Green Monster Epic

Chapter 648: Meeting

At the beginning of each new year, the Joint Council holds an important meeting at its headquarters in Nasir Fortress.

The fifteen representatives from the three tribes who attend are all figures of real power within their respective tribes; neither the representatives themselves nor their backers would ever be absent.

The purpose of the meeting is twofold: first, to report the previous year's tax and commercial revenues and to distribute the profits to each tribe accordingly; second, to formulate plans for the Council's work in the coming year, such as recruiting new members, establishing new departments, and dismissing old or unsuitable departments and members, and so on.

Regardless of the matter, it has a direct bearing on the interests of the three tribes.

With the exception of the Green Field Tribe, the other ten representatives of the three tribes each have their own demands and needs, so naturally, they cannot afford to ignore it.

As the power of the Council expands, the ruling power of the three tribes has been challenged to varying degrees.

Law enforcement, taxation, and trade have all come under the control of the Council, leaving the three tribes with only administrative management, appointment and removal of officials, and control over a portion of their military forces.

The major powerful families of the trolls and gnolls have gradually become accustomed to controlling power through the Council, from their initial vigilance and defense.

For them, as long as their own family's power is not affected, it makes little difference whether they support the tribe or the Joint Council.

In fact, through the power structure of the Council, several major families have gained even greater and more stable voices and influence than they had within their tribes, leading them to actually support the Council more.

After all, within the wilderness tribes, strength is the standard.

Legendary chiefs and elders naturally possess overwhelming deterrent power and authority.

Other families in the tribe, without the support of legendary powerhouses, are merely replaceable pawns, who can be suppressed or eliminated by legendary powerhouses at any time.

Even legendary powerhouses value the fortress's tax revenue and profit distribution.

As long as the troll and gnoll legendary powerhouses are in the city when the meeting begins, they will take the time to attend in person.

For decades, legendary powerhouses have almost always been present at the Council meetings.

This shows how great the revenue from the two fortresses of Kator is, enough to make even legendary powerhouses covet it.

"…Last year's tax and commercial revenues hit a new high.

The specific detailed data has been compiled into a booklet and placed in front of everyone.

Those who are interested can take a look."

"…Here, I will just announce the overall situation of last year: The total revenue from taxes and trade after expenses last year was 3.17 million…"

"…The budget proposals for the various departments under the Council this year have also been released.

Please see the second white-covered document in front of you.

If there are any objections, you can raise them after I finish reporting, and we can discuss…"

The meeting is presided over by Mars, the earth goblin representative from the Farkado family of the Green Field Tribe.

At this moment, he stands in front of the other fourteen representatives, speaking steadily and powerfully.

Beside him is Svara, the legendary earth goblin commander, his eyes sharp as he competes with the other equally powerful beings across from him.

In recent years, Allen has been living in Green Lake Town for a long time, and Elder Cole, after receiving Allen's permission to travel south, is even more reluctant to return.

She only sends back sporadic news of herself through the widely distributed 'Allen' noodle shops, leaving only Svara, the newly promoted legendary powerhouse, to guard the tribe.

Fortunately, this legendary earth goblin commander, who rose from the bottom, has a considerable desire for power and does not have the same indifferent mindset as Allen and Cole.

Therefore, he is happy to attend such meetings and patrol and guard Namur Fortress.

Across from him, the troll chief Ariell, withered like rotten wood and exuding an aura of death, leans on his chair, seemingly dozing off, but no one dares to underestimate his existence.

Even with the support of several major families and most of the mid-level leaders in the tribe, Tim has not gained the upper hand in his power struggle with Ariell, who has one foot in the River Styx, but has even been faintly suppressed by him.

In particular, Ariell personally selected a group of promising young high-level combat professionals from among the lower-level members and taught them, promoting their current status, and he actually managed to cultivate a legendary seed from among these dozens of young people.

The birth of a legendary powerhouse in a tribe is extremely difficult, but even in such a difficult situation, Ariell, the old troll, was still able to cultivate a legendary seed with his keen eye while fighting with Tim for power, which at least shows that his ability and vision are still superior to Tim's.

If it weren't for Ariell's increasingly close ties with the Drow in recent years, Tim might not have really wanted to compete with Ariell for the tribal leadership.

Especially after Ariell personally told him about the existence of this troll legendary seed, Tim's heart was even more shaken.

However, just as Tim was hesitating and struggling, Ariell's words, like a thunderbolt, made Tim regain his conviction.

"…You must remember that I am a dying old thing, and the future of the tribe still depends on you to carry on!!"

"…My relationship with the Drow was originally a last resort, and also an attempt to resist the gnoll Allen.

Now it seems that even with the existence of the powerful external factor of the Drow, the footsteps of the gnoll and his tribe cannot be stopped.

In that case, you don't need to side with the Drow with me anymore…"

"…After I die, you can use the list I will give you at that time to wipe out the scum in the tribe who are dependent on the Drow and the Drow spies planted in the tribe, and completely sever ties with the Drow."

"…I understand."

Secretly glancing at the decrepit chief two seats away, Tim couldn't help but recall the scene of the two of them talking heart-to-heart at that time, feeling a sense of peace in his heart.

Later, the power struggles in recent years were actually just a show performed by Tim and Ariell in front of everyone.

In secret, Tim and Ariell would meet frequently, and Ariell would spare no effort to teach Tim how to control a tribe and how to become a qualified chief.

The only thing that worried Tim a little was the unspoken words that Ariell had hesitated to say at the end of that memorable conversation, and the resolute expression on his face at the time, which seemed to hide some secrets.

The gnoll Bobir, who was next to Tim, seemed to notice that the other party was distracted, and gently nudged him with his cane.

When Tim came back to his senses, Bobir lowered his voice and said, "Tonight, do you want to go to the Fragrant Pavilion again??"

"I heard that they have two new stunning Drow females who are very skilled in bed!"

Although the gnoll chieftain Bobier was a legend, his preferences differed from others. He wasn't obsessed with power but enjoyed indulging in beauty, especially the stunning beauties of other races, which moved him the most.

Moreover, he disliked using force based on his strength and position, instead preferring the kind of mutual attraction found in books. Unfortunately, with the beastly head of a gnoll, it was difficult for females of other races besides gnolls to appreciate his excellence and handsomeness!

Therefore, he could only seek some psychological comfort by spending money in brothels and taverns.

“…Their fees must be quite high!!”

Tim wasn't very interested in these matters. Although he also had masculine needs, he was never too picky about the specific object. Anyway, with his current status, getting a female to vent his desires was just a matter of a word.

However, to get closer to the gnoll and further improve the gradually easing relations between the two races, he didn't mind catering to Bobier's preferences and mingling with him.

Although Bobier wasn't very concerned about power, it was an undeniable fact that the future ruler of the Raven's Claw tribe was very likely to be this gnoll, Bobier.

Cole, the evil god priest who worshiped the Gnoll King, had gradually increased his influence in the Raven's Claw tribe in recent years. However, Chief Maggot Eye, who was most disgusted with the Gnoll King, still firmly suppressed Cole. Under his influence, Bobier naturally didn't have much affection for Cole and his church forces. Therefore, this priest, whose strength was second only to Maggot Eye, was basically impossible to intervene in the tribe's power core.

“With our status and position, are we still unwilling to part with this little expense??”

Bobier replied indifferently, his eyes full of anticipation and reverie.

Maggot Eye did not participate in the routine meeting this time. He was leading a team of gnolls, following the clergy members of the Ranger Church, to sow seeds of green in the northern Tagan Desert. Over the years, Maggot Eye had never given up on trying to impress the Ranger Church and continued to move closer to them, which ultimately further improved the relationship between the Raven's Claw tribe and the Ranger Church.

In the western district of Nasir Fortress, besides the Gnoll King Church, which had been squeezed into a dark corner, the Ranger Church had built a new church in the core area of the city and erected a magnificent statue for the Ranger Goddess.

Under the influence and leadership of Maggot Eye, the spread of the Ranger Goddess's faith among the gnolls was not slow. At least in Maggot Eye's view, whether it was the Ranger Goddess, the New Sprout Goddess, or the faith of the fallen Oak Father, they were all more suitable for the Raven's Claw tribe than the brutal and ruthless Gnoll King.

“…I have a question!!! I suggested very early on that the preaching of faith within our three races should be treated equally. Why can the churches of these natural gods be exempted from basic defense forces, while the church of my Lord—the great Gnoll Guardian—cannot have the power to form defense forces!!”

Compared to the past two hundred years, Cole's life had undergone great changes in the decades since the establishment of the Council Court. On the surface, the troll chieftain Ariel and the drow behind him, who were vying for power, constantly released goodwill to him, trying to win him over and buy him off. In secret, Cole was also getting along well with the goblins, who had the greatest influence in the Council Court, so he could be said to be benefiting from both sides.

Taking advantage of the situation, Cole's voice among the three races became louder and louder. Although he was still suppressed by Maggot Eye in the gnoll tribe, he was no longer as marginalized as before, a legendary figure with no sense of existence.

“Heh heh heh, Cole, don't get carried away. The chief's allowing you to settle down and preach in the tribe is already merciful. If you still want to get your hands on the power of the army, believe it or not, I'll take people to tear down your temple after I go back today!!!”

Although Bobier had unique preferences, when it came to loyalty to Maggot Eye, he was only stronger than Tim. After hearing Cole stand up and express his opinion, Bobier immediately sternly issued a threat.

“Jie jie jie, then I'll go back and wait for you to come!!!”

Cole didn't back down either, knowing that Maggot Eye wasn't in the city, he fearlessly provoked.

“Bang!!!”

The strip table, specially replaced with materials and forged from fine steel, made a dull and melodious sound under Bobier's claws, shocking more than a dozen representatives around him, who frowned.

The several guards stationed outside the conference hall took no action after hearing such a loud noise. They were used to the sounds inside every year during the meeting.

“Good! You wait!!”

“…I think, let's vote.”

Mars, who was presiding over the meeting, stood up and skillfully smoothed things over.

However, it was unknown what kind of medicine Bobier and Cole had taken this time. They didn't seem willing to let it go. Ignoring Mars's persuasion, they both spoke at the same time: “What vote? This is the internal affair of my Raven's Claw!!”

“No need!!”

Two pairs of wide, ferocious eyes stared at each other fiercely. A chilling killing intent and the aura of legendary powerhouses slowly permeated the wide room, causing several representatives who were not legendary powerhouses to suddenly feel strong pressure on their spirits, and their faces became unnatural.

Several other legends in the field, some indifferent, some with profound meaning, and Svara, this new legend, was somewhat lacking in confidence.

Creak!!!

Just as Svara was preparing to forcibly stand up and interrupt the two gnolls' obviously somewhat激烈的 confrontation, the closed door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

“Have a good meeting and stop acting crazy!!!”

Coming towards them was a heavy and powerful aura like a towering mountain. Not only did the ordinary representatives in the conference room immediately feel the danger and shiver uncontrollably, but even several legendary powerhouses changed their colors and spontaneously raised their energy and will to resist the aura emanating from the intruder.

Cole and Bobier were in a worse situation than the other colleagues, because the intruder's more intimidating aura was aimed at them. The aura in front of them, comparable to an endless ocean, was just a small boat for them, even if they tried their best, drifting with the waves in the ocean.

“Chieftain!!”

Svara, Mars, and several goblins cheered in surprise after finally seeing the face of the person who came.

“Yes.”

Allen nodded, then turned his gaze to the two gnolls standing in front of the fine iron table: “Have you calmed down?? ”

“If you've calmed down, sit down for me!! Abide by the rules of the Council Court!!!”

The condescending tone echoed in the conference hall. No one expressed any opinions. Even the troll chieftain Ariel, who didn't get along with Allen and had been closing his eyes to rest, was staring at Allen with a solemn expression, his eyes full of disbelief.