This guy is crazy! He just shunned all of the nobles here. If there weren't any well-known nobles here, I would understand but... This takes narcissism to a whole different level. I'm sure there's a fine line between stupidity and narcissism.
Hopefully, Sebastian can see that line. Ah, it doesn't look like it.
I looked at Sebastian, who was hopelessly admiring his idol's narcissism.
Surprisingly, no one complained about his claim.
Like subjects listening to their king's words. King Magus, indeed.
"Now that you're all silent, I'll start."
Probably because of the dim artificial moonlight mixing with the normal light but it looked like Zayner stood out more. My eyes were naturally drawn to him.
I think I know what this is...
The trait of a king. Truly a king.
I remember reading about this online. It has something to do with his god-given disposition. I forgot the name of it though.
"Today, the ISO and the SSB have teamed up. They have teamed up in order to tackle this new world order that has been put in place."
The nobles began chatting once more.
Instead of telling them to shut up, as he did before, Zayner simply watched them.
It feels like everything he does has a certain purpose. Like... he's purposely investing us. I want to know more about him.
"I'm sure,"
He continued.
"You all know of this new world order. A trusted Streia, formerly known as the Hunter, has gone rogue."
Of course, this news did not surprise anyone. A month ago, this news would have been unbelievable for them but it's taken a month to sink in.
"In doing so, many things have happened. I'll begin."
Zayner showed his index finger.
"Increased dungeon breaks."
He added his middle finger.
"Higher grade beasts."
He added his ring and pinkie finger.
"Increased crime and worldly disorder."
These are incredibly dangerous things. I'm more worried about those dungeon breaks. Japan has always been stable unlike countries in South America like Argentina and Brazil, which occasionally experience dungeon breaks.
"All of these things--and I mean all of them--were caused by Weissmann's betrayal."
'Why?' or 'How?'
Those were the natural questions that would surface in everybody's minds. Knowing that Zayner answered it for us.
"The reason is something that even we, the ISO, only found out recently. The unknown Mortal Sin of Greed is presumably the weakest of the seven but he is also the man we know as Weissmann Mori."
While others gasped, I began thinking about it.
I guess it kind of makes sense.
If he was a Mortal Sin in Japan, then that would make sense as to why dungeons wouldn't break down and the wall between them and the real world would not collapse.
Mortal Sins are the most dangerous beings meaning that they're feared by even monsters in the dungeons. Surprisingly, this fear effect doesn't work with Emperors. Or so, science says.
This means that Japan is one step closer to extinction. The SSB and ISO will have to do a lot to prevent the destruction of the world. They won't be able to do it alone.
Japan may probably be as dangerous as America, which is a super dangerous place due to all of the potent mana converging there. Powerful mana beasts absorb the best mana in the atmosphere they can get. That's why a lot appear in America.
How long will it take Japan to change from its usual peaceful behaviour to something akin to disaster?
"A Mortal Sin that has betrayed the world is no more than a regular person now. Japan will change. How long will it take? Nobody knows."
I heard someone ask, 'not even the Emperors,' and I instantly winced.
Mortal Sins are said to be on the same level or stronger than the Emperors. Not even god-like beings could have omniscience like God.
"That is the main reason why we have called this conference. To discuss the future of not just Japan, but the world."
There were slight murmurs.
"'But the incidents happened in Japan, this has nothing to do with the rest of the world.'"
Zayner quoted in a silly voice.
"Maybe it did happen in Japan but these incidents still affect those outside. Why?"
The faint smile that had stayed on Zayner's face this whole time slowly rose.
"Do I even need to answer?"
A vague idea came into my mind. He's referring to the...
"The Black Emperor. His return is not just nation-shaking but world-shaking. A traitor suddenly being invited back in? Whoever this Black Emperor is, he, or she, will have the whole world watching him or her."
He's right.
We all want to see what type of person the Black Emperor is.
"Anyway, I would love to introduce one of my friends, Gedo Sasaki, but he's currently dealing with something. So, instead, I'll start it."
Start it?
A man in sunglasses ran over to Zayner, with a tray, and he took a glass of wine from it.
The man raised the glass.
"Now, we shall start the WSC banquet! Cheers!"
As everyone saw his gesture, we all raised our glasses of wine and echoed.
"Cheers!"
It was practically everyone in the room.
And so, in empty spaces across the banquet hall, tables of food, desserts and drinks appeared; the nobles began ravaging.
Ugh, choosing food, is an absolute nightmare. I remember doing this at some other banquet 3 years ago. My vocal cords were worn out from talking so much.
Since then, I've despised going to food tables. I know how much nobles, no matter how big or small they are, love their conversations. My mother was like that too.
"Hmmmm..."
I feel bad to do this but...
"Calira, Sebastian, could you--"
"We already know, Lady Anastasia."
Calira said, standing up with a smile. Her twin followed.
I also smiled.
"So, you already know what I need, right?"
"We know, Mistress! Should take up 15 to 20 minutes."
Sebastian shouted.
And they were off.
Okay, good, now that they're away. I can finally do this without holding back.
I crossed my arms and legs.
"So, what do you want?"
I asked.
"Oh, so you do know who I am, Sister."
"Don't you dare call me that!"
I shouted at her.
"My only sister is dead."
I looked at the girl.
It looks like she grew since I last saw her 4 months ago. Well, I do think she's 15 this year.
She had purple hair, the trait of the Reishville family, which everyone had, except the stepmother.
I wanted to wipe that useless smirk off her face.
My eyes are yellow, which I inherited from my mother, while her eyes were blue, which she got from her mother. She wore an expensive crimson dress and a necklace with a ruby embedded within it.
"Let's have a sisterly chat, shall we?"