Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1200: Indignant Rivals

As the preparations for the grand ceremony tomorrow were still ongoing, even though the night had come... There were many places and highly luxurious buildings where gatherings of powerful people took place.

In one of such grand buildings, a private meeting was being held between members of the Senate of the Republic.

Although these were barely 20 people instead of the usual numbers in hundreds, every single one of them was a chief official of a particular institution of the government. All of them held the highest authority over their departments.

Yet after yesterday’s announcement, they were gathering in secret to discuss matters of utmost concern and priority.

In a well-decorated hall, there was a large and long table, and on each side were the chiefs sitting on their respective chairs.

Most of them were either anxious or agitated, and their expressions were sullen as if they had seen a ghost.

”How do we deal with this, President?” asked a green-scaled reptilian monster.

”What do you mean by ’deal’? There is no dealing with this?!

We will object and denounce the authority of the Cult of Darkborne after tomorrow’s event!” exclaimed an entity with a floating metallic orb as its head.

The notable thing about this person was that, although they had a humanoid physiology, the entire body was made of metal, while the floating head wasn’t even attached to the body via a neck.

There were only two eye sockets, but no other facial features, like a nose or a mouth.

This retort by this person wearing a dark red suit was met with agreement as many others, comprised of species Kahn had never seen before, nodded their heads.

”Scre, Tul, Uilka, Boddee!” said another being over the other end of the long table who had a head similar to that of an octopus but with six straight slanted eyes and a blue aura encapsulating their body.

”Yes, the Vice-President is right. We must show our firm disagreement; otherwise, we will not only appear weak in front of our enemies but also display to our people that we have no backbone!” spoke a female entity with one giant eye in between her head while her entire body glowed white as the tentacles, similar to that of a jellyfish, waved above her head, going against the gravity and constantly moving as if they were underwater.

But instead of acceptance, the environment of the meeting hall suddenly turned chill, and even the breaths became visible to everyone.

”What nonsense are you all spouting? Just because you’ve gained such high-ranking positions after a few decades of success, doesn’t mean that you can go against the will of the people.” a grim response came from a 3-meter-tall and slender individual wearing a white coat.

He finally turned around and revealed himself to be a 4 armed entity, two folding in front of his belly while two behind his back.

The white coat could barely hide how thin this person was, and finally, the head, akin to that of a man, and the granular gray skin of the President of the Senate of the Republic was revealed.

”Do you not want to be voted for during the next elections that are coming in two years?

Or are you all happy to hand over your positions to someone new who isn’t controlled by us?

Because if we do not partake in this imminent war, that will surely happen.” spoke the president in a sharp and cold tone.

”Do not forget that currently, we have a perfect coexistence with the support of the Imperial Faction. The Cult of Darkborne does not get itself involved in the political affairs of the empire.

But if we openly oppose their doctrine and the prophesied participation in the war... the consequences will be irreparable.” he said and continued as he sat back on his chair.

”Remember that the majority of the people in the government and even the law enforcement are still the natives of the empire who come from the working class. Majority of whom still worship the God of Darkness in their household and follow the doctrine.

And by not joining the Great War... we, as their leaders, will simply tell our own followers that you should be content with hiding and not ever see the outside world,” he stated firmly.

”That you are to live like cowards for the rest of your lives and never truly breathe the air of the real world.

That the sacrifice of your ancestors was worth nothing, and the lives that were protected and preserved were destined to be caged inside this realm forever.

In a way, it would be akin to telling everyone who voted for us that their opinions and will do not matter to us, and we basically own their lives.

And you must do whatever we want, even if it goes against everyone’s wishes. That’s how the public will perceive our stance if we try to oppose the Cult of Darkborne after the Hero of Darkness arrives.” said the president.

The room turned silent as most of them started contemplating the harsh truth.

That despite their indignation, refusing to join the war would be considered as an utter betrayal of the people who voted for them.

And once the political tension rises... forget the cult, their opposition party will basically rile up the citizens and turn the tables to win the next election.

The Great War was certain to last for at least the next 5 years. And if they wanted to maintain their authority and keep having their pockets filled via corruption... they had no other choice but to accept this fact that there was no escaping from this war.

******************

While the key figures of the Senate were discussing their future plans... the Imperial Faction was also having a private meeting, even more secretive than the former group.

Within a closed quarter located on the western end of the Imperial Palace, only 8 people were sitting and discussing over a war table.

And out of these 8 people... three of them were none other than the remaining Princes who were at the forefront in the race to become the Crown Prince.

Out of the remaining five, one was the Marquis, two were the Dukes, and the remaining two were the most powerful and rich Counts within their faction.

The Princes should not even be in the same room, given their rivalry, but despite their hostility towards each other, they had gathered due to a greater danger that jeopardized their future as well.

”So it is decided then. We will publicly declare our support to the Cult of Darkborne after the Hero of Darkness arrives,” spoke the 5th Prince, one of those who still managed to live unlike those were had either abolished their claim or been assassinated earlier.

”Yes, then after we exit this realm and get settled in the real world...” spoke the 9th Prince, the youngest among the three.

But before he could complete his sentence, it was the 3rd Prince, the oldest and also the one with the lead in the race, who revealed their plan.

”We will challenge his eligibility to lead as a competent leader to lead them in the Great War.”