Chương 3: The Ministers' Decision

Under the Guardian Deity of the Great Forest of Dura, powerful beings from the forest are tasked to protect and rule different aspects of the forest. These beings are called the 'Ministers', known for their incredible magic and talent.

Before Alden retired as a Demon King and scattered his empire, some the current Ministers ruled different regions of his empire. Being born from the forest themselves, the ministers are the most trusted people among Alden's network. They were born and raised in the forest, some even older than Alden himself.

When a decision that could alter the course of life in the forest, a meeting must be called. The seven Ministers can choose to not attend a meeting, but they will pay a hefty price. A minimum of four Ministers is required to start a meeting and a meeting cannot start when it fails to reach the minimum number of members.

"You absolutely, not-in-a-million-years cannot do that!"

Ellaine slammed her hands on the stone table as she stood to rebel against Alden's decision. When everyone turned to her, she was flustered and returned to her seat.

"That outburst was so unnecessary."

Alden chuckled at her. He looked at the other ministers, figuring out that no one would back him up in his decision. Even his assistant wasn't too keen on the idea.

"It's a task that I have to fulfill whether I like it or not as the ruler and the guardian of the forest."

Alden tried to reason out with the ministers. He couldn't possibly convince them immediately, but he has to convey the purpose of his journey.

"Then send everyone else. Send the guards, the knights, the fairies. You can send my monkeys, but do not leave this forest."

Ellaine wasn't too happy with the decision. She was the most outspoken of the ministers about how she does not agree with Alden's choice. But Alden knew why she wasn't on board with him and that's what he would bring up next.

"While I'm gone, my responsibilities would be fulfilled by Coil. He can send the beasts for patrol and then ask for backup if necessary."

Ellaine sighed, as if a heavy weight was removed from her shoulders. She wanted to avoid being in charge of guarding the forest and that's what made her disagree with Alden. Now that Coil was assigned to guard the forest, she immediately switched sides.

Alden knew that Ellaine was a shallow woman, driven by her own goals. She was lazy and barely competent in regards to her duties but she was powerful. She can protect the forest if a great danger would come to them.

"Then I agree with Eldryn. He can leave whenever he want and then return after a few hundred years. This forest has been prospering since the Age of Creation. We're fine."

"Spoken like a true ancient being."

Quanos chuckled at Veilin's comment. The Minister of Mist narrowed his eyes at Ellaine, fully knowing the true intentions of her outburst.

"Ellaine is such an old woman, she does want to guard a tiny forest because it might tire her out."

Ellaine heard this comment, immediately glaring at Veilin who was now yawning. She rolled her eyes and took another whiff from her pipe.

She laid her back on the chair and crossed her legs, pouting and speaking.

"What exactly are you going to do out there?"

Alden sighed once again, but this time he wanted to really show them why his mission was important. He waved his hand a giant slab of wood rose from the ground. The slab was white and was clean and shiny.

Pictures of the forest fire the day before appeared on the slab. Alden stood and showed them the devastation it created and the damage it left.

"This was from an attack of one of the members of the humans the other day."

Alden zoomed in the charred bodies of animals and beasts and the burnt trees. He shook his head, feeling the pain the creatures felt.

"The confusing part of this is that man was not special. He had no such incredible talent or skill, but he was able to cast powerful attack— destroying a lot of lives."

"And why is this somehow part of why you wanted to leave?"

Quanos asked, peeking through the flaps of skin that covered his eyes.

"I want to learn modern magic so I can successfully stop all their attacks and defend the forest. I had to pour a lot of water just for the flames to weaken. It took me a lot of power to kill the fire and that is what's alarming about all of this."

The Ministers were silent as they let Alden continue.

"If we can learn how their magic works, we can stop them from destroying our home. We were lucky enough that the people who came here were weak. If not for that fact, a larger portion of the forest could have suffered."

"This new magic could well be not threatening at all."

Quanos tried to reason.

"Great One, you said that you were able to prevent the fire from scattering even more. That is more than enough for us to know that we can handle if such situations could arise again."

"I have to agree with him. Even if I don't have to do your guarding duties, I don't think any one of us are capable of creating the barrier on the inner side of the forest like you. Are you saying you'll cease the barrier that's been keeping humans away? No."

Ellaine added.

Hearing this, Alden sighed for he could not disagree with the Ministers. He was indeed able to stop the fire, but he wanted to point out that worse situations are possible and can happen any time. It was a huge risk.

Aside that fact, the barrier around the forest needed frequent replenishment. It's every a few days or so that he should seal the forest from unwanted visitors by creating a barrier that creates a repeating path. This would prevent the visitors from entering the actual forest that they live in.

"What about you, Coin? Do you have any input?"

Coin shook his head after being called by Alden and looked down at the table. Ellaine placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. She then looked at Alden.

"You know he just follows what I decide on."

As the others continued, the Minister of Beasts glanced at his hands that were on his lap. He was only listening to their discussion but was unable to decide what to do. He doesn't have a lot of opinion on these matters because he was indecisive. He only followed the majority and decide based on what they decide on.

"New magic, huh?"

Coin muttered to himself and shook his head. A tiny hare peeked from the collar of his shirt, looking around then looking at him. When it saw the worry on Coin's face, the hare rubbed its head on his chest, returning to his shirt to snuggle.

"I will have to allow Eldryn to investigate the new magic."

Their heads turned to look at Coin. He was supposed to be the most indecisive Minister, but he was now the first to cast an opposite vote against the majority. He wanted to protect the beasts of the forest, and after seeing the way the animals were killed, he was determined to protect them.

"A Minister has cast his vote."

Lana pointed a finger in the air, summoning a green orb of light above the table. This made Ellaine sigh and shake her head.

"I cast a no vote."

Lana nodded. She summoned another orb beside the first one, but this time it was red in color. The remaining ministers looked at each other and shrugged.

"Yes."

Said Veilin.

"No."

Quanos was the last one to vote. Lana summoned two balls of each color above the table, making the decision tied.

It was silence. Usually, with four decisions being tied, Alden would be the tie-breaker and decide. This time, since it was his request to be determined, he doesn't have the special powers.

But there was one reason why he only summoned four Ministers.

"I then cast a special power from being present in all seven previous meetings to add one vote."

They all turned their heads toward Coin who spoke. Alden smirked, making Ellaine snap her head at him.

"Oh, you're so funny, Eldryn."

Alden shrugged then he looked away from the furious woman. She groaned and laid back on her seat.

"The final vote has been cast. The winning vote is to allow the Great Guardian Alden to journey outside the Great Forest of Dura to investigate new magic."

"So that's why you didn't invite the others."

Ellaine was amused by how Alden outsmarted her. She thought that the Ministers would never agree to this, but then she was wrong.

"The guardian leaving could spell something dangerous. You know that, Eldryn."

Ellaine threatened Alden as she stood. She walked towards him and placed a finger on his forehead.

"If the light of the forest fades, I will find you, snap you in half, and burn your body until your soul runs out of power."

She summoned her monkeys back along with her palanquin and left, leaving the others silent and speechless. Alden gulped an sighed in relief.

"God. She's so scary."