The council meeting

With the completion of the new chief inauguration, the meeting shall now commence fully," one of the chiefs said, stamping the gavel and beginning the meeting proceedings.

"Apart from the major issue, some matters were brought to the table today," a chief said, flipping through some scrolls. "Underpayment of wages in the sixth realm and inadequate finances for the repairs of the arena in the last realm."

"Another underpayment issue again? Your father really had no managerial skills. I wonder how he got himself the title of chief in the first place," a chief said, flashing a disdainful gaze at the young, newly appointed chief.

"Indeed, his death was painful, but I think it was what he deserved," another chimed in.

"That's enough! That is not the reason we came here today. We came to solve matters, not to have a feud amongst ourselves," another chief interjected.

"As stated in the records, the amount of annual wages withheld summed up to nine thousand, five hundred and eighty two gold," the chief continued.

"Nine thousand, five hundred!? That's almost ten thousand!" the chiefs exclaimed.

"Do you have anything to say on behalf of your father?" a chief asked with scorn.

"I am afraid I have nothing to say," Sixtus answered, his voice slow and calm.

"Tsk… what a prideful brat," they all thought together as though their minds were linked.

It was clear and boldly written in the atmosphere that nobody was pleased with the elevation of his status.

"Very well, as the chief of the sixth realm, make sure you perform your role actively and deal with the issue," the chief with the scrolls said, lifting up another scroll. "Based on recent information, we found out that the repairs in the arena have been going smoothly but very slowly. The reason for that boils down to the payments. According to information, the payments were said to be very low compared to the task involved, making the capable men shy away from the work. Given the current pace, it will take at least nine to twelve months before the arena is fully functional."

"What?! That is almost a year!" exclaimed one of the chiefs.

"If that's the case, why don't we make the prisoners do the work?" another suggested.

"We have a total of twenty-three prisoners, with thirteen of them being male. Out of those thirteen, nine are capable men who are already working on the project. As of last week, the male children were forced to join the project, and in the process, two died of severe stress. We can't just throw the women into that kind of task."

"So what are you saying we do? Do you expect us to start forcefully taking all the able men away from their families to join the project?" one of the chiefs barked.

"The arena activities are a very good source of revenue generation for all nine realms. With the current progress, we won't be able to generate anything within a year. It can't be helped; that is the only way–"

Ella hit the table loudly, cutting the chief's speech short. "Are you insane?! This is our people we are talking about, people born with free will and the right to choose. And now you want to make them suffer for no just cause and yet… you can't pay them well enough. Are you all even humans?"

"So what do you expect us to do, little miss?" another chief asked.

"Well! Umm…," Ella couldn't say a word. Regardless, she could not stand and watch this inhumane act unfold.

"I think what Milady is trying to say is we should search for another alternative," Sixtus chipped in.

"Like…?"

"I do not know. That is the duty of the nine chiefs to find out. I am nothing but one man," Sixtus added.

"Huh? Are you forgetting you were just made one of the nine chiefs?" a chief barked.

"Well, that I have not forgotten. After all, it happened just a few minutes ago."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"How about we use taxes?" one of the chiefs suggested. "We have a record of people who were able to pay their tax, right?" he asked the chief with the scrolls.

"Indeed, we do."

"Then how about we check the records? Those who were unable to pay their taxes for any of the previous twelve months will be forced to join the project."

"Indeed, that will work out just fine. At least we now have a firm backing."

"So with that, we have concluded matters on that issue–"

"Wait a minute!" Ella interrupted again. "Isn't that a little bit cruel?"

"What do you mean, miss?"

Gulp

"I mean… what if someone was able to pay for eleven months but due to some circumstances wasn't able to pay for a single month? Will he still be forced to work on the project?" Ella asked, her voice shaking and unclear as she feared their reply.

"I am afraid that is the rule, and it can't be amended."

"But that's just too cruel…"

"Don't talk ahead of yourself, young lady. You are not even a chief, and you will never be."

"Speaking of cruelty… the former sixth realm chief was murdered by your father. Not that it concerns us, but that brings us to the main topic of today's meeting."

"Huh?"

"It is stated in article 137 that the head chief can be removed from power if all the remaining eight chiefs are in support of it. Now, all in support of the impeachment of Lucien Mason from the position of head chief, please indicate by raising an arm," the chief's voice echoed around the hall.

To Ella's greatest surprise, one by one, they gradually raised their hands—all except one.

"Hmm? What do you think you are doing, Sixtus?" one of the chiefs asked with a thunderous voice.

"Nothing, really," Sixtus lazily answered.

"Have you forgotten he killed your father?"

"I haven't forgotten that, and I haven't forgotten that one of you also tried to kill me," Sixtus said, shutting their lips.

"What?! Do you have any proof?"

"Unfortunately, I don't have any at the moment," he shrugged.

Seeing that the meeting was going nowhere and all pressing matters have been resolved the chief with the scrolls spoke, "With that, we have concluded today's meeting. The council meeting has been adjourned."

***

Dan and Naya stood outside the hall together with other guards. The air around them was awkward and somewhat suffocating, all thanks to how Dan woke up this morning. The pressure reduced the moment they spotted the huge door opening. One by one, the chiefs emerged from within, and finally, it remained Ella and Sixtus.

"Thank you for standing up for my father," Ella said with a bow.

"Don't sweat it. Lucien was like a brother to me. He did a lot for me back in the days when we were kids, so it's only natural I back him up as much as I can," Sixtus said, his voice calm as usual. "By the way, Ella, you have really grown into a fine woman." He patted her head like a little child.

"Milady, how was the meeting?" Naya asked as they approached her.

"Oh Naya, Dan. Well, the meeting was successful, and it was all thanks to Uncle Sixtus," Ella answered. "Dan and Naya, meet Uncle Sixtus. Uncle Sixtus, this is Dan and Naya, my friends and personal guards."

Dan and Naya bowed their heads, paying respect.

"You are Ella's friends, huh? That's great news for me. Back in the days when Ella was little, she barely talked to her mates, so she couldn't make any friends. Please make sure to always stay by her side and protect her," Sixtus said, and then turned towards Dan.

"You must be Dan the Reaper, the bringer of death. It's such an honor to meet you in person."

Dan tilted his head in confusion. "Sir, are you talking to me?"

"Yes, you have become quite popular, especially in the sixth realm. You are the talk of the place."

Unknowingly to Dan, while he was busy recovering and training, his name was all over the place. Not only did he survive the thirty-men battle and become a champion, but he also defeated the legendary Gaius, an unbeaten legend for almost three decades.

"I really wish I could share a drink with you, but unfortunately, I have a lot of work waiting for me as the newly appointed chief," Sixtus chuckled lightly and faced Ella. "Well then, Ella, I have to go back to the work. Make sure to be a good girl."

"Yes!" Ella responded as they bid farewell to Sixtus, who entered a carriage and left the place.

"Alright then, time for us to leave," Ella exclaimed.

"Right this way, Milady," Dan pointed towards a carriage waiting for them. As they boarded the carriage, Ella ordered that the curtains should be closed, remembering that the final result would take effect immediately and she didn't want to see any unsightly scene.

[NEXT: LUCIEN'S MOVE ON NAYA]