As soon as Parabellum wrapped up his speech, loaded with suspicion and challenges, Marshmallow couldn't just sit there in silence. With a decisive motion, he stood up, cutting through the whispers that were building in the crowd. "I need to speak," he declared with a firmness that instantly silenced the room, drawing all eyes to him, filled with expectation and curiosity.

He knew he was in the worst possible spot. Now, crowds were all ticked off at him, and getting out of this was going to be tricky. He had no choice; he had to measure his words to the millimeter. He took a deep breath, trying to keep control despite the anger and humiliation he felt. Then, Marshmallow began to speak.

"It's true, I've made my mistakes and had my issues in the past," he admitted, his voice clearly tense but controlled. "Gambling was a tough challenge in my life, one I had to face."

With a look that directly challenged Parabellum and those who might doubt him, he continued, "But now I'm here, in front of all of you, to prove to myself and to you that I've changed, that I've overcome those challenges." His voice grew stronger as he spoke of his transformation, trying to instill confidence and conviction in his listeners. "I'm not the man I used to be. The Survivor Game is my chance to show my true worth, not just as a fighter but as a person."

With a tone that reflected both his determination and an open challenge, he declared, "I want to be tested. Give me the chance to show all of you that I'm worthy of the Jolly Rank. That I can make the difference here." His request for a trial, a test of his abilities and his change, was a clear invitation to judge him not by his past, but by the actions he would take in the future.

The silence that followed was charged, every Wyolander present seemed to weigh every word Marshmallow had spoken, reflecting on how to respond to his open challenge and his request for redemption.

Parabellum, closely observing the audience's reaction, saw the perfect opportunity to throw his challenge. With a smile that hid ambiguous intentions, he stood up again.

"If a trial is what you want, Marshmallow, then a trial you shall have," he announced, his voice loud and clear, filled with an authority that demanded attention.

"I suggest that our Jolly Rank be put to the test in the Depths of Vesuvietna, the most challenging dungeon in the Survivor Game," he continued with an impassive expression. "It's a place where only the strongest and most cunning survive, infested with lethal enemies and deadly traps. If you can overcome the great challenge of Vesuvietna, then no one will doubt your worth anymore."

Parabellum's proposal struck like a bolt from the blue, causing an immediate wave of reactions among the crowd. Murmurs of shock and whispers of excitement mingled in the electrified air. Some Wyolanders, thrilled by the idea of such a challenge, began to discuss among themselves the audacity and potential greatness of Marshmallow should he succeed. Others, however, exchanged worried glances, fearing that such a test might be too harsh, perhaps even a death sentence disguised as an opportunity.

As soon as Parabellum finished his speech, Lynx promptly stood up, her expression tense reflecting the intensity of her emotions. "This proposal is insane!" she exclaimed, her voice vibrating with indignation. "Vesuvietna isn't just a simple test; it's a death trap. How can we consider sending Marshmallow, or anyone else, into such a deadly place as proof of his worthiness?"

Then she turned to Raven, searching his face for a sign of support or at least understanding. "And you, Raven, don't you have anything to say about this?" her voice intensified, laden with challenge and desperation. "You've been there once, you yourself had to turn back. You know that place better than anyone. You know it's hell. He can't make it, it's a death sentence!"

Raven's silence struck the assembly like a bolt from the blue. He remained motionless, his gaze fixed on a point beyond the crowd. Every breath seemed to hang in the air, thick with tension. Raven’s prolonged silence widened the gap of uncertainty, making each passing second increasingly heavy. Lynx, feeling the lack of support, looked around, searching for allies among the faces of those present, but found only expressions of puzzlement and apprehension. Her plea, so full of genuine concern, seemed to dissipate into the thick air, leaving him isolated in his battle against Parabellum's proposal.

Raven’s silence, which weighed heavily in the room, became the focus of a heated debate among the Wyolanders. While some expressed concern with trembling voices, others were ignited by the excitement of seeing Marshmallow tested. "How can we think of sending him to that place without any guarantee of safety?" a Wyolander exclaimed, clearly aligned with Lynx, reflecting the fear of a part of the assembly.

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On the other hand, another group member, with a resolute expression, urged the challenge: "But isn’t the Jolly Rank supposed to overcome the hardest trials? Shouldn't we test his capabilities under such extreme conditions?" His statement garnered nods from another part of the room, highlighting a clear division among those present, between those who saw the proposal as a vital necessity and those who considered it an overly risky move.

As the debate heated up, small groups formed here and there, discussing the situation animatedly. "If he conquers the Dephts of Vesuvietna, no one will doubt him again," a young Wyolander commented, trying to find a positive spin on the dangerous endeavor. However, an elderly warrior shook her head in disapproval: "It’s an unnecessary risk, a too-cruel trial. This is not the way to value our best."

The mood in the room oscillated between hope and fear, reflecting a mosaic of opinions and emotions clashing without finding a resolution. Raven’s ongoing silence continued to weigh on the assembly like a sword of Damocles, each of his potential thoughts or reasons behind that silence being interpreted and reinterpreted, adding layers of complexity to the situation.

Parabellum, with an authoritative gesture, silenced the widespread whispers. Raising a hand to capture the full attention of those present, his voice echoed with authority throughout the great hall: "Since we cannot find a common agreement, we will proceed with a formal vote among the A Ranks. Each member will have a right to vote, and the majority will decide the outcome."

The silence that followed was dense, broken only by the clear creaking of chairs as everyone adjusted their position. A young assistant of Parabellum, holding an electronic board, stepped forward, and the light from the device faintly illuminated his focused face. "To ensure the transparency and integrity of the process," he began, his voice a notch weaker than his boss's but equally serious, "each vote will be recorded and verified here, in real time. Please state your vote clearly when it's your turn." He paused, making sure he had everyone's attention, before concluding, "It is crucial to respect the majority decision, whatever it may be."

Parabellum, standing up, looked firmly at the gathered assembly. "Let's begin the voting," he announced, initiating the process. "Lynx, you're first."

Lynx stood up with calm determination. "I vote against sending Marshmallow to the dungeon. This kind of test is excessive and could be deadly," she declared firmly, meeting the eyes of each of the other A Ranks.

Aurelia, in her turn, stood up straight and with a decisive voice said, "I vote in favor. We need to see if the Jolly Rank is truly up to the challenges that await us."

Parabellum, following his initial momentum, nodded toward Aurelia approvingly. "I too vote in favor. Marshmallow must prove that he can overcome even the toughest challenges."

Voltran, known for his usually neutral stances, seemed confused for a moment before speaking. The attention of the assembly was entirely on him, the silence loaded with expectation. Finally, with a slightly uncertain voice, he announced, "I... vote against sending Marshmallow to Vesuvietna."

A murmur of surprise rose among the crowd and the A Ranks. Lynx looked at him, her eyes expressing a mix of relief and disbelief, while Parabellum and Aurelia exchanged puzzled looks.

"Really, Voltran?" Aurelia asked, her tone mixing incredulity with a hint of challenge. "I thought you would stand by me on this crucial decision."

Parabellum, trying to maintain control of the situation, addressed Voltran with forced calm, "Voltran, are you sure about your choice? This trial is crucial to assess the true value of Marshmallow as a Jolly Rank."

With an eloquent gesture, Voltran exclaimed, "I admit it would be entertaining, no doubt. But, aren't you pushing too hard? Asking Marshmallow to face that dungeon is like sending him to bungee jump without a rope. Aurelia, Parabellum, are you really telling me this is the only way? It seems to me we're losing sight of common sense."

Parabellum's face betrayed a growing discomfort as he listened to Voltran's words. Aurelia too could not hide her displeasure, her eyes narrowing as she clenched her teeth. Lynx, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile, pleased with the surprising turn of events. Voltran's response, which seemed casual and disarming, had indeed put his two comrades in a difficult position, highlighting a split in their ironclad convictions.

Voltran, noting the growing discomfort among his peers, added in a slightly mocking tone, "I mean, we're not here to play with people's lives as if they were pieces on a chessboard. There are less risky and more sensible ways to test someone's abilities, don't you think?" His remark increased the sense of discontent in Parabellum and Aurelia, while Lynx nodded in approval, clearly pleased with Voltan's ability to see beyond the impulsiveness of the moment.

The entire room watched the scene, feeling the tension rise. Some Wyolanders whispered among themselves, surprised by Voltran's stance and his ability to disrupt the established order. Parabellum, attempting to regain control of the situation and mask his evident disappointment, addressed everyone again, "Well, let's see what Raven decides. His vote will be decisive." His voice, though trying to sound neutral and calm, could not hide a slight tremor, a sign of the unexpected turn of events he was trying to adapt to.

The tension-filled silence pervaded the room as all eyes were fixed on Raven, the last to vote, whose judgment would decide Marshmallow's fate. The air buzzed with anxiety and searching glances, trying to predict his choice.