As Fuyu was only about 4 kilometers from reaching this Sect, I decided to hold a quick strategy meeting with my allies and friends to talk about our next course of action and what it could mean if we do really act. I also wanted to ask for their opinions, although I am not someone that is controlled by others, I do like to ask for everyone's thoughts on the matter, after all, we are all a Sect now, and if I am the Sect Master, these people are like the Elders of the Sect, and are the pillars that keep things together while I am the ceiling that protect everything below us.
Actually, that was a very good analogy for a sect master and its sect elders… I never thought about it that way. Anyways, as we began our strategy meeting, I went directly into the matter of talk, to decide our next course of action was to talk about this straight away so we can decide what to do. We couldn't falter a single second as it could mean something more for those people down there, as awful as they might be.
"Thank you, everyone. I've gathered you all here for the purpose of speaking about what we should do next. As you already know, the Dark Shadow Sect is probably preparing a new attack on the Winter Lotus sect, we are approximately 4 kilometers from reaching them, and it is within our power to help them if we can. I don't know how strong the Dark Shadow Sect army is… but Belle saw that there were at least a few hundred Shadow Beast and a dozen Sect Members mixed in hiding behind these beasts…" I said.
Everyone began to discuss between each other, expressing their opinions until Draugann, the old grandma and elder of Benladann's tribe, spoke.
"So you're suggesting us to go help them? Hmm, certainly it is an interesting way to put it. We could go help them, but for me, this feels like a waste of time and resources. You've already told us what they did to their own people… Do these bastards deserve our help?" asked the old grandma.
Despite her harsh words, she had a point. Did these awful people deserve the help we could offer? In the situation where we found ourselves, we were about to decide the fate of an entire sect… such a thing, it was completely fair in my head to not help them either. They had done things that I couldn't forgive at all and acting friendly towards them honestly made me sick.
I had never thought I would find a sect even worse than the Ice Moon Sect, but I guess when people grow desperate, they're forced to do the worst possible things they can possibly do. Openly letting the people they held outside the sect's walls be slaughtered hopelessly by these people simply felt horrendous.
Just what are they and how can they even let these people die like this? It was… why? Simply why?
…I suppose I am getting a bit too dramatic. Deep down, I know why, it was obvious that they would let them stall for time with their lives… it was pretty obvious.
"That's a good point, I don't disagree with your statement but neither I agree. This sect… had done horrendous things to their people. Honestly speaking, the prospects of being forced to talk politely with them makes me sick." I confessed.
"I agree too, they're sick, and honestly they're worse than our previous sect, in fact, they make the slavers of the Ice Moon Sect look like children…" sighed Benladann.
"Hmmm…"
However, Rakasha interrupted us.
"I think we should help them." He said.
"And why, old man?" asked Draugann angrily.
"Isn't it obvious? So we are not reducing ourselves to be as terrible as they are. They not only let people of adult age, but old people, and children too, hell, there could have been babies that got killed there, and many… all burned, slaughtered, and cut into pieces… Do you want this to happen again to the sect now?" he asked.
"Eh?"
"Don't you realize? The sect obviously also has its own children, Draugann. Do you want these children to get killed, so they can pay for the sins of their parents? Belle, did she see any kids?" asked Rakasha.
"…She did, there were a few dozen of them inside the walls, and also outside, there were many orphans that survived," I said.
"…Then? What are we even waiting for? Should we wonder if we can or not save children? Are you kidding me?" asked Rakasha.
"…I agree, let's help." Said Laddan, Benladann's father.
"I am with Rakasha." Said Benlah, Benladann's mother.
"…Me too!" said Benladann.
"I agree." Said Tisha.
"I'm on it," said Pekora.
Certainly, we were thinking this too dimly. The sect is not only just their fighters and corrupted members, but there are also innocent people there, I have never liked the concept of making the descendants pay for the sins of their parents, these children living inside the sect… the mother and their babies… should we let them all die because they let the other people die desperately to earn time and survive?
It all comes down to morality but… in front of me, if I am given the chance of saving or not saving children, I will never say no to such a thing.
"Sigh…" Draugann looked at the children that were far away from the table, playing around the large corridors.
"…Maybe I went a bit too far, perhaps I am getting old. Very well, let's save these people, and then… I'll leave it to you how we handle things out," said Draugann.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure that those that let these innocent people die to pay for it, even if it's not with their lives, there are always ways around it. After all, this is our perfect opportunity to try out a way to completely coax an entire sect into joining our own… their lives are in the palm of our hands, in a way… Very well, let's do it."
