As everything was sorted out, the meeting continues.
"Like Dristan said earlier, there's no need to believe us but what we are saying is only the truth since we don't have anything to gain here if we tell lies. I want everyone to think about this, have you not ever wonder why something big as China didn't even make a huge movement against to this country or in the neighboring countries?"
Scud spoke for the first time ever since the meeting started.
"Well, it is because US will make a move if they started a war."
Major Ramos answered.
"That's just a small factor. Knowing that there is a classified Chinese-Russian Alliance, did you think that China was that scared to US? It will be just a matter of days until our country as well as the small nations around China will be destroyed. And do you think US will help us? Have you forgotten that the US as well as NATO and EU left that small country at war with Russia couple years back?" [Scud]
"How come you knew the Chinese-Russian Alliance? It was one of the top secret information we just gathered before the catastrophe." [General De Luna]
"This kind of information is easy to obtain. Even the details of the alliance like trade resources, scope of alliance, and as such is easy to obtain." [Dristan]
"Frankly speaking, the leaders of both countries has ties with the underground society. Xiao Jiaochen of Vermillion Bird and Mikhail Kuznetsov which was one of the Godfathers are involved in their own government. If a huge war broke out, it is not only the normal citizens will be affected but also the underground society. If China casted a war on it's neighboring countries especially to our country, no one would normally bats an eye for it even the underground society. So what was the reason why China didn't declare any war before up to this date?"
Scud briefly said the power ties within the two super nations and gave them a question that no one would ever foresee.
The room was silent and everyone awaits for the answer.
"It is because this guy right here keeps them in check."
Scud answers as he pointed Dristan.
"What do you mean?" [Major Ramos]
"Dristan was one of the well-known figures in underground. He was known also as the - Flame Emperor. He also ranked #4 as the most powerful MREN User in underground society. He was also one of the Young Generations who overthrow the corrupt past faction leaders of underground society at the age of sixteen. You might heard the fire incident of Summer Palace in China? Dristan was the one who set that in flames as a warning for their plan on waging war against our country." [Scud]
"What you've said first was might be hard to believe but the last one is somehow convincing." [Lieutenant General Bautista]
"How is that so sir?" [Major Ramos]
"General De Luna, have you remember the dispute in the water territorials?" [Lieutenant General Bautista]
"Yes, what about it?" [General De Luna]
"We all wondered why the China stopped their land reclamation on the disputed water territories and the huge question left us they pulled all their resources in the area even though it cost them trillions of funds. We just speculated that there are hidden agendas about it. But looking back now, it was just days after the Summer Palace was burned when they retreated." [Lieutenant General Bautista]
"Wasn't the fire incident in Summer Palace was just an accident?" [Major Ramos]
"It was reported as an accident, but I think there's more than that. Also if Sir Scud's story fit on every angle. There's no way China would pull back without reason when clearly they have advantage during that time on the disputed water territories." [Lieutenant General Bautista]
"So if Dristan was one of the most powerful MREN User, it is somehow reassuring to have his side."
One of the local government said.
Noticeably Scud becomes silent afterward.
"Scud no need to hide them everything."
Dristan said with a faint smile.
"I don't like to tell anyone this, Lyne might not also agree with this but to tell you the truth Dristan's MREN aren't the same as before. In the past, Dristan's MREN grows immensely to the point that there are times he couldn't control it. Dristan's was one... or should I say, the only one that has the three types of MREN, naturally we had many enemies. In order to keep his adversaries at bay from the ones he protect, he stroke a deal with the leaders of allied group." [Scud]
"What deal was it?" [General De Luna]
"Members of the Black Berets didn't like the idea that Dristan will die because he can't control his MREN. Dristan thought of a deal with three of leaders of our allied group. His MREN will be sealed off but they must protect the people that Dristan dear most." [Scud]
"How come Sir Dristan could still use MREN if it was sealed?" [General De Luna]
"Sasshi leader of Yakuzahakata whose MREN ability is
Scud explained.
The story Scud told them was just a portion of what happened and left what was the outcome. Dristan's MREN wasn't completely sealed off. Four Charm Keys were distributed each to the trusted leaders and to Lyne whose the Vice Leader of the Black Berets. If those four keys will be destroyed then the seal will break and every MREN that was sealed will be returned to Dristan.
After the ritual, Dristan wishes to have a normal life like a normal citizen. So in order to protect him and live the life to the fullest; the Black Berets and the other three allied group spread a rumor that Dristan had died during the ritual.
Dristan was originally an orphan, after the ritual he visits one of the family he saved in the past. He asked them to help him, they knew Dristan's past and everything about him that is why without a doubt he was welcomed as a part of their family. Living with them was only short as soon as the legal paperwork regarding his identity was done, he immediately enrolled in a university far from that family just to avoid any trouble for them.
Dristan cut ties with the Black Berets. However the position remains to be his, as that was discussed by the members of Black Berets. What Dristan didn't know that the Black Berets who are loyal to him, followed him in secrecy until the present time.
During that time, Lyne was just standing outside infront of the conference door. She heard most of it and start to reminisce the past.
Amongst the member of Black Berets, Lyne was with together with Dristan the longest. At the age of six, they live in the streets bound by the underground society. At young age they already knew how to use MREN and with that they survived the harsh environment where they grew. At the age of ten, they were recruited by one of the leader of a minor group where they hone their MREN Abilities. Dristan started strong and often acknowledged as genius since he summon
As Lyne regains her composure, she walks in the conference room again. The animosity and anguish she felt earlier was gone. She knew that she needs to reset her mindset so that they can attain the outcome they've planning for.
Silence once more covered the room as she enters and return to her chair but before she sat, Lyne spoke to break the silence.
"Everyone, I am deeply sorry for what happen earlier. It is not my intention to scare and make everyone here uncomfortable but my emotions get ahead of me. Hopefully, I could still preside our intentions to everyone."
Lyne apologizes and bows her head down.
Dristan stood up and apologizes with her.
"Lyne might be impulsive as she is, but I know her for a long time and I know that it is not her aim to harm anyone here. I am also truly sorry for what happen."
Dristan said and also bows down his head. After that Scud did the same thing.
Everyone felt the sincerity of their apology. Mayor Sebas looked each and everyone of his colleagues and their faces aren't as in tension as before. He stood up and told them to held their heads high. He felt that the incident earlier and what is happening right now might open up for a hope for a better future.
"We are also sorry for being rude and feared you for what you are but at this moment, everyone here saw that MREN Users are still human being. Thank you for having patience with us understanding you."
He extended his right hand and shake hands with Dristan.