Franklin wore a furious expression as he stood in front of the window in silence, and only after a long while did he ask through gritted teeth, "What about during the conference? Did they arrange a research team to appear during the conference?"

Generally speaking, reports of durations of half an hour, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, and perhaps even longer in some special cases, were delivered during international conferences like this. Of course, the durations of the reports were decided based on their level of importance.

For many small underworlds, they were perhaps unable to earn a half-hour time slot even over the course of several centuries, whereas for the four pillars, 45 minutes was a bare minimum, and 60-minute reports were very commonplace. Furthermore, this was the end-of-year energy resource wrap-up conference, and according to past conventions, all reports were expected to go overtime.

"... No..."

Franklin swung around violently as his lips trembled with rage.

"Then what the hell has the Cathayan Underworld come here to do?!" His voice was filled with unbridled fury as he yelled, "We are the Euler's Gem No. 1 Energy Resource Research Station, an organization that they've signed a research and development agreement with! Is this how they treat their allies?!"

Thump! He slammed...