"The Gods' Covenant, when convening, requires a motion to receive more than half the votes to pass.
"Your two Lords of Grace have a conflict with Annihilation, so they will likely support it.
"Deception's proxy vote for Truth, Destiny's proxy vote for Prosperity, and my vote make five votes. At least four more are needed."
Hearing this, Cheng Shi asked in confusion:
"My lord, but Prosperity and War have both fallen. Do their votes still count?"
The green flames in the giant skull's eye sockets swayed gently as he explained:
"If a god falls, one seat is subtracted. Otherwise, if an accident occurred, wouldn't the gods be wiped out completely?
"The Covenant allows other gods to exercise a god's voting rights, which means it already recognizes vacant divine thrones as voting seats. Otherwise, the rules would collapse on their own.
"Of the remaining four votes, Chaos and Deception have cooperated for years, so it may be possible to win them over. Time is also on your Lord of Grace's side. If he is willing to protect you, that vote can be counted as well.
"As for the final two votes...
"I've thought it over and over. It will be extremely difficult.
"Birth is my Twin God, but when it comes to matters like this, he never stirs up trouble, nor does he refuse to resist. Even if I personally tried to persuade him, he would most likely abstain.
"Decay left the gods long ago. Even if he once watched over you, under Annihilation's influence, he would never vote in favor.
"Iron Rule of Order would never allow such an act of defiance against Order to occur. This vote will certainly be against you.
"Folly never stops foolish acts, but getting him to commit folly himself is as difficult as reaching