Chapter 56: Chapter 56: System's Ultimatum - 2

"And if I refuse?"

Mordred leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a cold threat. "Then the boy dies. And you'll be declared an enemy of the city, hunted down and executed for treason."

Lucien felt anger boiling inside him, but kept his voice controlled. "So this is your justice? Blackmail and threats?"

"It's pragmatism, Lucien," Estin replied. "You represent a threat to the established order. An order that has kept this city safe for generations."

"Safe?" Lucien let out a bitter laugh. "You call this safe? Hundreds of soldiers die every year defending the walls. Entire families live in poverty while you accumulate wealth. Is that the order you're so desperate to protect, Estin?"

Mordred slammed his fist on the table. "Enough! You're in no position to question us, Lucien. You have a choice to make. Surrender, or the boy dies."

Lucien slowly straightened, his imposing figure dominating the room. "No. I have a counter-offer for you."

The elders exchanged surprised glances.

"Release Elio," Lucien continued, his voice resonating with authority. "Abandon this facade of justice and work with me to implement real reforms in the city. Or else..."

"Or else what?" Estin challenged.

Lucien looked at him, his eyes shining with iron determination. "Or else, I'll show you what it really means to be a leader. I'll show you what an army of well-trained and motivated soldiers can do."

A murmur of commotion ran through the room.

"Are you threatening us with civil war?" Mordred asked, incredulous.

"I'm offering you one last chance to do the right thing," Lucien responded. "Yes, if the city must fall after the confrontation due to lack of soldiers, so be it. But at least it will fall fighting for a better future, not drowning in corruption and lies."

He took a step towards Estin, who instinctively backed away. "Or maybe you'd do it yourself? Come on, Estin. Show us all how brave you are. Take a sword and face me here and now."

Mordred intervened between them. "Enough! This leads us nowhere. Lucien, you must understand that there are forces beyond our control. The Goddess..."

"To hell with a Goddess now," Lucien growled. "And to hell with you if you think I'll continue to allow innocent lives to be sacrificed for your cowardice. And one more thing. If anything happens to Elio, if you try to use him as a bargaining chip... There will be no place in this city where you can hide..."

"You have until dawn to make your decision. Release Elio and work with us for a better future, or prepare for battle."

Finally, Mordred stepped in Lucien's path to the exit. "Lucien, Lucien, Lucien," he said, his voice laden with false pity. "Always so idealistic. Did you really think we'd let you leave here to gather an army against us?"

Lucien felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Something in Mordred's tone warned him that the situation was about to drastically worsen.

Estin joined Mordred, his voice equally cold. "You've made a miscalculation, young man. If your plan was to go against us, you should have brought your allies from the start."

At that moment, Lucien noticed the subtle movement of several members of the families' guard. They were surrounding him, closing off any escape route.

"So this was your plan," Lucien said, his voice calm despite the imminent danger. "An assassination attempt in the council chamber. How appropriate for you."

Mordred smiled, but it was a humorless smile. "Don't call it assassination, Lucien. I prefer to think of it as... an execution for treason!"

Suddenly, the doors burst open. Varen strode in, his eyes cold and calculating. Behind him, another Summoner, Lotar, entered. They positioned themselves at the entrance, effectively blocking any chance of escape.

Kairos, who had been silent until now, stood up, his familiar, a small salamander, perched on his shoulder. "You should have known better, Lucien. Did you really think we wouldn't be prepared for this?"

"You're making a mistake," Lucien said, his voice eerily calm as he surveyed the room. "You think you have me cornered, but even though we all are on the same level... We aren't"

Lucien didn't wait any longer. With a fluid motion, he summoned his familiar, the small frog on his head growing rapidly until it reached the size of a large dog. The air in the room instantly became dense and humid.