With the new king on the throne, Ryan has become incredibly busy. After finally finding some time last night to be with Sulia, the next day was packed. He met with Schultz first, followed by meetings with Berchmond and François, and then lunch with Bellegar. After a brief afternoon nap, he called for Carsonberg, Stephen, and Geffen to discuss logistical preparations.
This massive undertaking has Ryan busy from morning until late at night, with his only personal time consumed by the dark elf and the queen. Additionally, his son, young Devonshire, frequently insists on hearing stories about the "New Jin Bandit" and his notorious deeds. Ryan's schedule is completely filled.
However, one person in the palace found themselves with an abundance of free time—so much so that it became unbearable.
This person was none other than the Imperial Duchess Emilia, who had decided to stay a few extra days to spend more time with Ryan. But since his ascension to the throne, Ryan has been too busy, as have Sulia, Morgiana, and Veronica, leaving Emilia with nothing to do. Her son, young Frederick, had been taken by Emperor Karl Franz to the palace in Altdorf for a full aristocratic education, which had always been Emilia's plan. Frederick was now of school age.
As for Rem, who was still a baby, she slept most of the time. Emilia, having brought an entire staff with her, could easily delegate all her duties as a mother, leaving her with plenty of leisure time.
Boredom, it was utter boredom.
One late autumn afternoon, Emilia wandered through the palace in Couronne. She had planned to have dinner with Ryan, but Marshal Roland Marshall of the Bretonnian Border Guard and Duke Ford of Montfort came to discuss border issues with him. This was related to the second clause of the "Empire-Bretonnia Mutual Aid Treaty," requiring Ryan's response. As an Imperial Duchess with a sensitive status, Emilia could only force a smile and tell Ryan, "Go ahead, I'm fine."
"Well, there goes our dinner," Emilia sighed. She strolled through the palace with her attendants, feeling genuinely bored. Couronne Palace's entertainment options weren't as varied as those in Nuln, and with the entire court preparing for the expedition to Eight Peaks Mountain, no one paid attention to the idle Emilia.
She had even dressed up that day in a delicate black chiffon gown with a snow-white lining and a slit skirt, paired with ultra-thin Wolford stockings in a soft gray and burgundy satin heels. Yet, her efforts seemed wasted.
After some thought, Emilia decided to visit a friend instead. "Fetch the gifts I prepared earlier—two of them. I'm going to visit a friend," she instructed her maid.
"Understood," the maid responded.
In Couronne Palace, on the sixth floor of the royal guest quarters, in a luxurious suite reserved for distinguished guests, the evening sunlight filtered through the glass windows. Aurora, a Sanctuary Ice Witch, was dressed in a honey-white pinstriped skirt with a wolf fur coat draped over her shoulders. Her mature, beautiful face was framed by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and her long legs, clad in black stockings, rested on a plush sofa. She was holding a magic book imported from the High Elves, though her expression suggested she wasn't really reading—just enjoying some pre-dinner leisure.
The "King's Suite" in Couronne had two bedrooms, a large and a small reception room, three bathrooms (two private and one shared), a dining room that could accommodate over twenty people, six bathtubs, antique Elven-style furniture, as well as high-end furnishings from Bretonnia, the Empire, and Dwarven craftsmanship. It even had a private bar and a 25-square-meter rooftop garden. Aurora and her daughter Theresa were staying there, and Aurora was quite pleased.
In short, this was the life she desired: noble status, an extremely luxurious and comfortable living environment, top-notch magical amenities, and the power to command troops at will. This was what Aurora wanted. Of course, having a quiet, independent wizard tower and a laboratory for her magical research would be perfect.
But this wasn't reality. Aurora sighed as she placed her book on the table, adjusting her skirt and the fur on her shoulders. Deep down, she felt a bit uneasy. She knew that her current privileges were temporary, mainly due to Ryan's ascension and the departure of Karl Franz, combined with the fact that Teclis and Emilia had no interest in staying, and Veronica was busy forming her witch coven. Thus, Aurora and Theresa could temporarily reside in the palace's most luxurious suite without question.
As she pretended to read, Aurora's mind raced with thoughts about how to negotiate with Ryan to extend their stay.
She hoped Ryan, being so busy lately, would forget about her and Theresa, allowing them to stay in the King's Suite a bit longer without paying.
After a while, Theresa returned, dressed in a black-and-white checkered coat, carrying a small bag containing a white uniform shirt, gray leggings, and black heels. The sorceress had her long hair tied up in a ponytail. "Mother, I'm back."
"Back from your lesson?" Aurora nodded slightly. "What did Lord Teclis teach you today?"
"About ice magic conjuration and techniques to avoid mistakes," Theresa replied, clearly enthused. She put down her bag. "No matter how many times I see it, Lord Teclis's skill is always astonishing. He seems like an endless treasure trove of knowledge."
"Then you should make the most of it. Lord Teclis won't stay here much longer," Aurora advised, pushing her magic book aside and handing Theresa a cup of still-warm tea. "The more knowledge you gain, the better your chances of reaching the Sanctuary level. Not every wizard gets the guidance of someone like Teclis during their advancement."
"Mother, you should attend the lessons with me. I asked Lord Teclis, and he said it wouldn't be a problem." Theresa sipped her tea and complained to Aurora, "You always say opportunities like this are rare."
"Lord Teclis is teaching out of respect for Ryan and his court ladies. Why would I impose?" Aurora dismissed the idea, her tone carrying a hint of bitterness. "Besides, the lessons are similar. I don't want to owe Ryan another favor."
Theresa seemed about to argue, but Aurora interrupted, "Actually, my daughter, this is a good opportunity for us to talk."
"Talk?" Theresa set down her tea, her expression turning serious. Whenever Aurora spoke like this, it meant something important was coming.
"Yes, let's discuss what we've gained and lost from our connection with Ryan," Aurora said, her tone laced with resentment. "Let's analyze whether our situation has improved or worsened since leaving the Council."
"I think it's going well, Mother. Our cooperation with Ryan is close-knit. He provides us with ample resources and even persuaded Teclis to tutor me and Veronica. My wizard tower was also built with his help," Theresa replied, satisfied with their current situation. She couldn't understand her mother's persistent worry about Ryan. "Why do you keep fixating on Ryan?"
Aurora sighed, shaking her head with a bitter smile. The Sanctuary Ice Witch suddenly realized that her constant struggles with Margarita had left her daughter poorly prepared for leadership. Theresa, having been born into a life of luxury, was easily contented with what she had.
"My daughter, you're not seeing the danger we're in!" Aurora lamented. "For you personally, things may be fine, but what about our entire faction? What about all the apprentice witches and your mother? Have you thought about that?"
"Are you referring to... our future?" Theresa seemed to grasp something. "But we've already made an agreement with Ryan to help establish MI7. He needs us—we're building his intelligence network!"
"That's a different matter!" Aurora grew impatient. "Theresa, don't you see? Intelligence work is not magic! In our primary field, Ryan clearly trusts Veronica and the Lake Witch more!"
"Your connection with Ryan is too fragile," Aurora continued, her expression turning grave. She grasped Theresa's wrist, her voice filled with frustration. "You haven't shown your uniqueness, my daughter. Your relationship with Ryan might be fine, but our faction's ties with him are weak, easily replaceable. You've been his court lady for years, yet there's been no... progress. Without a more substantial bond, we can't compete with Veronica!"
Theresa blushed at her mother's words, her voice shrinking. "We're spellcasters, Mother. You know how difficult it is for us to conceive. Look at Ryan's children—not one of them was born to a spellcaster. These things can't be rushed."
"Listen, daughter, you must—absolutely must—have a child with Ryan!" Aurora insisted, though Theresa quickly interrupted with a question of her own. "Then, Mother, how did you manage to have me? Any secret methods?"
"Well, let's see..." Aurora hesitated, her face reddening as she explained. "For an Ice Witch of Sanctuary level, the power within our bloodline undergoes a transformation, allowing us to... preserve it within our bodies through freezing, and then release it later with a special elixir. But, Theresa... you're not ready for that yet."
"But that requires reaching the Sanctuary level first! I'm still struggling to find my way there!" Theresa complained. "Why do you keep pushing me, Mother? Can't we take it slower? Ryan is so busy lately, I can barely get a moment with him."
"Anyway..." Aurora was about to continue when a knock on the door interrupted her. Theresa, eager to change the subject, immediately
stood up. "I'll get the door!"
"Lady Theresa, Lady Aurora, good evening!" Emilia stood at the doorway, her face adorned with a diplomatic smile. "I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all," Theresa said, recognizing Emilia, who had taken care of her during their adventure in Nord when she was unwell. She opened the door wider to let Emilia in. "Please, come in."
"Welcome, Duchess," Aurora said, rising to her feet upon seeing Emilia. "It's a pleasure to have you here!"
"Are you free this evening, ladies?" Emilia asked with a smile. "Have you had dinner yet?"
"Not yet, I just got back from Lord Teclis's lesson," Theresa replied, shaking her head.
"Then, may I have the honor of inviting you both to dinner?"
The sorceress and the Sanctuary Ice Witch exchanged glances.
"It would be our pleasure."
...
Meanwhile, in the New World, Itza, the First City, at the summit of the Great Pyramid.
In a sealed chamber atop the Great Pyramid, the Emperor and Lord Kroak sat facing each other. The ancient Slann was chanting a peculiar incantation, while the Emperor's golden aura filled the room, driving away all mist.
This state lasted for some time before Lord Kroak gestured that it was done. "Young Old One, it is finished."
"Where is it? Where is the Sunfire Amulet?" the Emperor asked coldly.
"It lies... in a cursed sea, in a great vortex expanding at the heart of a distant ocean. This whirlpool, strewn with skeletons, is a powerful magical storm, drawing the dead towards it like a colossal magnet. Mortals call it the Ship Graveyard. The Sunfire Amulet lies within it."
"The Ship Graveyard, is it? Understood."
...
Outside Itza, at the Ash Legion's camp.
The camp now included a large group of dwarves, led by Engineer Jerrik Grim. They were signing a long-term cooperation agreement with Fugan, a contract lasting a century. Both the dwarf engineer and the Ash Legion's commander signed their names.
These dwarves hailed from the Spine of Sotek, their home being Barrak-Haimengate. Having been marginalized and seeking a new mineral known as "obsidian," Jerrik Grim had led his group across the seas to Lustria.
Fugan had spent several months establishing communication with the dwarves, leading to this formal meeting. Initially, Fugan had no plans to finalize the agreement in one go, but when the Emperor appeared with four Primarchs in tow, everything changed.
Jerrik Grim, upon seeing the Emperor, seemed to misunderstand something. He enthusiastically rushed over to shake the Emperor's hand, proclaiming, "It's an incredible honor to meet you, the eternal friend and brother of the dwarves." After shaking hands, the dwarf engineer immediately decided to join the Ash Legion, a decision the Emperor acknowledged with a nod.
Apparently, neither Fugan nor the others felt the need to correct or clarify the situation, leading to an unexpectedly smooth alliance.
After signing the contract, the dwarves left to celebrate, leaving Fugan and the Primarchs to converse.
Observing the Wood Elf Princess Carona standing respectfully behind Fugan, her eyes filled with admiration, Clarkson turned to Vulcan and said, "So, now that Father has returned, does this mean every Primarch has to marry an elf? Can I at least pick mine?"
"Heh heh heh, I'm not sure, but Father must have his reasons," Vulcan replied with a polite laugh.
"Brothers, there's something I want to discuss with you," Fugan announced, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. The confident Primarch, seizing the moment while the Emperor was away, addressed Jonson, Vulcan, Rogal, and Clarkson. "I hope you'll support me!"
"Support you in what?" Rogal asked.
"Support me in becoming the next Regent of the Empire!"
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