Chapter 1937 - 529: The Demon King's Power Far Surpasses That of the Enchanting Demon

In the council hall of Thunder City Hall, sparse sunlight struggled to climb over the tall window ledges, falling onto rows of conference tables.

Neither the space nor the environment here was as bright as the Colin Grand Theater, nor as magnificent as His Majesty Theoden's Summer Palace.

However, Horace quite liked it here.

Because no tickets were required, and the tea was free.

Free black tea, wonderful!

He restrained himself and took a sip, lest he rush to the restroom before the conference even began.

"Everyone, quiet please."

The chairman's gavel struck the oak table, producing a muffled sound.

Watching the hall gradually cease its murmuring whispers, he began his speech with a voice as smooth as water.

"Today's first issue... Let me see, it was proposed by Councilor Debicco, so let's have him speak."

The meetings in Thunder City differed from those of Theoden's, as the chairman was the host, not the highest authority, nor appointed by His Majesty as a Baron or Minister.

From this perspective, Thunder City's city council was far more hasty compared to Roland City's historically significant Third Level Conference.

Indeed, the chairman seated here was a "meeting veteran," while many new councilors hadn't even warmed the chairs beneath them.

The paint factory owner, Councilor Debicco, stood up.

This gentleman, who made a fortune painting the hulls of the Duchy's navy ships, had purposefully donned a brand-new dark frock coat today, and the chain of the pocket watch on his chest gleamed bright.

He cleared his throat, the letter in his hand, which had hardly any creases, rustled loudly.

Although this letter hadn't cost him a penny, he had spent a full 100 silver pounds on a theater ticket and pondered meditatively all night to draft today's proposal.

The citizens of the entire city were concerned about the bell sound resonating with their hearts, and he would be the first gentleman to voice their sentiments!

"Before I start my speech, I would like to read a letter first."

Debicco's voice was loud, like that of an actor on stage, speaking with a tone practiced for ages in a generous and impassioned manner, full of vigor.

"This letter is from a citizen residing in my constituency, a fifty-year-old mother who this morning slipped it through my door gap, not even noticing the mailbox right beside the door... But that's not important, what's important is what she wrote in the letter, which brought tears to both me and my wife."

"She asked in the letter—Honorable Mr. Debicco, my daughter is getting married next month, do I need to prepare for the Crown Tax like Eloise did? Who should we contact?"

A chuckle sounded in the council hall.

Alright, you even managed to rhyme.

Thunder City was a free commercial metropolis, under the wise governance of the Grand Duke, how could there be those nasty habits of countryside nobles?

However, some did not laugh but cursed in their hearts, allowing the shameless scoundrel Debicco to take the advantage.

Even they could write up this lousy proposal!

Debicco was not bothered by the laughter; instead, his expression turned serious, glaring at the one who laughed the loudest.

"...I know what you would say, enlightened Thunder City does not have this issue, so there's no need to worry about non-existent matters, I should write back to comfort that mother instead of wasting everyone's time here."

The chairman coughed and tapped the gavel.

"Mr. Debicco, no one said that—"

"I know! But that's what they're all thinking," Debicco interrupted the chairman with a face full of compassion, speaking forcefully, "However, I still have to say, though Thunder City's Crown Tax is fictional, this mother's pain is real!"

The clerk sitting in the corner of the conference table took notes quickly, and the reporters sitting nearby wrote rapidly too.

Horace secretly glanced at what they had.

Thunder City... mother... pain?

Hmm?

He couldn't help but sit up straight.

Is this okay??

Fortunately, the reporter from the Thunder City Daily was professional, that smart young fellow directly used recording crystal to capture.

Horace couldn't help but sigh inwardly, magic truly is a good thing.

If only it could be used to make money, that would be even more perfect...

While Mr. Horace was musing during the meeting, Councilor Debicco continued to fervently advocate for the mother's distress.

"...A loophole in the rules is like a crack in the ship's bottom; if not fixed today, it will leak tomorrow! To address the citizens' fears, to prevent Eloise's tragedy from recurring in Thunder City... I propose!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the entire audience.

"Legally abolish all forms of Chastity Tax and Crown Tax! We must use the hammer of law to shatter the shackles that perhaps will come tomorrow!"

Scattered applause sounded.

Most of them came from his allies and those fence-sitters invited by some unfortunate fool with money to spare for tea.

It's always safe to shake fists at the air; it earns good reputation without truly affecting any big shot's cheese.

After all, who would oppose the abolition of a tax that doesn't exist?

Even Councilor Horace sitting in the back row could hardly stifle a laugh.

But he held it in.

"Now is the open speech time, whoever wants to speak just press the bell—"

"Let me say a few words." Horace pressed the bell without waiting for the chairman to finish his words, interrupting him with a ding.

This stingy man who was once trapped in his office by workers, slowly stood up from his seat with an awkward motion that seemed as if his aged formal suit was restricting him.