Back inside the city, things were even more chaotic than they were on the battlefield, with people panicking about the attack, about how they had just realized that the Capital was a target, and that it was far too close to the Mountain Giant borders.
Never mind that they had been there their entire lives, and this was the first ti that the Giants had dared to threaten the city directly, now that it had happened, the reality had sunk in for the Capital residents who were used to their luxury and safety.
Karl would have liked to say that it was understandable, just a matter of threatened civilians and bureaucrats, but shafully many of the sedentary lower ranked Elites were involved in the chaos.
They had never really taken the threats to the nation seriously, even when they were in the Academy. Now, they regretted every action that they had taken which delayed their own growth or passed up potential for political power or wealth.
[We should have gotten the fear aura skill.] Rae complained from her space as they slowly made their way through the crowds in the streets.
Fortunately, the majority of the crowd didn't recognize them, only that they were Elites by their armour. So, nobody stopped them to ask questions.
However, when they began to approach the street that led to the higher ranking Elite's apartnts, the crowd was absolutely packed, looking for soone who could give them answers.
The apartnts were all empty, everyone who lived there was called to battle, and they were the first ones back. The other fronts had taken much worse damage than the North Side did, thanks to Remi's intervention with the Thunderstorm.
The first to recognize them was a reporter, and his shouts turned hundreds of concerned citizens around to swarm the group of returning Elites.
"Please, can you tell us what the current situation is?" The reporter pleaded, while his team worked to keep the crowd from pushing into the shot.
"The armies of the Giants and their allies have retreated. There is currently no direct threat to the city, but we have not been privy to the casualty counts or rit awards that might co from this battle." Niall inford the reporter in a monotone voice.
That wasn't how he usually talked, so he was deliberately making his interview as boring as humanly possible, hoping to end it soon.
"Which portion of the city were you defending?" The reporter asked.
"The Inquisition cannot confirm the location of its mbers. However, I can confirm that a Monarch and four Royal Ranked Elites took command of the North Side of the city. Their direction led to zero line breaches, while the Tree of Life form of High Priestess Lotus, servant of the Green Dragon God, was instruntal in reducing casualties."
[If all else fails, throw soone under the bus and run.] Remi laughed.
[I will drag him back if he tries to run.] Rae agreed.
Niall hadn't made any gestures to indicate who was who, so the reporters had to guess whether the Nature High Priestess in this group was the one nad Lotus.
The reporter turned to Karl, who was standing near Niall, while the other Overlords had ford a protective ring around the junior mbers, in case there were still disguised infiltrators or other traitors in the crowd.
"Sir, can you provide any additional details?" The reporter asked, and Karl watched Niall smirk as the attention was diverted from him.
But two could play this ga.
"I can provide a few. The Thunderstorm during the battle was indeed a magical effect, created by our Golden Dragon Nation's Elites. Also, the battlefield appears to have been segnted, with the North Side receiving the majority of the combatants under the Commander Rank. That allowed the Giants and their weaker allies to work together without the weaker creatures getting caught in the aftershocks of a Monarch or Overlord Ranked battle.
Finally, we have identified a number of traitors and transford spies from the Giant Nations inside the city. If you should be caught in the middle of a police action to apprehend them, we cannot guarantee your safety if you are protesting or crowding the streets."
Behind him, Drath and Tabitha groaned, and the crowd began to shout in panic.
"Sir, can you confirm how many spies might have been found?" The reporter asked.
"Obviously not. However, you are live broadcasting this, so there is a chance that they will attempt to go underground or join the cowards fleeing the city for the anonymity of a rural community."
A giant wouldn't take the indignity of living like a peasant or common worker, so if the rural population was suspicious of everyone with powers who entered the village, it would help keep the cowards in the Capital.
At least, that was Karl's logic. The villages didn't want politicians rolling in with their wealth and taking over, they already had enough issues with the large business owners acting like they owned the world. A few words to help discourage the relocation was the least he could do for them.
"Can you provide any other details?" The reporter asked hopefully.
This Elite was more forthcoming than most, who would make asking questions feel like pulling teeth.
"Only one that is relevant to the situation. With the help of a new potion breakthrough and an advanced, science-based training regin, I am pleased to inform you that the old record for ti taken to reach Awakened Rank for an Elite has been broken. Research is ongoing, but the early signs are very encouraging, and we can expect a grand announcent of success after the Divine Injection Ceremony in the coming days."
{What exactly is science-based about the torture routine that you had Sister Rae co up with for ?} Sybil asked.
Karl smiled back at the little Rogue. {Human biology is science. She was very careful not to push it so far that you died. Besides, isn't it getting easier now?}
The reporter looked around the group, and realized that everyone else was studiously ignoring him, so there would be no more questions.
Karl cleared his throat. "Now, if it's not too much trouble, we would like to return ho to shower and rest after the battle."
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