"I've heard that many of our returnees didn't heed our advice, entering the Trial anyway?" Mortimer spoke in a deep voice.
"Yes." The three spoke at the same time, each one wanting to get the initiative. They had also had their own reports to give, but when they spoke at once , they were forced to stop. If they tried to talk over one another, they would just earn themselves the disdain of this man.
Mortimer chuckled. He could see through the thoughts of these descendants of his, and he didn't mind it. This was how a Grimblade should be.
"And what do you think we should do with them? One by one, this time. Starting with you," Mortimer pointed his cigar at Malachi.
Standing up straighter, Malachi replied. "Those not smart enough to grasp our implied meanings can't be nurtured. They've overstepped their bounds and should be treated as such. There's no need to act directly against them, but they shouldn't be priorities. Instead, we can use them as a lesson to others, and a constant reminder of what it means to ignore our words."
Mortimer nodded and turned to Lucius. "And you."
"I believe that it will depend. That they did isn't as important as why they did. We should observe them, maybe even reward them so that they show more of their true natures.
"If they entered the Trial because of curiosity, it can be forgiven, and that courage should be nurtured. If they entered because of ambition, those wills should be crushed, and I believe we should find an opportunity to get rid of them. The dead are not a threat."
Mortimer nodded once again, his expression still giving nothing away before he looked toward Astrid.
"I believe that the more ambitious they are, the better. This is how the Grimblades should be. A dull tool is not a useful tool. It is the job of a leader to wield them, and the job of a warrior to not be harmed by their own double-edged blade.
"The head of the Grimblades should have the confidence to use their people. If we neuter them all, what would be the point? We would be a family without generals."
"Haha!" Mortimer suddenly laughed, slapping a palm on his desk before rising to his feet. "I will be honest, of your answers, my style is the most like Lucius'"
Lucius' eyes brightened.
Mortimer continued, "having people that are too ambitious is a problem, and it's best if they're weeded out. Under normal circumstances, this is a strength of a family, but when the world is in a burgeoning state of rapid growth, where heroes can be made overnight, it's much too great a risk to take.
"However, Lucius also performed the worst amongst the three of you, ranking just fifth on the Leaderboard, and Astrid not only ranked second, but her words have stirred something within me.
"In an ideal world, one where we were unafraid of failure, I would want to give Astrid's philosophy a chance."
Mortimer paced for a moment before looking toward the three once again.
"Unfortunately, the battle between the three of you has yet to be decided, so I will give you a chance. The world will soon be in a state of turmoil, and you shouldn't grow complacent. It isn't just the Grimblades, Darkmanes and Ravenclaws that have an advantage, there will be many hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
"We have the advantage because we are the warriors, but they have the advantage of numbers. As you three know, in the past it was very much as well. The governments controlled the Aether Plane and our Ancestors were able to carve out a path for us, eventually allowing us to rise to a stage where they could no longer ignore our strength and could only let us be.
"But as you've seen, over the years, the world records have been falling one after another. The 100 meter sprint is at 9.28, 12 separate athletes ran the marathon in under two hours at the last Olympics, the world record deadlift has reached 550 kilograms…
"The governments have taken a different approach from us, but their methods might very well work out for them in the long run and the carefully crafted chance we've been given could come crumbling down.
"Once this news descends, everyone might think that anarchy will come soon, but the governments will take this chance to display their competency, and soon there will be large numbers of people under their banners.
"However, they've been caught off guard by this matter much like we have. Their plans have yet to be fully entrenched and they've been caught with their pants down, so this is an opportunity.
"Since the Trial was cut short, we will have to take your battle to a new stage. If you want to be granted the Bronze City Stele, it will be dependent on this next coming year.
"Of those in the family, there are 27 that took the Trial against our best advice. Divide them amongst yourselves in a draft format. Astrid first, Malachi second, Lucius third.
"Your task from then on is simple. I will assign you each a random city. Whoever rips that city from the claws of the government first and firmly marks it as Grimblade territory, taking all its citizens under your wing, will be granted the Bronze City Stele."
The three Heir Candidates clenched their fists hard, their eyes blazing with ambition.
"Ancestor, is it alright if we hold this draft after a period?" Astrid asked.
Mortimer thought for a moment and then nodded. "You have three days. After that, you all will show me which of you deserves to lead the Grimblade family into this new world. You may go."
After the three left, Mortimer stood in silence, looking out into the dense bamboo forest just outside his window.
There were many secrets of the world that would be revealed very soon, so many that the matter of his living after all these years would be insignificant in the face of it all.
The Seventh Summoning… would they fail once again?