Chương 259: Chapter 259
"I shall answer your question, Berith-san. We have yet to discuss reparations with Lucifer-sama. You see, we do not classify the lives of our people as monetary. However, since coin is the only language you people understand, reparations will be quite significant. But rest assured that we accept monthly deposits. The deployment of this policy will not be affected whatsoever. Though, you no longer need to worry about that, Berith-san. Lord Atid. If you would, please?"
"Yes."
Su!
Atid disappeared in a burst of speed and appeared right where Lord Berith was skewered in midair.
"Repent in your next life."
He reeled his fist back and punched Lord Berith's head clean off his shoulders.
Gu!
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|DxD|
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Silence…absolute silence. Lord Berith's head crashed into the wall and fell. The dull thumps it made as it rolled towards the stage was the only audible sound in the hall.
His headless body fell on top of Elder Berith. The blood pouring out of his neck stained the old man's robes, yet Elder Berith was too shell-shocked to react.
"Ah…ah…"
His voice turned feeble as his hands trembled. Tears of rage spilled as he glared at Atid's retreating figure. He wanted to curse him, to kill him, to torture him, to maim hi-
*Glance*
Golden irises filled with immense killing intent silenced Elder Berith. It was just a glance from Atid, but his fighting spirit was crushed.
Gu…Gu…Gu…Gu…Gu…
"..."
Elder Berith could do nothing as Atid walked away. Each sound of his feet on the floor was like a hammer that nailed down his inadequacies.
"I'm sorry, my lord."
He hugged the corpse, all while his eyes watered with tears.
"I'm sorry…"
Seeing an old man cry was a sorry sight. A clan head was killed. Not an elder, but a clan head. The worst part, it was a foreigner who did the deed. Did they have no shame? No sense of propriety? Did these foreigners really not respect them as devils?
[He…he actually…]
[Sigh…Lord Berith really had no tact.]
[Are the Satans truly going to do nothing? A clan head just died!]
[We have aroused the rage of a sleeping tiger. I'm afraid one can only endure.]
The Devils had varying reactions to this ordeal. Some gnashed their teeth. Others gripped their seats so hard the wood cracked. The rest only sighed and accepted the situation as it is---because what could they do?
Nonetheless, a powder keg was threatening to burst in the hall. Igor's actions prior could be tactfully ignored, but not Atid's. Killing a clan head right in front of them was tantamount to spitting on their face.
No matter what, they still had a reputation to keep. The satans might no longer care about theirs, but they as clan heads still di-
"You people have rotten bananas for brains, don't you."
It was a statement, not a question. Sun Wukong retracted his staff and let it disappear in a brief flash of light. His eyes were covered, but his intense gaze caused fists to unclench and jaws to relax.
"I think all of you are forgetting something extremely vital. Your leaders have pampered you so well you've forgotten your places. So let me remind you. We can declare war on the devils. Have no illusions of your victory. You will be defeated and executed publically---each and everyone of you."
Sun Wukong's words were equivalent to dousing a candle flame with a waterfall. The old devils understood the power the Shinto wielded. There might be some hopeful element of victory over the yokai, but not the Shinto. It wouldn't be a war. It'd be a massacre.
"The only reason why there isn't an army of angry gods behind us is because of these four."
Sun Wukong pointed to the Four Satans on the stage.
"Sitri convinced us to lower our arms. Gremory convinced us to come and negotiate. Glaysa-Labolas showed his sincerity by rescuing our young 'uns and Astaroth convinced us of his willingness to repair damages done by your kind for years. If it were not for these four, I would've killed every one of ya bumbling bastards without a second thought."
The old monkey did not mince his words. He held a great realm of hatred for the devils responsible for this massacre. The Four Satan's sincere attitude told him they were also victims of political schemes, schemes he hated the most.
"Tch! Disgusting cunts."
If he had more mouths, he would've spit on all of them. All of these so-called clan heads were useless. If they weren't guilty, they were bystanders. Even fathers did little-to-nothing to help their children.
His gaze particularly focused on Zeoticus, Lord Astaroth and Lord Glaysa-Labolas. No wonder the devils did not advance all these years. If even the parents didn't help their children, then who'd expect others to do so?
"Useless."
He spat out the word and sat down once more. Lord Berith's corpse was of no concern to him. These devils couldn't do anything to him anyway. He'd send them on the path to reincarnation if they tried…if they could even reincarnate at all.
The death of Lord Berith aroused some tension, but the meeting carried on…to an extent. The logical solution in such a scenario would be to postpone matters until a later date so they could clear their minds. But they weren't humans so Serafall had it continue.
Everyone here was an adult who'd seen blood. Their mental acuity could not be compared to those of shorter-lived races. They may have lost a brethren, but it was his fault for mouthing off after all. If Lord Agares didn't cause a fuss, then the rest wouldn't kick up one.
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|DxD|
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The moment Lord Berith died, Zelefam knew his gamble had failed. In fact, he knew from that moment onwards there was little hope of this meeting turning out in his favour, especially when Sun Wukong complimented Ajuka.
The Aryans and the Shinto were working together with the Four Satans. This lineup alone was not something he could contend against, not with his limited resources.
[This woman should've been killed.]
He did not look at her, but he cursed Aurelia's name in his head. Without her, this entire thing would've grinded to a halt.
[No. I shouldn't disrupt my focus. Taking her life is no longer a feasible option.]
Disregarding Igor's rage, the Shinto would launch a full investigation and sooner or later, the kill order might be traced back to him. At that point, his family might suffer for his lack of oversight. He did not want to become a sinner that all descendants would spit upon.
Sigh…
[This policy will be passed into existence by the end of today.]
His fists unclenched at this self-imposed realisation. It was a solemn truth, but one he had to accept. If the Shinto were neutral, there was a chance. But since they aligned with the New Satans, there was no chance, atleast not in this hall.
[Diplomatic actions are no longer a viable solution.]
The Baels were powerful, but they could not contend with this triple alliance. The New Satan Faction had the support of the populace. The Aryans had overwhelming strength surpassing the Satans. The Yokai were one of the richest factions on the planet.
[I shall reconvene with Lord Progenitor and discuss further plans.]
Zelefam no longer had any plans of trying to combat this policy. He listened to the arguments the other clan heads and elders made, but they were all quickly shut down.
Secure benefits? Serafall had the moral high ground here. They wouldn't be able to gain any benefits at all, not to mention protect their interests.
Fortunately or unfortunately, some of them were smart enough to remain quiet. Anyone with eyes could see the Four Satans had won. Just having Lord Phenex and Lord Agares show their unwavering support was more than enough reason for the neutrals to align with the Satans.
And so as the arguments dwindled, the time to vote drew closer. After a few minutes of mandatory silence for new arguments to surface passed, Serafall happily announced the time to vote.
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|DxD|
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The voting process was simple. There was a small booth by the corner of the hall where each clan head would go and vote. The elders only had the power to vote for a policy into consideration, not into law. The only exception was the elder from the Sitri Clan since their clan head could not attend due to the Sleep Disease.
One by one, each clan head would get up from their seat, walk to the booth, and return to their seat in silence.
[This is probably the most they've exercised.]
Igor couldn't help but hold that silent remark in his head. He still found it funny that High Class scrubs had the ability to influence a race's entire direction.
[They'd be minced meat in a battlefield.]
Atleast there was one benefit of their weakness. They had no unity. They only knew how to look out for their own skin. If they had unity, it might've been harder for Sirzechs's plan to work.
Regardless, Igor was not anxious. Since voting has begun, it meant this meeting was coming to an end. Lord Berith's corpse had already been removed so no one stumbled on it. It was quite sad to die without a complete body.
[I don't know whether to praise his guts or question his intelligence.]
He sat idly on his table and silently observed the proceedings. The last clan head walked up the steps and once he sat down, Falbium entered the booth and took out a box. He showed the box for everyone to see and sense it wasn't tampered with.
After a few seconds, he let it hover in midair when a small magic circle formed under the box.
Vwong!
Immediately, the sounds of paper whirring ensued. The sound gradually faded until the results of the votes displayed directly above the box in hologram format. The screen was large with two large columns titled "FOR" and "AGAINST".
Below those headings were percentages and unsurprisingly, the policy had an overwhelming victory with over seventy percent of the votes under "FOR".
Instantly, the faces of many devils turned ugly. A few couldn't help but click their tongues, but Zelefam paid them no attention.
Roughly thirty percent voted for the policy's approval, yet over sixty percent of the devils showed expressions of disapproval.
[Confidentiality precautions have to be taken after this. Betrayal is an inevitability.]
It was clear some of the heads from smaller clans faked their displeased attitudes. This was already a sign of shifted loyalties. It would not surprising if in future, these clan heads would offer confidential information to the Satans in exchange for protection.
[I must prevent that.]
Zelefam's thoughts shifted from the policy. Right now, what was important was erasing any evidence of their involvement with the Nekomata Massacre.
Rather than fruitlessly trying to advance, it was better to fortify their current position. From here onwards, it was official. The Peerage Overhaul Policy would be passed into law, and nothing could stop it.
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AN
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I have to say this. Disregarding the motives, I like this Zelefam guy. I'm no planner nor am I an intellectual, but I admire his decisiveness in stepping back.
We are already up to chapter 264 on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n. If you want to read ahead, simply search for HolyGambler.
Thanks for reading and until the next chapter.
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