ANNOUNCEMENT:
Monsoon Sale [Flat 40% Off] will last from 10th to 16th August only.
*****************
Darth Kars stood tall in the middle of the massive Hangar Bay that opened to space, separated by a thin, cyan field.
Even from here, he could see the ship hanging in the middle of space's blackness in the distance.
The Executor Super Star Destroyer!
Compared to his half-destroyed Death Star, the 19-km-long starship was… a speck of dust.
Yet, Darth Kars knew it for what it truly was — a Top Grade Legendary Named Item!
Next to that, his Top Grade Rare Named Item felt even tinier than a speck of dust… inconsequential.
If that Destroyer had come even an inch closer to its true trajectory, then the entire Death Star would have exploded to smithereens, along with him, no matter if he had become the strongest 12th Floor Contestant in Chaos' Valley, especially after the Blind Executioner's death.
It couldn't be anything but an act of mercy and a subtle warning, Darth Kars believed.
That was quite unnecessary, though, as, regardless of his status, power, and nature, he had absolutely no intention of even thinking of defying any order from the Inquisitors.
At first, Darth Kars had a mind to begin his attack on the planet.
The tiny presence of Red Sun hadn't bothered him in the slightest. That guy was nothing but a goofball, having no morals or character. In fact, Darth Kars had all the right reasons to believe that the White Serpent Pirates might have schemed to take down Zeus with some incomprehensible means.
Unlike his case from the Forest Vault, when he had been sealed to the limits of a Top-level 11th Floor Contestant, Zeus from Quasi Cipher Pol would have gone to execute Red Sun at his full power.
Sure, the Prototype-Prototype Fruit held only a hint of the mythical Prototype Glitch's potential. Still, that had been enough to give Agent Zero a unique position even among the 5th Set's Contestants' minds as the man closest to immortality; a fake immortality, but immortality, nonetheless.
In second place, Darth Kars believed, was none other than himself, given his Body Manipulation Ability from the Pillar Men Inheritance.
If it weren't for his Inheritance focusing more on Super Intelligence rather than Body Manipulation, then he could have rivaled Zeus' regenerative abilities easily.
That wasn't the case, though.
Which meant, even if Red Sun could, if the rumors were true, take on one of Darth Kars' attacks, saving Red's ass for the time being, he couldn't do it repeatedly.
The only reason that he had stayed his hand was that the Order of Immortal Lotus had approached him… suggesting another route to exact his vengeance.
Yes.
It was through him that the Six Imperishable Artifacts had filed their accusations against Red, involving the two Empires.
And if those accusations were true, then Darth Kars, no matter how vengeful he was, wanted nothing to do with Red or any of his associates anymore.
There were some things better left untouched.
Because, in doing so, he would only be destroying himself.
Suddenly, Darth Kars noticed an Imperial shuttle approaching the Hangar Bay.
He looked over his shoulder at his Officers, all Contestants from the 6th to 10th Floors, and nodded upon noticing their alertness. Behind the Officers, there were thousands of stormtroopers, standing in blocks of a hundred.
Darth Kars looked forward and drew a deep breath as the shuttle entered the bay.
He had dressed himself appropriately, he believed.
A part of him had wanted to remain… as usual, but his Master from the Primordial Tower had given specific orders not to be lacking in hospitality when it came to the Inquisitors.
So, today, Darth Kars had thrown a beastly cloak over his shoulders.
Under his feet, the pristine, mirror-like black floor still reflected his mostly naked figure, clad only in the beast skirt around his waist, with his lightsaber on the right.
That was the most he had been able to do.
Dying was much better than moving more than that.
The shuttle turned around midair and landed, with its butt toward the Contestants.
A HISS echoed as smoke came billowing out with the opening of the shuttle's door.
A group of black-armored stormtroopers, in two columns, came marching out and stood on either side between the ship and the Contestants.
Slowly, the silhouette of a figure outlined itself, surrounded by dimly lit, white smoke.
A long mechanical breath…
Darth Kars had heard that breath dozens of times.
And, each time, it had imbued a queasy feeling in his guts, just like now.
Dressed in his usual imperial suit, Darth Vader walked out of the shuttle, his black cloak billowing behind him.
If it had been any other storyline Character at his level, then he wouldn't have bothered reining in the Force, Darth Kars knew.
The white-armored stormtroopers would have instantly exploded into clouds of mist because no one cared about slaves.
The Officers would have been staring at their HP bars, too, flashing with the brightest color of red.
Even he, the mighty Darth Kars with the Force and Ripple backing him up, would have lost his bearings, falling to his knees.
And thus, if he was going to fall to his knees anyway, there was no shame in doing it willingly.
"Welcome to my humble abode…" Darth Kars said, kneeling, but still towering above all others because of his stature. "… my Master."
Darth Vader came to a stop in front of him and drew another breath.
"Arrange a meeting with the Order of Immortal Lotus' Six entities," the Sith ordered, coming straight to business. "As long as the investigation continues, you will report directly to me."
Darth Kars nodded, still kneeling. "Yes," he said, daring not to lift his head and look at the existence who stood above a King. "What about this timeline's Dumbledore? He is…"
"He is already on his way to the Death Star," Vader said, making Darth Kars widen his eyes in shock. "When he arrives, bring him directly to me."
Why? Why invite that strange Dumbledore? He has no clue what is going on or what evidence the Order has piled up against Red. Then…
Still, noticing the upper Sith's dismissive tone, Darth Kars decided not to think too much about it and nodded…
… hoping things wouldn't take an unpredictable turn because of… Lord Black Phoenix.
********************
AN: Up to 60 more chapters are available in advance across three Tiers. [Use the link in my webnovel profile to access all options]
You can even subscribe Trial Tier for just 1.99 dollar to have an experience of exclusive chapters for an entire month, along with all the Exclusive Images. I hope a few of you will consider supporting the work.
100 Power Stones/day: +1 Bonus Chapter next day