Seeing that his warning had sunk in, Velin said slowly, "President Xerxes, do you know why I came to the Adventurers Association this time?"
At those words, Xerxes already knew what he ought to say.
"Your Majesty, the Adventurers Association has operated outside the kingdom's oversight. That is a failure on my part, and a dereliction of my responsibility for the lives of countless adventurers. I am willing to resign my position in the Adventurers Association and help the kingdom bring it under supervision, both to protect adventurers' lives and to prevent rebel forces from growing within their ranks and threatening the kingdom's security."
Velin looked at Xerxes with newfound respect.
By retreating to advance, he had preserved his dignity while also making the kingdom's supervision of the Adventurers Association seem only natural.
At that thought, Velin glanced at Kyle.
Sensing his Lord's gaze, Kyle understood at once and raised a magic barrier, preventing anyone inside or outside from spying on the other side.
"President Xerxes."
"Your Majesty, what would you have me do?" Xerxes asked, bowing.
Velin went over to the office chair and sat down. Looking up at Xerxes, he smiled and said, "You're not an Okran, are you?"
Xerxes's pupils contracted at those words. After briefly weighing his options, he finally chose to lay his cards on the table.
Lying to a Legendary Expert, especially one who loathed lies, was tantamount to suicide.
"Your Majesty, I come from the Iserania Empire, south of the Solantia Death Forest. My father was the previous emperor of the Iserania Empire. My mother was ostensibly a baron's daughter, but she was actually a count's illegitimate daughter."
"I was born before my father ascended the throne. To him, I was a tool."
"When I was twelve, he sent me to live with