The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 309 - 221: Undercurrents Surge

Chapter 309: Chapter 221: Undercurrents Surge

Royal District.

Supreme Council.

Within the grand Fire Hall.

The King had again proposed his expansion plan.

"...The Black Tide caused significant shifts in the power of monsters in the Dark World, weakening many areas, and according to observations from the White Tower, we are expected to have a good period ahead."

"This is a great opportunity. Using Star City as a base to control all nearby areas, then expanding west to take Storm Pass, we could reclaim territories lost six hundred years ago within Trolian’s borders."

Amendo shook his head, "Your Majesty, we have just been through a prolonged bloodshed. When Doomsday’s Heavenly Phenomenon and the Black Tide arrived, your insistence on not abandoning Star City cost us greatly."

"The warriors are all exhausted, and every medical facility in the Royal City is overfilled; the purification rituals in the Soul Church are continuous throughout the night."

Chief of the Healing Cult stood up and spoke, "Your Majesty, all our central medical personnel and the Healing Nuns are treating with all their might, but still, many permanent disabilities remain."

The Soul Master Priscilla softly said, "Many warriors have severe soul corruption. Our purification capabilities are at their limit. The infection from the Black Fog is not easily eradicated; the warriors have been fighting at the front for too long."

Hullen, the Chief of Logistics, also said, "The Silan military base is crammed full, and appointments for combat evaluations are booked until next year. The warriors need time to digest experiences, and the combat system also needs time for updating."

Some senior figures were also wailing.

"Your Majesty, your new law is too harsh."

"The taxes are too heavy."

"Why ban the mills?"

"They are all volunteers..."

The king’s gaze swept coldly over them, and the noise immediately diminished.

"The Flesh Mills are absolutely not allowed to exist. If man eats man, what is the difference between them and monsters, what is the difference between the human’s Royal City and the monsters’ monster lair?"

"We feel uncomfortable now because we have been confined to the Red Soil Plain for too long. This land can no longer support such a population; we lack many resources. How many people fail to improve each year due to resource issues, and how many are missed in the Fire Trial annually because of it?"

"We need more extensive living spaces; now is the time to take another step outward."

When the king’s voice faded, a prolonged silence fell in the Fire Hall.

Whether it was the Elder Council, the officials, or the Commanders who had just returned to the Royal City, along with the Guardians, none spoke.

Eventually, the expansion plan was shelved due to significant controversy.

The Elder Council believed that after occupying Star City, it should be maintained as an exclave, held firmly, only for the Royal City to mine Crystal Ore and Sun Stone.

Yet, the King intended to use Star City as a base to incorporate all nearby areas into Trolian’s territory and continue to expand westward.

The Commanders had differing opinions, and the Guardians each had their own thoughts.

After the meeting dispersed, groups among the high levels gathered together.

Guardian and King Candidate Jon was fervently courted by a crowd led by the Great Judge Manolo Bana and Chief Judge Levill.

They eagerly hoped that Jon would stand up and speak a word of justice for them.

"Lord Jon, the tax imposed by His Majesty is too heavy; the financial backbone of the Royal City is us. If we continue to be squeezed like this, what happens when the backbone collapses?"

"Exactly, a tax of forty percent is too excessive. Why should the non-contributing commoners only pay ten percent, while we, the pillars, end up paying so much more?"

"The Flesh Mills aren’t even something we want to do. Those poor people have no other recourse, lingering in this world but wasting the warmth of the Holy Fire. Isn’t selling themselves to save their families the best choice?"

"Right, they sacrifice their flesh and soul to create Soul Red Crystals, extracting the living Spirituality, and also providing supplies to the warriors at the front line. Why should such a mutually beneficial act be prohibited?"

"Our territory is already sufficiently large; there’s no need for further expansion. It doesn’t matter if some of the poor die."

Jon remained silent.

These people did not understand the cruel coldness he revered. If he ascended as King, his first action would be to exterminate these people and seize their assets, which were far more useful than the empty pockets of the poor.

Then he would impose an iron-fisted rule in the Royal City, expanding outward with even crueler methods.

Essentially, his direction was aligned with the King’s, only far more radical,

and these fools thought they were on the same side as he was.

However, his aide Velas subtly tugged at his coat, signaling him to attract more supporters.

Jon sighed lightly in his heart and began to respond limitedly to their words.

——

Guardian and King Candidate Qingyu was courted much more fervently.

Everyone knew that Lady Qingyu was kind-hearted, unwilling to reject any request that was not unreasonable or excessive.

Her one hundred and sixty prospective royal consorts had come to be just like that.

She also had significant influence over the King.

Everyone hoped she could dissuade the King, urging Trolian to remain calm temporarily and avoid stirring further actions.

Whether they were combatants or non-combatants, whether Fire Holders or common folk, everyone was extremely weary and desperately hoped to enjoy these rare peaceful days.

White Wolf Vimier stayed close to Qingyu’s side, ready to kick away any ill-intentioned characters at any moment.