Grand Council Meeting (Part 3)

Just when things were going well and the nobles were almost convinced Melvin could not believe the pope would just barge in and ruin the negotiations.

"Father Meldario, what's the matter?" Said King Vullhelm.

"I mean everything this idiot has been spouting is nonsense. That is what the twin gods spoke to me."

Melvin sighed. "Did the twin gods also told you not to meddle in politics? If your gods are that great they wouldn't give a shit about how puny humans run their countries."

"Showing impudence are we? I never expected that the ruler of a country would blaspheme our gods? That just shows he's someone we cannot trust." The pope faced the nobles. "Are you okay with that?"

The nobles began to answer. "Of course we decline."

"How revolting."

Melvin rubbed his forehead. "Okay, I apologize for what I said. But you pope, you should not interfere with our affairs. How about I interfere with how you run your church and tell those hot nuns to dress lesser?"

Father Meldario chuckled. "Trying to be funny, aren't we? Overseeing this country is the job of the church to make sure it doesn't stray on the wrong path.

"Really? I don't see how the improvement of this country is straying in the wrong path."

"Foolishness, if your country does become closer with Rezgareth, then it will threaten the foundation of the church with your mundane views. Thus, as the pope, Welburg Meldario, I hereby declare you a heretic!"

Melvin was in a tight spot. He researched it yesterday that he was able to speak his mind in the grand meeting, but once labeled as a heretic he could get arrested.

But he calmed himself and think of a way to outsmart him. Everything relied on how h

"Your highness, King Vulhelm. I heard, last hibernation cycle of the veil spiders. You lost 40% of your soldiers, there was also exhaustion of iron and timber due to the pressure from the Heart Mad Fleet. Thus, your people used lead for furniture and utensils. That's where most sicknesses came from without knowing that lead can cause diseases. The church tried to heal them but I doubt even one of them got healed. If you approve of my plan, I will bring in my best medical team and have them properly taken care of."

The pope doesn't look convinced. "Nonsense, it's all part of god's plan."

"Then is the aftermath, famine, and death also part of it? During the veil spider hibernation where people will flee to the capital to survive, no one would tend the farmlands, thus people will die of starvation."

Father Meldario was unnaturally calm despite Melvin's words. He then spoke. "Unfortunately for you but I have some news that the veil spiders are now gone for good."

The nobles were surprised and King Vulhelm's eyes widened. "Is that true?"

"Really? The veil spiders are now gone?"

"Praise the twin gods!"

"Then we won't have any problems anymore."

"This is good news that the Kingdom needs to know."

Melvin was surprised to hear it. He couldn't believe he lost his card, but who could have defeated those beasts.

The pope gestured and several men from the church appeared from the ceiling. They wore white robes and hoods. They were carrying something covered with a bandage. They then revealed it. "This is the veil spider Queen's eye."

It was a large crimson semi-transparent ball, like a solidified blood.

The nobles became even more satisfied after confirming it was true.

"The queens has been slain?"

"My family will be safe this year and the next."

"Who could have done such a thing?

"Who of course, but it was the power of the Twin Gods." The pope answered.

The nobles were amused.

Melvin was thinking, since this country had no capabilities to defend themselves let alone to defeat the Queen, there was only one answer. It was the VMF. He had no proof but he needed to hassle his way out of this.

Melvin had no choice. "Your highness, I don't mean to offend you but are you fine with losing a potential alliance in a battle against the Trimperial."

The nobles faces turned serious afterward. Especially, the King, he lowered his head thinking about something deep.

Melvin wasn't sure what happened but the Trimperial were so powerful that they caused the King to flee in the ring forests. Even more dangerous than the veil spiders.

The ring forests were littered with dangerous creatures thus the Trimperial quitted on chasing the King.

King Vulhelm clenched his fists. "What proof do you have that you can take on the Trimperial. Their power is beyond your imagination."

"Your highness, do you have any idea who slew the veil spiders? It was no other than our soldiers. I'm proud of the VMF and my countrymen. Well, I have no conclusive proof but if the spiders have lived here for hundreds of years and weren't even defeated by anyone, then it was us who did it. I mean we just came here recently after all."

The nobles were murmuring from his outlandish statement.

"Foolishness!" Marquess Millford yelled. "I can't believe you've been running your mouth for this long. Your highness, let's take him into our custody."

Duke Harges sighed. "These people could have slain the spiders indeed."

The King was surprised to see a noble of Rezgareth taking Melvin's side. "Harges explain yourself."

"It was during the tournament. One of his subordinates used a strange weapon, capable of killing someone instantly across given distance."

The murmurs ensued.

"Really? A weapon like that exists?"

"How could it be?"

"Could it be a demonic artifact?"

Melvin explained his side. "That's right your highness, you can imagine thousands of our soldiers having this weapon. You won't regret allying with us."

They gasped from surprise.

Father Meldario was disgruntled. "Your highness, if they do have that weapon then there's only one thing I can say. This country is demonic in origin and was summoned into this world to bring chaos and destruction. There are stories like this back in history. That was the fall of the great Sillian empire several years ago. Countries that yearned for power ended up summoning demons to win them wars. These countries of demons are mindless, bloodthirsty beasts who kill for pleasure. A demonic country!"

Melvin was in disbelief. "Huh?! An average Vesnian citizen have more morals than an average citizen from this kingdom. You can speak ill about me but don't you dare speak ill of my countrymen." He then transferred his attention to the King. "Your highness, please make the decision. There's someone you wanted to save in Mendovia am I right? Your Highness, I think it's the time where you should stop running away!"

The nobles' mouths got sealed with his words. They were expecting the King to erupt but he was calm.

King Vulhelm's face looked stiff but it was obvious he realized something. He remembered something years ago.

***

It was about half a decade ago. The young Vulhelm cried in front of his father, the 33rd King Ferdinand Vulhelm. "Father, why did you have to summon those devils. Because of that, our country is now about to get destroyed."

Ferdinand replied with an irritated tone. "Foolishness my son!"

The young Vulhelm was surprised his father became enraged. Usually, he was always calm and caring, yet he was mad at his first child.

"Father, what do you mean?"

Ferdinand sighed. "Pardon me my son, but we are framed by those bastards. It wasn't us who summoned the northern demons."

"But you performed the summoning didn't you?"

"I did, but what I intend to summon will appear close to the Rezgareth kingdom, it may happen tens or hundreds of years from now, but they will. These devils I summoned will show up in the 1st ring forest. And they will save the Silian race and end our eternal suffering. While you rule there, be sure to wait for them. These devils have knowledge and power that you can never imagine. These are the southern devils of the prophecy!"

***

The King began laughing aloud. Everyone was confused.

He never expected that the summoning of his father to somehow work. He cursed at his father since he was surprised at the same time while being pleased.

The person before him wasn't a devil nor an abomination who thirst for power. But a man passionate for his people. This ruler was even kinder than he was. He wondered why they were even called the southern devils.

Regardless, they were the summoned people from the prophecy.

Vulhelm shifted his attention to Melvin.

"You care that much about your people, huh? You're a weird ruler. People are just your possessions, and as a ruler, you stand above them. I don't really care about the Sillian people in Mendovia but I care for my daughter."

Now that Melvin realized it, right now he heard no news about the princes or princesses. When the King fleed, did he left them in Mendovia to fight for their own.

Melvin was bothered by it, but it was not a good time to confront the King.

"Very well, I will agree with your conditions." Declared the King.

The nobles were surprised to hear the King giving in. Naturally, he would be upset and even threaten to strip them off from their possessions.

Most nobles weren't happy with the King's decision. Especially, those who hated Melvin.

They began talking to themselves. "He must have used something to manipulate the King."

"The King must be too old now to give a good judgment."

Melvin could hear it behind him. He didn't mind much but now he would be a talk among the nobles. He would be in trouble if assassins were sent for his ass.

Melvin bowed again. "You have my thanks, your highness."

Father Meldario was annoyed. "Your highness, I suggest we cut off our ties with the devils."

"Father, I'm done running away. I despise the Trimperial so much that I might not even hesitate to sell my soul to the devil." King Vulhelm then stood up. "Well then Father Meldario, allow this person to access the beacon."

The pope sneered. He then smacked his lips. He wanted to hesitate but he had no choice and bowed. "Your highness pardon me, but the current Mendovian stones are just enough to create an emergency barrier."

"The veil spiders are eliminated, aren't they. There's no need for one."

"Then. As you wish."

Father Meldario went away and he faced Melvin. The pope had a warm smile but Melvin could see through his facade. "A few days from now we will activate the beacon. We will notify you once it's ready." He spoke in a casual tone but there was rage beneath it.

Melvin then laughed heartily. "Well, I'm glad that we can come into an understanding, father. I honestly thought you were a close-minded person back there. Haha."

The pope sneered. "Well then excuse me." He could barely hold his anger, so he left as soon as possible.

Senator Hervil then showed up. He was genuinely glad. "Melvin Clyde, huh? So you're a ruler called a President, I never heard that title before."

"Oh, you're that guy from before."

"Haha, yeah, I never expected these ideas from you. Could you tell me more about this?" He showed the parchment to Melvin.

"If you like I can give you a free tour of my country."

"That will be good. But..." Hervil's face turned serious after that instant. "Be careful, the higher ranking officials are planning something. Be sure to watch your back."

Melvin smiled. "Now that we're unto that topic, I hope we can speak somewhere more private."

Melvin and Rederick were lead away towards the outskirts of the upper district. Hervil welcomed him inside a stone house. "I used to live in the Vali Fort but I got kicked out. Quite unfortunate, huh?"

"Even if it's small as long as it provides peace, it's something that you can call home."

After Hervil realized something, he smiled. "Good point."

"Why don't you take a seat. I'll prepare some tea. I think I have some left."

"Do you have any coffee?"

"What's that? Is it some kind of tea?"

"Oh never mind."

After the two of them sat opposite to each other, Hervil's face turned serious. He steepled his arms. "I'll tell you everything that the church intends to do. Listen carefully."