Chapter Fourteen - Proclamation
As they walked, the people of the village stopped and stared, whispering things to each other.
"They don't seem too happy," Fujiko said as she looked around.
"Yeah," Lupin said. "What's the deal, Goemon? I thought you were their ruler or something."
"They rule themselves," Goemon said, ignoring the glares he got from the villagers.
"What idiot came up with that idea?" Lupin scoffed.
"I did," Goemon said as he looked back at Lupin and glared at him.
"Oh... sorry." Lupin then decided to keep quiet.
Goemon led them to a large building situated near the center of the village. They entered and walked a maze of halls and open rooms. Walking up a flight of stairs and to the second floor, they continued on until they came to a large door, a guard standing on either side of it.
Inside the room was a long low table. On each side knelt five men, all in elaborate and colorful kimonos. They ranged in age from early twenties to late seventies, their faces serious as they watched the four enter.
Goemon knelt down at the end of the table, Lupin, Jigen and Fujiko kneeling down behind him.
"For what reasons have you asked us here?" a middle aged man asked.
"I have news that the Burning Dawn have returned," Goemon said. "They seek to destroy us."
"The Burning Dawn are no more," the oldest man said.
"Yeah," another said as he stared in anger at Goemon. "The news you heard is false."
"No. The news is true." Goemon turned and glared at the man. He then glanced around the table. "They have come out of hiding and have waged war on us."
"We cannot handle another war," the oldest said.
"We will not tolerate it," another said in anger.
"And if the news you heard is true," the youngest said, "then it will be your responsibility to stop this war before it begins. You are the reason those animals are still around. Your failure to eradicate them will not lead to more deaths and we will make sure of it."
The other officials voiced their agreements.
"So be it," Goemon said, standing and leaving.