The rulers of the World Government, the highest authority in the world on the surface—the Five Elders—had appeared before Bright.
Never mind what they looked like; each of them certainly carried an imposing presence. Two sat on the sofa, one stood behind it with a hand on its backrest, another stood with his back to Bright before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, while the last leisurely brewed tea nearby.
Bright's gaze swept across the five old men before settling on someone in the corner of the room.
The figure wore a white robe and a mask that concealed his face. From the sound of his breathing, Bright could tell that he was already on edge, ready to strike at any moment.
Oh, anyone who could appear here at a time like this was probably the commander of CP0 or some high-ranking leader of the Knights of God.
One of the two men on the sofa, a bald Five Elder with an upturned mustache and a scar across his head, frowned. "Bright, you brat, don't you know what manners are? Didn't you know to knock before coming in?"
Bright's mouth twitched. "Should I leave, then?"
Were they trying to put him in his place?
"Enough. This is our first meeting; there's no need to be so hostile."
The Five Elder brewing tea wore a burgundy suit unlike those of the other Elders. He also looked considerably younger, with blond hair and a blond beard. He smiled and smoothed things over. "We've had a fairly pleasant partnership these past few years, haven't we?"
He lifted a cup of tea. "Bright, would you like some tea?"
"Thank you. Not everyone has the honor of drinking tea brewed by a Five Elder himself."
Bright smiled as he walked over and accepted the cup.
You didn't