CHAPTER 43: SITTING DUCK

Twelve people sat around a huge circular table.

They were mostly association executives and other high ranking people in the association.

Cipher sat at one of the seats with Selene and Maya standing behind him on either side.

"It’s just like I said. My friends aren’t products that I own that I can just give out to whoever asks," Cipher said with a firm expression.

A man across the table - middle-aged with graying hair slicked back, wearing an expensive suit - had a displeased expression. "Don’t be so selfish. This is a matter concerning the Association. You should give her up to me, and I can make her an excellent healer for the Association at the level of Elaine."

The others remained silent.

Cipher sighed. Indeed, not everyone was agreeable in the Association.

Maya, who stood behind Cipher, looked on nervously.

Cipher turned to her. "Maya," he called out.

"Yes?" she responded.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I... I want to stay with Brother Cipher, Sister Selene, and the rest of the team," she said.

Cipher turned to face the others. "Since the person in question has responded, then that’s that. This conversation is over."

He then glanced at Iris.

"We came here to discuss something important, not watch you fight over girls," Iris said. She turned to look at the man. "Hey, old man, she said she isn’t interested in old men. Why don’t you just give up?"

The others began murmuring.

"Wh... what? She didn’t say that..." the man began.

"She might as well have. Must we really spell it out for you? Why is it so hard to take a hint?" Elaine joined in.

Seeing these two support Cipher, the others also began shunning the man. After all, these two - especially Iris - were the most important people in the Association with special abilities that every executive needed. Offending them would definitely hurt their bottom line.

"Alright, everyone calm down. This matter is solved. Since she doesn’t want to leave her team, just let her be," the Chairman finally spoke up.

He then turned to look at the man, who wore an angry expression. "That being said, Orion’s concerns were genuine and come from a place of care - not maliciously wanting to separate the girl from her team. Isn’t that right?"

Orion nodded stiffly.

"Then how about this: she can continue training in her original team. We don’t have specialized healer training facilities in the Association anyway, so it doesn’t matter where she trains."

Orion opened his mouth to speak, but the Chairman raised his hand.

"If you’re worried about her not practicing properly since she’s under a branch head, then there’s no need to worry. Cipher is different and, in fact, prefers being in the gates. Does that resolve your concerns?"

The man could only nod begrudgingly.

"Then the issue is solved," the Chairman said. "Why don’t we move on to why I summoned you all here?"

...

The Chairman looked at one of the men at the table. He wore a dark cloak that also covered most of his head.

"Vex, what’s your report?" the Chairman asked.

"The Church of Eternal Brilliance has increased their activity," Vex spoke, his voice quiet and measured. "They’ve been capturing more civilians over the past two weeks - approximately three times their usual rate. We believe they’re preparing for something big." He paused. "I also lost some members of my shadow squad during reconnaissance."

The Chairman nodded at the report, then looked at the others. "Thoughts?"

Victoria leaned forward. "Vex, do you know where they’re taking the captured people?"

"I do," Vex replied. "They all seem to be taken to the old industrial district in Sector Seven - the abandoned steel mill complex."

"That might be their base," Victoria said. "I recommend gathering a large squad and attacking."

Luna - a woman with sharp features and calculating eyes - spoke up. "With all due respect, Vice Chairman, the Association might not necessarily have what it takes to take on the Church. We shouldn’t risk it."

Another executive, Ember - a middle-aged man with graying temples - agreed. "If the Association’s main force encounters problems, the guilds we’ve worked so hard to bring together will instantly break away. The world will turn into a lawless zone, turning all our hard work to nothing."

Some of the executives nodded in agreement.

Cipher listened and remained silent.

Guilds were organizations similar to the Association where awakeners gathered, performing raids together and other activities. Before, all the guilds had their own power and did whatever they wished until the Association came and united the guilds under their banner, bringing some order into the earlier lawless situation.

"Hmph, what cowards," one man said.

He was Draven - a man with a huge build and a prosthetic arm on his left side.

"You all know that the Association will fall either way, so why are you still acting like this?" he asked.

"What are you talking about? How could the Association fall?" Luna asked.

"Hmph, do you really think we can keep all those guilds in check with just us? It’s only a matter of time before the Association falls," Draven said. "The Association chose to act like the government, so it should play the part. The more we don’t act, the stronger the cult gets. Do you expect the guilds to make a move? They’re just a bunch of cowards who don’t care about anything as long as it doesn’t hurt their bottom line."

He leaned forward, his prosthetic arm clanking against the table. "The Association has been facing the cult and other forces all this time, and we’ll soon face their retribution. And when that time comes, do you think those guilds will care if their overlords get jumped? Since they’re coming for us either way, I’d much prefer being the one acting rather than being a sitting duck here."

After his words, everyone remained silent.

The Chairman cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Although Draven is exaggerating, the situation is indeed not favorable for us."

Draven just scoffed at this but remained quiet.

"I suggest that we face the Church," the Chairman continued. "If we can win against the Church of Eternal Brilliance, it will solve all our problems. It will reaffirm our position as the Association and deter other forces that are lurking in the shadows, as well as stop the guilds from having any ideas."