Chapter 849: The Divine League's Meeting
Chapter 849: The Divine League's Meeting
When Aeliana made her last-minute announcement regarding Heavenreacher's launch time, the night became restless.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
While many people were excited to witness how humans could enter the heavens, many more people were skeptical regarding the theory. Even so, regardless of their opinions, they all looked forward to watching the launch.
If the Heavenreacher Project succeeded, it would be an important mark in human history, even though dragons did most of the work.
Nevertheless, the spies from various countries quickly sent the news back to their countries via their special methods. Some used long-distance communication tools, while others used familiar spirits to deliver their messages.
The slowest messengers were undoubtedly the contracted or tamed birds, and they had the highest risk of being intercepted.
In the eyes of dragons, these aerial messengers were as slow as buzzing flies.
However, they were already informed not to intercept them and just all their messages to reach their intended destinations.
The northern countries under Vaan had undoubtedly received a lot of attention due to his lightning-quick rise and the changes he brought with him. While some silently looked on with interest and curiosity, others felt threatened.
Among the threatened countries, the Divine League was at the top of the list.
The twelve city lords of the Divine League held an urgent meeting precisely to discuss the agenda regarding the Heavenreacher's official launch date.
"The North has been sending witches to investigate our territory on a number of occasions. It is clear that its appetite is unsatiable and has set its eyes on us as its next target," the Sword Lord, City Lord of Divine Sword City, solemnly mentioned.
"Depending on how successful the Heavenreacher Project is, it could draw a lot of people to its side. If we don't keep a tight leash on our people, our population will also suffer, considering how close we are to the North."
"That's why we can't let the North's Heavenreacher Project succeed. We must sabotage it," the Sword Lord firmly stated.
"You speak too seriously, Sword Lord," the Saber Lord, City Lord of Divine Saber City, casually dismissed. "The Heavenreacher Project is no more than a gimmick to garner interest and attention. It won't succeed the way you fear."
"My sources tell me only a selected few individuals would be permitted to use the Heavenreacher to enter the heavens. Moreover, they must have full citizenship and outstanding contribution to the country."
"As such, outsiders have no chance of buying a ticket to the heavens, even if it was for sale. Why would anyone flock to the North, knowing they wouldn't be given a chance to soar into the heavens?" the Saber Lord mentioned.
"The Saber Lord is right," the Bow Lord of Divine Bow City acknowledged before saying, "More importantly, it might sound impressive to enter the heavens, but the heavens aren't a kind place for humans to be."
"That is the domain of gods; to humans, or any mortal for that matter, it is no different from a world of death. There is no air for us to breathe up there. As such, there is also no guarantee that people sent up there will come back alive."
"To me, that is no different from sending people to die. Behind that blazing trail of glory is only death. Once people realize that, the Heavenreacher will not seem as impressive as they thought," the Bow Lord calmly stated.
"That is a fool's thinking, Bow Lord," the Sword Lord cooly insulted before arguing, "If we can think of such a problem, do you think the people who designed the Heavenreacher wouldn't think of it too?"
"The North must have already prepared a way for people to survive up there! They just haven't made the information public!" the Sword Lord strongly believed.
"So what if it is true, Sword Lord?" the Moon Lord of Divine Moon City uttered.
The Sword Lord immediately frowned before asking, "What do you mean 'So what,' Moon Lord? Do you not understand the gravity of the issue? If we do not remove this threat, our Divine League will only exist in name in the future."
"No, I do understand the gravity of the issue, Sword Lord. However, what you want to do will make the problem a hundred times worse for our Divine League," the Moon Lord coldly refuted.
"I concur with the Moon Lord's opinion," the Star Lord of Divine Star City voiced, adding, "Before you think about sabotaging the Heavenreacher, you should first measure your own ability."
"Do you think our Divine League is capable of bearing the wrath of the North if we become openly hostile with it? Don't forget that even someone as powerful as Great Devil Abaddon could still be killed."
"Do you think we are more capable than Great Devil Abaddon?" the Star Lord solemnly asked.
"Well..."
"Furthermore, if the Heavenreacher could really send people into the heavens, its practical use and symbolic importance to humanity is something you cannot even begin to imagine," the Star Lord continued before the Sword Lord could reply.
"As such, if it was ever found out that our Divine League had sabotaged or even attempted to sabotage the Heavenreacher, we may very well not only incur the wrath of the North but all of humanity."
"Do you think our Divine League will still exist if we were barraged by other countries on all sides, Sword Lord?" the Star Lord asked.
The Sword Lord glanced at the rest of the City Lords and asked, "Do you all have the same opinions as the Star Lord and the others?"
The Sword Lord's question was met with silence as the other city lords in the Divine League contemplated.
However, it was also clear that none of them wished to antagonize the North.
"Sending people into the heavens sounds like an impressive feat, but what benefits does the Heavenreacher actually offer? At the very least, they pale to the benefits of our Divine Weapons, Sword Lord," the Sky Lord of Divine Sky City spoke.
The Sword Lord immediately glared at the Sky Lord before admonishing him, "You want to use the Divine Weapons to counteract the impact of the Heavenreacher? Are you out of your mind, Sky Lord?!"
"The Divine Weapons are gifts from our Divine Goddess! Even if we can use them to promote our country, it doesn't mean we should! We might even lose the favor of our Divine Goddess!" the Sword Lord barked.
"Indeed, I have to agree with the Sword Lord on this one, Sky Lord," the Saber Lord couldn't help but admit truthfully.
"The Divine Weapons grants great power and long lifespans to their chosen wielders, even if they are only mere mortals. This kind of temptation can easily ignite a bloody war due to
greed."
"Even if we possess transcendental powers and lifespans now, we must never forget that they all come from our Divine Weapons. If we lose them, we will have to go back to being ordinary
mortals again."
"I would like to sleep with peace of mind at night. So, I must disagree with your idea of promoting the Divine Weapons, Sky Lord," the Saber Lord stated.
Although he still hugged his Divine Saber to sleep every night, he at least did it with a relaxed state of mind. If the secret of the Divine Weapons became widespread, he would never sleep
well again.
"Then, what does everyone suggest? Without the Divine Weapons, we have nothing else to
attract our populace to stay," the Sky Lord frowned before asking, "Are we going to do
nothing and just watch?"
"Do nothing and watch for now, indeed," the Saber Lord nodded.
"I concur."
"As do I."
"I am of the same opinion."
"Mine too."
"I also agree."
"Mm."
The City Lords voiced their agreement one after the other. With each reply, the Sky Lord's
expression would darken by a shade.
"You bunch of conservative old farts. We'll be too late to act with that kind of mentality, but whatever. So be it. Just don't start crying to me when our Divine League declines in the
future!" the Sky Lord snorted.
The meeting room quickly went dead silent.
Although everyone knew they should do something, their options were limited.
Furthermore, if they forced the matter, they also feared the gravity of the consequences would be more than they could bear.
"In times like this, why don't we just seek out our Divine Goddess for answers? The Divine Goddess will surely illuminate the correct path for us," the Sword Lord suggested after a soft
sigh.
"Moreover, if we failed to inform the Divine Goddess of such a momentous event happening in the North on time, we may lose the blessings and favor of our Divine Goddess." "That is also something I can agree to," the Saber Lord quickly acknowledged before saying,
"To think I would agree with something you say, not once but twice, Sword Lord. The sun
must be rising from the west."
Evidently, the Saber Lord and Sword Lord had a long history of conflicting opinions and views.
However, they had always been over trivial matters, nothing as significant as this time. As such, the Sword Lord was too lazy to bicker with the Saber Lord.
"Enough of your jabs, Saber Lord. Let us just summon our Divine Goddess," the Sword Lord
urged after sighing again.
The rest of the City Lords nodded.