CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 101: THE COUNCIL OF HONOR

After stepping out of the shower, Jax headed toward the main hall. Upon arrival, he found a solemn atmosphere: several women from all the vassal races were gathered around a large table, with Manaia at the center, leading the discussion.

Each representative began reporting the findings from their respective territories. Just as he had ordered, mountains and mines had been explored in search of useful materials for the guild. Manaia had promised rewards to those who discovered valuable resources, and that had motivated every race.

Excitement was evident. Unlike their previous lives, they now had homes of their own, safety, and for the first time, they no longer feared surprise attacks from other races in the dead of night.

Manaia had been clear and strict:

"Any conflict will be judged by the Council of Honor."

The council was composed of an elder from each race, as well as Manaia, Riven, Zyra, Vira, Tala, and Nara, chosen by lottery to represent Jax’s will during his absence.

The policy had not been well received at first. Old customs were hard to erase: abuse of power, rape, murder, theft, and intimidation flooded the table during the first days. Hundreds, even thousands of cases were reported daily.

Manaia’s patience did not last long. One morning, she rose with burning eyes and gave a sharp order to the enforcers:

"Detain one hundred cases at random. Today."

That day, every inhabitant of the village remembered who the real Manaia was. No longer the sweet woman who laughed by Jax’s side, but the former leader of the village—the one who had never been afraid to wield her power.

Blood flowed without mercy.

Rapists were castrated on the spot, their faces branded with fire, and they were degraded into mine slaves. The burning mark on their foreheads labeled them as predators so no one would protect them. Escape was impossible: the wall surrounded the island, and only Jax and his women could open it.

Murderers weren’t so fortunate. They were decapitated without mercy, one after another.

Abusers received one hundred lashes and a broken bone as a warning.

Thieves, on the other hand, paid with a finger from their hand and were sentenced to ten years of forced labor before they could even dream of release.

The reforms took effect. Within days, incidents were reduced by 99.9%. Fear spread quickly. No one dared commit crimes anymore, for anonymous reports could arrive from anywhere, and nobody wanted to draw the Council of Honor’s attention.

Each representative resumed reporting the findings in their territories.

Gorvak, elder of the orcs from the Red Hills, stood.

"We explored the rifts north of our mountains. We found veins of black iron and a smaller seam of burnished copper. Deeper inside, a collapsed tunnel led us to a cavern with glowing stalactites... we believe it to be an abandoned nest of subterranean drakes."

A murmur swept across the table.

Next spoke Thalwen, matriarch of the dark elves of Veyra.

"Our scouts located a cave system beneath the Serpentis River. There we found pure mana crystals embedded in the walls, difficult to extract without precise techniques. We also discovered bioluminescent fungi that could serve as either medicine or poison."

Manaia nodded with interest, jotting notes onto a parchment.

Ulkar, representative of the dwarves from the Smoldering Ravine, slammed his fist against the table.

"Our tunnels bore fruit! We discovered raw mithril, though in small amounts, and underground streams that could power forges and mills. However, we also found signs of creatures in the depths: traces of rock worms."

The air grew tense. Everyone knew such beasts could devour an entire camp.

Then spoke Ishra, spokeswoman of the lamias from the Emerald Swamp.

"We followed the currents beneath the marshes and found a network of flooded caverns. There rest pearls of liquid mana that float like bubbles trapped in stone. However, the place is guarded by something... a vast shadow that moves beneath the waters."

A chilling silence swept the hall.

Finally, Kaaris, elder of the beastmen of Garhn, inclined his head.

"In our mountains we discovered volcanic obsidian and the remains of what seems to be an ancient ruined city. Among the rubble we found rusted weapons, but one of them... still radiated mana. We believe there is an arsenal buried there."

Manaia observed calmly, though her eyes gleamed like embers. She had ordered them to search for useful materials to strengthen the guild, and the results surpassed expectations. Rewards would be generous, but so would the demands.

Suddenly, the murmurs faded. Everyone at the table noticed the shadow at the entrance.

Jax was there, leaning against the doorframe, listening for quite some time.

His eyes glowed with that unsettling gleam that silenced faster than any shout.

The first to react was Gorvak, the orc elder, who stood with a sharp thud.

"Forgive us, my lord! We meant no disrespect."

One by one, the representatives followed, rising with visible panic and lowering their heads in reverence. Several female leaders trembled, their bodies stiff, knowing that a single gesture from the exiled hero could unleash a massacre.

Jax, however, let out a low, deep chuckle.

"Don’t be afraid... I’m not going to eat you." His smile widened, cruel and playful. "At least, not yet."

His eyes drifted slowly across the table, pausing on some of the female leaders, whose discomfort was palpable. The tension became a weight in the air.

Manaia let out a light giggle, as if enjoying the collective unease.

Riven, on the other hand, rolled her eyes in clear disapproval.

"Carry on," Jax finally said, moving to sit in an empty chair. "Pretend I’m not here."

An uncomfortable silence lingered until a deep voice broke it.

This time, it was Bjorn Ironhide, patriarch of the Armored Bears, whose imposing frame made even the orcs seem small. His bone-plated armor creaked as he bowed his head.

"My lord," he began in a resonant voice, "I must report something... The forest at the center of the realm has shown unusual changes."

The entire hall held its breath.