Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

878. Developments On The Horizon

Zermillion the Architect was a level 200 Exalted that had helped transform the Floor of the Head to what it is now. Furthermore, they were in the process of recycling the ruined pillars of where the War in Heaven had taken place to create cannons around Time Reverberation’s Headquarters.

These enormous, pale weapons were planned to fire a canister holding a Moon or a Star and immediately deploy them anywhere within the Nex Megalopolis, and several kilometers out. When paired with a Hyperwarp, then it would allow Moons to return almost immediately.

However, this was still in the testing phase.

“[Amplification] took longer to extract than I had hoped. The Gifts of the Beholders are easier to resonate with. I suspect it has to do with how potent it is.”

She had been tinkering with the White Light Apparatus for the last 3 months. Attempting to extract [Amplification] was like smashing her head against a brick wall. The mental image required for [Amplification] had no logical basis.

One would expect [Amplification] to mean to strengthen the source of an energy, sound or power. Neither was it a method to upgrade a preexisting source. Frost had to revisit Mort Toll to ask what its power entailed.

The answer surprised her.

“Cancellation.” Nav recited. “Neither I expected it. To extract the power of a Star means to understand the philosophy and origin of that power. Mort Toll, the Star, rang its bell to drown out the tales of suffering. But, it said there was another side to it too.”

Mort Toll did not tell Frost this other side. It hoped to motivate her to visit it again.

“3 months is fast, nonetheless.” Weave hummed, grabbing the small objects with various tentacles. “I’ll take good care of them~!”

“Very well. Our meeting here is done.”

“Where will you be going now?” Weave asked.

“Enoch will be arriving in a few hours’ time. I don’t have anything important to do in the meantime.”

Weave’s eyes sparkled as if to say: “Then let me give you a massage~!”

But Frost shot her down again.

“I’m going to go see Jury.”

“Oh, I haven’t asked – but how is married life?” Vampyria wondered. “I never would have thought that the Nexus would allow its members to form such relationships.”

“It’s going well, thank you.” Frost answered with a soft smile. “It’s not up to the Nexus to decide how you live.”

“Are you asking because you love someone too?” Weave questioned Vampyria.

“It is a one-sided affair. I’d rather not ruin the relationship I have with them. Vampire customs would only hurt that one. I’ve long abandoned this urge.”

Stars were like Moons in a way. Pieces of themselves were willingly sacrificed in order to become Stars of the Nexus. Love was also a dangerous prospect for a Star, as they vowed to devote their hearts solely to the Nexus.

Frost knew who Vampyria was talking about. There was a blind Sacral Appraiser that Vampyria commonly visited in the Middle Sanctums. Love was in season in the Nexus.

“Who your heart belongs does not determine your devotion. Have you heard of Mae, the Maestro?”

“I have heard of it.” Vampyria said. “The tale of the Impuritas who sang for the Nexus during the war.”

“Indeed. Their heart was not their own, but even they were able to devote themselves to the Nexus. The captured Librarians and Expositionists who invaded the Nexus are serving in the Eternal Library as we speak. The Nexus is your star as am I. But you should not be barred from your wants. The only rule I have imposed on my people is that they do not turn their backs to the Nexus. Your heart is still your own.”

I also don’t want my Stars to be too zealous once we start making new enemies.

Then, Frost continued:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Think of it as a reward for your hard work.”

Vampyria bowed. “I shall remember these words.”

* * *

The meeting ended after briefly going over the Blessed. These 3 months saw another 5,000 Blessed return to the Nexus. However, unlike the Blessed who initially returned with hopeful eyes, these Blessed were worn down, weary, and severely scarred. Around 300 arrived in a catatonic state, and at least a thousand were traumatized.

But what was shocking was that all 5,000 had experienced persecution to varying levels.

It was a matter that rocked the Nexus to its core. 5,000 Blessed resided within the Nexus when Frost first arrived in the Nexus. Prior to the influx of 5,000 more Blessed, these were the numbers of personnel within the Nexus.

< THE NEXUS >

< Blessed: 7,362 >

< Blessed (Current): 12,362 >

< Beholders: 10 >     < Stars: 35 >     < Moons: 103 >

< Aspiring Moons: 214 >     < Exalted: 130 >

< Status: Stable >

Nearly 40% of all current Blessed held either an aversion or hatred towards the world beyond the walls of the Nexus.

“Hora Therapeutics and the Healers have not stopped working. 60% have completely recovered. The other 40% require continuous support.” Charon reported. “There are names. I will include them in the background check. May ask one last thing before I leave?”

“Go ahead.”

“What will you do with the Blessed?”

It was simple. The Nexus was their safe haven. Supporting them as much as possible was a given. However, the issue was that the Nexus didn’t support them beyond the Nexus, aside from allowing their family to reside in Atlas.

Fucking hell. There weren’t enough healers for them, so they went after the Blessed. Did Grandis’ virus spread across Elysia while we weren’t looking? I knew Blessed were far more likely to be victims of ransom, capture and slavery than normal people, but I didn’t expect it to be at this scale…

If the Nexus was bound to become a nation of its own, then what kind of nation were they if they couldn’t even protect their own people?

Therefore, she only had one choice to make.

“I will announce them as untouchable. Charon. I have one more task for you.”

Charon’s eyes lit up. He knew precisely what Frost’s intentions were, and he immediately agreed before she could say another word.

“It will be my honor.”

“We will release a statement of upcoming changes centered around the Blessed. I will make it clear that they’re my people before they are residents of the Nexus. It was my mistake for not anticipating this. I’ve been far too preoccupied with the safety of the Healers that I overlooked the Blessed.”

Frost gazed down at each of the kingdoms. Her gaze alone caused smoke to rise.

Then, the map burst into flames.

“Let it be known that a finger placed on my Blessed is a transgression against the Nexus. I know I’ve ordered my Starts to approach these Kingdoms passively. However –

– The second visit will be their last. Charon. I want to protect good people. The Nexus consists of people who have already endured unbelievable hardships. Our home saved them. For them to have experience that pain again breaks my heart. I’d rather not make irrational moves on the grand stage.”

If Frost acted out on emotions alone, then half of these Kingdoms would cease to exist. And the Blessed would not even question if it. This feedback loop was a recipe for disaster. Being enabled by her own people would make it seem like her judgement was just.

In the end, the Blessed needed to be protected by the Nexus moving forward.