Chapter 1282: Construction of Cenotaphs
The representatives deliberated among themselves and concluded that the cost of the cenotaph would be footed by the high council.
After the success of the first motion, the representatives steadily grew more enthused in the governance of the high council.
The draconian sage then took the stage. "The second topic of discussion is likewise a cenotaph for the dead of war."
Zhang Lie called out jokingly, "Is this a high council or a funeral hall?"
The representatives began to laugh.
The draconian sage continued, "I move to commemorate the fighters and warriors who perished during the crisis of the third realm."
The representatives' cheerful laughter cut off abruptly.
At first, many worlds couldn't bring themselves to believe the notion that the realm could suddenly implode on itself. They tried to resist the trained troops of the four superior worlds and genetic hunters, giving rise to an apocalyptic war, one that was completely meaningless.
The reason that the gathered representatives didn't oppose the fact that the four superior kingdoms each held the power of veto wasn't solely because of their strength, but also because they were the kingdoms responsible for saving the realm in the first place—as well as butchers that slaughtered many of the fighters of each world.
If the war against the death spirits was a crusade for peace and justice, the apocalyptic war was a mess, a farce.
"It was an apocalyptic war that we undertook in order to save the failing realm, forcibly uniting the worlds and restoring the realm. The fighters and warriors that sacrificed themselves in battle are all heroes that did their part in saving the world, and they deserve the title of savior."
The representatives had been touched and excited by Li Zongming's proposal; they now seemed guilty and ashamed by the draconian sage's.
Their respective kings had almost brought disaster down on them all in hopes of retaining what little power they possessed.
In a manner of speaking, the fighters that had perished in battle were suffering the consequences of certain kings' idiocy.
"We vote now. If you agree to the motion, hold up the red face of the flag. If you oppose, hold up the white face. If you abstain, do not raise the flag. You have one minute to make your decision."
Some held up the red face, others the white face, and even more abstained.
Despite knowing that they were at fault, they refused to admit it.
The construction of this cenotaph would be akin to an admission of guilt, of the wrongdoing and foolishness that had led to this unnecessary loss of life.
Because of their foolishness, the realm had almost been destroyed.
They believed that there was no need to share their mistakes, to let others learn from their errors in judgment, and hence that no admission of guilt was necessary.
Yun Bing counted the votes. "Because over fifty percent of the votes are in abstention, we will vote again in ten minutes."
Zhang Lie's face revealed displeasure.
He still remembered that foolish war, incited by those worlds who believed that they were weak after having just fended off the superior worlds of antiquity.
Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye. The representatives didn't speak much to each other; cold sweat beaded on their foreheads, and their palms were damp and clammy.
"We begin the second round of voting. If you agree to the motion, hold up the red face of the flag. If you oppose, hold up the white face. If you abstain, do not raise the flag. You have one minute to make your decision."
The representatives hesitantly lifted the flags in their hands, but this time, more held up the white face.
Zhang Lie huffed in anger, slamming his arms down on his armrests. A formless aura formed and spread around him, causing the representatives to feel as though a huge mountain were pressing down on their bodies, preventing them from lifting their heads or even to pant loudly.
Zhu, understanding Zhang Lie's unspoken words, called out, "I veto the result of this vote."
Yun Bing announced, "Because the ruler of the realm has announced a veto, we will vote again in ten minutes."
Li Zongming murmured, "I haven't read the booklet completely. Can a veto be used in this fashion?"
Yun Bing shrugged. "We may only do so after a motion is proposed but before the vote is counted, but the ruler of the realm's veto supersedes all of ours."
The draconian sage nodded. "She stands above us all, after all."
Zhang Lie murmured, "When we first sought to prevent the realm from collapsing, there were a few arrogant fools that delayed the process tremendously. Have they not yet learned from their mistakes? Zhu, what do you think?"
Zhu smiled. "You think so too, Zhang Lie?"
Some of the representatives began quaking, their faces pale.
"Because of those people wasting precious time, I had to expend even more resources. Because of their foolishness, the realm was almost destroyed. I hadn't wanted to press the matter, but now I think I will do so. Zhu, when this meeting is over, shall we pay a visit to them all?"
Upon hearing Zhang Lie's words, the stricken representatives were quivering all over, and some had even fallen from their chairs.
Zhu asked, "Where to first, Zhang Lie?"
"Let me think..."
Some representatives, their fingers white with fear and shock, raised the red face of their flags with quivering hands. In fear, others did the same.
Yun Bing coughed dryly. "The vote has yet to be tallied. Please do not announce your vote in advance."
The representatives shook their heads, calmed down, and dropped their flags.
"I apologize, truly. I—I simply wanted to express my position, to inform our savior that I have repented for my actions, that I am deeply in approval of the construction of this cenotaph!"
Most of the representatives present were well aware of Zhang Lie's strength. Destroying a kingdom would be as easy as exhaling to them, let alone with Zhu by his side.
She was the ruler of the realm, who could control the entirety of the unified world! Who could stand against them?
Zhang Lie smiled. "I wasn't the one who made this motion. You should be speaking to the draconian sage."
"Yes, Savior, you're absolutely right!" the representative shouted, quaking with fear. "I fully approve of the draconian sage's motion."
Zhang Lie didn't really care about the cenotaph; he was simply irked by the behavior of some people. If not for their arrogance and foolishness, the third realm would have been saved much more quickly.
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