Days passed. Speculation about Gahiji's death or disappearance began to create inconveniences for the Ilu Nla Armed Forces. President Ojwang was trying to resolve the stalemate between Jitujeusi and Luena. The Phalange was in a state of civil war.

  In general, the population was dissatisfied with the State of Defense. The extraordinary legality created fear that Ilu Nla would turn into yet another African military dictatorship. Curfews, repression of street demonstrations, not to mention the closure of opposition media and the shutting down of NGOs that criticized the government.

  The National Congress was made up of a collegiate body chosen by indirect vote. Many of them came from the Constituent Assembly that was hastily formed to ratify the Constitution written by the coup plotter. All subordinate to the president, there were no political parties, there wasn't even a party system. Ojwang claimed that this was the moment to stabilize the republic. This gave him enormous room for maneuver in the country.

  Some time after the incident on the wall, he managed to dissociate Gahiji's death from the failed mission. He created the narrative that Gahiji's death was the result of an attack by foreign forces. It had taken place on the nation's borders, and was under investigation by the Military Judicial Police and the Military Public Prosecutor's Office. The information was not released to the public immediately, out of respect for the family's requests.

  It was under the Ir?ko Tree that Ojwang made a televised statement to the nation. Several people watched the speech from behind an isolation barrier formed by armored and military vehicles.

  “Citizens of blessed Ilu Nla. Once again, I turn to this space to deliver some shocking news. General Gahiji's military entourage inspecting bases on the border was cowardly attacked. In order not to affect the results of the investigation, I am respecting the grief of his family.”

  The announcement took everyone by surprise, even the high-ranking officers invited to the ceremony. If Gahiji had died so easily, perhaps the country's military defenses weren't as strong as supposed.

  Ojwang wasn't worried about that. He felt he had the upper hand. Gahiji's death had been a setback. He had a lot of wood to burn, and he wasn't going to let his plans be thwarted by military insubordination. He had signed several decree-laws, each of which would carry great weight at that moment in the country.

  The first was to change the name of the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Defense, and to combine it with the Ministry of Science and Technology, so that the country's war industry would be aligned with the National Defense Program. The second decree-law did not fail to surprise those present:

  “By means of this decree-law, I appoint General Luena as Chief of Staff of the Ilu Nla Armed Forces and make other provisions”

  Effervescent applause broke out in the audience. Two old army generals, resentful of the choice, whispered to each other:

  “Now the president's shadow will cover the entire Armed Forces.”

  “A bold move for the loss of the rook, now he's repositioning the horse on the board.”

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  “I thought our giant was the horse. What makes you think that Jitujeusi is less versatile than Luena?”

  “Oh, no! General Jitujeusi is the bishop. He's evasive in his project, he only fights when someone stands in his way. Besides, he's always on the king's side.”

  “Listen, the president will speak again.”

  Ojwang, after signing the decree-law, the ceremonial master read it out again:

  “I appoint General Jitujeusi as Minister of Defense, Science and Technology of Ilu Nla and make other arrangements.”

  During the ceremony, the new heads of the armed forces were appointed, who would respectively take the places of Gahiji, Luena and Jitujeusi. The Phalange generals requested that their Falangettes accompany them in their new post, which Ojwang granted.

  At the end of the ceremony, Ojwang appealed to the feelings of the people. Everything he did was for their own good. Bitter medicines tasted bad, but they were the most effective in fighting disease.

  After greeting the authorities, Ojwang, followed by his special advisor and generals Luena and Jitujeusi, got into the presidential car, a huge dark limousine. Lomungo, as was his wont, heaped praise on Ojwang. He thanked him humbly and looked at Jitujeusi, who gave him a wry smile, the kind that can only be seen with acuity.

  “You don't seem to be satisfied with your new position, Minister Jitujeusi.”

  “Oh, not at all! I'm very satisfied. Now that that asshole Adisa is gone, I can start my personal projects. I will serve you in the same way I served you as general of the Artillery troops.”

  He is trying to harmonize the balance of power in the Armed Forces. But he trusts Luena more than me, what a shame. It was her fault that Gahiji died.

  “As for the newest Chief of Staff, I wish you the same.”

  “Don't worry, Mr. President. I'll be true to my cause until I die.”

  Damn, I don't know what Jitujeusi can do behind my back as minister. I'd rather he was my subordinate and remained head of one of the Three Weapons.

  Ojwang was satisfied. Both militaries would act with almost equal powers, serving as the weight and counterweight of power. That way they would be useful until his plans were finalized. He felt that he had been planting for a long time and that the time for the harvest was near.

  ?

  In the days following the invasion of the rebel camp, Akachi absorbed all the knowledge his grandfather had given him. The more he learned about his roots, the more powerful he felt. Knowing about his ancestors made him not a repository, but a participant in the cycle.

  Ekundayo and Feruzi helped him to better understand the extensions of the Functions and Properties of Axé, which allowed him new combinations of his powers. Hakim helped him perfect his physical form with rigorous training.

  Adisa, with the few resources he had at hand, built a terminal that would allow him to connect to the servers of Ilu Nla's Cyber Troops. Spin Bomb continued to produce his explosive artifacts, and distributed them among many volunteers who wished to fight alongside them.

  The coalition between the Ilu Nla Liberation Movement, the criminal factions and Ilê Apanyan was about to come to fruition. Only one last detail was needed: a phone call. Fadala picked up his device, and the holoprojection showed his Babu sitting at an oval table with eleven other assassins; only one chair was vacant.

  It was the Apostolate, a group of twelve of the strongest assassins of Ilê Apanyan, a group of Babu's advisors to which Fadala was a member. It was the first time that Fadala would have to report the leader's orders in front of the other members.

  “My son, I have entrusted you with a mission. Now is the time to find out: how big is the threat we are posing to you in Ilu Nla and how we will combat it.”

  Fadala knelt on the ground, with a sentimentality that was not his nature, which scandalized his own brothers, he said with strong emotion in his voice:

  “My Babu, forgive me if this mission has made me weaken in the Creed, but please help Akachi and his friends. Ojwang, whatever he is planning, must be stopped.”

  “So be it. May all members of Ilê Apanyan be gathered in the fortress. From now on, Ojwang and his allies will be sworn enemies of God, and we will act together with Akachi’s coalition.”

  “Thank you, my Babu.”

  The assassins were perplexed by the direction of the meeting. The Apostolate, faithful to their Babu’s decisions, even considering interference in Ilu Nla’s internal politics as a risk, accepted it. The Babu saw the future, and those who see the future see all the possibilities.