An Extra’s POV

"Now presenting the esteemed Otherworlders to this honorable Council."

The double door was opened wide, revealing the five who stood behind its sturdy and gleaming frame.

Lucielle still stood at the forefront of the students, but with a single flash of Magic, she was instantly transported to her position beside the seats of the Councilors--with Brutus being on the other extreme end.

There were five seats on the elevated platform, but only two were filled by Grandmaster Conrad and Councilor Vida. They looked ever so regal, clad in outfits that oozed authority and wealth, and with bright expressions on their fresh faces.

The designs around the elevated platform also resounded with privilege and power, with red curtains that popped out, and golden structures that gleamed under the bright lights offered by the chandeliers.

All in all, nothing much had changed when it came to an audience with the Royal Council.

Well, other than a few things of note.

'For one... this crowd.' Rey thought to himself as he looked around him.

On slightly elevated platforms--though not as high as the Councilor's--were a crowd of people. They occupied both left and right of the open space, with their sophisticated attires varying from one another--reflecting their high status.

They all looked healthy and wealthy, and they stared at the emerging Otherworlders with fascination. Some had bellies that overflowed, while others seemed to be dressed too extravagantly.

They even had Enchanted Items on--most likely for safety--and it wasn't hard to see why.

'All of them look like they haven't seen a bit of hardship since the day they were born.'

a negative impression on all of

Sure, they've been culled

properly help out with their full resources and personnel, these people preferred to remain in the South--where it was mostly safe. They

forgetting that without those contributions, the Alliance is under a greater likelihood of falling. Once

they

possible they recognize this, but they're simply capitalizing on the desperation of the Alliance. After all, I don't think it hurts very much to have

No... that wasn't right.

knew how detrimental the existence of these nobles were, and how they

is entitled a right to land in any region he desires. It's no surprise they all choose the South, where things

they had the resources as well as the irrevocable right to land, these nobles ended up obtaining large parcels of land for their estate,

presence there, certain percentages of resources had to be allocated to them. Plus, higher rates of taxes and levies were inevitably issued to the regions

land, as well as other resources growing ever so scarce, life in the

they do not meet the quota of their contributions to the Alliance, they are stripped of their title. Still…' Rey cast

of leaves a bad taste

was all for freedom and liberty. It was alright for people to pursue personal interests if that was what they sought. However, if a person assumed a position of

why I chose to identify as a mercenary as Ralyks. Lucielle seems to understand this perfectly, which is why she is performing her role as Grand Mage to her utmost despite having the

noble's primary duty was to the people in their territory. Of course, with the advent of the Alliance, power was centralized in the Council, with nobles having near zero authority in the decisions

was practically impossible for the Royal Council to govern everything and everyone in their vast

the Underworld was able to expand so much in barely a decade shows what

some nobles were complicit in the affairs of the Black Market, Slave Union, and Mercenary Gang. The severe offenders were punished with death, while those who were just conspirators or participants were stripped of their

of those involved were able to escape scrutiny, since they were able to remove any link that connected them to the Underworld.' Rey let out a silent sigh and

so I'll just leave