Chapter 101: Shocking News!
Sage Maximus was never going to give in. All the elders had realized this fact. So since he wasn’t, it was better to look for means to benefit from his adamance instead.
"There will be a penalty for floundering the will of the Elders, Maximus." One of the older elders spoke, drawing nods of assent from the others. "You can’t be allowed to go unpunished for abusing your power on this matter. You even look ready to wreak chaos if any elder decides to pursue this matter to the end. So to pacify everyone, you’ll have to forfeit your seat among us temporarily..." The old man said with a feigned remorse.
"Crestwood... you’re booting me off my seat here?" Sage Maximus asked with genuine surprise. Even the other elders, friend and foe alike, were surprised too. The old Crestwood had reached really far with his verdict, but he held on to it, maybe out of wanting to see how far Sage Maximus was willing to go for the boy, or just for his personal gain. That was still unknown.
The elders that were usually in opposition to Sage Maximus immediately pounced on the opportunity, using this moment to trim the Sage’s power down a few notches. His absence in their following meetings would prove very beneficial to them as he wouldn’t be there to influence any decisions that may be made.
One could practically tell from their eager faces that the period of Sage Maximus’ absence would be used to the fullest to push forward policies that he would’ve opposed.
The scrawny old woman who had just suffered humiliation at the hands of Sage Maximus had a very pleased smile on her face that she had trouble containing at the moment.
"Heh," Sage Maximus scoffed but didn’t try to plead his case whatsoever. "I accept," he said, standing up from his seat with poise.
His response caused the eye of the old Crestwood to twitch slightly in surprise before he schooled his expression. He now knew for sure that Sage Maximus was doing this for a personal goal, but what that goal was... he didn’t know.
"Maximus!" Petyr was not having it. He stood up, trying to persuade the Sage and the other elders to pass another lighter punishment. He knew how much of a support the Sage was to aiding his smooth tenure in office as the Overseer so far. Facing the rest of the elders and their policies alone would prove a herculean task for him.
Sage Maximus simply smiled at Petyr and nodded. "It’s alright boy. I need the break anyway... else I actually might attack someone here one of these days."