Chapter 182: Chapter 84: Three Empresses
"..."
"So... according to this theory of imprisonment."
"The power suppressing Andre is his own power. For him to undo this confinement, it would be the equivalent of tearing himself apart."
"And to break this cycle would be to fight against the Golden Magic Ring Tree."
"He simply doesn’t have the power to oppose the Golden Magic Ring Tree. Without using the ancient ritual Spell Key to open it, Andre will remain within the Tree Nest of the Golden Magic Ring Tree until the day he dies."
As Zorn finished explaining the general framework.
The few people listening around him all wore expressions that said they understood, yet didn’t quite understand.
"In any case, as long as you’re sure Bishop Andre can’t escape, we can rest easy."
Marquis Albert nodded slightly.
He didn’t understand the principles, but he understood Zorn Corick.
The man was quite reliable when it came to getting things done.
If not for him, Ogrande City would have suffered disastrous losses in the last battle.
Moreover, Zorn’s contributions were the primary reason Ogrande now held significant sway.
He then looked at the few Transcendents who had already arrived.
"Since everyone is here, then... let the meeting begin."
Everyone took their seats.
Scanning the room, Marquis Albert slowly began to speak.
"Today, the first item on the agenda is the Blood Shadow Rose and the Mysterious Divine Kingdom."
"According to our investigations and the information we have gathered."
"The reason the Blood Shadow Rose was able to participate in the Sun Church’s grand ceremony, the Crying Blood Sun, this time was mainly because they are in control of a certain Mysterious Divine Kingdom."
"And through their continued excavation, their gains have been substantial."
"Even the Sun Church was quite envious and wanted a piece of the pie."
"That is why the Blood Shadow Rose was invited to participate in the Crying Blood Sun ceremony."
"However, during the great battle in Ogrande City a month ago, a vast amount of resources was suddenly stolen from that Mysterious Divine Kingdom."
"And Miss Joliya, the Saintess of the Blood Shadow Rose, also fled overnight."
"Although the Blood Shadow Rose had placed many measures on Miss Joliya, all of them proved useless."
"It was as if Miss Joliya had vanished into thin air."
"The furious Blood Shadow Rose launched a bloody retaliation against Joliya’s family. Currently, most members of the Bruce Clan have been captured by them."
"According to our prior agreement, we can shelter some of our own people, but we cannot interfere with the Blood Shadow Rose’s actions."
"They paid a significant price for Ogrande City, and they are entitled to this right."
"Regarding the Blood Shadow Rose situation, what are... your thoughts?"
After a period of silence in the conference room.
Grand Duke Amalante, who was sitting to the side, spoke up slowly.
"Regardless, the Blood Shadow Rose contributed considerable strength in this last battle."
"Thankfully, they provided the venue and resisted the Harvesters’ invasion, which is why we have a relatively safe area to communicate."
"Furthermore, their forces played an effective role on several battlefields."
"As long as they don’t go too far, it should be permissible. As for the game they’re playing with that Mysterious Power over the Divine Kingdom, we don’t need to get too involved."
"If they can produce resources, we get a share; that is our portion derived from their legal rights."
"Even without any output of resources from the Divine Kingdom, their own strength is not to be underestimated."
"My recommendation is not to interfere and to tacitly approve of their actions within certain limits."
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Same here."
The others quickly voiced their agreement.
"Alright. In that case, regarding the matter of the Blood Shadow Rose, we will tacitly permit their actions."
Then, Albert turned to Zorn.
"Zorn... you seem to have some connection to Joliya, the Saintess of the Blood Shadow Rose."
"Back in school, I had a bit of a crush on Miss Joliya."
Zorn admitted it freely.
His words brought knowing smiles to the faces of everyone in the conference room.
Who didn’t have someone they liked and admired back in school?
Marquis Albert nodded.
"As members of Ogrande City’s core circle of power, we do not allow other forces to interfere with us."
"If the Blood Shadow Rose dares to take any drastic action against you, any means of counterattack you employ will be permitted."
"This is a right inherent to those in power in Ogrande City."
"You represent not only yourself, but Ogrande City as well."
"Of course, while power can grant legitimacy to any of your actions, it can hardly guarantee your safety in the face of true strength. You should still be cautious."
"Understood!" Zorn nodded.
"Next is the second important topic of today’s meeting: the selection of the Empress for the forthcoming Otan Grelle Steam Empire."
As Marquis Albert spoke, Zorn listened intently.
After all, this concerned the future of a brand-new era for the Steam Empire and was a crucial path for Zorn’s development in the Northern Border Region.
"We have discussed this before."
"We will not permit the hereditary succession of an emperor. A hereditary emperor would be an infringement upon the rights of us nobles."
"However, a system of recommending an Empress from the Gray Mist Giant bloodline will allow us to better constrain the power of the Sun Church."
"As for the candidates for Empress, there are currently a few."
"Everyone, take a good look and think it over."
