In a brightly lit tearoom by the window, the top few chairs were occupied by individuals in black robes.
This council was convened by Joseph, in alliance with The Dwarf.
When a council is initiated by two factions, the leaders of the major powers typically attend.
However, this time, the First Faction was absent.
Concurrently absent was Lin Feng's Fifth Faction.
The reason for the First Faction's non-attendance was unknown. They were always mysterious, and Joseph wasn't too concerned as it wasn't the first time.
Lin Feng's absence, however, was because the very subject of this council was how to deal with him!
There were a total of five faction leaders present.
Joseph, The Dwarf, Luo Yongtian of the Second Faction, Eggett of the Fourth Faction, and one more, a female leader completely shrouded in a black robe; she was the leader of the Sixth Faction, named Barlol.
Joseph and The Dwarf had made ample preparations for this council.
"According to statistics, Shan Hai has already extorted resources equivalent to a hundred years' worth from the Seventh Faction and from us through various means."
"The Seventh Faction suffered nearly ten thousand casualties, and our faction lost nearly six thousand."
"Although the casualties are not core combat power, if we don't provide an explanation to our subordinates, how will they view us?"
Joseph's face was somber as he listed the losses of the two factions.
In the past few days, Hanna and Li Xieqian had been busy with compensation and explanations.
After a series of apologies and appeasements, the stage was set for their plea of hardship and their plan.
A hundred years' worth of resources, and the casualties of over ten thousand combatants—this was no trivial matter here. It was reasonable to convene a council, and no one was likely to object.
"All the information and evidence are laid out here."
The Dwarf seconded, producing a pile of documents and distributing them to those present.
Eggett glanced at his terminal, not in the mood to examine the evidence.
He instinctively looked at Luo Yongtian, noticing the latter was also looking at him.
Eggett subtly shook his head, conveying a message of waiting and seeing.
Just after shaking his head, Eggett's terminal vibrated faintly.
Without attracting attention, he looked down; it was a message from Luo Yongtian.
[Should we notify Shan Hai?]
[What do you think?] Eggett replied.
[A commotion, in some aspects, would be beneficial for us.]
[But it's unclear if Shan Hai can withstand the combined force of Joseph and The Dwarf.]
[I believe Shan Hai wouldn't have attacked these two factions so aggressively out of sheer arrogance. There must be other hidden reasons.]
[Furthermore, our investigation confirms that Joseph and The Dwarf initiated the conflict.]
Luo Yongtian sent the information he had gathered to Eggett.
Eggett pondered for a moment.
[Then shall we inform Shan Hai?]
[I also believe there are hidden reasons why Shan Hai has escalated the situation so openly.]
[And for the sake of our plan, we can offer Shan Hai some protection.]
After sending the message, Eggett turned his gaze back to Luo Yongtian.
Luo Yongtian nodded slightly, then composed a message and sent it to Lin Feng, after which he no longer looked at his terminal.
The two reached a consensus and decided to watch Joseph's performance.
Joseph was still continuing his "speech."
"Shan Hai has not been in office for long, but everyone has seen his actions."
"Given his arrogant personality and reckless behavior, I do not believe he is fit to hold the position of leader of the First Sequence."
"I have convened this council to request everyone's vote to remove Shan Hai from his position."
"Moreover, considering his vindictive nature, I believe we should not only remove him from office but also eliminate him."
"Otherwise, we will face Shan Hai's retaliation in the future. What do you all think?"
The true motive revealed, Joseph stated the purpose of convening the council.
With several leaders united, dealing with a mere Shan Hai would be almost effortless.
However, Joseph scanned the room and found that after he finished speaking, no one responded!
This caused Joseph to frown.
He even noticed Eggett casually picking at his fingernails...
"Barlol, what do you think?"
Joseph directly addressed Barlol.
Barlol was the only female leader among the faction leaders.
To dismiss Lin Feng's position and unite against him, more than half of the First Sequence faction leaders needed to express their agreement.
In other words, four faction leaders needed to agree.
Joseph and The Dwarf were a given.
The remaining leaders were Eggett, Luo Yongtian, and Barlol. If two of them agreed, the council's resolution would pass and be implemented.
Honestly, Joseph was quite confident.
Whether out of pride or interest, Joseph believed these individuals would not refuse his proposal.
After all, they were acquaintances, having collaborated and gathered together to some extent.
Shan Hai, on the other hand, was different. He had not been in office for long, and despite interacting with these leaders daily, his relationships were not as deep as theirs.
Furthermore, two factions already clearly harbored animosity towards Shan Hai. A rational person would know how to choose and align themselves!
Joseph felt this council was somewhat a formality.
However, Barlol's response exceeded Joseph's expectations.
"This is a matter between your three factions."
"I believe Shan Hai has only recently taken office and may not fully understand certain matters."
"Moreover, the information provided by The Dwarf does not mention the cause of the incident."
"To be honest, I do not wish to be involved..."
Barlol spoke calmly, not taking sides.
But, in Joseph's view, not supporting him meant siding with Shan Hai!
Joseph's expression changed!
Was this for real?!
A faction leader who had just taken office, with whom you had no vested interest, and yet you chose not to support me directly?
Had all previous collaborations been with dogs?
Joseph's expression became displeased.
But given that she was a woman and her words were quite neutral, he found it difficult to say anything, so he stared unhappily at Barlol, as if asking her who she would choose...
Barlol did not fear Joseph and met his gaze.
"If I truly must vote, I choose to abstain~"
Joseph's fists clenched.
"Barlol, do you know Shan Hai?"
Barlol's attitude made Joseph suspect if the two knew each other, or even if they were lovers!
Damn it, why would someone oppose their friends for a person they had no connection with?
"Heh heh, I do not know Shan Hai," Barlol smiled politely.
She raised her arm, revealing slender, almost blindingly white fingers from beneath her black robe.
A trace of green twined around her finger, beneath which was a thin, vine-like plant.
"Although I do not know Shan Hai, my companion has told me that opposing Shan Hai leads to a very grim end~"
"Therefore, my answer remains the same: abstention~"
Barlol's abilities were related to plants. Rumor had it she possessed a cosmic bud capable of foreseeing the future and avoiding misfortune.
Whether it was true or not was unknown, but based on past events, it seemed to be true.