Chapter 250: The Emperor's Consent
Putting aside the fact that the other party was the strongest mage in modern times, just the fact that she was once a member of the original hero team and a partner of the Holy King Norn meant that no one dared to provoke her.
Even when she pointed at His Majesty the King's nose and launched into a tirade, His Majesty the King still praised Lady Serie for her excellent scolding.
The group was soon respectfully invited into the palace and met the current emperor of the Kingdom of El, Fidel.
"Lady Serie!? And Lord Adler? You two have finally arrived."
The emperor showed great enthusiasm for Serie's arrival. After all, his family heirloom was still in her hands. If he was not polite enough, she might refuse to return it, leaving him with no choice but to suffer in silence like the Elf Kingdom.
Unless he and Serie completely broke ties and sent out a large army and powerful mages to attack her.
"Adler?"
Ayla and Frieren both cast curious glances at Kurtz, whom Fidel had mentioned.
Kurtz ignored them all.
Unfortunately, due to the need to conceal his identity back then, he usually didn't use his real name. The name Adler was just something Serie said offhand. In fact, Fidel still considered himself her apprentice.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Fidel almost couldn't wait to ask the question that had troubled him for years:
"Lady Serie, um... may I ask, regarding our nation's holy sword, El Light, do you—"
His words were somewhat hesitant, as he carefully chose his lines. "It was taken by the demons several years ago, but you fortunately took it back, yet it has never been returned since, don't you think?"
The Holy Sword El Light was not only a national treasure, but also a symbol of faith in El.
In the years since losing the Holy Sword, the emperor had always felt insecure and ashamed to face his ancestors.
Upon hearing this, Serie's expression remained unchanged; she turned her head slightly to look at Kurtz standing beside her.
After the Holy Sword was retrieved, it was Kurtz who suggested that it not be returned for the time being.
His reasoning was simple: the power of El Light was necessary to guard against the counterattack of the newly emerged Demon King.
Serie had no objection to this; for her, it didn't matter where the Light of El was placed.
Now that the other party had asked, she naturally left the decision to Kurtz.
His Majesty the Emperor followed Serie's gaze and landed on Kurtz.
"Lord Adler, what do you mean?"
Although it was unclear why Lady Serie turned her gaze to Lord Adler, or why she entrusted such a crucial matter to him, for Fidel, reclaiming the Light of El was the most important thing.
"The Light of El cannot be returned to you for the time being," Kurtz said, shaking his head.
Upon hearing this, Fidel's expression froze for a moment.
'Could it be that Lord Adler wants to monopolize the Light of El?'
Fidel couldn't help but think this way.
After all, the name of El Light was too famous.
The whereabouts of the divine sword Org were unknown. Only a few people knew of its existence, and even its location was unknown. Even if they found it, they could not draw it if the conditions were not met.
The whereabouts of the Holy Sword Athos were quite clear; it was in Serie's hands.
But... would you dare to rob it?
So only El Light remained as an option.
Kurtz, seeing Fidel's face stiffen instantly and the unease and suspicion flashing in his eyes, naturally understood what he was thinking.
He raised a hand slightly. "Your Majesty need not worry. The Light of El is the holy sword that the Kingdom of El has worshipped for generations, and that will never change."
"We are temporarily borrowing the Holy Sword not out of selfish motives, but to deal with the newly emerged Demon King of the Demon Clan. Her power far exceeds our imagination, and the Holy Sword, El Light, is essential."
"Once the threat is eliminated, the Holy Sword will be naturally returned. I guarantee it with my... Lady Serie's reputation."
Since he had no reputation of his own to vouch for, he chose to use Serie's identity to vouch for Fidel.
Fidel glanced at Serie and saw that she showed no objection. Coupled with the solemn look on Kurtz's face, most of his doubts dissipated.
"So that's how it is. It's to deal with the Demon King?"
Fidel breathed a sigh of relief, his expression softening considerably.
Fighting the Demon King was a noble cause, a reason he could not refute and was willing to support.
But as the ruler of a country, he naturally had to fight for the interests of his own country.
He pondered for a moment, then took the opportunity to ask his next question: "So, Lord Adler, besides borrowing the Holy Sword, do you and Lady Serie have any other important matters to discuss with us?"
He guessed that the two legendary figures' sudden return visit was definitely not just to tell him that the holy sword would not be returned to him for the time being.
Kurtz nodded, then revealed the true purpose of their trip: "Yes. We've come here hoping to establish something in the Land of El."
"A Mage Association."
"A Mage Association?" Fidel's eyes lit up, but then a hint of wariness appeared on his face.
He thought of the St. Katia Mage Academy, which was famous throughout the continent yet aloof from worldly affairs.
The Kingdom of El provided a huge sum of money to support the other party every year in exchange for a promise that they would receive priority assistance when the demons invaded.
But normally, how do you mobilize the academy's mages to handle domestic affairs or conflicts between nations?
That was wishful thinking.
The thought that those glittering gold coins were exchanged for mostly symbolic promises made Fidel's heart bleed.
He leaned forward slightly and asked tentatively: "Excuse me, does this Mage Association belong to the Kingdom of El? Can it be used to defend our country and resist invasions from other countries?"
This was his biggest concern.
If the Kingdom of El could possess its own powerful magical abilities, its national strength would be significantly enhanced.
However, Kurtz's answer poured cold water on his enthusiasm.
"Your Majesty, this Mage Association will be an organization independent of any national government." Kurtz's tone was firm. "Its purpose is to spread magical knowledge and cultivate magical talents, and it will not directly participate in political and military conflicts between countries."
Fidel's face instantly darkened, his disappointment evident.
'Another St. Katia? Then why should he fully support it?'
But just as he was about to politely suggest that he needed to reconsider, Kurtz changed the subject.
"However," Kurtz looked at him, "although the Association is neutral, it does not restrict the future destinations and choices of the mages who study and graduate from the Association."
Fidel suddenly raised his head.
The meaning of this sentence couldn't be clearer!
The Mage Association itself did not participate in politics, but the mages it trained could choose to serve the Kingdom of El!
This meant that the Kingdom of El would have a stable and high-quality source of mages, and Lady Serie might personally train these mages.
This was far more reliable than that St. Katia Academy, which only obeyed orders and not decrees!
Although he couldn't directly command the association to fight for him, he could gain a continuous stream of talent, and Fidel quickly weighed the enormous benefits involved.
This was similar to establishing a top-notch military academy that was not affiliated with the national army, yet most graduates chose to join the national army.
This was absolutely fantastic news for the Kingdom of El.
Fidel rose from his seat. A smile spread across his face.
"Excellent! Excellent! Lord Adler, Lady Serie, please rest assured! The Kingdom of El will do everything in its power to support the establishment of your Mage Association here! Whether it's site selection, funding, or resources and manpower, as long as you two ask, our country will certainly provide our full assistance!"
He looked at Kurtz and Serie, as if he could see the future flourishing of magical power in the Kingdom of El. As for the Holy Sword?
It seemed there was nothing to worry about, leaving it in the hands of these two for now.
[End of Chapter]
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