This time, the phone rang for 20 seconds with no answer.
Netero hung up the call and confidently said, "He'll call back."
Sure enough, 30 seconds later, Pariston called back.
"Yo," Netero greeted, waving toward the video call screen.
"The Chimera Ant extermination is over. We won. You were the first person I thought of to share the good news with."
Pariston gave a polite smile, but it lacked genuine enthusiasm.
"That's wonderful, Chairman. I'm so happy to hear that. But I doubt I was the first one you called, right? I've already heard the news from others. It seems the word spread quickly."
Netero feigned a puzzled look before letting out an exaggerated "Oh!"
"Oh? Well, that's not surprising. We've got so many people here, and they have their ways of sharing information. After all, they're professional Hunters—truly resourceful folks."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Pariston spoke again, still smiling.
"True enough. Chairman, I heard that the 'One-Star Fastest Legend,' Germain, played a major role in this extermination."
"You even know about that? Yes, Germain took down the Ant King and the three Royal Guards. Haha, looks like I should pass my 'sharp ears' nickname to you!"
"You flatter me, Chairman. Germain is truly impressive... But he wasn't on the original extermination team list, was he? His involvement wouldn't go against V5's will or the Hunter Association's procedures, would it?"
"Those things don't matter as long as we win. What they want is the best outcome at the lowest cost, isn't that right?"
Pariston smiled again, falling silent for so long that it almost seemed like the video had frozen due to a bad connection. Then, suddenly, he spoke again.
"True. Chairman, is there anything you need me to do? You've already given orders to most of the Zodiacs... After all, I'm the Vice Chairman of the Association."
Pariston had only been Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association for about a year.
As part of the faction opposing Netero—though he would never admit it—he had gained support from those dissatisfied with Netero's eccentric leadership style.
Netero smiled at the remark.
"Yes, you're right. There's something I need done, and only you can do it."
"Really? Only I can do it? That's great; I'm honored. Chairman, what exactly is it?"
Netero chuckled and said, "Tell Beyond to prepare for the second round of negotiations. We'll talk about both the old matters and the new ones."
"Beyond?" Pariston, who appeared on the screen, smiled while pretending to think. "Who is Beyond? I don't know this person. Chairman, can you give me more details?"
"Sure. Beyond is my son and also your boss and Saiyu's boss. Even among the Hunter Association's specialists, there are people from your group. Do I need to name them all one by one?"
Pariston's smile didn't falter, but it now looked eerily like that of a creepy doll from a horror movie.
Netero already knew they were undercover agents. Both Beyond and Pariston were well aware of this, but no one had spoken about it openly until now.
By naming them directly, Netero made it clear he wasn't planning to play along with Beyond and Pariston anymore.
If Pariston wanted to keep playing, Netero wouldn't follow the rules like he used to. The situation for these undercover agents would become completely different.
"That won't be necessary… I'll pass along the message."
"Good, good," Netero said, sounding like he was relieved. "I was wondering how long you were planning to keep up this game. Haha…"
Pariston finally dropped his smile.
"In that case, please allow me to extend my regards to you and Germain. Also, I will be resigning from my position as Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association and withdrawing from the Zodiacs."
"Alright, let's do it that way. You, Saiyu, and your team of specialist hunters—make sure to come up with some legitimate reasons for your resignations. I'll accept them and process them immediately."
Netero made a few more phone calls and then finally put down the phone. This time, it was finally over.
At this moment, Zeno and Silva said their goodbyes to Germain and Netero. They no longer had any reason to stay.
Silva took out a horn and blew a few long notes into the night sky.
The sound of the horn echoed. The dragon-bird beast responded with a cry and then descended from the sky.
Zeno and Silva, father and son, leaped onto its back and landed smoothly.
"That was a spectacular final battle. Looks like our trip wasn't in vain this time."
Zeno placed his hands behind his back and smiled calmly as he looked at the two men on the ground.
"By the way, Chairman Netero, if you have the time, come visit Kukuroo Mountain. My grandfather will be very pleased."
Netero placed his hands on his hips and nodded with a smile.
Maha Zoldyck was one of his old friends still alive, and he could definitely catch up when he had the chance.
Zeno then turned to Germain.
"Germain, you're welcome to visit Kukuroo Mountain too. This time is different from last time. We'll treat you properly."
"When you come, you can stay at the Zoldyck family's ancestral home. I'll introduce you to my grandsons."
Germain nodded in response.
Then, the dragon-bird beast let out a strange cry and soared into the sky with Zeno and Silva, vanishing into the clouds.
Netero and Germain, on the other hand, walked toward the royal palace.
They didn't walk fast, mainly because they had contacted Morel and Knov and knew that everything was safe on their end.
Soon, they met Morel and Meleoron, who had originally planned to come and intercept Shaiapouf.
However, Shaiapouf had the advantage of flying and had left early.
Since they were walking, by the time they arrived, everything had already settled down.
Meeting with Germain and Netero, Morel and Meleoron were both deeply moved, unable to hide their excitement.
The fact that Germain defeated the Ant King and the three royal guards was unbelievable.
But part of it was something they had witnessed with their own eyes, and part of it was confirmed by Netero himself, so it had to be true.
Truly impressive.
For both of them, this night's battle was incredibly thrilling.
If it weren't for Germain and Chairman Netero, no one knew how things might have turned out.
Perhaps it would have been a crushing defeat for humanity.
Facing the greatest contributor to the Chimera Ant subjugation—Germain, Morel seriously took off his sunglasses and gave Germain a big hug, unwilling to let go for a long time.
"Thank you, Germain. If it weren't for you, I, who let Shaiapouf free, and Knuckle and Shoot, who were defeated by Youpi, we, master and disciple, could never escape blame."
He moved a bit closer and whispered into Germain's ear.
"Also, thank you for preventing Chairman Netero from reaching the point where he would die with the Ant King, for helping Knov regain his spirit, and for awakening the human consciousness in Palm who had become a Chimera Ant."
"Thank you. This great kindness, we will never forget. I believe everyone who respects Chairman Netero will remember your name."
Morel gave Germain's back two strong pats before finally releasing him.
Meleoron, on the other hand, was so overcome with joy that he cried, mumbling about how he had finally achieved his revenge, and it took him quite some time to calm down.
********
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