Chapter 178: The Council’s Decision

Chapter 178: The Council’s Decision
“If the Minotaurs truly sensed what happened last night…”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“…then avoiding them will not prevent their curiosity.”
Lilian added softly,
“And curiosity can become far more dangerous when it is unanswered.”
Pontionne studied the twins quietly.
Their words carried a strange clarity.
As if they were not simply responding to the conversation—
But sensing the path it would eventually lead toward.
The elder lion finally turned back toward the council.
“The invitation has been delivered,” he said.
“And the world has already begun to respond to what occurred last night.”
He folded his hands behind his back.
“The question before this council is simple.”
His voice carried clearly through the ancient chamber.
“Do we answer the Minotaurs’ invitation…”
He paused.
“…or do we refuse it and prepare for whatever consequences follow?”

The council chamber remained quiet after the discussions of the morning had finally slowed.
Sunlight had climbed higher through the tall arches of the ancient structure, casting long bands of gold across the circular floor. The carved emblems of past dynasties glowed softly in the light, silent witnesses to another decision that would shape the future of the Lion Kingdoms.
The parchment bearing the Minotaur seal still rested at the center of the stone table.
For some time no one spoke.
The arguments had been heard. The concerns had been raised. The possibilities—both hopeful and dangerous—had been carefully examined.
Now the moment had come when discussion could no longer remain theoretical.
A decision had to be made.
Overseer Pontionne stepped forward again, his calm presence drawing the attention of every ruler and council member in the chamber.
“We have considered the matter from many perspectives,” he said.
His voice carried easily through the hall.
“The Minotaur High Warlord has extended a formal invitation to this council.”
His gaze moved slowly around the room.
“To ignore such a message entirely would send its own message in return.”
King Lemot Foster nodded slowly from his seat.
“A message of refusal.”
Ryan leaned slightly forward.
“And possibly hostility.”
Pontionne inclined his head slightly.
“Indeed.”
He paused before continuing.
“At the same time, accepting their invitation without preparation would be careless.”
Several council members murmured their agreement.
Pontionne folded his hands behind his back.
“Therefore the council must decide not only whether we respond…”
He glanced briefly toward the parchment.
“…but how we respond.”
Kenneth Paige XII looked toward the elder lion thoughtfully.
“Elder Pontionne, do you believe the summit itself is genuine?”
Pontionne did not answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze drifted briefly toward the chamber ceiling, as if recalling the celestial image that had appeared the night before.
“The Minotaurs are strategic,” he said at last.
“If they extended this invitation, they did so believing it would serve their interests.”
Thomas Kane-Barot nodded slightly.
“That does not necessarily mean the summit is a trap.”
Malcolm spoke from behind Kenneth.
“But it also does not mean it isn’t.”
Lucy rested her hands lightly on the armrests of her chair.
“If we assume hostility, we risk creating it.”
Ryan gave a thoughtful nod.
“And if we assume goodwill too quickly, we may regret it.”
King Barot chuckled quietly.
“Diplomacy has always been a balancing act between suspicion and hope.”
Kenneth Paige XI leaned forward slightly.
“The council has always answered diplomacy with diplomacy,” the former Western Leo said.
His gaze moved across the younger rulers.
“That tradition should not be abandoned now.”
Pontionne turned slightly toward him.
“You believe we should accept the summit.”
“I believe,” Kenneth XI replied calmly, “that we should meet them.”
King Lemot Foster considered the statement.
“Under controlled circumstances.”
“Yes.”
Ryan glanced toward Pontionne.
“The Minotaurs addressed their message to the High Council itself.”
Pontionne nodded.
“That is significant.”
Lucy tilted her head slightly.
“They recognized the authority of the council rather than approaching a single kingdom.”
Thomas added thoughtfully,
“That suggests they are prepared to deal with the Lion Kingdoms as a united force.”
Deven spoke quietly from where he stood.
“If that is their expectation, then our response should demonstrate that unity.”
The chamber grew quiet again.
Pontionne looked slowly around the council.
“I will ask the question plainly.”
He paused.
“Does this council agree to attend the summit proposed by the Minotaur High Warlord?”
For several seconds no one spoke.
Then Elder Barot raised his hand slightly.
“I support accepting the invitation.”
Elder Lemot Foster nodded.
“As do I.”
Elder Kenneth Paige XI followed.
“As do I. I believe in always favoring diplomacy when it is offered.” Kenneth Paige XII nodded in agreement.
“The Western Kingdom will send delegates.”
Ryan leaned back slightly before speaking.
“The Northern Kingdom will attend.”
Thomas Kane-Barot exchanged a glance with Nelly before nodding.
“The Eastern Kingdom stands with the council.”
One by one, the voices of the elders and rulers aligned.
The chamber slowly filled with quiet agreement.
Finally Pontionne inclined his head.
“Then the decision of the High Council is clear.”
He lifted the parchment once more.
“The Lion Kingdoms will attend the summit.”
The declaration settled through the chamber like a stone dropped into still water.
For a moment no one spoke.
Then Kenneth Junior broke the silence.
“Elder Pontionne,” he said respectfully.
Pontionne turned toward the young heir.
“Yes, Kenneth.”
“If the summit will take place within the Minotaur Realm…”
He hesitated slightly before finishing the question.
“…who will represent the Lion Kingdoms?”
The chamber stirred again.
It was the next logical step.
Ryan crossed his arms thoughtfully.
“A delegation must be chosen carefully.”
Malcolm nodded.
“We cannot send every ruler.”
Deven added,
“Nor should we send only one.”
Lucy looked toward Pontionne.
“The Minotaurs addressed the entire council.”
Pontionne considered the matter for a moment before answering.
“The delegation must reflect the unity of the Lion Kingdoms.”
His gaze moved across the three reigning rulers.
“It also prevents any single crown from bearing the burden alone.”
Pontionne continued.
“The delegation will therefore include the Leo of the Western Kingdom…the Leo of the Northern Kingdom…and the Leo of the Eastern Kingdom.”
Pontionne then glanced toward Deven.
“The Western Kingdom’s second in command will accompany the delegation for military counsel.”
Deven bowed his head slightly.
“I will serve as required.”

“Priest Mayi will accompany the delegation as spiritual advisor.”
Mayi inclined his head respectfully.
Lucy watched the discussion carefully.
“That leaves the council itself.”
Pontionne’s expression softened slightly.
“The council will remain here to oversee the kingdoms while the delegation travels.”
King Lemot Foster nodded approvingly.
“A wise arrangement.”
Kenneth Junior leaned back in his chair, absorbing every detail.
Matthew and Lilian remained quiet beside him.
But as the council finalized the composition of the delegation, Lilian’s gaze slowly drifted toward the high ceiling of the chamber.
A faint crease appeared between her brows.
Matthew noticed immediately.
“Sister?” he asked quietly.
Lilian did not answer right away.
Her eyes remained fixed upward.
Matthew followed her gaze.
For a brief moment, something stirred in the air above the chamber.
A subtle pressure.
Like the faint ripple of wind before a distant storm.
Matthew felt it too.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Pontionne suddenly turned toward them.
The elder lion had felt it as well.
Their gazes met.
Pontionne said nothing.
But the understanding in his ancient eyes was unmistakable.
The barrier between realms had stirred again.
And this time—
It was watching.