-1535- Come to my side

Jamira Dambelcrew.

Rozen had heard this name before.

It was said that this individual inherited a large-scale energy supply manufacturing company from their family.

Due to the high influence of their company, they were recruited into the Council, becoming one of the hawkish members.

They had been consistently advocating for a large-scale offensive by human Sky Wizards to reclaim the continent, drive the Armored Beetles out of the human world, and restore humanity's dominance.

Although they had retired now, Dambelcrew still often appeared at the Council, speaking brazenly. They were notorious for making grandiose statements without considering the practicalities, drawing criticism from many citizens.

The thuggish Sky Wizards accompanying Dambelcrew were no less infamous.

"Those people are this former councilor's lackeys."

Emilie whispered to Rozen.

"About three months ago, using the pretext of defending the underground city, this former councilor secretly transferred Sky Wizards connected to him from the frontline fortress city. And in doing so, he allowed them to learn about the existence of this place without permission."

As a result, since these Sky Wizards learned of this place, in order to protect its secrecy, they were all forced to stay here and could no longer return to the floating fortress city.

But it seemed that this was Dambelcrew's real objective. He had exploited the need for secrecy here to increase his manpower, leading to the appearance of this gang of thuggish Sky Wizards.

Seeing their intense disdain for Cris and Emilie, looking at them as if they were something filthy, these people must have often shown hostility towards the humanoid Armored Beetles during their time in the underground city, which explained why River and the others had dark expressions upon their arrival.

Rozen recalled the two brutes who had sarcastically commented about monsters being on the other side when he headed towards the humanoid Armored Beetles. They seemed to be comrades of these people in front of him.

Now, with Dambelcrew leading these individuals here, they were surely planning to make an issue out of the disturbance caused by Rozen and Emilie's fight, just as River had mentioned.

Rozen's guess was naturally spot on.

"It was you who caused the disturbance just now, almost resulting in significant damage to this underground city, wasn't it?"

Dambelcrew directed his words at Emilie and Cris.

"Don't deny it. The source of the battle was clearly in your filthy creatures' territory. Only you would be so indifferent to the countless lives living here, fighting without regard for human survival. You wish all humans would just die off, don't you?"

Dambelcrew's words dripped with hostility and malice towards the humanoid Armored Beetles.

"You...!"

Emilie and Cris were instantly enraged.

"Mr. Dambelcrew! Please mind your words!"

River loudly rebuked.

"Shut up, son of Hartmann!" Dambelcrew shouted even louder. "In the past, I tolerated you sheltering these filthy creatures, but this time, they are the ones who started the trouble. You, as the bodyguard of Her Holiness and the son of the Speaker of the Council, should at least execute them on the spot. Yet, you allow them to roam the streets without restraint. Aren't you afraid they'll go on a rampage and slaughter everyone here?"

Dambelcrew's righteous-sounding accusations only served to stoke the anger of those present.

Perhaps River and Cris could still hold back their fury.

But, unfortunately, they were not the only ones here.

"Miss Emilie!"

Cris hurriedly called out.

For Emilie had already stepped forward, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop her.

"Yes, I'm the one who started it," Emilie said, staring at Dambelcrew with a sarcastic smile. "What is the esteemed former councilor going to do about it?"

Upon hearing this, Dambelcrew's expression grew even more disgusted.

"Emilie Witbern, don't think that just because you're the only Collapse Force wielder in humanity's hands, we won't dare to punish you. Without needing Her Holiness to intervene, I'll personally teach you a lesson today."

As he spoke, Dambelcrew waved his hand.

"Take this filthy creature down."

At his command, the surrounding Sky Wizards immediately closed in on Emilie eagerly.

Emilie instinctively began to gather her jutsuryoku.

However...

"Do you plan to resist?" Dambelcrew shouted angrily. "Don't forget who you are. If you fight back, all those kids you've been protecting will be exiled!"

These words caused the jutsuryoku Emilie had gathered to dissipate, leaving only a grim expression on her face for the first time.

Seeing this, Dambelcrew's face showed a look of satisfaction, as if he had already won.

The surrounding Sky Wizards sneered as they moved closer.

"Stop!"

"Wait!"

River and Cris could no longer remain silent and both shouted.

At the same time...

"I say, former councilor, fights require at least two people, don't they?"

Rozen suddenly smiled, looking at Dambelcrew with a half-smile.

"If you're going to punish someone, why not punish me too? After all, I'm the other person who started this fight."

His words instantly drew the attention of everyone present to Rozen.

Including Dambelcrew.

"You must be Rorelai Arneet, correct?"

Dambelcrew glared at Rozen with a serious expression.

"Oh? So the esteemed former councilor knows me?"

Rozen remained unfazed.

"Of course I've heard of you. You're the hero of humanity, the developer of countless magi-techniques. And apparently, you're the only human who possesses the strength to fight those detestable humanoid Armored Beetles on equal terms, aren't you?"

Though Dambelcrew's words were phrased as questions, his tone was full of certainty.

Clearly, Dambelcrew was well aware of Rozen and had likely been following his actions for some time.

"I admire you greatly," Dambelcrew declared. "Until now, humans have had to rely on the power of these humanoid Armored Beetles to fight against the monsters of the Zeth faction. The only Collapse Force wielder we had was a humanoid Armored Beetle. The development of the repeller that protects this underground city was also done by one of those creatures. I've always been ashamed of this situation, but there was nothing I could do—until you appeared and changed everything."

Dambelcrew seemed genuinely pleased by this.

However...

"And so?" Rozen said with a neutral expression. "Does the esteemed former councilor plan to pardon my 'crimes' in light of my achievements?"

His question was met with an unexpected response.

"Join me."

Dambelcrew spoke with a sense of authority.

"Join you?"

Rozen raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with mockery.

But Dambelcrew remained oblivious.

"I'll give you the best treatment and shape you into a true hero." Dambelcrew tried to persuade him. "So come to my side. Together, we'll make these monsters pay."