Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2115: Serepolis City II

”I don’t know the specifics, but they have six Peak Sovereigns, that I’m certain of. Their overall numbers should be close to fifty thousand.” Grey answered honestly.

The bunny leader’s scouts sensed the auras of the six Peak Sovereign Gnomes since they did nothing to hide their auras, hence Grey’s confidence in the information. As for the number of Gnomes, he got that figure from the rescued survivors.

The faces of everyone in the room fell when they heard Grey’s statement. Six Peak Sovereigns were more than enough to raze this place to the ground. They turned to look at the old man, and the Gnome who was arguing for them to abandon the city earlier stood up.

”You see!” The man exclaimed, before adding, ”There’s no chance we can defeat them. You all know we have to honor the treaty so we can’t even get the old Protector to help us.” The man looked at everyone before taking in a deep breath, ”I request permission to leave the city, Mayor.”

Grey raised an eyebrow when he heard this, he didn’t look at the man but focused on how the old man who was referred to as the Mayor would react. Although he was not familiar with military rules, he was aware that demoralizing the troops before battle is an act of rebellion that should never be taken lightly.

”And go where?” The old man was calm, showing no anger to the man’s attempt to flee from battle.

”Anywhere that can preserve the life of myself and my family.” The man replied, putting both hands together he begged, ”My daughter is still very young, if she stays here during the attack she’ll be killed, I will not watch my daughter die.”

”Are you the only one with a family here?” The old man stood up from his chair, slowly taking a step forward, ”My family lives here, old Brook lost his family in the last attack with only his son surviving, that son is still here.”

Taking another step forward, ”The lives and deaths of thousands of Serepolis’s citizens are in our hands, and you want to escape just to protect your family. What about their families? Don’t they deserve to live too?”

With each step forward, the old man’s voice grew louder and louder.

”It’s never easy having to be the one to make these sacrifices, but it’s because of people like us who have the courage to make these sacrifices that the human race has continued to exist for millennia. If our ancestors gave up and fled the way you want to do, do you think you’d have a life to live?”

”You’re not just fighting for these people, you’re fighting for the generation that is yet to be unborn, you’re giving them hope and a safe environment to grow so that they will one day take the mantle from us old people.”

The old man’s movement stopped when he arrived before the man who wanted to leave, he sighed and said, ”I won’t hold anyone back who wishes to leave.” Straightening his back, a fierce aura emanated from his body as he added, ”But don’t blame me for being ruthless if you choose to stay but not fight with all your might.”

”Also, in case you’re forgetting, we have Grey Dawson on our side.” The old man’s fierce aura disappeared, replaced with a harmless smile.

The man looked at Grey, ”What does one boy stand for? He might be impressive but there’s only so much one person can do.” Taking a deep breath, the man gritted his teeth, ”I’ll be leaving with my family tonight.”

After saying this, the man walked out of the main hall, when he got to where Grey stood, he gave him a long look before walking away. He wasn’t going to put the lives of his family in the hands of a boy.

Letting out a sigh with a shake of his head, the old man asked, ”Is there anyone else who would like to leave?”

After a moment of silence, the old man nodded, ”Good.”

Looking at the disappearing figure of the man, the old man whispered to Grey, ”What do you think is the best punishment for him?”

Grey didn’t expect the old man to ask him this question, but he responded nonetheless, ”Death.”

The old man looked at Grey’s emotionless eyes before bursting into laughter, ”Just what I had in mind. You’re just as ruthless as your father.”

Those present were unaware of the conversation between Grey and the old man, but they looked at the man’s receding figure in pity. The old man saying he won’t stop anyone from leaving was not far from the truth, yes, he won’t stop anyone that wants to leave at such a time, but he never said he wouldn’t punish the person.

These were war times, empathy would lead them nowhere. Order and control was vital in any force, especially in situations like these.

They discussed some countermeasures for a while before Grey and Reynolds were led to one of the side buildings in the manor.

Reynolds sat in the garden opposite Grey who was staring at the blue sky.

”Why would he choose to leave at such a time?” He didn’t understand the man’s reasoning.

”Not everyone is mad enough to face a situation that looks like certain death. You have to remember he’s only in the Seventh stage of the Sovereign Plane and he doesn’t feel strong enough to protect his family from the impending danger.” Grey replied, his eyes still staring at the sky.

”I know, but wouldn’t it be better if he had done it secretly? What’s the point of offending everyone?”

”I have no idea, but he’ll face the consequences of his actions.”

”I don’t think the Mayor will kill him though.”

”Me neither, but we’ll see.”

Grey and Reynolds started talking about other things and exploring the city before the Gnomes would attack. This was a strange city so it was only right they explored it. Void was particularly interested in the delicacies here since it was guaranteed to be different.