Chapter 948: Section 622: Question (1)
If the eleven members of the Council of Eleven were to be categorized, then the Great Craftsman Antoine and academy instructor Eric Wood belong to one group. They believe that knowledge is the beautiful existence that can change the fate of the countless peasant serfs under heaven, and they focus on developing members among those peasant serfs, freemen, and students. Given their identities, whether in the Council or in the eyes of the Nobles, they are considered the least likely to offend anyone.
From the Mage Tower, Raglof Dendel and Wizard Todd Svenson, like Antoine and Eric, believe knowledge is power. Only they believe it’s better to recruit more and superior Transcendents rather than arm Mortals; hence, they are responsible for developing members within the community of Mages and Wizards. To be honest, Malin feels their results are limited—however, in fact, Wizards of common origin resonate more with the duo’s philosophy than Mages do.
Pinto Olsson and old Francis prefer helping farmers, and if the latter’s reasons seem self-evident, Malin is somewhat puzzled by Pinto’s fondness for this. The elderly man has never mentioned why he does this, but knowing his friendship with old Francis spans at least fifty years, Malin mostly believes the old man probably doesn’t want his old friend to die inexplicably.
After all, although Mr. Pinto is an Astrologer, he is also a Wizard.
The Svenson brothers, Stein Mansenheim, and Carter Robinson are considered the hardliners of the Council. In Malin’s view, they are the unstable elements of the Council and also a necessary condition for the Council’s survival under the eyes of the Nobles—with certain military power, except for Carter, who is a child of villagers, the other three are Nobles.
Although Carter is a child of villagers, he grew up in the Church of Justice and is a Paladin. Later, he joined the army, thus separating from the Church, but the Church of Justice always considers him one of their own.
It could be said that if it comes to a fight, Carter would be the one in the Council who can call upon others the most.
Mendel Ericson is an Assistant Priest at the Church of the War God. He is the only Council member who develops members within the church. Aside from church personnel, he also works to convert believers. So Malin feels that if Mendel gets shot in the back, it might truly be impossible to figure out who did it.
After all, the things he does often offend people on many levels.
Considering Mr. Eric’s lack of physical strength, Malin took it upon himself to escort Eric to the Benevolent Hospital—he was curious to see if anyone would dare to strike Eric, but no assassin emerged as he had imagined while they entered the Benevolent Hospital.
Perhaps Malin’s presence convinced the assassins that earning a fortune is painful if there’s no life left to spend it, or maybe no assassin would think to take out a comrade visiting for treatment—after all, this took place at the entrance of the Benevolent Hospital, reputed to keep people alive as long as a breath remains.