Chapter 104 (2/2)
Yoo-rah’s eyes narrowed, vexed by the Emperor’s words. The mood turned hostile – right when Duke Pendleton intervened.
“But why did you hide the fact that the Director of Security possessed a Queen’s artifact until now?”
“What good would it have done if I prattled on about it?”
The elder council members nodded furiously in agreement to Yoo-rah. In honesty, that artifact was a disgrace of Central. It reflected the immediate aftermath of the 7 Days of Calamity – panic. When everyone had gone mad, so desperate to survive that they resorted to unconventional, even underhanded methods. It wasn’t something they would openly talk about.
“Anyhow, I think we’ve gone off into a tangent. Let’s get back to the main topic.”
Everyone nodded in agreement to Yoo-rah. They couldn’t just continue to talk about the artifact, and it was a tricky subject to publicise as well.
“Ah, and before we get to the main topic, I’m just going to say this to those who are thinking of making the Director of Security reside permanently in the Forbidden Lands. That will be impossible.”
Yoo-rah’s declaration was met with a dissenting grunts, but before they could speak, Yoo-rah continued.
“There are many complicated reasons behind it, but ignore all that. If you truly wish to force the Director of Security to stay in the Forbidden Lands, then gain Duke Pendleton’s approval. I won’t have a say in the matter if you do.”
The council members immediately stopped talking and quietly peeked at Duke Pendleton to gauge his mood. If they decided to exile the Director of Security into the Forbidden Lands, then Rivelia, its Vice Director also had to reside in the Forbidden Lands.
It had already been a monumental effort to calm Duke Pendleton after Rivelia was designated the Vice-Directory of Security without his knowledge. What would happen if Rivelia was now tasked to live the rest of her life in that barren Forbidden Lands, practically in exile? It’d be akin to instigating Duke Pendleton into an open rebellion.
The council members gulped and glimpsed at Duke Pendleton. There, they saw the Duke with his lips firmly clasped together, his nostrils flaring, his expression like a bloodthirsty predator hunting its prey, and his eyes burning fiercely.
“I told you that we lost a critical advantage before, right? I’d like to reveal that this was personally investigated and verified by the Director of Surveillance at my request. According to the report by the Director of Surveillance, she believes that the Expeditionary Forces has joined hands with either the demonic or the angelic turncoats.”
“… I cannot comprehend this. The Expeditionary Forces should be completely oblivious of their existence.”
“That’s what we thought at first too. But think about it. Who knows more about the Gate than us? Don’t you think it’d make more sense that someone had provided the Expeditionary Forces with the technology to camouflage the phenomenon rather than them developing it themselves?”
“…”
All of the council members continued to look at the Queen in disbelief despite the explanation. Yoo-rah sighed and continued.
“I told you before that the strange phenomenon that occurs when a Gate opens only lasts for 2 to 3 seconds before disappearing right? So I decided to compare and a.n.a.lyse the data as we upgraded our system, and I found some data matching the new phenomenon.”
“… Does that mean the Gate had been opening before now in secret? But this is the first time the Gate has opened in the Forbidden Lands.”
“I never said these strange phenomenons were detected in the Forbidden Lands.”
“…”
The theatre fell into silence. Those who had figured out what Yoo-rah was implying looked back at her in complete astonishment.
“Do you have any idea what those words mean?”
The Emperor asked with a trembling voice. Yoo-rah nodded as she answered.
“Of course.”
“I cannot believe this.”
“I know you don’t want to, but it’s already happened.”
“Impossible!”
“The mana storm enveloping the Forbidden Lands is maintained by the dragons themselves! There is no method the Expeditionary Forces can bypa.s.s it!”
“Is there any evidence proving it? This is nothing more than a hunch if there isn’t any evidence that supports it!”
Yoo-rah’s words were like a grenade; the theatre was in chaos. The council was in complete upheaval. That’s how big of a problem it was for the Expeditionary Forces to escape from the Forbidden Lands.
“The data doesn’t lie. In my world, there’s a saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ Is there any reason why they shouldn’t join forces when they all have the same goal of thrusting this world into chaos?”
“This is wild speculation without any evidence!”
The Emperor’s refute was met by Yoo-rah’s sigh.
“Do you know why I asked the Director of Surveillance to act personally? You all seem to think this is just speculation, but take into account it was the Director of Surveillance who thought there were suspicious circ.u.mstances.”
“…”
Everyone shut their mouths. They could have ignored this news if it was from an ordinary agent. But they couldn’t sweep it under the rug, let alone ignore it, when it was backed by the Director of Surveillance. They had to take this as a serious threat.
“I have a question. Why did the Director of Surveillance act herself? Couldn’t she have a.s.signed ordinary agents to it?”
Yoo-rah’s expression soured at the Emperor’s argument. Although it seems like an honest question on the surface, it raised the question that there was some sort of an under-the-table deal between the Queen and the Director of Surveillance.
“Don’t forget, while the Central had let their guard down, our enemies managed to strike deep into our hearts and robbed us of our most valuable information. The Grand Council seems to think this isn’t much of a problem, but we have to a.s.sume our enemies have complete knowledge of the Directorates of Strategy, a.n.a.lysis, and Surveillance in terms of our activity, tactics and response strategies. Hiding something from someone you can predict from start to finish is a very simple feat. That’s why I had no choice but to ask the Director of Surveillance to act personally. And this very same person is quite angry about how this incident came to be while she was away at my request. She very much thinks she is being played the fool.”
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