Moral

At the meeting hall.

Court nobles and bureaucrats were waiting for David, some people knew a little about this gathering beforehand, still, they were worried nonetheless.

"Mass killing? Is this for real?" Noble A started to exchange information.

"I heard it would be all people in the family within 3 steps of the bloodline." Noble B answered.

"The eunuch I am just bribing told me that the method would be a show of force, thus it would be terrible." Noble C joined the conversation.

"I understand the need to kill his opponent, it a lot easier than absorb through marriage and other options, but why killing those powerless magicians now. Since most of the large sect who stand in his majesty ways were gone." Another noble joined in.

Not only noble, some bureaucrat too started to talk.

"This happens because of their own ignorance, they should know that emperor was set to put all magician under his control. They got what they deserve." Bureaucrat A told his friends on the right.

"But isn't it a bit too much. The mass killing of such magician could lead to a shortage of manpower." Another bureaucrat on the left of A interested in the conversation and decided to join.

"This must happen, it is a simple carrot and stick. Those high nose magician always live comfortably with privilege just by being born under a good house." It seems that the conversation started by bureaucrat A pick up many people interest and soon attract a lot of people.

"We went through a lot so that we could join into the central administration. For commoners like us, how many sweats we shed, how many countless night we put into our study. Those morons ignore the Emperor decree, then let them tasted the result of their stupidity." Some commoner born officer expressed his opinion.

"They are magicians and their bloodline was indeed of value, we should not kill them, there are many options." One of magician-born officer chipped in.

" Why are you suggesting this? Is it because you are born from a magician family?"

"This is not about my family. I just believe that we can do better."

"Oh! So you are stating that you are better than His Majesty. Am I right?"

In a crowd of people, there were some who did not bicker, mostly those who stood at the front.

They were either high ranks noble or officer in important posts. Field marshall Thiw was one of them, for him, every word of David was not to be questioned, only true obedience would prove the loyalty of person.

Count Solo of Vatsa look into some of his friends, he too did not join in any bickering, Thiw and Solo were alike. They were the true faithful follower of David who loyal to the bone. For Solo, word of advice was okay but if David already decided, he would follow.

Normally, another person was one of these group, he was David's brother in law and his pillar of supporter before other influential noble and magicians started to submit David. This man once followed David to almost suicide quests, joined him in the numerous war, went as far as ignored his family's will, he even assisted David in destroyed the six towers of magic.

However, the man was now at a dilemma.

Should he oppose his brother in law at this issue?

Woden knew that the change was needed and some people must become sacrifices.

It was not like Woden never killed, he killed a ferocious animal and some wrongdoing people.

If demihuman tribe attacked a human inhabitant, he would retaliate to protect humans. He would do the same if the situation was reversed. That nature of him led him to meet with David and companion during the meeting before giants' subjugation, 5 years after the first time they met, David was unconscious at that time though.

They become a trusted friend, David vast knowledge and godlike abilities made him wanted to follow on David course to make the world of peace and prosperity, he too wanted to reform the world by David side and saw everything alongside David.

David's sister, the little crying girl from that time, would become his wife a few years later after their reunion. This was another lifetime decision for Woden, Woden who once set to become a Pontifex Maximus was abandoned everything for the girl he loved.

He could convince his family to accept his decision and they would help Woden to obtain the title of grandmaster, but his relationship with his family was shattered when he ignored his family who oppose the idea of marrying an upstart baron sister. His father angry so much that he disinherited Woden, he never met his father and uncle whom he loved dearly ever again and now they all passed away.

Was Woden uneasy feeling caused by the punishment?

Yes.

Did the house of Maximus become the victim of emperor wrath?

No.

Was it because of noblesse oblige, chivalry or something alike?

The answer was no, it true that he did not know David at that time, his decision was base on pure moral.

But there was a difference between those concepts and Woden's believe.

Noblesse oblige?

Even if he was a commoner, he would help those in need.

Chivalry?

The cause for Woden restless was just a simple thing.

Moral.

Woden was a merciful and benevolent man, his hearts were filled with compassion and sympathy for a human. It was this man that decided to help David a few decades ago without any reason for his own benefit.

Did someone need to be a knight just to help people?

He was just a good man. That was how he is.

Then should someone stop the wasted killing of humans?

Of course, he should.

**********************************

The door was open and the eunuch announcer announced that David had arrived.

All noise in the hall suddenly turned quiet, until David started nobody would dare to speak.

"Everyone, let's start the meeting."