386 The Speech
Selma Payne’s POV:
Early in the morning, the Elven Capital City was under full martial law because most of the mayors and envoys in the Elf Forest would come to the capital today to make a joint decision on a major event that might decide the future fate of the elven race.
The current outcome was much better than the Council of Elders had expected. At the very least, most of the city-states had given a positive response. Regardless of whether the mayors were present, they had at least ‘shown up’.
As an outsider, I naturally couldn’t participate in the internal meetings of the elven race. However, the Council of Elders had set up a hidden seat for me in a secret room. Although I couldn’t express my opinions, I could still listen.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll hear the secrets of the elven race?” I asked.
The Great Elder smiled kindly and said, “At the moment of life and death, what kind of secret is still a secret?” There’s no need to hide any secrets related to this matter, and no one will mention any secrets unrelated to this matter.”
I was the only one in the secret room. No one could accompany me, not even Dorothy or Master Hayley. Everyone was worried and felt that there was no guarantee of safety. However, I understood the elves’ concerns. Accepting me into this secret meeting was already their greatest show of sincerity. If I couldn’t show them my trust, then this cooperation would not be needed.
“We can secretly exchange information, can’t we?” I gave Dorothy a ‘you know what I mean’ look. “If something happens, you can still ensure my safety at the first moment.”
Under the repeated warnings and worries of my companions, I entered the secret room ahead of time and watched as the mayors and emissaries arrived one by one, gradually filling up the vast and majestic palace.
There was no need to mention the complicated ceremonial process. When the Council of Elders led by the Great Elder appeared, the whispering people all quieted.
“My fellow countrymen, we’ve gathered here today to discuss an important matter. As you all know, due to His Majesty’s sacrifice, you and I can sit here safely. However, the risk did not end with His Majesty’s deep sleep. The Goddess of Nature ordered the entire forest to become a cage for the cultists, but these unrepentant sinners still tried to continue their evil work in the cage of atonement.
“However, this is not the most infuriating thing.
“According to reliable sources, another group of believers of the devil, the stray werewolves who treat Leviathan as their master, is also mixed in with the torturers. Naturally, they were punished but could not wash away the sins in their hearts. This incurable fallen tried to attack our compatriots in vain to sacrifice a rotten body to their master.”
This explosive news caused an uproar among the people present. Some were whispering, some were shocked, some were in disbelief, and some were staring at the group of elders suspiciously as if they were considering whether this was a plot against them.
The Great Elder was unmoved by these whispers and gazes. He asked someone to pass on the bone fragments with Leviathan’s aura to everyone.
𝒇𝑟e𝗲𝚠𝚎𝐛𝗻𝐨νel. 𝒄om
“I know that there are many masters among you who are proficient in mystery, so why don’t you personally verify the truth of this matter?”
The mayors and the emissaries elected a few representatives to examine the evidence. One of them was an acquaintance of mine, Chena City’s mayor.
Compared to the frown from before, Chena City’s mayor looked much more peaceful now. I heard some rumors in the capital that the western city-states weren’t as united as one. Some mayors want to avoid getting involved in the power struggle and only want to live a good life.
Chena City’s mayor was probably distracted by his daughter’s situation, so it would be strange if he could still divert his attention to those conspiracies.
After their examination, everyone finally believed this. At the same time, many people gradually became serious, no longer acting perfunctorily like they were at the beginning. Now that the other party’s backer had increased from one to two, the potential danger was more complex than one multiplied by two.
However, at this moment, the Great Elder changed the topic. “Of course, there’s still some good news for us now. The believers of Azazel and the believers of Leviathan seem to be divided. These body fragments from the stray werewolves are the best proof. The breaking of the two sides has undoubtedly reduced a lot of pressure on us. At least it’s easier to break them one by one than to fight an iron plate.
“But I suggest you don’t let your guard down because these body fragments also mean one thing – these cultists are speeding up the pace of sacrificial offerings. For demons, what could be more delicious than the souls of their children? Once evil thoughts arise, there is no way to stop them. Now, every child of ours is being enveloped by the shadow of the heretic cult believers. If we don’t think of a way to save them, perhaps in some unknown corner, children are kidnapped by the heretic cult believers. Then, they will forever disappear in the evil sacrificial array that glows with a disgusting red light.
“Children, our precious treasure! Could we ordinary old fellows sit here and do nothing, let our children be robbed, and let their parents shed tears? Don’t let our age become a waste of boring time; let us not sit on the high throne like corpses and vegetables!”
