Chapter 535 - Chapter 535: Chapter 497: The Whole World as Enemy (2/2)

“I am a scholar from the East, yet I have absolutely no connection with the Fischer family, I am purely a bystander, but during the time I lived in the East, I could see that the people all held the Fischer family in high veneration.”

“As a scholar who likes to deal in facts, I think it’s irrational to judge the entire Fischer family based solely on some exposed snippets of information. I question the authenticity and motives behind this exposure! I call for rational treatment and demand more convincing evidence, rather than drawing conclusions based on speculation and rumors!”

The above was a statement of “pure bystander rational discourse” by a Blood Receiver at the 3rd Rank of the Path of Knowledge within the Dawn Church, who is also one of the top renowned scholars of the Ouden Continent.

Amid the storm of public opinion, the members of the Fischer family became silent lambs.

They have not made any public statement for the time being.

In fact, everyone has begun to wait for one thing… and that is the collective stance of the True Gods Church!

If the True Gods Church were to unanimously identify the Fischer family as heretics, then no matter how much others protested, it would be an exercise in futility.

While the Fischer family faced the storm of public opinion and was in deep crisis, several ally families that had been allied with them for a long time also fell into unprecedented debate within their own ranks.

These families had complex ties of interest with the Fischer family. Faced with the predicament of the Fischers, they felt both concern and were caught in a dilemma over how to make their stands.

In the Romann family’s grand hall, where the Extraordinary Exponent members of the family were seated around a round table, faces solemn, Ariel Romann, the Family Head, was the first to break the silence:

“The Fischer family is our ally; we’ve been through many trials and tribulations together over the years, but now that their secrets have been exposed, what should we do?”

Aldrich Romann immediately followed up, “We can’t rush to take a stand. If we choose the wrong side, it could bring unpredictable consequences to the Romann family. We must consider carefully, maintaining our interests while not losing the friendship with the Fischer family.”

He seemed unsurprised by the secrets of the Fischers.

“Is that so…” Ariel fell into thought.

Indeed, if she had a choice, she would not want to abandon the Fischer family at all.

In the study room of the Frosac family, the young elite of their family were engaged in a heated discussion.

Zayne Frosac had become the most powerful person in the family, and he said with a solemn face to the gathered members:

“We cannot oppose the Fischer family just because of the outside public opinion, after all, they extended their hand to help us in our most difficult times! We should stand up and defend them, or at the very least, make our position clear!”

However, another more cautious family member expressed a different view:

“We cannot act merely on sentiment. We must remain rational, Lord Zayne! If the secrets of the Fischer family are confirmed, being tied with them might be like setting ourselves on fire!”

Zayne’s brow furrowed, and he clenched his fist.

Could it be that the Fischers really deceived him for nearly a hundred years?

Impossible!

“Such a good man as Byrne Fischer, how could he possibly be a heretic? I will personally go and negotiate with the Cardinals!”

Many Eastern families, on the other hand, were more inclined to keep a neutral stance. They believed that the best strategy in this storm was to remain silent, not to take sides or make a stance, to avoid being dragged into unnecessary strife.

“At the crucial time, we need to stay calm and rational, and not make any hasty decisions. Let’s wait and see. The True Gods Church will reveal the truth to us; it’s not too late to make decisions then.”

—

Below the Fischer family manor.

Inside the Grand Hall, an unusually heavy atmosphere was quietly spreading.

Members of the Fischer family entered the hall one by one, their steps heavier than usual, their facial expressions complex and hard to identify, showing both worry and determination, everyone weighed down by a heavy burden.

Around the long table in the hall, the most powerful elders of the Fischer family had taken their seats. In the eyes of Darren and the others, there was a seriousness never seen before, as the issue they were about to discuss would determine the future fate of the family.

With the seating of the last family member, barring Karno, the meeting officially began.

Presiding over the meeting, Christine spoke with a calm voice that nonetheless could not hide the heaviness within, “Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to face an unprecedented challenge.”

“Our great secret, the source of our strength, has now become the target of external attacks; the reputation of the Fischer family and even our future hang by a thread.”

The hall descended into dead silence.

She continued, “Some see us as evil, some defend us, but no matter how the outside world judges us, the Fischer family must stick together and face this crisis as one.”

“You must know, the Lord of the Lost shelters the Fischer family.”

“Praise the Lord of the Lost,” the crowd responded in unison.

The lights in the Grand Hall were still dazzling, but the heavy atmosphere was like a boulder weighing on the heart of every family member.

“I have returned.”

Just at that moment, a voice drew everyone’s attention.

Karno Fischer calmly entered the hall, took a deep breath, and, looking at the gathered family members, said, “I need to share with you all the experiences I’ve had during this time.”