Free Web NovelChapter 1191: Chapter 1121: The New Election and Treason
Stepping on the waxed floor, the numerous council members returned to their seats, while Jeanne, still wearing her iron mask, stood in the hall.
Although the mysterious iron mask covered the upper part of her face, the lower part alone was enough to enchant countless faithful citizens.
Strong as a man, yet with maternal kindness, good-looking, and with this mysterious veil.
The oligarchs secretly cursed in their hearts, thinking this bunch of citizens and peasants were obsessed with appearances and resented wealth.
They failed to see these reliable merchants whose souls were emptied by wealth, leaving only profound wisdom and a kind heart.
But how these oligarch council members thought was not Jeanne’s concern right now.
She had more important matters to attend to.
She raised her hand and placed it on the chalice emblem on her breastplate: "I originally didn’t want to meddle in Dawn Island’s affairs, the Holy Alliance never forces others to take sides.
We always believed that the future of Dawn Island should be determined by the people of Dawn Island, by the Holy Father, by the happiness of the Dawn Islanders.
But now, I have to admit I was naive, because external forces have already used this to stir internal conflicts.
They want to exchange the interests of the majority of Dawn Island for the benefits of a few; I can no longer stand by."
"External forces?" At the mention of this, Valeris immediately reacted, "Ha! Lady Joan, words shouldn’t be spoken carelessly!
Our contact with Falan is to fight for the interests of all the people of Dawn Island.
Is it because the Holy Alliance couldn’t offer better terms than Falan, we have to be branded as traitors?"
Gatz immediately chimed in: "We didn’t do anything wrong!"
Jeanne didn’t look at them, her gaze swept over the farmer representative huddled in the corner, then fell on the Holy Alliance’s members, and her voice suddenly rose:
"Everyone relies on their own skills? Then let me ask you.
Who diligently tills the land and supplies the Defensive Army with food? Who forges iron in the workshops, making guns for the army? Who bleeds on the front lines, driving away the Leia people?
Aren’t they Dawn Islanders? Didn’t they contribute to the war? Are their demands not important?"
"Without our money, what could they do?" Grading slammed the table and stood up, "It’s just an employment relationship."
Before Jeanne could speak, Bradak directly shouted: "With the money you provide, is it necessary for them to work to the point of risking their lives?
Now the national council wants to decide everyone’s future based on these council members’ votes alone, is this relying on one’s own skills?"
Not giving Grading a chance to retort, Jeanne stepped forward and looked around: "We need more representatives, farmer representatives, worker representatives, veteran representatives...
Only by including the voices of these people can we truly say the Dawn Islanders are making their own decisions!"
"But—but the regulations were set long ago!" Grading stood up with a strained neck, his fingers gripping the edge of the table hard, "Back when the five-city alliance convened, it was a citizen’s alliance, the countryside and military didn’t participate..."
"The regulations were set, but weren’t they part of the war? Then you go talk to the people outside." Jeanne gestured with her chin towards the window, "You go convince them to disperse."
Grading’s once stiff neck suddenly tightened, shaking his head like a rattle.
The scene outside where people were killed was vivid in his mind, he dared not go out to jinx himself.
The council hall fell silent until Valeris, breathing heavily, spoke: "Why? If the Holy Alliance wants to change the regulations, there must be a rationale!"
With a sneer, Jeanne suddenly beckoned to Bradak.
Bradak’s eyes lit up in an instant, his body that was previously leaning against the chair sat up straight abruptly, quickly putting on glasses and moving around the table.
Standing in front of Jeanne, he rubbed his hands on his pants, looking like an eager-to-please puppy.
"Hehehe!" He even made a chuckling sound with his mouth.
Looking at Bradak’s demeanor, Jeanne shook her head speechlessly.
She pulled a thick file from the sash at the back of her waist and handed it over: "This is Cheka’s investigation report, I’ve been busy with this matter these days."
In full view of everyone, Bradak couldn’t wait to tear open the envelope and began reading.
He quickly flipped through the file, the rustling sound of paper was particularly piercing in the council hall.
At first, Bradak just mumbled softly.
Before long, the corners of his mouth kept lifting higher, finally unable to hold back laughter: "Hohoho! Valeris, you old craf... cough.
Councilor Gatz, amazing, on the special rights for the leather trade agreement signed with the Falan, why is it just your name there?"
He flipped a few more pages, suddenly slamming the table: "Councilor Grading, you haven’t even taken office yet and have allocated the next decade’s grain monopoly rights to yourself?"
The council members who were initially somewhat composed couldn’t sit still as Bradak’s "mutterings" continued.
Whether members of the Holy Alliance or the neutral faction, they craned their necks towards the document in Bradak’s hand.
Some who were close simply rushed to Bradak’s side to pass around and read, continuously making hissing inhalation sounds.
Flipping to the end, Bradak picked up a list, his eyes widening: "My goodness! Is this the cooperation list with the Falan Alliance?
Valeris, Gatz, Grading... hey, didn’t your trade alliance have over a hundred people? Why are there only a dozen on the list?"
"The trade alliance signed an agreement? When?" a Falan faction councilor stood up abruptly, his face dark.
More people turned to directly question those beside them, like Mossley who whispered angrily at Gatz: "Didn’t you say it would be signed next month? What’s with this agreement?"
"Brother Mossley..."
"Who’s your brother?!"
Facing the questioning of many associates, Valeris was still stubbornly denying: "This is fake, it’s forged!"
