"After the rumours are spread, they would circulate like gossip around the village, and they won't die down until the issue is addressed. And that's where all of you come in," Orion said, addressing the Village Chief, the Chieftess, and the Caretakers. "The issue should be addressed by the Village Chief calling for a meeting with the whole village to confirm the spreading rumours. This meeting should include the Chieftess herself, the Caretakers, and even the stronghold leaders, as this plan wouldn't function without their involvement."
When he looked at their still-confused and thoughtful expressions, Orion continued, confident that they would soon grasp his point. "Once the Village Chief and other key figures have gathered to confirm the rumours, I'm certain there will be a much greater uproar among the villagers."
"And then what happens next?" The Village Chief abruptly interjected, his concern apparent. "If we confirm the validity of such a rumour, wouldn't it open the doors for more absurd displays of faith from everyone, seeking to gain Naka's favour?"
Orion remained composed, answering confidently, "Yes, that's precisely what I'm counting on. During the meeting, you will organize a grand occasion, where every villager, along with some available warriors, will gather in one place to praise Naka and put their heart's desires to the test. They will happily participate, as they will want to confirm the rumours for themselves. This event will be so significant that no one in the village would dare doubt or dismiss it. They'll perceive it as a chance to witness a potential miracle."
As he spoke, Orion observed the Village Chief and Chieftess' eyes widening with understanding, and the caretakers deep in thought, no longer displaying confusion.
He continued, "The villagers will view your involvement as a sign of your longing to witness the miracle too. However, once the occasion is concluded, the crucial last step will be....." Orion went on to explain the final step of his plan, linking the village's values, and beliefs with his ideas to create a compelling and believable plan.
And soon, all the Caretakers in the room, who were initially struggling to understand Orion's plan, widened their eyes in shock as understanding slowly dawned on their faces. They stared at Orion with a newfound level of incredulity, realizing the brilliance of his proposal. Even Caretaker Ivor, who had reservations initially, started nodding in thoughtful consideration.
Caretaker Naida, who was critical of Orion's plan at first, couldn't help but gulp down a bit of saliva as she grasped the cleverness of his scheme. She realized that the flaws were in their own narrow thinking, and they couldn't fully perceive or understand what he was saying until he laid out his plan in its entirety.
"Did.… Did you really come up with that plan yourself?" Caretaker Zola asked, her eyes wide with astonishment as she struggled to fully digest everything Orion had just said. While she had eventually understood his plan and regretted interrupting him earlier, she still found it hard to believe that Orion, a young man of his age, could conceive such a thoughtful scheme.
After all, she had a younger brother within his age group, and she couldn't imagine him coming up with something as elaborate as this.
Seeing the youngest Caretaker in the room, who he was certain was several years older than him, scrutinizing him from top to bottom, Orion couldn't help but find it amusing. She then focused her eyes intently on his face, as if trying to uncover any trace of deceit in his expression. With a confident smile, Orion nodded, fully aware that her efforts to detect any lies were in vain.
"And all this in such a short amount of time?" Caretaker Ivor asked, his tone filled with both astonishment and admiration. A young man, who had yet to blossom into a capable warrior, had put together a well-detailed strategy that could manipulate every villager in the village, even the Caretakers themselves if they weren't aware of the plan beforehand.
Orion shifted his gaze towards the old man and responded, "Yes," his mind replaying the countless hours he spent contemplating a solution for the newborns ever since he left Anara's section of the farm. However, the meeting with the Village Chieftess further pushed him to devise a more feasible plan. He couldn't also deny that Aunt Greta and Sura had provided the necessary stimulation, pushing him to delve deeper into his thoughts and ideas.
"Ahem!!" The Village Chief cleared his throat, effectively interrupting Caretaker Ivor's further questioning. He wanted to express his thoughts on Orion's proposal. Fixing his gaze on Orion, the Village Chief nodded appreciatively and said, "Once again, I am impressed by your intelligence in conceiving a plan that no one else could have managed, or even dared to think of. Your creativity astounds me, and I am delighted to be present to witness such an incredible proposal."
The Village Chief took a deep breath before exhaling deeply, continuing, "Thank you, Orion. Not only have you provided a solution to a problem that has plagued our village for over a century, but you have also offered a pathway to stability in the near future. Your contributions to this village are invaluable, and I assure you that your efforts will not go unnoticed. I swear on my name as the Village Chief."
Though the Village Chief had made this solemn oath in front of everyone, the Caretakers showed little reaction. They knew that, if executed successfully, the plan would have been proposed by them eventually.
And most of all, it would be a lie to say that the Village Chief didn't feel cold sweats on his back after hearing such a plan. 'Using their belief against them,' the Village Chief thought, pondering the audaciousness of Orion's proposal.
For once, he couldn't help but be glad that everyone in the room maintained their composure, despite the shocking nature of the plan. Then again, considering the lengths they had gone to ensure the village's safety and livelihood, their composure was to be expected.
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