In that short time, the temporary conference hall was almost completely set up.
Although it still only has a roof and a dozen or so large pillars, and still leaks air randomly from eight directions, at least it looks somewhat decent.
The cake-shaped wooden planks were pieced together bit by bit. At the direction of [Ginseng Rooster ], the Soul Returner found four wooden planks to surround the center of the round table. Before completely shutting it off, they pushed the two culprits, [ Ever-Changing Master Ye ] and [ Gu Gugu ], inside to take charge of the mechanical operation for a while.
With the assembly of more than a dozen parts completed, a massive round table, large enough to accommodate twenty people, finally appeared in the center of the conference hall.
The remains of the [ Whale Tail ] senator were now placed in an open box that resembled both a fish platter and a coffin, and were also placed in the center of the round table.
At [ Ginseng Rooster ]'s command, [ Gu Gugu ] and [ Ever-Changing Master Ye ] began cranking the handle under the table.
As the roulette wheel slowly rotated, the Whale Tail remains placed on it also began to rotate.
Wooden mechanical parts naturally produce that teeth-grinding sound when they are in operation.
In addition, the unique nature of the rotating object at this moment creates an indescribable eerie beauty, like a strange music box in a horror movie that doesn't need to be wound up, but summons something extraordinary once it stops.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] led Colin to the round table while simultaneously issuing orders in the group chat to have the Soul Returner act as a ceremonial team, pulling out chairs for the arriving warlords one by one, maximizing the emotional value of the moment.
Finally, as the sun was about to set, all seventeen warlords arrived and took their seats.
The guards they brought remained outside the council hall, standing solemnly a dozen steps behind the governors.
The distance was neither too close nor too far; unless they were plotting loudly, they wouldn't hear any secrets, yet they could react to any sudden changes, showing that everyone's visit was truly sincere.
At this moment, the plate containing the remains of the [ Whale Tail ]—no, the coffin—was the only moving thing on the table, and it clearly attracted everyone's attention.
A warlord Odel Odell was the first to ask a question:
" Colin! What are you doing? Why are you bringing up the skeleton?"
Colin gave a signal, and [ the Ginseng Rooster ] immediately began to speak on his behalf:
"Commander Odel, don't you recognize these as the remains of Councilor [ Whale Tail ]?"
Do you lack even a shred of reverence for members of parliament—even deceased ones?
A huge hat was shoved directly onto his head; if Odel had flesh and blood, he would probably have Incarnation into a red-skinned person on the spot.
"I am the warlord under Councilor [ Whale Tail ], how could I not recognize Councilor [ Whale Tail ]'s remains?"
"What I mean is, what do you mean by placing the [ Whale Tail ] senator's remains here and rotating them?"
Have you shown respect for the deceased?
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] glanced at Odel, then looked around at the assembled warlords, before answering seriously:
"What Lord Colin means is that since we are all warlords, it is inevitable that there will be situations of disobedience and distrust among us."
"Therefore, even though he is dead, I still ask the spirit of Lord [ Whale Tail ] in heaven to witness all of this!"
"That is why we are using the 'round table' from Imperial etiquette today, to have all the warlords sit on equal footing and discuss the army's future."
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] had a serious expression and spoke earnestly, showing no signs that it was a remark he had just thought of.
Standing as a servant behind a certain warlord, the [ Chosen of the Four Gods ] couldn't help but marvel, secretly thinking to himself:
"Wow, awesome! Teacher Chicken managed to smooth things over!"
The two people cranking the handle under the table were quite puzzled:
"Huh? Does the Empire really have a Round Table?"
"How would I know? I'll ask Nuowa next time we meet. He's a prince; he should know his country's traditions."
The personal attacks by [ the Ginseng Rooster ] continue:
"So, Commander Odel, do you still think Commander Colin's arrangements are unreasonable?"
Odel felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
How come this guy is so good at labeling people?
They have a whole set of theories to tell.
How dare a mere human advisor treat me like this?
Judging from Colin's confident and composed demeanor, he seemed quite adept at this task.
Was this also part of his plan?
What an uncanny newcomer! His strength only seems to be at the Middle Tier Intermediate, but his cunning is so profound!
Odel waved his hand, indicating that he had nothing more to say, and then sat back down.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] exchanged a glance with Colin and then addressed the crowd again:
"Now that everyone has no questions about today's arrangements and plans, what does Lord Colin mean...?"
"We may begin the meeting."
He looked at the warlords sitting in a circle, his gaze lingering for a moment on Grant, who had a half-broken sword.
"According to Lord Colin's plan, there are two main things we need to discuss today:"
"Firstly, what should we, the Skeleton Alliance army left behind in the Demon Realm, do next, and where should we go?"
"Secondly, Lord Colin believes that since everyone is a warlord, they cannot concentrate their efforts in one direction. Therefore, a 'deputy councilor' should be elected through today's gathering."
Acting Member of Parliament!
Upon hearing this, the seventeen warlords at the round table all changed color; even Colin himself hadn't expected such a statement.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] clearly only mentioned the first point before, that he only chose to attend the conference in order to survive and avoid being swallowed up.
Why was another acting legislator added?
Moreover, although the Skeleton Alliance is a parliamentary system, the election rules for its members are top-down rather than bottom-up.
In other words, the new councilors were selected by the old councilors, rather than being nominated by the warlords and lords below.
Now they're suggesting we elect a representative, even a temporary one, but...
Isn't this going against the natural order of the Heavenly Spirits?
It's really... unbelievable that someone would even bring up something like this.
That's so tempting!
Just kidding, who doesn't want to improve?
After a brief moment of astonishment and commotion, [ Ginseng Rooster ] pressed his hands down to indicate that he hadn't finished speaking.
All the skeletons' eyes converged, and [ Ginseng Rooster ] said seriously:
"Discussing these two issues separately would indeed be biased, so I suggest combining them into a single core issue."
"In this way, each of the warlords can express their opinions, and then we will vote in unison."
"Whoever's strategy is most accepted by the warlords will naturally become the 'acting councilor.' What do you all think?"
Um?
Everyone was stunned again--
Whoever's proposal receives the most support becomes the acting legislator; physical strength is not the most important factor.
Doesn't this mean everyone has a chance?
"I think it's reasonable."
A warlord suddenly spoke up:
"Without a legislator in the current situation, everyone definitely needs a leader to formulate a strategy."
His dark eyes looked around:
"Furthermore, I don't think everyone needs to worry. Since this 'acting representative' was elected by us, he can naturally be replaced by our vote."
[ Ginseng Rooster ] was surprised to find such a clever warlord, and quickly nodded in approval:
"That's exactly what it means. In Lord Colin's words, this is called 'decentralization,' a manifestation of 'democracy.'"
Upon hearing this, the warlords all nodded in agreement—democracy is good, we must have democracy, at least within our class.
As for the lords and fortress knights below them, it doesn't matter.
Seeing everyone's approval, [ Ginseng Rooster ] continued like a host:
"Since everyone agrees, which warlord would like to be the first to present his idea?"
He looked at everyone, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"To give everyone some time to think, I think it would be better to let Science..."
I have an idea!
Just as [ Ginseng Rooster ] was about to utter Colin's name, a voice suddenly rang out, and a tall, burly warlord stood up abruptly.
Let me speak first.
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] looked in the direction of the sound, and lo and behold, it really was Governor Grant.
It was definitely the right decision to keep an eye on you!
Seeing that there was a minor incident, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] was neither angry nor annoyed, but instead smiled and gestured:
"Then let Governor Grant explain his vision for the Allied forces' next move."
Grant, not to be outdone, used his imposing height to place his hands on the table and look down at everyone:
My strategy can be summed up in one word: fight!
He looked at the crowd and said loudly:
"Let me be your acting representative, and I'll lead you out of the encirclement of the Blood Corpse!"
One of the warlords asked in confusion:
"And then what? How do we get back to the Alliance?"
Grant looked puzzled:
"What, then? Go back to what Alliance? Of course, it's to regroup and continue fighting!"
He looked at the warlord and suddenly questioned him sharply:
" Balovi, what orders did you receive?"
The warlord whose name had been called whispered:
"Leading our troops to the Demon Realm to confront the Blood Corpse Legion..."
"Then let me ask you, has the vampire army been wiped out yet?"
"... No."
"That solves it, doesn't it?"
Grant sighed, his tone unfriendly:
"How dare you say such a thing as deserting in the face of battle?"
His gaze grew increasingly hostile, and the warlord named Balovi, though intimidated by his imposing manner, uttered not a single conciliatory word to ease the situation.
After a few seconds of stalemate, Grant suddenly let out a cold snort:
"I see you guys really don't understand?"
Everyone turned to look at him, and saw that Grant's eyes were blazing with spiritual fire:
"I'm here to give you all face."
He shouted sternly:
Did you think I was discussing this with you?
"Whoosh!"
A flash of light, and Governor Balovi's head instantly separated from his cervical spine and flew into the air.
Grant didn't even bother to glance at the head, and shoved the broken crystal Broken Sword that had beheaded the man into the round table in front of him.
In the lingering echo of the Broken Sword, he looked down at the crowd, enunciating each word clearly:
"If I do it now, who dares to disobey?"