Chapter 264: Southern Unified Empire
In the south, at the imperial palace of the unified empire.
A deep red carpet stretched from the palace gates all the way up the steps, ending at the imperial throne, the symbol of the empire's highest power. Imperial flags hung on the palace walls, and the air was filled with incense and a tense atmosphere of power.
A minister dressed in civil official robes was kneeling below the throne, reporting loudly to the emperor who sat enthroned on it:
"Your Majesty! The king of the largest kingdom in the East has officially sent envoys to express his willingness to submit to the Empire and become an inseparable part of it!"
On the throne, the emperor of the unified empire, Leggett Otaster, a man in his early thirties in the prime of his life, saw a satisfied smile bloom on his lips.
The Southern Unified Empire was originally a small country that suddenly appeared four hundred years ago, much like El, which was originally a single city-state. However, as it continued to develop, it gradually became one of the most powerful countries in the southern mainland.
Especially during the Leggett era, it had shed its status as a kingdom and become a super empire spanning three regions: the south, the east, and the west.
Leggett gently stroked the armrest of the throne, his deep voice echoing in the empty hall.
"Excellent! In this way, the last stubborn rock in the East has also been incorporated into the imperial territory."
He raised his chin and looked into the distance, his gaze distant and calculating. "Now, all that stands in the way of the Empire is that self-important El in the center of the continent, and some insignificant little countries around it."
His tone was utterly contemptuous.
As for the land further north, there were only a few scattered independent cities and dangerous no-man's-land, which never entered the planned empire. At worst, when he truly unifies the continent, he can send someone to talk to those city lords and exchange actual aid for their submission.
Although this would expose the empire to the threat of the demons, Leggett completely disregarded it. For thousands of years, these cowardly demons have only dared to cower in this desolate northern land, and in his eyes, they can't stir up any trouble at all.
His gaze shifted to the side of the throne, to a figure that had always stood there quietly.
The man was dressed in a dark mage's robe, his face hidden in the shadow of a wide hood, with only his wrinkled, aged skin visible on his chin. He didn't exude any exaggerated magical energy fluctuations, yet he gave off a sense of unfathomable tranquility.
He was Friedrich, the most powerful mage in the unified empire and also Emperor Leggett's teacher.
"Teacher," Leggett began, his tone questioning but revealing a firm decision already made. He leaned forward slightly on his throne. "Is it finally time to take action against the Land of El? I have waited far too long."
At this moment, his ambition to unify the continent was laid bare.
The last time he waged war against the Kingdom of El, even sending troops into their territory, it was to create a pretext for provoking conflict. However, they were repeatedly repelled by two suddenly appearing powerful mages. Throughout the entire process, the Land of El maintained a state of restraint and did not give Leggett any excuse to take action.
The first mage, skilled in unpredictable mental magic, managed to trap his elite legion in illusions, causing them to fight amongst themselves.
The second one was even more terrifying. Completely disregarding the consumption of magic power, various high-level attack spells poured down like a torrential rain, purely crushing his vanguard with overwhelming violence, leaving behind huge psychological trauma.
If the mage hadn't been male, Leggett would have suspected that it was Serie herself who had done it.
Friedrich slightly raised his head, and the shadow inside the hood shifted, revealing the lower half of his face and his dark eyes. He slowly shook his head, his voice carrying a sense of pessimism. "Your Majesty, times have changed. I'm afraid we've already missed the best opportunity."
"Why?" Leggett's brows furrowed instantly, his hand stilling on the armrest.
"Because of the Continental Magic Association." Friedrich's voice was very calm, but it was like a bucket of cold water poured on Leggett's burning ambition.
"Serie is based in the capital of El, and the association she founded has now become a new holy place in the hearts of all mages. Most importantly, according to reliable intelligence, a considerable number of mages who have passed the association's examinations have chosen to join the army or magical institutions of the Land of El, becoming similar to court mages in our country."
Friedrich paused deliberately before continuing. "Fidel has already assembled a formidable legion of mages."
Leggett's face instantly darkened, and his fingers unconsciously tightened, almost cracking the armrest of the throne. He knew about this news, of course, but every time he heard people mention it, it made him feel incredibly frustrated.
"That bastard Fidel!" he gritted his teeth, his voice rising with indignation. "He's so lucky! He actually managed to get that elf Serie to come! What price did he pay?!"
He couldn't understand why the supposedly neutral and aloof elven saint would suddenly intervene so deeply in the affairs of the human kingdoms. He rose slightly from his throne, agitation evident in every movement.
"The cost may not be the key," Friedrich said calmly, his tone steady and cutting through Leggett's outburst. "What matters is the result. The Kingdom of El is rapidly closing the gap in magical power between us."
He shifted his weight slightly, the hood catching the light. "A full-scale attack at this point, even if victorious, would be a pyrrhic victory. Once the empire's elite forces are decimated, the surrounding powers that have recently submitted will likely not remain peaceful."
Leggett snorted coldly, forcibly suppressing his irritation. He sank back into his throne, the throne seeming smaller around his agitated frame. He took a deep breath, seemingly trying to change the subject. But because of Serie's existence, he inevitably thought of another name, and his expression twisted.
"Speaking of magic, that god-slayer Kurtz, hmph, he's truly the biggest idiot in human history!"
Leggett's tone was full of sarcasm, even with a hint of disdain. "He clearly has the power to define the rules of magic, yet he insists on writing some bullshit commandment in that damned 'Origin Codex' that magicians should not participate in internal human conflicts!"
He stood abruptly, pacing across the dais. "For a thousand years, this has made even the most capable magicians hesitant and timid! St. Katia Academy is the best example, a bunch of parasites who take money but do nothing! They possess immense power but are too cowardly to act!"
He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his voice rising several decibels. "What immense power mages possess! Look at the performance of my court's mage troops on the battlefield, invincible, unstoppable!"
He whirled around, his robes billowing. "Such a powerful weapon was actually shackled by its creator himself, how laughable and pathetic!"
He seemed to have found an outlet for his anger, yet he continued to lash out. "And there's Norn, the founding emperor of the Kingdom of El. He's supposedly an ally of the god-slayer Kurtz? And yet he foolishly follows this rule, hoarding the holy sword, utterly idiotic!"
His voice filled the chamber. "When I one day conquer the capital of El, the first thing I will do is to tear down his statue in the central square, so that the world can see how utterly fragile his corrupt ideals are!"
Friedrich listened quietly to the emperor's complaints, his face beneath the hood remaining unchanged. He only moved slightly when Leggett mentioned toppling the Norn statue. He shifted his posture, and his frown deepened beneath the shadow of his hood, though it remained almost imperceptible.
His Majesty the Emperor is still a bit too hasty, Friedrich thought, but he made no move to interrupt. As long as it doesn't involve certain matters, Friedrich doesn't intend to speak up to correct him.
He remained silent, a quiet observer watching the emperor's ambitions burn hotter and brighter, consuming reason in their flames.
[End of Chapter]
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