Hi again. Sorry it took me so long to update this fic. I have a lot of tasks last week. I also wasn't in home from Thursday to Sunday last week because I attended Inauguration. But now I'm relieved because finally I could finish the second chapter. Please, just move forward and read it.
Chapter II: The Council Meeting
Sasarai and one of his subordinate were in the meeting room of the Council. The leaders of state and many high ranking bishops that became the Council member, just like Sasarai, accompanied by their aides, all sitting around one great table, waiting for the Council meeting.
"Where is that Silverburg! Why is he still not come to here!" a big-nosed man muttered angrily. His eyes looked over the room.
"Calm down, Dios. I'm sure he will come," Sasarai assured his Chief of Staf. He smiled calmly and patted Dios on the shoulder. "Besides, the meeting will begin ten minutes again."
"But, as your strategist he must come to this meeting with you! Look at him! How dare of him, sent his messenger to your office and told us to go without him!" Dios poured his anger.
"He told us that he will catch up with us here," Sasarai added him. "I believe he has an important business that he must handle first."
"But Bishop…," Dios still want to protest.
"Dios!" Sasarai cut Dios' words. He looked at his subordinate, asking for understanding.
"Uh…okay! I understand!" Dios folded his arms in front of his chest and looked away. He still looks upset.
"Sasarai just looked at his tempered subordinate and chuckled. "I appreciate your patience, Dios," he said it cheerily.
Dios stayed silent. He knew that his superior only teased him. Sasarai was one of the few people that could get along well with him, despite of his tempered manner.
He had worked with Sasarai for almost four years. He knew his superior more than most people used to be.
Sasarai, despite his young appearance, had the wise and respectful aura that makes the people around respect him. But, sometimes he could also act childish that makes the people who doesn't know him suspect his true age was like his appearance, a young boy around sixteen.
However, the bishop was the bearer of True Earth Rune, one of the 27 True Runes. It was the power of the True Rune that made him immortal young, just like what the other True Runes did to their bearer, made them stagnant.
He was also a great politician that often handles the politics in Harmonia. He was one of the most influential people in Harmonia.
A red haired man entered the meeting room. He walked toward Dios and Sasarai." I'm sorry for my late arrival. I must settle a problem first before I come to here."
"Finally," Dios muttered under his breath.
Sasarai just smiled at him. "It's okay, Albert. The important is you're not late for the meeting!"
Albert sat on the chair on the left of Sasarai, as the chair on the right of the bishop has been occupied by Dios.
Suddenly two men entered the room. The oldest one of them was the chairman and the other man was his aide. They walked to the head of the table and sat on the chairs there.
"The chairman already come. Now the meeting will begin," Dios informed Sasarai.
Sasarai just nodded.
"So now as we have Le Buque and Safir Clan from Grassland, we must anticipate the possibility of the two clans unite their force to fight for their freedom," the chairman explained. "We have to think a way to prevent them from join force."
The room became noisy. Many of them discussed each other, arguing their ideas. All of them tried to find a way.
"It's easy. Threat them, who dare to against us will receive death punishment!" one of the leaders finally spoke, "It will make them scare."
"It's not that easy. Grasslanders are brave warriors. If it for their clan, I think even death won't make them scare," Sasarai argued the idea from that leader of state.
"So, do you have a better idea, Bishop?" the leader countered Sasarai.
"Ah, I know! Why we not ask Bishop Sasarai? He had dealt with those Grasslanders in the war before. He was also the general that defeated Safir Clan. He must be know those Grasslanders better and know how to deal with them!" the other leader exclaimed.
All eyes looked at Sasarai, include Albert and Dios.
Sasarai just smiled calmly. "I have known a lot of great people from Grassland. They are warriors that put their clans above their own lives. I think, the Mantor trainers from Le Buque and Safir Clan's warriors also same. They won't hesitate to sacrifice their lives to release their people," Sasarai explained. He stopped for a moment, then continued his words again, "As we know, Le Buque had requested their right to become second-class citizen for their help in the last war. I advise to grant their wish."
The room became noisy. Apparently they confused by Sasarai's statement. Many of them asking each other.
"Bishop Sasarai! What do you mean?" Dios asked his superior, but only got a smile as return.
Albert stayed silent. Apparently he began to understand the true purpose behind that advice.
"Calm down, everyone! Bishop Sasarai, please explain! Why you give that advice?" the chairman asked, looking directly to Sasarai.
The room becomes silent again. All of them waiting for Sasarai's explanation.
Sasarai's face looks solemn. He looked around the table and explained, " They've become third-class citizenship for fifty years. Surely they don't want to lose the opportunity to get a better life. If we give them the second class citizenship, they will be grateful and do their best to maintain it. They won't dare to join force with Safir Clan, because they surely know enough, the success rate of their rebellion against us is very small. And if they lose to us, they will return under our command and become third-class citizenship again. They won't dare to risk their second-class citizenship."
Most people in the room looks impressed after heard the explanation.
"Brilliant idea, Bishop Sasarai!" the chairman praised Sasarai.
"Wait!" one of the leaders exclaimed. "We don't need to scare to them. They are nothing to us, even if they join force! With our power we can destroy them easily!"
"It's not destruction that we want. The destruction of Le Buque and Safir Clan can make the other Grassland clans angry and attack Harmonia in return. Remember, now they have the new Flame Champion, Hugo of the Karaya Clan. It will be dangerous for us if all of the Grassland clans unite their force once again under the Flame Champion, just like fifty years ago," Sasarai explained with mild tone.
"I'm still disagree with you," the other bishop spoke, "The second-class citizenship is something that can't be given easily to the third-class citizenship. They must prove their loyalty and service Harmonia for a long time first before they can get it."
"They already did it," Sasarai stated. "They have worked for us fifty years, and they helped us to fight against the other Grasslanders in the last war. I think it's enough."
The room became quiet. Some people who at first disagree with Sasarai now start to accept his idea.
"So now, who disagree with Bishop Sasarai, or maybe have another idea?" the chairman asked, looking around the table.
None of them said a word.
"Hmm…. So, all of you agree with him. It's decided, then. We will grant Le Buque the second-class citizenship," the chairman stated.
The other people in the room looking each other, said nothing. Apparently some of them disagreed with the decision, but decided to say nothing because didn't have a better way.
"Well then. The meeting today is over. Thank you for your attendance!" the chairman dismissed the meeting. He then raised from his chair and walked out from the room. His aide followed him from behind.
After the chairman left the room, the other people in the room started to raise from their chair and leave the room one by one.
"You are too kind, Your Holiness," Albert commented his superior. He, Sasarai, and Dios still stay on their chairs.
Sasarai looked at his strategist. "What do you mean?" he asked, showing his innocent face to Albert.
"Well, is it just my feeling, or do you actually just want to help them?" Albert asked Sasarai carefully, lowering his voice. Fortunately Dios didn't pay attention to their conversation because of the noises that surrounding them.
Sasarai smiled wryly. "I just don't want to see war again," he said, half whispered, "Not near this time."
Again, I just want to say sorry for the grammatical error. And, I already have the idea for the next chapter: The Apprentice. Hope I can finish it quickly…