Alexander took a deep breath, trying not to let their greed-filled stares agitate him: "These things tore right through the men."
"Yes but how strong were the men?" Another noble insisted. "Surely as their general you must have known them, at least somewhat. I even heard that your Apprentices got involved. Even though you didn't train them directly, you must have known their names and strengths."
In the corner of Alexander's vison, the other Generals began to stand. He shook his head and waved for them to sit back down: "Those dead were anywhere up to the blue stage of life essence. Although I'm confident that none of my apprentices would get shot by these things, I can't deny that some of them were ripped apart by the Creatures. They were good men. As for those who did die to these weapons, it was a simple trigger pull and their lives were snuffed out."
Botomon scrunched up his greasy lips: "Did the projectiles go entirely through them or stick into them like arrows? What did the wounds look like? How fast could one reload? How tough do you think it could be to train our own men to use these weapons?"
One of the mages, an old, decrepit man with ink-stained fingers and a dark blue robe, strolled to the center, his cane tapping against the stone ground. He had to look up but that didn't stop the old crone from turning his nose up at Alexander: "Please sit down General." His voice rattled out of his throat. He turned to face Botomon and rubbed his hands together: "If the magic academy were to be granted additional funding our alchemists could more thoroughly examine-"
"Deal," Botomon said, folding his arms in front of his chest, which had spilled over the desk. "The magic academy will be dedicated the amount of a hundred thousand gold pieces." For the first time since the meeting started, Botomon turned towards the king. Molly, who stood in line next to her sisters, tensed up. "Get this ready before the end of the month."
"Only that measly amount?" The mage scoffed. He raised a wrinkled finger. "if you raised taxes-"
"The populace is bled dry," Von Trike interrupted. The mage scowled. "Any higher and the chance of rebellion increases. Just walking here, us Generals encountered Enforcers that reported hungry kids going around. The Underground people, what's left of them, aren't able to sustain themselves. The economy is declining and so is morale."
The mage pointed to the gun. "It's your choice. Do you want happiness, or do you want to live with security?"
Botomon looked up at the ceiling for a second, uncaring of the blinding light. The nobles fell silent, holding their breath for the real king's decision. "We'll have the king raise taxes by 2%" Botomon proposed and, before anyone had realized he had said something, over half the nobles raised their hands in support. General Von Trike cursed and the mage smiled.
But then, before Von Trike's head hit the desk, Botomon shook his head: "But that's too one sided. 2% of that revenue will be diverted to the Knight's Academy to spurt the students' growth. We need them ready within the year. The other 98% will go to the magic academy to replenish the hundred thousand gold dent in my…the king's treasury."
Marble cursed: "You want to spurt the students' growth? Don't give them that. A monetary value doesn't help them much, especially if I am to divide 2000 gold into proper gear. Without the Colonels, we are stretched thin enough. Why this added pressure? You'll stunt their future growth at the cost of a temporary strength."
A man at the other side of the room piped his head up: "At this rate, the Virility family's supplies will dry you up, and elixirs won't be produced."
Beside him was a noble with bags under his eyes. A servant massaged his hunching shoulders but he barely seemed to notice: "The same may happen to my Mech family, who you people are working into the grave with constant weapon requests."
Marble nodded: "If I am to work with faith in this system, I need the system to have faith in me. We're a part of the same faction, aren't we?" He slammed his desks. The nobles flinched and the Enforcers' hands flew towards their weapons. The mages sat, uncaring. "What are you hiding from us?"
An Enforcer stepped just a little too close to Marble, who stared him down. The rest of the Enforcers held their breath, not daring to get close. They knew what would happen if they did. They were former students after all. The nobles all averted their gazes, and even Botomon looked own, grappling with something. The only sound was the rhythmic creak of one of the mages as he rocked in his chair.
"If we are put in the dark we cannot function." Marble continued, adding more pressure. "And this government will collapse. Me, Alexander, and Von Trike are your defense. We are the people who absolutely cannot be put in the dark."
"The gate is opening," the blue robed mage finally said, more out of annoyance than pressure. The nobles glared at him with ire, but he simply waved them off with his cane. "You people need more of a spine, and to stop wasting my time." The mage turned towards Marble, who was still fuming. "There was a report that two entire battalions were annihilated, including the Colonels. The demon army is ready and incoming."
The Generals' heads sunk. "That's…sooner than anticipated." Marble sighed. "Two entire battalions. With 2,000 gold…We can just barely replace them with the students if we rush. I'll do my best and work the students to near death. If you people need any more forces, we Generals need more gold, and information about what we're going against. Is that understood?" Only some nobles nodded.
Alexander drew his sword and sliced the pedestal in half. "Your lives, the lives of your families, and the very fate of the kingdom is on the line and only some of you have the guts to nod?"
General Von Trike and General Marble looked at each other, asking in their heads who would be the one to stop him if he got out of control like in the last meeting, when he had shaved all the hair off a noble's head for daring to spit in his direction. "I think it's your turn." General Marble said.
"I think it won't be necessary." General Von Trike said, looking at the nobles' terrified expressions with glee.
"Speak!" Alexander continued. "Speak or I'll drive my sword through the lot of you and see if any of you have any guts to spill."
"We understand!" Everyone but the mages said, forcing Alexander to walk over to them, and get right in the elder mage's face.
"Do you understand?" The two stared each other down for a few moments, mana pouring out of the mage and life essence pouring out of Alexander.
"Fine," the mage finally said, cursing under his breath. He dispersed his mana. "Goddess save us."
"Goddess save us." The rest echoed.
Follow current novels on (f)reew𝒆bnovel