As soon as the members of the elite families departed, only the Seat Holders remained in the room.
Even Helena left, as the discussion was related to the Mana Oath they had all taken. It was not possible to reveal this to the world.
Although Helena already knew about most of those matters since Alfred had permitted her to peer into his memories. The Mana Oath only restricted him from speaking or telling someone about it.
"I recall these guys first appeared when they intruded into the Vault under the Whiteheart Family," Farnus inquired.
"That's right," the Neville Head agreed as he looked at Kamden.
"And the Artisan Association still hasn't figured out the method they used, correct?" Farnus asked.
"I have examined the rune conditions, and I can't understand how they bypassed the Mana Signature that I personally developed," Dexter replied.
Everyone was puzzled by Farnus's numerous questions.
The time they were wasting here was time that the monsters were drawing closer to the three continents.
"What are the chances that Armax Prison might not be the next target?" Farnus posed, shifting the atmosphere in the meeting hall.
They hadn't considered that possibility at all.
Armax Prison was where ordinary or heinous criminals who committed unforgivable acts were sent. Almost all of them were exceedingly powerful criminals.
It hadn't concerned them until now because escaping Armax Prison was deemed impossible.
No one who was thrown into Armax Prison could ever escape in their lifetime unless their sentence was over.
But nothing that was happening now fell within their speculations.
"If they were able to invade the White Castle of Mzelm Island, the chances of them heading to Armax Prison are high," Farnus declared.
"Should I return then?" asked the Watson Family's SSS Rank Hunter, who was responsible for overseeing Armax Prison.
"I would suggest so, since we are uncertain whether that guy is dead or not," Farnus said, reminding everyone of the most notorious prisoner in Armax Prison.
"He would be long dead by now, Farnus," Silvus assured.
"We have deprived him of any mana for 40 years; you don't need to worry about him," Silvus continued.
"But the possibility exists. Even if we believe he's dead, the remaining criminals there will pose a threat to society if released," Silvus pointed out.
Most of these criminals were serving their sentences. Not all their crimes warranted death, but their ranks and power made it impossible to detain them in regular facilities.
That's why they were imprisoned in Armax Prison.
"We need you to fight the calamities," Xarax implored, not wanting Watson's SSS Rank Hunter to evade this crisis.
"Why not let my wife handle that place? I will assist her as well," Alfred offered.
"If it's them, we can trust them," Silvus agreed.
"Then it's settled," Silvus declared, standing up, with others following suit.
For the first time in hundreds of years, the SSS Rank Hunters were about to unite.
Even the SSS Rank Dungeon didn't necessitate their collective action.
Calvis turned his attention to the officials who brought a large cube adorned with numerous runic formations.
"It seems my reward has arrived," Nathan said, disappearing from his place and reappearing in front of Calvis.
Osbert eyed the item that he was eager to get into Nathan's possession, feeling far from pleased.
'Let's see how long your luck lasts,' Osbert thought, looking at Nathan.
"Well, don't destroy the weapons I made for you all. I won't accept any requests at the moment," Dexter reminded them.
Farnus, who was sitting at the World Academy, rose, and once again, drew out his spear.
"Drawing it twice in a single year, it seems like I am returning to my past," Farnus reminisced about the times he spent battling numerous monsters.
Some might think that not fighting for so long had rusted his skills, but that wasn't the case. As soon as he grasped his spear, he remembered the familiar sensation.
"Xander, you heard it right?" Farnus turned and looked at Xander Demarcus, who was sitting in his office.
Every single person had seen the unknown masked man's message.
"I'll leave the World Academy in your and Zemir's care," Farnus stated as he removed his robe.
Xander saw the most coveted SSS Rank Armor, the one that had made Farnus the strongest human in the world.
"I'll try to return as soon as possible," Farnus did not specify any dates, as the battle with the SSS Rank Monster could take considerable time.
Even he wasn't sure of walking away unscathed if the monster exceeded his expectations.
This fear was even more pronounced in the other SSS Rank Hunters, except for Nathan Greville and Silvus Grandus, who had confronted quite a few SSS Rank Monsters in their lifetimes.
Meanwhile, at the Greville Mansion,
Sam arrived at the entrance.
"Ah, Asher Greville invited me here," he promptly stated as the servants of the Greville Family looked at him.
"Let us escort you," a few bodyguards offered, leading him through the mansion.
On Asher's floor, no servant was allowed unless specifically summoned by Asher.
He quickly reached Asher's room and entered to find Asher engaged in a conversation via hologram.
"Did I disturb you?" Sam asked as Asher turned his head.
"No, sit down," Asher directed as he observed Sam taking a seat.
"So, you remember me telling you about my faction?" Asher queried, his gaze fixed on Sam.
"Yes, but is this the right timing?" Sam questioned.
"You mean the commotion happening outside," Asher assumed, and Sam nodded in confirmation.
"Leave that aside, this is the organization I want you to join," Asher said, tossing an item to Sam.
Sam caught a black object and opened his hand to reveal a 'Z' symbol.
Sam furrowed his brows, and his eyes widened as he recognized the same symbol the Masked Man had displayed.
"Are you working for them?" Sam nervously asked, looking up.
"Working?" Asher echoed, gazing at Sam.
Suddenly, a black smoke enveloped Asher, and a snake materialized around Asher's neck – the same creature that Sam had seen in the broadcast.
Sam instantly stood up, adopting a defensive stance to counter any attacks Asher might initiate.
"Calm down, Sam Allister," Asher commanded, his emotionless eyes scrutinizing Sam.
"H-H-How? Are you that guy?" Sam stammered, flaring his mana in his confusion and nervousness.
"Of course, you're going to join Zephyr as well," Asher declared, observing Sam.
"Do you not fear that I will reveal this to the whole world?" Sam threatened, watching Asher.
"Go on," Asher responded nonchalantly.
"But can you save your mother that way?" Asher countered, causing Sam to halt his train of thought.
"What if I betray you?" Sam questioned.
"Every action has consequences," Asher warned, and Rifir vanished from his neck, only to appear near Sam.
A black shadow began wrapping around his body, immobilizing Sam.
"Hey, what is this?!" Sam exclaimed, but he couldn't move an inch.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heartbeat quickened, his hands beginning to tremble.
He could sense the peculiar creature coiling around him.
"Make your choice, Sam Allister. Choose me, and live while I help you save your mother. Or leave this room, betray me, and I'll leave the consequences to your imagination," Asher warned as Rifir disappeared, freeing Sam to move.
Sam had come here thinking that he would join the faction of the future heir of the Greville Family, but what he ended up joining was the organization that had thrown the whole world into chaos.
Do or die.
This was the choice he thought Asher was giving him, but Sam decided to think about it a bit more.
He remembered the treatment he had had to endure for so many years.
If he joined Asher, he would become a criminal, but did he have any other choice?
Did he have a way to save his mother without joining Asher?
The answer was something he was well aware of.
"But why are you doing this?" Sam asked, as he couldn't understand.
Asher looked at Sam with his indifferent eyes.
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