CHAPTER 535: CHAPTER 263: KING OF GOLD

The council president stood within the pillar of light, clutching the scepter tightly. With each passing second, the indescribable pressure increased a notch.

When he opened his eyes again, he had already arrived on the deck of the "Golden City." The first thing to catch his eye was two magnificent golden sphinx statues. The statues seemed almost alive, their sharp gazes watching him from above, while the crew members, wearing golden masks, ignored his presence, their heads bowed, continuing with their work.

Everyone’s face was concealed by the same golden mask, hiding their original appearances.

The silence within the Golden City was uncanny. The council president took a moment to calm himself before heading toward the distant great hall.

A king was awaiting his arrival there.

He wore a golden crown, its dazzling rubies reflecting a blinding light. His robe was a vibrant red, the color of blazing fire. Beneath his throne were his "subjects," each donning unique golden masks, their expressions symbolizing their singular identities.

At the same time, these masks bore another meaning—no matter which dimension they came from or what identities they once had, from the moment they donned the masks, they became subjects of the King of Gold, with their pasts becoming irrelevant.

Rather than a gift, it was akin to a shackle.

"I am the manager of the 003 dimension transit station, paying respects to His Majesty, the King of Gold!"

The council president knelt on one knee, respectfully saluting the figure on the throne. At his position, he was privy to some of the Guild’s upper echelons’ secrets. Not long ago, he had met a messenger from the Guild’s top hierarchy, never expecting the emissary’s efficiency to be so high, nor that one of the Guild’s founders would directly descend upon them.

Along with his all-encompassing Golden Kingdom.

This also meant the situation was worse than he had imagined.

"You’ve done well, fulfilling the Guild’s assignment commendably."

"Your Majesty, the unexpected event was actually..."

"This isn’t your responsibility. Now it seems Merlin chose that place deliberately."

The voice from beneath the mask was loud and imposing, yet seemingly understanding.

However, the council president’s heart was in his throat, knowing that the man before him held power over life and death. "Unfinished business always leaves a hidden peril. This is all due to my past leniency... Oh? Cynthia, do you have any insights?"

The council president instinctively followed the King of Gold’s gaze, seeing a figure wearing a smiling mask; even through the golden mask, he could perceive her trepidation.

The figure with the smiling mask hadn’t spoken a word, yet the King of Gold had grasped her meaning.

"Since you’ve spoken, I can give you a chance."

After a brief contemplation, the King of Gold said with interest, "You have three days to correct the mistake... Go now, Cynthia. This is your final chance."

With that, he once again turned to the council president, "I’ll leave her in your hands. She has considerable knowledge about that dimension."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle the matter properly."

The council president respectfully saluted the King of Gold. Despite having many questions in his heart, he wisely chose not to ask them.

Clearly, the woman named Cynthia had a complex connection with that dimension, with the King of Gold even mentioning the entity deemed notorious by the Guild amidst his soliloquy.

All indications pointed to their previous explorations of that dimension, a stark contradiction to the Guild’s records.

There was no information about the dimension at the 003 dimension transit station. Zack and Zul’gara’s missions were issued as exploration tasks, including the subsequent rescue operations. If anyone were responsible for their deaths, it could only be those who had concealed the investigational records.

But...

If this was an order from the Guild’s higher authorities, then it was their fated noble sacrifice.

Before he took office, the investigation records concerning that dimension had already been destroyed, and his predecessor had been transferred back to the Guild’s headquarters. A complete reshuffle of the staff at the 003 dimension transit station followed.

Intelligent individuals knew better than to delve into the reasons behind it.

He began to focus on the task at hand, first needing to establish a good relationship with this "emissary" named Cynthia. But... she appeared difficult to approach, too quiet, with only the sound of footsteps echoing along the way. Several times he attempted to build rapport, but Cynthia responded only with silence.

Perhaps she was mute?

The council president briefly entertained the thought.

He could only deduce her rank through her attire: lightweight leather armor, a short dagger slung at her waist, and leather knee-high boots creating rhythmic sounds on the deck.

Perhaps a Hunter.

The council president mused, and being chosen by the King of Gold, she must indeed be an exceptional Hunter.

Her swift and decisive actions were characteristic of a Hunter’s style, proficient with the Guild’s registration process, completing the paperwork without needing his explanations and quietly handing the form to him, behind that permanent smiling mask.

"Please follow me."

The council president abandoned attempts to converse with Cynthia, and under the curious gazes of the investigators, he led Cynthia through the hall, heading towards the teleportation node.