Chapter 88: 88
His remaining eye suddenly emitted a mysterious gleam that caused the atmosphere inside the meeting room to become noticeably heavier, making several representatives unconsciously sit straighter in their seats.
Then he slowly spoke.
"Veydrin and Luthers are already providing their valuable support."
His voice remained calm.
"But it’s you four that have become quite disobedient during the past few years."
The expressions of several representatives immediately changed while the atmosphere inside the meeting room became noticeably more tense.
Gare’s expression remained calm, but the pressure inside the meeting room gradually became heavier as silence slowly spread across the room and every representative present could feel the growing weight behind his words.
His lone eye slowly swept across the representatives displayed on the screens.
"You should follow what the heads of your families promised instead of being so hell-bent and adamant about everything."
The representatives simply remained seated while looking back at him through their respective screens.
"You asked me what we are short of, right?"
Gare folded his arms and continued looking directly at them without the slightest intention of backing down.
"Then don’t forget the reason we are short on manpower in the first place."
His tone became colder.
"It is because all of your families keep looting the awakeners with sweet dreams, attractive benefits, luxurious resources, and private opportunities while leaving us with nothing but pebbles."
Several expressions immediately stiffened.Some representatives frowned.
"If you can’t provide additional support, then at least don’t keep poaching our people."
He slowly pointed toward the world map displayed beside Linda where countless highlighted regions showed newly formed gates and dangerous zones.
"The number of gates keeps increasing every year. More zones are appearing and more people are dying."
His gaze hardened.
"If the world collapses, don’t think your families will somehow remain safe."
His words echoed through the conference room.The four representatives paused.
None of them immediately replied.
For several long seconds, they simply looked at Gare through their screens while weighing their responses carefully.
Then the woman representing the Cavendish Family smiled softly and crossed her legs.
"Sir Gare, you can’t threaten us as if we are doing something wrong."
She calmly adjusted her posture.
"It’s not our fault that the Federation can’t give them sufficient compensation and rewards for serving. After all, who would work for less pay? Just think about it."
Several representatives nodded slightly.
"Yes, I agree with her."
The wrinkled old man from the Augustus Family nodded in support while stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"The younger generation naturally follows where the opportunities are."
A representative from another family also leaned back in his chair.
"We aren’t forcing anyone. They are choosing to join us themselves."
The atmosphere became increasingly unpleasant.Gare silently stared at them.
The representatives gradually became uncomfortable under his gaze.
His remaining eye carried a pressure that was difficult to describe.
It wasn’t anger.Yet it still made several people feel as if they were being judged by something far older and more experienced than themselves.
Noticing the change, the four representatives exchanged brief looks before coughing awkwardly.
"But don’t worry, Sir Gare."
The Cavendish representative smiled again.
"We will report the matter to the family."
The representative from the Sunblade Family nodded immediately afterward.
"We will relay the information. I am sure they will take it seriously."
The others immediately agreed.
"Of course."
"We understand the situation."
"We will discuss it internally."
After saying those words, they quickly ended the communication one after another as if they wanted to avoid continuing the conversation any longer.
The holographic screens disappeared.
One after another.
Until only darkness remained where the representatives had previously been.
Silence returned to the room.
Linda immediately clicked her tongue.
"Tsk..."
She folded her arms tightly across her chest.
"Disappearing after giving fake promises as usual."
Her expression was filled with annoyance and frustration because she had already heard those exact promises countless times before.
After saying that, she looked toward Gare, hoping to see some reaction from him.Sadly, there was none.
Gare simply stood there silently.
His expression remained unchanged.
Linda sighed helplessly.
"Sir Gare, the princess injured a few of our men somewhat brutally..."
This time, Gare finally showed a reaction.His eyebrow twitched slightly.
Linda immediately noticed it.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.Seeing that she had finally gotten a response, she continued.
"She went crazy for her darling. I don’t even know what she finds in that shitty brat."
Gare pressed his lips heavily."It’s not for us to talk about her choices."
Linda rolled her eyes dramatically.
Gare continued calmly."Compensate them for the damages and give them public holidays."
Linda immediately shrugged.
"Here you go."
"When it comes to her, you always become soft."
She shook her head while looking amused.
"No one would believe it if they saw this side of the One-Eyed Wolf."
Gare stared at her briefly.
Linda immediately looked away and pretended innocence.
Gare simply turned around and looked toward the world outside through the massive glass window.
The city lights reflected within his remaining eye while countless buildings stretched toward the horizon beneath the dark night sky.
His expression slowly became serious again.
"We can’t go on like this."
The room became quiet.
"And we can’t keep believing in the families."
Linda’s expression also became more solemn.
The playful attitude from before gradually disappeared.Gare looked at the countless lights spread throughout the city below.
Every one of those lights represented people who depended on the Federation for protection.
Every family.
Every child.
Every worker.
Every awakener who chose to serve.
All of them trusted the Federation to keep the world stable.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
"Ask for grants to increase the salaries of those who join the government."
Linda blinked.
Gare continued.
"If we want people to stay, then we need to give them a reason to stay."
"The Federation cannot keep losing talent forever."
His voice remained calm, but the concern behind those words was obvious.
Linda slowly nodded.
