Novel Full Chapter 499: • More Than Survival Part Three
Chapter 499: • More Than Survival Part Three
Hiroshi, looking uneasy, finally spoke up.
“Then… why not just rule here?” he asked. “Everyone here believes in you. I doubt anyone would refute your claim of being the son of the Union President.”
Miyu nodded slightly, folding her arms.
“You raise a valid point. But like Alister hinted earlier—though he’s clearly holding back some things—people’s opinions of him and his dragons do matter.”
She glanced at Alister, then continued,
“If this title holder or whatever they are truly exists and is watching him, then gaining public favor might protect him and his dragons from being branded as villains. If the world sees him in a bad light, it could play directly into their hands.”
“And more than that,” Miyu added, her tone thoughtful, “if he’s the one who convinces the other leaders to unite and saves humanity from some massive disaster… that would make him a hero.”
“And in turn,” she looked around the room, “that kind of image will boost the power of both him and his dragons. It’s not just about saving people—it’s about ensuring no one can manipulate public perception against him later.”
She turned to Alister.
“So… he can’t afford to turn aside an opportunity like this. Not with what’s at stake.”
Ren nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. “I see… So it’s as much about winning hearts and minds as it is about strength and strategy.”
Alister gave a faint smile. “I’m glad you understand.”
For a moment, there was a beat of silence.
Aiko finally broke the silence. “It’s a massive undertaking. And a massive risk. If one node fails or is sabotaged…”
Alister cut her off. “Which is why it won’t just be magic or technology. The dragons will guard every teleportation point, and I will personally oversee the defenses.”
Ren then sighed deeply, folding his arms thoughtfully. “This all sounds good on paper, BUT what if—a very big if—one city refuses? We should consider that possibility. What if they do refuse? What if the enemy uses them as a means to ruin your reputation and damage your title somehow? Then what will you do?”
Alister didn’t say anything. He let the silence stretch for a moment, his eyes locked on Ren intensely. He closed his eyes for a moment, opened them, then spoke.
“There is no need to overcomplicate things, Ren. Only a fool grants his enemies mercy. Unfortunately, I do not fall into such a category, so I’m sure you can expect I’ll do things differently…”
Ren narrowed his eyes and said, “Elaborate.”
Yuuto chimed in, “You are far more intelligent than this, Ren.”
Ren shot back, “I want to hear him say it.”
Yuuto hesitated but said, “Don’t you think you’re pushing this a little too far? This isn’t like you, Ren.”
Ren’s voice rose with urgency, “Not when human lives are on the line. He has to give me an answer, so—”
Alister interrupted sharply, “So what?” He sighed again, walked past him, and began to head out with his dragon generals trailing behind him, Miyu at his side.
Over his shoulder, he said, “Like I said earlier, Ren, don’t overcomplicate things. Since you want your answer, I’ll give it to you.”
He paused briefly, then glared back with cold intensity. “Understand this. Peace is not given, it is enforced. If unity must be forged in fire, then let the cities burn—so long as what rises from the ash stands unshaken. If a few human lives unfortunately get trampled along the way, then so be it.”
Ren’s expression hardened as he considered Alister’s words. “That’s… a brutal solution.”
Alister’s eyes became sharp, his pupils narrowing into slits. “Sometimes the harshest choices are the best ones. Even when they are drenched in blood…”
“…That will be all. I believe I’ve made myself clear.”
He looked toward the Guild Master, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Guild Master, make the arrangements. I’ll be making my announcement in the Union Hall tomorrow.”
The room remained silent, the weight of his words hanging thick in the air. No one dared to challenge him—not after that. One by one, eyes turned away as Alister and his dragon generals departed, Miyu following just a step behind, her expression unreadable.
Behind them, the atmosphere shifted—uncertainty, awe, and a touch of fear settling into those who remained.
As the heavy doors of the chamber creaked shut behind Alister and his entourage, the silence that followed was suffocating. For a long moment, no one moved.
Kaida let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, rubbing her temples. “He really meant every word…”
Ren crossed his arms, his usual easygoing expression replaced by something grimmer. “He always does. That’s what makes him terrifying.”
Razorgrin sat down slowly, his gaze fixed on the closed doors. “If he’s going through with this… then tomorrow marks the start of a new era. One forged by dragons, fire, and fear.”
Aiko suddenly cleared her throat, stepping forward. “Well, we don’t have time to waste. I’ll notify the Union Hall staff in the Guild Master’s stead immediately, and inform the media outlets. We’ll need security doubled. If Alister’s declaration is anything like his tone today, it won’t just stir hope—it’ll provoke enemies.”
Hiroshi looked toward the door, then to the others. “Do you think he’s really ready for what this will ignite? There’s no going back from this.”
Ren gave a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Ready or not, he’s already lit the match… But what you want to know is—”
Ren turned abruptly to Yuuto, voice tight with frustration.
“Are you really going to let him get away with this? You’re the second-highest authority after the Union President, aren’t you? If anyone can stop him, it’s you!”
Yuuto didn’t respond right away, his expression unreadable.
Ren pressed further, voice rising. “Sir, I know what happened to the Union President affected you deeply, but you can’t let that cloud your judgment. You—”
“What would you have me do, Ren?”
Yuuto cut him off, his voice cold and razor-sharp.
His eyes locked onto Ren’s, all warmth gone. “Challenge him publicly? Try to leash the one man with the power and resolve to actually unite what’s left of this fractured world that is falling apart? Strip him of command while the enemy waits just beyond the fog?”