Preparing to Leave

"Who?"

"Scholar Eno!"

The councilors turned toward the voice and stared at Yin Ming in disbelief.

Serving as the Flame-Burners Association's envoy meant high risk and no reward. Everyone else had avoided the role, yet he had stepped forward as though duty demanded it.

Was this really Scholar Eno, who retreated at the first sign of danger and avoided trouble whenever he could?

"Don't look at me like that. I don't like taking risks, but when there's no avoiding one, I'm not afraid of it. Besides, can you find anyone better suited to the job?"

Yin Ming's explanation was only half sincere. He went on to lay out his reasoning.

"Chairman Robert certainly can't go. Without a Second-Ring Wizard holding Hell Valley, our chances of escaping would be next to zero. That would make them far more likely to silence us."

"As a succubus warlock, Emma Dalton is good at ordinary conversation. But the other party is a tree, so sending her could backfire."

"That leaves me. We're both potion-makers, after all. We might even find something to talk about."

"Does anyone disagree?"

Yin Ming rose and looked around, radiating an air of If not me, then who?

Several councilors who usually spoke ill of him lowered their heads in shame.

Cowardly?

No. This was prudence.

A coward feared every danger. A prudent man avoided the dangers he could, without fearing danger itself.

"No objections," all ten said.

"..."

The second council meeting ended.

Robert Kava took out a black metal case and had the councilors return the sword fragments. Together with the amber hilt in Yin Ming's possession, they formed the complete Amber Sword: Bromanson.

Then he removed the gold ring that marked his position as chairman and exchanged it for Yin Ming's silver ring.

"If the negotiations go