****(POV)

In the spacious room, one could see many of the main decision-makers of the guild.

All of us rank 3 beast tamers.

Every matter concerning the organization decided here.

There are in fact members stronger than us, but most of them are missing.

Gone exploring the world.

No info on when their return will happen.

There are only two powerhouses truly active at the moment.

They are also the reason we are assembled here today.

Their rivalry has been going a bit out of hand lately.

It doesn't help that both have opposite visions for the future of the guild.

At some point, a decision will have to be made.

Most of us are still naively hoping for one of the old-timers to come back.

Some have proposed asking the headquarter for help.

For them to take a stance.

My guess is they too might have internal issues.

Either that or they are keeping their plans a secret.

Maybe worried that a smaller branch will leak information.

This whole thing is a mess.

The popular opinion is just to wait and see.

There is one thing that is worrisome.

If a fight does happen between these two…

I don't dare to imagine the worst consequences.

What If both get injured and are out of commission?

We would be left defenseless.

Sure, we have many rank 3s.

When confronted with rank 4s numbers do little.

A single wide-range attack is able to wipe many of us.

From time to time my colleagues are proposing various solutions.

"How about we ask them to swear an oath not to fight each other?"

This can work but isn't a guarantee.

"How about asking for transferring either to another branch?"

That would be seen as an insult for sure.

Plus both are valuable assets in their own way.

One is an established tamer.

The other one a talented rising star.

"How about just waiting?"

Yeah, apparently, they fought just recently.

Waiting could be really bad.

I guess I'll speak my mind.

"How about we simply make a decision once and for all concerning our plans for the future."

There is a lot of opposition.

In such a case no matter the idea we pick we would be annoying a strong tamer.

On the opposite, if we try to satisfy both at the same time it could be seen as a lack of resolve.

I fear discord in our midst should be squashed as soon as possible.

Sadly there is also discord on how to resolve said discord.

Politics are the vilest thing in existence.

I truly wonder who the genius that introduced such a system is.

I'd beat up whoever did that.

What's the point of having a progressive system?

It only slows decision-making to a crawl.

In some cases even makes it impossible.

Like this one.

Looks like we are in for another session of debates.

One that won't yield any result.

This is so annoying.

*SLAM!*

What?!

Someone dares to intrude upon this place?!

Who ….

Oh, it's him.

Our one and only 4 stars tamer, well 3.5 stars but still.

Is he here to cause trouble?

Honestly, at this point I just want a decision reached.

I don't care if he has to beat up all these guys for it to happen.

That's when I notice the expression of my colleagues.

Something is wrong.

I look at him.

His usually noble and majestic appearance nowhere to be seen.

His outfit is splattered with blood.

His hair is a mess.

He seems to have lost a shoe but doesn't bother.

Whatever fight he got into was violent!

For a tamer to look like that!

We are used to fighting at a range.

I'm already wondering what the hell is going on.

It gets worse.

He opens his mouth.

Then, in the most hoarse voice I have ever heard, he goes:

"I hereby invoke Last Measure Right."

The whole room breaks into screams.

This is madness.

Complete madness.

What the hell happened?!

A simple sentence.

But one that carries incredible weight.

Last Measure.

One that needs to be carried right away.

Without any time to reach a consensus.

For any delay would cause guild annihilation.

It is that kind of thing.

One that needs to be carefully considered.

Even sacrificing one's life wouldn't atone for a false call.

It is that serious of a deal.

Now here we are.

Our stronger tamer appearing out of nowhere.

Declaring such an emergency state.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

"Yes, please explain yourself there is no…!"

"Shut up."

Silence returns.

It's not what he said.

It's the way he said it.

No time for any bullshit.

We can all feel the intent behind this.

Obey or die.

That simple.

Not even a threat.

A prophecy.

This is frightening.

He is strong enough to fight almost all of us at once.

Yet, something is threatening this man.

Forcing him in a corner.

Oh god.

"W-what should we do?"

One hesitantly asks.

He replies simply.

"There is a man that Eternal Ice accepted as a student. Find him. Now."

What?!

Why would…

"What should we do once we find him?"

He says:

"Give him a rank 4 tamer license."

*Gasps*

"Why would we do such an insane …!?"

He goes:

"There won't be a guild otherwise."

What?!

"Are you joking?!"

"There is no way we will!"

"This is madness!"

It does sound mad.

What happened to him?

He was fine this morning.

Somehow, in a day he became this broken mess.

Then speaks one of our oldest members.

"Are you sure?"

This guy has never spoken in a meeting for as long as I can remember.

There is no way…

"Completely sure."

"Alright, I understand. Do it, you guys."

In a matter of instants, someone leaves to relay the message.

To send all the rank 2 members looking for that one student.

Meanwhile, another gets the other things ready.

How?!

What did I miss?

Since when did this guy have so much influence?

Seeing my confused expression someone addresses me.

"You were late to join us, but this old man is a representative from the headquarters.

While he might not be strong, he is extremely wise."

That would explain it all.

Of course, someone from headquarter would know more than us.

But seriously what the hell is happening?!