Chapter 1106 (2/2)

Theodora spread her hands and opened her mouth. “Everyone, thanks for coming. The System made Earth a tough place, but it’s not something that we can’t overcome if we work together. And also… I agree completely with King Phirun’s earlier sentiments: let’s not beat around the bush. We are all busy people. If no one has anything else to say, let’s get started.”

Mrs. Hamilton’s eyebrow quirked up at the frank admission of Phirun’s status as a King, but she supposed it wasn’t surprising. This was a woman who didn’t hold the old world order in very high standing. Theodora Greyman couldn’t be older than 30. Throwing Phirun a bone cost her basically nothing, and it could earn her some valuable goodwill.

Which, based on Phirun’s expression, it had, Mrs. Hamilton considered the rather lecherously pleased look Phirun was giving Theodora. Theodora boldly returned his smile before speaking again. “The set up is simple: each delegation will be given the opportunity to bring up an issue for the World Summit’s consideration. After some discussion, we will vote, for and against. Each representative’s vote on an issue will be assumed to be binding on the Zone behind them. If that turns out not to be the case… well, I don’t need to explain why not keeping your word would be a bad idea, right?”

Theodora grinned. The four representatives from the Orders laughed nervously. Phirun guffawed. Even Melanie, sitting next to Warlord, snorted.

“Wait a moment. I have something I want to say before we start.”

Mrs. Hamilton could have kissed Ed as he stood and stroked his mustache just as Theodora Greyman was building up momentum. Not that Mrs. Hamilton had anything against the woman, but there were a few issues before the actual World Summit could start. And she somehow knew Ed, someone who was a notorious stickler for status, wouldn’t miss the first issue.

Ed pointed his fat finger toward the representative of the Orders. “Who the hell is this? Especially that guy. Are they really the sort of people that should be at the table with people like us…?”

Mrs. Hamilton literally had to cough to cover the bark of laughter when support for the question emerged from an extremely unlikely source.

“Indeed,” Phirun nodded solemnly as he studied the four people from the Orders. He picked his nose and flung a moist booger into the open area in the middle of the table. “Most of the rest of you represent land, which I magnanimously choose to acknowledge. But these people… aren’t they just members of a social club or something?”

A tall man amongst the people from the Orders stood. The emblem on his chest indicated he was from the Order Sapientia. He bowed toward Phirun. “Begging your majesty’s pardon, but we believe deserve to be here at the table for the World Summit. Not only that, but we believe that once we explain our position, you will agree.”

Phirun rubbed his chin. Mrs. Hamilton tutted inwardly. Certainly, the world has gotten strange. So easily we mimick the language and roles of fantasy…

The tall man continued to speak to the table. “You might all represent more powerful forces than us… but let me say this; most of your power is stationary. You require a significant expenditure of resources to protect your territories from the constant threat of Dungeons and monsters. A truly magnanimous goal, undoubtedly. But in some ways, the great strength of the Zones means they have more difficulty responding to smaller threats.

“Meanwhile, we Orders are forces that are composed almost entirely of high-Leveled individuals with no hard roots in any one Zone. Therefore, we are uniquely poised to accomplish the will of the World Summit. The reason we are here is simple: we wish to offer our services as the tools of this World Summit. Although each of you controls a capable army, it will be difficult to remain confident that the decisions are carried out in an unbiased manner if one Zone’s army performs the dirty work. We hope for that role.”

Mrs. Hamilton’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps, but is that really the tack you want to take? You only exist because the Zones allow it. And also-

But then Theodora Greyman spoke. “There’s no point in bandying about with words; everyone here is aware that your ‘strength’ is just leeched off of the Zones themselves. And despite your stated neutrality is valuable abstractly, this is the real world; no one believes you truly have no stake in the game. So it’s valuable to have some separation between powers, but don’t pretend that your existence doesn’t rest on our generosity. You are here to apply for a job, nothing more”

Even more surprising, while the man from the Order Sapientia grew pale, Theodora continued to speak. “And I think that we all know what the Donnyton representative’s real point was: you, sir, are not from an acknowledged Order. Can you defend your presence here?”

The man raised his chin and stood to stand next to the man from the Order Sapientia. “The issue I wish to bring to the World Summit’s attention is the status of my Order, the Order Argentum, as an official Order.”

Argentum. Silver. Mrs. Hamilton tapped her lip. Another attempt to set up an Order that was servile to those with power and money, huh… well, it’s not like I can’t understand the desire, but…

In another move that surprised Mrs. Hamilton, Theodora snorted. “You are asking this World Summit to give you the designation of an official Order, without the approval of the Order Ducis?”

“Ah, but the Order Ducis has missed the last several council of Orders,” The man said with a greasy smile. The other representatives from Orders nodded as he spoke. “As such, we have had no choice-”

“If you want to offend Randidly Ghosthound, be my guest,” Theodora spoke with a smile, but her tone chilled the room. “But this Summit will not be a part of it. Besides, without having the standing to attend the Summit, what gives you the privilege of bringing an issue before the Summit? Please leave.”

“I-” The representative from the Order Argentum began, but the air cooled even more considerably at his words. When he glanced around, he saw the frosty gazes of all 11 of the individuals who were not part of the Orders. And to have become the representative of these Zones, none of them, aside for perhaps Phirun, lacked personal power. The man squirmed visibly, barely capable of resisting the combined

“We won’t ask twice,” Theodora said simply.

Mrs. Hamilton didn’t miss the way that Theodora spoke so casually for the group. She also was aware that in this case, the will of the representatives had very quickly solidified behind Theodora.

Certainly, a capable woman, Mrs. Hamilton thought with an admiring glance. She graciously accepted this man’s request to be here and then used him to align the other representatives with her point of view? Quite aggressive, too.