly dealing with the guard, to find that they had erred, that killing the guard had released the true ’devilthe despair of such realization.

What could that thing or being be?

Able to evade the notice of the ’Sanctuary’ headquarters, it could not be too large, and in its normal state, it also should not exhibit any oddities.

With the ’guardian’s’ choice and the construction of the underground, this already narrowed the possibilities.

Under normal circumstances, it must be something that could be commonly seen.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

But once it erupted, it would become exceedingly horrific.

Yet...

Could such a scheme truly be orchestrated by Lawrence alone?

Edmund knew Lawrence well.

The latter was cunning and held a significant position within headquarters.

But that was just ’significant.’

Not truly all-powerful.

After all, he had not even entered the council of the organization.

And more importantly!

Why specifically ’Ang City’?

Why did it just so happen that these preparations were made here, and then, just so happened that this ’war’ erupted?

Isn’t that too coincidental?

What else don’t I know about?

Could it be...

At this thought, Edmund’s gaze sharpened.

He did not want to admit it, but when so many doubts surfaced, only one answer could explain it all,

However, Edmund did not share more with Esther.

"I’m on my way."

He simply said.

Some things are not better known in greater detail,

Especially under the strong possibility of being under surveillance.

As Edmund walked out, he glanced at the communicator at his waist.

Then, he used the communicator to dial headquarters.

This was not his first time calling.

Before the ’war’ broke out, he had contacted them.

Firstly, to report that the situation had exceeded their expectations,

And secondly, to request reinforcements.

"This is Wayne."

A stern female voice came through, and just hearing it, one would involuntarily envision a cold, stern, high-positioned woman with sharp eyes, hair pulled back, wearing glasses.

"This is Edmund."

"The battle has escalated beyond our projections, ’Sanctuary’s’ offensive was rebuffed by the ’Night Owl Court’."

"Moreover, ’Hydra’ has opened the underground shelters to provide refuge for civilians."

Edmund recounted the events truthfully.

"Hmm."

"What else?"

The person on the other end of the communicator seemed to ask routinely.

But to Edmund at that moment, it sent a chill through his spine.

What else...

Certainly, headquarters must know, mustn’t they?

Also, from the time it took to connect the communicator, it was almost instantaneous... Wayne was waiting for my message!

Making a quick judgment, Edmund’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Was Wayne representing an opposing force to Lawrence?

Or was it a power struggle within the same faction?

Edmund had seen more than his fair share of internal conflicts within the same faction.

The ’Sanctuary’ was no exception.

Of course, this ’internal strife’ might be different.

Because it involved some other entities.

Entities that cause a chain reaction: the old man who had forged a new era with a single ’peaceful’ punch.

Aras’s grandfather!

The information about him in Ang City, the ’Sanctuary’ headquarters should have known.