After sending Tsezguerra away with a vague explanation, Razor found a secluded spot.
He slipped the ring on his finger and, using the updated system from Ickshonpe and Dwun, made a remote connection to the others currently on the New Continent.
Netero sat in his office chair, fingers lightly tapping the desk, his gaze fixed on the video call playing across the screen.
On the other end was "Ox" — Mizaistom, his expression as serious as ever.
"According to the latest intel, Admiral Mike arrived on the Six Continents last night." Mizaistom's voice carried no unnecessary emotion. "V6 will put him on trial. If the charges are confirmed, this might be the last time we ever see him."
Last year, Dwun and List had successfully established a "link" between the Refueling Island and the New Continent.
Through a complete experiment, they had even achieved direct teleportation between the two locations.
Since then, the Hunter Association on the New Continent had found it far easier to keep track of events happening on the Six Continents.
Ickshonpe had also accomplished half of his long-cherished dream — connecting the Six Continents to the New Continent.
The remaining half, of course, was the most difficult part: linking the New Continent to the Dark Continent itself.
At present, Ickshonpe and the others had already begun working on it.
As for Admiral Mike's upcoming trial, it was entirely of his own making.
Originally, V6 had hailed him as a general with countless achievements, widely promoting his name across the Six Continents.
But then came the shocking news of the United Army's crushing defeat on the New Continent.
The heavy loss of troops had infuriated V6.
As the primary person responsible, Admiral Mike could not escape blame.
He was escorted back aboard a returning warship, awaiting judgment.
For now, the real power over the New Continent lay in the hands of the stationed military forces and the Hunter Association.
Netero stroked his white beard, showing little concern over Admiral Mike's fate.
Instead, he turned his attention to another matter.
"How's little Shizuku doing?"
He made a habit of checking on her every day, though what he was really asking about was her prenatal examination results for today.
Mizaistom had already anticipated the question.
"The doctor said everything is fine. I've sent the report to your inbox."
Chairman Netero opened his email and scanned the report.
He nodded slightly.
"All right. Remember, keep an eye on what's happening over at Shizuku. If anything unusual happens, no matter the time or situation, report to me immediately."
"I understand," Mizaistom said after a pause. "Chairman, Razor from Greed Island has sent over the data they gathered."
Thanks to the communication system built by Ickshonpe, Dwun, and List, long-distance communication with the New Continent was basically trouble-free.
Netero understood and opened the computer to check the email from Razor.
It was the "Greed Island Torture and Virtue Member Status Report."
After reading for a while, he nodded again.
"As expected, Greed Island is also experiencing these incidents densely, just like here."
Just like Greed Island, the Coastal Fortress started seeing people fall into the states of "Torture" and "Virtue" since late February.
More and more members were affected, and the Hunter Association took it very seriously.
After some investigation, they basically confirmed that the "Teleport Lantern" left behind by Germain was causing the problem.
Now, with the Coastal Fortress like this, and Greed Island as well, what about the Transfer Island and the Ancient Labyrinth?
Investigating Transfer Island was easier because Dwun and a group of professional Hunters had gone there and were preparing to connect it with the New Continent.
When ready, information from Transfer Island would come back quickly.
But the Ancient Labyrinth, far away on the Dark Continent—what was going on there was still a mystery.
Most importantly, what was happening to Germain himself, the core cause of all these changes?
Even the experienced Chairman Netero felt a bit restless, his white eyebrows furrowed tightly.
—
At the same time, inside the Ancient Labyrinth Castle.
"Another one falling into 'Torture,' and wearing the Dark King's Crown?"
Bisky placed her hands on her hips and let out a heavy sigh.
They had to deal not only with the occasional invasions by flesh monsters but also internal problems — it was truly a headache.
"It's not 'torment'," Morel adjusted his sunglasses and smiled mysteriously. "It's 'virtue'... That should be a good thing, right?"
"'Virtue'? That's better... So, who this time? Kanzai? Shoot? Knuckle? Kite? Or Kurapika?"
"Knuckle, Kite, and Kurapika already had their 'virtue' outbreak a while ago. Did you forget?"
"Although the chance of consecutive 'virtue' outbreaks is extremely low, it doesn't mean it's impossible," Bisky pouted. "Just tell me. Don't keep me guessing."
She carried a heavy load of responsibilities and worries about Germain, Ging, and Shizuku, so she rarely joked anymore.
"It's Steiner," Morel said directly. "Didn't expect that, did you?"
Bisky was somewhat surprised. "Him? He actually..."
Before Morel finished, he went on with something both unexpected and, at the same time, reasonable.
"Not only that, but under the stimulus of 'virtue,' Steiner naturally opened his aura nodes and now has the foundation to become a Nen user."
Steiner... so that's how it is...
Bisky nodded repeatedly, then shook her head. "Learning Nen at his age is a bit late... but if it helps him defend himself, we can all relax a little."
"So, are we going to teach him?"
"Yeah... Morel, you go teach him. Help him avoid some detours."
"No problem. That's exactly what I had in mind. Honestly, Steiner is quite an interesting guy — not the rigid, stubborn type of official. I like him."
Bisky also agreed with Morel's opinion.
After hearing those earth-shattering secrets Germain revealed, it was impressive how quickly Steiner was able to accept them.
In fact, Steiner had been just as shocked when he first learned about the disasters of the Dark Continent and saw their victims with his own eyes.
However, he calmly adjusted his emotions afterward, accepted this new worldview, and made up for lost time by extensively studying the information about the Dark Continent.
Now, Steiner was actively throwing himself into the attack and defense, as well as logistics, of the ancient labyrinth castle to force himself to adapt to this harsh land.
Truly, Steiner was a smart man.
"I'm not worried about him; he'll adapt to the Dark Continent," Bisky said.
"What concerns me more right now are Germain, Ging, and Don."
Morel crossed his arms and nodded.
"I worry too. But since the 'Teleport Lantern' keeps affecting us continuously, doesn't that mean Germain's situation is pretty good?"
Hearing Morel's reassurance, Bisky thought for a moment before saying,
"You're right... Germain has never let us down. They might already be close to success. They're about to achieve something unprecedented in history."
"Hm."
Morel was deeply moved as well.
"To be mortal and yet stand shoulder to shoulder with gods, to fight gods, to slay gods... Believe in them, Bisky. We have to believe in them."
"If there has to be one person in this world capable of doing this, I think it's not Don, not Chairman Netero, but Germain. It has to be him."
*******
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