Charging Up

"I abstain."

"I abstain."

"I abstain."

"I oppose."

"I abstain."

When the vote was retaken, only one person opposed it; everyone else abstained. When it was the last person's turn to state his position, everyone's eyes fell on him, yet he remained silent.

He looked at the Emperor and asked, "What happens if I vote against it?"

"What do you want to happen?" the Emperor countered.

In an advanced civilization like the Infinite Sacred Domain, there were no excessively rigid superior-subordinate relationships. The Emperor was also one of the outstanding figures among the higher-dimensional members, the kind of peerless genius seen only once in ages. That was why most people had elevated him to his position and entrusted him with overseeing the bigger picture.

He did possess certain privileges, but not to the extent that he could utterly crush others without reason. Usually, when a decision was disputed, he would not simply use his authority to silence all opposing voices.

By casually creating a collective consciousness form, they could reach a decision that served the collective interest and understand the deeper scheme behind the Emperor's judgment.

Even when the logic behind certain decisions was unsuitable for sharing, a few hints would be enough to make people understand the crucial points.

Out of respect and trust for this peerless figure of the ages, no one usually questioned his major decisions.

But this time was different. The Emperor had neither explained the reasoning nor was the matter insignificant. It concerned the collective future of the Infinite Sacred Domain. Someone had to raise a question.

The man said, "I would like you to explain a little and let me see the confidence behind this decision."

"It cannot be explained."

The Emperor said, "But your choice will determine whether a traitor to civilization