The Resistance Meeting

At this moment, aside from Rivethown, Jingyan had brought most of the Underworld's districts under control by one means or another.

Of course, in many people's eyes, Jingyan's most incredible achievement was somehow making Mr. Svarog submit. They found it hard to believe, but it had really happened.

Many people had also realized that the Jingyan they knew now was completely different from the one they had known before.

The awakening of his Path's power had transformed him from the small-time doctor he once was into a powerful leader.

Although, in many people's eyes, the Underworld currently had only two leaders: Mr. Oleg and Mr. Svarog.

The reason so many people thought this was that most of them still didn't know that Miss Natasha was the true leader of the Underworld Fire organization.

Not Mr. Oleg.

Meanwhile, in the administrative center of the Upper District.

Qlipoth Fort.

The office on the highest floor.

From its windows, the entire Upper District of Belobog lay in view.

Inside, Supreme Guardian Cocolia was speaking with the Stellaron's consciousness at her desk.

"My daughter's been acting strangely lately. I feel like she's discovered something, but..."

Cocolia said.

A voice seemed to ring out above her, clear and resonant, as though it could pass through anything.

It was as if the voice weren't echoing through an office, but across an immense, open plain.

"Don't worry. She'll understand everything you've done in time."

"In another world, you'll feel excitement."

After the Stellaron's voice disappeared, Cocolia seemed to make up her mind.

She immediately ordered the adjutant outside to come in.

"While I'm away, arrest anyone who disobeys my orders on the spot. Even if it's a leader. Understood?" Cocolia said gravely.

In front of the office,

the adjutant was kneeling on one knee with his head bowed, awaiting orders.

At the Supreme Guardian's command, he looked up and replied, "Y-yes."

The Underworld.

A new meeting was underway.

Those attending included Oleg and Seele from the Underworld Fire, the current master of Robot Settlement, Mr. Svarog, Clara, and Jingyan.

The meeting was being held at the Goethe Hotel in Boulder Town.

There was a hotel by that name in both the Upper District and the Underworld.

But ever since Supreme Guardian Cocolia had cut off the Upper District from the Underworld, the two hotels had been treated very differently.

The Upper District hotel was used to receive distinguished guests, while the one in the Underworld was often used to shelter refugees.

Even so, its interior was still in fairly good condition.

Inside the hotel's most spacious room,

a discussion that would decide the future of the Underworld's people was taking place.

Just then, Natasha from Natasha's Clinic came in.

Jingyan knew that she was the secret leader of the Underworld Fire, but she was attending this meeting as a popular doctor, just as before.

"Fragmentum breaches have been appearing more and more often lately. Things weren't like this before. I strongly suspect that crazy Cocolia's up to something!"

Oleg spoke first.

"That's right," Jingyan replied.

"What's the situation in the Upper District now? Have you heard anything?" Seele asked, looking at Jingyan.

There weren't many ways for the Underworld to communicate with the Upper District. Jingyan had one: the phones March 7th and the others had given them. March 7th and her companions could contact Serval in the Upper District and get information from her.

On top of that, Serval was the sister of Gepard, a Silvermane Guard captain, so she could learn a few things about what was happening behind the scenes.

It was much harder for the Underworld's other factions to get information from the Upper District.

They had to take risks, sneaking up there and back like Sampo.

People in the Underworld Fire had been doing this for a long time, but even so, they had to admit that this method came at a high cost, and the information might not be as reliable as what Jingyan and March 7th could get.

"The Supreme Guardian has left Qlipoth Fort."

"Seems she had business in Everwinter Hill," Jingyan replied.

Seele spoke up. "That means the guards up there are spread thin. We can take the chance to go up..."

Hearing her, Oleg said, "Seele, don't act rashly."

"Even with someone as powerful as Mr. Jingyan on our side, we still..."

"Still what?" Seele asked, confused.

Even though Oleg was like a father to her, Seele couldn't help arguing back.

She seemed to think that, when it came to the Upper District, which had oppressed the Underworld for so long—especially with Supreme Guardian Cocolia in charge—they should hurry up there and take her out.

Oleg thought it over, then looked at Jingyan and asked, "Mr. Jingyan, I have a question for you. How many people can your power affect at once?"

Everyone there turned to look at Jingyan.

"You mean my ability to control other people? Let me think..."

"The number isn't what matters. It depends more on the abilities of the people involved," Jingyan replied candidly.

"With Cocolia, it's hard to say. But if we're talking about ordinary Silvermane Guard soldiers, I could handle a hundred or so without a problem," Jingyan said casually.

"A hundred or so...?"

Jingyan thought his answer was fairly conservative.

But he hadn't expected it to cause such an uproar.

Everyone there seemed utterly astonished by his answer.

They clearly hadn't expected Jingyan's ability to be so powerful.

"If that's the case, does that mean..." Seele said, sounding excited.

She was pretty straightforward. When it came to problems, she preferred to solve them head-on with her fists—or the scythe in her hands—instead of sitting around doing nothing.

"That's right."

"If no one has any objections, then it really might be time."

Jingyan concluded.

Mr. Svarog added, "Current probability of victory: 50%!"

Natasha murmured to herself, "Only 50%?"

She looked toward Jingyan, seeming reluctant to let him go.

She knew that he was no longer the young doctor who had once worked at her clinic, or simply her junior.

Now, Jingyan was the leader of the Underworld.

And possibly its strongest fighter.

Even though those present still didn't know the source of Jingyan's power,

they had no reason to doubt him, since there was nothing suspicious about his background or identity.

In their eyes, the only one they needed to be wary of now was the Supreme Guardian herself. The rest didn't pose much of a threat!

"Mr. Jingyan, would you be interested in becoming the leader of our Underworld Fire?"

Oleg asked, his gaze deep and searching.

Jingyan smiled. "Isn't that a rather pointless question?"