"Now presenting the esteemed Otherworlders to this honorable Council."

The double door was opened wide, revealing the five who stood behind its sturdy and gleaming frame.

Lucielle still stood at the forefront of the students, but with a single flash of Magic, she was instantly transported to her position beside the seats of the Councilors--with Brutus being on the other extreme end.

There were five seats on the elevated platform, but only two were filled by Grandmaster Conrad and Councilor Vida. They looked ever so regal, clad in outfits that oozed authority and wealth, and with bright expressions on their fresh faces.

The designs around the elevated platform also resounded with privilege and power, with red curtains that popped out, and golden structures that gleamed under the bright lights offered by the chandeliers.

All in all, nothing much had changed when it came to an audience with the Royal Council.

Well, other than a few things of note.

'For one... this crowd.' Rey thought to himself as he looked around him.

On slightly elevated platforms--though not as high as the Councilor's--were a crowd of people. They occupied both left and right of the open space, with their sophisticated attires varying from one another--reflecting their high status.

They all looked healthy and wealthy, and they stared at the emerging Otherworlders with fascination. Some had bellies that overflowed, while others seemed to be dressed too extravagantly.

They even had Enchanted Items on--most likely for safety--and it wasn't hard to see why.

'All of them look like they haven't seen a bit of hardship since the day they were born.'

Rey didn't particularly have a negative impression on all of them, but his opinion of their kind wasn't positive either.

'A lot of Scylla's customers were nobles, after all. Sure, they've been culled already, but something about these people with power doesn't sit right with me.'

Rather than properly help out with their full resources and personnel, these people preferred to remain in the South--where it was mostly safe. They also gained authority for contributing to the cause of the Alliance, as if that was something 'special.'

'They're forgetting that without those contributions, the Alliance is under a greater likelihood of falling. Once that happens, all their assets will be meaningless and even their lives will be forfeit.'

Once anyone recognized that, they would cease being entitled.

'It's possible they recognize this, but they're simply capitalizing on the desperation of the Alliance. After all, I don't think it hurts very much to have them live out their lives in the South.'

No... that wasn't right.

Rey knew how detrimental the existence of these nobles were, and how they contributed to the currently lopsided economy of the Alliance.

'A noble is entitled a right to land in any region he desires. It's no surprise they all choose the South, where things are safer.'

Since they had the resources as well as the irrevocable right to land, these nobles ended up obtaining large parcels of land for their estate, which meant less property for the public.

Due to their presence there, certain percentages of resources had to be allocated to them. Plus, higher rates of taxes and levies were inevitably issued to the regions they occupied--areas where regular folk also occupied.

With land, as well as other resources growing ever so scarce, life in the South was practically unbearable for the common man.

'The good news is that some nobles end up splurging all their resources, and if they do not meet the quota of their contributions to the Alliance, they are stripped of their title. Still' Rey cast one more glance at the people who stared at him with particular interest.

'... It sort of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.'

Rey was all for freedom and liberty. It was alright for people to pursue personal interests if that was what they sought. However, if a person assumed a position of authoritylike a king, noble, or soldierthey had to follow the duties those positions held.

'That's why I chose to identify as a mercenary as Ralyks. Lucielle seems to understand this perfectly, which is why she is performing her role as Grand Mage to her utmost despite having the power to refuse.'

A noble's primary duty was to the people in their territory. Of course, with the advent of the Alliance, power was centralized in the Council, with nobles having near zero authority in the decisions and action of the Nation.

However, it was practically impossible for the Royal Council to govern everything and everyone in their vast territories, so nobles were inevitably to be chosen for important roles in the grand scheme of things.

'The fact that the Underworld was able to expand so much in barely a decade shows what a wonderful job they were doing.'

Just as with the Royal Council, some nobles were complicit in the affairs of the Black Market, Slave Union, and Mercenary Gang. The severe offenders were punished with death, while those who were just conspirators or participants were stripped of their title and were either imprisoned or let off depending on the severity of their involvement.

'I suspect some of those involved were able to escape scrutiny, since they were able to remove any link that connected them to the Underworld.' Rey let out a silent sigh and shrugged.

'Ater took over that investigation, so I'll just leave everything to him.'

"Yo bro they're all staring at you." Rey felt a slight elbow jab on him and he slightly glanced at the one who did it. "You're like a celebrity now, you know?"

The playful smile Justin gave almost made it seem like a mistake Rey made the previous night, but he knew full well not to judge people based on external depictions.

"I guess so. Haha." He chuckled, slightly nudging him back.

'I'll stick to the plan and make sure none of my suspicions or discoveries show from my interactions with him.'

With that, Rey cast his gaze forward and took a couple more steps forward until he and the others stopped at the appropriate position before the Council.

There was no need to bow, so they simply stood still.

'Ater will handle the rest.'

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Thanks for reading!

I know it might seem like this chapter is shorter than the others, but this is the usual length. I've actually been writing more than the usual for the past couple of chapters