The Consequences of the Crystal Nullification Zone!...

The headquarters of the Blood Pledge Knights...

In a conference room whose walls were made entirely of glass windows, Heathcliff, dressed in a bright crimson knight commander's robe, sat at the center of a large semicircular table. Two senior Blood Pledge Knights members, whose attire was clearly different from that of ordinary members, sat on either side of him, while Wu Yan and Kirito stood before the table...

Looking at Heathcliff and the others sitting in a row before him, Wu Yan could not help curling his lip. They made their guests stand while they themselves sat there comfortably, putting on such a display. Did every large guild love throwing its weight around this much?

Heathcliff had no idea that Wu Yan had already labeled him as someone who liked to put on airs. He merely glanced at Wu Yan and Kirito before turning his gaze toward Wu Yan.

"Before I explain, Yan-kun, please accept my apology. No matter what, allowing you to receive that kind of treatment at our headquarters was a failure on my part. I hope you can forgive me..."

Wu Yan secretly looked down on Heathcliff. Did he really think Wu Yan could not see through his little act?... Of course, Wu Yan outwardly acted unconcerned. He nodded casually and spread his hands. "Well, it was not entirely bad. At least, with them as sparring partners, my skills, which had gotten rusty after two weeks of neglect, have recovered quite a bit. You could call that a good thing..."

"Oh?..." Heathcliff narrowed his eyes and smiled. "That is good, then..."

Seeing that the matter between the two of them was more or less settled, Kirito raised his head and spoke. "Then can you explain the situation to us now?"

"Ah..." Heathcliff lowered his head slightly, and