"Heh," the fat representative snorted smugly, a cunning glint in his small eyes. "I couldn't be bothered to tangle with those mud-legged fools. Why not just pin all the blame on that high and mighty tyrant?"
"I'll publicly declare that it was Her Majesty the imperator, to fund her so-called 'campaigning grand endeavor,' who forcibly requisitioned all our reserve grain for military provisions! How about that? An airtight excuse, no?"
"Have you gone mad?!" The tall, thin representative was startled, instinctively glancing around. "Aren't you afraid the tyrant... uh, Her Majesty the imperator will find out? She's not known for a gentle temper."
"Afraid of what? Look, a whole bunch of city-state representatives haven't even shown up. Even if there's a reckoning, we won't be first in line." The fat representative waved dismissively.
"Besides, Black Tide creations are everywhere now. Her reach is long, but it won't get to my place anytime soon. Communications are almost cut off..."
"And what's more," he gave his companion a meaningful glance, "...dare you swear on your life that you've never borrowed that tyrant's name to do things... for your own 'convenience'?"
"I... I certainly have not! I am forever loyal to Her Majesty the imperator!" The tall, thin representative immediately straightened his back in rebuttal, but his eyes couldn't help shifting, his voice lacking conviction.
"Heh... a coward who dares to do but not admit." The fat representative sneered disdainfully and was about to say more when his companion yanked his sleeve.
"Alright, alright, stop talking!" The tall, thin representative nervously gestured toward the temporarily erected platform at the front. "Look, Her Majesty the imperator is taking the stage."
"Representatives—"
Cerydra's voice was not loud, but it cut through the clamorous air like a blade tempered in ice.
Standing atop the platform, her gaze slowly swept across the assembly hall, taking in every face and every evasive glance within.
People were sparse, empty seats outnumbering figures.
A cold laugh echoed in her heart, but her expression remained still as a deep pool.
"It seems... those who could come are mostly here. Those who aren't here... likely won't be coming."
She paused briefly, letting the silent pressure accumulate within the spacious hall.
The halo of light cast by the square's torches illuminated both the floating dust motes and the fine sweat beading on some representatives' temples.
"Today, I have gathered you here not for lengthy debate, not for endless haggling."
Her voice suddenly rose, striking the four walls with utter clarity, echoing in every eardrum,
"Only to declare to you—the campaign against the Earth Titan is about to begin."
With a "Boom," it was as if an invisible bomb had detonated in the center of the hall.
After a brief dead silence, complete uproar erupted.
People sprang from their seats, voices sharp and chaotic. They argued over troop numbers, disputed the allocation of military funds, panicked about the consumption of provisions and supplies.
Every syllable was steeped in meticulously calculated self-interest, every statement weighed the gains and losses of their own city-state.
Cerydra merely watched coldly, listening and observing. Yet from that boiling sea of human noise, she distilled two words—benefit.
Just as this self-serving clamor reached its peak, a figure suddenly pushed through the crowd!
It was the representative of Radon City. His expression solemn, as if he bore the livelihoods of all people, the fate of the continent, upon his thin shoulders.
He strode directly toward the platform, fearlessly meeting Cerydra's unfathomable eyes.
"imperator!" he proclaimed loudly, his voice trembling slightly with agitation. "You gathered us here merely to announce this lunatic fantasy of yours?!"
"You know full well! The Earth Titan lies hidden deep beneath the earth! Its power is linked to the very pulse of the land! Even if we exhaust the military strength of every state, the outcome is doomed to be futile, only a pointless waste of countless coins and lives!"
He spread his arms, turning to the other representatives, trying to evoke empathy. "I know, you, imperator, have always been concerned with finances, dissatisfied that the states have not exhausted everything for your grand imperial ambitions. But if you possess even a shred of concern for our shared subjects, for the people you speak of—"
His voice rose, becoming a stern accusation: "You should immediately halt this insane military mobilization! Let the soldiers return to their city-states, let them defend their own homelands!"
Below the platform, murmurs buzzed, mingled with obvious agreement.
The Radon representative's words had precisely struck their deepest concerns, safeguarding what they valued most—military authority.
But at that very moment—
A faint, almost imperceptible pattering sound came from high above the dome.
The city-state representatives looked up, only to see drops of dazzling golden liquid, carrying boundless vitality, falling from the heights.
Among them, one drop of golden blood was especially stood out, for it fell the fastest.
Suddenly, under everyone's gaze, it traced a graceful, lethal arc through the air, like a beautiful blade cast down by a celestial deity.
A flash of golden light.
The Radon representative's impassioned expression froze permanently on his face. His head had already left his neck and, accompanied by a sudden line of blood, flew upward.
Also flying upward were several other thick, greasy tongues still twitching faintly—they came from those who had been shouting the loudest in the crowd just moments before.
The men who had lost their tongues clutched their spurting mouths, excruciating pain and ultimate terror making them curl on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
But their lips and mouths could only emit suppressed whimpers, unable to form a single complete word.
*Because the tongues are on the ground.*
The hall instantly plunged into deathly silence.
One could hear a pin drop.
The golden blood drifting down from the sky lightly dripped onto Cerydra's hair, robes, and her cold cheeks.
The golden traces slid slowly down her pale skin, not appearing sullied but instead endowing her with a divine and awe inspiring presence that made one dare not look directly.
As if completely unaware of the surrounding horror, her voice remained steady as before, yet carrying an iron resolve:
"Are there any objections now?"
"It seems there are none."
"Very well."
"Simultaneously with the campaign's commencement, I hereby declare to you—the Earth Titan has been slain!"
Before her words fully faded—
BOOM!!!
A greatsword wreathed in terrifying blood aura and earth crashed down from the firmament like divine punishment!
Carrying the force of wind and thunder, it smashed violently into the ground beside the representative assembly hall!
The earth shook, rubble flew.
Immediately after, an enormous dragon's head, covered in hard scales, its eyes still retaining traces of terror and ferocity, fell heavily from the sky.
With a dull "Thud," it rolled to a stop before the representatives, now scared out of their wits.
It was the terrifying severed head of the Earth Titan!