"Who are they blaming?"
"Nobody."
Several days after the incident in rural Nihon, news of the multiple holes opening up have scattered throughout the entire world like wildfire — they could not really hide it even if they wished to, and why would they?
Rhys and the others were able to successfully flee the country with no problems at all and travel to Russea. It couldn't even be called difficult as the entire country was in a state of panic, and not to mention calamity — literally.
Nihon declared a state of calamity and have evacuated all of their population as far away as possible from the Holes; right now, more than half of the people in the country are on the edge of the island.
Conscription was also extended to all Explorers, no exemptions — be they women or people of a certain age.
Suffice it to say, the Nihon were treating this as a sort of last stand against the annihilation of their entire country — and the other nations were inclined to agree. And therefore...
"They are asking for our help too," Olga explained to everyone. Rhys and the others were currently gathered in the Embassy of Amerka in Moscalf, Capital of Russea, "No, they are asking help from everyone — all the countries they could."
"They... didn't know we were there?" Agatha raised an eyebrow as she looked at everyone else.
"They did," Olga breathed out, "The Prime Minister told them all about our mission the other day."
"So we hid our balls for nothing?" Ayesha scoffed while placing her feet on the table in front of her as she leaned back on her chair, "And what did the Nihons say about that?"
"They... apologized for the inconvenience and danger they have brought," Olga closed her eyes and sighed, "They gave their word that they did not approve of any operation like that at all."
"Ha! As if you can believe them," Talia, who had her back against the wall let out a loud raspy breath as she shook her head, "The Nihons were even worse than us during the war."
"Oh, come on. They've changed," Dominique argued, "And that was almost a hundred years ago."
"Yet they refused to acknowledge the things they have done," Talia harrumphed.
"Enough, enough. We're not here to gut the Nihons' balls," Ayesha waved her hand, "What does Russea plan to do, Commander?"
"We respond, of course," Olga nodded, "If the country becomes overrun by monsters, it is not only Nihon that would suffer, but the entire Surface — there is also the fact that the nymphs are there too. All of them might be slumbering now, but once they wake up, we would have no idea how to deal with them...
...and I assume the General has also called you?"
"Hm," Ayesha sighed and nodded, "The old man called to scream at me about how the mission failed. I do not really want to go to the specifics of what he said, but...
...They are also calling for the World Rankers. And that includes you, Recruit."
Everyone then turned their attention to Rhys, who was sitting beside the gorgons, and Katarina while holding her hand.
"I am not interested in helping them," Rhys quickly refused as he glanced at Katarina, looking at her eyes which were covered in bandages. Surprisingly, almost as if she knew that Rhys was staring at her, Katarina also turned her head toward him.
"Help them, Rhys," Katarina shook her head, "You heard it yourself, the ones who did these belong to some sort of private contractor — it's not the people's fault. If you want someone to blame... then blame me for being stupid."
***
Several days later, Nihon had built an entire warehouse a few kilometers away from where the colossal golden tree and the Holes emerged — and in it, were probably the world's strongest people.
The warehouse did not seem to need any lights at all, as most of the people gathered there were Nobles; their hair, almost igniting the entire room with color.
Almost all of them were sizing each other up, some forming groups while snickering here and there — they all, however, had one common topic.
"Where's you know who?"
"Maybe the rumors weren't true after all. I was told it was just propaganda to stop the discrimination of Lowborns in Amerka."
"Pft. Like Amerka is the only country hating on the Lowborns. And Ayesha is also not here too, maybe she isn't—"
"Don't be fucking stupid. I've seen Ayesha before, you do not want to mess with her."
Most of the people who were talking and chatting did not belong to the World Rankers at all—no. Those who responded from the Top 15 were extremely quiet.
Esme Jordan of Amerka was one of them, smirking as she kept hearing everyone talking in English.
"These guys have no idea what's in store for them," Esme whispered to herself while shaking her head. No one really wanted to approach her, since they were all somewhat intimidated by the 2nd Strongest Explorer in the entire world.
Very soon, however, everyone turned quiet as the Strongest Explorer in the world entered the warehouse. He did not really say anything at all as he just lit up the entire warehouse, literally.
His white hair almost blinded everyone there — very soon, however, the light calmed down and he started walking inside; not even minding the others as he just went straight to Esme.
"Sorokin Valeryevich in the flesh," Esme smirked as soon as she saw Valeryevich standing next to her. And since Sorokin was wearing a suit and styled his hair extremely neat, he almost looked like a bodyguard with the way he was standing with his hands in front of him,
"To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I think you know," Sorokin breathed out, "Have you thought of my proposal?"
"I am not going to get married to you," Esme rolled her eyes while shaking her head, "You're pretty handsome, but I am just not interested."
"That is a shame, then," Sorokin grunted, "Maybe next year, I ask again."
"Not going to change," Esme scoffed, "And also — I was made aware that you were with him?"
"I was," Sorokin then turned around to look at the door — and as he did so, everyone turned quiet as a certain tall man with black hair entered the warehouse.
Most of the people outside the World Rankers all snickered.
Those who belonged to the Top 15, however... were all completely quiet as soon as they saw him.
"That man..." Sorokin squinted his eyes, "...Very dangerous."