Chapter 276: World War III Part 9

Arias, reading the faces of the high-ranking officials who had arrived, took note that they looked extremely nervous, as if they were all waiting for that one person to make the first move. But who would be brave enough to do that when they didn't know what the consequences of that action would be? Arias sighed, displaying a hint of impatience so as to force them to speak.

Looking at it from a psychological point of view, in such a situation where he had shown that he was becoming impatient, the quickest to answer would most likely be those who had something to hide. Because in their minds, they'd think that by answering first and putting across a reasonable explanation, they would be better left from suspicion. Whereas, those who had nothing to hide wouldn't feel the need to blurt out an answer, as they knew they had nothing to hide. The exception to this would have been if common people were present, as it was only natural for the common man, even if innocent, to feel nervous in such a high-tension situation.

However, the people before Arias, whether security council or high-ranking officials, were seniors who had likely worked on the political and military scene for countless years, often taking part in negotiations, planning, and investing. To say they were used to high-tension situations would have been an understatement. 

So, when one of the high-ranking officials, a man with a small frame wearing the attire of a general, suddenly spoke up, saying, "We had to check on the princess, of course. We were worried about her, considering what just happened to the US. Companies are assuming that we are behind this, but we had no prior knowledge. So, we came to confirm with the Princess."

Arias, looking at the man who had just spoken, could easily tell he was looking at one of the princess's disloyal officials, but he said nothing to comment on that at the moment, simply stating, "I see. And are you all here for the same reason, or is it a different matter? Otherwise, I see no reason for such high-ranking officials to gather before the Princess's bunker when you could all be performing other duties concerning the war."

As Arias asked this, the fear of some had increased. However, those who were innocent spoke up, with one general simply raising his hand, saying, "Excuse me, Mr. Markovic, this is a matter for Markovia's concern, and you are technically an outsider. You may be the adoptive father and savior to the Princess, but under law, you are not permitted to influence anything she does or the running of the—*PA*"

A loud pop resonated on the scene as the general's words were cut short by his head exploding right before his fellow colleagues. The reason being, Arias had simply propelled a pen his way as he was speaking. The once anxious and unconfirmed fear everyone felt before Arias, had immediately solidified.

Although the man who spoke was honest, Arias knew there was a danger in such people if they were too honest, for they would only pursue to do what was just and good, ignorant of how the world truly worked, also leading them to their own demise, as was this man's case.

One thing these people couldn't understand was that Arias viewed them differently from those who could bring great benefit to his organization. He considered allies and/or assets as things or beings that brought some form of high-value to what he was creating. 

These high-ranking officials, on the other hand, were just busybodies to navigate the more intricate and tedious matters he couldn't be bothered to do. Whether they were honest or deceitful, Arias really didn't care. What he valued in them was loyalty and intelligence: the loyalty to do as they were asked without question, and the intelligence to know that simply brooding didn't bring enough value to contest anything Arias did or said.

This was how he saw them, and thus their lives could be cut short to prove a point to the rest. Everyone present was a seasoned senior, so even seeing someone die, although a frightening sight, caused many short expressions of worry but not outright panic.

Now, each one of these individuals was thinking of a way in which they could live through this situation. And now, they would compete for this position to survive. And since Arias's display showed them it was impossible to win in a matter of physicality; they had to use their minds.

And this was what Arias wanted, for a pawn who could think for himself or herself and understand their position. That pawn was useful and would eventually lead them to becoming of value. Such was the fate of the pawns worth keeping and investing in. Whether they were deceitful or loyal was of little consequence in the end, as long as they remained less superior to Arias, he was guaranteed loyalty. It didn't matter if it was through fear.

With that in mind, Arias casually turned his attention away from the corpse of the man he had just killed, casually stating, "We're getting off topic. Now, then. I've asked a question, and I'm still waiting for an answer."