Headed by a Snake
Chapter 55 The 5th Vote

(For: 1 / Against: 2)

Barza Keith, the Lone Shadowdark stood proudly in front of Tycon. He gave a sharp salute with a hand to his chest, "Boss. I'm here."

Tycon reared his head back in embarrassment and narrowed his eyes, "Mister Barza... what are you doing? The votes are in order of seniority."

Lone held his salute, "I'm reporting... Sir?"

"Sit down, Mister Barza," Tycon said with an annoyed voice.

"Sir Tycon? ...What?" Lone didn't realize what he'd done wrong.

Dragan was chortling in the background, "Ohh! You gonna take that, man??"

"No respect for Bucket!!" Wroe yelled. He had put on a simple pair of trousers and a tunic to hide his earlier nudity.

Lone turned around to see Pale, holding his metal rod with a helpless look on his face.

Tycon sighed, "Mister Barza... Have you... perhaps, forgotten? That young Bucket is your senior?"

Sweat dripped down Lone's forehead. He was so used to calling Pale his sworn younger brother that he had forgotten he had less time in Guild Invictus than he did, "But-- I-- I mean..."

Bucket gave him a sad smile, "It's-- it's okay, Lone."

Lone clenched his teeth, the corners of his eyes stinging. He had hurt Pale's feelings!

Wroe and Dragan began to chant, "Push! Push! Push! Push!"

Lone immediately dropped down to the ground and began doing push-ups, "I'm sooorrrrrrry, Paaaaale!!"

...

(For: 1 / Against: 2)

"Bucket," Tycon addressed Warrior Pale.

"Yes, Sir!" Pale stood up and gave the Outsider's salute, sharply lifting his palm to his chest.

"You have done well, establishing the contractee's faith in you and us... and I was looking forward to this mission increasing your and Mister Barza's strength, to better face the challenges in Merylsward."

"Thank you, Sir," Pale nodded.

"This is your mission..." Tycon pursed his lips, "--but do not be blinded by the rewards, for this mission carries great risks. Are you willing to follow through?"

"Sir? What... What would my father do?"

Tycon looked to the side, pondering for a moment, "He would ask for my counsel. And I would try to convince him against such risks."

Pale nodded, but remained hesitant... "N-no, sir. I vote no."

Tycon's face was etched with a deep frown, "You're smart, boy-- likely smarter than your father, as he did keep fools like us around... Forgive me, young man, but if I am to accept your vote, I must first ask you a question."

"S-sir?"

"If you vote no... are you absolutely certain you won't regret it?" Tycon stared, expression unchanging.

"Sir, I can't risk everyone by being selfish!" Pale exclaimed.

Taree was confused. What was Tycon trying to do?

Tycon took a deep breath and nodded to himself, "Young man, I see your logic-- and you're not wrong. I'm certain you're well aware that we are trying to groom you as a leader, like your father before you... but right now, Invictus' welfare is my responsibility-- not yours. Regardless of the results of this vote, I have final say."

Pale nodded, deep in contemplation.

"For this one time-- just this once, don't worry about us. I wish to hear your honesty. How do you feel about this mission?" Tycon asked.

Pale looked up, his face full of determination, "Sir... if I vote no, I think I would regret it for the rest of my life."

"Hm," Tycon frowned. "Very well. Cast your vote."

"I, Pale, son of Quay, wish to continue the mission." Pale said with finality.

...

(For: 2 / Against: 2)

Dragan was doing one-handed push-ups. He casually spoke to Tycon as the green-haired Warrior sat cross-legged, sharpening his blade on a whetstone.

Pale was in a corner, replacing Wroe's bloody chest bandages with fresh ones.

"Wh-what's going on?" Taree asked Tycon. She wrung her tiny hands in nervousness.

Tycon looked back in honest confusion, "Is there something wrong, young lady?"

"You guys stopped at four votes?? There's still a little bit of time before dinner!"

Dragan began to loudly guffaw, "Gahaha! Look at the last voter, though!!"

Taree looked over to the Chosen One, who had just finished doing push-ups in a lonely corner on the opposite side of the room. A sizable pool of sweat had collected below beside him.

Gross.

Taree puffed her cheeks in frustration, "Warrior Dragan? What is that supposed to mean?"

Dragan grinned with a savage smile, as if delighting in Taree's pain and confusion, "Everything's up to the CHOSEN ONE!! Juuuu~st as your legends predicted! Ahahaha~!"

Tycon patted the girl on the head, "Unfortunately, young lady, Mister B-- err... Your 'Chosen One' will certainly vote against you."

The young girl was indignant, "Y-y-y-you don't know that!! Dummy!"

She turned and called to Lone, "Chosen One!!"

"I'm coming!" He jogged over.

He wore an uncharacteristically clueless smile on his face. "What's up? Just finished my body-weight workout. Boss Tycon, I'm a weapon. Wanna see these cannons?"

Taree looked up with bleary eyes.

Lone looked at the young girl, then to Tycon's sharp gaze.

His eyes took on a shade of panic, "Wait, wait, wait-- what's going on?"

"Have you. not. been listening??" Tycon asked in stilted speech.

Lone bowed deeply, "I'm sorry. Please explain it to me again."

"We're. Voting." Tycon stressed his words, before sighing deeply.

"What? Still?" Lone was confused.

"Well, there you have it, lady and gentlemen-- voting is finished," Tycon nodded and pat Lone on the shoulder.

"That's not TRUUUE!!" Taree screamed, stamping her foot down. She carefully controlled her ki, so she wouldn't damage her dad's floor.

Tycon rolled his eyes. He turned Lone by the shoulder to face him, "Chosen One."

"...Boss, I'm sorry to interrupt, but... can you please not call me that? When you say it, I somehow feel like I don't deserve it."

"...Very well, young man. The mission ahead is fraught with danger, specifically that of a Dragon-rank creature. Mister Barza, would you vote to proceed at great physical risk to yourself or we can leave and head east to Merylsward, whereupon you can gamble, eat to excess, and impregnate a whore at your leisure."

Lone frowned, looking to Taree's puppy-dog eyes, "I... really want to say no. Thinking about a Dragon-Rank creature scares me... After all, we barely won against Yoshio and Hisato..."

Dragan laughed, "Haha! That's right! Come on, man. There's no way you'd agree with your level of strength. Getting a whore with your level of charisma, though..."

Tycon scowled at Dragan but didn't admonish him.

Lone gave Tycon a guilt-ridden smile, "I know I'm not that strong... but I believe in trying to save people... If we can save the Anxiety Jump sect... we can make allies that will never forget us."

Lone returned Tycon's hard, yellow-eyed gaze, "I... I want to be a hero, Sir Tycon."

Dragan's laughter stopped. Tycon narrowed his eyes.

The big man shot Tycon a meaningful nod, to which the golden-eyed youth smiled helplessly.

"Very well, Mister Barza."

Taree gasped, her eyes wide, "Warrior Tycon, does this mean--?"

Tycon smirked, "Guild Invictus will stand by the results of the vote. We will save your Guardian Beast, even if I have to kill it with my bare hands."

(For: 3 / Against: 2)

...

"Young lady," Tycon stopped Taree as the group was being called to the dining hall.

"Yes, Warrior Tycon?"

"As the terms have changed, Guild Invictus will require additional compensation. You understand this, yes?"

"Oh! O-of course..." Taree gulped, "Um. I uh... What- would you? I mean... my family doesn't have all that much to offer..."

She was afraid this would come. House Kimura wasn't nearly as wealthy as the other factions. Pale's superior Tycon... He knew this! He was a villain! Anything he'd demand from her, she wouldn't be able to refuse!

Tycon narrowed his eyes, gauging her reaction, "I'd like something... more... personal."

Shock filled Taree's heart. No! Did Tycon want her body?! But her heart already belonged to another! Or did he desire her mom?! With Dad still in closed cultivation, no one in the family had the strength to protect Mom from Tycon's lustful ways!

Oh, no. Ohhhh, nooooo...

...Was he after her poor, innocent brother?

Tycon pointed to the stuffed pig plush sitting on the room's central chair, "I want that."

With a reddened face, Taree screamed, "You cannot take away Poogie's innocence, you DEMON!!"

Tycon stared blankly at the red-faced girl. She was standing on top of a chair to point at him from slightly above.

Taree returned to reality, climbing down from the chair with puffed up cheeks. She looked over to her pig plush. "Okay! Fine, then!"

"Is... something the matter?"

"N-no! Everything is fine! Dummy!"

"...Very well. When you can, I'll also need one of House Kimura's trusted scouts. I'd like a message and a package delivered to the Outside World."

"Alright!" Taree unhappily crossed her arms.

"Very... well.."

"ALRIGHT!"

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