The two men, whose war of words had already escalated into personal attacks, barely managed to restrain their tempers and returned to their seats with long faces.
Josiah Parker paid them no further attention. His gaze swept over the committee members and representatives. "This prolonged entanglement has already wasted far too much time. I understand your covetousness toward WAC..."
A stir ran through the room. Everyone looked toward the Speaker, evidently not expecting him to put it so bluntly.
But this was, after all, a small meeting. Everyone present was a political figure representing their respective families and organizations. Other things might be uncertain, but their thick skins were guaranteed.
No one felt the slightest embarrassment at having their masks stripped away by the Speaker.
The gazes fixed on him held only scrutiny and appraisal, as though they wanted to know what this nominal leader truly meant to say.
At the center of their attention, Josiah Parker's expression did not change as he continued.
"...WAC is indeed an exceptionally valuable project. According to Congress's records from ten years ago, the number of werewolves in America had already exceeded ten thousand. If South America, which falls within America's sphere of influence, is included as well, then once North American WAC is established, it may attract more than fifty thousand werewolves to submit."
"Moreover, the Americas are different from England. England is small and close to Europe, so werewolves there are highly mobile. As a result, the main composition of werewolves there is likely No-Majs. But in the Americas, werewolves face a far harsher environment. Without magical abilities, it is difficult for them to survive."
"The same survey from ten years ago showed, according to archives retained by the Department of Mysteries, that more than eighty percent of werewolves in the Americas