In the ivory-white hallway of the Holy Residence, Noah went by the layers of security here as he walked onwards.
The guards saw Noah walking hastily so they wanted to question him, asking why he's here. When they finally identified Noah, none were brave enough to stop him.
Clearly, the guards had heard tails or saw Noah's crazy achievements.
For one, Noah acted as Seitenshi's personal guard before and during the sniping incident. He also beat the living daylights out of Yasuwaki and his lackeys who were strutting around like they owned the join. Yasuwaki Takuto got the lion's share of Noah's beatings.
Some guards even saw how Noah going into and coming out of Seitenshi's room. From this, rumors arose about Noah's suspicious relationship with Seitenshi.
This would also explain why Noah walked away scotfree when he whacked Takuto.
This suspicious rumor would also explain why Takuto got fired despite working years for Seitenshi. His dismissal was done with just a single memo.
From an observer's POV, it seems like Seitenshi is sticking up for Noah when Takuto unwisely chose to tick Noah off. She did this by dismissing the entire bodyguard squad led by Takuto.
Although the person himself is unaware, he has already become someone feared within the Holy Residence. Hence, nobody dared to stop or even question why he's here.
Noah didn't notice this because he's too busy thinking about osmething else.
After Kisara underwent her surgery, Noah and Rentaro stuck around to take care of Kisara. Fortunately, she woke up this morning which took some weight off their backs.
Before Noah can talk with Kisara, his phone rang.
Seitenshi called him.
She invited him to the Holy Residence, she didn't divulge any useful information during that call.
Noah can sense the gravity within her tone so he accepted the invitation. He told Rentaro to take good care of Kisara before rushing over here.
After his arrival, he can tell the Residence is under an intense mood.
There are people here doing their jobs like normal. There are also people with stressed and anxious looks, they couldn't hide their grave expressions no matter how hard they tried.
The Holy Residence is also brimming with activity.
Officials can be seen rushing into and out of the office with documents. All of them were as tense as the air here.
Something big must have happened, that much Noah can tell.
Noah opened the door to Seitenshi's room.
"Guild master Noah."
The scent of her boudoir entered his nose, tickling it. In it, Seitenshi greeted Noah after standing up from her sofa. Her face was cloudy with distress.
Noah raised an eyebrow and he entered the room without caring that it's the private room of a young woman. He sat down opposite to Seitenshi and he continued.
"Since it's an emergency, please cut to the chase."
Seitenshi didn't feel insulted that Noah ordered her to make it quick. Noah's firm words calmed her unsteady heart down slightly.
"Alright, allow me to summarize everything."
Seitenshi began explaining.
As the talk went on, Noah's expression turned to shock and then he frowned.
Aldebaran.
That's the name of a certain infamous Stage IV Gastrea.
Noah read what little records detailing this creature, that's why this name rang a bell.
Of the 11 known Stage V Gastrea known as the Zodiacs, three has been slain.
The IP pairing with the no.1 ranking, the strongest initiator took down a heretofore invincible enemy of mankind, the icon of terror, the zodiac gastrea that led a legion of Gastrea known, the Taurus Gastrea.
The second Zodiac to be slain is the Gastrea known as Virgo, the german IP ranking no.2 took it down.
The third one was killed by Noah, the same Scorpio Gastrea that Noah reduced to dust.
Aldebaran is a very important member of Taurus' legion. It appeared along with Model Taurus in organized attacks during their rampage.
The legion isn't led by Taurus, in fact, it was Aldebaran who controlled the legion with its pheremones, assisting the Stage V Gastrea in its rampage across the region. This is how Aldebaran got its name as it is the brightest star in the Taurus constellation, the right-hand man of Taurus.
It's not just because of this that Aldebaran got its name, it had a special ability.
It can secret Varanium-corroding liquid.
The absolute worst nightmare of all humans.
"You're telling me, Monolith 32 got attacked by Aldebaran and got corroded by it."
Noah raised his head after digesting Seitenshi's report.
"The corrosion will be complete in six days and at that time, Gastrea monsters will flood the Tokyo Region and cause widespread devastation?"
Seintenshi nodded with a grim look. Then, she perked up and she added.
"The new monolith is already near completion, however, the fastest we can get it here is in 9 days."
"9 days?"
Noah bit his nail.
"The monolith will crumble in six days but the new monolith will only arrive in 9 days time. Which means, Tokyo Area must withstand legions of Gastrea for 3 days?"
"Soon, news will reach the populace. I can't imagine the chaos it will spark."
Seitenshi said with her hands clasped, she closed her eyes as if praying for everyone's safety. She looked like a heroine in a tragedy.
"The Tokyo Area has underground bunkers that can shelter the populace. But, only 30% of the area's population can be protected. Food supplies will only provide for 2 months of consumption at most."
If the Gastreas pour into the Tokyo Area, 70% of the population are going to become Gastrea food.
The remaining 30% will find salvation. However, if no help comes in 2 months time, they will similarly die.
They must somehow defend the Tokyo Area from hordes of Gastrea monsters for 3 days while the new monolith is on its way.
"Right now, my subordinates are gathering all the Civil Defense operatives they can get their hands on, buffing up the self defense force. In 6 days time, we will launce our offensive against the invading Gastrea army."
Seitenshi looked at Noah with hopeful eyes.
"Guild master Noah, can you use your bullets to save Tokyo Area?"
Noah finally understood why Seitenshi invited him here.
His bullets.
Seitenshi wanted him to use the bullets that killed the Stage V Scorpio. Maybe Noah can do something like wiping out the Gastrea horde threatening to overrun the Tokyo area.
Noah chose silence.
A bad feeling rose up within Noah.