Chapter 86 - The Council (2/2)

The eight commanders continued the meeting for another six hours as they discussed how they should act to solve this problem and others.

The plot of the Strogueher, Hangen, and Collalto paid off, managing to draw the Sallow to their side of the discussion, but Thomas Landford, Erick Smakusa, Rujierd Daran, and Shanks Ballard were still wary of proceeding.

”That would cost too much.” Mr. Daran said. ”Come on, that's the price of an Epic Gene Skill, and we wouldn't have any guarantee it would work either.”

”Offering a hundred gold coins for each person who witnessed it is too much.” Erick Smakusa demurred.

”Concealing deaths will never be a cheap thing.” Jimbe spoke while stroking the neck of his owl.

”You have me all wrong. I'm not asking for money. I will pay for this out of my own pocket.” Ayumi said to nullify any excuses the other nobles might have. ”Or do you really think the best decision would be to publicize the existence of demons? That would create enormous insecurity in the population, which would leave the Broteforge Empire vulnerable.”

”Let's vote.” Ms. Hangen spoke up. ”Those who are in favor of publicizing the existence of demons should raise their hands.”

Then, the man with white hair and black clothes was the first to raise his hand, surprising a total of zero people. At the same time, Shanks Ballard, the other gray-haired old man, also raised his hand.

Next, Thomas Landford, the only one who didn't say a word during the entire meeting, also came out in favor.

Jimbe, Ayumi, Nico, and Amanda gave no sign of raising their hands, leaving only Rujierd Daren to vote. The man in the detailed yellow clothing stared at the floor and drummed the fingers of his right hand on the throne support.

If there was a tie, the decision would have to be made in a few more days, giving the commanders time to think it over; however, this would provide enough time to disseminate the information.

To hasten the man's decision, Amanda Hangen said, ”The vote ends in ten seconds.”

In the end, the required ten seconds passed, and Rujierd did not raise either arm, which left everyone who did not return relieved.

In the view of the Matriarch of the Strogueher, publicizing an incident with demons, from a commercial point of view, would be very useful for business; however, the social impacts that it would entail would be catastrophic because the insecurity of the population would skyrocket upon discovering that there are monsters outside the Dungeons as well.

*

The festivals in Vasconcelos usually took place every three months. Still, this particular one drew a lot of attention from the population because, for the first time in history, there would be a sporting event and not the typical competition of who can eat the most.

”Come on, Dad! The first match of the 'Luck or Fight' Tournament is about to begin.” A lively, froggy little boy exclaimed, striding between the legs of the crowd as he left his father behind.

In the plaza in front of the Dungeon building, many stalls were gathered, mixing people of various ages and social classes. From nobles and adventurers to refugees from the neighboring continent. All this crowd was gathered to see the tournament's first match, which would be of an E-Class against a C-Class.

”How the hell did I go along with that?” Luke wondered during his stretching.

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