Chapter 269: Chapter 44: Internal Conflict

“I understand your doubts, Abyss. However, in many cases, directly resorting to force is not the best solution.”

Despite sensing hostility in Abyss’s words, Zero paid no heed.

“Perhaps just as you mentioned, the majority of the lower-class population, even when united, cannot shake the high nobles and high-ranking Professionals.

But with a sufficient number, a very small fraction of them, after enduring various hardships and gaining fortuitous encounters, will become new powerhouses.”

“At that point, they will undoubtedly seek ways to avenge the previous assaults, which effectively plants the seeds for future turmoil.”

“Moreover, nobles are nobles precisely because of the existence of these lower-class citizens.

Rulers might share your view, Abyss, disregarding the spread of rumors, considering that after each similar disaster, rumors inevitably arise.

They may follow previous methods, forcibly suppressing these voices among the populace and prohibiting discussions. They might not care at all, letting the rumors dissipate on their own.”

“But now, times are different. According to Prophet Grey Mist’s prophecy, the biggest impact caused by the changes in the Net of Destiny will occur in the Empire.

When the upper echelons are distracted by the changes, it creates fertile ground for Resistance Organizations to thrive.

Thus, as long as these rumors spread for long enough and widely enough, eventually, some ‘righteous’ Professionals and nobles will be willing to stand up and speak for these attacked civilians.

Perhaps they are nobles with blinded eyes, betraying their own class out of kindness, or Professionals previously persecuted by nobles seeking revenge.

Perhaps they are aiming to gather strength, to nibble away at upper-class assets, advancing their family’s status among the small and medium-sized nobility.”

“But that is irrelevant. Whatever their motivations, we can help them achieve their dreams, igniting infighting among the classes within the Empire to completely disrupt it.

After all, isn’t our organization called ‘Justice Gate’—”

Ending his point, Zero made a wry joke.

The rest understood his intent; had their faces not been shrouded in darkness, many probably would have shown awkward expressions right then.

“Let’s forgive it this time, but no more such jokes next time, Zero.”

The Leader spoke sternly, giving him a slight reprimand.

“I apologize, revered Leader.”

Zero bowed again in apology, apparently having a particular fondness for the etiquette of this world.

“Now, does anyone else have objections?”

After chiding Zero, the Leader looked around at the others, but nobody responded.

“Since that’s the case, let’s proceed with all the proposals simultaneously. Whoever proposed an idea will take responsibility for its implementation; the necessary resources can be applied for after the meeting.

As for Zero’s proposal, it will be executed by Whisper of the Dead, Moon Shadow, and Weaver, how about that?”

“Acceptable.”

“Sorry, an unexpected incident occurred in the Underworld; a massive, unidentified anomaly has suddenly emerged among the deep creatures.

I need to urgently discuss defense matters with the Dark Elf matriarchs, and currently, I don’t have the capacity to manage anything else.”

The other two promptly accepted the task, but Whisper of the Dead was tied up with other matters.

“All right, then this matter will be handled by the three of you for now. Others who want to participate can apply after the meeting.”

The Leader waved his hand,

“With that, I declare this meeting adjourned—”

As his words trailed off, all the crystal balls flickered and their projections disappeared, leaving only Grey Mist still remaining in the empty hall.

He did not leave immediately, but stood quietly beside the long table.

Six minutes later, the mysterious Leader and the crystal balls on the first three seats alongside the long table lit up again.

“What are your thoughts on Zero and his suggestion?”

After all the images of the people had formed, the leader looked again at the six people.

Zero’s suggestion was not complicated, and it was almost effortless to implement, but according to his analysis, the effects promised to be excellent.

“The suggestion is fine, but leader, why must we allow this stranger of unknown origins into our meeting? I think he might just be a mole!”

As the leader spoke, the Deep Abyss immediately opened their mouth to complain.

“I also think that Zero cannot be trusted! After all, he is nothing but a stranger, and no strangers can be trusted!”

At the same time, the second black-robed figure on the right also voiced their concerns and rejection of Zero.

“But they indeed have a completely different way of thinking, just like this suggestion of his, which I think is highly feasible.”

The third black-robed person on the left offered a different opinion.

“He is a good subject to observe, and just the suggestion he made is valuable.

Besides, he has no other permissions besides being able to participate remotely in meetings, and he does not know the identity of any of us, the chance of him being a mole is negligible.”

The second black-robed person on the left also shared their opinion, thinking that there wasn’t much of an issue with Zero.

“Star, Grey Mist, what do you think?”

After listening to four people’s opinions, the leader looked indifferently towards the two chief seats on either side.

“I am more curious about what kind of nation and system they had before their continent sank. Unfortunately, no matter how I try, I can’t predict the specific sinking point of their continent.”

Grey Mist spoke with great interest.

“I think it’s alright.”

Star was concise and to the point.

“If that’s the case, then let’s proceed as normal. Deep Abyss, Traveler, you are also responsible for assisting Star in investigating the matter of the mole.”

The leader nodded and finally gave the instruction.

Previously reported to him by his subordinate, this alien calling himself Zero had tried to join them multiple times, persistently.

The members carrying out tasks had killed him more than once, but each time he managed to find the members of the organization again who were carrying out missions.

The leader became somewhat interested in him and thus, a month ago, after his subordinates reported for the thirteenth time that they had killed Zero, the leader issued an instruction:

The next time they encountered him, they were to bring him to a designated place.

There, the leader met him face to face through remote projection.

This First Rank foreigner laid out his analysis of the Empire and Federation’s situations, emphasizing the information on which his deductions were based.

The leader pointed out the inaccuracies within Zero’s basic information and provided him with more secret information to see how far he could analyse.

Based on this information, Zero reanalyzed the situation on the spot, and according to the prophecies from the prophets in the organization, his accuracy rate reached an astonishing eighty percent and above.

This truly piqued the leader’s interest, thus he decided to particularly give this foreigner a chance, a special seat at the high-level meeting.

The meeting just now was the second time Zero participated.

….

In the evening two days later, Empire Capital, Palosia.

The Gloria Royal Opera House is located on the west side of the Middle District of the Royal Capital, with its history traceable back to the early days of the Empire’s establishment.

Including Great Emperor Gloria, three Empire Emperors had personally come here to watch performances.

Note 1. In Gumanese, ‘in the pupil’ sounds a bit like ‘justice’