How exactly should we treat Rocky? Within the Mairente Family, there clearly exist differing opinions.
Those aligned with Clan Leader Atted, notably, intend to reconcile with Rocky, and this stance is epitomized by Cyril, who has had significant dealings with him.
Given Cyril's interactions with Rocky, it's impossible to claim there are no personal feelings involved, but that's secondary. As a mber of the family and also the daughter of the Clan Leader, Cyril is primarily considering the family's interests in this matter.
As she stated, Rocky is no longer the pitiful figure who was deceived by the family into losing the dium-sized Sky City and was then expelled over a year ago. He has considerably evolved since becoming a mber of the Sky Alliance and gaining access to the latest Armor Technology. All of this proves that the family must change its attitude toward him.
Hence, Cyril hopes the family will take the initiative to make ands with Rocky, which would be beneficial for both sides. She also pointed out that Rocky's conflict is only with 'certain individuals' in the family, not with the family as a whole, suggesting there's still hope for reconciliation.
This idea, naturally, is not accepted by the faction led by Lexington because the 'certain individuals' Cyril referred to are Lexington and his group—they're the ones embroiled in deep conflict with Rocky!
First was Baron Wolin's failed attempt to forcibly take Thunderhawk City, followed by collusion with Wild Horse City to cause trouble for Rocky. They even nearly thwarted his efforts to join the Sky Alliance. It could be said that all significant troubles Rocky faced as a City Lord were related to Lexington and his cohorts.
Had he remained a diocre City Lord for life, no one would have cared about a minor character. Unfortunately for them, he was far from insignificant – in fact, he achieved a great deal!
Consider the short ti Rocky has been a City Lord, he managed to join the Sky Alliance as a minor Sky City Lord and astonished everyone with groundbreaking new technology, making himself one of the hottest commodities of the current ti.
Therefore, Lexington and the others had no choice but to take him seriously. Assuming Rocky is not a fool, he certainly won't forget what they did to him. Rather than waiting passively for Rocky to grow stronger and seek revenge, they preferred to take the offensive, aiming to eliminate him before he could fully spread his wings!
Under these circumstances, a fierce dispute naturally arose between Cyril and Abraham. Cyril tried to clarify to everyone that Rocky's conflict was with an individual within the family, naly the group led by Lexington—it wasn't with the family as a whole and reconciliation was possible. Abraham, on the contrary, emphasized that Rocky harbored hatred for the entire family, even involving his origins to persuade others that keeping him around would lead to disaster.
"Enough!"
As Abraham finished speaking and Cyril was about to respond, Lexington, seated firmly at the conference table, suddenly interjected, cutting off Cyril's unspoken words and forcing them back down her throat.
As the most powerful Elder in the family, Lexington still held considerable authority. After pre-empting Cyril's comnt, he glared in her direction, "A bunch of juniors, is it your place to express opinions here?"
"And what gives you the right to speak?"
When Lexington spoke up, Clan Leader Atted also chid in. He gave Lexington a cold look, "Lexington, it's because of your unilateral actions that the Sky Alliance sanctioned us. Do you realize how much pressure that put on our family? What right do you have to speak on this matter!"
Rarely showing such anger, Atted was genuinely upset. The Sky Alliance's sanctions were indeed severe for the Mairente Family. Losing face was the least of their problems; the attitude of the Alliance was a significant concern, given its power. For a family as influential as the Mairente, enemies both overt and covert abounded, making them vulnerable to attack now that they had been blacklisted by the Alliance. As a result, Atted had been under trendous pressure lately. If Lexington's influence within the family hadn't been so substantial, Atted would have already removed him from his Elder position. Nevertheless, Lexington had also faced punishnt from the family, leaving him quite passive.
But Lexington was still Lexington. Even in the face of such a pointed question from Atted, he rely sneered and then spoke up, "My actions against Rocky were for the good of the family!"
"Do you really think the dispute between Rocky and our family arises solely because of my actions? Have you forgotten who decided to take back that Sky City from him?"
As Lexington spoke these words, he glanced at Atted, because the person who had made the decision to reclaim the dium-sized Sky City that had been left to Rocky by his father was none other than Atted, who was not yet the Clan Leader at the ti!
"Haven't you all forgotten whose hands that Sky City is in now!"
After giving Atted a look, Lexington turned his gaze to another person among the Elders, a woman.
This woman appeared to be in her forties, yet she still carried her charm, embodying the allure of a mature woman. However, after being stared at by Lexington, especially after hearing what he said, she slightly furrowed her brows.
This woman was Kelly.
Just like Atted and Lexington, Kelly was also a leader of a family faction, and it was she who currently had in her hands the dium-sized Sky City taken back from Rocky. It was precisely because she obtained possession of this Sky City that she had supported Atted, helping him ascend to the position of Clan Leader of the Mairente Family!
Glancing at Atted and then at Kelly, the implication in Lexington's words was already quite clear: if there was a conflict between Rocky and the Mairente Family, then everyone in the family was involved, and no one could claim innocence in the matter!
Thereby, the entire conference hall fell into silence, because all were well aware that considering Rocky's current montum and his displayed potential, the best outco would be to reconcile with him, or even to have him rejoin the family. But as Lexington pointed out, no one could detach themselves from the discord between Rocky and the family.
Yet, the problem was that he had already joined the Sky Alliance, and in order to have him join, the Sky Alliance had gone so far as to sanction the entire Mairente Family. They had made their stance very clear: at such a ti, whoever dared to harm Rocky would be provoking the Sky Alliance! In this world, no one dared openly challenge the Sky Alliance so brazenly!
This was also why the question of how to deal with Rocky had beco vexing. No one could easily make a decision, and even if one was made, it wouldn't satisfy everyone.
However, just at that mont, Kelly, who had not spoken until then, suddenly spoke up.
"The Sky Alliance is interested in Rocky because of the new technology he controls... So, as far as the Sky Alliance is concerned, it doesn't matter who has the new technology. As long as they have a share in it, that's enough."
"Am I right?"
After saying this, Kelly looked around the room, eventually setting her gaze on Atted, and then turned to look at Lexington, "I agree with Lexington's approach. The feud between Rocky and the family is too deep, it must be dealt with swiftly. As for the Sky Alliance, when the ti cos, we just have to hand over the new technology that Rocky controls. And on this matter, we can't give Rocky any chance to retaliate. No one in the family can cause issues with this, or else they are an enemy of the family!"
"This is inappropriate!"
As soon as Kelly succinctly expressed her perspective, Atted imdiately voiced his opposition. However, even though he was the Clan Leader, he could not dictate everything within the family. Hence, as he objected, Lexington and Kelly imdiately initiated an Elder vote, and Kelly's proposal passed with a majority!
In turn, with the passing of Kelly's proposal, the Mairente Family's final stance toward Rocky was established: they would send troops to attack Thunderhawk City!
This resolution was not to be taken lightly. Although the Mairente Family had targeted Rocky before, those were mostly personal actions rather than family-involved. But this ti was different!
This ti, the decision was made jointly by the two major family factions, and not even Atted, the Clan Leader, could stop it. This ant that the decision was not just an individual's idea, but represented the whole family's resolution. The entire Mairente Family was preparing to campaign against Rocky!
Moreover, to avoid repeating past mistakes, the family strictly forbade all mbers from tipping off Rocky...!
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