Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 441

In the second vote held the next day, Arkan received 18 votes, Avand 14, Temoria 8, Brack 11, and there were 4 abstentions, resulting in a neck-and-neck race. Notably, the Avand region maintained a 4-vote deficit compared to the Arkan region.

This was largely due to Beom-seok’s successful persuasion of the Julian and Angela factions, which significantly reduced the votes for Arkan, their originally intended choice. The concentration of votes from the core Ibrahim faction towards Temoria and Brack also played a major role. Consequently, according to the regulations, only Arkan and Avand were eligible for the final vote, which was then conducted.

However, the atmosphere in Avand that morning was tense. Their lobbying efforts had faltered after the second vote, and a significant number of votes that had previously supported Temoria and Brack had shifted to the Arkan region.

Simon, having taken his seat in the banquet hall early in anticipation of the third vote, looked at Ervin, who sat beside him, with a grave expression.

“Chairman Ervin, how many votes are currently pledged to Arkan?”

“Currently, they have 25 votes, almost reaching a majority.”

“And how many votes are firmly supporting us?”

“18 votes.”

Simon frowned, increasingly annoyed, and glared at Ervin. Although they had gained 4 votes since the second vote, the other figures in Avand had seemingly been idle the previous day.

Beom-seok’s persuasion of the Richard faction members accounted for a significant portion of this 4-vote increase. Without his efforts, they would have already lost with a score of 28 to 15.

“Hmph, a 7-vote difference is quite disheartening.”

“Not at all. There are still many votes for which the intention has not been clearly stated, so it’s still worth fighting for.”

With 12 votes still uncommitted, it was a considerable number. However, Avand needed to secure at least 10 of these votes to win. Naturally, Simon couldn’t muster much hope.

“What do you mean? They only need 3 votes, while we need 10. Is that really ‘still worth fighting for’? I’ve been in politics for a long time, but I’ve never seen an example of overcoming such a deficit and winning an election.”

“The situation isn’t necessarily that dire. We still have a good chance of winning.”

“Are you just saying that to make me feel better! How can we possibly win in this situation!”

As the loud voice erupted, Ervin, visibly embarrassed, glanced at Beom-seok, seeking his intervention.

Because Beom-seok had brought in a significant number of votes, Simon had great confidence in him. Although his absence the day before yesterday had caused some concern, Simon was very pleased that he had secured the support of the Richard faction.

He was likely to be convinced if Beom-seok spoke.

Beom-seok nodded and turned to Simon.

“Minister, Chairman Ervin is absolutely right.”

“So, you also think it’s not time to give up hope yet?”

Simon’s tone had become noticeably more submissive. He had witnessed Beom-seok’s influence within the Federal Pro Gladiator community through this vote and understood he was a completely different caliber of person from Ervin, who had simply followed him as vice-chairman.

Beom-seok maintained eye contact and nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s very hopeful right now. We have a high chance of winning.”

“Even with a 7-vote difference?”

“Hehe. That difference doesn’t matter at all right now.”

“Why is that?”

“Because this final third vote will be decided entirely by Chairman Ibrahim’s decision. Most of the people who haven’t expressed their support yet are from the Ibrahim faction. In other words, if we can persuade Chairman Ibrahim, we win.”

Simon cast a subtle glance at Beom-seok.

“But wasn’t it decided that there would be no factional support in the World Cup finals host selection vote? So, I don’t think there’s any momentum to be gained even if we persuade Chairman Ibrahim.”

“Hehe. That’s precisely why it’s even more hopeful. Because that custom has been thoroughly broken by Vice Chairman Louis’s actions.

Moreover, a significant portion of the votes I brought in are from the Angela and Richard factions, and the Cooper faction is also among those supporting us. In other words, this fight is no longer a neutral competition but a battle between factions.

Naturally, Chairman Ibrahim must make a decision between the two. Either cooperate with Vice Chairman Louis, who broke the custom first, or support us to uphold the tradition.”

“Is that so? Then is there no possibility that the Ibrahim faction will remain neutral?”

“Not at all. Even maintaining neutrality would be the same as supporting the Louis faction. If Ibrahim remains silent, the World Cup finals hosting rights will go to the Arkan region. Then, they will take it for granted, and this will continue to happen repeatedly in future World Cup finals host selections.”

Simon nodded.

“That may be the case. So, in your opinion, who is more likely to get the World Cup finals hosting rights, Arkan or us?”

“Well, I think we are more likely to get it.”

“Why is that?”

“There are many reasons. Chairman Ibrahim has the justification of maintaining the traditions of the Gladiator community as its representative, and there is also the vested interest of checking the rapidly growing Louis faction. Additionally, Chairman Ervin is also a member of the Ibrahim faction.

In fact, the second-largest force in our Avand Gladiator community is the Cooper faction, and they have persuaded Vice Chairman Cooper. In this situation, if Chairman Ervin fails to bring in Chairman Ibrahim, a major upheaval will occur in the Avand Gladiator community.

In other words, if Arkan wins these finals hosting rights, Chairman Ibrahim must abandon his justification, vested interests, and the trust of his lower-level members.”

Simon’s face brightened considerably. Even though he wasn’t very familiar with the intricacies of the Federal Gladiator community, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of the stakes.

The three things Beom-seok had just mentioned were nothing less than the core responsibilities of a leader. It would be difficult to give up even one of them, let alone all of them… If Simon were in Ibrahim’s position, he would have undoubtedly sided with Avand.

“Hehe. Then it’s almost certain that Avand will get the hosting rights.”

Beom-seok tilted his head slightly, as if he couldn’t fully agree with that statement.

“Well, I can’t guarantee that.”

“Why not?”

“In fact, Chairman Ibrahim should have supported us a long time ago. But he hasn’t made a decision yet, not even after the second vote. That means the Louis faction may have offered him corresponding vested interests. I can’t say for sure.”

“Th, that could be the case…”

Simon looked at Beom-seok with an uneasy expression. The fact that Ibrahim was hesitating in this seemingly certain situation suggested a compelling reason. If they were outmaneuvered, the World Cup finals hosting rights could slip through their fingers.

At that moment, a group of people entered the banquet hall. It was Chairman Ibrahim and his faction members. Beom-seok gestured to Ervin and stood up. Ervin’s earnest expression would also be of great help in persuading the chairman.

He followed him and approached Ibrahim as soon as he sat down.

“Chairman Ibrahim, how do you do?”

Ibrahim’s expression was unmistakably strained. The moment of truth had finally arrived. The future landscape of the Pro Gladiator community would shift dramatically depending on today’s decision, and he couldn’t help but feel the weight of it.

The chairman looked again at Ervin, who was standing next to Beom-seok. He was a member he barely remembered until recently, but he had come to know him well through the World Cup finals host selection vote.

“Chairman Ervin, you can sit with Beom-seok.”

“Yes, thank you. Then…”

Beom-seok, having taken his seat, decided to get straight to the point. There wasn’t much time left until the third vote, so he needed a confirmation beforehand.

“Have you made a decision?”

At that question, the gazes of the Ibrahim faction’s key members were fixed on the chairman’s mouth. In fact, they also had a lot of complaints. It was infuriating that they, the largest organization, were yielding to the machinations of the Louis faction. If Chairman Ibrahim made a move, they could win this power struggle with Vice Chairman Louis.

Ibrahim, noticing these signs, looked at Beom-seok with a resentful gaze. If he hadn’t persuaded the Angela and Richard factions, he wouldn’t be in this predicament.

If Beom-seok had remained silent, all of the Ibrahim faction’s votes would have gone to Avand, and it would have ended in the second vote. Then, he could have used the excuse of insufficient preparation to minimize the damage from Vice Chairman Louis’s tactics.

“Well? For now, I think it’s better to remain neutral to uphold the tradition.”

“Really? Then may I ask you just one thing?”

“What is the question?”

“What exactly is the benefit that the Ibrahim faction gets from abandoning Avand? I can’t figure it out at all.”

“There is none.”

“Then why are you going to support the Louis faction?”

Ibrahim’s sharp gaze was fixed on Beom-seok. It was a very sensitive remark. Ervin, a lower-level member of the Ibrahim faction, was the chairman of Avand.

“I clearly said that I would remain neutral…?”

“The problem is that neutrality is support for Vice Chairman Louis. Now that the principle of neutrality between factions regarding the World Cup finals host selection has been broken, it doesn’t make sense for only the Ibrahim faction to maintain neutrality. Moreover, the Ibrahim faction’s neutrality means the defeat of the Avand region. In other words, it’s the same as saying that the chairman and all of you here are abandoning Chairman Ervin. So, please tell me the truth. What exactly does the Ibrahim faction gain by abandoning vested interests, justification, and the trust of its lower-level members?”

Upon hearing those words, a middle-aged man with silver hair turned his gaze to Ibrahim. It was Ludoper, the chairman of Forest Elves. He was in agreement with Beom-seok’s intentions due to Avand’s various proposals and the addition of the forest terrain to the Lima City Colosseum. His local team, Jidu, had a much higher chance of winning in the Lima City Colosseum.

“I think the same way. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand Chairman Ibrahim’s decision. I hope you can give us a definite answer here.”

“Yes, I agree with Chairman Ludoper. If Vice Chairman Louis hasn’t made any offers as you said, I don’t think we need to maintain neutrality.”

This time it was Chairman Henry. He had also decided to seek some benefits from Beom-seok, and he needed a lot of help in taking down the Black Society. Naturally, he had no choice but to side with Avand.

At this point, the people gathered in the room whispered to each other and soon began to complain and pressure Chairman Ibrahim. If they backed down like this, many Gladiator community members could defect to the Louis faction. Although it was just a vote to decide the fate of the World Cup hosting rights, it had long since devolved into a power struggle between factions.

“Yes, that’s right. If you don’t tell us the reason, we can’t quell the unrest of the lower-level members. If there is no allocation of vested interests, it’s the same as saying that we bowed our heads even while striking our own lower-level organization, Avand.”

“That’s right. Please tell us.”

Under the urging of his members, Chairman Ibrahim looked at Vice Chairman Louis, who was smiling at him from a distance. His expression seemed to be telling him to openly side with Avand, which only fueled his annoyance. That’s why he was even more reluctant to support Avand, but his members were making such a fuss that he was going crazy.

The chairman bit his lip and quietly opened his mouth. He could no longer withstand the pressure from his members.

“As I said before, there is no promise of allocating vested interests from the Louis faction.”

“Then why are you maintaining neutrality?”

Ibrahim responded cryptically to Chairman Ludoper’s harsh reaction.

“In fact, what Vice Chairman Louis wants is for us to support Avand.”

Gasps escaped from the mouths of everyone gathered in the room. To say such ridiculous things, they almost thought Chairman Ibrahim had lost his mind.

“Vice Chairman Louis wants us to support Avand… Are you even serious?”

“That makes no sense! That old man is making me an offer: a choice of whether to hand over future power to his successor’s faction, or to hand over some of the current power to himself now!”

“Wh, what do you mean?”

Ibrahim subtly looked at Beom-seok. It was not a truth that he could reveal in front of him.

“It’s very complicated to explain. But we must make a decision between the two. It’s already a checkmate, so there’s absolutely no other choice. Which would you hand over? Would you give the future? Or would you give some of the present?”

“Th, that’s…”

While the Ibrahim faction members were pondering the chairman’s remarks, Beom-seok subtly glared at Vice Chairman Louis. He roughly understood what Ibrahim was implying. The only person who could be considered Vice Chairman Louis’s successor was Shaila, but she was definitely not the kind of person who could surpass the Ibrahim faction.

‘No. That old geezer is aiming for someone else! I’m not interested in that kind of organization.’

Beom-seok tapped the table, drawing everyone’s attention to himself. He was not interested in the Louis faction, and he didn’t want to be manipulated by someone else’s tactics. In fact, he wasn’t so ambitious as to dream of being a Cinderella man only in a game. It was more fun to seize power with his own hands.

“Chairman Ibrahim, that successor doesn’t seem to like the Louis faction very much. So, don’t worry too much.”

Instantly, a smile spread across Chairman Ibrahim’s face. He was naturally pleased to hear those words from the person involved. If Beom-seok didn’t take over the Louis faction, he had no reason to worry.

“Really?”

“Yes. You may or may not believe it, but that person wants to hold all the power in his own hands, not someone else’s. Are you satisfied now?”

“Hehe. Is that so? Then I understand. I’ll trust you this time and definitely support Avand.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll take that into consideration and leave.”

As Beom-seok left his seat, the Ibrahim faction members blankly stared at the chairman and his departing figure. They could roughly guess the whole story of this incident from their conversation a little while ago. Clearly, this incident was a critical turning point that would determine the future power of the Ibrahim faction.

In the end, in the third vote held that day, Avand received the active support of the Ibrahim faction and won the World Cup finals hosting rights.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

I have a cold. Is it because I’ve been drinking too much lately? I think I’ll have to eat a late-night snack and go to bed. And I fixed a small error in the last part of the faulty post yesterday. I wrote Richard faction as Brack. Hahaha. Brack was a competing region for this World Cup finals hosting rights.

Have a great day, everyone. I’ll see you again tomorrow.