Magus Rosia, the oldest and the first wife, held history as the vice-commander of the late Lord Izta's army and played a crucial role in establishing Terra City. Upon Emery's request for her to return and focus on the city, Rosia transitioned from her role in the army to a key position where, in addition to her cultivation training, she dedicated herself to nurturing relations within the Golden City and sector.
Leveraging her past comrades and connections, Magus Rosia skillfully navigated the intricate web of communication with dozens of Magus Alliance officials and faction lords. Her calm demeanor and strategic approach allowed her to gather valuable insights into the political dynamics within the Golden City Council—the body vested with the authority to decide on faction applications for independence.
In her reports to Emery, Magus Rosia shed light on the various factions and alliances within the Golden City Council, identifying the 16 influential figures, holding 16 seats who held sway over decisions related to independence claims.
The once-dominant Karat faction, which used to hold six seats, now only retained four, consisting mainly of their loyal subsidiary factions. This shift in influence was notable, and it positioned the Karat as a vital ally, ensuring four confirmed votes in favor of Terra's cause.
On the other side, the Qin and Corvin factions each confirmed their hold on two seats, contributing to the intricacies of the political balance within the council. The remaining eight seats were considered neutral, presenting a critical opportunity for Terra City to secure additional support for its independence claim.
The key to success lay in obtaining the backing of at least nine out of the 16 seats, and with Karat's loyalty providing four votes, Terra needed to sway at least five more factions to garner the necessary support. Magus Rosia astutely explained that the neutrals were motivated by either reasons or greed, creating an opportunity for Terra City to influence their decisions.
"With our compliance contributing over a billion spirit stones these past 4 years through tax and our increasing strength, I have confidence in swaying at least four of these neutral factions to support us," Magus Rosia asserted, revealing a strategic plan to align support for Terra City's cause.
Magus Rosia highlighted the Hauten faction, holding two seats, as a crucial player in the Golden City Council. Their stance appeared to be ambivalent, with one foot positioned against Terra City's cause, or at least, leaning toward neutrality. Magus Rosia stressed that winning the favor of the Hauten would be pivotal for success. The mention of Hauten brought to Emery's mind Eugene Houten, the apothecarist who had taken their master along with him.
Despite the missing votes, Emery found satisfaction in the progress being made. However, the mood shifted when Yuria, the youngest of the five widows, spoke up.
"I have things to report," she declared with her customary serious expression.
Yuria had been assigned her own small team to gather information for the factions. While Rosia operated in the light, visible to everyone, Yuria worked in the shadows, tracking down rumors and even infiltrating important gatherings to gather crucial intelligence.
In her report, Yuria corroborated most of Rosia's conclusions, confirming the delicate political landscape and the potential support of neutral factions. However, she raised an important point that had not been previously considered, introducing a layer of complexity to the faction's deliberations.
"I think we should be wary of our own allies, the Karat"
Yuria's words reverberated through the room, creating a palpable tension among the figures present. The unexpected caution, directed specifically at their key ally, the Karat faction, sparked varying reactions, especially from those closely associated with Tessa, such as Cedric and Aeon, who have received much support from her in running the Merlin shop.
Cedric and Aeon, feeling a sense of loyalty and gratitude toward Tessa, found it challenging to accept such a cautionary statement. However, Yuria clarified that her concern wasn't aimed at Tessa personally but rather at the faction itself, which had witnessed a continuous decline over the past decade. Yuria had uncovered unsettling information about certain figures within the Karat faction secretly engaging in activities contrary to the faction's interests, including questionable collaborations with pirates. Her intent was to advise against placing absolute reliance on the four votes provided by Karat.
Emery absorbed Yuria's cautionary words, recognizing the validity of her concerns. The revelation regarding Karat's past association with pirates aligned with Emery's own discoveries during his initial meetings with Tessa. His clashes with the pirates, such as the incident with the Raven faction and the killing of their member during an attack on Earth, had already heightened his wariness.
As for their main issue, the request for tax exemption wasn't solely about securing extra income for the shop; it was a strategic move aimed at ensuring the continuous development and protection of Terra and Earth. Emery harbored no desire to relive the helplessness he felt four years ago, and he was determined to succeed in this matter as the faction's initial steps towards wielding real influence in the sector.
After a brief contemplation, Emery made a decisive choice. With unwavering determination, he addressed the assembly, revealing the direction in which the faction would now tread.
"It's time for us to be more aggressive."
Emery's announcement resonated throughout the meeting, capturing the attention of everyone present. The revelation that he intended to earn more merits through battle further heightened the intrigue, as the prospect of increased combat activities stirred anticipation and speculation.
Emery had been closely monitoring reports from the frontline, noting the escalating chaos, particularly since the separation of the Oculus faction and their attempts at the resurgence of the scourge. The fallout included a decrease in the number of magus enforcers and military presence in the sector and a corresponding rise in pirate activity.
Recognizing the sector much need for enhanced security, Emery devised a plan to support the alliance by actively targeting multiple bandits and pirates. Simultaneously, he aimed to nurture the new units with valuable combat experience. The dual purpose of this approach was not only to strengthen security but also to generate more revenue, merits, and, crucially, gain popularity through a show of strength.
All present were surprised to hear his ultimate objective within the next 8 months was to secure their own seat on the council and establish a formidable standing in the sector.
The ambitious plan stirred exhilaration and enthusiasm among the leaders, each recognizing the potential impact of such strategic endeavors.
As the room buzzed with anticipation, Klea, ever insightful, raised a crucial question that hung in the air: "So, who will be leading this task?"
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