Chapter 816

"Good! Now that we've decided to strike back, let's discuss how to suppress those rioting rabble outside! Should we disperse most of them and arrest a few ringleaders, or use slaughter to teach every last one of them a harsh lesson?"

"Disperse most of them. That's still my opinion. Too many deaths and injuries could easily worsen the unrest. What we need to do now is calm things down first. If possible, I don't even want to deal with the ringleaders too openly. After all, the fact that they managed to gather so many rioters around them when this erupted so suddenly shows that they have considerable prestige among the mob. If possible, I don't want to further intensify the hostility between our two sides."

The councilor who spoke was the one who had cast the only opposing vote earlier.

Another councilor, who had previously abstained, nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Restoring order is the top priority right now. We can't let these people keep causing trouble. The Shadow Thieves need to get moving as well. Have Fitzgerald take action—no one connected to this can be spared. Of course, it would be best to do it quietly, disguised as accidents."

Though he voiced his agreement, he actually had no goodwill whatsoever toward those leaders. He agreed not to deal with them publicly, but secret executions were a must.

"But what about the losses? Those scum outside have looted quite a few shops! We need to be tougher this time. Otherwise, something like this will happen again sooner or later. My suggestion is to kill! Kill without restraint! Every rioter carrying a weapon must die! We need to let these bastards taste our power!"

"I also support taking a harder line. Let the army cut loose and make a thorough