Project 7 the First: The Hero's Great Come Back

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

In the city of Ardenia stands a big two-storied building with white columns standing around the structure with burning flames of different colors lit in each of them. It was Ardenia's city hall where the Superior Council holds their meetings. They also supervise the city while in the building.
The Superior Council is made up of twelve powerful people. They are also called the Elite 12. The head of the council and also the head of the city is Victor Hazewood. He uses light magic, and he is very good at wielding a javelin.
In the meeting room of the city hall, Victor and the other members of the council were gathered, and they were discussing on something very important. It did not seem like a very peaceful and ordinary meeting everyone was arguing with each other while Victor was sitting quietly at the end of the table.
"QUIET!" he suddenly shouted. "This is a very important meeting, and it is not the time to make arguments. We need to start planning on what we have to do before the Tsuchinomichikake makes their move."
"But, Victor," said the other council member beside him, "how are we supposed to plan this if we don't know where they are striking next?"
"Gardinia's right," said another member. "The destruction on Meneyoi was unexpected. Who knows why they had to do it."
"And what if they will be targeting us next. We don't want that!" said another member. "There is also a tournament going on at Manteio. The kids are still too naive to engage in battle! And we are lacking soldiers."
"I've heard a rumor that a frostmage saved the town bazaar days ago. We could get help from him," said another member beside Victor.
"What? A frostmage? But their kind has already been extinct," said Victor.
"Looks like a new frostmage has been born," said the other member. "If we could find him, then we would have a chance against the tsuchinomichikake! He'll be our secret weapon!"
Then, the other members began to whisper and mummble words to one another.
Victor began to be irritated. Then, he raised his hand and slammed it on the table as loud as he could. It sent an aftershock in the room, and the members began to silence themselves.
"I'm very disappointed in all of you!" said Victor. He stood from his chair and walked to the window looking at the view of the peaceful city. "Hearing that from all of you... It's like you all have lost your will to fight! Don't forget who we are! We were the chosen twelve. It means that we are the strongest. We must be prepared for anything that might come even if it will lead to our deaths. I can't believe all of you. Be ashamed of yourselves. And, a frostmage here in this city? They've been extinct for many years now even since before the battle of the great Shimo and Argus. Whoever might be that person using that kind of magic is a fraud because ice, snow, and frost magic has long been gone." He let out a deep sigh and walked out of the room.
When the door of the room slammed shut, the room was still quiet. Everyone felt bad at what happened. It was the first time they have encountered this much of a problem.
"This has become a disaster," said Gardinia. "We can't proceed without Victor."
"I guess It's my fault," said the member beside Gardinia.
"Don't blame yourself, Jobin. We won't get anything from it."
"Yeah, she's right," said a member from the other end of the table.
"What do we do now?" asked Jobin.
"We will have to keep our guard up until the next move the evil group will do. For now, dismissed," said Gardinia.
So, the council members left the room except for Gardinia. When everyone left except for her, she walked to the window and gazed on the panoramic view of the city. She felt very worried. She tried to calm herself down and tried to tell herself that it will be all right.
A few minutes later, Victor entered the room and saw Gardinia alone.
"Why haven't you left?" Victor asked curiously as he closed the door and walked to Gardinia.
"I just want to be alone for a while," she replied. "How about you? Why have you come back here?"
"I just wanted to check if the meeting was still on going," said Victor.
"Well, it's over." said Gardinia. It was awkward at first just the two of them in the room, so one of them tried to come up with something to talk about.
"So," said Gardinia first, "the final round of the tournament is in a few days."
"Yes," Victor replied. "I feel like not going."
"But it's your duty as the mayor of this city. It's a must. Who knows? You might see someone interesting to watch," said Gardinia. "And, who knows? You might find a group who would finally replace the former 7 Legendary Pillars of Light."
"Maybe," said Victor as he sighed. "It's been how many years since that incident. I can't imagine the seven of them went down together. It's so depressing. They were our seven best soldiers, yet they have beaten us to our graves."
"I don't believe that all seven of them died. I still feel that atleast one of them is alive somewhere," Gardinia guessed.
"Well, we are not sure. We must repay them for their bravery. Let us defend the city with what we've got," said Victor.

***End of Chapter 39***