"There is a lot to discuss with you all. I can hardly find where to start from…"
As Conrad started his speech, his eyes appeared sullen. It seemed like he was both sad and determined to see everything through to the end.
He just had difficulty articulating his unfiltered thoughts.
"Let's start with the Royal Dungeon. It's been two days since the incident, so all of you must already know what went down from your friends and classmates."
Adonis had already given everyone a brief summary, but it was inevitable that the ones who participated would share the news.
Most of the students involved didn't want to talk about it, but as long as students like Justin existed, the news would eventually circulate.
"A good number of you were nearly killed by the Dragon within it. While it was a completely unprecedented and unforeseeable situation, we will take full responsibility."
By "We", Conrad meant the Royal Council—or the United Human Alliance as a whole.
Conrad went on to talk about how Dungeons operated and how Dragons had never been so close to the Capital before, hence making it more dangerous than ever.
Stuff like that
By the time he was done with the Dungeon Incident, uncomfortable faces could already be seen.
"Then, there was the issue of Alicia and Billy going missing. The two parties involved have decided that the details remain confidential, and I'd like to respect that."
In essence, no details about what happened would be told to the students.
Those in the Royal Council, extending to Lucielle and Brutus, already knew everything.
They also planned on punishing Billy for his actions.
However, since Alicia specifically told them not to broadcast what happened to everyone else, they had to listen to her request.
"We interrogated the parties involved too, and we found shocking news. Apparently, three of us five in the Royal Council were involved in criminal activities which have been tied to the incident with your two classmates."
Lord Knox and the two others were involved in dealings within the Black Market, Slave Trade, and other illegal activities.
The Otherworlders were shocked to find out all these things, and they didn't even bother hiding it.
The ones they trusted with their welfare had actually done so many atrocities under their noses. How could they even trust them anymore?
'I considered hiding all of these, but frankly… it doesn't matter anymore.'
Conrad already knew the ugly truth.
He couldn't appeal to most of the Otherworlders here. They all wanted to leave—especially after seeing a Dragon up close.
He couldn't change the minds of the people whose minds were already made up.
Especially when only more danger lay ahead.
'The Hero was right. This world needs true warriors.'
Conrad was done pandering to these people before him. He had seen how a true Hero acted, and frankly… not too many of them could be found among these ones.
"The three are already dead, though. The Dragon that landed on the mansion of Lord Knox killed them, probably when they were in the act of conniving against our dear Nation."
Knox had told him he was going to be in his sleeping quarters, since he was tired, and everyone else had also said the same.
That was why he wasn't too worried about where the Dragon landed since the sleeping quarters of his dear friend wasn't near the crash point.
So it came as a surprise to see their carcassses—squashed and muddled up—in the conference area of his manor.
After thoroughly investigating Evals Redart, the truth was finally revealed.
Right now, only he and Vida remained the only members of the Royal Council.
At least, until they could fully verify and thoroughly investigate new candidates for the position.
"That being said… let us move on to the next topic."
********
'W-what the…?!'
Rey could not believe his ears.
The more he heard, the more surprised he became about the developments of things in this world.
'I can understand why Alicia wouldn't want things publicized since she wants the group to still function collectively.'
If Billy was made a public scapegoat, accused by Alicia, it could cause some conflict and major division in the class.
That wasn't something they could afford right now.
'I can also understand the whole Royal Dungeon stuff. It's a bit unfair that they have to take the blame, but I understand how that works.'
However, what Rey couldn't understand was the whole 'Corrupt Royal Council Members' thing.
'They were evil all along? I had no idea!'
Once or twice, Rey had always wondered how the Black Market was able to thrive so well despite being so close to the center of power, but now he knew why.
It was precisely because they were close to the center of power that they were so successful.
All those slaves he freed… all the justice he enacted… the root of the problems were—ironically enough—the ones he trusted to clean up the mess.
'I also can't believe I accidentally caused their deaths.'
Rey realized it was somehow a blessing in disguise, but he still couldn't get over the fact that his carelessness had caused people to die.
'I'll just have to be very careful next time. Damn…'
However, even though Rey was stupefied by most of these revelations, there was one that made absolutely no sense to him.
'Why are you telling us, Conrad? Don't you know anything about politics?!'
Rey could see that Conrad was tired, and he perhaps simply wanted to completely do away with diplomacy, but he didn't think this was how to do it.
'Be more like Adonis. Say the harsh truth, but do so in a more compelling way.'
Right now, Conrad just made himself a punching bag instead of taking the high road.
'Maybe that's what he wants, though. Either way, it's too late now.' Rey nearly sighed.
He already knew what was coming.
'Most of us are going to leave today. Maybe even right now.'
Rey was convinced of it already. Why else would they be having such a meeting outside?
He glanced at Noah, who also looked at him with a slightly guilty expression.
'Ah! I see. He wants to leave, huh?'
Noah was always a softie, so Rey already knew that something like this was inevitable.
Perhaps he just didn't expect it to happen this soon.
'The Royal Dungeon Incident sped things up a bit, but in a way… that's a good thing.'
It would have been more of a waste if they had spent so much effort and resources training everyone, only for a few to be useful.
Even food and other important facilities were being wasted on most of these students.
'Getting rid of them is the best option.'
As if reading Rey's mind, Conrad's deep tone took over as he calmly broke the murmurs and whispers.
"On to the final topic of utmost pertinence… the future of you all as Otherworlders."
Silence took over instantly.
"We summoned you all here with the intent that you would save us from the Dragons, since we can not do it on our own."
Conrad went on and on to remind them of the reason for their presence in H'Trae—why they didn't die in that Truck Accident.
"However, after spending all this time together, I believe it would be foolish of me to keep clinging to the hope that some of you might change your minds on whether or not you will sacrifice yourselves for the sake of humanity."
Most of the students here would definitely not.
"Therefore, today—this very hour—you will be presented with a choice. To stay here and fight alongside us, or leave and carve your own path." Conrad's round altered a bit, but he maintained his resolute stance.
It was finally time for the inevitable separation among the students.
"The choice is yours."