Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening
Chapter 165: Strategic Operation

Chapter 165: Strategic Operation

BOOM...!

"Ah...!"

The sudden fiery explosion took the commander and his people by surprise. While the explosive force didn’t carry too much fiery energy, the shockwaves were more than enough to send them flying.

"Ugh..."

Commander Harrion groaned as he rolled to a stop several meters away from the site of the explosion. More blood trickled down from the wounds he already carried from the earth tremors.

Looking around, he noticed his men and assistant passed out on the side, bleeding from their orifices. They weren’t dead, but they were severely injured.

"Commander!"

The surrounding soldiers quickly made their way over, swiftly arriving before the commander and the others.

"Check on her..." The commander directed through bloody lips, struggling to get back to his feet. He refused any help from his men, directing his gaze back to the explosion site.

"Someone should go check the site of the explosion!" Commander Harrison instructed no one in particular. "Find the prisoner!"

"Yes, sir!"

The men accepted his orders as several soldiers and knights made their way over to the small crater still emitting remnant smoke from the smothering fires.

Unfortunately for Commander Harrison, Caleb was nowhere to be seen. He was gone, and the men could do nothing about it.

Even still, the men expanded the search, using their call artefacts to reach the other squads of the army. Regardless, no one had seen anyone out of place among the forces present.

The prisoner was gone...

"Commander, the prisoner hasn’t been spotted anywhere around camp." One of the men rushed back to report. "We’re still expanding the area of the search, but..."

Commander Harrison already got the gist of the report. He gritted his bloody teeth in frustration and anger. Just recalling the smug face of Caleb twisted his gut like a wrench.

’Fucking hell...’ He cursed. ’That bastard sure played me... Tch, it’s only a matter of time before His Majesty finds out. Even so...’

It was already late... By the time the king made a move to suppress the nobles, the plans would have already been in motion.

Withdrawing his call artefacts from his storage, he searched for the Marquis’ contact rune. "My Lord. We have a bit of a problem..."

***

High up in the clouds, above the army, was a calmly floating Caleb sitting cross-legged in the air, observing everything happening below.

He never doubted his ability to escape when needed. With almost limitless mana, teleport and flight in his arsenal, there was nothing that could stop him.

Given everything he had learned throughout his mission, Caleb could conclude with very little doubt that most of the nobles had sold their kingdom to the Growian Kingdom.

’This is what corruption leads to...’ Caleb silently mused. ’The nobles are well aware that their crimes would most likely lead to them losing their status and reputation.

’But is selling the kingdom the right move?’ It was a mystery to him. ’I highly doubt that the lifeline offered to the nobles would hold after all is said and done.’

Why give power to someone who could easily betray you? Caleb could already foresee the Growians stabbing the nobles in the back once they completed their takeover.

Of course, there could be other factors like coercion and threats, but Caleb leaned more on the corruption part. No one was stopping the nobles from saying anything to the king. Even if they were being monitored, there were subtle ways to go about such things.

Looking at the commander below, Caleb recalled another thing he mentioned during his venting. It reminded him of those hooded figures he had fought a few days ago.

Apparently, there were more of such beings, very powerful ones at that. They did try to recruit him, after all.

’Then there was that earthquake from that direction...’ Caleb turned his gaze towards the seized lands of the Luntheria Kingdom. ’The commander muttered ’again’, and even the system said it was an unusual quake.

’In a world like this one, it usually means magic is involved.’

Caleb retrieved his call artefact, intending to share what he had learnt with King Gray. At this point, proof wouldn’t do much as plans were already in motion.

[Caleb, I wasn’t expecting another call, and at this hour at that.] King Gray’s voice responded around Caleb.

"I apologise for the late-night call, but this can’t wait," Caleb said. "Things are more serious than the nobles trying to get you off the throne."

[What do you mean?] King Gray’s tone turned serious.

"Whatever the nobles are involved in has to do with taking over the kingdom entirely, and the Growian Kingdom seems to be the mastermind."

[...]

For a moment, the king remained silent. What Caleb said was some serious stuff, and the king clearly needed time to mull over the words.

[How did you come across such information?] King Gray asked after several seconds had passed.

"From the commander stationed at the border." Caleb replied. "The Marquis’s army at the border is just a front. This takeover is not going to be fought in a war... this is going to be a strategic operation."

[Are you sure about this?] The king asked, and Caleb could hear the heaviness in his tone. [We can’t afford to fight two wars on two fronts.]

The kingdom already had its hands full with the demonic forces on the other side of the kingdom. Fighting another would stretch them too thin.

"Like I mentioned before, this isn’t going to be a war, Your Majesty," Caleb repeated. "Most of your nobles have already been taken over, and I bet those still loyal to the kingdom can be counted on one hand. Do you see where I’m going with this..."

In all honesty, this was a first for Caleb. He could not understand how one kingdom could covet another when demons were breathing down the necks of all living beings.

[What about the journal you retrieved?] The king asked instead.

"It’s on its way to you," Caleb replied. "To be honest, that journal won’t do you any good. You should be making preparations for an imminent assault instead. Trust me, the people they have at their end aren’t something your commanders can stand against."

[I see...Do well to return as soon as possible, then.] The king said. [If what you say is true, I might need your help once more.]

"Of course, Your Majesty." Caleb smiled, his gaze looking in the direction of the border. "But there’s something I want to check out first. I’ll be in the capital in a few days..."

[Roger...]

Once the call came to an end, Caleb put his artefact away, getting up from his sitting position.

Simultaneously, his changed appearance began to return to his true self, his clothes changing into his favourite wear: black on black, with a trench coat.

As the cold winds blew past him, his coat flared majestically, and his turquoise blue eyes flared with magical energy, a testament to the overwhelming energy coursing through his system.

"Mysterious earthquake, here I come..."

At those words, Caleb took a single step forward and his figure disappeared in a flash of turquoise light. The commander was already forgotten and shoved to the side, having already played his part.