...
Right after getting what he needed, Uno quickly went back to the Storm Fortress to report to Commander Taiga. After all, he would not be able to get an audience with the Emperor of the Storm Empire with his status alone.
Even if he could use his title as the Envoy of the Church of the Sun and Moon, it would be better to use the connection that he had to have a stronger voice when he was standing at the council.
Moreover, there would be no stronger 'voice' right now than Commander Taiga, who was also the loyal subject of the empire and the guardian of the Storm Fortress that had protected their land for generations.
But Uno also did not know if the commander had already come back from the capital.
He was thinking about these when he reached the Storm Fortress. And to his surprise, the soldiers stationed at the gate seemed to be waiting for him.
"You are back, Sir Envoy! The commander is waiting for you!"
Hearing those words, Uno could not help but raise his brows before shaking his head at the setup of the system. "What a great timing."
...
Not long after, Uno was led by the soldier at the commander's office, where Shin had first met Commander Taiga.
Right after stepping inside the room, Uno instantly felt the immense pressure that was directed at him, seemingly trying to bring him to his knees.
But that was only for a moment as he was able to instantly adjust himself and swiftly prevent his body from falling.
He then turned to the source of the pressure and saw Commander Taiga staring at him with squinting eyes. "Heh! What a warm welcome. Quite interesting too."
Hearing those words, Commander Taiga further narrowed his eyes before saying. "You-... who are you? You look like that brat yet also feel different at the same time."
Uno continued his steps before sitting comfortably at the nearby chair while also putting his crossed feet on the wooden table. "Don't worry, we are the same. We just happen to have different personalities."
Commander Taiga was still unconvinced, but he also could not deny the fact that those words were true. Even if he could feel that this person was different from the envoy that he had met earlier, he could still sense that familiar aura, which was slightly fierce and somewhat wicked.
After observing Uno for a moment, Commander Taiga calmed himself down and sat behind his table. "It seems like you have gathered the evidence you seek."
Uno did not answer verbally as he just took out a bunch of items from his inventory space and threw them on the table. He was too lazy to explain the entire process as the evidence itself was the only important thing for them.
Commander Taiga slightly frowned when he saw those actions but did not say anything else. He then turned his attention to the items that Uno had taken out and saw that they were a bunch of spying stones and a pair of prison prisms.
He peered through those items using his powerful mental strength to see their contents. A moment later, he could not help but raise his brows.
After checking everything with his spiritual power, he turned back to Uno before commenting. "You are quite bold for diving to their den alone, and also somewhat capable of getting out of it in one piece."
Uno shrugged his shoulders, seemingly indicating that it was only natural.
Seeing his actions, Commander Taiga grinned a little as he was somewhat starting to like this version of 'Shin' as well.
"This should be enough to convince the council," he said while standing up. "Are you coming with me as well?"
Uno tilted his head slightly before asking. "Do I have to come with you?"
Commander Taiga slightly frowned before replying. "You don't have to if that is what you want. But it will be hard to get you the corresponding rewards if you don't come along."
The problem was she did not want to create any commotion given the current situation. If she tried to fight back, then chaos would quickly break out, causing an even more disastrous result, especially when those sly foxes from other organizations would also take advantage of the situation to 'complain'.
Mariel and Elijah were also in a dilemma and were not sure what to do. They were also quite exhausted after going through all the trials within the tomb.
They might not have gotten what they were looking for within that place, but they had gotten a crucial clue about finding it, especially when their group was the ones who had reached the end of the trials.
Sweeping their gazes on the surroundings, they could also see the greedy eyes of the other forces were giving them.
They were sure that these people had already received the news from their people through telepathic messages. They were sure that they would do everything to hold them in this place.
As for the World Government, they would without a doubt try to drag them toward their headquarters for 'questioning'.
"What are you talking about, Miss Shiella? We are just concerned about your safety and are here to escort you away," said the man leading the Federal Forces.
Given the badge on his shoulders, his rank was at least a Captain of a Special Unit.
'B*llsh*t!' Elijah could read their thoughts, especially with those greedy eyes that they did not even bother to hide.
Shiella was about to release her powers when a group of people suddenly descended from the sky.
"Is that so? Then there is no need to trouble the Federal Forces as we can take care of our family members," said Samuel Springfield in a domineering manner.
"Students and faculty members of the Magic Ace Academy, follow this old man. We are heading back," said Lin Huang straightforwardly, not caring about the Federal Forces.
"Mariel, come to your grandmother. I will bring you home," said Luvenia Potter as she appeared along with the two old men. Her momentum was not the slightest bit inferior compared to them.
The auras that these three were emitting were so strong that the surrounding people could not help but make way for them.
The Federal Forces wanted to say something as they needed these three to come with them as they were the ones who had explored the deepest parts of the ruins, which also indicated that they had discovered more compared to the rest.
But with these three monsters of the Elder's Council present, they could not do anything but let them leave.
Even the forces behind them were unwilling to provoke those old monsters – even the World Government itself.
They could only watch as Shiella, Mariel, and Elijah were taken away by the forces supporting them.
They could only exchange glances at each other with helpless looks on their faces and accepted their fate. "It seems like we have no choice but to accept the punishment later."
...
In the meantime, Shiella, who was following her grandfather sensed that there was something wrong. She could not put her fingers on it, but she was sure that it was not something good.
"What's wrong, grandpa? Is there-..."
She was in the middle of talking when Samuel had cut her words off. "You will know about it later. For now, we have to hurry back home."
After that, Samuel summoned his powers to envelop Shiella before flying toward the direction of the Central Region.
Shiella did not resist either as she let herself get carried by her grandfather. But at the same time, there was this tight and suffocating feeling within her chest that she could not explain.
She placed her hands on it, trying to suppress it. She then looked in the direction where they were heading and realized that something must have happened at home.
That was when she heard the soft and apologetic voice of her grandfather. "Shiella. I am sorry."
...