While Maxwell and the others were holding their secret meeting, the Atlas City Council Hall had its own closed-door discussion.
The Verdants' upper ranks were gathered inside, voices low—but the mood was sharp.
"Elder," a young Verdants man said, "based on our investigation, that Glacial Bear has gone south a long time ago. It's already more than six hundred miles away."
His lip curled.
"I think these humans were just bluffing us. With strength like theirs, how could they possibly have the qualifications to make a Stage SS ferocious beast fight for them?"
"I agree," another man chimed in casually. "Lately I've had people kill plenty of humans—openly and in the shadows. They only dared to be angry, but none of them dared to act."
He snorted.
"If they had a backer that strong, they would've called it in ages ago."
Viren, the Verdants elder, nodded slowly. His face was dark.
"Then we've been played by these humans."
