'Don't panic, as I told you earlier. Survival from extinction is almost guaranteed, but not everyone can survive. The more you cooperate with the plan, the greater our chances of survival.'

None of the dignitaries moved and kept silently watching the course of events, waiting for the optimal time to intervene if possible.

'The main part of the plan is to train competent people in the fields of combat, chemistry, magic engineering and blacksmithing. This part was divided into two phases: forming competent people, which takes two years, and recruits competencies in their fields and continues until the end of the disaster. Any questions?'

The same man who asked a question earlier came forward again.

'I have two questions in particular. Is the current census insufficient to solve the crisis so that we need more? Also, will this timeline suffice to complete the plan you talked about?'

'You're good, young man. Your acumen is unique and will help us implement the plan later. The answer to your first question is no, we need to at least double it. As for the second question, I am responsible for this and I am sure that my plan is valid and guaranteed to be effective.'

Maximus wandered for a while before recalling the idea he wanted to mention, snapping his fingers and continuing to talk.

'I didn't explain the plan well, we're not going to form new people from scratch as our goal of the plan is to raise the current level by improving the skills of the people available.'

.........

The attendees nodded their heads after understanding the main significance behind the plan, but the question still arises. Where and when will the plan start?

'I know you are wondering when we are going to start implementing this plan. We will start as soon as possible, which is about a month from now. The second thing we need is financial support for the project from all of you.'

One of those present rose up against this announcement, accusing Maximus of deception into exploiting them.

'Execute your plan with your own money; we have nothing to do with it. You won't get a penny from my money.'

Maximus sighed and moved the man to the stage in full view of those present.

'Let me tell you something, I said a moment ago that everyone should follow orders if I ask you even if you don't like it. You are neither special nor poor to get an exception.'

The heavenly magician stared at him with a sharp gaze that instilled fear deep inside him, an innate sense of fear. Like a lion in front of you and a wall of knives behind you, you cannot even move, staying where you are, helplessly waiting for your cursed fate.

'Also, I don't need your money if my goal wasn't to save the world. I started to get disgusted because I had to save a world that contained people like you.'

'T-take whatever money you want, please forgive my life.'

Moments ago, that arrogant aristocrat fell to the ground trembling with fear; his legs could not hold his slender body.

'You ask for mercy now?? Who talked about murder? I did not even mention the word murder in my speech. Tsk, cowards who only know where they are when their lives are in danger.'

After impatiently returning him to his seat, Maximus pressed his eyes in annoyance.

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'Are there any other objections? I will not ask you to hand over your entire wealth to this project.'

He stretched out his right hand towards the audience with a smile on his face.

'Everyone has to contribute with one-tenth of his current wealth, so it won't hurt your interests and your living but help us complete the plan.'

Voices of confusion and whispering among the audience who began to discuss the proposal put forward by the heavenly magician. From their point of view, the scheme is still unclear, some of them felt deep down like that man before. Another person asked a question to the magician who took the stage.

'What will we gain from this scheme if we contribute?'

'Isn't that clear? Your survival, your safety, your life. Something like that. What more could you want? You will not lose anything from the contribution.'

He took out a dimensional storage bag from his pocket and pulled out an empty list of 300 lines.

'All you have to do is sign this petition and then we'll record the amount you contributed later after the organization is done. I hope none of you have me to intervene later.'

'Will you share with us the full details of the plan or is it still in the pipeline?'

Maximus applauded and a wooden blackboard two meters long and one and a half meters wide suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the blackboard was mounted on a tripod similar to what painters use, the area of the blackboard was covered with several sheets, maps and drawings fixed with nails to the plank.

'These are the most important details that we will need to start the core part of the plan. The first by priority is the establishment of an open-air mine at the foot of the Indorra volcano to provide resources for armor, weapons and magic devices. The second priority is to create institutions to form the necessary personnel, two institutions for each section of the plan where we start with one and then continue with the second when the capacity of the first is close to full.'

The outline seemed clear and detailed; the doubt in the hearts of those present was dissipating. Who will prepare such a detailed plan to deceive people? In addition, why would two VIPs sacrifice their dignity for a trick?

The doubt was replaced with certainty and the public's thinking moved to Maximus' side after they were hesitant due to the lack of sufficient proof and evidence to convince them.

Another person from the crowd moved to cut the roots of doubt and verify details that he has not yet talked about.

'Let's say we believe you and we would cooperate with your plan. How will the project take off and do we have a role in it in another way?'

'I was going to touch on the last point of our conversation, which is the division of tasks. Each of you should use his network to attract as many participants as possible in the project: investors, traders, artisans, miners and others. Since most of you are nobles here, this is a simple matter in your view. I will hold an interview session on the seventh and last day of the commercial gathering with each of you and your shareholders. Whoever contributed more will reap more profits after the end of the disaster. The disaster will end one day, but the mine, for example, will continue to produce, after which you will receive a percentage of the profits as much as your contribution. Think about it, you have nothing to lose.'

Maximus laid the last stone in his plan, throwing away the golden carrot, a bait that would attract the attention of the audience, as they would not be able to take their eyes off it no matter how hard they tried.

"Good bait is the basis of good fishing."

Maximus had no more left to say and ended his speech with a closing speech.

'This is where our session ends, remember well what we talked about and don't forget our last day appointment. Sign this petition before leaving as well.'

Maximus closed all entrances with an eighth-rank magic wall where it was impossible to break without demolishing the place. Between those who accept the idea and those who oppose it, no one has been able to refuse, as even the powerful have not intervened so far, and this has put them between two hypotheses: either they are collaborating with him from the beginning or they are afraid of someone who they do not yet know how strong he is. Each option was worse than the other was and put the attendants between a rock and a hard place.

Without being able to refuse, everyone signed the petition; Maximus opened the entrances again and waited for the audience to leave to return to his comrades, whom he kept standing on stage.

'What's your next move, buddy?'

Without the slightest iota of hesitation, the magician answered his friend and mentor Albus.

'Towards the meeting room to complete the remainder of our work.'

Albus led his former disciples and partners in the plan to the meeting room where the second meeting with the continent's powerful would take place...