Question

Which line from “Cruel Tribute” best supports the idea that the elders help to advance the plot? "O mighty king," they said, "what have we done that you should wish thus to destroy us from the earth?" “But we do deny it—we do deny it!” “What is the tribute which you require?” “It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,” they said.

Answer 1

Answer:

I believe the answer is: “It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,”

Pay attention to this line:

"what have we done that you should wish thus to destroy us from the earth?"

At this point, we can infer that the King hasn't fully made up his mind on whether he should destroy them or not.

When the elders reply with this line:

“It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,”

The elders basically advance the plot by convincing the king that the act of destroying some of His people is correct.