Around the same time Camilla let out a sharp, explosive cry upon seeing the Silver Crest on her lower abdomen, a meeting was taking place deep within the imperial palace of Saint Florence, the capital of the empire.
The council chamber featured a high, vast dome, where massive murals depicting the achievements of past emperors stood solemn and majestic under the glow of magical lamps.
Seated along both sides of the long obsidian conference table were not the usual ministers who handled daily administrative affairs, but rather the true core of the empire’s power. This included, but was not limited to, several princes, dukes, army marshals, the Chief Court Mage, and several elderly figures whose auras were unfathomable.
Aside from the Guardian Divine Dragon and a few 9th-tier Enshrined, the true rulers of the empire were all gathered here.
The atmosphere at the table was terrifyingly heavy.
“…In summary, the attack on Mystra Magic Academy resulted in a total of 147 student casualties. Among them, thirty-nine are confirmed dead, eleven are missing, and the rest have sustained injuries of varying severity. The academy’s buildings and defensive facilities were heavily damaged, with direct economic losses estimated to exceed 800,000 imperial gold coins.”
A stiff-faced, middle-aged official wearing gold-rimmed glasses held a report in his hands, reciting the facts in a flat tone.
“The leader of the Dark Magical Beast Legion, ‘The Stitcher,’ and some core members escaped, but their organization has been severely crippled. They should be unable to launch another attack of the same scale in the short term.”
He closed the report, finishing his briefing. After bowing deeply to the gathered assembly, he withdrew silently. He was the Vice-Chief of the Imperial Inspectorate, responsible for the preliminary investigation of the incident.
Silence spread through the council chamber. The Emperor, Lumiere III, sat at the head of the long table. He appeared to be in his late forties, possessing a handsome but slightly weary face. His deep purple eyes scanned the room as his fingers lightly tapped the smooth tabletop.
“Principal Kerova… where is she now?”
The Emperor spoke. His voice was not loud, but it caused everyone to straighten up.
A white-haired old mage wearing a robe embroidered with stars bowed slightly. He was the current Chief of the Imperial Mage Tower and one of Kerova’s students.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, my teacher returned to the academy yesterday. She has begun handling the aftermath and restabilizing the academy’s barrier. She… expressed deep apology and self-blame through a magical transmission.”
“Self-blame?”
A majestic old man sitting to the Emperor’s lower left, Duke Frost, let out a cold snort. A deep scar ran across his face, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.
“Hmph. If not for her absence, how could the academy’s barrier have been breached so easily? How would that dark filth have dared to be so arrogant? It led to such a disaster! You must remember, the Imperial Princess was…”
“That is enough.”
The Chief Court Mage, a poised and elegant elderly woman, spoke up slowly.
“Calling Kerova to the eastern border to participate in the suppression of the Chaos Cult’s blood sacrifice ritual was an emergency mobilization order signed jointly by His Majesty and the Council. The situation was critical then, and the deployment of seven 9th-tier experts was a necessary precaution. Regarding that point, everyone present should have voted in favor.”
Her calm gaze swept over several princes and high-ranking officials who had been particularly vocal about reassining Kerova at the time.
Those individuals looked slightly uncomfortable but did not offer a rebuttal. Moving Kerova had indeed been a collective decision; after all, no one had expected the Dark Magical Beast Legion to launch such a desperate attack at that exact moment.
“Now is not the time to argue over the rights or wrongs of the mobilization order,” the Emperor said, waving a hand to stop the potential dispute. “The damage has been done. The key lies in how to handle the aftermath and… how to avoid repeating the same mistake.”
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
“Principal Kerova was indeed negligent, and there was a major loophole in the academy’s defense system. However, as Lady Casablanca stated, her reassignment was the empire’s decision. Furthermore, Principal Kerova has spent hundreds of years cultivating talent for the empire and guarding our lands. Her contributions are illustrious. Many of you here, including myself, have received her guidance or favor.”
His words were plain, yet they sent a chill through many hearts in the chamber.
The Emperor was reminding them that whether considering seniority, strength, or personal connections, touching Kerova was no simple matter. If they truly attempted to punish her severely, the first backlash would likely come from within the empire’s high-ranking circles.
One had to remember that the emperors of previous generations had all graduated from Mystra Magic Academy. In a sense, Kerova could be considered the teacher of six generations of emperors.
“Does Your Majesty mean… to let it go?” another prince asked tentatively.
“No,” the Emperor shook his head. “Merits and faults must be distinguished. Principal Kerova must take responsibility for this incident. I have decided to reduce the imperial financial grants to Mystra Magic Academy by 20% for the next three years. These funds will be used to compensate the families of the deceased and injured students and to fund the academy’s reconstruction. Furthermore, Principal Kerova is ordered to thoroughly overhaul the academy’s security system within three months and submit a detailed report. The Court Mages and the Inspectorate will jointly conduct the final inspection. If another oversight occurs…”
The Emperor’s voice intentionally dropped an octave.
“Then I will have to consider whether the academy needs a more responsible administrator.”
This resolution provided an explanation to the public and manifested the majesty of the imperial power without truly shaking Kerova’s foundation, all while leaving room for maneuver.
The people present had various thoughts, but most nodded silently, accepting the Emperor’s handling of the situation. After all, if they truly pushed that 9th-tier Summoner to the brink, no one knew what the consequences would be.
Not to mention that at least half of the people present were once her students; based on her strength as the strongest in the empire alone, she was enough to give most 9th-tier powerhouses a very hard time.
It was common knowledge that Summoners were considered a weak class on the continent of Tarora. However, if the collective combat power of every Summoner in the world amounted to eight pecks, Kerova would possess ten on her own, meaning everyone else effectively owed her two.
“Furthermore,” the Emperor continued, his tone turning ice-cold. “Pass down my decree: As of today, the Dark Magical Beast Legion is designated as the empire’s highest-level wanted target. Issue a kill-on-sight order. Within the empire’s borders, anyone found colluding with, harboring, or providing convenience to them will be considered a traitor and executed on the spot. Every border province and legion is to increase patrols. We must wipe out the remnants and prevent them from rising again.”
“By your command!”
The various dukes and military officials accepted the order solemnly. Among them, the most excited was Duke Bardia.
Unlike the other dukes whose children were already independent, his only daughter was currently studying at Mystra Magic Academy. It was a stroke of luck that nothing had happened to her; otherwise, he probably would have gone to blow himself up alongside the Dark Magical Beast Legion.
“They aren’t just some common evil force anymore—we must strike them with a heavy fist!” he shouted, slamming the table. His long golden hair, wreathed in lightning, stood on end from his rage.
***
Having settled the two most urgent matters, the atmosphere in the council chamber eased slightly, though it remained heavy.
The Emperor rubbed his brow, appearing tired, but his gaze shifted to a woman at the far end of the long table whose face was hidden in the shadows of a hood.
Though her attire did not make her look like a typical person of virtue, she was indeed the empire’s Chief of Diplomacy.
“Minister Shadow Moon.”
The Emperor addressed her by her somewhat peculiar name.
“What is the Demon Realm’s view on this incident? Will it affect the planned exchange student program?”
“It will not,” she answered calmly, her voice as pleasant as a silver bell. “The King of the Demons did not change the original agreement after learning of this incident. Just as we discussed, that Princess will enroll in the first half of next year.”
“I see.” The Emperor nodded and rose from his seat. “Then, this meeting is adjourned. You may all leave.”
“Wait, Your Majesty, there is one more thing,” the old man in the star-patterned robe suddenly said.
“What is it, Master Samaster?” The Emperor turned back curiously, wondering why he was being stopped.
“It is about the mysterious person who killed the Dark Chimera. My teacher said that while she was investigating the battlefield, she discovered traces of Abyss Mana.”
Upon hearing those words, the expressions of everyone present changed instantly.
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