The number five million is significant no matter how you look at it, except, of course, in the case of the Zimbabwe Dollar or the currency of the underworld.
And even more so when it represents living human beings.
Lan could, at most, split off some of his own cells and, using the intelligence provided by Ging, rescue as many villagers as he could within his limits.
Previously, during the hunter exam, he had acquired Super Regeneration, an ability from Majin Buu. This allowed him to divide his cells in a way similar to how Menthuthuyoupi could create multiple miniature versions of himself.
However, no matter how much he divided, it was impossible to take care of so many people.
As for the accuracy of the intelligence…
Well, the information provided by Ging was undoubtedly far more reliable than anything given by Marcos.
If there were any discrepancies, Lan would make sure to mock him mercilessly.
Thus, Marcos's home became a temporary base for the two of them.
As for whether Marcos's sudden disappearance would cause any upheaval, the Chimera Ant king and his royal guards couldn't care less about the fate of a mere human who had only risen to power due to hereditary privilege.
Meanwhile, the other high-ranking officials of the Republic of East Gorteau assumed that Marcos had either gone into hiding or fallen victim to the unknown forces backing the king.
After all, selecting five million people was an enormous undertaking.
Anyone with even a little power in the country could sense that something was off.
Some had even started reaching out to the international community, the Hunter Association, and V5 for help.
Unfortunately, after hearing false alarms too many times, the outside world no longer believed anything happening in East Gorteau.
Even those who were somewhat skeptical had their concerns quietly dismissed by V5.
As a result, East Gorteau had become an isolated and forsaken land.
And so, the people within its borders had no choice but to fend for themselves.
They had lived in peace for too long; it was time for them to face hardship.
Atop a utility pole in the capital of East Gorteau, in the luxurious palace district…
Neferpitou sat cross-legged at the highest point, her tail swaying back and forth as if lost in thought.
One moment, she closed her eyes and mused: "It seems someone is interfering with our plans, meow."
But in the next instant…
"They keep vanishing without a trace! It's impossible to catch them; there are no leads at all, meow!!"
Her frustration echoed through the night sky.
Beside her, a gentle, melodious violin tune played.
Shaiapouf, ever graceful, continued his performance.
"This is merely a diversionary tactic."
"Do not engage."
"It is highly likely that they seek to draw us away, separating us so they can eliminate us one by one before coming for the king."
He effortlessly saw through the strategy of the Chimera Ant Extermination Team.
However…
Although simple and easily deciphered, if they were forced to split up, there would be no alternative.
"But their actions don't entirely resemble a baiting tactic, meow!"
Neferpitou countered. "It looks more like they're just being cautious and trying to avoid capture."
"They could be deliberately misleading us, making us think they're weak, so we'll pursue them recklessly."
"Or... It's also possible that the ones sent to disrupt our plans truly are weak..."
"Of course, I could just be overthinking it."
At that, Shaiapouf paused, then lifted his head with an oddly oily yet affectionate expression.
"Ah... How I wish to immerse myself in these unanswerable questions!"
"The sweet trap of endless contemplation, that, in itself, is bliss!"
Neferpitou tilted her head, completely unable to comprehend.
"... But the answer is simple." Shaiapouf continued.
"Our mission is to protect the king. Everything else is irrelevant."
"Moreover, the ones disrupting our plans are humans."
"And no one understands humans better than other humans."
"So, let humans deal with humans. They are best at destroying their own kind."
Shaiapouf's reasoning wasn't wrong. When it came to humanity, internal sabotage was often the most effective means of destruction.
Take, for example, the current Chimera Ant Extermination Team.
Morel and Knov had already reported the horrors of East Gorteau to the Hunter Association.
Yet their efforts had resulted in nothing but silence.
The only response they received was the token deployment of a few Hunter Association-approved specialist hunters.
And specialist hunters… were little more than mercenaries hired through the association.
As their name suggested, most of them were slackers.
Regardless of whether they actually completed their tasks, they still received payment.
And the person overseeing the specialist hunters… Was none other than the vice chairman, Pariston.
This enraged Morel, while Knov could only advise him that complaining was useless.
"No matter the situation, human affairs can never escape politics."
Knov said calmly.
"If we act without authorization, bypassing the approval process..."
"Not only will V5 demand accountability, but the internal factions within the association will also condemn us for overstepping our authority."
"Even Chairman Netero has not been spared from such scrutiny."
Bang!
Morel slammed his palm against the wall in frustration.
"Of course I know that!"
But understanding didn't mean accepting it.
"Leaving these decisions to bureaucrats only ensures that by the time they act, it will be too late! Damn it!"
"In the end, this is just another power struggle within the Hunter Association, isn't it?"
His voice dripped with loathing.
"They're already resorting to such underhanded tactics... Just for the next chairman election?!"