Chapter 269: Anomalies in the Southern Empire
The atmosphere in the Royal Palace of Ersten was starkly different from the oppressive air of the Southern Unified Empire's palace.
Especially in a garden located at the heart of the royal grounds. The sun shone brightly, and various exotic flowers and plants dotted the scenery. It felt more like a meticulously maintained botanical garden, completely devoid of the trappings of a center of power.
Rhodes frequented the palace to discuss matters concerning the Magic Association with Fidel. Each time, Fidel chose not to receive him in the formal grand hall, but rather in a small pavilion within this garden, making the interactions feel casual and intimate.
Of course, this setting was also better for discussing topics not meant for outsiders' ears. Hot tea and exquisite pastries were laid out on the stone table. Fidel had specifically dismissed all the maids and personally poured tea for the black-haired young man sitting opposite him.
That black-haired young man was, naturally, Rhodes.
Although in Fidel's perspective, Rhodes was merely an apprentice of Lady Serie—someone he technically had no need to treat with such near-humble deference—for some reason, facing this overly young man, Fidel always felt an elusive aura emanating from him.
He couldn't describe exactly what kind of aura it was, just a vague sense of awe.
Putting that feeling aside, simply the fact that Rhodes could make decisions on Serie's behalf was enough for Fidel to pour tea for him personally.
"Mr. Ade, once again, I thank you and Lady Serie for your help to the Kingdom of Ersten."
Fidel spoke with sincere gratitude. "The Magic Association not only selflessly imparts knowledge but also places no restrictions on where its students go. Such magnanimity is truly admirable."
Rhodes took the teacup and nodded slightly.
To be honest, hearing the Emperor constantly call him "Ade" was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Moreover, was there really a need to hide his identity now?
Rhodes thought about it. It seemed there wasn't.
"Your Majesty is too kind. However, there is something I need to tell you. My true name is not Ade, but Rhodes."
"Rh... Rhodes!?" Fidel's mouth gaped open.
Like most people, Fidel's first thought was to associate the name with the historical God-slayer.
"I never expected Lord Rhodes to share the same name as that Lord God-slayer. And to be taken in as an apprentice by Lady Serie... should I say it is a wondrous arrangement of fate?"
Rhodes shook his head gently. As expected, apart from a select few, most people simply assumed he shared a name.
Forget it. He couldn't be bothered to correct him. Even if he revealed his identity, apart from making Fidel even more respectful, there wouldn't be much benefit.
The Magic Association was already built, and Fidel had indeed given his utmost support. Rhodes didn't need anything more from him for the time being.
It wouldn't be too late to reveal his identity later when he actually needed Fidel for something.
But when that time came, Rhodes would have to give Fidel a little lecture as an ancestor's comrade-in-arms.
"Indeed. However, the smooth operation of the Magic Association is inseparable from Your Majesty's support. Serie is also very grateful for your help." Rhodes resumed playing the role of Serie's prized apprentice, his words and demeanor perfectly measured, leaving no room for fault.
Fidel smiled, paying no mind to Rhodes addressing Serie by name. His smile, however, was tinged with a shadow as he steered the conversation in another direction.
"If anyone should be saying thanks, it should be me. After all, the current situation on the continent is developing in a different direction."
He sighed softly, his gaze drifting to the flowers outside the pavilion as if organizing his words.
"Lord Rhodes, you follow Lady Serie in devoted study year-round, so perhaps you pay little attention to affairs in the South." Fidel spoke slowly, his tone turning grave. "That Emperor of the Unified Empire, Legate... his recent movements have been highly abnormal."
Rhodes's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. He looked up at Fidel. "Oh? What does Your Majesty mean?"
"Massive amounts of gold and treasure, along with large quantities of the Southern Unified Empire's magical ores—especially strategic resources like Star Silver and Mythril—have been secretly transported to the territory of the Dwarven Kingdom in the West in alarming quantities over the past few years."
Star Silver and Mythril were top-tier materials for crafting equipment and magical items. More importantly, both could be refined repeatedly.
Refined to their limits, Star Silver and Mythril were no less precious than legendary materials like Eternal Ore. However, due to the enormous cost and loss during refinement, and the fact that ordinary nations lacked the furnaces capable of such continuous refinement, they were mostly used as standard rare materials.
But the Southern Unified Empire was shipping massive quantities of them away, and the destination was the only nation on the continent possessing the technology to continuously refine these two ores—the Dwarven Kingdom. It was hard not to suspect something fishy was going on.
Fidel lowered his voice. "My intelligence agents have confirmed it multiple times. There is no mistake. The quantity is staggering—enough to empty a nation's treasury. It has even affected the normal supply of magical equipment within the Southern Unified Empire itself."
A flicker of surprise passed through Rhodes's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
He didn't care much about the flow of resources between human empires. To him, those were merely worldly wealth.
After all, when they killed that famous dragon in the Mythical Era and found a mountain of treasure in its lair, they had only taken a small portion of it.
"Dwarves excel at forging various weapons, equipment, and magical items. Perhaps the Emperor simply wants to build an elite magically-armed military force? After all, hasn't he been organizing a Court Mage Corps recently?"
Rhodes offered a reasonable speculation.
"At first, I thought so too." Fidel shook his head, his brow furrowed deeply. "But the cost is too great. Unreasonably great. Moreover, using such a scale of materials merely to equip an army seems excessive."
"What strikes me as even stranger is the attitude of the dwarves."
He leaned forward slightly. "Lord Rhodes, you may know that my ancestor, the Holy King Norne, had an unbreakable friendship with the Dwarven King Somme. Furthermore, the forging of The Light of Ersten had the full support of the dwarven race."
Rhodes nodded, indicating he knew about this.
Or rather, he didn't just know about it; he had lived through it.
"Relying on this historical connection, my country has always maintained good relations with the Dwarven Kingdom. But this time..."
Fidel's face showed obvious confusion. "I wrote letters personally and even sent special envoys, attempting to pry into Legate's objectives from those dwarven masters."
"But everyone, without exception, kept their mouths shut tight about this matter!"
"They only admitted to receiving payment from the Southern Unified Empire to complete a 'great work,' but refused to reveal a single word about the specific content."
"Dwarves do value promises, but this level of secrecy—where even my country cannot obtain any information—is extremely rare."
It was true that dwarves valued promises and contracts, but they also possessed a trait called greed.
Sometimes, just a few barrels of fine wine were enough to make dwarves spill everything.
Fidel had even suspected that he simply hadn't offered enough benefits, which was why those dwarven masters were unwilling to tell him the truth.
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