Chapter 68 - Breaker of Chains (2) (1/2)

Chapter 68 – Breaker of Chains (2)

Haban tightly gripped his two fists as he heard Ishakan’s inference. Ishakan tacitly pacified Haban whose self-esteem was hurt.

“It’s not your fault, Haban. It’s only because even the Tomaris might be interfering too.”

It was difficult because the gypsies were also after the slave dealers. Nevertheless, Haban did his best.

“This situation is far greater than merely your inability. Rather, it’s because someone else is acting fast. They’re moving quickly so as to avoid us catching up.” Ishakan appeared to be thinking deeply.

“I don’t know what kind of slave dealers they are. How about solving these guys first?” Haban took out a leaf cigarette and put it in his lips.

After puffing the smoke, he talked. “How could we find them?”

“We move faster.”

Haban’s eyes widened in shock. He faced Genin with a confounded face and carefully asked again.

“…Are you okay? We are doing our fastest while keeping our moves discreet.”

“There’s no choice. We have to be inside the auction house, and find them there. We have to be early, at least an hour before them.”

Ishakan laughed. As he smoked through the darkness, he could see how much blood would spill on their attack, how much blood would paint his hands. Genin, who knew their king’s ferocity in fighting, specially against the people who enslaved their kind, looked at him with her brows raised.

In response, Ishakan said in a tone which made the air more chilly.

“What? You know that I’m good at self-control, right?”

♔

It was the first Cabinet Council meeting since the Kurkan’s Welcome Banquet. Only Leah was present on behalf of the royal family at the meeting. The king had said that he was tired, and the Crown Prince did not attend because he was preoccupied with a hunt. This was a frequent occurrence though, so everyone was accustomed to his absence.

The atmosphere of the Cabinet Council meeting was tense. It was as if a knife had sliced the air. Finance Minister Laurent breathed in deeply, and cleared his throat. The tension on his face was clear as day.

“We must make a reform on the current tax system.”

The moment that he spoke the opening sentence, the whole committee erupted into chaos. Leah glanced around the conference hall, her stoic blank expression concealed her thoughts. The majority of the council members present, heavily objected to the idea. Stating it was complete nonsense and a reform was useless to the Estian economy, they unilaterally opposed.

“Whether the bill will be passed or not, it will be decided after the peace treaty. Today, the explanation for the reform…”

As the Finance Minister continued, the mood that settled over the conference grew darker. Everyone deep in their own thoughts, racking their brain on how to deal with the peace treaty. It was a delicate relationship that could be broken unfavourably at any moment, towards Estia.

Leah scornfully laughed deep inside. She knew that this meeting was a deliberate act to give them more time. Until the reform plans were approved, after the negotiations took place, the opposition party needed to gather their strength.

Leah was determined – she had to put an end to this. That way, peace could be maintained for a long time even without her being present in Estia. It would be her last duty towards her country. After the motion for the reform ended, Leah opened her mouth. Her voice spoke loudly and clearly in the midst of the tumultuous discussion in the meeting hall.

“There is one thing I need to inform all of you.”

The aristocrats stopped talking all at once and turned to face Leah.