Elevation of Mana Chapter 215 Angry Justin

As Isha went on with her story I was apoplectic. It seemed I was going to have to knock some heads. I go to try and stop monsters from ravaging basically the known world and they have the sheer gall to give her trouble? No, that was going to change.

“And what happened after the attack dear?” I asked her, my voice cool and smooth as silk. “Did they come to personally bother you?”

“No, they sent guards to 'seize resources to help with the rebuilding effort' or some nonsense.”

“Oh did they really now? Well, seems I'm going to have to have a talk with them.”

“A talk boss?” Chien chimed in from the side.

“Or something, a talk or something.” Violence, it was going to be violence. “Did they take anything?”

“No, the staff sent their people packing. I was worried one of the council members would come down here personally, but they haven't yet,” she said.

“Well, we'll have to make sure they don't now won't we? Please stay here just a bit longer love, while I handle this.” As I moved through my compound I started making notes. I really owed some of my people and would have to repay them somehow. Maybe I'd ask them what kind of reward would be best, that might work.

As I did Chien joined me “You planning on killing them all boss?” he asked.

“I think we should be ready to depending on what we find, but let's not be too hasty yet. More exiles are sure to come though,” I said as I made it to my personal workshop slipping inside to gather things.

“Something in the safe we need?” he asked.

“Something I should have taken with us on our trip, but am glad I didn't.” I opened my safe, pulling forth the hammer I'd made when I'd first gained a white hair. That was such a short time ago, but seemed so very long past.

“Um, boss?” Chien asked, well aware of what this could do.

“Symbols are important Chien, and if I'm to have one this should be it. The tool for building civilization, and for smashing heads of those who deserve it.”

Both of us also grabbed armor for the confrontation. It would do little against other wizards, but it looked cool, and would decidedly send a message. We were done playing nice, I was done playing nice. If they wanted to pull this kind of crap while I was away, they were going to see how I felt about it when I got back.

As we ascended back to the main floor several of the staff saw us and smiled. I'd chosen these people because they were trustworthy and worthy of learning what I could teach, and even as I walked Chien picked a few out to join us. Numbers would help, more so if we looked like we were coming with a military force.

As one we set out towards the meeting place, this time not as a parade but as a force of nature. Streets didn't cheer, they cleared before us, people didn't come to clap, the moved into their houses. It was never a good thing when elders clashed, and everyone knew it.

When we arrived there were only a couple of guards.

“Please lower your weapons,” one called forth. “We don't want to fight.”

“You really should have thought of that before. No, you lower your weapons, and you will get to see the sun rise again,” I told him, locking my eyes on the nominal leader of this little group.

“We have a duty to...” he stopped as one of his people threw a spear to the ground in surrender, then another, a third. None of them wanted this fight and as he watched them give up he shrank. “Well, I suppose my people chose for me.” With a sigh he tossed his own down in surrender.

“Smart man, secure them while we go in,” I told everyone.

No others tried to even slow me down. There were a few people responsible for paperwork here and there, but they saw me coming and got well out of my way, holding up hands to show they meant no trouble. In seconds I was in the main room for the council meetings, and I threw the door open.

Below me were all the seats, all arranged as they'd always been, all empty.

At the very bottom, with papers ranging along several of the tables set up in here was one of the senior administrative staff, flipping through things as they were brought to him and handing out orders as fast as he could.

“You there,” I called down to him, not even bothering with his name. “Where is everyone? They should be here if this is such a disaster as you should be accosting my wife. Tell me, where are they?”

“Councilor Justin! It's so good to see you back, and all in one piece. Where are the others, are they to be back soon?”

“Answer my question,” I growled, flexing my aura. I didn't know if he could see it or not, but it made me feel better.

“Well, there's a few things we should discuss...”

I tired of his rambling and wrapped him in chains of force before dragging him in front of me. This was something an elder could have easily resisted, but he didn't, he could hardly struggle like a baby in them.

“My question, answer it.”

He mumbled something, something I couldn't hear.

“What?”

“They're dead,” he finally stammered out.

What? “What?”