There Is No Mercy

Chapter 41

Count Ricardo’s voice echoed through the room.

The relaxed Marquis Mormond turned his head with a smug smile, clearly enjoying the predicted victory.

“Chairman Leviten?”

“In favor.”

“Chairman Clea?”

“In favor.”

“Chairman Regiludin?”

“In favor.”

“Chairman Chuck?”

“…”

As Count Ricardo pointed and called out the names, each chairman quickly responded and raised their hands as if they had been waiting for this moment.

There was no hesitation, just swift motions, as if doubting the outcome was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

I bit my lip as I watched their greedy faces light up, already gloating over the riches they expected to gain.

Count Ricardo sighed deeply, disheartened by how easily the votes were falling into place.

He turned slightly to face Chairman Daria, the last remaining vote.

Swallowing hard, he called out softly.

“Chairman Daria?”

“…”

This time, things were different.

Unlike the other chairmen, who raised their hands without delay, Daria kept his eyes closed and remained silent.

The sudden shift in his behavior stirred murmurs in the room.

Even Count Oxiad, who had been beaming with confidence, and Marquis Mormond, who had been sneering, were unsettled.

They began to fidget in their seats.

“What’s going on with him? Do you think he heard our earlier conversation and changed his mind?” Celeno whispered.

“I have no idea, but something’s definitely off. He told us he’d vote in favor, but now he looks like he’s having second thoughts.”

Could my words have gotten through to him? Maybe my directness actually made him reconsider.

I wasn’t sure why, but Daria remained silent.

“Chairman Daria?”

Ricardo called again.

The longer Daria stayed quiet, the more anxious the supporters of the bill became, while the opposition began to feel a flicker of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, he would vote against it.

If he did, there would be no need for further resistance to the bill.

Count Ricardo, watching Daria’s closed eyes and sealed lips, tried once more.

“Chairma—”

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

A furious shout rang out, cutting Ricardo off.

Everyone’s attention shifted to Marquis Mormond, who was now seething with rage.

Count Ricardo looked at him in shock.

Marquis Mormond, his face twisted in anger, stood up from his seat.

“Do you think this is some kind of joke? Everyone here is busy. We don’t have time to waste on a vote being dragged out like this. If you’re here to sleep, go home and do it there. Otherwise, do your duty!”

The fury of Marquis Mormond’s outburst was directed squarely at Daria.

Daria, who had been silent with his eyes closed, finally opened them and bit his lip.

“Coward…”

It was a disgusting tactic.

Marquis Mormond wasn’t angry because of the time delay.

He was furious at the possibility that Daria might actually be reconsidering.

His outburst was a warning—a thinly veiled threat.

If Daria opposed him, there would be consequences.

It was a crude and underhanded move, but it showed that Marquis Mormond was not someone to be taken lightly.

“…I vote in favor,” Daria muttered.

The result backed up Marquis Mormond’s actions.

As Daria’s hand slowly raised, there was a mix of emotions in the room.

Daria briefly glanced at me, then quickly averted his gaze, clearly conflicted.

I couldn’t blame him, knowing how much he had struggled with his decision.

No parent wants to block their child’s future. I couldn’t force him to gamble on an uncertain future.

“We better prepare…”

Celeno muttered in a heavy voice.

I nodded, gathering the documents when suddenly, Count Ricardo’s voice rang out.

“Please remain quiet. The voting is not over yet.”

Not over?

The murmurs in the room immediately hushed at Ricardo’s words.

He glanced around at the now silent room before pulling a letter from the pile of documents he had brought.

“One of the chairmen sent a letter ahead, saying they would be late.”

“What do you mean? Another chairman? This is unheard of,”

Marquis Mormond grumbled.

“There’s one person who usually doesn’t vote but is required by imperial law to participate in the military council.”

Despite Mormond’s irritated tone, Count Ricardo remained calm as he unfolded the letter and began reading.

“Do you know who Lady Sierra is?”

“No idea,” Mormond scoffed, folding his arms with a faint smirk.

Just then, I caught a glimpse of light coming through the open door, and as it filled the room, a figure emerged.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the now quiet chamber, and the attendees slowly turned their heads to look behind them.

Realization dawned on the room, and several people let out gasps.

“…Why is *he* here?”

The unexpected arrival left everyone in shock, and Count Ricardo spoke once more.

“I will now announce the final chairman’s vote.”

Ricardo glanced between Marquis Mormond and Count Oxiad before showing the paper.

“The vote is… against.”

“That’s impossible!” Oxiad shot to his feet, shouting. Marquis Mormond followed, standing abruptly with fury in his eyes as he glared at Ricardo.

“How dare someone cast a vote against this critical bill without even attending the meeting! This is unacceptable!” Mormond bellowed.

“There’s no rule in the council regulations that strips voting rights for being late.”

Ricardo responded calmly.

Fuming, Mormond slammed his fist on the table, cracking it and sending splinters flying everywhere.

“Who is this… this insolent fool who would dare do such a thing?!”

“That would be…”

“I did.”

A deep voice cut through the room, silencing Ricardo.

Mormond’s head whipped toward the source of the voice, and when he saw who it was, his face froze.

The man, seated in the shadows, stood up.

His face was still partly obscured, but his striking golden eyes gleamed like those of a predator.

“The insolent fool who did this… is me, Marquis Mormond.”

He was the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army—the one man even Mormond dared not challenge.

Aden was looking down at Marquis Mormond with a cold, expressionless face.