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.'

impression on all of them, but

of Scylla's customers were nobles, after all. Sure, they've been culled already,

people preferred to remain in the South--where it was mostly safe. They also gained authority for contributing to the cause of the

Alliance is under a greater likelihood of falling. Once that happens, all their assets will be meaningless and even

that, they would cease

the desperation of the Alliance. After all, I don't think it hurts very much to have them live out their

No... that wasn't right.

nobles were, and how they contributed to the currently lopsided economy of

a right to land in any region he desires. It's no surprise

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

allocated to them. Plus, higher rates of taxes and levies

ever so scarce, life in

news is that some nobles end up splurging all their resources, and if they do not meet the quota of their contributions to the Alliance, they are stripped of their title. Still…' Rey cast one more glance at the people

of leaves a bad taste in my

for people to pursue personal interests if that was what they sought.

understand this perfectly, which is why she is performing her role as Grand Mage to her utmost despite having the power to

territory. Of course, with the advent of the Alliance, power was centralized in the Council, with nobles having near zero

everyone in their vast territories, so nobles were inevitably to be chosen for

so much in barely a decade shows what

as with the Royal Council, 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 title and were either imprisoned or let off— depending on the

escape scrutiny, since they were able to remove any link that connected them to the Underworld.' Rey let out

over that investigation, so