A voice echoed.
"Thanks to Prince Alexander and Prince Damian, we roughly figured out who is the mastermind behind the raid. We can confirm that they are not from the Yovanny Kingdom, and I advise Your Majesty to follow His Highness' suggestion."
Dariush nodded.
"I understand."
He looked at the report on the table.
"The hypothesis given by Prince Damian is reasonable. The registered people who lived in our Empire are more than one hundred and fifty million people. Killing three thousand of our citizens may look too insignificant in my eyes."
The white-haired man returned his eyes to the audience.
"Of course, I don't say the lives of the refugees are worthless, but if they seek revenge, shouldn't they aim at something that could give us a heavy blow that makes us regret attacking them? As I stated before, three thousand lives are a minor number."
He continued.
"As for now, I will follow Prince Damian's suggestion, and… if you have any objection, you can raise your hand."
Dariush scanned the faces of the nobles and military men, he patiently waited but after a few minutes passed, no one raised their hands.
"Very well, then I will appoint Duke Gustav to become the Empire Ambassador to go to the Yovanny Kingdom. You can choose anyone to accompany you there but a maximum of 5 people."
The man around forty with lilac hair and purple eyes stood and bowed. Duke Gustav was the head of the Njord region.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It is my pleasure."
The Njord region was the trade center of the Empire, with years of experience handling both domestic and international trading.
'In that case, I don't need to worry because Andarc Gustav knows what the best resources are that benefit the Empire the most.'
The Emperor stood and the audience followed after. Then he gave a light speech to close the conference.
Soon after the meeting ended without any hassle and even when all of the people left, Dariush remained seated on his dais with his aide standing beside him.
–Tap –Tap –Tap
Footsteps echoed. Four people were seen descending the stairs and approaching Dariush. Each of them wore a robe that covered their face.
–Click!
One with a tall and slender figure activated something and placed the device on the table. A transparent dome imitating a giant bubble soap was created and devoured them, leaving only Dariush's aide outside.
It was a silent magic device, only those who were inside the dome could hear their voice; outsiders had no chance of eavesdropping.
And without beating around the bush, a man who had the figure of a bear spoke to the Emperor.
"The felon behind the raid doubtlessly 'him'."
Dariush leaned against his chair.
"Is the 'he' you are talking about referring to the culprit behind the Arcanist Tower incident?"
"Yes."
Soon, a high-pitched kid voice was heard and all eyes landed on her. She was sitting on top of the table whilst swinging her legs merrily.
"But hasn't it been almost more than four hundred years since the last time we met him?"
This time a woman's voice jumped into the conversation.
"It's just he doesn't know how to give up."
"Aww, I even forgot how he looked."
"Just look for his paintings, he won't age anyway–like us."
A man with a slender figure spoke.
"If what Prince Alexander said is true, then I can not fathom what sort of fate this continent will face."
A woman added.
"Yeah, especially after seeing him dispatch two thousand people so easily, it seems that bastard has gained quite a following."
A bear figure responded.
"Understandably, he has lived for more than four hundred years like us, just like we made many contributions to the Empire, he must have made a lot of contributions to developing his organization and his experiments."
A kid's voice leaped in.
"It's more of a cult rather than an organization in my eyes."
"Can't agree more."
A slender man took a step forward and stopped in front of Dariush.
"Could you lend us some of your Knights?"
Dariush nodded.
"As this is a serious matter, then I will lend my Paladins to you."
"Thank you. Since it involves our personal circle, we will look into it, so you can concentrate on the treaty."
"I understand."
"We will contact you when we find something."
"I appreciate that."
The man took the device from the table and pressed it.
–Click!
The dome faded and disappeared, with that, the four of them exited the room.
.
.
.
Alexander arrived at his chamber. He took off his jacket and threw it on the couch. He loosened his tie while walking toward the balcony.
He opened the window door and make a call from his Telesphere.
–Tuu–
A familiar cheerful voice pierced his ears.
// Yo. Boss! Do you miss me? //
"I have a mission for you."
// Hmm… lemme guess, it's related to that shitty organization that you hate the most, Boss?"
"Yes."
// So, where is the item located this time? //
"The Yovanny Kingdom."
There was a brief silence.
// Haa… out of the place, why does it have to be the Yovanny Kingdom? Also, isn't that Kingdom at war with the Empire? //
"The war is over."
Alexander leaned against the stone fence.
// But still, the Emperor has yet to make an official statement. Also, it won't be easy to escape Marine's eyes. //
"If you'd like something new, try to cross the Téras forest."
// Boss… are you telling me and my squad to suicide? //
"Perhaps?"
// Aren't you too cold-blooded, Boss? //
"Maybe?"
The man sighed.
// But I can take whoever I want on this operation, right? //
"Sure. Do as you please. I'm waiting for good news."
// Heh, then pay me two-fold my salary this month! //
"Decent enough."
// Hehehe, thanks, boss! I won't let you down! //
"Sure and good luck."
With that, the call ended and Alexander's eyes swept through the horizon.
"I won't let you guys get what you want this time. Just wait and see."
Alexander straightened his back and walked into his room.
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