"Respected Leader, I have said all I needed to say."
Seeing everyone fall silent because of his words, Zero gave a final bow to the leader at the head of the table before returning to his seat.
After spending some time together, he had basically figured out the leader's intentions toward him.
He was meant to say the things that offended people, the things no one else was willing to say—just as he had done now.
Others feared being isolated and feared being stabbed in the back, but he did not.
Most importantly, he was weak enough. So weak that he could not stir up even the slightest ripple, so weak that a single finger would be enough to crush him.
Thus, the leader showed an extremely high degree of tolerance toward his actions. As long as he did not do anything excessive or directly oppose the leader, his seat here would remain utterly secure.
"Then, what do you all think of Zero's proposal?"
A trace of satisfaction flashed through the leader's eyes as he spoke again, breaking the silence in the hall.
"Who should we send to contact the Empire's marquises and persuade them to join forces with us?"
The others exchanged glances. In the end, Xing, seated at the head of the right side, spoke softly.
"As for Marquis Delaka... my people are already in contact with him. If we need to join hands, he will agree."
At that moment, Gray Mist spoke blandly, taking responsibility for one of them.
"As for Marquis Wendy, I have some personal acquaintance with him. I can try to persuade him."
Voice of the Dead, seated second on the right side of the table, continued in a hoarse voice.
After he finished speaking, the tasks of winning over the third and fourth