Chapter 17: Three Topics

With such accusations thrown at him, Frim, now in his fiery form, couldn’t stay silent any longer and immediately retorted.

【You guys don’t get anything! That dragon is just a freak, and because of those two half-demons betraying us, I was also bound by the illusionary world’s seal at that time, rendering many of my powerful abilities useless! I couldn’t summon in the divine realm; can you blame me for that?】

The burly beast-headed legislator, who had initiated the attack on Frim, quickly fired back.

【Ha! All you’re doing is passing the buck for your defeat onto others. Frim, has thousands of years of imprisonment completely dulled your firepower? Not only did you lose to mere mortals, but you even cowardly chose to escape in the end! If I were you, I’d be too embarrassed to sit back in this legislative seat today!】

【You…】

The crimson flames surged violently, and the burly figure bristled with fur, looking ready to throw hands at any moment.

【Ohhh! Fight! Hit him hard!!!】

The Black and White Mask, always eager for chaos, reverted back to its initial comedic and absurd expression, cheering on the side, while several other legislators, including a woman named Hen, just observed coldly, as if they wouldn’t mind if the entire chamber was torn down.

However, this time, the aging voice that echoed through the chamber didn’t just sit back and watch like when Hen took action.

【Calm down a bit, Bister, and Frim, your grudges can be settled privately. Don’t forget… where you are.】

The ancient voice didn’t roar thunderously like the towering figure called Bister or like Frim, but its light tone of cautious advice was enough to make both combatants huff and then dutifully fall silent.

Even the silver-haired woman Hen, who had been pretending to doze off, seemed to sense something and slightly lifted her head, glancing at the ceiling of the chamber, her eyes still indifferent, before closing them again.

Easily quelling the chaos, the ancient voice then continued.

【The defeat of the Blazing Flame cannot be entirely blamed on him. The appearance and strength of that Holy White Dragon are both quite abnormal and do not fall within our foreseen variables. If not, at the very least, the Blazing Flame wouldn’t have had any problems escaping safely.】

No one responded, but from the astonished glances of the legislators, it was clear that they were quite surprised by the old voice’s assertion.

The woman named Hen raised an eyebrow and casually commented.

【The ruins over there, did they break the seal?】

Before the ancient voice could reply, the Black and White Mask chimed in enthusiastically.

【Nope, nope! Our poor split self still can’t make contact, and I bet the other guys can’t either; those smelly lizards are just the worst!】

As it spoke, it quickly morphed into an angry, terrifying facade, bouncing around the stone seat adorned with countless faces as if venting its dissatisfaction.

At that moment, the ancient voice finally resumed.

【Indeed, that dragon’s origin is unknown, and the information gathered is still quite murky. Therefore, until I can derive more detailed intel, you all should avoid conflicts with it as much as possible… Additionally, Exmont, the legislator you selected who betrayed us needs to provide an explanation to the Blazing Flame and me.】

Upon hearing this name, all the legislators subconsciously turned their gazes towards the figure cloaked in black robes, which had previously interacted with Frim, appearing human-shaped yet discernibly unclear inside.

No doubt, that was Exmont, as referred to by the ancient voice.

Sensing the tense atmosphere in the council hall, Exmont continued to speak in a nonchalant tone.

【There’s nothing to explain. Legislator and legislator are not in a subordinate relationship; we were merely engaged in a transaction – that girl named Sylvania was my test subject to verify the power of 【Deception】, while I would make her long-time wish come true in return.】

【This should be common knowledge in the council. Of course, some legislators may be comparatively power-hungry, but at least here, I won’t interfere with what any legislator does. My purpose has always been ‘experimentation’.】

【I deeply regret the incident involving Frim, but in the end, I don’t believe I need to take responsibility for it.】

【……】

A brief silence fell over the council hall.

In the end, it was the usually indifferent silver-haired woman Hen who took the initiative to reply to Exmont.

【Speaking of which, your organization that mimics the council’s format in the present world seems to have encountered problems lately, right? I heard their operations faced setbacks with significant losses, and even one of your other legislators died?】

Upon hearing this, the black-robed figure seemed a bit surprised.

【Lady Hen’s intelligence is as sharp as ever. Indeed, we’ve lost quite a few good test subjects recently, but Aaliyah has only temporarily lost contact; there’s no sufficient evidence to prove she has fallen. After all, she’s one of those who attained immortality.】

【Hmph, immortality…】

Hen leaned back against her stone chair, seeming to lose interest in continuing the conversation, while the black-robed Exmont also fell silent, appearing unconcerned that other legislators would persist in holding him accountable.

In fact, that was really the case; after all, Frim’s defeat hadn’t materially affected the interests of the other legislators. As a relatively loose assembly that might only convene once a century, they had no reason to blow things out of proportion; at most, it would be just idle chatter.

And the one suffering most from the losses, the God of Blazing Flame, had also significantly weakened. As long as he had a scrap of sense, he wouldn’t choose to clash with fellow legislator Exmont at this time.

Seeing the prolonged silence in the council hall, the ancient voice, as if having anticipated this scene, finally spoke again.

【It seems that a consensus has been reached on the second topic. I’m glad to see you all united in your attitude. Now, let’s move on to the final and most crucial topic.】

Deliberately pausing for a moment, the ancient voice then slowly began to speak.

【Regarding the mysterious existence known as Miss Vilyric, which has suddenly appeared in the world in recent years, how should the council respond? Should we… absorb her?】

【……?】

Upon hearing the name, an unusual glimmer flickered in Hen’s silver eyes, while Exmont, also sensing something, slightly nodded. The other legislators either held tense expressions or remained silent, but that Black and White Mask immediately displayed a puzzled face, shouting and clamoring.

【Vilyric? Who’s that? Is she really that powerful to warrant gathering us for discussion?】

Frim, in the form of crimson flames, spoke in a low voice.

【If I’m not mistaken, she should be the light deity that previously appeared in the illusionary world and battled against me. Although her origins are unclear, the deities on the side of order wouldn’t agree with our grand plans. From my perspective, the best strategy would be to eliminate her as soon as possible.】

The burly legislator, clearly at odds with the God of Blazing Flame, immediately retorted.

【Eliminate? That’s a laugh! Who’s going to do that? You? Since you know she’s a deity, how can you say something so thoughtless? Oh, sorry, I forgot you’re the Blazing Flame; you don’t think at all, haha!】

【Bister!!!】

   

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