"Still, it's precisely because the Saherta United Federation is that I have a chance to survive. They want to use me to obtain the results of the parasite research. But that also gives me a chance to stay alive.
I know that, in their eyes, I might be nothing more than a trivial existence. They look at me the same way I look at those civilians.
"But…I've already grasped this path of parasite research.
Oster raised his head and looked at the pitch-black ceiling, as though his gaze could pierce through the darkness above him and see the world on the surface.
Beyond the corridor, Bild leaned against the wall, watching Salona step out.
"Salona, the envoys from the V5 nations have arrived."
"They're so impatient? Fine, let's go."
The two walked side by side.
"Salona, how do you plan to deal with this situation?"
"They've already come together behind the scenes. We can't just brush them off. We'll have to hand over part of the information."
Salona spoke with resignation. Even though the Saherta United Federation was one of the V5 nations, it couldn't simply dismiss the combined pressure of the other four, especially with this matter involving forbidden research and the deaths of so many civilians. Salona had no choice but to receive the other nation's envoys.
"What about the Zoldyck side?"
"No need to pursue anything there."
Salona shook his head, then looked at Bild.
"Bild, you still haven't fully adjusted your mindset. After you spend a bit more time as an S-rank Nen user, you'll understand something.
"This world has layers.
"The royal families, religious orders, and the rest of V5 are on a completely different level than ordinary people.
"To us, Oster and those civilians are no different from livestock in a slaughterhouse.
We're the ones who run the place.
"As for the Zoldyck Family, they're like our impoverished neighbors who can't afford meat and end up starving half the time. But at least they're still people.
"And when dealing with people compared to livestock, we obviously treat them differently.
"Do you see my point?"
Bild imagined the scenario and quickly grasped what Salona meant.
When Salona and Bild entered the meeting room, five people were already there—Pariston and the other envoys from the remaining V5 nations. Each one was an A-rank Nen user.
Elsewhere in the royal palace, a young king dressed in fine robes sat in a chair with a heavy heart, piles of scattered documents in front of him covered with scribbled notes—mostly outpourings of rage and frustration. Below those were gathered reports, chiefly concerning Oster's deeds.
This young man was the current king of the Saherta United Federation.
"Why did my great-grandfather watch all this happen without intervening? Why did he let me be tricked, let me make such mistakes? Has he already lost faith in me?"
An attendant standing nearby hesitated, then said,
"Perhaps he saw this as a good chance for you to be tested?"
"A test? But so many people died…"
"They were only commoners."
"Only commoners, huh…"
A flicker crossed the young king's eyes. The attendant's guess was on point—Oster had realized the same thing. The older royals of the Saherta United Federation never truly failed to notice what Oster was doing, nor were they unaware that Oster was manipulating their young king.
Normally, no one would tolerate letting an outsider toy with their successor in such a way.
"Which means this was a trial for the young king…
"Using me as the whetstone…
"Using countless civilians as mere props…
"I suspect that once I truly complete my research, they'll hand me over to the young king so he can personally dispose of me.
"My life will serve as nourishment for his growth."
Oster sneered coldly.
Soon, the temporary V5-level conference concluded. All sides reached an agreement:
They would build a jointly operated lab in the Saherta United Federation, using Oster's previous laboratory as the foundation. Meanwhile, all the data from Oster's lab would be shared among the five V5 nations and the Hunter Association.
The Saherta United Federation also orchestrated a major public event. From the perspective of ordinary citizens, it was a monumental affair: a public trial for Oster in the royal city. They listed out his crimes one by one, though of course Oster himself did not appear.
Crowds gathered, buzzing with excitement.
Some cursed Oster in outrage.
Some wept tears of joy, believing hope was at hand.
Some loudly praised the king's wisdom.
A corpse was brought onto the square and doused in gasoline before everyone's eyes, then set aflame until it was reduced to ash. The mood was electrifying.
The commoners of the Saherta United Federation had lived under a dark shadow for so long—oppressed and fearful. Not everyone had the courage to resist, yet all of them hoped for a better life. In that moment, seeing "Oster" condemned and burned, they believed a brighter tomorrow had come, that change had arrived, that things were finally looking up.
What they didn't know was that nothing would truly change because of Oster's supposed death. Everything would continue just as before. The only difference was that those casting the shadows might shift around. The clouds hanging over the Saherta United Federation had not dispersed.
"We're almost there," Zeno said.
Ron looked up and glimpsed Kukuroo Mountain's silhouette in the distance. A powerful sense of familiarity washed over him—he was finally home. Even Mido flapped her wings faster, as though sharing in that excitement.
"I wonder if Killua is still at the Zoldyck estate or if he's gone to the Heaven's Arena by now."
Ron hadn't had the chance to ask, his attention previously locked on matters in the Saherta United Federation…