Meanwhile, in the hall of Pangaea Castle in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders had gathered there, idling away their time and avoiding complaints from the various families.
Though irritated by the families' grievances, all five remained impeccably dressed in suits, their expressions solemn.
Yet the atmosphere in the hall at that moment lacked its usual stately authority.
Instead, an oppressive tension hung in the air...
After a long, deathly silence.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro was the first to challenge the others, raising a hand to adjust his glasses, his gaze sharp.
It pierced straight toward Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, who sat opposite him with both hands resting atop his cane.
"Saturn, our lord explicitly ordered us 'not to descend,' forbidding us from initiating any direct conflict with the Marines, especially Gern!"
Nusjuro's voice was accusatory. "Then what is the meaning of secretly sending CP0 to Egghead (Egghead Island)?!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the other three.
Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, and Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture. His tone hardened.
"Did you think... none of us four knew?!"
Singled out and challenged, Saint Saturn knitted his brows, his stern, rigid face tightening as his arms tensed slightly.
But he did not immediately argue back.
Because.
Saint Nusjuro's accusation had opened the floodgates.
The others had yet to speak. He could not afford to lose his composure.
Sure enough, Saint Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, quickly joined in, his voice low.
"Saturn, CP0's operation carries an enormous risk. If exposed, it could easily give Gern leverage.
He could use it to escalate the situation further, or even provoke our lord again!
You... you're defying our lord's wishes!"
"Ah!" Saint Mars,