Chapter 116 - 115: Traces of the Eternal Frost Sect, the Resolve to Fight Back
Chapter 116: Chapter 115: Traces of the Eternal Frost Sect, the Resolve to Fight Back
The Professionals showed little change in their expressions upon hearing the news, but the managers below them were clearly panicked and worried.
Most of them were ordinary people, so it was only natural for them to feel uneasy when faced with a matter that directly threatened their personal safety.
After a moment, a middle-aged woman composed herself and was the first to speak.
"Miss Rhea, if the situation is as you say, then the risk posed by the Blood Eye Association is not something our United Commerce Association can bear alone. We should petition Viscount Xavier, Viscount Paris, and even Count Heta to request that the Empire dispatch a proper military force to intervene."
"As for the Eternal Frost Sect—"
She glanced at Joyina, who was sitting to Reya’s right, clad in white and gold robes.
"Perhaps we could ask the Sun Church to act, and call upon the faithful to resist them?"
"Faced with these two vicious organizations, our Power as a mere commerce association is far too limited."
After she finished, a middle-aged man on the other side chimed in to agree.
"Exactly, Miss Rhea. The nature of this matter has changed completely. We have no right to attack these criminals. If we did, where would that leave the lord of Birch Town and the security forces of Heta County?"
"We are a commerce association, after all, not some mercenary organization."
For a moment, everyone except the Professionals began voicing their opinions. Reya didn’t refute them, merely listening intently and thinking.
Only after a period of discussion did she finally speak.
"I am gratified that you are all able to consider the problem from the association’s perspective. It tells me that everyone understands we are a single body."
"But I must tell you all, the threat from the Blood Eye Association and the Eternal Frost Sect will not disappear just because we don’t fight back. Since they intend to launch a rebellion, they will definitely not spare us."
"The reason is very simple—"
Reya’s clear voice was like a stone tossed into a placid pool, sending ripples through the room.
"Money."
She scanned the faces of the crowd, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"If these rebels want to establish a tangible foothold, they need to supply an army, maintain order, and bribe officials... all of which requires enormous capital."
"And in these chaotic times, anyone might be lucky enough to escape their notice. But we, the Noble United Commerce Association, as the largest economic entity in all of Heta County with the most frequent flow of capital, are the fattest lamb in their eyes. There is absolutely no way we can stay out of this!"
"They will not spare us just because we back down and wait for the Imperial Army or the Church to act. On the contrary, showing weakness will only encourage them to pounce and tear at us with even greater abandon!"
As she finished speaking, the faces of the few who had previously suggested waiting for the army and the high nobility to act turned pale. They opened their mouths, but no sound came out.
Indeed, wealth itself was the most tempting prize, enough to attract the most vicious of jackals.
Just then, a steady voice broke the silence.
"Reya is right."
Jon’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears clearly.
He sat beside Evans, his ice-blue eyes sweeping over the panicked faces, his posture as composed as ever.
"A defensive siege is never the choice of a victor."
"Be it the Blood Eye Association or the Eternal Frost Sect, now that they’ve shown their hostility, we must meet them with our full strength."
He paused for a moment, letting all eyes focus on him.
"Passive defense will only deplete our resources and morale, giving these scoundrels more time to weave their conspiracies and accumulate Power."
"So what we should be discussing here is not ’whether to fight,’ but ’how to fight’!"
"Instead of waiting for them to lay another ambush like they did three days ago, we should be the ones to strike first, disrupt their deployments, and root out their spies, making it impossible for them to take a single step in Birch Town or Heta County!"
Reya expertly picked up Jon’s thread. She straightened her spine, her pale face radiating a determined glow, like a flame burning at dawn.
"Mr. Jon is right."
"And please, there is no need to be overly concerned about your safety."
"Priest Ingram of the Sun Church has confirmed that in light of the appearance of Evil Magic users in Birch Town, the Sun Church will dispatch a unit of the Defender Army to support us and bolster Birch Town’s defenses. Furthermore—"
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the worried faces, and then offered them an even greater piece of reassurance.
"My father has also received a detailed report about the attack in Birch Town and the Blood Eye Association’s conspiracy. He is reporting this matter to the Empire’s high command through the Noble Council’s channels with the utmost speed, requesting their attention and intervention."
"I believe the Empire will never stand idly by and watch Heta County fall into chaos!"
This news was like a shot in the arm, instantly dispelling most of the gloom that hung in the meeting hall.
But Reya continued.
She gestured to the key powerhouses seated at the table, her tone firm.
"Furthermore, look around, everyone! We are not without Power!"
"Right here, right now, we have two powerful Knight Level Professionals—Sir Evans and the honorable Vedri—as well as Priest Joyina and our esteemed Shadow Mage, Ms. Ivory!"
Her finger pointed to Evans, Vedri, Joyina, and Ivory in turn.
"Not to mention—"
Reya’s voice suddenly rose as her gaze landed on Jon.
"We also have Mr. Jon! His strength is plain for all to see!"
"We possess such incredible Power! If we were to just hole up in this guildhall, waiting for the enemy to strike again, wouldn’t that be far too conservative? Far too wasteful? Is that the way of the Noble United Commerce Association?!"
"Even in the fiercest of business competitions, we know all too well that constant retreat only means losing the market! When faced with jackals, the only answer is to bare our teeth and show our claws!"
Her declaration struck like a heavy hammer, completely shattering the last remnants of hesitation and panic in their hearts.
The middle-aged woman who had previously raised objections now wore an expression mingled with shame and excitement. The middle-aged man also nodded vigorously.
"Miss Rhea is right!"
A middle-aged manager in charge of warehousing shot to his feet and said excitedly.
"We were being short-sighted, blinded by fear! Just as Mr. Jon said, we can’t win by defending! Our only chance is to counterattack!"
"That’s right!"
Another director in charge of trade immediately chimed in.
"With Miss Rhea to lead us, with Mr. Jon and all the other masters holding the line, and with the support of the Church and the Viscount, what is there to be afraid of? Let’s get them!"
The room was instantly electrified.
Everyone rose to their feet to declare their support, the flames of fighting spirit burning in their eyes and sweeping away their previous dejection.
Seeing the crowd before her, now united as one with their fighting spirit rekindled, a gratified smile spread across Reya’s face—a smile like sunlight piercing through dark clouds, warm and resolute.
She took a deep breath, her emerald eyes shimmering with unshakeable resolve.
"Thank you all for your trust!"
Her voice, clear and powerful, cut through the rising murmur of conversation.
"I, Reya Xavier, will do everything in my power to lead us all through this crisis!"
"We will not bow to any threat! Neither the Blood Eye Association nor the Eternal Frost Sect can shake our foundations! We will overcome this crisis and greet a brighter future!"