Undercurrents

In an unknown place filled with darkness, there was a meeting between certain individuals happening. The only place that was not dark was where an armor-clad man wearing robes was standing.

"Elders, don't you think that the Slayer Candidate is being too arrogant and selfish? At this rate, would he even care about us when the time comes?" The armored man speaks to the darkness. "Please do take my plan into consideration."

"You make a good point, and I think it's time we set that plan into motion." Comes a response from the darkness from a raspy old man.

"Are you people insane? It's normal to be prideful and selfish for a being like him. Are you not arrogant and selfish yourself? Also, do you really think Lord Luslec would allow his adopted son to be treated like that?" Comes a sweet alluring voice with a distinct feminine quality.

"We are the darkness of the Tower, and the Slayer Candidate would do well to remember that. But I do agree with Sophia here. What our little hero is doing is not unreasonable considering what we expect from him." Says a deep baritone voice from the depths of the darkness.

"I have my reservations about Jinsung Ha being given such an important role in this plan, but he has yet to disappoint us. And I don't think we should push the Slayer Candidate too much at this point. Too much manipulation would be counterproductive for our mission." Says a voice that can only be described as being genderless and ageless.

"So what do we do? Just give that weapon to him without testing him? I hope you aren't suggesting that!" Says the first voice of the old man in an irritated manner.

"I believe that leaving him be would be for the best, Jinsung Ha is doing a great job of teaching him. I think that their Master-Student relationship will be the key to getting him on our side willingly, as opposed to forcing him like now. Otherwise, we would be no better than Jahad, and our mission is worthless." Says a voice that sounds like a young man in a kind manner.

At that moment, the world stopped, and the time froze. Even the armor-clad man seemed shocked at such a heretical statement.

"Why do you feel so shocked? Do you believe that you people are better than the current Rulers of the Tower? It's just that you are not in a position of power that makes you hate this situation. Ideologically, you people might be even worse than Jahad." The kind man continues in a jolly manner, completely ignoring the reactions of the others.

The armor-clad man just clenches his fists at this statement, and by his body mannerisms and Shinsu around him, people can discern his boundless anger.

"That goes for you too, Karaka. Don't think that I don't know what you are up to. Just for your personal revenge, you want to sacrifice an Irregular to make a weapon to fulfill your revenge. Your petty thinking will be your downfall. You people don't truly understand the difference between you and them." The kind man turns his voice disdainful. "Hah, if we only needed a weapon to overthrow the Families and the Empire, then we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. Only an Irregular can command a level of power that can use that level of weapon to deal with them. So even if you made one, it would be useless for you. It would be like handing an E Rank Regular an S Rank Weapon. You wouldn't understand how to use it in the first place."

"You have said enough, Nero. Just because you are the Eldest here and have been there with the Lord when the organization was formed doesn't mean you rule this council." Says the raspy voice of an old man.

A snort was all that was heard in response.

"So, are we in agreement that the matter of the Slayer Candidate would be put on hold, and we would maintain the status quo for the time being?" Says the deep baritone voice from before.

"Aye."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No."

"Nay."

"Yeah."

"Affirmative."

Those were the responses to the voice.

"Very well, we will for the time being leave this matter alone and in the capable hands of Jinsung Ha. And your proposal has been rejected by the council, Lord Karaka." Says the baritone voice.

The armor-clad man, now identified as Lord Karaka, just clenches his fists in response and then lowers in a bow.

"Thank you for your time, Elders. Now, if you will excuse me."

"Of course. Lord Karaka, you may go."

Lord Karaka just retreats into the darkness just like that.

"Was it wise to antagonize him like that, Nero?" The baritone voice questions the kind voice now identified as Nero.

"Of course, Khel. You yourself must know better than anyone else in this what it's like to face them and especially 'him'. And these young brats think they are- what's the modern slang, hot shit? Badass? Just because they are given the title Slayers? After the First Generation, all these brats are useless and when we finally have true hope, this happens. It's better to let them know their place, lest they overestimate their importance." Answers Nero.

"Lord Karaka is still a young High Ranker, rapidly rising through the ranks while being loyal to the cause. I think that's worth something." An old raspy voice protests.

"Let this matter rest. Nero is right, for now. We shouldn't be partial to one individual for petty gains anyway." Says a feminine voice from before who was identified as Sophia.

After discussing a few more important matters, the Elder's Council is adjourned.

***

On the 80th Floor of the Tower, in the Middle Area, there stood a humble but old residence.

Inside the residence sat a young-looking man with sharp features with a moderately fair complexion. His hair was as dark as the night, while also being very wavy. He wore a black suit with a golden vest and a white shirt underneath it. If Viole was here, he would describe the attire as one from the Victorian era from Earth.

But this young-looking man was anything but young. He was an ancient old monster who has been living since before the formation of FUG, when Luslec was a follower of V, one of the 13 Irregulars of the exploration era. Of course, at that time the term Irregular wasn't even born.

Yes, this man is Nero. The oldest Elder of FUG that just disconnected from the meeting while sitting in his home.

He has a smirk on his face as if he is smug about something.

But that smirk is wiped off his face when he gets a call on his Pocket from a certain man.

"Receive the Call."

The call connects to the other side, and a man asks in a voice that seems amused.

"Are the preparations coming along nicely?"

"Sir, you do not need to worry about this. I also incorporated the changes you wanted." Nero answers the amused voice.

"Very well. Do notify me if Arlene's son does something major. Before, I thought he may be a catalyst for my plan, but now I wonder if I can get him as a helper. Hmm....keep him safe for now." The voice contemplates while giving orders.

"As you wish, Lord Gustang."

===Chapter End===

So there you have it folks, another chapter for you. I decided to write this instead of continuing Urek stuff since I wanted to make it very clear that canon is out of the window now. Since MC is proving to be much more powerful now, it wouldn't make sense for Elders to plan the Workshop battle the same way and go along with Karaka. It just wouldn't be worth it and also would be foolish.

I am also having some difficulty writing stuff since I haven't written anything in a long time. There's also the fact that I am very busy, but my efficiency has been drastically lowered from before.

See you later in the next chapter. Hopefully in a couple of days.