Chapter 107: The Consideration of the Strong (1)

The beginning of the great council started with the patriarch setting the main agenda.

“Our Sefira...”

Besil paused and met the eyes of everyone present.

He exchanged glances with each person until the very last, then finally spoke, “We have cowered like frightened dogs.”

“...”

“...”

Some bit their lower lips, others clenched their fists tightly.

Each recalled the humiliation they had endured for so long.

“We believed defense was the best strategy. But that was my mistake.”

The eyes of the attendees trembled. Among them, Panir struggled to keep his expression steady, overwhelmed by emotions.

“I was afraid of losing you all. I feared that my misguided choices would erase Sefira’s centuries-old history and the legacy of our ancestors.”

No one could blame Besil. The weight on his shoulders was more than any one person could bear.

“My weak heart made Sefira shrink away. My fear of change whispered that this fragile peace would last, that someday everything would resolve itself. But I was wrong.”

A fire ignited in his eyes. Besil shared that fire with everyone present.

“There is a saying left by the founder of Sefira: ‘If you wish to live, you will die; if you are willing to die, you will live.’ I sought to protect everyone, but in doing so, I was leading us all to ruin.”

The heat of his words pushed aside the crisp autumn chill. The council chamber was filled with a fiery resolve.

Besil tempered the heated atmosphere with a lowered voice.

“However, Sefira’s situation is dire. In finances, military, resources, and politics—we are the weakest among the noble families.”

The directors and knight commanders lowered their heads, as if the fault were their own.

“My realization came too late. But regret alone cannot hold us back. It is like archery. Archery does not begin with holding the bow; it begins with the right mindset. Without the intent to shoot, the arrow will stray. Without that will, one cannot even grasp the bow. Just as we have learned to take hold of the bow step by step, I must rebuild Sefira from the ground up.”

Taking a brief breath, Besil set down the gavel.

“If there are any objections to my statement, raise your hand.”

Everyone present had sworn not to remain silent if they had something to say. Yet no one raised a hand, not even Panir, who always found something to argue over, nor the strict chief steward. Everyone was in agreement with Besil’s words.

A faint smile briefly crossed his lips at the unanimous decision.

“I will now grant each of you the right to speak in turn. Share your opinions and proposals. We shall begin with the treasurer.”

The treasurer, a middle-aged man with a prominent nose, stood up.

“Currently, Sefira’s finances rely entirely on the royal stipend. This year, we received a total of three million gold. Of this, approximately two and a half million will go toward military upkeep, while the remaining five hundred thousand will cover facility maintenance and other expenses. However...”

He paused, as if the real problem was just beginning, then continued.

“The family’s debt has grown to a level we cannot handle. We owe three million gold to Infinite Bank and four hundred twenty thousand to Ultima Trading Company. Including interest, our total debt is around three and a half million gold. With only three million in royal stipends, it is impossible to sustain the family.”

A heavy silence filled the room. The stipend from the royal family was far too low. Just twenty years ago, Sefira had received five million gold. And even that was a reduced amount—the original stipend had been eight million. At the time, they had lived comfortably, able to run orphanages, rebuild villages affected by monster attacks, and assist commoners suffering from natural disasters.

But now, a mere three million? Had this not been the sacred great council chamber, curses would have erupted, and Panir would have stormed straight to the royal palace.

Yet the treasurer did not merely present the problem—he also proposed a solution.

“Like the other noble houses, we must establish our own source of revenue. However, this is no easy task, as we lack the experts and manpower necessary. An immediate option would be to utilize the people of our estate.”

He proposed providing jobs to the people living in Sefira’s territory to the families of the army. While the inhabitants farmed, their goal was merely subsistence, not large-scale production. They worked only as much as was necessary for self-sufficiency, treating it as a minor occupation rather than a full industry.

“Are there no resources in our land that could be developed into a business? We have vast forests and mountains, so there must be something of value.”

“There has been no confirmation of minerals or quarry-worthy stone, so a thorough survey is required. The same goes for the forests—we need to investigate whether they contain any rare resources.”

“Director of Agriculture, let me ask you: what crops can be cultivated in Sefira that are both viable and highly marketable?”

As if he had been waiting for this question, the capable director of agriculture responded, “Olives. Sefira provides the ideal conditions for olive cultivation. Our warm climate, ample sunlight, and dry soil are all perfectly suited for it. While olives are not considered a luxury crop, they have a long shelf life and are easy to transport. Furthermore, they are enjoyed across all ages, nations, and social classes, making them incredibly easy to sell.”

“Director, I entrust you with full authority over olive farming. All directors, make sure to provide him with whatever support he needs.”

At Besil’s command, the treasurer, director of human resources, and the director of the workshop ministers nodded in unison, pledging their full cooperation.

With the treasury and agriculture settled, the next matter was human resources.

“Director of Human Resources, as we all know, Sefira has long been infiltrated by spies. Until now, I have allowed them to remain despite knowing their presence. But it is time to deal with them.”

A tense atmosphere filled the chamber. Eliminating spies was a task full of danger.

“If we do not eliminate the spies and traitors at once, unnecessary casualties will follow. Therefore, we will first compile and share a list of suspects. Then, on a predetermined date and time, we will capture them all simultaneously. Director, while identifying spies and traitors, also separate those who can be persuaded to our side. Those who cannot be swayed will be expelled from Sefira, but those who can will be granted amnesty.”

“Understood.”

“Director of the Workshop, is there any issue with the smithy operations?”

With an unusually serious demeanor, Volkanus, the director of the workshop, responded, “Yes. There are no disruptions in the forge’s work. Rather, I believe we can incorporate new technology into bows and arrows.”

“Introduce me.”

Besil already knew, but he pretended not to. He had no choice—after all, that technology was a gift from Keter.

“We are learning the shape-memory alloy technique, the origin of the Samael Empire’s portable gear technology. If we apply this technology to bows and arrows, both mobility and portability will increase exponentially.”

“I was under the impression that the empire treats the production of portable gear as top-secret. How did you come to know of this technology?”

“I received it through Lord Keter, the fifth son of the patriarch.”

“...!”

“...?!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

Panir, in particular, forced an awkward smile, revealing his teeth.

Meanwhile, Reganon looked at Besil with an expression that said “I should have known.”

With Keter’s name naturally entering the conversation, Besil took the opportunity to discuss him with everyone.

“As you all know, Keter is a problem child—impulsive, reckless, and ignorant of noble etiquette. However... his love for Sefira is just as strong as ours, if not more. Not only has he shared the shape-memory alloy technique with the director of the workshop, but you have also heard of how he captured the knights of Bydent, haven’t you? He upheld Sefira’s honor. And that’s not all—thanks to him, we secured a ransom of five hundred thousand gold from Bydent.”

As Besil listed Keter’s accomplishments, those who knew and those who didn’t alike were surprised.

“I’m not trying to defend Keter. However, that child grew up in the lawless city for eighteen years, without even knowing who his parents were. Yet he now dedicates all his skills and experience to aiding us, in order to save Sefira. Please, do not turn a blind eye to that fact.”

Rustle.

At that moment, Panir quietly raised his hand. Besil nodded, granting him permission to speak.

“I acknowledge that he has contributed to Sefira. However, if he would only learn some manners, we could show him the respect he deserves. I request that the patriarch discipline Keter strictly.”

Though the others remained silent, having not personally dealt with him, Reganon and Suvide nodded fervently in agreement. Besil hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

“I will take that into consideration. If anyone else has something to say about Keter, please raise your hand.”

Rustle.

Reganon, Suvide, and the commander of the Sacred Order of Sefira raised their hands. Besil turned to Reganon and Suvide.

“If it’s about Keter’s personality, I’ve already understood from Elder Panir’s words. I will only hear other matters.”

The two reluctantly lowered their hands.

The commander, who still had his hand raised, brought up an unrelated topic.

“My lord, have you heard of a technique called Heavenly Strength? It is a technique that Lord Keter has taught to those participating in the Sword of the South Tournament.”

“This is my first time hearing of it. What kind of technique is it?”

“According to the lieutenant commander who learned it, it is a technique that allows one to harness the strength that humans instinctively release when facing a crisis.”

“I see. I did not think it had a specific name, but I had thought that surpassing one’s limits belonged to the realm of enlightenment. But are you saying that Heavenly Strength turns it into a technique that anyone can use?”

“Yes. That is why I bring this up—if we could distribute this technique among our knights, it would greatly strengthen our forces.”

“Hm.”

Besil furrowed his brows, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Teaching Keter’s technique to Sefira’s knights? It feels like I’d be stealing my son’s technique.

Since Keter was a member of the family, sharing his skills was only natural; it would be strange to refuse. But this was Keter—a person who Besil thought couldn’t be judged by normal standards.

There was no justification for Keter to share it, as Heavenly Strength had no direct connection to Sefira. It would be unreasonable to take and distribute it.

Yet, by the description alone, it was an extraordinary technique. The ability to use a technique reserved for those who have been enlightened without needing to be enlightened could be a formidable weapon.

At that moment, Gasilius, the commander of the Order of the Galaxy, raised his hand to speak. Besil nodded to grant permission.

“I oppose the commander’s proposal.”

“But Sir Gasilius, Lord Keter’s technique is not just his alone. It belongs to Sefira as well...”

As the commander of the Sacred Order of Sefira refuted immediately, Besil’s sharp gaze bore into him as he roared, “You overstep your bounds!”

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The force of Besil’s rebuke crushed the commander. As a four-star knight, he felt his breath hitch under the pressure.

“Do not speak out of turn without permission. Since this is your first time attending a great council meeting, I will let this pass as a warning. But remember—two mistakes will not be considered accidents.”

When the commander nodded at Besil’s warning, the overwhelming force disappeared.

“Huff... Huff...”

With the brief commotion settled, Gasilius continued.

“My opposition is based on the cost and difficulty of learning Heavenly Strength. Lord Keter did not hide the training process, so I observed it directly. I determined that Sefira’s knights would never be able to endure it. Furthermore, if only a select few knights were chosen for training, it would create an issue of fairness.”

To learn Heavenly Strength, one had to push themselves to the brink of death. Creating such conditions artificially was nearly impossible, especially in training where one could stop at any time.

That was why Keter had set Luke, Anis, and Taragon on fire—to instill genuine fear by ensuring death was inevitable if he failed. Applying such a method to Sefira’s knights was unthinkable.

Moreover, Keter had used precious elixirs to aid his followers in recovery. Sefira, however, lacked both the funds and the necessary connections to acquire them.

Gasilius explained these points before delivering his final argument:

“Heavenly Strength requires extreme physical exhaustion to unlock hidden human potential. With our current lack of manpower, we cannot afford to render many knights unfit for duty. Instead, I suggest implementing endurance training for all knights to enhance their stamina.”

Improving the stamina of archers might not matter much in large-scale warfare, but it was invaluable in smaller battles. Archers required great stamina that matched their great strength.

Besil acknowledged this and agreed.

“Does anyone oppose the commander’s proposal?”

No one raised their hand. Even the commander of the Sacred Order of Sefira was convinced after hearing Gasilius’ explanation.

“Very well. Include endurance training in the knights’ schedule. However, do not push them to their limits like Keter did. We lack the potions and elixirs to sustain such training.”

The three knight commanders nodded in unison, accepting the order.

Even after discussing administrative and military matters, many issues remained.

The great council meeting, which had started in the early morning, continued well past noon without losing momentum. Even though they had skipped lunch, they had become more fierce and passionate in exchanging ideas.

Then...

Thump, thump.

A knock echoed at the council chamber’s door, interrupting the discussion. The intense focus was broken, and many frowned at the disruption.

The doors opened, revealing a knight who had become all too familiar to Besil. The knight bowed deeply before speaking.

“My lord, I bring urgent news. I am Sir Navakin of the Sacred Order of Sefira.”

Besil let out a dry chuckle.

Then, with a sinking feeling, he asked, “...Is it Keter?”

“Ah...”

Navakin hesitated, glancing at the council members before continuing.

Besil, wanting to show that Keter was not a threat, said magnanimously, “It’s fine. Speak freely.”

“Well... Mercenaries have arrived at Sefira’s main gate, claiming to have answered Lord Keter’s request.”

“Keter hired mercenaries?”

Mercenaries were not related to Sefira at all. They were not exactly enemies, but not entirely trustworthy either.

“If he called them, I’m sure he has his reasons. What’s the issue?”

“Their numbers... There are

a lot

of them.”

“Haha, it’s probably seven or eight at most, right?”

“...There are more...”

“Twenty? That is quite a lot.”

“A... A bit more...”

Those watching sensed that something unusual was happening. Basil felt his lips go dry. Calling in mercenaries had been a good idea, but it seemed he had called a bit too many.

Figuring it was best to get it over with, Basil had boldly raised the numbers.

“Did fifty of them come?”

“Just a little more...”

“Enough. Quit joking around. How many actually showed up to cause this commotion?”

“Eight-two, my lord.”

“Kh... Ahem.”

Eighty-two was a lot—excessive. If a few more were added, it would practically form a squad. With so many gathered, it was impossible to guess the purpose behind this recruitment.

However, Besil remained composed as he managed the situation.

“It's a large number, but there's no issue. We have plenty of empty rooms in Sefira.”

“My lord, the numbers are one thing, but their class is the real concern.”

“Their class? With that many, most should be Bronze or Silver-class, surely.”

No matter how many there were, if they were Bronze, Silver, or even Gold-class, it wouldn't be a problem. But the reason Navakin had abruptly interrupted the meeting soon became clear.

“No, my lord. There are no Gold-class mercenaries at all. Every single one of them is Platinum-class or higher. There are sixty-seven Platinum-class, eleven Diamond-class, and... Uh... even four Amantir-class mercenaries.”

The knights standing in the hallway, who had been keeping their gaze forward regardless of the conversation, all turned their heads. Even the composed members of the meeting shot to their feet.

A Platinum-class mercenary was equivalent to a two-star knight, Diamond class was three-star, and Amantir was four-star. The mercenaries Keter had hired weren’t ordinary soldiers; they were all knight-level combatants.

Hearing Navakin, Besil, momentarily dazed, muttered under his breath, “Is he trying to start a war...?”

No one could maintain their composure in the face of Keter’s overwhelming display of force—an army powerful enough to wipe out an entire mid-sized city.