Chapter 272: Emergency Countermeasure Meeting (3)
The spacious room was bathed in light.
Seated around a large rectangular table were numerous members of the Black Sword Corps. These were not just any leaders, but the highest-ranking captains from key departments, all silently waiting for someone.
It was then that the door creaked open.
Gordon Crowden entered, quickly making his way to the empty seat at the head of the table. Taking his place, he spoke.
“Let’s begin.”
At his single command, his deputy, who had followed him in, took charge and started the meeting.
“We will now commence the first half-yearly review meeting. The first agenda item is….”
The meeting flowed smoothly under the skilled handling of the deputy, who seemed to have done this countless times before.
Numerous issues were brought up during the meeting, and Gordon simply listened quietly. About two hours into the meeting, the next speaker was called.
“The next agenda presenter is Section Chief Emma Green.”
As soon as her name was called, Emma stood up abruptly. She nodded slightly toward Gordon before starting her presentation.
“My agenda item is the early graduation of the 50th class cadet, Yuri Holland.”
Emma’s proposal divided the Black Sword Corps members in the room into two camps. Some remained silent, while others murmured amongst themselves. Those who were silent were Black Sword Corps members active within the Cradle, while those murmuring were mainly engaged in external activities.
Then, a question came from one of the members who focused on external missions.
“Did you say the 50th class?”
“Yes.”
“Hah? And you’re suggesting early graduation for a second-year cadet?”
Another incredulous voice followed with another question.
“Early graduation… Is there even such a system in the Cradle?”
“Upon reviewing the records, there indeed exists a provision for early graduation. However, there has simply been no precedent for it.”
Emma’s calm answer caused a ripple of murmurs to spread through the room again.
“An unprecedented case in the history of the Cradle….”
“That too for a mere second-year cadet. Is there truly a need for such measures?”
“Please refer to page 21 of the distributed documents.”
Emma responded quickly, as if she had been expecting that question, and the sound of pages turning filled the room for a while.
And then, after a brief pause—
“Hmm….”
“Hm….”
Small sighs of understanding spread throughout the room.
Emma, looking at her papers, spoke up.
“As detailed in the documents, the cost of restoring facilities within the Cradle has significantly increased over the past year and seven months.”
“This isn’t just a significant increase; it’s far beyond that.”
“Compared to two years ago, costs have risen by 2,313%….”
Seeing the serious faces poring over the documents, Emma slammed the table forcefully.
Bang-!
Only then did everyone lift their heads from their papers.
As all eyes turned toward her, Emma spoke in a strong tone.
“And that’s not all! The workload of the Black Sword Corps members managing the Cradle has increased by at least seven times, and they’re reporting exhaustion as a result. Moreover…!”
A blaze of anger flared in Emma’s eyes.
“All of this has been caused by a single individual, Yuri Holland. Detailed information regarding him is attached from page 22 onwards.”
At her commanding voice, the Black Sword Corps members began flipping through the documents again, turning to page 22 of Emma’s prepared report.
There, a list of items Yuri had destroyed was laid out in full detail.
And the problem was, the list didn’t end on just one page.
“Hmm, this is…?”
“Wow… he’s really gone through a lot.”
“He smashed all of this on his own?”
The number of items listed in small print spanned over five pages.
Only then did the externally active members of the Black Sword Corps understand why Emma was so adamantly pushing for Yuri Holland’s early graduation, foaming at the mouth. They also realized why the department heads managing the Cradle looked so furious.
Someone nodded in understanding and posed another question.
“I can see why you’re arguing for early graduation. But aren’t there conditions that need to be met for it?”
“Of course, there are. The conditions include winning the Murong Tournament at least three times, demonstrating skills equivalent to or above a certified 5th Dan, and obtaining consent from at least ten department heads. Two of these conditions must be met for early graduation to be possible.”
“Winning the Murong Tournament three times is impossible due to time constraints, so the remaining two conditions must be satisfied.”
“Correct. And Yuri Holland has already demonstrated skills equivalent to or above a certified 5th Dan by using a sacred sword in the last Murong Tournament….”
Emma took out a paper from her pocket and placed it loudly on the table.
Bang-.
“I have already prepared the consent forms from ten department heads.”
The paper Emma laid down contained the names and seals of department heads who agreed to Yuri Holland’s early graduation.
Seeing this, a few chuckled in disbelief.
“Hah, she’s quick.”
“To think you had that prepared already.”
Those who hadn’t expected Emma to be so proactive about Yuri Holland’s early graduation were left speechless.
But just then—
“That’s ridiculous.”
A sharp voice came from somewhere.
The owner of the voice was Coco, who was sitting just as sharply as her tone suggested.
With an unlit cigar clenched between her teeth, she looked utterly annoyed.
Seeing this, the department heads flinched.
‘Oh, that’s right, it’s been over two hours already.’
‘She’s gone over two hours without a cigar… better watch what we say.’
Coco Romani, when deprived of her cigars, was like a rabid dog, not a fighting dog, but one that bit everything in sight just because.
Knowing this, Emma cautiously asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I said it’s ridiculous. Seriously, what’s wrong with the youngsters these days? No backbone at all. Tsk tsk.”
“…….”
“Just because of some increased expenses and a bit more work, you’re going to let a perfectly good kid graduate? What do you think this is, some cheap academy you pay to attend?”
Coco’s criticism made Emma sigh.
“If it were some cheap academy, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. We’d have graduated him early a long time ago. Didn’t you personally verify it, Deputy Commander Coco? That Yuri Holland has reached the certified 7th Dan.”
Emma’s words caused a big stir in the meeting room.
“Certified 7th Dan?”
“A cadet who’s only in his second year?”
“Hah… that’s an unbelievable growth rate.”
As murmurs erupted everywhere, Emma sighed.
“Yuri Holland has already far surpassed the average cadet level. It means there is nothing more for him to gain from the Cradle. Also, if he had a gentle nature, it wouldn’t be a problem, but he is cunning, selfish, and doesn’t hesitate to use his power.”
“Power is meant to be used.”
“The problem is that he doesn’t use that power properly.”
“What has he done that’s so improper? Has he committed mass murder? All he did was destroy a few buildings.”
“The problem is that his actions are causing unrest among the entire cohort of the Cradle.”
“Well, weaker individuals are bound to be shaken.”
“…Why are you siding with Yuri Holland so much?”
“Who said I was siding with him?”
“You are, Coco.”
“Oh my, listen to this one? Keep that up, and… I might just hit you.”
Coco clenched the cigar between her lips as she spoke.
Thunk-.
The cigar snapped in half and fell onto the table, and a murderous intent emanated from her.
Emma didn’t back down and matched Coco’s glare.
“Enough.”
Gordon’s low voice cut in, and Coco’s murderous aura vanished like a tide receding.
All eyes turned toward the head of the table where Gordon sat.
Though Emma and Coco had their heated exchange, the final decision rested with the Commander, Gordon.
As everyone watched to see what decision he would make, Gordon spoke to Emma.
“Emma Green.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“When you exclude your subjective views, do you believe that Yuri Holland has fundamentally disrupted the basic order of the Cradle?”
Faced with Gordon’s question, Emma hesitated to answer immediately. She deliberated for a moment and then responded honestly.
“As of now… no. But the possibility that it might happen—!”
“Silence.”
“…….”
“The decision on Yuri Holland’s early graduation is deferred.”
“…Understood.”
Emma, her agenda unapproved, sighed as she took her seat. Despite the rejection, her eyes did not reflect great disappointment.
‘He said deferred, not denied.’
This meant that her agenda hadn’t been completely discarded.
It also implied that the Commander could change his mind at any time.
Thus, Emma decided to be satisfied with the outcome for now.
Meanwhile, Gordon turned to Coco, who had pulled out a new cigar.
“What’s the status of the Maze of Sins?”
“Oh, that? It’s going well, so don’t worry. It looks like we’ll be able to wrap it up on time.”
“Make sure everything is ready without a hitch.”
“Yes, yes, I know. So, can I go have a smoke now?”
“Go ahead.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
Though the meeting wasn’t over, Coco jumped to her feet and walked out of the room with a spring in her step.
Gordon, having restored order, looked at the department heads and spoke.
“Let’s continue.”
Following Gordon’s cue, his deputy resumed the meeting.
“Now, moving on to the next agenda item….”
Even after Coco’s departure, the Black Sword Corps’ half-yearly review meeting continued for several more hours.
* * *
The quiet night.
In the midst of an owl’s hooting, someone was walking
along a moonlit path.
With deep black eyes and short blonde hair that exposed his head, it was none other than Gunther Ryder.
Step by step—
Gunther walked the forest path with an expression devoid of emotion until he finally arrived at a lakeside.
Gunther glanced at the shimmering moon reflected on the water before looking in one direction and speaking.
“It’s impolite to invite a guest and show up late.”
His low voice spread into the darkness.
Yet there was still no response, causing Gunther’s brows to furrow.
“If you don’t come out, I’m leaving.”
Gunther’s words were not an idle threat; he turned as if he truly intended to leave.
At that moment, the bushes rustled, and a shadow stirred.
And soon, a figure appeared from between the narrow trees.
“How long have you been waiting? You’re so harsh!”
In the moonlight, a man with purple hair appeared.
Gunther’s eyebrow twitched upon seeing him.
“Goetz Röthen? Why are you coming out of there?”
No sooner had Gunther finished speaking than another voice rang out from behind Goetz.
“Oh, if you’re looking for me, I’m right here!”
Yulia emerged from the same spot where Goetz had appeared, waving her hand.
Walking towards Gunther with Yulia, Goetz spoke light-heartedly.
“Ah, a moonlit lake stroll with a beautiful lady… how splendid. If only there wasn’t that unsightly man glaring over there.”
“If you’re going to spout nonsense, I’ll send you back.”
“Haha, just kidding. Just kidding.”
After exchanging a few words, Gunther eyed the two standing before him sharply.
“You never said the meeting place was for the two of you.”
“Haha, don’t be so stiff. I came out to see if our comrade, who we weren’t sure was dead or alive, was doing well!”
Despite Goetz’s sly smile, Gunther’s stern expression did not soften.
Instead, he ignored Goetz and focused on Yulia.
“You did well to find out where I was.”
“Don’t underestimate the information network of the Bluebird, heh.”
Gunther had been training in a private facility within the Cradle.
Then, a letter marked with the Bluebird’s insignia was delivered to him.
A letter that reached him without him knowing how they found his location.
It detailed the events that had transpired in the Cradle and the discussions from the Roundtable Meeting.
However, those weren’t Gunther’s primary concerns.
Despite that, the reason he showed up at this meeting spot was a single line written at the end of the letter.
[“We need your cooperation to deal with Yuri Holland.”]
Recalling this, Gunther stared directly at Yulia and spoke.
“I came here to tell you this.”
“What is it?”
“Yuri Holland will be taken down by Gunther Ryder alone!”
“…….”
“So, don’t try to use me in your petty plans. Consider this a warning.”
Gunther understood the plan Yulia was putting together.
A strategy where all the cadets would unite to take down Yuri Holland.
But separate from that understanding, Gunther had no intention of participating in Yulia’s plan.
“Hah? All of us teaming up to fight Yuri Holland?”
Even if they managed to defeat him that way, what meaning would it hold?
Would that be enough to satisfy him?
“I will face Yuri Holland alone. Without your help.”
Gunther’s determined gaze carried an intense fervor, and Goetz wore a bitter smile.
He seemed to understand all too well what Gunther was thinking.
“Hey, Gunther, I….”
Just as Goetz was about to say something to Gunther—
“You seem to be mistaken.”
Yulia’s blunt voice pierced Gunther and Goetz’s ears simultaneously.
Yulia’s exasperated expression entered their view as if mocking them.
“When did I ever ask you, Senior Gunther, to fight alongside us against Yuri Holland?”
“…What?”
“I clearly wrote ‘cooperation’ in the letter, didn’t I?”
As soon as Yulia finished speaking, Gunther flinched.
“Huh? W-Wasn’t that what you meant?”
Goetz blinked rapidly, surprised.