Chapter 121: The "Justice League" Meeting
"First, let's discuss the issue of recruiting new members," Hobert said. "I've thought of a development plan. Hear me out first."
He continued, "As the five founders of the 'Justice League,' we should always have the highest authority, including the 'right to initiate' and the 'veto power.'
"For example, the action I'm proposing now, the recruitment of new members, falls under the 'right to initiate.' If anyone feels this initiative is inappropriate or doesn't align with their interests, they can use their veto power.
"If my proposal is vetoed, it will not be implemented within the 'Justice League,' and we will need to discuss it again and come up with a new initiative.
"This will be a power exclusive to the five of us. Future members will be 'official members' and 'prospective members.' They will have 'the right to speak' but not the 'right to initiate.'"
Audrey asked, "Does that mean future members can only trade or exchange information at the meetings, but won't have the right to suggest the development direction of the 'Justice League'?"
Hobert smiled and said, "Exactly. The 'helm' of the 'Justice League' should only be in the hands of the five of us."
Naturally, everyone agreed with this proposal, which strengthened their own authority.
Hobert continued, "I suggest that in the future, whoever recruits a new member will have them sit behind them at meetings.
"At the same time, the person who introduces the new member to the meeting will be responsible for their behavior.
"If more than three founders deem that a new member threatens the 'Justice League,' we can bypass the introducer, expel them, and erase all their memories of the 'Justice League.'"
Everyone paused, gradually getting into the right mindset, seriously considering the issue of recruiting new members.
Xio raised her hand. "As a mystical organization, if we can erase the memories of those who leave, that would be ideal. But how do we achieve that?"
"Once Miss Audrey advances to the mid-sequence of the 'Spectator' pathway, she will easily be able to do that," Hobert had already thought this through.
"Before that, I have a way to erase someone's memories, provided their Sequence isn't higher than mine. The process is somewhat complicated, but I can manage."
He wouldn't easily reveal that he possessed a mystical items related to this; his explanation was intended to steer the conversation towards ritual magic.
Xio and Fors believed him completely. They knew Hobert had a wealth of mystical knowledge, so this seemed unsurprising.
Audrey and Viscount Glaint lacked sufficient knowledge, but Hobert's previous reliability made them trust his words as well.
Hobert's proposal to recruit new members received unanimous support, marking the approval of the 'Justice League's' first initiative.
Before this meeting, Audrey had merely found the gatherings entertaining, while Xio and Fors hadn't taken the 'Justice League' too seriously either.
However, Hobert's proposal had brought more structure to the 'Justice League,' causing the three ladies to start taking it more seriously.
Hobert then smiled and said, "It's been a while since we've all sat together and chatted. We can now exchange information freely. What might seem insignificant to one person could be crucial to another.
"We can also make trades, like in any other Beyonder gathering."
He said, "I'll start. I'd like to ask Viscount Glaint, who is now an 'Apothecary,' if you can concoct potions that nourish spirituality. I think both Miss Xio and Miss Fors would also need such potions."
Fors immediately realized, "Are you saying that in last week's battle, our spirituality was damaged?"
Last week's battle? As a 'Spectator,' Audrey quickly caught on. She first gave Hobert a hopeful look, wishing he would elaborate, and then she became concerned about the state of their spirituality.
"That's right," Hobert confirmed. "I've already healed the permanent damage to my spirit body, but I still want to nourish my spirituality. You two were farther away at the time, so your damage should be minimal, or you would have noticed it by now."
He could sense Audrey's curiosity, so he briefly explained, "Last week, I, along with Miss Xio and Miss Fors, participated in a battle between Beyonders."
Audrey excitedly said, "I wonder when I'll be able to take part in one of the 'Justice League's' Beyonder battles?"
Girl, that's a bit self-centered! Hobert thought helplessly. Who said this battle was initiated by the 'Justice League'? Don't immerse yourself too deeply!
He smiled and said, "That wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. Besides, you—well, I mean, with your future abilities as a 'Spectator,' you wouldn't be well-suited for direct combat."
At this point, Audrey was still officially searching for traces of the 'Psychology Alchemists,' seeking a way to become a 'Spectator.'
Xio and Fors, hearing Hobert's words, looked concernedly at Viscount Glaint.
Viscount Glaint smiled bitterly. "I don't have any such potion in my memory."
Hobert nodded. "That's alright."
He then said to Xio and Fors, "If I find a recipe for such a potion from other sources, I'll share it with you."
Fors sighed in relief. "Thank you."
"Oh, by the way," Hobert added, "I have a lead on the main ingredient for the 'Trickmaster' potion. If you need it, Fors, I can sell it to you at a discount."
Fors immediately responded, "Of course I need it!"
Audrey was slightly surprised. She remembered that Fors had once mentioned that the 'Trickmaster' potion formula was hard to find. Had she found it now? Did she also get the formula from Hobert?
Hobert nodded. "Once I have it, I'll send you a letter."
Audrey then gave Xio the task of finding "Vice Admiral Hurricane" Qilangos. Seeing everyone's surprised expressions, Audrey felt a little proud. Though Hobert's expression of surprise seemed fake—could it be that he already knew Qilangos was in Backlund?
Xio was the biggest beneficiary of this meeting because Hobert also gave her the task of finding two cultists, with each one having a bounty of 200 pounds.
Xio was greatly interested, as she rarely encountered such a generous bounty.
Audrey, perhaps afraid that her commission wouldn't be taken seriously, quickly added, "My commission will also give you a satisfying reward."
Xio nodded repeatedly. To her, the two tasks did not conflict.
Hobert handed over information about the cultists to Xio and analyzed it for her. "Based on the descriptions in the data, one of the Beyonders is a 'Prisoner,' and the other is an 'Apothecary.'
"As far as I know, there are quite a few 'Apothecaries' in Backlund, but not many 'Prisoners.' This pathway is relatively easy to track down, as the initial Sequence potions give them far more madness and desires than ordinary people.
"I suspect these cultists won't restrain their madness and desires too much, which makes for a good breakthrough."
He added, "If you find them but aren't confident in capturing them, you can call on me for help."
Xio nodded. "I'll let you know if I need it."
The conversation afterward became more casual. Hobert said, "Tomorrow I have a case to defend, one where I'm destined to lose, but I have to fight to the end."
Everyone was curious and decided to attend the hearing together tomorrow.
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