At the center of Jekain's territory, a Garganta slowly split open.
The sudden surge of spiritual pressure immediately put the guards on alert. Bladed limbs lifted. Ceros began forming.
Then recognition spread through the ranks.
They relaxed.
The reiatsu belonged to only one being.
Their true king.
The void fully opened, and Sombravida stepped out, followed by Timd.
The surrounding Hollows dropped to one knee.
"Welcome back, our King!"
Sombravida inclined his head slightly.
"Rise."
They obeyed instantly.
Orders Upon Return
"Where are Jekain and Nel?"
A guard stepped forward.
"My King, Lord Jekain is deploying Void Beast Mines within Pyromon's former territory. Lady Nilu is patrolling the border."
"Shall we summon them?"
"No."
Sombravida's voice remained calm.
"Mobilize your forces and proceed to Jekain's location."
The guard straightened.
"Inform him that Atak and Gross are dead."
"Have him advance immediately."
"Deploy Void Beast Mines along the new front line."
"Tell Nilu to join him and stabilize the border."
Silence fell.
The guard stared.
"…Your Majesty… you alone…"
Sombravida's eyes narrowed slightly with amusement.
"You doubt me?"
"N–No! Never!"
The Hollow bowed deeply.
Sombravida waved it off.
"I merely took advantage of an opportunity."
"Carry out the order."
"Yes, my king!"
The guards dispersed rapidly.
Only Timd remained behind.
A Place in the Territory
"My lord… no… my king…"
Timd corrected himself nervously.
"What role can my abilities serve?"
He understood survival required usefulness.
Sombravida did not bring him here out of sentiment.
He had to prove his value.
Sombravida glanced back at him.
"You were a chemistry student, correct?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then go do your job."
Sombravida smiled faintly.
"Come. I'll take you to the testing grounds."
Before Timd could react, Sombravida seized him and stepped through space.
Spatial Transit
When they arrived, Timd collapsed onto the ground, gasping.
If Hollows could sweat, he would have been drenched.
"First time experiencing spatial displacement?" Sombravida asked.
"Yes… Your Majesty…"
Timd wheezed.
"In Atak's territory I served in the third to sixth Anti-Membrane sequence… I ran to reposition."
"…I have never traveled such distance instantly."
"Get used to it," Sombravida said, patting his back.
"One day you may need to master it."
The Testing Grounds
Inside the excavation chamber, Borut, Muld, and the other Adjuchas were still working.
They had not rested in days.
Continuous Gillian resources fueled their production.
Upon seeing Sombravida, they stopped and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"You've worked hard," Sombravida said.
"How many mines?"
Muld answered:
"We produce roughly one hundred per day. Nearly four hundred have been deployed. Two hundred remain in reserve."
Sombravida nodded.
"You may need to increase production."
"Our territory is about to expand again."
The four Adjuchas exchanged looks.
"So soon… another lord?"
Sombravida only smiled.
Introducing Timd
"This is Timd," Sombravida said, stepping aside.
"A sub-level Hollow from Atak's territory."
Timd bowed timidly.
The workers introduced themselves.
Sombravida turned to Muld.
"Create one mine and explain the process."
"Timd, observe carefully."
Timd watched closely as:
Muld formed the hardened shell
Borut inserted the larval explosive core
Hendron embedded spike projectiles
venom reservoirs were sealed within
Timd's tail swayed slowly.
"…this resembles a trap bomb."
Sombravida sat casually nearby.
"You studied chemistry. You tell me."
Timd hesitated.
"…it resembles a landmine from the human world."
Demonstration
"Show him," Sombravida said.
Muld hurled the device into a group of restrained Gillian.
BOOM!!!
Purple toxic mist erupted outward.
The Gillian collapsed instantly.
Some suffocated.
Others convulsed.
Borut explained:
"The explosion aerosolizes the neurotoxin."
"The spikes deliver poison through penetration."
"Airborne inhalation increases paralysis."
Timd's eyes widened.
Scientific Insight
Sombravida crossed his arms.
"Not bad, right?"
"Unfortunately, my understanding is superficial."
Timd's mind was racing.
"This design preserves toxin integrity using the shell… but have you tested toxin tolerance thresholds?"
Sombravida shook his head.
"I only intended to poison the spikes."
Timd nodded thoughtfully.
"That explains the redundancy."
His tail flicked faster.
"With controlled containment and varied payloads, this platform can produce multiple weapon types."
He began counting on his claws:
incendiary payloads
corrosive dispersal bombs
smoke obscurants
thermal ignition mixtures
area denial compounds
Sombravida raised a hand.
"Stop."
"I brought you here for exactly this reason."
Timd froze.
Then bowed deeply.
"I understand completely, Your Majesty."
His voice trembled with excitement.
Three Tasks
Sombravida stood.
"You have three responsibilities."
Timd straightened immediately.
1. Language Unification
"We Hollows lack a standardized language."
"I want a unified spoken system."
"Convert it into written form."
"Teach it throughout the territory."
Timd blinked in surprise.
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
"That is achievable."
2. Strategic Mapping
"Create a detailed map of Atak's alliance."
"Territory boundaries."
"terrain."
"lord domains."
"Adjuchas concentrations."
Timd nodded quickly.
"I can outline the alliance structure and border zones."
"Excellent."
3. Long-Range Communication
"When developing technological weapons," Sombravida continued,
"also research long-range communication."
"Resonance and Cero signals reveal position."
"We need covert transmission."
Timd scratched his mask.
"…that requires electromagnetic wave theory… transmitters… frequency calibration…"
"…Your Majesty, I studied chemistry."
Sombravida chuckled.
"I will help where I can."
"I may retrieve information from the human world later."
Timd immediately shook his head.
"I advise against that."
"I saw an Adjuchas enter the human world."
"He was surrounded by dozens of Soul Reapers."
"He did not survive."
Sombravida nodded.
"Fair."
A Question of Worlds
Sombravida paused.
"In your world… is there a place called Karakura Town?"
"Yes."
"I came from Karakura Town."
Sombravida's gaze sharpened.
"…have you heard of China?"
"Yes. A large country near Japan."
Sombravida muttered quietly:
"So both Karakura and the wider world coexist…"
"…interesting."
Timd blinked.
"Your Majesty?"
"It's nothing."
Sombravida waved it away.
"Focus on the map first."
"We will need it soon."
"Yes, my king."
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