Chapter Sixty Four: Inside the Holding Chamber

"It is time."

The Dark Master spoke with a firm but mellow voice, indicating in his tone that the procedure for the choice of the all-important question is about to begin. He was leading the Organizing Committee for the 1,222nd Prudence War, and the time has come to graciously inform the Group of Seven's Most Secretive Session to begin. As soon as he was finished speaking, and as if on cue, the servants of the Untarnished Cup of Miraculous Valor makes their grand entrance into the Holding Chamber, carrying with them the ceremonial Cup to be placed in front of the room where the Great Altar of the Arch-Sinisters is solemnly located.

"Here already?!" the Commisssioner suddenly exclaimed as he was distracted by the abrupt entrance of the main instrument of the Purple Junket as it makes its way into its proper place. Upon placement on the ceremonial table, the servants have slightly bowed their heads to properly recognize the presence of the Commissioner of Games in accordance to the established protocol.

The main servant spoke to the Commissioner of Games by reading from a particular Summon printed on parchment.

"The Council of the Arch-Sinisters have expressed their readiness to witness the selection of the Question to be resolved by the Valor and the untarnished dignity of the Games, Mr. Commissioner. The Group of Seven may now be informed of the time and place of the lighting of the flame and the proper witnessing of the corresponding ceremonial smoke as provided for by sacred tradition."

"Let the written parchment remain where the Untarnished Cup is currently resting, for the Questions to be considered is needing the proper discernment in order to be properly examined. As you all know, there is a proposed Question on that list that has earned vehement objection from select members of the Fellowship, especially those coming from the side of the faithful Potioneers."

The servants acknowledged the instruction, bowed again, and then left. "We will immediately relay this instruction to the Arch-Sinisters, Mr. Commissioner," one of them said.

The Lead Dark Master of the Organizing Committee spoke once they were left alone by the servants.

"The Arch-Sinisters may also object with the resolution of the Question regarding the Steel of Willows if they so wish by invoking merit, in which case our master plan will dramatically fall apart. Nobody can dare sabotage our efforts, not in this way, no, no, certainly not. We must find a way to force the necessity of the question's significance and the resultant consequences if the Fellowship does not honor to battle for its corresponding resolution."

"Then what are you proposing to do? I cannot break the neutrality of my office. Fairness in this Games must be upheld with utmost integrity!" the Commissioner of Games forcefully responded, completely outraged of the suggestion.

"Do not fear for any anomaly, dear Commissioner, for we are concocting a very clever plan. We will appeal to the collective sentiment of the Fellowship. The Prudence War, after all, is a political admission of who was better fit to lead, whether that be ceremonial, de facto, or absolute authority. In the end, it is about the essence of the nature of leadership, and this authority to lead is directly responsible for our security and stability. This truth cannot simply be ignored, and must be acted upon with successive haste," the Dark Master replied with emphasis.

"What do you exactly mean by this statement?" the Commissioner of Games was intrigued.

"We can disturb the peace before the Secret Session begins. The Fellowship will never agree to compromise the integrity and historicity of the battle for the honor of holding the symbolism of the Untarnished Cup, authorizing the resulting de facto coronation of the winner as the 'Most Prudent and Just.' It will buy us more time to make the question of the Steel of Willows more desirable either through necessity or by default."

The Commissioner of Games was confused by this suggestion, not exactly knowing what to think. But he was ready to listen.

"What kind of distraction do you wish to make? This place is heavily guarded; nothing can penetrate the thick walls of this stadium. Not even the slightest chance."

"Not if the Magicians suddenly appeared in our midst."

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