Chapter 2187: The Oath Once Sworn

Chapter 2187: Chapter 2187: The Oath Once Sworn

The Countess, holding Shard’s arm, spoke about the story of the Ancient Witch blessing children. She subconsciously wanted to discuss the witches’ inability to leave descendants, but she swallowed the words.

She did not want to talk about such topics here.

The Hawthorn Family went to great lengths for this banquet, but in fact, the seven most crucial participants left the banquet hall just after it started. Old Earl Hawthorn had already prepared a room like a conference room in his residence, and after representatives from the Seven Great Families arrived with their confidants and took their seats, the door was locked from the inside. Old Earl Hawthorn opened with the most critical question:

"Now, what should we do?"

The three Earls, two Viscounts, and two Barons were all present. These seven were the true rulers of this city. But no one spoke immediately. After a silence of mutual scrutiny, Miss Belindel finally smiled and said:

"Since the elderly elders are all unwilling to speak, let me, as the youngest junior, offer a suggestion."

Although she referred to herself as a junior, she showed no hesitation when she stood up to speak. Of course, Shard didn’t have a seat, so he stood with Miss Matilda behind the Countess.

"When I was a child, I viewed dragons as legends and never thought that the power and wealth bestowed upon the family would require my generation to repay. But now that things have come to this, we must accept reality. How about it? Do you agree with my previous proposal? Since everyone knows some things, why not bring out those family cryptic texts and the generations-old parchments? Our seven family names have walked together through such a long history, and this time we still stand together, don’t we?"

"Earl Belindel, but... can we really be sure that what appeared at the docks last weekend was a dragon?"

The chubby Viscount Wright asked while wiping sweat. Shard generally described slightly overweight people with the term "plump", but this time used "chubby" because the person was genuinely very fat. Other people sat on regular-sized chairs, but this Viscount’s chair was a reinforced, widened, and thickened style.

Judging by his size and the medical technology of this era, Shard doubted the man would live another ten years.

"We have all heard some news from the Church, but indeed, there is currently no concrete evidence proving a dragon truly appeared that night. We are willing to believe dragons truly exist, but we must be cautious. This could be Velindale’s conspiracy."

Viscount Silver said, another woman among the seven present besides Belindel. Though she maintained herself deliberately and cosmetic products helped cover her skin tone and wrinkles, judging by her age, this Viscount was nearly fifty years old.

"At times like this, is denying such matters still meaningful? Do you expect the Church to specially announce to the citizens that creatures like dragons really exist?"

Baron Wood asked irately, a gentleman Shard had met during a card game night. Director Anlos mentioned that the Wood Family had good ties with MI6, and the witches said the Wood Family could be seen as Belindel’s ally. Therefore, if nothing unexpected happened, Baron Wood and Shard shared the same stance.

"It’s better to be a bit cautious. After all, we are just ordinary people. Even if we enjoy the highest power in this city, we are still ordinary people. I think, first, it’s better to first ascertain the dragon truly appeared."

Speaking was the somber-faced Baron Black, a middle-aged man with a mustache and wearing white gloves. Though judging someone by appearance is not ideal, Baron Black’s looks were akin to an opera performer specializing in playing villain roles.

Hearing them speak thus, Miss Belindel snorted:

"As expected, though I anticipated this before coming, even in such times, some still worry about their holdings, never seeing the farther future. Can you still be considered nobles of Moon Bay?"

"If you didn’t worry about your holdings, you could bring out the business shared with Princess Margaret for everyone to partake in. Clearly, with the demise foretold in the legend of Moon Bay looming, the Belindel Family still only cares about monopolizing resources. Working with Anjou Royal Family’s offspring for such business, we haven’t suspected you of currying favor with the Anjou Family, and have indeed shown enough trust in you."

Viscount Wright continued wiping sweat as he spoke, and the Countess’s expression grew increasingly somber:

"Earl Hawthorn, Earl Edington, what are your opinions?"

Among the Seven Great Families today, only they and Belindel could claim full control of Moon Bay, so in fact, their words weighed the most.

As the host here, Old Earl Hawthorn first spoke:

"I agree with your perspective, we indeed need to look to the future."

"But."

Shard thought to himself.

"But, confirming whether what appeared last Sunday was truly a dragon is also very necessary. Both actions can be pursued simultaneously. I know everyone has connections with the Church, the Archbishop and Priests of Moon Bay Parish, and have deep friendships with the Seven Great Families, allowing us to gather some intelligence. This might not be possible elsewhere, but here, in Moon Bay."

"Moreover..."

Earl Hawthorn also smiled while looking at the others:

"Everyone is contacting Circle Sorcerers, aren’t they?"

All those seated had varied expressions, Baron Wood raised his eyebrows:

"Earl Hawthorn, some matters don’t need to be spelled out. Since Mr. Charles Wood of the Wood Family passed away in 1581, the Seven Great Families have had no Circle Sorcerers. Our influence only stems from the legacy of our ancestors, which we must safeguard. That’s why we are seated together and also stand together."

"So we must unite."

Earl Edington finally spoke up, though one wonders how many people laughed internally at the word "unite":

"The situation on the Old Continent is unstable, Velindale could attack us at any moment; the dragon’s roar seems to have sounded, and the disaster of Moon Bay might be imminent. Everyone should contact the Church to uncover the truth about the dragon. As for Earl Belindel’s proposal to compile each family’s treasured parchments and cryptic texts..."

He observed the expressions of the others present:

"This somewhat touches upon past events and each family’s secrets. I think compiling the parchments is fine, but there’s no need to force the disclosure of everything."

The Countess snorted again and sat back down, arms tightly crossed, without voicing any opposition. She already knew these people were hoping for "limited cooperation," and she merely wanted to determine what each family actually knew. Once she got her hands on those hidden texts, with a little divination, she could find out where those texts were originally concealed.

"I have no objection."

The witch then said:

"But tonight, as we sit here instead of attending the banquet outside, we must establish this consensus: we all believe the dragon’s impending arrival will destroy Moon Bay’s legend not just as legend; it is a fact about to occur."

The people, who had opinions on other matters, nodded in unison, their expressions quite serious:

"Yes, we all acknowledge this isn’t a story; it is the future."

"We do not know precisely what our ancestors encountered or promised, but we do know what they received. The stories of the past are now the past, and everything must be repaid in our generation... Earl of Hawthorn, is there any wine?"

The Countess asked the manor’s host, who nodded with a smile:

"Of course there is."

Servants came and went, seven wine glasses raised by seven hands, Shard and Miss Matilda, like the others, retreated to the wall, watching those they swore loyalty to stand at the table and raise their glasses:

"First, Moon Bay belongs to us."

"Second, Moon Bay shall forever belong to us."

"Third, Velindale can earn our loyalty, but not anything beyond the promises."

"Fourth, the holy alliance will persist; we may be enemies, but we are not the ultimate enemies."

"Fifth, when the sword must be raised, it must be raised together, and the blood must flow as one."

"Sixth, we have no retreat, even in death, we must die in Moon Bay."

"Seventh, the ancient dragon cannot take away what we possess; Moon Bay is our Moon Bay."

The seven drank the fine wine. The original seven, in ancient times, faced the dragon together and established Moon Bay. Time flies, the sea changes, and the wind carries the past stories away. Countless years later, of towering buildings and steaming power, in this small room, those of bloodline differing in plans still chose to acknowledge their ancestors’ pact.

"All of Moon Bay, past, present, future, shall belong to us!"

"I thought we could really come up with some strategies tonight."

As this secret meeting ended, everyone returned to the banquet hall in their own way. When the dance music started, Shard wrapped his arm around the blonde countess’s waist and danced, finally saying:

"I can understand the shortsightedness of ordinary people, but even now, it seems everyone has quite a few secrets."

Belindel’s secret is that the Family Head is a High Rank Witch, meaning the family can continue regardless of what happens. However, what secrets other families have, Shard couldn’t discern yet.

"I never expected these ordinary people to have any farsightedness."

The Duchess looked at the man in front of her, happiest perhaps at this moment tonight. The more she collaborated and worked with the young handsome man, the more she realized she truly needed him:

"Humph, either they have more and deeper knowledge about the dragon than I do and believe they can gain an advantage on their own; or someone has promised them, saying that after this matter, other families will decline, and the victor will divide the secular power that Circle Sorcerers don’t care for."

The dance music was very gentle, Shard placed his hand on the Countess’s waist, while she leaned her head forward until resting against his ear, making the dancing couple seem to be flirting from others’ perspectives... though not entirely incorrect.