Chapter 151: The Council's Judgment
The council chamber was smaller than the throne room and had been built for function rather than ceremony. A long wooden table dominated the center of the room, its polished surface reflecting the steady glow of enchanted crystals that floated near the ceiling. High-backed chairs surrounded the table, while shelves filled with scrolls and ancient documents lined the walls, preserving centuries of the Hidden City's history. The quiet atmosphere gave the chamber a sense of authority, but there was none of the grandeur associated with the throne room.
Arthur sat at the head of the table, his golden hair standing out against the dark wood while his red eyes moved across the men surrounding him. Ronan sat to his right, his black hair tied behind his head and his expression impossible to read. Logan occupied the seat to Arthur's left, his brown hair slightly disheveled as his blue eyes remained fixed on the map of the continent spread across the table.
Further down the table sat Ray, whose white hair contrasted sharply with his dark robes. The scar crossing his right eye caught the crystal light whenever he turned his head. Although Ray was one hundred and twenty years old, his face remained smooth and youthful, resembling a man in his twenties because of the effects of his cultivation. His black eyes possessed the sharpness of someone who had spent decades navigating the political shadows of the Hidden City.
At the far end of the table sat the five elders. Their weathered faces carried the marks of centuries of life, with each of them having surpassed one hundred and eighty years of age. The Platinum Stage mana cores within their bodies sustained their lives and gave them combat power comparable to Moon Class elites. They had long since abandoned the front lines, however, choosing instead to exercise their influence from the security of the council chamber.
The first elder finally broke the silence. His dry, rasping voice sounded like something worn down by generations of use.
"The Clover Clan has become a threat. Austin's awakening of the Four Leaf Clover Eyes changes everything, and we cannot allow the clan to grow stronger."
Ray inclined his head. "The clan has been seeking greater authority for decades. Their patriarch's demand to be considered for the position of Sky King was already unacceptable, but Austin's eyes will make the clan even more ambitious. They will interpret his awakening as proof that they deserve to rule."
The second elder leaned forward and tapped his gnarled fingers against the table. "Then we destroy them before they have an opportunity to organize. If we act quickly, we can prevent them from rallying support from the other clans."
"The other clans will not support them," the third elder added. "They fear the Clover Clan as much as we do. If we act decisively, they will have little choice but to stand aside."
Arthur listened without interrupting. His red eyes moved from one elder to another, carefully studying their expressions and measuring the fear beneath their confidence.
The fourth elder eventually presented another possibility.
"We can blame the attack on the Hidden City of Lightning. Their army was defeated at the border, and their people are already hungry for revenge. If we destroy the Clover Clan while leaving evidence that points toward Lightning, the other Hidden Cities will believe that Asher ordered the attack."
"And what of the Hidden City of Sand?" the fifth elder asked.
Ray smiled faintly. "The Sand City has already revealed its intentions. They sent an operative to disrupt the depot mission because they wanted to escalate the conflict between Sky and Zenith. If we approach them with a proposal for an alliance of convenience, they will accept it. They want the Sky Empire weakened, and the destruction of one of our strongest clans serves that objective."
The first elder slowly nodded.
"The Sand City provides the operatives, Lightning takes the blame, the Clover Clan is destroyed, and the Council's position remains secure."
The plan spread across the table with unsettling efficiency. Each proposal connected to the next, forming a strategy that could eliminate an entire clan while concealing the Council's involvement. Arthur listened until the elders had finished, then waited as their attention shifted toward him.
They were expecting his approval.
Arthur's answer was immediate.
"No."
The single word carried enough weight to silence the chamber.
The first elder's eyes narrowed. "No?"
Arthur leaned forward, resting his elbows against the table as he looked directly at the elders.
"If we destroy the Clover Clan, every other clan in this city will begin wondering whether they are next. They will see that the Council destroys anyone who becomes too powerful, and they will respond by concealing their strength. They will hoard their resources, hide their techniques, and stop contributing openly to the city. When the next war comes, we will not face our enemies as a united force. We will face them as a collection of frightened factions."
The second elder opened his mouth, but Arthur continued before he could speak.
"The Clover Clan has fought for this city for generations. Their warriors have bled on its battlefields, and their Moon Class elites have held the line against enemies that could have overwhelmed us. Destroying them would not remove a threat. It would mean cutting away a portion of our own strength."
The third elder's jaw tightened.
"And what of the boy? What do you intend to do about Austin and his Four Leaf Clover Eyes? Do you expect us to ignore him?"
"I expect you to use him."
Arthur's answer caused several of the elders to exchange glances.
"He is sixteen years old, and he has already summoned an Avatar," Arthur continued. "In ten years, he could become one of the strongest warriors in this city. In twenty years, he may possess strength capable of rivaling the Saints. If we kill him now, we are not protecting our future. We are destroying it."