The job change is a bizarre and calamity; the nation begs me to tone it down.

The atmosphere around the round table once again sombered following Elena's rebuttal.

The problem is that, while Elena's rebuttal was sharp, it ultimately only blocked the "evacuation" route and did not provide a truly reassuring direction.

If they don't withdraw, then we'll have to fight.

What can we use to fight?

A swarm of billions of insects, a fleet of False God's minions.

All of these things combined, just reading them aloud makes one's throat dry.

How could a power like Ashmerkrin, which had only been established for half an era, compare to them?

This is like the gap between a barbaric tribe and modern civilization.

While it may not be quite that exaggerated, it's close enough.

"cough……"

However, just as everyone was silent, the Ozheimer family's ruling elder, Duran, cleared his throat.

"Gentlemen, I'd like to say a few words."

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention turned to him.

He glanced around at the group of people present, his gaze finally settling on Hector.

"I fully understand Mr. Hector's concerns, but I would like to say that things may not have reached the worst point yet."

Hector raised an eyebrow but didn't reply.

Duran ignored his attitude and continued, "The presence of the Old God Legion has never been a matter for any one star system. Everyone here knows that."

As he spoke, he extended a finger and tapped it lightly twice on the table.

"The Star Council has over a dozen star regions and more than a hundred ruling families. Do you really think they can just pretend they didn't see it? I don't think so."

The saying "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" needs no further explanation.

"The appetite of the Old God Zogra has never been satisfied by a single Starfall God Realm. Today he devours us, and tomorrow his insect swarm will appear at the gates of other star systems."

"Those old foxes in the Star Council understand this better than we do."

At this point, Durand paused, his tone slightly more forceful: "Furthermore, if we don't even put up a fight and just turn around and run, what will Ashmerkton be considered in the Star Council?"

"Legally, we are the legitimate rulers of the Starfall Divine Realm and the gatekeepers of this star field."

"The gatekeeper threw the gate away and ran off, letting the worms of the Old Gods swarm in and wreak havoc on others. Who's going to take the blame for this?"

"By then, without the Old Gods lifting a finger, the Star Council will be able to nail us to the pillar of shame."

This was said bluntly, even somewhat crudely.

But it was precisely this unadorned expression that caused a slight change in the expressions of the people present.

Elena Karsa nodded slightly, her finger unconsciously drawing a circle on the table.

Cassius Wienhall pursed his lips, his gaze shifting from Duran's face to the family crest on the table, then back again.

Even the eldest, Oleg Taranis, changed the way he held his short staff.

Hector's expression changed several times, but he ultimately did not refute it further.

They all understood what Duran was saying.

The wealth accumulated over half an era—mineral veins, warp nodes, a professional training system, and the subservient relationships with affiliated forces—can't all of these be simply taken away in a package.

Those things were accumulated little by little over generations.

It's not just numbers in an account book; it's real territory, people, and foundation.

Who could bear to part with it? Nobody could.

Why give up being a proper local tyrant to become a homeless refugee?

Go back to Star Hunter's old profession?

So, despite how resolute Hector's words were just now, when it comes to making a decision, he's unlikely to actually raise his hand in favor of abandoning the Starfall Divine Realm.

That's not just a matter of losing face; it's about uprooting the entire family.

Duran clearly saw what everyone was thinking, so he didn't dwell on the topic and instead changed the subject.

"Of course, it's unrealistic to expect us to shoulder this burden on our own."

He placed his hands on the table, slowing his speech as if carefully choosing his words: "But don't forget, everyone, we are not the only ones in the world who regard the Old Gods as mortal enemies."

Upon hearing this, Rigli slightly raised his eyelids.

Duran didn't keep them in suspense and directly named two names: "The Eternal Day Tribunal and the Order of Annihilation."

There was a moment of silence around the round table.

The Holy Court of Judgment, where daylight reigns.

This name is not unfamiliar to the upper echelons of the star system.

It was an ancient organization that had existed for countless eons, and it was said that their founder had personally witnessed an ancient god devour an entire galaxy.

From then on, the organization's sole purpose was to purify all the old gods.

Their followers are spread across dozens of star systems, and they possess the Holy Flame technology specifically designed to counter the authority of the old powers.

Normally they don't get involved in any political disputes in any star system, but as long as the aura of an Old God appears in some corner, the Holy Tribunal's judgment fleet will definitely come to their aid!

As for the Severing Boundaries and the Silent Monks, they are even more extreme.

They were a group of ascetics who practiced the path of Nirvana. They believed that all things ultimately return to nothingness, and that the existence of the Old Gods was the greatest blasphemy against "Nirvana".

These people usually meditate in the desolate star belt at the edge of the universe, detached from worldly affairs.

But once the Old Gods' legions appear on a large scale, they are more eager than anyone else.

Either of these two forces has a foundation no less than that of Ashmerkrin.

Duran glanced at everyone's reactions, his lips twitching slightly, and continued, "Besides these two old rivals, there's another point, which I think you've all thought of as well."

"The appearance of the Old Gods' legions is always accompanied by the reappearance of the old powers."

"And the authority of the old is not only followed by the old gods, but the old itself... also has followers, and throughout the world, these followers of the old are called the 'Court of Fools'."

When those three words were uttered, the atmosphere around the round table noticeably tensed up.

The Fools' Court, the largest and most mysterious of the old followers.

They do not have a clear organizational structure like the Holy Tribunal, nor do they practice in groups like the Nirvana Monks.

They are scattered throughout the world; they may be merchants in a certain star system, wanderers in a certain plane, or even members of a certain divine council.

You can't usually tell who belongs to the Fool's Court.

But one thing is certain: whenever the old powers reappear, they will gather like moths to a flame, not for destruction, but for witnessing.

"In their belief, the coming of the Old Day is the ultimate truth of the universe, and the meaning of their existence is to witness that moment arrive."

"Those lunatics..."

Hector finally spoke, his voice clearly showing his discomfort: "You're going to give them the information?"