The Incubus System Chapter 721. Hard Bargain II (Patreon)

The Incubus System Chapter 721. Hard Bargain II

Mrs. Clea’s PoV

Mrs. Clea's eyes narrowed, a spark of determination igniting within her. She was well aware that her dissenting voice carried weight, that her perspective held the potential to disrupt the course of their plans. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she straightened her posture, her gaze fixed on the figure who had addressed her. It was time to make her stance known, to challenge the status quo and assert her own vision.

"You're right," she began, her voice steady and resolute. “I'm here to set some conditions for you,” she said with determination. She knew this would not be an easy negotiation, but she had made a promise to Ethan and she would do her best.

"Speak."

With a glimmer of determination in her eyes, Mrs. Clea squared her shoulders and addressed the room. She knew that what lay ahead would not be a simple negotiation; it would require a delicate balance between asserting her conditions and maintaining the fragile trust she had with the senators.

"Alright, here's the deal," she stated, her voice firm and unwavering. All eyes in the room turned towards her, curiosity mingled with wariness. They understood that Mrs. Clea was not one to be trifled with, and they were about to witness her true power of persuasion.

"I am willing to assist you in ensuring that Ethan receives the necessary injection," she began, her voice steady and resolute. "But there is one condition that must be met. Ethan is not to be treated as a mere tool of combat. He is still a human being, and as such, he must retain his emotions, his consciousness, and his autonomy. Allow him to have the life experiences and connections that he deserves," she proposed, her words laden with earnestness.

The room fell into a heavy silence as the senators contemplated her proposition. Mrs. Clea could sense their internal struggle, their conflicting desires to achieve their goals and yet maintain a sense of humanity in their actions. She knew that their ultimate objective was to eliminate the demons plaguing their world, but she firmly believed that it should not come at the cost of Ethan's humanity.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, one of the senators broke the silence. "You do understand the implications of what you're asking for, don't you?"

"It's too risky," they repeated, their tone dismissive. "The Angel Creation Project is a massive undertaking, requiring significant resources. Our goal is to create a guardian for this world, an angel-like being. In order to fulfill his duty effectively, it is imperative that he remains emotionless. Any attachments or emotions would only serve to hinder his ability to carry out his responsibilities," they explained, their words laced with a sense of detached pragmatism.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Mrs. Clea's lips as she processed their response. The irony of their words was not lost on her, and she couldn't help but voice her thoughts. "Isn't it fascinating," she sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "that the very individuals who claim to be saving humanity are willing to sacrifice the very essence of humanity itself?"

Her remark struck a chord, triggering a passionate response from one of the senators. "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good!" they exclaimed, their voice filled with conviction. It was clear that they firmly believed in the necessity of their actions, even if it meant suppressing Ethan's humanity.

"What a cliché speech," Mrs. Clea retorted, her voice laced with bitter sarcasm. "But it sounds empty, I won’t buy it. You had ordered to launch the missile without my permission after all," she reminded him, her frustration palpable. Since taking on the contract with Ethan, she had found her courage to stand up against the senators growing exponentially. She no longer felt alone in her fight; she had someone to protect, someone to fight for.

A silhouette in the room, brimming with disapproval, interjected sharply, reminding her, "The missile belongs to the senators! It is their weapon, not the association's. You only have permission to borrow it!" The words hung in the air, a reminder of the limitations placed upon her authority.

Mrs. Clea's eyes narrowed, her voice carrying an edge of anger as she responded, "But the demon hunters who fought there, where you nearly deployed those missiles, they are my subordinates! They are my soldiers!" Her words dripped with a mix of resentment and righteous indignation. "And you almost killed them, not once, but twice! So, spare me the talk about humanity," she hissed, her annoyance seeping through her words.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as her words lingered, casting a shadow over the senator's lofty claims of protecting humanity. Mrs. Clea's words had struck a nerve, exposing the hypocrisy that lay beneath their noble facade.

It was in that charged atmosphere that Mrs. Clea gathered her resolve. She refused to back down, knowing that the lives of her subordinates were at stake. They were more than pawns to be sacrificed in the name of a grander cause. They were individuals who had dedicated their lives to uphold that commitment.

"You may choose to overlook it, but Ethan is just a child," Mrs. Clea emphasized once again, her voice tinged with a mixture of concern and protectiveness.

Her statement was met with a swift rebuttal from one of the silhouettes. "He is not a child. He is 19 years old. He is mature enough to make his own decisions," they countered, their tone defiant and dismissive.

A determined glint sparked in Mrs. Clea's eyes as she held her ground. "Yes, technically he may be considered an adult, but to me, he will always be a child. He is Renart's son, and I see him as my own," she asserted firmly, her voice brimming with unwavering conviction. "So here's the deal: either you accept my proposal, or you can forget about the project altogether."

The senators exchanged glances, recognizing the unwavering resolve in Mrs. Clea's tone. It was clear that she was not willing to compromise on this matter.