Chapter 295: Asline

Although Aberto was one of the Ten Council Members, he rarely attended meetings unless absolutely necessary. For Aberto, formal meetings were just a waste of time. However, in situations like this, he wanted to know how his colleagues would react.

The woman thought for a moment before answering.

"They're angry. Very angry."

The woman looked at Aberto with a sharp gaze.

"Especially towards the Soul Collector. Their plan could lead to thousands of deaths and throw Fortress City 085 into chaos. If that happens, the city's economy will collapse, businesses will be destroyed, and the balance we've maintained for so long will fall apart. The Council members are very aware of how dangerous this situation is."

Aberto listened to all of this with a relaxed expression, but his eyes sparkled with cunning.

The pale moonlight illuminated the balcony of the skyscraper, where two figures stood gazing at the city below them. The night air felt cold, carrying the metallic and dusty aroma left after the destruction in the Southern District. In the distance, streetlights still flickered, creating a contrast with the black shadows of debris that had yet to be repaired.

Aberto leaned both elbows on the iron railing, his fingers interlocked. In a casual tone, he posed a question, "Why do you think they aren't angry at the Anbu, even though they are the ones who caused the entire Southern District to be in chaos and ruin?"

Aberto's voice sounded light, but there was a sly undertone hidden beneath it. He wasn't really asking because he didn't know the answer—he just wanted to see how the woman beside him would respond.

The woman, Asline, frowned and lowered her head for a moment. Her thoughts raced, trying to formulate the most sensible answer. "It's... because they took responsibility by giving a warning beforehand? In fact, they even managed to save people while the fight was ongoing? And... thanks to them, the Soul Collector's plan was thwarted?"

Aberto let out a long sigh as if disappointed, then shook his head slowly while smiling. His gaze was sharp, like a superior hearing a subordinate answer a question incorrectly.

"Um... wrong." Aberto straightened up, looking far towards the Southern District, which was now just remnants of collapsed buildings. "The real reason is simple—the Anbu helped them flatten the Southern District. You know, right? The Southern District has long been considered a blight on this city's map."

"Influential people aren't angry because they got what they wanted without getting their hands dirty. Now, that disgusting district has vanished, giving them the perfect excuse to carry out a massive renovation project. With a more modern restructuring, the Southern District could become a much more profitable business hub."

Asline's eyes widened. She had never imagined that the Government Council's thinking could be so ruthless and calculated. Asline swallowed hard, trying to process the information she had just heard. "That..."

Aberto merely chuckled softly. "Funny, isn't it? The people crying over their lost homes don't even realize they are just pawns in this game. They curse the destruction, but they don't know that it is that very destruction that gives them a chance to live in a better place—of course, if they can survive until that time comes."

Asline felt a different kind of chill than before, as if it wasn't the night air piercing her skin, but the horror of the way the man beside her thought.

"Even though we, the Government Council, hold the highest power along with extraordinary strength and wealth," Aberto continued, his voice calm yet full of dominance, "as long as the action brings more profit, there’s certainly no problem, right?" Aberto tilted his head slightly, looking at Asline with an inscrutable smile.

The woman nodded slowly, though Asline's heart was still filled with confusion. "Right..."