As Rover tapped the table, everyone's gaze focused on him once again.
He maintained his flat tone:
"Thirteen seats is a good number. Since everyone feels they are indispensable, and no one wants the other side to have too many... then let's balance it."
His gaze swept over the three factions:
"The Mortari family, four seats; the Fesale family, four seats; the Hidden Sea Convent, five seats."
This proposal exceeded everyone's expectations! The Convent actually got the most—five seats?
Antonio and Marco were first ecstatic, but then felt a trace of unease. This benefit came too suddenly.
The smile on Francis's face slightly withdrew, and he pondered in silence.
Cantarella narrowed her eyes, looking at Rover thoughtfully, as if wanting to discern the deeper meaning on his face.
"However," Rover continued, his gaze turning to the Convent's priests, "The Convent's five seats represent the voice of the entire Convent, not a certain faction."
"What I hope to see is the Convent integrating a relatively unified opinion to bring to the council, rather than five people representing five voices, continuing to bring your internal squabbles here. If you cannot do this..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the threat in his words was self-evident.
The Convent's priests instantly felt an immense, crushing pressure.
Five seats seemed like a lot, but in reality, it placed extremely high demands on their internal unity and coordination capabilities. These five seats could very well become their shackles instead.
Francis and Cantarella were both astute people and instantly understood Rover's intention—
Giving the Convent seemingly the most seats was actually placing them over an open fire to roast, while using the requirement of a "unified opinion" to divide and check them.
In contrast, the two major families taking four seats each seemed like less, but in reality, they were much more united and could easily form a consistent stance. During voting, they would actually hold the absolute advantage.
On major decisions that aligned with both families' interests, as long as Mortari and Fesale reached an agreement, they could completely kick the Convent aside and control the entire Laguna Provisional Council.
"Hehe, Rover has considered things thoroughly."
Francis was the first to express his agreement, the beaming smile returning to his face.
"Such an allocation is quite fair. It just depends on whether our friends from the Convent can truly represent the Convent."
Cantarella also nodded languidly:
"I have no objections. I just hope that at the next meeting, the other side isn't a heap of loose sand."
The Convent priests looked at each other, and ultimately could only grit their teeth and accept this seemingly generous yet harsh condition.
The allocation of the thirteen seats was thus finalized: Mortari 4 seats, Fesale 4 seats, Hidden Sea Convent 5 seats.
Next was the nomination of specific candidates.
Cantarella unexpectedly spoke first. She pointed to Coletta, her tone carrying a rare trace of sincerity:
"I propose Miss Coletta of the Mortari family take one seat. She is young and promising, possesses fresh ideas, and is wholly dedicated to the public good. Having her represent the future of the Mortari family couldn't be more fitting."
For her, this move both showed goodwill to Mortari and pushed the relatively inexperienced Coletta to the front stage—killing two birds with one stone.
Coletta didn't expect Cantarella to recommend her. She froze for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly, and looked at her grandfather somewhat at a loss.
A sharp glint flashed in Francis's eyes, and he chuckled:
"Family Head Cantarella has a good eye. Coletta, aren't you going to thank the Family Head?"
Coletta hurriedly stood up to thank Cantarella, but grew even more vigilant in her heart.
In her eyes, this woman was simply an unfathomable night rose, carrying deadly poison like a deep-sea jellyfish.
She had heard that Cantarella invited Rover to be a guest at her manor a few days ago, and Rover actually didn't leave that entire night. To say nothing happened between the two of them—she absolutely wouldn't believe it.
Thinking of this, Coletta couldn't help but feel a trace of displeasure and grievance in her heart.
She was clearly the one who came first!
However, clearly no one present cared about the Second Young Miss Mortari's rich psychological turmoil at this moment.
Next, Francis returned the favor, nominating Cantarella and another important figure of the Fesale family.
When it was Coletta's turn, she gathered her courage, cast her gaze toward Rover, and said clearly:
"I propose... that Rover take a seat! He is the hero of Laguna and the key to facilitating this council. His wisdom and strength can ensure the council's decisions are just and selfless!"
Her words were full of trust and anticipation, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Rover sitting across from her.
As her words fell, everyone's gaze present focused on Rover once again.
However, Rover slowly shook his head, his tone gentle yet firm:
"I appreciate Miss Coletta's kind intentions, but I am not a permanent resident of Laguna. My journey destines me to keep moving forward."
"Furthermore, the status of the 'Crown' is transcendent and should not directly intervene in the daily decisions of Laguna's political affairs. I will observe the council's operations as a witness and advisor, providing opinions when necessary. But the seats should be left for those more suited to reside permanently in Laguna, and who can continuously serve it."
His tactful refusal was reasonable and logical. It maintained his transcendent status relative to the council while avoiding the troubles that excessive intervention might bring.
A flash of obvious disappointment crossed Coletta's eyes, but she still respected his decision.
Subsequently, the various parties nominated candidates for the other seats one after another. The process remained full of various weighings, trades, and compromises.
Zanni's name, of course, was not mentioned; her duty was as a guard, not in political games.
Phoebe, who couldn't sit at the table, could only silently record all of this. Watching the names of familiar or unfamiliar priests being mentioned, debated, and confirmed, her heart was a mix of complex emotions.
Ultimately, the candidates for the thirteen seats were preliminarily determined.
After a fierce internal discussion within the Convent, the conservative faction led by Alex and the reformist faction represented by Antonio took two seats each, while the centrist priest Breno only got one seat.
The meeting reached a core consensus: all committee members hold equal status and each has one vote.
Decision-making for most matters will follow the principle of majority rule; a simple majority (seven votes) is sufficient to pass.
However, if a matter involves major issues such as modifying the total number of council seats, altering the proportions of the factions, or electing key positions within the Convent (Prelate, Supreme Priest, etc.), an absolute majority (nine votes) is required to pass.
The first tripartite talk finally drew its curtains under an extremely delicate and fragile balance.
The framework of the thirteen seats was already built, but the internal contradictions among all parties, the Convent's internal division, the two major families' relationship of both competition and cooperation, and Rover's invisible influence suspended above it all undoubtedly foretold that the future of this Provisional Council would be anything but smooth sailing.
After the meeting ended, the representatives left with differing thoughts.
As Cantarella passed by Rover, she whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"What an excellent maneuver, My Lord... With just a few light words, you roasted the Convent over the fire."
Her tone carried a trace of admiration and playfulness, while Rover simply smiled faintly, noncommittal.
He knew this was only the beginning.
The chessboard for Laguna's game of power was laid out, and the pieces were in place.
The true game was only just about to begin.
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