Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 298 The Banquest of the Strongest

"Who are they blaming?"

"Nobody."

Several days after the incident in rural Nihon, news of the multiple holes opening up have scattered throughout the entire world like wildfire — they could not really hide it even if they wished to, and why would they?

Rhys and the others were able to successfully flee the country with no problems at all and travel to Russea. It couldn't even be called difficult as the entire country was in a state of panic, and not to mention calamity — literally.

Nihon declared a state of calamity and have evacuated all of their population as far away as possible from the Holes; right now, more than half of the people in the country are on the edge of the island.

Conscription was also extended to all Explorers, no exemptions — be they women or people of a certain age.

Suffice it to say, the Nihon were treating this as a sort of last stand against the annihilation of their entire country — and the other nations were inclined to agree. And therefore…

"They are asking for our help too," Olga explained to everyone. Rhys and the others were currently gathered in the Embassy of Amerka in Moscalf, Capital of Russea, "No, they are asking help from everyone — all the countries they could."

"They… didn't know we were there?" Agatha raised an eyebrow as she looked at everyone else.

"They did," Olga breathed out, "The Prime Minister told them all about our mission the other day."

"So we hid our balls for nothing?" Ayesha scoffed while placing her feet on the table in front of her as she leaned back on her chair, "And what did the Nihons say about that?"

"They… apologized for the inconvenience and danger they have brought," Olga closed her eyes and sighed, "They gave their word that they did not approve of any operation like that at all."

"Ha! As if you can believe them," Talia, who had her back against the wall let out a loud raspy breath as she shook her head, "The Nihons were even worse than us during the war."

"Oh, come on. They've changed," Dominique argued, "And that was almost a hundred years ago."

"Yet they refused to acknowledge the things they have done," Talia harrumphed.

"Enough, enough. We're not here to gut the Nihons' balls," Ayesha waved her hand, "What does Russea plan to do, Commander?"

"We respond, of course," Olga nodded, "If the country becomes overrun by monsters, it is not only Nihon that would suffer, but the entire Surface — there is also the fact that the nymphs are there too. All of them might be slumbering now, but once they wake up, we would have no idea how to deal with them…

…and I assume the General has also called you?"

"Hm," Ayesha sighed and nodded, "The old man called to scream at me about how the mission failed. I do not really want to go to the specifics of what he said, but…

…They are also calling for the World Rankers. And that includes you, Recruit."

Everyone then turned their attention to Rhys, who was sitting beside the gorgons, and Katarina while holding her hand.

"I am not interested in helping them," Rhys quickly refused as he glanced at Katarina, looking at her eyes which were covered in bandages. Surprisingly, almost as if she knew that Rhys was staring at her, Katarina also turned her head toward him.

"Help them, Rhys," Katarina shook her head, "You heard it yourself, the ones who did these belong to some sort of private contractor — it's not the people's fault. If you want someone to blame… then blame me for being stupid."

"I do blame you for being stupid, Kat."

"Oh… ouch," Katarina could really only awkwardly chuckle at Rhys's words, "I guess I deserve that. But Rhys… please, help them. Stop being such a child and just do it — the innocent don't deserve it at all. And also…

…There might be a chance that Dr. Dhani Raj is there."

"Dr. Dhani Raj, is he really—"

"K is right."

"What the fuck!?" Dominique could not help but just jump from her seat as Maria suddenly emerged from her shadows, "Why mine!?"

Sadly for Dominique, she was completely ignored by Maria and just proceeded to approach Rhys and Katarina; not even explaining how she was there, and when she actually got there.

"I have reason to believe that Dr. Dhani Raj will be attending the call," Maria said before letting out a small hum as she looked at Katarina's eyes and missing limb, "It suits you, K. Your breasts were too large so the gods finally decided to get rid of some parts."

"It is nice that you find some humor in my suffering," if Katarina still had eyes, she would most probably be rolling them, "And I guess you were useless since Dr. Dhani Raj would be attending the call in the first place, there was no need for you to find him at all."

"On the contrary, I am the one who made it possible for the Explorer Association to contact the healer," Maria scoffed.

"Tch."

"You should go, my Fuhter," Talia interrupted the two ex-secret agents before they could argue, "This is your chance to establish yourself as a world power, rather than a celebrity and a mascot of the World Rankers."

"I agree," Agatha raised her hand, "The Enkland royal family will support you in this matter — if you do not, then we also see no reason to help them."

"Fuck yeah," Dominique nodded several times, "Go show them who's boss, Boss.

"Bring your monsters too," Talia added as she looked at Malenia and the other gorgons, as well as Prince Dubhai, "That one who seems to be the leader of the snake ladies, and also the cenleon — not that one, but the warrioress back in the HQ. It would help solidify your position as an important figure."

"They are actually also asking for you, Talia," Ayesha smirked as she looked at Talia.

"Not going," Talia scoffed, "I have already worked with the Nihons before — I am going home to the HQ to… acclimate the monsters and bring them into our ranks."

"They won't even understand you."

"Oh, trust me — I have certain skills that would make even barbarians learn."

"You know…" Dominique squinted her eyes, "...You're still lowkey very racist."

"So, what about it, Commander?" Olga then finally spoke again as she looked at Rhys,

"If you are willing to go, then let us go together since my presence was also requested — it is also nearer to go from here."

"..." Rhys glanced at Katarina for a few seconds, and once again, she seemed to know that he was looking at her as she nodded, "Hm…

…Very well."

***

Several days later, Nihon had built an entire warehouse a few kilometers away from where the colossal golden tree and the Holes emerged — and in it, were probably the world's strongest people.

The warehouse did not seem to need any lights at all, as most of the people gathered there were Nobles; their hair, almost igniting the entire room with color.

Almost all of them were sizing each other up, some forming groups while snickering here and there — they all, however, had one common topic.

"Where's you know who?"

"Maybe the rumors weren't true after all. I was told it was just propaganda to stop the discrimination of Lowborns in Amerka."

"Pft. Like Amerka is the only country hating on the Lowborns. And Ayesha is also not here too, maybe she isn't—"

"Don't be fucking stupid. I've seen Ayesha before, you do not want to mess with her."

Most of the people who were talking and chatting did not belong to the World Rankers at all—no. Those who responded from the Top 15 were extremely quiet.

Esme Jordan of Amerka was one of them, smirking as she kept hearing everyone talking in English.

"These guys have no idea what's in store for them," Esme whispered to herself while shaking her head. No one really wanted to approach her, since they were all somewhat intimidated by the 2nd Strongest Explorer in the entire world.

Very soon, however, everyone turned quiet as the Strongest Explorer in the world entered the warehouse. He did not really say anything at all as he just lit up the entire warehouse, literally.

His white hair almost blinded everyone there — very soon, however, the light calmed down and he started walking inside; not even minding the others as he just went straight to Esme.

"Sorokin Valeryevich in the flesh," Esme smirked as soon as she saw Valeryevich standing next to her. And since Sorokin was wearing a suit and styled his hair extremely neat, he almost looked like a bodyguard with the way he was standing with his hands in front of him,

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I think you know," Sorokin breathed out, "Have you thought of my proposal?"

"I am not going to get married to you," Esme rolled her eyes while shaking her head, "You're pretty handsome, but I am just not interested."

"That is a shame, then," Sorokin grunted, "Maybe next year, I ask again."

"Not going to change," Esme scoffed, "And also — I was made aware that you were with him?"

"I was," Sorokin then turned around to look at the door — and as he did so, everyone turned quiet as a certain tall man with black hair entered the warehouse.

Most of the people outside the World Rankers all snickered.

Those who belonged to the Top 15, however… were all completely quiet as soon as they saw him.

"That man…" Sorokin squinted his eyes, "...Very dangerous."