It wouldn't be accurate to say angry words were exchanged.
But such behavior was undoubtedly wrong. Assuming Fubuki's goal is to surpass her sister, doing something like this would be heading in the opposite direction.
"P-Please don't blame Fubuki-sama!" Lily stood in front of Fubuki, "Although the behavior of suppressing rookie heroes and forcing other heroes to join the Blizzard Group cannot be denied, we have never truly harmed anyone!"
"Oh... is that how you all see it?" Roy surveyed everyone in the room, "How about we just lay it all out? Everyone speak their mind?"
"L-Lay it all out?" Fubuki raised her head, somewhat puzzled.
"Everyone here must know someone who was forced to join the Blizzard Group, right? Or perhaps, someone who is unsure if joining was the right decision, feeling lost. Anyone want to raise their hand?"
The black-clad individuals present exchanged glances, none daring to be the first to speak up.
Fubuki started to feel anxious, if someone did raise their hand, she wouldn't know what to do.
"No one?" Roy asked again, "It's okay. Even if you want to leave the Blizzard Group, no one will harm you. After all, we're heroes, not thugs."
"W-Well-"
Finally, one person raised their hand.
It was a man older than the current Roy, probably about the same age as Roy before he come to this world. He seemed like he used to be a salaryman, with a somewhat dignified appearance and wearing glasses.
"Hey!" Eyelashes noticed there was indeed a 'traitor' among them and couldn't help but sound alarmed, glaring at him.
"Pardon my ignorance, may you introduce yourself?" Suppressing the threat emanating from Eyelashes, Roy addressed him.
"I'm a newly ranked B-class hero, you can call me Glasses." Glasses adjusted his glasses, "I used to be a salaryman, but for various reasons, I switched careers to become a hero. After becoming a B-class hero, I joined the Blizzard Group, but I've been feeling a bit lost about our activities in the group..."
"Alright, that's enough of that." Seeing he seemed ready to give a lengthy speech, Roy cut him off, "Let's deal with the most crucial issue first. Do you want to leave the Blizzard Group?"
Glasses fell silent.
Everyone in the room was watching him.
'Yeah, since someone has already come forward like this, it's not acceptable to remain in the Blizzard Group, right?'
That's what Glasses thought.
After all, if someone with dissident thoughts was discovered within the organization, choosing not to leave at this point and continuing to stay in the Blizzard Group would surely make everyone uncomfortable and even unconsciously reject him, right?
In fact, Fubuki had never prevented anyone who wanted to leave the Blizzard Group from doing so.
And those who stayed in the Blizzard Group weren't necessarily swayed by Fubuki's charisma. It was more about seeing the value in the Blizzard Group.
People are unequal... although unwilling to admit it, it's an undeniable fact. Some people are naturally endowed with abilities, such as superpowers or extraordinary intellect, beyond the reach of ordinary people. So even if promoted from a C-class hero to a B-class hero, without cooperation with others, it's impossible to confront higher-level disasters. If one remains at the level of a B-class hero doing work similar to that of a C-class hero, sooner or later, they will be left far behind by others, rendering it meaningless.
Although the Blizzard Group was a product of Fubuki's deadlock thinking, it was merely self-consolation for Fubuki. But for others, it provided a platform to collaborate with other B-class heroes, thereby increasing the likelihood of success in hero activities. Though the credit would be divided, it ensured stability, which was worthwhile.
'Even so...' Glasses clenched his fist, 'Is the reasonable choice really the right one? Clearly, I wanted to become a hero, to have a different life, which is why I chose to resign.'
Glasses lifted his head, meeting Roy's gaze.
What kind of eyes were those?
If Glasses were to describe them using adjectives he could think of, they would be beautiful.
Actually, the features of the youth before him were quite delicate, and calling him handsome or charming was not a problem at all, but what was most striking was undoubtedly his eyes.
The shape of the eyes needs no mention, but those jet-black eyes, with a hint of deep blue, seemed to penetrate his entire being with their piercing gaze.
This made it impossible for him to speak words that went against his heart.
Swallowing nervously, he said in a low voice, "Yes... I want to leave the Blizzard Group."
"Are you telling the truth?!" Eyelashes couldn't help but shout loudly, "The world of heroes is cruel! If you go solo, you won't be able to accomplish anything! You saw what happened today, didn't you? We were helpless against slightly stronger monsters..."
Eyelashes' voice gradually lowered.
He saw it.
On Glasses' face, there was an expression of enlightenment.
With a silent sigh in his heart, Eyelashes stepped aside. "Is that so? If it's already decided, then I have nothing to say."
After bowing to Fubuki, Glasses turned to Roy. "Thank you for helping me clarify my goals."
"You already had this idea, didn't you? This could be considered as breaking free. Seeing beyond the current level, unwilling to settle for a mundane existence. I can't understand how you're feeling right now, and I can't guarantee your future, but I hope you won't regret this decision."
"I will heed... no, I mean, I will heed your words, sir."
After bowing to Roy as well, Glasses left the meeting room.
Another lost lamb saved.
But Roy wasn't satisfied yet. Just as he was about to continue speaking, Fubuki, who had pounced on him, stopped him. "Alright, alright, it's over. You all can go back now. I'll discuss the rest with Roy."
That was about it.
Actually, Roy knew that, aside from Glasses, probably no one else here wanted to leave, right?
There were roughly two types of people who would insist on staying.
The first were those who genuinely liked and admired Fubuki, and the second were those who wanted to exploit the Blizzard Group.
But in reality, there weren't purely distinct categories, most of these people had some mix of both motivations, just in varying proportions.
After the others from the Blizzard Group left, Fubuki let out a heavy sigh, no longer pretending.
"I didn't expect someone would actually leave. Did I do something wrong? Or was it a mistake to establish the Blizzard Group in the first place?"
Roy listened to Fubuki's complaints, sipping his tea, unperturbed.
After a while, he set down his teacup and said leisurely, "Well then, I'll be heading back now."
"Huh?" Fubuki was taken aback.
Wasn't the next scene supposed to be a heart-to-heart conversation between siblings, deepening their bond and setting the direction? Why did Roy decide to leave after dissuading a member of the Blizzard Group, as if he were completing a task and ready to leave?
Wasn't he messing with her?
Roy didn't seem to be joking, though. He stood up, ready to leave.
Fubuki couldn't just let him go like this. As Roy got up, she grabbed hold of his clothes without a second thought.
"We haven't finished speaking yet!"