In the Name of Empress

Chapter 685 386: The Art of Passing the Buck (Part 2)

The allies were enraged; this was a diplomatic incident.

Dare to disrespect Roland, you'd be dismissed and investigated in minutes.

Although the mayor's eyesight wasn't too great, his ability to handle affairs was quite decent. He quickly clarified the entire process of the attack that night, recording the achievements and losses.

No exaggeration, no personal emotions mixed in.

Perfectly fitting the stereotype of a Prudon grassroots official.

This is the Prudon people, always weighing ingredients with balances and beakers when cooking.

Roland couldn't be bothered to complain; after all, this was just a not-so-important stop on his journey.

After all, they fought side by side once, and he couldn't bear to see these guys die in vain, so he sincerely proposed a suggestion to the mayor and the sheriff.

"In the name of the special envoy of the Vladimir Empire, I very seriously suggest to you, immediately cover the evacuation of unarmed personnel, and then withdraw."

"Your window of retreat is only a few days."

The mayor was stunned, Yehu had just left behind thousands of charred bodies, why retreat?

Hamos, however, understood. He briefly explained to the mayor: "Mr. Hails, if Mr. Dorothy and his wife did not act tonight, Rama Town would have already fallen. But Mr. Dorothy has other missions and cannot stay here long, so Rama Town cannot be defended."

Mayor Hails' expression darkened. After a long sigh, he hesitated, looking deeply at Roland, and asked probingly: "Can Mr. Dorothy stay here a few more days? Reinforcements can arrive in three to five days at most."

"What if there's no reinforcements? What if the reinforcements are delayed? What if Rama Town is used as a pawn to block the enemy?" Roland retorted.

He and Lisa could of course fend off Yehu's attack, but at considerable cost. If the enemy arranged for assassins to strike at that moment, the danger level would increase exponentially.

A wise gentleman would not stand under a precarious wall.

Roland was indeed buying the elves and earth spirits space to move north, but he had no intention of sacrificing his life for others.

Not even just bearing the risk.

Facing the speechless Hails, Roland decisively said, "This place is dangerous. If you intend to retreat, I can stay for three days. If you intend to die defending, I will head south as soon as possible and relay your death to the officials in New Bodenburg."

Without waiting for the mayor to speak, Roland coldly added, "If you dare to deceive me, I will personally kill you before Yehu arrives."

"Viscount Dorothy, I must consider such an important matter seriously; could you give us some time?" The mayor's attitude was humble.

"Five hours."

Roland straightforwardly stated, "You must decide before the first ray of dawn in the east appears."

His attitude was somewhat domineering, but the mayor and sheriff didn't dare utter a word, quickly taking their leave to go out and discuss countermeasures.

Returning to the town hall office, Hails couldn't help but erupt at Roland.

"Damn pretty boy, trembling under his wife's skirt, yet so arrogant."

"But he has a good wife."

Hamos mercilessly interrupted Hails' complaints, directly asking, "Mr. Hails, you are the town's chief executive. Whether to stay or leave, please make a decision soon."

This did not sit well with Hails. He snorted lightly, retorting in annoyance, "Hamos, according to the kingdom's law, it is wartime now. You are the highest official."

"But the battle is over."

"The conflict is only over when it's confirmed there won't be ongoing conflict." Hails' understanding of the law evidently surpassed that of Hamos, who is purely a military man.

Seeing Hamos sweating profusely, Hails' tone gradually softened.

"Hamos, my old friend, you should be very aware of the consequences of making a retreat decision without authorization."

"If Viscount Dorothy could give us a retreat order, it would be better." Hamos shook his head and sighed with some helplessness.

"Old buddy, did you drink three barrels of black beer? What nonsense are you talking?" Hails glared at Hamos unhappily.

In fact, everyone knew that retreat was the best choice, but who would make the decision, and who would dare to sign off? No one wanted to take responsibility, so whom to blame afterwards?

People in the officialdom are smart, even the seemingly stubborn Prudon officials.

After looking at each other for a long time, they could only come up with a compromise plan.

Immediately call for a meeting of all officials and let everyone vote to decide.

If everybody thinks retreating is okay, at least others will share the responsibility. Even if there's no hope for a political career, at least a safe landing.

Just as said, Hails demonstrated high work efficiency, gathering all the officials for an emergency meeting in just three hours.

He didn't even give these people a chance to speak and discuss, but instead brought out the emergency-printed ballots.

"Please choose to agree or disagree with the retreat and sign your name!"

Hails distributed the right to sign to each person, also spreading the responsibility among everyone.

What are you looking at, you also signed!

This is the effect that Hails wanted.

The officials naturally were reluctant, argued intensely, and some feigned ignorance, expressing a firm commitment to execute the wise decisions of the mayor and sheriff, but personally lacking the ability, hence not participating in the vote.

Hails thoroughly understood these people, and prepared with a strategy, ready to shift the blame.

He took out the emergency decision law, displaying the corresponding legal texts to everyone.

When key officials encounter emergencies beyond their handling capacity and authority, they must convene all officials at the level for collective decision-making.

Faced with legal texts, the officials went silent.

They had no choice but to state their positions.

After five minutes of tense voting, the evacuation decision was finally passed with thirteen votes in favor, one against, and one abstention.

Looking at the person who voted against, Hails was infuriated.

So you think you're smart, huh?

That bastard was just too sly. Since the evacuation decision would definitely pass, he could "reluctantly" accept the collective decision.

If there were accountability afterward, he would be praised for strongly opposing.

While everyone was figuring out a coping strategy, you were playing petty tricks?

With a grim face, Hails issued the retreat order and assigned the only person who voted against to cover the rear.

"Mr. Shara, I fully respect your opinion; I'll give you a chance to showcase, the evacuation must be orderly, and please take full responsibility for the rear arrangements, Mr. Shara."

"Mr. Hails, I..."

"I'm not discussing with you; that's an order!" Hails coldly interrupted Shara's protests.

Shara was silent for a moment, then could only reluctantly accept the order.

In the Prudon Kingdom, publicly opposing the royal family at most leads to imprisonment, but disobeying orders and causing severe consequences results in a death penalty.

As the first ray of dawn appeared, the Eden carriage started right on time.

Just as Roland was about to leave, Hails appeared breathlessly in front of the carriage, not having time to wipe his sweat, he held up the joint meeting's decision, shouting loudly.

"Viscount Dorothy, we decided to evacuate, please help us."

Drawing back the curtain, the familiar handsome face was not there; instead, it was Lisa, with hair gradually turning fiery red.

"Mr. Hails, you won't regret this decision. Please arrange the evacuation immediately."

Lowering the curtain, Lisa's smile gradually disappeared, simply sighing softly, "Roland, are you really planning to fight tens of thousands of Yehu alone?"

"Sister Lisa, what are you talking about? How could I do it alone, you have to help me."

"You rascal!"

Lisa pinched Roland's earlobe, yet murmured softly, "Since you already decided, let's stay and see what Yehu's strength is."

Roland nodded slightly, lifting the curtain to look at the already evacuating crowd, silently giving thumbs-up to the efficiency of the Prudon Kingdom officials.

Truly a most uncompromising country; though not good at adaptation, the execution is strong.

Putting down the curtain, Roland smiled as he pointed north.

"Let's go, sister, we're heading to the northern city to set up traps, giving the Yehu a tiny surprise."