Chapter 350: Gloria’s Fate

Of course, the president of Dermania was also holding a meeting regarding this incident.

This time, they also brought the person in question, Head Instructor Ryan.

"Why would he join this meeting?" One minister asked out loud.

"Don’t ask as if you don’t know." Another one interjected.

Suddenly, an old man opened the door. As soon as he came in, everyone stood up, including the president.

After all, this old man was the most respected figure in this country. He stood above everyone else in strength and politics.

"I’ve heard about the incident." He glanced at Head Instructor Ryan.

"Cousin! You need to help me!" Head Instructor Ryan hurried to him, his voice cracking as if he were in tears.

"You, be quiet for a moment!" He glared at Head Instructor Ryan coldly.

In that instant, Head Instructor Ryan straightened his body and froze.

The man grabbed someone by the neck and tossed him off the seat before he took the seat for himself. Crossing his legs, he said, "I’m going to make my statement. He might be wrong, but he has contributed a lot to this country. Is there someone who can be used as a scapegoat?"

"So, you really came..." The president gulped nervously. "...Senior Wind of Origin."

That was right. He was the Rank 7 human who had been controlling Dermania for the last few decades, the number one wind element user in the world, Ultias Pethes."

Ultias said, "Do I need to repeat the question?"

The president took a deep breath before saying, "Since Senior Ultias wants to proceed this way, then I have a suggestion."

"Explain."

"Although we will be able to use the scapegoat, Head Instructor Ryan needs to take some responsibility as well."

"Even if I defend him?"

"Yes, sir. While it’s true that we don’t have to be scared of anyone else, we are risking a big war. However, the responsibility is not so big that it will harm him."

"Tell me about it first." Ultias narrowed his eyes.

The president nodded. "First, we will have Head Instructor Ryan step down from his current position and be placed under house arrest."

"What?!" Head Instructor Ryan gritted his teeth, but Ultias glared at him coldly, as if he was asking if he should repeat himself and tell him to stop.

Head Instructor Ryan froze once again, not daring to say anything before him.

"If we want a scapegoat, there is already one person. Her name is Gloria Schaff. She used to be a major, but because of the previous incident, she was demoted to first lieutenant. She could be considered to be the best in the younger generation, but she has become an orphan with no one willing to ally with her anymore.

"In addition, she has made some contact with the person in question, Auric Elfe. We will have to ask Head Instructor Ryan to explain to the media that she was the one who had this idea, spinning it in a way that makes it seem Head Instructor Ryan had no choice but to help her because he pitied her.

"Then, he would say he would take responsibility and step down. Currently, Ghost Vanessa was the one in charge of organizing the event, so we would ask her to step up as the new head instructor. Ghost Vanessa is definitely a trustworthy person to serve as the new head instructor.

"If we let the training program fall apart, a lot of things will happen, and our country will receive the full brunt of everyone’s attacks. I know that Sir Ultias isn’t afraid of them, but to make sure the country can still support you, it still needs the strength to do that.

"If Head Instructor Ryan stepped away from the spotlight for some time, he should be able to get away from this without any big repercussions. We would also expel Gloria Schaff from the military as well as the training program as a punishment."

Ultias thought for a moment. "Very well. We will do that. I really like you."

"Thank you so much." The president smiled.

Ultias stood up. "In that case, we’re done here. Proceed with the plan. Pay attention to whether they move Joker or not. Either way, even if Joker comes, I will just show that youngster my true strength."

Ultias dragged Head Instructor Ryan away, not bothering with them anymore.

"..." The president was sweating profusely. The situation had been handled, so it looked like they had taken care of it.

The minister who asked why Head Instructor Ryan joined the meeting froze, his back drenching in sweat. He didn’t know that Head Instructor Ryan was actually connected to their Rank 7 human, Ultias.

The president let out a long sigh.

...

A few hours later.

Gloria was completely broken as she watched the news. Her eyes turned hollow, her face was filled with despair, and her body had stopped moving for about twenty minutes already.

There were no tears left for her to shed.

Vanessa stood in front of the press and said, "I’d like to apologize to Auric Elfe for the actions of Head Instructor Ryan.

"His actions originated from his sympathy for his student, Gloria Schaff. Gloria Schaff was jealous of Auric Elfe and asked Head Instructor Ryan to let her win because she couldn’t endure the backlash from her previous failure.

"Knowing full well the consequences, Head Instructor Ryan stepped up and made such a horrible mistake.

"As of today, Head Instructor Ryan will step down from his position and receive his punishment. At the same time, I will take over his position as the temporary head instructor.

"The Europe Training Program will still continue. We will prepare compensation for Auric Elfe and extend our apology once again.

"In addition, we hereby dishonorably discharge First Lieutenant Gloria Schaff, and her actions will be judged in a martial court."

Gloria was completely speechless. The others who were in the room couldn’t help but pity Gloria, but they didn’t dare to say anything because they knew the connection Head Instructor Ryan had. The reason he could escape from responsibility was precisely because of that connection.

Gloria was utterly shocked. She had never thought that all her hard work could be destroyed in just a single day, and it wasn’t even her fault.

All this time, she had done her best. Auric was simply better in some regards.

Gloria thought about leaving the country after this event, but this time, she would really become a criminal and couldn’t even go to Auric’s side.

She had completely lost all hope.

The soldiers would most likely come soon. Gloria just looked around and saw her teammates’ faces. No one said anything to her.

Gloria just looked at them with an empty gaze.

She dragged herself outside. If she were considered a criminal, everything would be over. She would just be tortured for the rest of her life.

Since she didn’t have the ability to go to Esfrata anymore, there was no point in living anymore.

That was why she went to the roof. There was no other solution that would allow her to win in this situation. She’d rather be dead than be tortured for the rest of her life, not to mention that they would most likely force her to get even stronger, which would also force her to live longer.

"I’m sorry, Father, Mother. I thought I could make you proud of me, but to think that I would be coming to you so soon..." Gloria closed her eyes. One would cry if they were sad. One would smile if they were happy. When they lost all hope and didn’t care about life anymore, there was no longer any emotion in their heart.

When she reached the edge, she suddenly heard a female voice. "Are you going to give up just like this?"

Gloria glanced back. She didn’t recognize this voice. To her surprise, the woman standing right behind her was actually a woman she recognized. She had never met her, but she had seen her photo.

"Natalia... Elfe?"

Gloria didn’t understand what was going on. Why would Auric’s mother be here?

Natalia smiled. "So, you’re the one my son intends to recruit... Say, do you think it’s all over?"

"It’s already over. Soon, the soldiers will come and catch me. Rather than living in hell, I’d rather go with a clear conscience."

"Let me see..." Natalia looked up as if she were looking for her information. "I see, I see. You want to rebuild your family. Well, you are quite talented as well. What if I tell you there is a way for you to still fulfill your goal? Don’t you also want to have revenge?"

"!!!" Gloria’s body shook. "There’s no point. It’s impossible with the current situation."

"That’s what I’m telling you. You will have the opportunity to become a Rank 7 human, escape this place, and lead a new life. What will you do if you can get all this?" Natalia smiled.

"!!!" Gloria looked at her in disbelief, but she was too tired to think about it. If there were such an offer in this situation, there was only one answer. "I’m willing to do anything."

"Very well." Natalia raised her hand. She extended her light element toward her and extracted Gloria’s energy from her forehead. Then, Natalia released a lump of gray energy from within her body.

This gray energy turned into a scroll.

She merged the energy extracted from Gloria’s body with this scroll.

[I, Gloria Schaff, shall dedicate myself to Auric Elfe and never betray him. I will obey every command and face any challenges. If I ever betray Auric Elfe, my life will end.]

"If you want all that, I need you to sign this simple contract. You will be his slave. I want you to serve as his shield. He can only die after you die. In fact, if he orders you to die, you will have no choice but to kill yourself. Even so, are you willing to do it?"

Gloria gulped. Then again, she was determined to die. Even if she were signing something suspicious, it didn’t matter anymore. There were a lot of questions in her mind, but it wasn’t the time for questions.

"It doesn’t matter. Surely, that life will be much better than going back to Dermania. At least I know Auric will take care of me and won’t treat me badly. It’s just... I have one question. Why would you give me this opportunity?"

"I am merely trying to give one last gift to my son." Natalia shook her head helplessly. "I don’t have much time left, so I want to leave knowing that someone is at least by his side, even if I have to force that person."

"Does Auric know all this?" Gloria asked, but soon looked away. "Never mind. How do I sign it?"

"Just use your thumbprint. There is one natural ’ink’ that every person has."

"If I can truly achieve my goal and get my revenge, I will sign a contract even with the devil." Gloria took a deep breath and bit her thumb, smearing the blood on the contract before pressing her thumb onto it.