69 Ancestral Assembly (2/2)
”The opinions of the estates have no sway at this time. The ancestors alone can decide on a suitable new emperor. No outside voices will be considered until nomination is pronounced.”
Fadelio came to a halt and took a few seconds of care to look around the table. Since none of the elders made any attempt to speak up for him, he had to return to his spot without a word. This was something Corco had expected. The ancestral hall had bluntly ignored his influence on the estates. If he wanted the old men to reconsider, Corco would have to make much harsher moves. Of course, he had much more ammunition than just this. As the old Ichilia breathed in to proclaim the hall's verdict, he was interrupted by Corco's voice.
”Then what about the rumors floating around in the city? Should those be ignored as well?”
This time, the old Ichilia didn't even have to move himself. A storm of outrage erupted from the officials who had grouped themselves behind Pacha.
”How dare a prince promote this slander!”
”Entirely unproven!”
”No one would believe it!”
”A shame on the royal family!”
”The words of commoners have no bearing on the honorable ancestors!”
In response to Corco's objection, the officials around the third prince and the Ichilia clan simply tried to drown out Corco's words, to guarantee that the rumors would never reach the ancestors. The tactic was as obvious as it was cheap, but of course, Corco had expected no better from his competitors. Usually, the shameless tricks of the court were very useful to bury opposition under faked outrage, but Corco had come prepared. In response to the cacophony before him, he bent down to the ground and, with a sly grin, picked up the metal cone they had managed to smuggle inside.
”OKAY, LET'S CALM DOWN, FOLKS! YOU'RE NOT GONNA WIN A SCREAMING MATCH! NOW HOW ABOUT WE RESPECT THE OCCASION AND GO ONE AT A TIME?!”
The blaring sound of the megaphone droned throughout the hall and first overpowered, and then silenced the voices. Everyone looked at Corco in bewilderment, unsure of what had happened. Satisfied, he put down the megaphone and continued in a normal volume.
”You wanna keep bickering, do you? I can do this all day. I'll burst your ears before I let myself get censored by this crap.”
He looked around the room, his eyes scanning over everyone who had played along in the little charade. He saw many unwilling faces, but not one sound came in response.
”Good. So let's first state the rumors, for the sake of completeness. First, after Emperor Titu's passing, the third prince and second prince have shown an utter lack of respect towards the customs of Medala. They've never visited their father after the start of his journey. Do I need to prove that? That's just an open secret in the city. Everyone knows. If you feel unconvinced, you're free to ask the Pachayawna. He'll tell you all about it.”
”That is not enough reason to rescind a prince's qualification to the throne. Thus, it is irrelevant.”
Elder Ichilia responded with a hard look and a stern voice. He was determined to let an offspring of Ichilia land on the throne, no matter what.
”Not convinced, are you? Okay, then let's continue with the easier one first. Prince Amautu has repeatedly shown to have no respect for any of our rules or customs, again something that's easy to prove. How could someone like that, someone who spits on our traditions, be considered as heir to the throne? He can't be considered a potential candidate, right?”
”There is no proof for any of these claims,” Amautu replied from the side.
”...there isn't? My uncle, the Governor of the South, was killed by your followers.” Corco pointed at Amautu. ”He identified his killer before his death! How's that for proof?”
”Ridiculous! How could the word of a southern barbarian count more than the word of a royal prince!” Amautu shot back. His look had turned stern, as he realized that Elder Ichilia would make no attempt to defend him. However, while he didn't have the officials or House Ichilia on his side, the second prince still had allies in the room. This time, it was the ancestors around the table who did their best to support Amautu and bury Corco's claims.
”There is entirely no proof of this! Why would a prince sink so low!”
”They were the deeds of the lords, not the deeds of the prince! Surely lord Rubria must have had a personal grudge with-”
”ARE WE STILL DOING THIS!? SERIOUSLY?!”
Corco's second use of the megaphone brought an end to the second act of the play. This time he wouldn't wait for dramatic effect. This time, he immediately fired his next shot. This one would prove deadly.
”Okay, let's forget about rumors and hearsay. Let's go with things I can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt. On my way here, I saw my good brother, Prince Amautu, sitting on the royal throne. I wonder if that's enough for the honored ancestors.”
Corco watched the elders with narrowed eyes as they traded nervous glances. They had been prepared for the rumors on the street, but they hadn't expected this one. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see one of the elders open his mouth, but a quick twitch of Corco's megaphoned hand silenced any criticism before it arrived. The old men seemed unsure of what to do, but Amautu was still calm, still adamant in blocking whatever Corco had planned.
”This Prince truly hopes brother will be able to provide solid proof of this outrageous claim. Otherwise, it will be considered a great sin against the ancestors. The last liar against the ancestral hall still lies at your feet, so choose your words wisely, Prince Corco.”
The entire table seemed to heave in a collective breath of relief. It seemed like the prince had found the perfect answer to his brother's scandalous revelation. If Prince Corco couldn't provide any proof, his own crimes were enough to remove him from the line of succession. Once the disturbance would be disposed of, the assembly could, finally, proceed as planned.
”Proof? Sure I have proof. I'll have to trouble someone to get me some writing utensils. You know, paper, some ink or coal, a brush and oh, a small knife.”
”Prince, this servant will provide assistance,” Prime Minister Chaupic said.
Another surprise for Corco within this day of surprises. Even before, he had seen that the old politician hadn't played along in the little screaming contest he had engaged in with the other officials, but at most, Corco had expected the opportunist to stay neutral. Confused, he watched Chaupic leave through a side door which housed an office, before he began the attack which would destroy one half of his competition.
”Now then, who knows what a fingerprint is?”