The team visiting Ophira was almost completely wiped out, with only Flor and Rattlesnake left, who had awakened from the Pool of Rebirth.
Rattlesnake’s decisive response plunged the higher-ups into silence once more.
After some internal struggle, someone said, "Let’s hold a meeting to decide the final candidate by voting."
Rattlesnake had long anticipated that the higher-ups would say this. Voting was the least favorable outcome for her; no one would cast important votes for an outsider they barely knew.
But she had already come up with a countermeasure, "In that case, let’s let Mr. Heisenberg settle in first."
This was yet another best testament to the chaos within the Sincaro followers. The close-distance festival was less than three days away, and they hadn’t even determined the candidate.
Rattlesnake foresaw that without Ethan’s arrival, even if they confirmed someone, it would only be sending them to their death.
In her view, only Ethan could bring change to the current consortium.
He foiled Flor’s plot in the direct contest, proving through actions that he was a better decision-maker. Rattlesnake had also heard some news: Anapolis and Aionim were very close to Ethan, even calling each other friends wasn’t an exaggeration. Residents of the Imperial capital witnessed a miniature octopus creature move into Rowena’s mansion.
Most people thought it was just a pet picked up from the sea, but as a witness to the Ophira incident, she guessed it was likely an embodiment of Aionim or Anapolis—just like Kane’s situation.
Flor was defeated at the negotiating table, not only failing to establish friendly relations with Anapolis but instead angering Them, being sent back to the Pool of Rebirth.
The chaotic situation within the Lofic Consortium reminded her of the Imperial capital not long ago.
Henry VI was critically ill, Pope Julius held absolute power, and anyone who dared oppose him was labeled as Evil God’s Followers. Everyone thought the Empire was about to collapse, yet Ethan’s arrival revived life in this dying "giant."
The Lofic Consortium also needed such reform.
The cancer must be eradicated!
How could the consortium develop while working with this group of cancerous elements?
She stopped in front of a room, took a deep breath, and made a decision.
This would be Ethan’s temporary residence, offering a much better living environment than the inns in the Lower City. More importantly, it was close to her place, allowing her to discuss major matters with Ethan over the next few days.
"Mr. Ethan, please guide me."
Rattlesnake was full of determination.
The Lofic Consortium now resembled a real Hydra, nine heads with nine different ideas, each head biting at the others, resulting in nothing getting accomplished.
At this moment, Ethan was certain.
Rattlesnake truly intended to initiate a religious reform, although hearing this from the mouth of Evil God’s Followers always felt a bit odd. Chapters first released on novel[f]ire.net
This further deepened his concern for Old Xin’s condition.
Old Xin was the first Old Gods he knew whose followers couldn’t stand Him.
Usually mocked and bullied by other Old Gods, even His own followers openly defied Him. Perhaps it was this environment that twisted Him into such a gloomy character.
No one liked Him, even the dogs had to bite Him when passing by.
Ethan somewhat understood Sincaro’s impulsive behavior at the inn; He had been backstabbed once by the God of Trickery, so when Rattlesnake had that thought, it triggered His PTSD.
Seeing Ethan silent, Rattlesnake asked, "Where do we start the killings from? The person who opposed earlier is the head of the Imperial Reserve. Right, the head of the Imperial Military Industry is also here, I heard he is secretly brewing a plan to destroy the Empire."
This was related to the death of his son Aisoke.
Despite Flor’s warning not to cause trouble after Aisoke "died of illness" in Gear City, how could someone who raised a child like Aisoke swallow this?
Flor’s downfall was what he most desired, as it meant no one could suppress him, allowing him to freely carry out his revenge plan against the Empire.
"His name is Wilson, should I arrange to meet him privately?"
This was undoubtedly the most pressing issue that needed resolving. Wilson was like an untethered wild horse, dragging the consortium towards destruction.
He wasn’t even interested in who would become the next leader of the Lofic Consortium.
"You’re being too aggressive."
Rattlesnake seemed to have the intention of assassinating all dissenters right away.
Rattlesnake was taken aback, her expression somewhat odd.
What she suggested was based on the methods Ethan used during his reform of the Imperial capital. Pope Julius and his cronies were sent to the stake one after another, their names nailed to the pillar of shame. After that, it took a whole month to rehabilitate those who were wrongly accused as Evil God’s Followers by the church.
The royal family erected a memorial tower for the victims, with Queen Margaret personally mourning them.
Compensation for the surviving relatives was a considerable sum.
Under the intertwining policies, the people’s anger was somewhat soothed, but to fully heal the wounds left by the church would take a long time.