A/N:
Only a chapter for today.
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A deep, masculine voice echoed throughout the conference hall.
"Thanks to the efforts of Princes Nathaniel and Adrian, we, the Elders of the Tower, have made significant progress in identifying the mastermind behind the raid. We can now confirm that this individual is not affiliated with the Kearny Kingdom. Therefore, I strongly advise Your Majesty to heed His Highness's suggestion and take appropriate action."
"I understand."
Arthur nodded his head in acknowledgment.
He looked at the report on the table before continuing to speak.
"The hypothesis proposed by Prince Adrian appears plausible. Given that our Empire had a population of over one hundred and fifty million registered citizens, the loss of three thousand lives may appear insignificant to me."
The white-haired man shifted his gaze back to the audience.
"Of course, I'm not saying the lives of the refugees are worthless, but if the Kearny Kingdom seeks revenge for the humiliation we inflicted on them, shouldn't they be aiming for something that can deal us such a heavy blow that we regret attacking them? As I stated earlier, three thousand lives is a small number."
After a brief silence, Arthur began again.
"As for now, I'll follow Prince Adrian's suggestion. If you have any objections, please raise your hand."
Arthur scanned the faces of the nobles and military men, patiently waiting.
However, after a few minutes had passed, no one raised their hands.
"Very well, I hereby appoint Duke Florance as the Empire's Ambassador to the Kearny Kingdom. You may select up to five individuals to accompany you on this mission."
Andarc Florance, a distinguished man in his forties with striking lilac hair and piercing purple eyes, rose gracefully from his seat and bowed deeply.
He held the title of Duke of the Synesta Region, a member of the neutral faction.
"I humbly express my deepest gratitude for the gracious opportunity to serve, Your Majesty."
The Synesta region served as the Empire's primary trade hub, having boasted extensive experience in both domestic and international commerce.
Therefore, Arthur could rest assured that Andarc Florance was well-versed in identifying the most advantageous resources for the Empire.
The Emperor stood, and the audience followed suit.
Soon, he then delivered a brief speech to conclude the conference, and the meeting ended without any trouble.
Once everyone had left, Arthur remained seated on his dais with his aide standing beside him.
—Tap —Tap —Tap
Footsteps echoed as four people descended the stairs and approached Arthur.
They were each dressed in a robe that concealed their faces.
—Click!
The one with a tall and slender figure activated a device and placed it on the table.
Soon, a transparent dome resembling a giant soap bubble enveloped them, leaving only Erudian outside.
It was a silent magic device.
Without a moment's hesitation, a burly man resembling a bear approached Emperor Arthur and spoke in a deep, gruff voice.
"The one behind the attack is doubtlessly him."
The man declared, his eyes fixed on the Emperor.
Arthur leaned back in his chair, his expression pensive.
"Are you saying that 'he' refers to the culprit behind the Tower accident?"
The burly man nodded solemnly.
"Yes. It is the only logical conclusion."
Shortly, a high-pitched voice belonging to a child caught everyone's attention.
All eyes turned towards her as she sat atop the table, swinging her legs joyfully.
"But hasn't it been almost more than four hundred years since the last time we met him?"
The kid asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
A woman's voice chimed in, her tone serious and measured.
"It's just that he doesn't know how to give up, biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike."
All of them nodded their heads in agreement.
"But, I forgot how he looked."
The young girl expressed her regret, and the woman couldn't help but chuckle softly at her teammate's cuteness.
"Just search for his paintings; after all, he won't age like the rest of us."
A man with a slender figure spoke up, his voice laced with concern.
"If Prince Nathaniel's statement is true, then I cannot imagine what kind of fate this continent will endure."
A woman added her thoughts to the conversation.
"Yes, especially after witnessing him effortlessly dispatch 10,000 people. It appears that the bastard has amassed quite a following."
A bear-like figure responded.
"Understandably, he has lived for more than five 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, her tone filled with disgust.
"Organization? From my perspective, it seems more like a cult than an actual organization."
The woman shrugged and added.
"Can't agree more."
A slender man took a step forward and stopped in front of Arthur.
"Would you be willing to lend us some of your Knights?"
Arthur nodded.
"As this is a serious matter, then I will lend my Paladins to you."
"Thank you. Since it involves our circle, we will look into it, so you can concentrate on the treaty."
"I understand."
"We will contact you when we find something."
"I'd appreciate that."
The man took the device from the table and pressed it.
—Click!
With a soft click, the dome faded and disappeared, and the four of them exited the room.
.
.
.
Arriving at his chamber, Nathaniel leaned his body against the door and closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath.
"Haa…"
Opening his eyes, he stretched out his hand and caressed the spot where his mother had kissed him.
Nathaniel had always harbored a deep disdain for Lucia due to her incessant need for control.
However, as he stood there, he felt his animosity towards her begin to waver, and he couldn't quite comprehend why.
"Tsk."
Dismissing the peculiar sensation, Nathaniel removed his impeccably tailored jacket and threw it carelessly onto the couch.
He loosened his tie and made his way toward the balcony.
As he opened the door to the balcony, a refreshing cool breeze greeted him.
Nathaniel raised his hand and dialed a number.
Leaning against the balcony railing, he waited for the call to connect.
—Ring —Rii—
Soon, a familiar cheerful voice pierced his ears.
// Yo. Boss! Do you miss me? //
"I have a mission for you."
Nathaniel cut straight to the chase.
// Hmm… lemme guess, it's related to that shitty organization you loathe the most, correct? //
"Yes."
The black-haired boy confirmed, his tone serious.
// So, where is the item located this time? //
"Somewhere within the Kearny Kingdom."
There was a brief silence.
// Haa… out of the place, why does it have to be the Kearny Kingdom? Moreover, isn't that kingdom currently at war with the Empire? //
"The war is over."
Nathaniel replied simply.
// But still, the Emperor has not made an official statement yet. Also, it won't be easy to escape Marine's eyes. //
"Well, if you'd like something new, consider crossing the Forest of Death."
·?θm Nathaniel shrugged indifferently.
// Boss, are you telling my squad and me to go suicide? //
The voice asked incredulously.
"Perhaps?"
// Boss, aren't you too cold-blooded? //
"Maybe?"
The man sighed in defeat.
// But I can take whoever I want on this operation, right? //
"Sure. Do as you please. I'm waiting for good news."
// Heh, then I'd like to see you pay me twice my salary this month! //
The voice demanded, a note of excitement in his tone.
"Decent enough."
Money was never Nathaniel's problem.
// Hehe, thanks a lot, Boss! I won't let you down! //
"Sure and good luck."
With that, the call ended, and Nathaniel's eyes swept through the horizon.
"I won't let you guys get what you want this time."
His golden eyes glinted with anger.
"Just wait and see."
Straightening his back, he walked into his room.
.
.
.
The spacious room was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering on the walls.
A round table was set in the middle, and two people were seen discussing something serious.
The man with long black hair that cascaded down to his back sighed upon reading the report in his hand.
The disappointment was evident in his voice as he placed the report on the table and spoke with a somber tone.
"So, not only have we lost so many people, but our plan has also failed, huh?"
The red-haired woman sitting across began to explain.
"Our plan would have succeeded by now if the Second Prince hadn't barged into the Conference Hall and interfered."
"Well, it's unrealistic to expect everything to go according to plan all the time, isn't it?"
The man shrugged indifferently, moving on from the problem.
Annelise nodded, conceding his point.
"But now that you mention Prince Adrian, wasn't he the one who dealt a fatal blow to our army?"
"Yes, he was."
"Hmm…"
The man's expression turned thoughtful.
He crossed his arms and leaned against the plush backrest.
"Is there a way to bring him to our side? I kinda want him."
Annelise stared at the man beside her for a moment before eventually responding.
"I think there is a way."
"Thank you, Anne; I know I can count on you."
The man smiled and flipped open the report on the table once again.
As a thought struck him, the man voiced it out.
"By the way, how is Hector's condition?"
"He's recovering."
"I'm glad to hear it."
The man nodded in satisfaction, his gaze fixed intently on the paper.
Suddenly, his countenance brightened as he came across a particular page.
"Oh? So our new experiment is already 70% complete?"
"Yes, that's correct. We're making good progress and will soon be able to utilize the results."
"Ah, excellent news!"
However, suddenly a knocking resounded throughout the room, followed by a voice of a woman outside the room.
"Father, it's the time."
The man set the paper down on the table and let out a sharp clap of his hands.
"Ah, my time has come! Well then, I'll see you around, Anne."
"Take care."
After bidding his farewell, the man left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
With that, the three forces began to move discreetly in the shadows.
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A/N:
End of the 2nd arc.
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