The Undercurrents Stir Once More, the Five Elders' Scheme

At the summit of the Red Line stood the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

Inside Pangaea Castle, in the Room of Authority.

A black round table stretched across the center of the room. Spread across it was a freshly printed copy of the World Economy News Paper, its front-page headline—"The Age of the Four Emperors Has Arrived"—as glaring as a red-hot branding iron.

Six people sat around the table: the Five Elders, who held the highest authority in the World Government, and the commander of God's Knights, Saint Figarland Garling.

The room was terrifyingly silent, and the air was thick with a suffocating pressure.

"In just a few short years, this remnant of the David Clan has climbed to such heights."

Saint Nusjuro, Warrior God of Finance, heavily tapped Dawn's name on the newspaper with his withered finger. His fingertip scraped across the paper, leaving behind a deep gouge.

"He holds most of the Underworld's connections in his hand. Three allied nations in the New World have already stopped paying the Heavenly Tribute outright, while more than a dozen others have been openly or secretly contacting his forces. If we allow this to continue, the tax system we have maintained for eight hundred years will be completely thrown into chaos."

He had controlled the World Government's financial lifeline for eight centuries. The Heavenly Tribute was the foundation of the entire World Government's operations and the source of every Celestial Dragon's extravagant life in Mary Geoise. Dawn's move was no different from digging up the World Government by its roots.

"It isn't just taxation."

Saint Mars, Warrior God of the Environment, immediately took over. His scar-covered face was cold and severe as his knuckles tapped the map of the New World's forces in the paper.

"The balance of power in the New