Within the sprawling conference hall of the Capital, dozens of leaders, each clad in distinct attire, convened.
Above them, on the largest screen, Ao Yu expressionlessly articulated his views.
“On one side, we have a witch with boundless potential; on the other, a dungeon of limited value.”
“To punish that witch for an S-rank dungeon with low output and no significant developmental worth, I believe, is inappropriate.”
“Furthermore! She was there at my invitation, and a portion of the responsibility is mine!”
His words brooked no argument. Anyone could see he was unequivocally taking Aya Tone’s side.
Yet, those seated below were far from ordinary individuals. After Ao Yu concluded his statement, a white-haired elder pulled the microphone closer.
“President Ao, an S-rank dungeon’s very existence holds intrinsic value. The materials found within are invaluable treasures for humanity.”
He paused, then continued, “The person you speak of—does she truly not understand what an S-rank dungeon represents?”
‘The first time could be attributed to ignorance, but this is no longer the first instance.’
Subsequently, a middle-aged man took the floor, stating,
“And why was such a significant matter, the emergence of an S-rank spatial fruit, not reported immediately?!”
His tone was impassioned as he leveled a barrage of accusations at Ao Yu. The value of an S-rank spatial fruit far surpassed that of the dungeon itself. If it had been secretly stolen by foreign entities, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Ao Yu leaned back in his chair, quietly listening to the accusations emanating from the video feed. He had anticipated this.
Only when the middle-aged man finished speaking and retracted the microphone did Ao Yu subtly straighten his posture.
“First, I must clarify a point that was explicitly stated in the submitted report.”
“A dragon, no weaker than myself, had emerged within the core space. The battle was too intense, leaving no opportunity to secure the core.”
“Had that dragon broken free from the dungeon, who among you would have taken responsibility for the immense losses inflicted upon the present world?”
Ao Yu’s gaze, cold and piercing, swept over each person visible on the screen. Within the conference hall, everyone felt a chill creep into their hearts.
“None of you could! Nor could I! No one could have borne that responsibility!”
“Then how do you explain the matter of the fruit?!” the middle-aged man persisted, relentless.
Ao Yu scoffed, a hint of mockery in his voice. “This… gentleman…”
He glanced at the nameplate before the middle-aged man.
“Councillor Hu, it seems this might be your first time attending such a meeting, and you may not be fully acquainted with my position.”
“Allow me to introduce myself: I am Ao Yu, President of the Azure Dragon Guild, concurrently the Chief of National Defense for the Demon Capital, and Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Defense Zone.”
“Regarding all strategic resources within my jurisdiction, I possess the primary right of requisition.”
Councillor Hu froze slightly, astonished by Ao Yu’s identity. Still, disbelieving, he scanned his surroundings, hoping to catch even a whisper of dissent.
Alas. Within the conference hall, the only sound was the rustle of papers.
‘It’s true! So, my earlier statement…?’
Councillor Hu’s confident expression withered, and he wished he could immediately dig a hole and bury himself in it.
‘I thought I played a trump card, but it turned out to be two jokers.’
‘If you wield such authority, why even hold this meeting?’
Ignoring Councillor Hu, who seemed on the verge of burying his head in his chest, Ao Yu continued, “I have entrusted that fruit to a suitable individual, who has successfully broken through to S-rank. As for their identity…”
He glanced at the calm, composed man seated at the head of the table.
“I intend for her to be a hidden piece. Chairman Wu has already been informed of her identity, so there’s no need for any of you to trouble yourselves.”
This was clearly a move to prevent them from further exploiting this matter.
“…”
Someone subtly signaled to the person beside them. Ao Yu’s words had effectively cut off their path to using the fruit to recruit talent for themselves.
In truth, the outcome of this meeting had been predetermined from the very beginning.
****
Another round of heated discussion ensued. However, the recurring point of contention revolved around whether Aya Tone should be punished for destroying an S-rank dungeon.
Some agreed, while others naturally opposed. Among them were representatives from the Demon Capital.
“It’s easy for you to speak when you’re not bearing the burden.”
“For a dungeon with scarce resources and low returns, the manpower and material resources we would need to invest would far exceed any potential gains!”
“Rather than guarding an empty, volatile mine, I believe the witch did nothing wrong!”
A certain representative retorted, “Do you even comprehend the immense value of a dungeon capable of birthing a dragon?!”
As he spoke, he nervously glanced at Ao Yu on the screen. Seeing that Ao Yu did not interrupt, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“…”
Observing that no consensus could be reached, with no one willing to yield, Wu Haoran, from the chairman’s seat, raised a hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
A calm, yet undeniable voice, resonated from the speakers.
“I know that your true concern has never been the disappearance of a mere dungeon, but rather your apprehension about whether that girl might betray us.”
His words immediately shifted the core of the issue entirely onto Aya Tone, dismissing all other concerns.
A hush fell over the assembly. Especially those who advocated for punishment were rendered speechless.
Such worries indeed existed.
After all, every S-rank individual leaves behind identity information. Yet, this particular person was registered with false data. Had it not been for the repeated assurances from the Vermilion Bird’s Successor, they would never have agreed to allow someone of unknown origin to enter the nation’s highest echelons.
“I believe you may all be overly concerned.”
“I trust none of you have forgotten the urgent need for the Capital to clear the newly emerged S-rank dungeon some time ago.”
Wu Haoran cast a calm glance at those who had been the most vocal in their demands for punishment.
“She accepted no remuneration, entering that dungeon solely for the safety of the Capital’s citizens.”
“Surely, none of you have forgotten the perils of that dungeon.”
“…”
Silence descended upon the hall, with most of the councillors residing in the Capital not daring to utter another sound.
They had no right to claim forgetfulness regarding a dungeon where even an S-rank individual had perished.
“Distribute them,” Wu Haoran instructed a colleague nearby, motioning for the prepared materials to be handed out.
The attendees received the documents, only to discover they were merely shopping lists. What’s more, they were exclusively for infant formula, devoid of any other items.
They looked at Wu Haoran, bewildered.
“I trust you’ve all seen the shopping information. These are the girl’s purchase records through internal channels over the past three years.”
“While this isn’t crucial evidence to prove she won’t betray us,”
“I am willing to trust this witch, who is implicitly trusted by three guild presidents.”
The preceding remarks were merely preamble; that final sentence was the decisive blow.
A shopping list held no persuasive power; a spy could remain undetected for three years. At most, it indicated that Aya Tone had not exploited her authority to betray the nation.
However, to be acknowledged by three of the Four Symbols—they certainly couldn’t accuse those three of harboring treacherous intentions, could they?
Anyone wishing to die could simply jump from the twenty-fourth floor; there was no need to ruin their reputation and face a fate worse than death.
Wu Haoran’s gaze, cold and impassive, swept over those who had been the most boisterous.
“Her subsidies were already deducted as punishment the first time. For this instance, what are your suggestions? Feel free to speak.”
The assembly fell silent. For they truly possessed no means to restrain an S-rank individual.
If they genuinely forced the individual to betray them, not a single one of them would escape unscathed.
The meeting ultimately concluded with a minor verbal warning as the sole punishment.