Chapter 670 - Between Light & Light (VIII) (2/2)
So how would the Light Dragon Soul make its choice?
Rhode didn’t know if his guess was accurate and all he could do was to wait and see. If this was Lydia’s intention, the clues would reveal themselves during the Dragon Soul Ceremony!
Rhode shifted his gaze out of the window.
***
The deep night had devoured the entire sky.
Warm flames burned in the fireplace, setting off the crackling firewood and driving away the chilliness. But that was only the chill on his body.
The elderly chairman curled up on his chair and looked at the furious group of colleagues before him. They clenched their fists as though they couldn’t wait to shred him to strips. How ridiculous.
The elderly chairman felt like bursting out into laughter. He felt like he was part of a mime show. He looked at his companions and wasn’t afraid for the first time. In the past, he had beat his brains out to pull them together in order to receive more authority. But now, he realized that everything was senseless. He was like a clown, while they were a group of clowns.
“We’re waiting for your explanation, Thomas Kryan.”
Finally, one of the men broke the silence. He took half a step forward with clenched fists, staring at the elderly man with wide-opened eyes and omitting his title as the ‘chairman’.
“You’ve brought about shame and humiliation to our predecessors who struggled for us and the Light Parliament! For generations, we’ve stood up and fought hard to be independent! But now! The blood and sweat of our ancestors were destroyed in your hands! You, alone, have destroyed the entire glory of the Country of Light! Don’t you have anything to say for yourself? Why?! Why did you make such a humiliating move in front of that woman!”
“Hahaha…”
The elderly chairman didn’t panic or fly into a rage at all. Instead, he burst into laughter.
The elderly man curled up on his chair and this was the first time he felt this carefree.
“Explanation? All of you should be clear of that, isn’t it? Are there any other choices left for us?”
“But why must you choose such a foolish method? We still have…”
“We still have other choices?”
The elderly man interrupted. He lifted his head and squinted at his raging colleagues calmly.
“Do you really think that we have other choices? We need money and that woman can give us what we need. You think we should give up on that huge sum of money for the sake of a false reputation? Tell me, then. How do you intend to fill the financial deficits for the upcoming year?”
“We can increase taxes! We can even increase commercial tariffs!”
“From who? Do you think we have the right to do that?”
“…”
The elderly chairman scanned his colleagues from left to right and right to left.
“Now, you’re furious. You’re outraged. You’re roaring at me like I have abandoned the glory of the Light Parliament all by myself. Stop feigning innocence. You’ve seen that woman’s actions, but who stepped out back then? And now, you’re berating me for not protecting the honor of the Light Parliament. Why didn’t any one of you step out alongside me back then?”
The elderly man stood to his feet and glared fiercely. The group of men subconsciously took a few steps back.
“I know you’re only waiting to see my decision and you’ll criticize me no matter which choice I take. Just like now. You claim that I’ve abandoned the Light Parliament’s honor since I knelt before that woman. But what if I rejected?” The elderly chairman spread his arms apart and displayed an ironic smile.
“Wouldn’t you accuse me of failing to grasp the bigger picture and making a dangerous move in order to save my reputation?”
“…”
The group of men was at a loss for words because that was indeed what they would do.
“You said that I’ve insulted the Light Parliament’s honor, but I know that many of you hoped to see me embarrass myself by kneeling before that woman! You must be feeling great inside! Not only would you have an excuse to kick me off my position, but you also get to see my desperate side! Have you considered the honor of the Light Parliament just now? Have you considered everything that our ancestors have done for us?!”
The elderly chairman raised his voice while the others remained silent. However, the elderly chairman wasn’t expecting a response from them.
“I’m different. I still love this country. I can forgo my reputation. You see, just like now, at least we aren’t worried that the woman will cut down on the sum of money that’ll be given to us. She might even increase the amount if she’s in a good mood. If that’s the case, our financial deficit can be fully covered and there may even be surplus. Isn’t that great?”
“Sir Chairman, please conduct yourself with dignity!”
Finally, someone couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“What you’re saying now is totally…”
“I don’t care.”
The elderly man waved his hand and interrupted.
“I know more than anyone that I can’t serve for another term of office anymore. So, if there is still some value in this old pile of bones in me to allow the people of the Country of Light to lead a comfortable, peaceful life, what’s there not to do? Besides, didn’t you wish that I do the same?”
The elderly man straightened his back. The group surprisingly discovered that this cautious yes-man who always carried a smile on his face was actually this tall.
“But I’m still the chairman of the Light Parliament. As long as I’m still in position, I will ensure that you follow my orders.”
The elderly man had never revealed such unswerving determination in his eyes until today.
“I will give my all for the sake of the Country of Light.”