Ghislaine's pledge in the name of the "Sword God" brought the rising chorus of doubt to an abrupt halt.
Cui Ciyou did not waste that brief, precious silence, bought with the reputations of three King-level powerhouses.
After Ghislaine and Roxy finished speaking, Cui Ciyou continued, putting greater force into his words:
"More importantly... Your Majesty, my lords."
"This concerns the lives of nearly a million people in our Fitoia Territory, and the safety of a quarter of our Asla Kingdom's lands!"
"Whatever the truth of this prophecy may ultimately prove to be..."
"Neither we nor the kingdom as a whole can possibly afford... the consequences if it comes true!"
Cui Ciyou's voice suddenly rose, resonant as a great bell.
It echoed through the magnificent hall, challenging the conscience of everyone present.
"Are we to gamble with nearly a million lives and the kingdom's future because of a moment's doubt and hesitation?"
"Therefore, I, Cui Ciyou, hereby implore Your Majesty and the kingdom."
"Mobilize the full strength of the nation to prepare in advance!"
"The only way is to relocate every citizen of the Fitoia Territory to other, safe territories before Dragon King Calendar Year 417!"
"At the same time, beginning in Dragon King Calendar Year 416, seal off the Fitoia Territory entirely and forbid anyone from entering!"
Cui Ciyou's proposal once again caused an uproar!
Voices of opposition rose one after another.
"Relocate everyone in the entire territory?"
"Seal off the territory for more than a year?"
Cui Ciyou's proposal once again caused an uproar! Voices of opposition rose one after another.
"Utterly absurd!"
An elderly minister with a goatee, who appeared to oversee the kingdom's finances, stepped forward with an exceedingly grave expression.
"Relocate nearly a million people? How much manpower, material, and money would that require?"
"The sheer