Chapter 366: The Vote
Soon enough, Lurgan Merlin's side reached a conclusion in their discussion.
Just as Leon had expected, the first to stand up was none other than Lurgan, who looked to be in his sixties. The elder, his white hair meticulously combed, slowly rose from his chair and said, "Patriarch Hoffland, I must remind you in all seriousness—thirty million gold coins is no small sum. The Merlin Family simply doesn't have the resources to support a Planar Legion rampaging through the Blazeforge Realm at will. Personally, I believe the family should write to Thorne Merlin, telling him his task is to acquire wealth from the Blazeforge Realm, not to burn through the Merlin Family's fortune on planar warfare."
"Elder Lurgan..." Before the old man's words had even faded, Owen Merlin stood up, his face showing clear displeasure. "My father has fought in the Blazeforge Realm for years—has he ever made a decision that harmed the Merlin Family's interests? If it weren't for the ferocious assault of the Blazeforge Orcs, causing the Planar Legion to suffer heavy losses, would my father have asked for reinforcements?"
"Heh, Owen, I understand your concern for your father's safety, but you need to remember—the Merlin Family doesn't exist to serve one man's interests. Everyone knows how much your father has gained from the Blazeforge Realm these past few years. Now you come asking for thirty million gold coins, as if the Merlin Family mints its own money! Let me be clear: our finances are extremely tight. Thirty million is simply out of reach. If you think you have what it takes, go and raise the money yourself. I might even help persuade the Elder Council to treat it as your personal investment. In the future, you alone could claim a ten percent share of the family's profits from the Blazeforge Realm!"
"You...!" Owen Merlin's face flushed red, but after opening his mouth, he found himself unable to retort.
There was nothing he could do—this was Owen Merlin's greatest weakness.
After all, Owen Merlin was an alchemist...
Everyone knew that training an alchemist consumed astronomical resources—especially someone like Owen Merlin, who was practically built from a mountain of wealth. The resources invested in him could only be described as terrifying. In fact, all the benefits Thorne Merlin had reaped from the Blazeforge Realm in recent years had been poured into Owen Merlin. Now, the two of them couldn't even scrape together three million gold coins, let alone thirty million...
This was the real reason Owen Merlin was so desperate to buy into the Gilded Rose...
Owen Merlin needed a machine that could mint gold coins on demand.
Too bad that Matthew Merlin just didn't know his place...
"In short, the Merlin Family's finances can't support much more reinforcement for the Blazeforge Realm. My personal suggestion is that we send aid, but keep it under five million gold coins. Anything more will have to wait until our financial situation improves..."
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
......
After Lurgan Merlin made his summary, six or seven elders quickly voiced their support—all those who had been clustered around Lurgan earlier. It was obvious they were in his camp.
"Elders, I don't need to say much about the Blazeforge Realm—you all know more than I do. But let me just say this: every faction in Auckland is fighting for control of the Blazeforge Realm. In the next three hundred years, whoever controls it will become Auckland's top power. Right now, my father is holding out with the Planar Legion, struggling against the ferocity of the Blazeforge Orcs. All he's asking for is a little support—thirty million gold coins. Surely the family can find a way to spare that much? Those thirty million coins could keep the Merlin Family from falling behind in the struggle for the Blazeforge Realm. They could be the hope that lets us become Auckland's number one power. Think carefully—isn't it worth spending thirty million for that?"
Owen Merlin's words clearly struck a chord with several elders...
And so, the Elder Council grew lively.
Aside from Ross Merlin and Leon Merlin, who both abstained, the remaining fourteen elders split into two camps, arguing endlessly over whether the thirty million gold coins should be spent on military expenses...
Leon had to admit, this was eye-opening...
The solemn, sacred Elder Council had turned into a marketplace. Those dignified, well-dressed elders now looked like haggling aunties and vendors, sleeves rolled up, spitting and shouting over the thirty million in military funds—arguing until chaos reigned.
A whole hour...
The quarrel dragged on for a full hour.
In the end, neither side could convince the other.
"Alright, let's table this topic for now..." After an hour, Patriarch Hoffland, who had been massaging his temples the whole time, finally couldn't take it anymore. He seized a brief moment when both sides paused for water and interjected.
No one objected to this decision...
After all, everyone knew that arguing any further wouldn't lead to a result. Neither side had the advantage—unless Hoffland stepped in and used his authority as patriarch to make a final decision.
But...
No one would ever do that.
Even in the heat of the argument, both Lurgan Merlin and Owen Merlin tacitly avoided asking Hoffland to intervene. This was the council's most basic rule—anyone who broke it would be ostracized. If Hoffland ever stepped in, it meant he could start meddling in council affairs...
And that would be about far more than thirty million or even fifty million gold coins...
So, a topic that had devolved into chaos was quietly shelved thanks to this unspoken understanding...
Hoffland understood both sides, so after a sigh, he moved on to the next topic: "Next on the agenda, thirteen elders have jointly proposed that Matthew Merlin of Seaview City is too young, inexperienced, and lacking in ability to manage the Gilded Rose alone. They suggest that Matthew temporarily hand over management of the Gilded Rose to the Elder Council, who will oversee it until he matures enough to take it back. What does everyone think?"
This time, the council chamber was eerily quiet.
Every elder sat in their seat, not consulting anyone else—there was no need. This was the council's decision...
"I agree." Lurgan Merlin stood up again. "First, let me state—Matthew Merlin, my support isn't personal. It's for the good of the Merlin Family. You're only in your twenties, far too young. When I was your age, I was worrying over a few thousand gold coins, while you've already taken control of the Gilded Rose and its vast wealth..."
Here, Lurgan Merlin changed tack: "But you haven't shown the ability to use such wealth. Just look at what you've done in Auckland lately. Over a month ago, at the Blackhorn Auction, you spent thirty-seven million gold coins on a few magical materials. Especially that last Starstone—you blew twenty million gold coins just to compete with Hanson Charlotte. After hearing the first topic, you should understand what twenty million means to the Merlin Family: it means a mountain of equipment, a legion of warriors, it means the Planar Legion in the Blazeforge Realm could withstand the orc assault..."
"That's right." Owen Merlin, who had been arguing with Lurgan Merlin moments ago, now nodded with a smile, supporting Lurgan's words as if he'd forgotten their earlier quarrel...
"Heh, look at Owen—he's only a little older than you, but he's much more mature and sensible. Matthew Merlin, you really need to think about whether spending twenty million gold coins just to compete with Hanson Charlotte was worth it. Honestly, with your temperament, I don't think you're fit to manage the Gilded Rose yet. So I personally support the council's proposal: let the Elder Council oversee the Gilded Rose for a while. When you've truly matured, truly learned to put the Merlin Family's interests first, then it will be returned to you..."
Seconded!
Seconded!
Seconded!
......
This time, things were even livelier than with the first topic. As soon as Lurgan Merlin finished speaking, fourteen of the sixteen remaining elders raised their hands in agreement.
The other two...
One was Ross Merlin, and the other was Leon Merlin...
Ross Merlin needs no explanation—he's already in Lin Yun's camp. As for Leon Merlin, it was out of fear...
In fact, after the second topic was raised, Leon Merlin's face grew paler and paler...
Because Leon Merlin had already figured it out...
So, this Matthew Merlin was the family member that Patriarch Hoffland had repeatedly urged to be recalled from outside not long ago...
Just thinking about it made Leon Merlin want to curse...
Patriarch, Patriarch, have you gone blind in your old age? Of all the people you could have recalled, why did you bring back this bastard? Are you trying to bring disaster on the Merlin Family...?
And that wasn't even the worst part.
What really made Leon Merlin's vision go dark was that his very first Elder Council meeting in months was about taking the Gilded Rose from Matthew Merlin.
Are you all insane?!
Trying to take the Gilded Rose from him—are you all tired of living, or what? Should I help you find some ropes to hang yourselves?
Damn it, you're all courting death...
From beginning to end, Leon Merlin was trembling nonstop. When Lurgan Merlin called for a vote, Leon was so scared he wished he could crawl under the table—there was no way he'd raise his hand in agreement.