In Winter Valley, where Fiddiq Academy was located, there existed a "Council of Representatives" chaired by Principal Glenn. This council served as a forum for exchanging opinions composed of the heads and assistants of each guild in Winter Valley, as well as some of the city's council members. It was a place for them to convey their requests to Glenn.
Therefore, there was no equal exchange of opinions in the Council of Representatives. This was true in most countries with monarchies.
Although Glenn had no such intention, there was a significant disparity between the nobility and the common people in Winter Valley.
Ironically, the so-called "Winter Valley Council," which gathers the representatives of organizations engaged in illegal businesses in the city's underworld, was, in a sense, a more equal council than the Council of Representatives.
Although the power dynamics among the organizations involved might affect it, in the Winter Valley Council, anyone could have a voice if they had enough power.
Its main purpose was to eliminate unnecessary conflicts, and in a way, it was a more democratic meeting.
However, the Winter Valley Council underwent a major change in one day.
The council, which used to hold meetings once every two or three months, now held them the first week of each month, and participants were required to be representatives or people of equivalent status.
Previously, only large organizations participated, but now, medium-sized organizations and even new, emerging organizations were forcibly summoned.
On this day, the meeting was held on the third floor of a store run by the Nevis family.
The representatives of the organizations that had participated before quietly sat in their designated seats, silently waiting for the meeting to start. Among them, the representatives of new organizations summoned for the first time arrived with a few subordinates.
"Huh? That's amazing. They are all bigshots, aren't they?" a man with a bald head said with a bold attitude, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room.
For a moment, the bald man's face stiffened, but he quickly snorted and shrugged. "Don't underestimate us just because we're a small organization. I'm Kanemara of Basilisk Claw. From now on, we'll become a force you can't ignore anymore, okay?"
As Kanemara laughed, his subordinates also laughed and looked around. Although they were laughing, it was obvious that they were in a combat-ready state, with one hand on the swords at their waists.
Despite their vigilance, there was an odd sense of indifference.
The reaction was weak. No, rather, some were even scoffing at them, not showing hostility at all.
Just as Kanemara was about to speak, the sound of footsteps echoed.
The sound was light, without any sense of heaviness. But it clearly made the atmosphere tense and heavy. Sensing something strange, Kanemara and his group turned around to the source of the sound behind them.
There stood a petite, black-haired woman in front of the open door.
Her cold eyes revealed no emotions. Kanemara subconsciously took a step back.
After observing the tense group one by one, the woman spoke. "It seems all the key members are here. Now, please take your seats."
The last words were directed at Kanemara.
Hearing her unexpectedly beautiful voice, he frowned. "Who are you? I thought the Nevis family was the only organization led by a woman."
Kanemara spoke with a casual attitude, trying to act tough.
Kalila, sitting in a chair at the back of the room, called out to him. "Just shut up and sit down, unless you want to regret it."
At her stern words, Kanemara instantly looked displeased but noticed the cold stares around him and reluctantly took an empty seat.
The black-haired woman, who had been quietly watching the exchange, confirmed that everyone was seated before reaching into the bag slung over her shoulder. She took out what looked like pieces of parchment and began distributing them to each person.
Finally, a piece was handed to Kanemara. He glanced at its contents with a puzzled expression. "… This month's financial report? The Nevis family, White Ash, Bloodstained Black Wolf…?? Monthly anomaly report, two inter-organizational conflicts, no illegal slave trade, no violence against citizens… What is this?"
While he could understand the words, he couldn't understand the meaning when they were put together. He tapped the parchment with one hand in confusion.
As the dry sound echoed, the black-haired woman nodded lightly and said, "Kanemara of Basilisk Claw, correct? Since this is your first participation in the Winter Valley Council, let me explain. You are not registered with any guild, nor are you part of any official country or city organization. You will be managed by the Winter Valley Council. However, the management is not very strict. First, illegal slavery is prohibited. Next, violence or fraud against ordinary residents is prohibited. Lastly, direct conflicts between organizations are prohibited. Monthly reports are based on submissions from each organization. Violating organizations will face penalties such as fines, and those who submit false reports will be severely punished by me. Also—"
"Hey, wait a minute!" Kanemara shouted in confusion, interrupting the woman calmly explaining the council's rules. "What is this? Is this woman an envoy of the knights or something, and is the council controlled by the country? Business should be free as long as we protect our territory! Why is no one complaining? Don't you think this is strange?!"
In response to Kanemara's outburst, Garonne of White Ash looked at him with annoyance. "This city is not only involved in trade with other countries but also with large guilds and trading companies. In other words, there are enormous profit opportunities everywhere. So rather than fighting among ourselves, it makes more sense to cooperate and share the stable profits…"
"Hey, hey, hey…! You can't be serious! Cooperation? Stability? What good is that boring stuff?! Don't you have the ambition to become the king of outlaws, make everyone bow down, and monopolize everything?!" Kanemara shouted, not in anger but more like complaining.
The others were silent, but the black-haired woman was the only one who nodded expressionlessly and spoke. "I understand your point. However, I cannot tolerate opinions that threaten the peace of this city. If you intend to continue with such claims, I must issue a declaration."
"What? Are you going to call in reinforcements?" Kanemara growled.
The black-haired woman, Aoi, sighed. "If you wish to assert your claims, you must defeat me first."
Thus, the deep darkness of Winter Valley fell into the hands of a single woman.
The council members secretly referred to her as the "Witch of the Academy."