278 Space Projects

Ace knows that Veda has reliable sources but he still felt doubtful about that report.

[ It seems that it has an ability to avoid being undetected. They must have learned to appropriately use their powers after many years, so it is possible.]

"Wasn't Percival together with the group? There was even that Mage Doctor together with them?" 

Ace couldn't help but ask as he was aware that Percival was supposedly one of the strongest magicians in the city and the mage doctor has unique methods of sensing the surroundings through his spirit arts.

[ It only shows how good these Celestials are. ]

Ace could only nod in acknowledgment... It seems that this existence was truly mysterious.

"Then, what are you worried about, Veda?"

[ Celestial Beings would supposedly perish after leaving the northern continent. If one could come here, more of them could follow. There will be chaos if that happens. ]

"We can't let that happen..."

[ Correct. It is highly likely that before the Empire arrives, the continent may already be on the brink of destruction. ]

The young man was unsure if Veda was exaggerating it but he acknowledges the trouble this could cause to everyone. These creatures weren't just anyone they could confront at the moment without sacrificing many people. 

"It's been a while since Yumi's group returned. Why would it only act now?"

[ I'm not too sure but I can only guess that the Celestial may have used more of their energy than expected when they arrived here. They must've rested enough so it only acted now after getting some of their powers back. We can also consider that they have been roaming around the place for a while now but didn't take any action until they got interested in this space shuttle that was going out of this planet. ] 

"Haa~ Your reasons make sense... However, how do you want to deal with this?"

[ I want to ensure that no more Celestial would be transported here. ]

"Very well... I can help you with that. Tell me anything you need."

Ace said as he made plans with Veda. This super A.I. seems to be interested in creating more of its exclusive item. A device capable of detecting the Celestial Energy.

Apparently, the A.I. hasn't realized that it would be needing these devices so it only created a few. Most of them were also in the northern continent.

However, now that a possible arrival of more Celestial comes in, they had to ensure that they will be capable of finding or monitoring them.

Not only that, but the A.I. also needed to ensure that they will be able to improve the device and not let any mishaps happen.

They had to level up their technology if they wanted these Celestials monitored.

***

The big event that was supposedly worthy of celebration made people a bit lost due to the lack of any update online about the whereabouts of the space shuttle.

The two clans didn't give a report to the people that the space shuttle disappeared out of their radars and detection spells. They just kept the people hanging about what truly happened up there.

They only saw a bright light like an explosion before the shuttle vanished. No signs of debris falling or anything like that.

It feels like it was completed obliterated by powerful magic or something similar.

Some also believe that the shuttle only traveled so fast that after the bright light, they haven't seen any traces of it.

"When will they tell us the situation?"

Hilda was curious about the outcome and she can't obviously ask the two powerful clans so she can only complain to her group.

"Let's just wait. They will surely announce the situation."

"That's right. However, it seems to be really similar. The Space Rocket system or something was somehow similar to the piece of knowledge we acquired."

Shirley and Ray said after getting a bit bored of waiting.

"Yes... The second explosion must be the second rocket system to lift up the space shuttle... However, it could have experienced some troubles."

Escanor could only say. He was unsure of himself so he can only guess.

"Anyway, what would you think would happen tomorrow?"

"At Traceless Hand's mysterious gathering of top-ranking players?"

"Hahaha... I wanted to see the current top players... I hope that he'll attend the gathering..."

"Let's hope so. There would be a lot of rewards and maybe, we'll get precious in-game items after attending this event as a surprise..."

"Just keep your optimism. I hope that it will not disappoint us like this event... Sigh~"

Hilda finally said as they all started thinking of heading inside the game instead.

"Well, I guess we can play for a few more hours today before we attend tomorrow's event. Anyway, the creator decided to have a maintenance tomorrow..."

Shirley said as she tempted everyone to just play the game while they still have some time.

That's right. No one would be able to play the game tomorrow as Avalon will update a lot of game details, scenarios, weapons, strengths calculation, and others for a better gaming experience.

Avalon already had more than enough data to adjust the strengths of those Adepts and Arcanists inside the game.

They would also be able to add more quests and rewards after this maintenance. And of course, after this event, it would be time for the Dorssian Empire to be aggressive.

It was time for them to harass the players and stopped waiting for these players to hit them.

***

Ace heard that night that the space shuttle remained missing.

No signals or any form of communication at all. It seems that they just vanished completely.

It was quite a scary event and also very interesting to some. After all, this means that going out of this planets seems to still be impossible with their current technology. If that is the case, they would have to find another way and have more experimentation before they will attempt another space mission.

"Is everything prepared?"

[ All Mech Frames, Automatons, Spacecraft, Mana Artifacts, and other various rewards we could give were ready. The event's location was also properly arranged. The food and beverages will also be handled by people assigned by Miss Lacus Minerva. ]

"Ugh... She will do what?"

[ She wanted to be able to help you aside from arranging your personal security so I had given her a simple task that she can accomplish. ]

Ace shook his head after hearing this. Anyway, as long as his senior apprentice wasn't complaining, then he'll let it be.

"Very well, tomorrow will be a long day for us."

It was about time to start the fourth phase of their VR Project.

Tomorrow, he'll meet the players personally, revealing his identity to the public.