Blake Von Leer was the loudest in opposition to trade, stating that the Oston Kingdom is already behind in the number of Lord Holders. Our only advantage being the diversity of attributes and powerful armor artifacts.
Lord Wittrock was the loudest in favour of trade — anything to fill his pockets with more zen and belly with food.
The room was rowdy with Lords acting like animals in a cage, the King, Queen, and Hugo Blawen acting as the only mediators. With the only members in impartial silence being Headmistress Aurelle, Lord Oberfell, and myself. Along with James Eisler, but mostly out of fear.
When the dispute grew to an inappropriate measure for people of our standing, I expected Hugo to silence the room, only he did not. Lord Oberfell seemed to be just as annoyed, looking towards Hugo at the same moment as myself. It seems he has been withheld, by the King, into allowing this 'freedom of speech'.
Tired of the antics and this already lengthy day, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Lightly nudging Lord Oberfell's shoulder, one glance was all that was needed for him to understand.
In a room of disorderly Lords, flaunting their oppressive Auras in a craze, my Elite Light Will would never reach the power needed to quiet them all. It would be like yelling into the winds of a hurricane. While Lord Oberfell may not be a full combat Holder, his power should not be underestimated.
In one quick wave of oppressive power, Lord Oberfell's Aura spread throughout the room. Its strength knocked the air from my lungs, and its Mind-probing nature staggered me into vertigo. Letting out a weak groan, it took the strongest of us a few seconds to recover. Most of the servants stumbled to their knees, and… James Eisler fell from his chair.
Shaking off the dizzying effects, I slowly rose, now unleashing an Aura of my own. With everyone weakened from Lord Oberfell's sudden Aura, mine was given the chance to grab the attention of the room.
My head, still recovering, caused my voice to come out slightly strained, "Instead of bickering like children, coming to no reform. Worrying about what may come. The most oppressive issue is the threat of war…"
I paused, casting my gaze over the faces of everyone seated. Few were still recovering from the two sudden instances of unleashing Aura. About half the room, the more junior half, listened to my words closely, their faces strained in annoyance of pain. The rest... the most senior council members, looked at me with nothing short of hate in their eyes. Their faces contorted in a grimace. Only keeping quiet out of respect to the King's council room.
"And if it comes to be true," I continued, "the solution is simple – let me handle it."
My words hung in the air, the room silent for a moment. A long moment bringing invasive thoughts to my head. My role as a mercenary is tainted; I am no longer trusted as a reliable assassin. Compared to the men at this table, I'm worth less than all of them. My position is clear: I merely train foot soldiers.
But… that is not what I was raised to do, to believe. My family was raised on generations of assassins, so that is what I will continue to do. The men sitting at this table may be stronger, but only in theory. There are many ways to be strong. And when given the chance to overpower or even overthrow them, I will take it. I will send their whole world crumbling.
They can say what they would like, act how they want. I do not care. I will take over… and prove each and every one of them wrong.
Let them come.
And they did. Angry beyond the restraint of the King's council room.
"You're a fool, Elgin!" One man said from up the table.
"Quit trying to play the Lord!" Another man echoed.
"Don't be ridiculous!" A Lady said.
"Just stick to your real job!" Lord Wittrock yelled.
They all rose from their seats, throwing fists. Yelling held resentments at my family from over the years.
Just when the room reached a pinnacle volume, Vestige Hugo, once again, unleashed his Aura.
Unlike Lord Oberfell, Hugo's was much more devastating. Much less… held back.
Reaching everyone at the same time, the strength of his Aura sucked all the air from our lungs, and the room. The Wind attribute of his Aura went further. Exhausting all oxygen from our blood. Our hearts went dry, and our muscles shriveled.
My body felt like it was turning to dust, cracking from being deprived of a vital component for life. And the feeling persisted.
Hugo did not cease with just a wave; he continued. A torrential downpour constantly hit my body, starving it of all oxygen for several seconds. I managed to fight back using an Aura of my own, lessening the effect to manage breathing in small cups of air at a time.
Faint, almost fabricated breaths. Like what I was breathing was not oxygen, but merely an illusion of it. A placebo.
Lacking the satisfaction of a full breath. I became wistful of it.
When Hugo finally had enough, and I could take a satisfying breath of air, it burned.
Like feeling essence spread through my body, I could track the movements of the oxygen. Down my neck and into my lungs, circling back to my heart, and spreading out to my entire body. A feeling of pins and needles dispersed over my skin, causing everything to become annoyingly sensitive. Collapsing from fatigue, I stumbled forward, onto the table, and had to use all of my energy to get back in my chair.
Just as the oxygenated blood reached my ears, Vestige Hugo spoke, his voice resonating, reaching every part of the room. As if it were not he who was speaking, but the walls. "ARE YOU ALL DONE?!"
Everyone kept quiet. Taking the next half-minute to reorganize themselves into their chairs. Heavy breaths were heard throughout the room, like a fight to consume as much air as possible before the chamber ran out again.
As we regained our breaths, and everyone was calmed down back in their seats, the King spoke as if nothing had happened.
"Lord Elgin, please continue."
My voice came out strained and wheezy, "The Freila Kingdom is known for its Fire-Wills, yes. But we only have one equalizer, a Water Vestige, with near-power Lord Water Holders, who would take point on all large-scale assaults. I have a solution. As I said, I would handle it. I have found a boy… with the Lord Frost Will of a Kieriki. He is currently at my estate, training to become an…"
Lord Von Leer jumps out of his chair, pointing at me with disdain, "Lies! You'd say anything to get back what your family lost. Know your place… Elite Elgin!"
My face twisted in a scowl. Lord Von Leer has always been known for low blows. "These are no lies!" I shouted out.
"ENOUUUGH!" The King roared, unleashing his Aura. "Where has the order gone in my Council Chamber!?" The King continued, shooting daggers of reprimand at everyone seated.
"We shall continue tomorrow. Take the day to calm down. Collect your thoughts and come up with solutions for tomorrow's meeting. Not problems." He finished slowly.
His wife, the Queen, stood, wrapping her arm around his. Making haste, they were the first to leave the chamber. Leaving the rest of us in stunned silence.
No meeting… has ever been this much of a disaster.