Chapter 167

Chapter 167. In the Shadow’s Veil (4)

The meeting commenced with a report outlining the current state of the human trafficking issue.

It was me who delivered that report and, having prepared the details in advance, it wasn’t particularly challenging.

The discovery and resolution of the problem, and the listing of information uncovered in the process, proceeded monotonously.

Though, the content itself was anything but monotonous.

“… Including the confirmed corpses, it is estimated that only the human casualties number in the thousands.”

There were hundreds of people saved that day, and the corpses found in the period observed by Ladriol were several times more.

If this issue had been ongoing for a long time, the death toll surpassing tens of thousands wouldn’t be surprising.

It’s truly disheartening, but if that were all, this meeting wouldn’t have taken place.

Bihar operates under a strict caste system, and those we rescued weren’t of significant status in this world.

Most survivors were impoverished individuals without identification or a clear abode.

Even on Earth, low-income workers are sent to dangerous sites where they often lose their lives.

Yet, such occurrences rarely result in legal amendments.

It signifies that a single human life can’t alter the most conservative elements of society.

‘That’s reality.’

If it is this way in places crying for equality, it is undoubtedly worse in a caste system like Bihar.

Notifying the higher-ups about this issue might only link Bihar more closely with Earth’s crime syndicates and little beyond that.

As long as those dying in such situations are weak and powerless, for the Order, this issue is merely a vexing nuisance.

Hence, when reporting this issue to the Order, I linked it to another issue.

“As per your preliminary report… you mentioned that the human trafficking network seems to have dealings with traitors. Is that correct?”

I highlighted a topic to which Bihar’s power structure would react sensitively.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And the basis for that assumption…?”

“Among the survivors rescued this time, there were Demi-humans with the farm’s mark on their bodies.”

“Ah, yes, it’s recorded in the meeting materials. You ensured testimonies were secured, and these survivors are under Palao’s protection, correct?”

“Yes.”

Some of the survivors were Demi-humans who had been in the Somol Fortress, which the Order’s forces are currently besieging.

It seemed they were trying to clean up before retreating from the area.

Selling some of them outside instead of killing them explains why there are survivors from the farms.

‘A few traitors must have been trying to earn some pocket money.’

I had no idea where those colluding with monsters planned to use the money they made.

The phenomenon signified one thing.

‘The enemy has no intention of defending the Somol Fortress.’

Indeed, the third main scenario was proceeding rather smoothly.

Compared to the Villea Fortress recapture in the South, even the monsters’ numbers were significantly lower.

Such circumstances lent credence to the hypothesis I presented.

‘Traitors are the most sensitive issue in Bihar.’

Perhaps due to a bygone incident where their pride was bruised, the Order’s higher-ups, including nobles from various nations, flared with hatred the moment the subject of traitors came up.

Even Rashar, known for a naturally good heart and a positive outlook on all situations, wasn’t an exception.

So by proposing that the human trafficking network had ties with traitors, I thought more people would show interest in the issue.

‘Though, at most, it only keeps it from being dismissed as a nuisance.’

It was absurd that preliminary work like this was necessary to address an issue where thousands had possibly perished.

“My report concludes here.”

Having finished my rather lengthy report, I swallowed a sigh and took my seat.

I then cast my gaze toward Lily, who wasn’t too far away.

It was her turn to act, signaling the Player Association’s involvement.

‘After all, she’s the representative of the Association.’

What were the odds that an agent from a major nation, priding itself as the world’s police, would be selected as a player and, coincidentally, be a Beta tester, growing at unusual speed compared to other players?

Lily, picked against such odds, was naturally pivotal to the Association’s growth.

‘Frankly, the Association’s stable growth can largely be credited to her.’

Her background, warranting a level of wariness from some, served as a foundation of trust for others.

“May we speak first if you don’t mind?”

When Lily raised her hand and spoke, the Order’s representatives nodded in agreement.

“First, we express our condolences to those who fell victims to this tragic event, and our Player Association promises to do its utmost in resolving this unfortunate incident.”

She didn’t apologize. It implied that the blame didn’t lie solely on one side.

‘That’s not incorrect.’

Jang Ryun’s group didn’t abduct the Demi-humans; they merely ‘purchased’ them.

Those who sold them weren’t Earthlings but Biharin.

“The most urgent matter is establishing a proper investigative agency. Subsequently, based on interrogations of survivors, we could identify groups involved in these crimes and proceed with investigations, how does that sound?”

I attentively listened to Lily’s proposal.

“If granted investigative authority, we will take responsibility and…”

“Well…”

Yet, before she finished, an interruption occurred.

“Even if an investigative agency is established, entrusting it to Outsiders doesn’t seem like a wise decision.”

It was a priest, appearing to be in his early fifties, who cut off Lily Evans.

‘Hmm, high-Rank, affiliation is…’

Senoa. The symbol on the priest’s collar confirmed this to me, cooling my gaze.

– We just bought what was for sale. Why are you stirring up trouble with us?

– Right, wasn’t it the Order that facilitated the entire supply chain anyway?

It was as though I could hear the last rants of those I’d dealt with during the cleanup after killing Jang Ryun’s group.

‘I’m not exactly sure who.’

There were people within the Order involved in this issue.

Senoa and Agnotia were prime suspects.

‘Jang Ryun and his group, whom I killed, were all affiliated with Senoa and Agnotia.’

Not just many, but all members belonged to these two Orders, which left no room for doubt.

That’s why I purposely entangled the issue with the traitors to inflate the noise around it.

To ensure these two Orders wouldn’t conceal or cover up the problem.

I barely had time to scrutinize the priest stroking his well-trimmed beard before abruptly…

Suddenly, the faces of the rescued survivors overlapped on the priest’s face, causing me to close my eyes tightly.

The remnants of their expressions and gazes teased away at a part inside me.

‘I know it’s not my responsibility.’

A mere individual like me cannot possibly correct everything wrong in the world.

I am not duty-bound to save them.

I’ve never even met them.

Yet, why does it continually circle, agitating and troubling my heart?

The sudden hallucination sufficiently drove my mood into the depths.

I made repeated deep breaths, trying to rid myself of the unpleasant sensation.

Perhaps, I had become slightly more composed, for I could calm my turmoil faster than expected.

Opening my eyes again, I pierced my gaze back at Senoa’s High-Rank Priest.

This time, I didn’t see survivors’ faces superimposed.

I barely heaved a sigh of relief before Senoa’s High-Rank Priest resumed speaking.

“If given investigative authority, who knows what cruel acts they might perpetrate in the shadows.”

Lily and other player’s leading association’s players’ expressions stiffened.

Of course, not all priests viewed players with tinted lenses.

As proof, hose Wolfrian was firm when he intervened against Senoa’s priest.

“Priest Gallonic, refrain from making disrespectful remarks.”

“I’m sorry, chairman. But I couldn’t remain silent knowing the disrespect it entails to speak of it.”

The Priest Gallonic, who continuously stroked his beard, narrowed his eyes and spoke.

“To consider harvesting organs from living beings, it is indeed savage.”

It was a moment when the atmosphere of the conference hall grew acutely tense.

“Priest Gallonic, what on earth are you talking about?”

“I demand you retract your statement immediately!”

Other priests present at the conference voiced their dissuasion of Gallonic.

But words once spoken cannot be unsaid.

With a heavy thud, the players began their counteroffensive.

“You folks aren’t in any position to lecture others about savagery.”

It was a player named Coconut, bearing scars deeply etched on his left cheek and neck.

‘Now, as a third-wave player, he’s already a Silver rank; he is progressing fast.’

Lily’s eyes glared fiercely as she looked back at him.

Yet, undeterred, Coconut furrowed his face gruffly and retorted.

“At least we don’t indulge in the vile acts of exploiting and selling our kin.”

“Coconut, stop it.”

Lily intervened to prevent Coconut’s remarks from escalating further.

But given that those with enough intelligence to listen respectfully wouldn’t have spoken like that in the first place.

“What, do you lack anything else to sell, resorting to trafficking live people, such barbarism.”

“What? Are you directing those remarks at us?”

“Then who else could it possibly be? In this era, human trafficking is… indeed, it truly lowers one’s level.”

“You conniving and selfish brutes! You little scum are the real savages!”

Gallonic leaped up from his seat with a flushed face, retorting harshly.

“You, ignorant of honor yet drooling over gold and silver, not recognizing your place!”

It was enough to confirm how some Biharin viewed players.

By this point, it wasn’t merely a dispute between Gallonic and Coconut.

“Given how obsessed your kind is with money!”

“Not wrong. There wouldn’t be so many secured Demi-humans with players if there weren’t any traffickers in Bihar.”

“Seeing folks selling their kin for money, it seems your acclaimed honor is just cheap.”

“So uncivilized!”

Frankly speaking, I wanted to shut the mouths of those ruining the meeting’s atmosphere.

Simultaneously, there was a sense of surrealism as if watching a sitcom.

‘A mess.’

Instead of seeking solutions for a common issue, they were busy pointing out each other’s faults.

Seeing such an absurd situation, I thought it might be better to live as a beast.

“Stop it! Both of you cease immediately!”

Lily and Jose Wolfrian stood up to calm the overheated individuals.

Of course, it wasn’t particularly effective.

Amidst the room filled with loud arguments.

Tap, tap, tap.

I lightly tapped the table with my fingers.

Initially, it was completely drowned out by the loud voices filling the hall.

But once, twice, then thrice.

The persistent sound started spreading, drawing the attention of those around me.

As more people noticed and turned their gaze towards me, it reached even those far away.

Eventually, the sound reached Coconut.

Just as he was about to continue his shouting, he glanced my way.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

I don’t know why, but I feel like it was a flex on the MC’s part to just tap multiple times and everyone slowly went quiet.