Tense silence filled the room.

It was clear that the natives of H'Trae heavily disliked Rey's plan, as well as his perspective on the matter at hand. Who could blame them? The experience that humanity had with the denizens of the South were far from pleasant. Besides, they already had a somewhat more preferable alternative in the form of a mutually beneficial alliance with the human nations scattered across the lands.

Yes, the might of the Giants and the Technology of the Dwarves would be far more preferable compared to their current options, but the risks associated with that were also worth considering.

The Royal Council currently didn't think they could take that chance.

"If I may offer some kind of compromise…" Ater slowly raised his hand, instantly quelling the silence in the hall.

All turned to look at his smiling demeanor, causing his grin to broaden further.

The eyes they used to look at him were less of skepticism, and more of nervous curiosity. After all, Ater was the one largely responsible for the damage control following the matter with Dagon, and also the restructure of the Capital.

He was already recognized as a brilliant individual, and it only added more accolades to Rey, since the latter was his master.

Hence, Ater's words could not be ignored.

"Why don't we send a small, elite team to offer an alliance to the Giants and Dragons—preferably Otherworlders. That way, the risk of loss is minimized, and chances of success are higher."

Unlike the humans of this world, the Otherworlders were incredibly powerful.

They were strong enough to fight Dragons—the strongest race in all of H'Trae. That meant, of course, they could hold their own against other races—Dwarves and Giants included.

"But we need the Otherworlders on the battlefie—"

"A few Otherworlders is a good investment for a potential army compared to the measly… I mean, insufficient soldiers you currently have at your disposal. Besides, I think it's important to hear what the other Otherworlders have to say regarding the matter."

As soon as he said this, Ater turned to the group of teenagers, a warm smile on his face.

"What do you guys think?"

"I think it's worth the try. Rey was able to convince the Elves to join us, right? I trust his idea." Justin was the first to speak up.

Following him was Belle.

"I agree!"

The remaining Otherworlders were a bit slow to agree, but it was clear that they weren't going to outright abandon Rey's idea since they didn't have the firsthand knowledge of the Southern Natives like the people of H'Trae did, and they were also more affiliated with Rey.

There was only one who disagreed. "I think all of us should stick together. Splitting us into multiple groups will greatly reduce our potential… especially considering how we've been training together since we arrived here."

Alicia White's dissent took Rey by surprise, but her words were not without merit.

"But aren't we going to be divided into squads on the battlefield? Where's the teamwork in that?" Justin asked with a skeptical tone, but Alicia remained undeterred.

"I am well aware of that, but I'd argue that there is still going to be a great deal of teamwork—especially relating to the formation that each squad employs. By sticking together, we'll be able to work in greater synergy."

"But more people will die." Ater's words stopped Alicia in her tracks.

"...."

All fell silent the moment those chilling words echoed in the air.

"If we choose to go down this road, more soldiers will needlessly die. Rather than sacrifice our warriors in a battle that is way above their capacity, is it not better to outsource and have others sacrifice themselves in our stead?"

It sounded coldhearted, but it was the most strategically sound plan.

"We have sufficient resources to attract the Dwarves, and we have enough strength to convince the Giants. Rey's plan holds the most merit, unless… you'd prefer the deaths of countless innocents whose demise could be easily prevented." Ater's eyes were narrowed on Alicia as he said those words, causing a bead of sweat to form on her face.

Whether it was his intention or not, everyone in the room was reminded of the sheer damage that her Divine Summon caused in the Capital… as well as how many lives were lost as a result of its rampage.

In a sense, her recommendation for the Otherworlders to stick together was pointing towards the same outcome.

"That's enough, Ater." Rey's voice echoed out.

It was low, but the heaviness it carried caused everything in the room to tremble. He slowly turned his head and glared at Ater, silent rage evident in his eyes.

The moment the Familiar witnessed this, his body shook tremendously.

"I apologize. It seems I took my words too far…" He mumbled, bowing his head very lowly at Rey, and also at Alicia.

"Huu… just don't do that again, please."

Rey took a glance at Alicia, and the troubled expression she had told him that she hadn't stopped recoiling from the consequences of her actions. He knew her plan was to simply take out the Dragon Lord and herself, and the only reason she became so suicidal was because she thought he was dead and wanted to kill herself due to the mental trauma that brought on her.

In a way, everything was his fault.

'Yet Ater had to bring such a topic up as a means to silence her…' He sighed, unable to get angrier than he was thanks to his emotion regulation.

Still, since his Familiar's tactic was effective, there didn't seem to be anyone else who disagreed with the plan.

'I should take this as a win, right? Yet…' Rey felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he watched the participants of the summit look at him for the final verdict. Despite any of their dissatisfactions, it was clear that Rey held all the cards at the moment.

His decision was ultimately where they would pivot towards.

"The compromise sounds fine to me. Just two Otherworlders, minus me, will be required for the Southern Continent Outreach."

"You won't be tagging along?" Lucielle asked, her brows raised as she stared hard at Rey.

"No." He responded flatly. "The chaperone will be Ater. I have another engagement that I have to deal with."

It had been over a week since they last saw each other, and just when Rey was beginning to suspect that their alliance had dissolved, he got a message from Adrien.

'It seems the plan is still ongoing.' Whether or not it was a trap didn't matter to Rey at this point, especially after considering Alicia's situation.

'As long as the means to return home exists in the North, I have to investigate it somehow. Following Adrien's plan is the best means I know of at the moment.'

Right now, while the United Human Alliance was concerned about the inevitable assault of the Dragons, and a few Otherworlders would have to be dispatched to the South, he had his own business situated in the North.

"I have something to tell all of you." Rey began, inhaling deeply as he prepared himself for the impact of the news he was about to reveal.

He had already made up his mind too, so all of this was merely ceremonial.

"I'll be going to the Dragon Continent."