The Parliament, the Price, and the People's Hearts (3)

The only variable was how much that army would demand. If they were to ask for an exorbitant sum, we wouldn't be able to afford it.

As the sun gradually set and a full moon rose into the sky, many people found it hard to sleep.

Starshine City was a tiered city built around the central mountain. The higher up the residential houses and estates were located, the wealthier and more powerful the inhabitants. 

The Thirteen Council Families, as the rulers of the Starshine Islands, naturally had their estates in high-altitude positions. They occupied the only few flat lands on the mountainside, boasting elegant surroundings and beautiful scenery. From their vantage point, they could overlook the lower Starshine City and the distant sea.

Here, the Council Families had established independent facilities to ensure that their descendants could enjoy a life of luxury from birth.