Sowhere in Ashlion...
The Cathedral of Lumiere had a council that supervised all of the decisions made by the Church of All-Encompassing Light in the city of Ashlion. Without the approval of the seven high-ranking officials. A radical change couldn't be made.
And the execution of a Cavalier was considered a radical change...
After all, talents were hard to co by.
No matter how insignificant the rank of a Cavalier was, he was still a mber of the three Judiciaries.
This was sothing that couldn't be scoffed at.
Today, inside a secret room sowhere in the Cathedral of Lumiere. All seven sufficiently high-ranking individuals were present. The Cardinal, Santiago was also in this room and his job was to be the overseer for today's eting.
However, he was only a figurehead for today's eting since the Chief Executor of the Church of All-Encompassing Light was here.
The topic of today's eting was the mutiny that the Cavaliers had conducted against a high-ranking official. Naturally, that high-ranking official was also here.
The Church of the three Orthodox Gods had always managed to maintain their solidarity due to the concept of camaraderie...
With that, they had to take the mutiny of the Cavaliers seriously.
"Dispose of them through the Cavalier's way." A high-ranking official stated.
Obviously, he was Rosales Ayala. He was usually a timid man, but in this eting, he looked strangely determined to dispose of the Cavaliers, "They have gone too far! We cannot let them go scot-free, they must pay the consequences of going against a church official!"
"We must set an example! I propose that the Cavaliers are to be executed!"
Rosales Ayala declared.
"Don't you think that you're being too hasty in that decision, Rosales?" A middle-aged man spoke up. He was the Patriarch of the Fayke Aristocratic family in Ashlion.
Even though it looked strange that the leader of a rchant family was also a high-ranking official of the church...
It wasn't really that peculiar.
The church often relied on their rchant networks to earn a little money on the side and also acquire information regarding rare resources and materials.
The middle-aged man's na was Ruiz Fayke. In terms of position and authority within the church, one could consider him to be the 2nd among the seven.
"How could you say that? Can you imagine yourself in my shoes?! They've gone too far, and that's it! They must be executed!"
Rosales Ayala fud in fury. He couldn't help but point a finger at Ruiz.
"I know that you are angry at them, but we can't just turn a blind eye to their accomplishnts. They've uncovered the secrets of that village and it turned out that a Queen of Plague holding the Sinister Heart was in the village!"
"If not for the Cavaliers' actions then the church might not even know of that imminent threat until it's too late!" Ruiz Fakye reasoned out with equal determination in his tone of voice.
The other council mbers stared at Ruiz Fayke in astonishnt.
Among the seven council mbers, the stance of the Fayke Aristocratic family had always been ambiguous. But this was understandable since the council mbers had always tried their best to maintain equilibrium among its mbers.
Back then, they often quarreled against each other whenever there was a chance...
But now, they had perfectly divvied up Ashlion's territory and their own interests.
As a result, they no longer interfered in each other's actions.
However, whenever an external influence threatened their interests, they would always unite to resist it.
The council mbers considered the Cavaliers' actions as a threat to their own personal interests...
This was why the eting was convened.
The Cavaliers were still under their jurisdiction. Usually, if a mber of the church's judiciaries did such a severe cri like what the Cavaliers had done, they would always be executed on the spot without a trial.
But this ti, a summary execution couldn't possibly be done. It was because the individuals involved were the entire Ashlion Branch of the Cavaliers. Setting aside the expected opposition and outrage that a summary execution would invoke from the Headquarters of the Cavaliers in Laguna...
Ron Samuel and the others were also valuable assets to the church.
The entire issue beca a dilemma for the Church of Lumiere that a eting had to be called.
"Ruiz is right, the actions of the Cavaliers were deplorable indeed, but the result wasn't that bad. Also, no real casualties happened, so I suggest that we should just let them go as a recognition for their efforts." A council mber proposed.
Rosales shook his head, "If we let them go, will the others even respect us? Where would our dignity go if we are not even willing to punish those that deserved to be punished?"
"That's correct," A voice floated over.
The voice sounded unfamiliar to the council mbers. But it wasn't because they didn't know who was speaking; it was because the person who spoke just now seldom stated his thoughts in a eting.
"Rosales's words are correct. I also approve of the execution of the Cavaliers. On grounds of mutiny, they must be executed!"
"Mr. Park..." The other council mbers stared in astonishnt at the person who just spoke.
Even the Cardinal, Santiago, and the Chief Executor Martin Lothar were staring at the man in shock. This was the first ti in years that the man spoke a word in etings and he was in agreent for the execution of the Cavaliers?
Also, why did it seem like he has a specific hatred against the Cavaliers?
Ruiz turned to look at the council mber and sneered, "Park Hoong-Jun. It's been years since you've spoken in a eting like this..."
"Now that I think about it, that strange accent of yours is still present, eh? You sound like you're out of this world!" Ruiz Fayke observed the changes on the man's face, but the latter remained indifferent, "Would you like to explain your stance?"
Park Hoong-Jun shrugged, "It doesn't matter..."
"My decision will not change."
"All right..." Ruiz shook his head. He was wary of Park Hoong-Jun.
Ruiz was the only non-Predator mber of the church, so he knew that he had to know his fellow council mbers more or he would be at a disadvantage in future discussions.
As a result, Ruiz had investigated every council mber, but there was one person whose information seed to be covered in an endless void.
Park Hoong-Jun.
Everything about this man was strange.
His accent sounded stiff, and his na was sothing that Ruiz had never seen before.
But no matter what, the fact that Park Hoong-Jun was able to beco a high-ranking official of the church and a mber of the council ant that there was nothing wrong with his identity. However, the fact that he was able to keep his identity hidden from the others for so long was a piece of rock-solid evidence in regards to his abilities.
Park Hoong-Jun was a man that must never be underestimated.
Ruiz cleared his throat and continued, "How about the other council mbers? What do you think?"
"Can't we be a little optimistic and say that the Cavaliers only did what they have done due to the incompetence of a certain soone?" The council mber who spoke was a woman who looked to be in her twenties.
The pure white one-piece dress that she wore expressed her purity without lessening her dignity and presence in front of these battle-hardened and experienced n.
"Sistine Santillan. Shouldn't you go and handle the matters of the Convent instead of trying to influence the decision of us, n?"
Rosales sneered.
"Hahaha," Sistine coldly chuckled, "I won't comnt about what you had said just now, but rember thatwhat can you do... I will be able to do it better. Especially when you are that incompetent."
"What did you say?!"
Rosales stood up from his seat as his eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.
Staring at Sistine, indescribable fury welled up in his heart.
To be honest, he hated the fact that there was a woman in the council.
But no matter what, he had to admit that Sistine Santillan was indeed a capable woman.
Her influence was even stronger than the rcenaries Guild, or maybe even the Fayke Aristocratic family.
But why?
It was because Sistine had always been the symbol of light and compassion in the eyes of the commoners.
In a way, she was the symbol of the commoners.
This was why she beca a high-ranking official of the church.
Her charisma and charm was an incredibly powerful weapon that she could use any ti she wanted to sway the public's opinion against a particular mber of the church.
This was how powerful Sistine was...
Indeed, the so-called Energetic Sister of Hope and Light couldn't be underestimated at all.
"Take your seat, Rosales. Order in the eting must be upheld at all tis." A middle-aged man's deep and bassy voice rang out.
"Y-Y-Your Honor! Please forgive for my rudeness!" Rosales quickly stiffened as he cowered and imdiately took his seat.
Sistine also wore a grave look on her face as the middle-aged man stared at her, "7th. Your opinion is highly regarded. But it is true that the Cavaliers had violated a rule and disrespected the church..."
Everyone turned their attention to the middle-aged man.
His opinion would decide everything.
It was because this man was the most valuable mber of the church, the owner of the 1st seat in the council, and the future 8th Cardinal of the Church of the All-Encompassing LightMikael Gonzaga.
Every person in this council respected his opinion to the point of subservience.
Martin stared at Mikael with a serious look on his face.
If Mikael decided that the Cavaliers deserved to die, then they would never be able to see the next day!
His words were crucial to the final decision of the council.
This was a do or die situation for the Cavaliers!
"But I also cannot deny their achievents. This is why I will be giving them the benefit of the doubt and say that I will not voice out my opinion this ti. Feel free to discuss the specifics among yourselves." Mikael directly stated his opinion and imdiately went silent.
Martin let out a sigh of relief.
It was good as long as Mikael didn't say that the Cavaliers must die.
At least, the Cavaliers still had a chance to survive without Mikael's support or opposition.
"Point taken..." The Chief Executor, Martin Lothar quickly took advantage of this opportunity to speak, "The 1st has a neutral opinion..."
"How about you, 2nd?"
"Shall we execute the Cavaliers for the cri of mutiny?"
Ruiz Fayke nodded, "I oppose the idea!"
Martin Lothar turned to look at Rosales Ayala, the holder of the third seat, "How about you, 3rd?"
"I agree to it! We must execute them!"
Martin nodded. He turned to look at Park Hoong-Jun and asked.
"I presu that 4th has the sa idea as the 3rd, am I right?"
Park Hoong-Jun softly nodded without saying anything.
"5th?" Martin Lothar turned to look at the man who had never once voiced out his opinion throughout the entire eting. But the other council mbers didn't really think that much of the 5th's opinion.
It was because he was the definition of a muscle-head who only wanted to fight.
In fact, it was a mystery how he was able to join the council with his brains.
"? I don't really understand what you guys are talking about, but I believe that we cannot just execute people randomly. So, I'll object!"
Jayson Chad, the holder of the 5th seat, and the leader of the rcenaries Guild replied.
"Wait up!" Rosales interrupted, "Jayson, why are you wasting your opinion so easily? Support and agree to the execution of those bastards?"
"Those bastards?" Jayson blankly stared at Rosales, "Who are we talking about anyway?"
"You... Did you even listen to what we talked about earlier?!" Rosales pointed a finger at Jayson as he sucked in several mouthfuls of air to calm himself down...
Then, he patiently explained, "Support the execution of those bastards who dared to take a hostage. People like them cannot be allowed to live. They are those people that often disrupt the order and the law of the land, so they must be punished!"
"That's right..." Another man spoke. The man looked to be in his mid-twenties. A scholarly vibe surrounded his body and the pair of glasses that he was wearing gave everyone the feeling that he was a studious and smart young man.
"The Cavaliers committed a cri. That's it. End of the story. Those that commit a cri in the lands established by his Majesty shall be punished. Therefore, I agree to their execution." The young man was the leader of the Lawyer's Guild.
His na, Gilbert Quarentas. He held the 6th seat in the council.
"Gilbert! I see you're still a sensible and law-abiding young man! I owe you one!" Rosales glanced at Gilbert in joy.
Gilbert coldly shrugged, "I only did what I think is right, old man. I don't need your favor."
"Oh... Okay." Rosales was stunned by the sudden rebuke.
Then, he turned his attention to Jayson.
The current decision was in the favor of the prosecutors.
The holder of the 3rd, 4th, and 6th seats agreed with the execution of the Cavaliers.
The 5th and 2nd seat holders didn't agree to itwhile Mikael Gonzagathe holder of the 1st seat had a neutral decision.
Everything was now in the hands of Jayson Chad, the only mber of the council that had muscles for brains.
With all eyes on him, Jayson remained steadfast as he asked, "Rosales, are those people strong?"
A peculiar look appeared on Rosales's face.
He didn't know how to answer the question.
He thought that Jayson's question must have a trick in it, but Jayson had always been a muscle-head.
How could he possibly have the brainpower to think of a trick question?
This was why as a result, Rosales surmised that honesty would probably be the best to convince this straightforward lad into his side.
"Yes, they are strong... They are so strong that they managed to injure my bodyguards and even take as a hostage." Rosales replied.
"I see..."
Jayson crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned back against his seat, "In that case, I don't agree that they should be executed!"
"All right! So you agree towhat?!" Rosales boisterously laughed, but then his figure abruptly froze when he realized what Jayson had just said.
"Did you just say that you don't agree with their execution?"
"Yes!"
"But why...?" Rosales couldn't understand it.
"Why, you say? It's because they are strong!"
"It would be a tragedy if we just kill off strong people when there's a lack of people like them in the world. Also, I would love to et and duel them in the future, so it's not good if they are dead." Jayson shrugged.
"HAHAHA!" Sistine couldn't hold it back anymore as she laughed out loud.
Staring at Rosales, the mocking in her eyes was thick.
"You..." Rosales glared at Jayson, "You tricked , you bastard!"
"What? Do you want to fight?" Jayson imdiately took a stance, intimidating the usually timid Rosales into submission.
"Take your seat, Rosales..." Martin Lothar spoke, "Since the council cannot agree to a one-sided decision this ti. How about we go ahead and postpone the next council eting that will decide their fate to next year?" He made a proposal to the council mbers.
The holder of the 4th seat, Park Hoong-Jun shook his head, "Six months and I'll agree."
"All right..." Martin Lothar rejoiced in his heart.
He had predicted beforehand that those in agreent with the Cavaliers' execution would definitely want them to be executed as fast as possible.
This was why he proposed a year instead of directly stating six months. If he said the latter, then the council mbers would inevitably bargain it down to three months.
"Since a decision has been made."
"I hereby declare this eting..."
"Adjourned!"
Cardinal Santiago slamd his walking stick onto the marbled floor.
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