Chapter 559: [Bonus - ] Arguments.
Inside the expansive and massive estate of the Silverthorn family.
Their grand manor stood at the center, surrounded by beautiful, well-trimmed fields filled with flowers of different colors.
Guards dressed in black uniforms holding both hot and cold weapons could be seen every few meters.
The atmosphere was beautiful and peaceful as the chirping of insects could be heard all around.
Inside the mansion, the Silverthorn family had all gathered, each wearing a pensive expression.
The usually relaxed family hall was unusually quiet. Members sat around the large table while others stood beside the walls, their expressions varying from worry to anger.
Everyone knew why they had been called here.
Seated in the main chair, the Silverthorn Patriarch looked at his children and other family members, his brother and sister.
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as he studied each person in the room before finally asking,
"What should we do?" His voice was deep and commanding.
After a second, a middle-aged man with a sharp, cunning expression responded.
"I think we should ignore him. Right now, we should think about what is at stake." He leaned slightly forward, his eyes moving across the people around the table.
"Should we agree to those people prosper or not? That should be our main focus of discussion."
Listening to him, most of the people inside the room immediately showed a change in expression, with some frowning while others exchanged uneasy glances.
"Are you crazy? Do you know what those people are asking us to do?" A middle-aged woman asked, her voice raising a couple of octaves.
The man’s expression remained calm as he looked at her. "I know exactly what they are asking."
"Then how can you still suggest that we consider it?"
"Because we need to consider everything."
His answer made the woman’s expression darken.
"You are asking us to abandon the Federation’s position simply because someone offered us benefits."
"I did not say that."
"You practically did."
The middle-aged man leaned back in his chair before replying in a calm voice, "We have to look at the situation objectively. This is not about emotions."
The woman slammed her palm against the table.
"How can this be about emotion? Is doing what is good and just now termed as emotion?"
Quickly, many people began speaking at the same time, and the discussion that had started calmly quickly became heated.
One side believed the Silverthorn family should join the strange people and accept their offer while another believed they should support the Starfall family and the Federation.
The Patriarch remained silent throughout the argument, allowing his family members to speak while carefully listening to every opinion.
He understood their concerns.
The Patriarch slowly raised his hand, causing the arguing to stop.
"Enough."
His deep voice echoed through the room as his gaze moved across the gathered family members.
"We are not making a decision today."
Many people looked surprised.
"But Father—"
"I said we are not making a decision today."
The Patriarch’s tone left no room for argument.
"We need more information."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Before we decide where the Silverthorn family stands, I want to know exactly what the plan of those people"
...
...
Meanwhile, inside the Blackspire family estate, the atmosphere was far less peaceful.
Just like the Silverthorn family, the Blackspire family could not agree on what they should do, and their meeting had already turned into a fierce argument.
"You want us to stand against the Federation?"
"That’s not what I said!"
"Then explain what you said!"
"We should remain neutral!"
"Neutral? After everything that has happened?"
The voices continued to rise as several family members stood instead of remaining seated, while others stayed in their chairs with dark expressions.
Unlike the Silverthorn family, the Blackspire family was deeply divided.
Some believed that supporting the Federation was the safest option, while others thought the resources and benefits offered by the opposing side were too valuable to ignore.
There were also those who believed that neither side could be trusted and that the family should avoid choosing a side until the situation became clearer.
The return of Thoren had only made the situation worse.
"Do you really think we can afford to offend those people?" A Blackspire family member finally asked.
Another immediately replied, "Then do you think we can afford to offend the Federation?"
Nobody answered.
That was the problem.
Both choices carried consequences, and the Blackspire family had reached a point where choosing incorrectly could affect their future for decades.
The Matriarch sat at the head of the table, listening to the arguments with a dark expression.
...
...
As for the Windborne family, their situation was somewhat different.
The Windborne family had previous involvement in the matter, and because of that, most of the family members were tilted toward agreeing with the Starfall family and the Federation.
Their meeting was much calmer than the Blackspire family meeting, although there were still disagreements among them.
Some people wanted to consider every possible benefit before making a final decision, but the general direction of the family had already begun to lean toward the Starfall side and the federation.
"We have already made our position known before," one family member said. "Changing sides now would make us look unreliable."
Another nodded before adding, "More importantly, Thoren Starfall has returned."
The room became silent for a moment as everyone considered the meaning behind those words.
Thoren’s return had changed the balance.
Before, they had been supporting an unknown future, but now they were dealing with a young awakener who had survived the second floor of the Abyss and returned in an astonishingly short period.
One of the elders slowly nodded.
"I agree."
He looked around the room before continuing, "We should continue supporting the Federation and the Starfall family."
Several people nodded in agreement, and nobody objected strongly.
The Windborne Patriarch remained silent for a while before finally speaking.
"Then it is decided."
His voice was calm and firm.
"We will not change our position."
*****
[AN: This Chapter is sponsored by: Scott_Berry_3382]