CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 184: "FIRE SEED"_2

"However, this doesn’t mean I agree with the views in the book. In fact, starting from the seventeenth chairman, our strategies gradually diverged from the predetermined path in the book."

The chairman spoke again, leaving Richard stunned once more.

This...

Was supposed to be his rhetoric, right?

The chairman was effectively admitting in front of everyone that he had deviated from the plan set by the Master of Tides, almost sealing his fate in this debate.

The speech continued, "This issue hinges on how we perceive that great being. Is He a visionary leader, or an omniscient and omnipotent Divine Spirit?"

The chairman posed this question to everyone, after a moment, he said, "If it’s the former, it means His vision is also confined by the limitations of the era, unable to foresee the changes in epochs to come. The ark is the last resort He left us, and once this plan is initiated, it equates to confessing our defeat."

In his view, it’s a cruel plan.

When he was elected chairman and first walked into that underground chamber, upon seeing the secret in the book, he decided to follow the altered policy of the seventeenth chairman and forever bury this secret in his heart.

"The number of people the ark can carry is limited, who decides the list of those boarding?"

The chairman could easily foresee the outcome if this secret were made public. To secure a "boarding" spot, people would resort to any means, and those abandoned would turn their despair into anger and hatred.

The Deep Sea Council had abandoned everyone, that was the message they sent to all.

The residents of Ophira cannot all board, let alone people outside Ophira.

The chairman could also foresee that this nation, built by the efforts of countless people, would head towards destruction amidst chaos and despair.

The venue fell completely silent.

If Ophira is doomed to destruction, now... is the time to change the meeting’s agenda and negotiate the boarding list, everyone was calculating in their minds, some even preparing their persuasion speeches in their hearts—this was their forte.

Generations had shed their blood and sweat for Ophira, this was their due.

Next was the list of those besides the members.

They had to ensure that their relatives were included, which would drastically increase the numbers, occupying the vast majority of spots, as for the remaining part...

They still needed to take some servants on board, regardless of where the ship was heading, there had to be people to attend to their daily needs, but not all servants could come aboard. There wasn’t enough room on the ship, and they didn’t want the deck to appear overcrowded, as that would be undignified.

Besides this, they also needed guards for protection.

The list was already determined.

The members looked around, seeing potential enemies all around, they immediately thought of "servants" and "guards" as the key to determining the ark’s power distribution, it would grant them more votes, and once the ship sailed off from Ophira, the power structure on deck would change completely.

The chairman observed the wandering eyes below the stage; the members’ thoughts weren’t hard to guess.

This was the first step towards fragmentation.

"Richard, perhaps I should thank you."

He turned to Richard, who was supposed to be his debating opponent, "Hearing these words from you eases my burden a bit, at least... it eases my guilt slightly, after all, this is a selfish decision, as I and previous chairmen well know."

And this, too, was their greatest divergence with that great being.

Regrettably, maybe it was their shortsightedness, unable to see the deeper meaning.

For instance, they couldn’t grasp the importance of preserving the fire of hope.

Murmurs rose from the audience, a new round of power games had already begun, they were about to finalize all the boarding slots here.

No one seemed to care about the outcome of this debate anymore.

"If Ophira is destined to be swallowed by the flood, I will fight with its people until the last moment."

Richard had sharply pointed out during the debate that this was ostrich policy, it may sound harsh, but perhaps it was the truth.

But when the chairman made the final decision, he felt relieved in his heart.

He had selfishly hoped that Ophira could unite and head to this final battlefield, even if it might take away their only chance of survival.

Facing the threat of impending doom, the members could no longer remain calm, discussions turned into arguments, those who knew they didn’t hold many chips were swayed by fear.

Outside the council hall, Tailfin licked her lips in delight, nothing was sweeter to her than this fruit.

Compared to destruction and annihilation, the collapse of order before the flood was the true essence.

Until,

The chairman suddenly raised his voice, breaking the gradually out-of-control discussions in the hall.

"Over the years, I’ve maintained contact with the Lofic Consortium, funding their research, all to gain more intelligence, and just recently, one of their studies yielded results, we discovered an altar beneath the surface of the facility that would bring Ophira a powerful ally."

The hall fell silent once more.

"It’s called Aelium, and it once fought alongside that great being."

As this name spread throughout the venue, Urd, who was attending, almost immediately grew excited, eagerly using magic to send whispers into everyone’s minds, "My lord Aelium will descend once more, the Deep Sea Race will be your most steadfast ally!"

This sudden whisper seemed to encourage many, though its effect was ultimately short-lived.

When the members turned and saw the excited Urd standing up, they immediately showed disappointed expressions.

At this stage, what could a measly octopus face do?

Not even a group of octopus faces!

Outside the council hall, Tailfin’s eyes curved into crescents.

Everything was going according to their plan, and she couldn’t wait to see the chairman’s expression when he realized he had triggered the flood by breaking the seal.

He would become a sinner of the entire Western Continent, his firm beliefs would crumble in an instant.

But the finest delicacy should be savored last, that’s common sense.

"Given the situation, Richard, I’ll leave it to you to decide the boarding list. Although we have had our disputes, I know you are a person who can uphold fairness."

The chairman paused, then called out, "Warriors who intend to fight with me until the last moment, stay here, we still need to conduct some meticulous strategic planning!"

The members responded to the chairman’s rallying cry with action.

Twenty years ago, he had won votes with the same call, and this time, in less than five minutes, the members dispersed like birds and beasts. Once they realized that the first to leave the hall would gain an advantage on the list, they were unwilling to waste even a second more in this place.

On their way out, the discussions once again became intense.

They didn’t need a diplomat meddling in such major matters; fairness was the last thing needed at this critical juncture.

Now was the time to use the power, connections, and wealth they had accumulated.

Richard remained in place, silently watching the departing crowd.

Choosing the boarding list, conducting practical exercises, planning escape routes...

These were precisely his thoughts before coming to the council hall, and his purpose was indeed achieved, but listening to the members argue among themselves, Richard suddenly felt bewildered.

They were debating the need to prevent Steam Technology products from taking up living space on the ship, suggesting leaving most craftsmen in Ophira to "fill combat strength," to provide more cover for their escape.

Richard could easily envision the future scene of the ark.

This power game would continue, causing him to share the chairman’s doubts.

He felt he might not have such vision either, unable to immediately imagine the significance of preserving these "sparks."

However, it seemed others had stayed behind as well.

They were the emissaries from the Empire.

Ave and her attendants came to the front row, but it was the accompanying youth who spoke.

"Come on, let’s hear your strategic plan."