Chapter 158: Slapped in the Face-Arcane Mage of Azeroth(Aunt Liu)

Patrick looked toward Othmer-Dawnblade, and the elderly mage immediately stated, "The Mage Association did indeed receive Councillor Patrick's battle report, indicating that foreign enemies had invaded Quel'Thalas. The five resident councillors of the Silvermoon Council all discussed this matter."

With Othmer's affirmation, Patrick became even more uninhibited. "The Horde army is aided by red dragons, and you have constantly tried to suppress me. Surely you know how many combat-ready soldiers I have at my disposal? How could the city defenses of Sunbreeze City possibly contend with the coalition of red dragons and orcs? You received my battle report long ago; why did you not dispatch troops to block the advance of the orc army? After obtaining the first-hand intelligence, you simply let the orcs run rampant throughout the kingdom?"

"Master Othmer primarily oversees the Mage Association and does not participate in the public, administrative, or military affairs of Silvermoon City." Patrick naturally wanted to absolve Othmer of responsibility first before settling accounts with the others. "And what were the four of you doing after receiving the news? Because I refused to be corrupted by you, did you want to use the orcs' hands to eliminate me as an obstacle, so that you could maintain your transcendent status and dominate Silvermoon City as the sole authority?"

"For the sake of those filthy political games, you willingly traded away the lives of your kinsmen, directly abandoning the three settlements of Golden Mist Village, Ranger's Haven, and Golden Bough Vale. You truly toil heart and soul for the people! What face do you have to continue governing in a place that decides the fate of all the people of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas? And what face do you have to face the departed souls who died beneath the iron hooves of the orcs?"

"To this day, you still refuse to reflect on your own faults, yet you bark and snarl like wild beasts. Do you feel no shame? How was such a treasonous resolution even approved?"

Patrick's words struck home in the heart of His Majesty Anasterian. For the longest time, the King had believed that the councillors of the Silvermoon Council still possessed a moral baseline and understood what was truly important. But until the orc invasion, he realized that a prolonged political career had corrupted these former masters, causing them to disregard the safety of the nation for their own selfish gains.

Meanwhile, Dar'khan Drathir, standing to the side, was secretly thrilled. The Drathir family had already grown estranged from the Sunstrider family, and a falling-out was only a matter of time. Seeing Patrick fiercely talk back now brought Dar'khan immense satisfaction.

Senior's face burned with shame. "You brat, not only do you refuse to repent, but you even question the authority of the Silvermoon Council. You—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Patrick struck back with a mental shock wave. Caught off guard, Senior suffered a setback, choking back the rest of his words.

With his face flushing red, Senior directly unleashed a mental attack, causing the surrounding space to distort and fracture with visible cracks.

Similarly, Patrick did not show the slightest weakness. With a single thought, Senior's attack struck Patrick's arcane barrier and vanished without a trace like a stone sinking into the sea, followed immediately by Patrick's counter-attack of psychic energy.

After undergoing two major battles, Patrick's combat prowess had been continuously increasing. Especially after facing the two orc powerhouses Gul'dan and Orgrim simultaneously, his application of mental energy and spellcasting ability had grown increasingly mature. Defending against a purely mental shock like Senior's required almost no effort at all.

Immediately afterward, Patrick's mental energy materialized almost tangibly, grabbing Senior by the collar and lifting him into the air. "Old man, are you certain you want to wage war against me within the Council? I invite all of you to come at me together."

Senior seemed to realize something was wrong. He was already at the Ninth Ring, yet in the hands of this Council newcomer, he appeared completely powerless. Could the Council's intelligence regarding Patrick have been mistaken?

Failing one scheme, he immediately hatched another. Senior stammered, "These are slanderous accusations! When have we Council members ever suppressed or ostracized you?"

His Majesty Anasterian stepped in to smooth things over. "Councillor Patrick, please put the Council President down first. We are here to discuss post-war processing plans."

Withdrawing his mental energy, Patrick cast a sidelong glance at the four councillors. "Before you make a move, you must understand your own strength. To be frank, fighting you would only dirty my hands—a bunch of individuals who abuse power for personal gain and seize wealth by force, committing crimes and corruption while parading under the banners of selflessness and righteousness. I am ashamed to be counted among your peers."

"You—"

The other three councillors could no longer sit still. They knew Patrick was talking about the three of them. Although Grandvil Windrunner, Jarinri Dawnstar, and Bridget Windfury were furious, they were utterly helpless and could only glare with blazing eyes.

Since Senior Sunwing, the Ninth-Tier Master and Council President, had no means of fighting back in Patrick's hands, Patrick's strength likely far surpassed the Ninth Tier. Even if the three Eighth-Tier mages joined forces, they probably would not be Patrick's match.

The three councillors had originally intended to put on a performance with Senior, shifting all the responsibility onto Patrick, and if things went well, they might even strip Patrick of his councilorship. Who could have expected them to be slapped so hard in the face instead?

Patrick was well aware of the darkness within the Council. Thinking back to his previous life, certain nations that proclaimed themselves superior, and those who considered themselves the highest race created by God, were just as arrogant and unreasonable.

To other nations, they looked down upon them as garbage states and worthless countries. If any of those nations "disobeyed," they would immediately unite to impose sanctions. Furthermore, certain nations constantly launched war after war under the slogans of global safety and weapons of mass destruction. Those who constantly spoke of human rights and democracy committed the most heinous atrocities; those whose hands were stained with blood paraded under the banner of freedom and equality.

Distorting facts, minimizing major issues, muddying the waters—these were tactics commonly used by the Council. Patrick was long accustomed to them and would not fall for the Council's tricks at all.

Having finished putting them in their place, Patrick directly stated his intentions. "Your Majesty, I have a proposal, though I do not know if everyone is willing to hear it."

"Councillor Patrick, please speak." Anasterian felt a slight burden lift from his shoulders. At least the new councillor was not like the others; when it came to the bigger picture, the new councillor knew what truly mattered.

"As for the division of responsibility, I am certain everyone understands the truth in their hearts, and I have no desire to dwell on it. The most urgent task at hand should be post-war relief work and the rescue of survivors. Personally, I believe that every single kinsman is precious. Even if we can manage to search for a single survivor, it will be the best closure we can offer to those who have perished."

King Anasterian nodded in agreement upon hearing this. What Patrick proposed aligned precisely with his own thoughts. "Do any of the other councillors have objections?"

Silence filled the room. Having just been subjected to a round of beatings by Patrick's psychological and physical dominance, the three councillors and the president remained silent. Since the leading elves expressed no opinion, the council members sitting behind them had even less right to speak.

For a moment, the entire council chamber fell into a state where silence was golden.