Saturday, March 7, 2028 |
Time: 12:00 PM (Mumbai, India)
The Mumbai sun was far more aggressive than the biting frost of Ladakh. As the N.D.A. private stealth jet touched down on the tarmac of the high-security terminal, the atmosphere felt like a silent war zone. The entire airport had been locked down by N.D.A. Magitech sentinels and elite tactical units, creating a perimeter that even a ghost would struggle to breach.
As the pressurized doors hissed open, the trio emerged. President Chirag stepped out first, his white presidential coat billowing slightly. His aura was so tranquil it was impossible to guess he had just subdued a Gold-tier Monarch. Behind him followed Rudra and Isha, both maintaining a profound suppression of their mana-signatures. To the world's sensors, they still appeared as mere 'A-Rank' specialists.
"Rudra, Isha," Chirag spoke without turning back. "Go home. Kiara is waiting. Isha, remember my words... from this heartbeat forward, every breath you take is for her safety."
"Understood, Mr. President," Isha replied, her head bowed. There was a new light in her eyes—the sharp, unwavering focus of an S-Rank Guardian.
Rudra offered no words, only a fleeting, meaningful glance at Chirag before boarding a matte-black SUV with Isha. Chirag watched them disappear toward Malabar Hill before turning his attention to the N.D.A. commander waiting by the terminal.
"Where is Adiraj?"
"Sir, he is currently at the Headquarters, attempting to manage Director Sterling. The situation is... heated," the guard replied, wiping beads of sweat from his brow.
Chirag permitted a cold, thin smile. "It is about to get much hotter."
The Sanctuary: Malabar Hill
Upon arriving at the Vikram estate, Isha felt the immediate shift in the environment. Kavir's barrier felt significantly more robust, its frequency tuned to detect even the most minute disturbances. The moment they stepped inside, Kiara came sprinting down the hall, shouting, "Bhaiya!"
Rudra lifted her into his arms, the lethal violet aura that had decimated thousands of monsters in Ladakh softening into a gentle, sheetal radiance. Isha watched the scene from the doorway, her S-Rank intuition already scanning every shadow, every wall, and every corner of the bungalow.
Rudra glanced at Isha and gave a subtle, sharp nod—a silent command: 'Do your duty. I will be in the shadows.'
Rudra retreated toward the upper floors to check on the internal security systems, but the true Rudra had already begun to merge with the darkness, becoming an invisible fail-safe for the two people he loved most.
The Lion's Den: N.D.A. Conference Room
Inside the N.D.A. Headquarters, the temperature felt sub-zero despite the air conditioning. Director Richard Sterling of the G.D.A. sat at the center of the conference table, backed by five towering international S-Rankers. These were the world's elite, sent under the guise of 'Global Stability,' though their true purpose was to measure the depth of Chirag's power.
The heavy obsidian doors swung open.
Chirag entered the room with a calculated indifference. He didn't look at Richard, nor did he acknowledge the five S-Rankers. He walked directly to the head of the table and laid a single file down. The five S-Rankers simultaneously attempted to release their collective auras to create a crushing pressure, but Chirag merely blinked, and their mana was instantly stifled as if caught in a vacuum.
"Director Sterling," Chirag said, his voice flat. "I trust you found the Mumbai hospitality adequate?"
Richard Sterling adjusted his glasses, his face flushed with suppressed irritation. "President Chirag, we are not here for pleasantries. G.D.A. reports indicate that in the last few weeks, the Garud Vajra guild has grown at a rate that defies logic. They are rivaling the world's top five guilds. The resources, the capital, the high-grade stones—where is it all coming from? Are you concealing something from the international community?"
One of the S-Rankers leaned forward, slamming a hand on the table. "We suspect you are harvesting illegal gates without G.D.A. authorization."
Chirag leaned back into his chair, a Sovereign's glint appearing in his eyes.
"Director, you are well aware that while I was in my coma, Adiraj and Kavir carried the weight of my responsibilities," Chirag began, his voice echoing with a deep, resonant authority. "As the President of this nation, it was my duty to ensure the prosperity of those who protected the N.D.A. in my absence. What you are seeing is simply my reward to Adiraj."
Richard narrowed his eyes. "Reward? What kind of reward justifies this level of wealth?"
"I am granting him exclusive rights to high-rank Hell Gates," Chirag lied with such conviction it felt like a law of nature. "Garud Vajra is now the official 'Tactical Wing' of the N.D.A. I am assigning them gates that the rest of the world's guilds lack the courage to clear. This is how I am repaying the debt I and this organization owe them for the past year."
"This is a violation of protocol!" Richard shouted. "High-rank gate distribution is the sole prerogative of the G.D.A.!"
Chirag leaned forward, his violet-gold eyes boring into Richard's soul. A single drop of his 40 Billion ECP aura leaked into the room, causing the five S-Rankers to tremble.
"Director, rules are for those who are too weak to enforce their own," Chirag whispered. "I am awake now. And as long as I draw breath, the gates of India will be governed by the laws of the N.D.A. If you believe Garud Vajra's growth is illegal, feel free to send your 'warriors' into any of my reward gates... but be warned, not a single soul will return."
Richard Sterling fell silent. He realized then that Chirag was no longer just a President; he was a Monarch who had outgrown the laws of men.
📊 Sovereign Archive: Chapter 135 Strategic Data Summary
Diplomatic Posture
President Chirag (SS-Rank):
Used the "Gratitude Reward" narrative to provide legal cover for Garud Vajra's exponential growth. Successfully neutralized a five-man S-Rank intimidation squad using passive suppression.
Geopolitical Declaration:
India has officially adopted a "Sovereignty First" policy, rejecting G.D.A. oversight on domestic high-rank gate distribution.
Character Status & Assignments
Rudra (S-Rank - Level 140):
Status: Hidden. Currently monitoring Malabar Hill from the shadows.
Base ECP: 42 Million.
Isha (S-Rank):
Status: Official Guardian of Kiara.
Current ECP: 35 Million.
Assignment: Zero-Failure protection protocol for the Sovereign's sister.
Global Threat Level:
G.D.A. suspicion is at an all-time high, but direct intervention is deterred by Chirag's presence.
Infrastructure:
N.D.A. Headquarters and Vikram Estate are now under a Grade-S Magitech Lockdown.