"His Majesty Rosse!"
Before Saint Mars and Saint Nusjuro could come to their senses, Saint Garling had already taken the initiative to kneel on one knee, addressing Rosse above him with honorifics.
To be honest, those from Figarland's faction really think things through.
Seeing this, Saint Mars and Saint Nusjuro also quickly dropped to one knee, bowing their heads very low, "His Majesty Rosse!"
By now they had long given up the idea of contending with Rosse.
How could they contend?
That one had already been defeated. If Rosse wanted to kill them it would be as easy as a game, there was simply no point in fighting.
This era belonged to Rosse.
This world would belong to Rosse.
"His Majesty Rosse!"
Saint Sommers and Saint Saturn, who entered after them, also knelt on one knee to show respect.
But compared with the mixed thoughts of the first three, their intentions were much purer.
Saint Saturn had long awaited this day; now that the day had finally come, he felt he had not betrayed his ancestors.
Saint Sommers's thoughts were even simpler.
He pledged to Rosse very early; his family had long since become vassals of the Jaygarcia family.
If you looked at it properly, he was practically a retainer of the dragon.
And from what he knew of Rosse, as long as they behaved, Rosse would never treat them unfairly.
Power transitions inevitably bring the rise and fall of many families.
At least in this turmoil, the Shepherd family had secured an unassailable position.
After the Five Elders arrived, the others Rosse had invited began to come one after another.
Those he trusted most now were Gion, Sora, and Otohime.
After them came Sakazuki, Zephyr, Vanessa, and the others.
These core members of his had all been invited to the Flower Hall.
Everyone was curious about this special space once established by the Twenty Kings.
But when they saw Rosse sitting on the sole throne, their curiosity faded somewhat.
Whatever symbolism this place once held, once Rosse had been here it would simply become Rosse's property.
It seemed like this had been the case for as long as they'd known Rosse.
When everyone had arrived, Rosse spoke in an unhurried voice, "At the world conference in two years, the World Government will undergo personnel changes."
At these words, Saint Nusjuro and Saint Mars's faces shifted slightly.
They weren't part of his inner circle; if personnel changes were coming, they figured it would concern them.
Even so, they didn't dare utter a single word of disagreement.
For now it was only personnel changes.
If they openly opposed it, that could be the beginning of their own funeral rites.
"His Majesty Rosse, feel free to arrange any personnel changes; I am your sword, I will clear every obstacle for you!", A loud, resonant voice suddenly rang through the hall, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
This place was full of the highest ranks of the World Government and Rosse's command, who was brazen enough to praise Rosse like that in front of so many people?
When everyone finally saw who had spoken, their expressions turned even stranger.
You have to give it to Figarland's people.
They probably hated him inwardly, but outwardly they were the picture of loyal devotion.
'Saint Garling, how can he be as shameless as Spandine? What happened to the dignity of a Five Elder?'
Facing the odd looks of Saint Nusjuro and Saint Mars, Saint Garling sneered inwardly.
'Dignity my foot, what's the point if it doesn't bring any benefit?'
From the moment Rosse stomped on his head and smashed his family gate, Saint Garling had woken up.
When confronted with a superior, why throw heavy punches?
If you can't beat them, join them.
If he couldn't join himself, he'd have his son join.
That way, whoever won, Figarland's faction would be among the final winners.
And someone like Rosse wouldn't hold past grudges forever.
After Rosse rose, Figarland's faction wouldn't be as powerful as before, but as long as they themselves grew strong and played devoted, they could still be better off than Mads and the others.
Forge strength in yourself.
If they performed well, they had nothing to fear from purges.
They hadn't been top dogs before anyway, now they'd simply switch whom they served.
A few years ago they weren't even Five Elders and they did fine.
Even if the Five Elders were abolished now, it would just be a return to the origin; Saint Garling didn't see a problem with that.
"Personnel changes in two years will depend on everyone's performance," Rosse smiled down at them, and Saint Garling's attitude made him change his original plan.
Originally he intended to announce things forcefully today, those who opposed him would simply be removed.
But since people were already lining up to be useful and loyal, he could just watch from above.
The end result wouldn't change anyway.
What did "depending on performance" mean, he was the one who decided in the end.
"His Majesty Rosse, we will perform well!", Saint Mars spoke first this time, his face full of piousness.
Who wouldn't be willing to act like a beast of burden?
How they treated Imu before, they'd treat Rosse the same now.
They could lick Imu before; now they could lick Rosse.
Even if Rosse was younger, in this world strength ruled. Fawning over the strong was no shame.
Rosse's ascension meeting ended with everyone pledging allegiance.
In the end, Saint Garling and the other two left, being sensible about it.
It was obvious that with their current status they didn't belong in the subsequent discussions.
"In two years, I will, according to the previous plan, cancel the Five Elders' functional divisions and unify the title as 'Warrior God,' symbolizing the World Government's supreme power directly under me. For any matters I am not involved in, the Five Elders will have participation and decision-making rights," Rosse said with a smile.
Those below listened quietly, knowing this was the position Rosse was promising them.
The position of the Five Elders would still be one below the ruler and above tens of thousands.
And this time, because of Rosse, selections would no longer be confined solely to Celestial Dragons, nor limited to one per family.
In other words, all of them would have a chance.
Saint Sommers looked a little nervous.
Whether by relations or ability, he seemed unlikely to be first-tier.
He hesitated, 'Should I proactively step down from the Five Elders now to secure my family's future?'
Even if Rosse kept his seat because he was the first draconic family to defect, his status would still be lower than the other confidants.
When the time came, being the lone marginal figure among the Five Elders would be awkward.
After a moment's thought, Saint Sommers bit the bullet and said, "His Majesty Rosse, in two years I am willing to step down from the Five Elders. Just grant me a ministerial position, or a deanship at Rosse University."
Better to give up the mismatched seat than sit in awkwardness.
With his status, being a minister or dean would still allow him to complete tasks easily and be well-matched to his merit.
"Agreed!"
Rosse smiled slightly, looking at Saint Sommers with approval.
Compared to Saint Garling, Saint Sommers was far more sensible.
Flattery was easy for anyone, but only Saint Sommers was willing to voluntarily step down from the Five Elders.
Saint Garling might look prepared, but deep down he still harbored hope that if he performed well enough he could keep his position.
But how could that be?
For Rosse, the rule that the capable rise required these people to be his own trusted men.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.