The Villain Reborn as Game's Final Boss

Chapter 250: Culling [2]

I could feel the looks of judgment from many of the soldiers standing below.

Though they were experts in hiding their expressions... some were going out of their way to show the disapproval on their faces.

Sigh.

I knew things like this should have been common in a world that has always been dominated by the ones with power.

Still—

I could ignore the doubts that these Numbers may have about my capability on the battlefield, but I could absolutely not forgive those who were actively trying to disrespect me.

Didn’t matter if they were stronger than me.

Having doubts was normal, but the hierarchy had to be respected, and the individuals who couldn’t accept the reality—

Well... people like that would soon be disciplined or... heh.

"I would like to first congratulate everyone on the successful completion of our first joint operation. The discipline and focus that you have maintained throughout the duration of the mission was truly impressive."

That was something that I had to accept.

None of the soldiers had acted out of their given roles, and had followed the orders without questioning them.

That was a commendable thing for people who had lived their lives as criminals... staying outside the bounds of law.

There wasn’t much reaction from the soldiers to my words... well they weren’t the most reactive bunch.

Though I could see some clicking their tongues in disappointment.

Hm?

"Do you have something to say?"

I asked the question while looking at a group of Numbers who stood on the far end.

They seemed to be at the bottom of the hierarchy, but their attitude didn’t match their status.

The Numbers, not expecting me to pinpoint them among the entire crowd, were surprised at first, but they soon controlled their emotions.

"Before joining, we weren’t told about participating in such tedious tasks."

The soldier spoke with a raised voice, his frustration visible from the frown on his face, and the way he pointed his finger at me... like I had done something unfair to him.

"Yeah! Just turning us into free slaves!"

"They just want to use us!"

Seeing one of them speaking, the rest joined soon, taking out their anger before all the Numbers present at the scene.

Some nodded their heads at the statements, while the rest stayed silent, their attention on me...

Or to be exact, they were waiting for the response that I would give.

"Had you participated in the operation—"

"We have! Never did I think that I would be used for free, and asked to do some boring tasks, that too with no gains for us. We weren’t even allowed to loot the guilds. What type of bullshit is this, huh?!"

The soldier raised his voice again, but this time he seemed to have gained a different kind of confidence, as it was clearly visible from the way that his body language had changed.

"I must apologize for making your delicate bodies go through such a gruelling test."

Many chuckled at my response, while the ones in question simply had their anger amplified.

"Let me make it clear. All of you have joined D.X. for your own personal gains, and we have let you join for our gains. It’s a give-and-take relationship. Going forward there would be more such missions, and if you want to stay within the protection of D.X. then you will have to follow the commands—"

"Huh?! This is the most foolish thing—"

"Let me finish."

I lowered my voice, though the words were perfectly clear for everyone to hear.

A subtle mana pressure had also been applied on the soldier by Arthur, as I could see him feeling cornered out of nowhere.

"There will be missions where you will be given a free hand to do whatever you want, but for some operations of importance, you will have to do as we say. There’s no in-between. That’s how this world works, and you all already had a fair idea before deciding to join us. So don’t complain now."

Silence.

The soldiers who were shouting had gone silent, while the rest processed their reality.

I knew that once the missions began, many would find it frustrating to do work that had no immediate gains for them.

At least that was how it worked for the majority of living beings.

And these... most of these soldiers were criminals, so that mindset was rooted in their blood.

"Still—"

I paused, letting the silence dictate the importance of my next statement.

"I know that many of you might have some reservations about the sudden increase in your workload. I understand that it must be challenging for you to work for us, but remember one thing... There’s no one in the world that can shield you better than us. Staying here means that the Authorities can’t touch you. You are free to continue your criminal empires without having to constantly feel the fear of being arrested or executed, but—"

Another long silence ensued, as I swept my gaze across the crowd.

"You will have to follow the orders when you are subjected to them. You will work when we ask, you will kill when we say."

"We aren’t your damn slaves!"

Haa...

A new face spoke up.

"I know."

I raised my hand to silence any other speakers.

"You aren’t our slaves, but—

We are your saviours."

None spoke.

"After the recent operation the authorities will start their investigations and many of you may get caught in it. Now, none of us would want you to compromise the identity of your fellow soldiers as well as our bases that are spread out across the world. That is why I have devised a solution to all problems that may arise in the future."

At my words, several researchers wearing lab coats entered the scene with boxes in their hands.

Each box had small peanut-sized metallic orbs in them... the same that Alfred had shown to me at the start.

The Culling Device.

That was the name given to it... well at least I preferred it.