As soon as Mathilda's voice fell, the entire meeting hall was filled with buzzing sounds of discussion.
Whether it was the nobles, the representatives of the wealthy citizens, or the representatives of the sorcerers and the Association of Scholars, they were all caught in the same shock at this moment. After the shock, they couldn't help but question and discuss fiercely.
At this moment, they even forgot the manners and rules that they followed in their daily life.
In the heated discussion, finally, some of the councilors stood up and demanded a more detailed explanation. Some of them shouted that it was a crazy idea and emphasized that it would lead the Imperium into unprecedented chaos. As the center of the storm, Mathilda simply watched everything in silence, not at all surprised by what was happening before her eyes.
Congress … This product of the new policy had existed and operated in the Typhon Empire for more than a decade, and its earlier prototype, the Congress of Nobles, had existed on this land for even longer. Nobody could deny the historical role and practical value of this thing for the development of Typhon. Even at this moment, Mathilda knew very well how significant the "Congress" was. At the same time, she understood the shock and helplessness of the councilors at this moment. Therefore, in the first ten minutes, she did not say anything at all. She simply left some time for the people in the hall to confirm and digest the news and to calm down.
Finally, the agitated councilors shut their mouths one after another under Mathilda's calm gaze. The humming hall slowly fell silent.
Count Duller did not participate in the discussion. Sitting in his seat quietly, he watched the men and women that he was familiar with blushing in the past ten minutes. Deep in thought, he summarized the recent changes in Oldenheim and the news from various channels in his head. For half a minute, he even recalled his experience when he visited Cecil with the envoys. In the end, he raised his head and happened to see the pearl of the Imperium stand up from her chair.
Mathilda stood up. Her action brought about a complete silence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I can call out each of your names. I am familiar with each of you. I know and understand you." She looked around the hall and said slowly in a steady voice, "So I understand your doubts and anxiety at this moment. But please be patient and listen to me. The royal family has no intention of destroying the stable order that we have maintained for a long time, nor is it attacking the Congress that we have built together out of malice or other ulterior motives."
Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on her, Mathilda paused for a moment and continued.
"The Empire is currently facing a crisis. This is a crisis that is completely different from any of the challenges we have faced in the past. I'm not only referring to the 'war' with Cecil. There are many suspicious points about this war, and it's also not only the various abnormalities of the Church of the God of War. The reason behind these abnormalities is even more chilling.
"There are fatal loopholes in our army. There are traitors in our aristocratic system. Our churches and people are being eroded by some evil forces. These things are coming aggressively, vainly trying to subvert the order of the Imperium. The most terrifying thing about them is their rapid destruction, unpredictable actions, and powerful infiltration and lurking ability. I believe that everyone here is well aware of the recent changes in the situation and the news that has been circulating in the Imperial Capital. So, you should understand what I mean.
"In the face of such a challenge, the Congress is obviously powerless. I don't deny the significance of the Congress's existence and its role in the Imperium, but in the current special situation, we have to replace it with a more efficient, more controlled, and more secure organization.
"The Imperium will enter a state of emergency from today onwards. The Royal Cabinet headed by His Majesty Rosetta will take over the Congress's many powers. All military, administrative, and religious units will be directly under the Emperor's orders. We have to mobilize the army and eliminate the unstable factors in the country with the highest efficiency. We have to restore stability to Oldenheim in the shortest time possible, unite the forces of the Imperium in the shortest time possible, and resolve this crisis in the shortest time possible.
"As for everyone sitting here … please be at ease. The Congress is only temporarily closed. This is only one part of the state of emergency. Although this is the first time that we have implemented such an 'emergency law', please rest assured that everything is under His Majesty's control. You don't have to worry about your safety and reputation either. Everyone under the Triple Spire is the pride of the upper class of the Imperium. I believe in your loyalty, and so does His Majesty.
"Then, loyal and righteous members of parliament, you should also understand the efforts of the royal family to protect the interests of the Imperium. The choice you make today will be noble and worthy of being recorded in history.
"This is a rare opportunity to make great contributions to the Imperium and prove yourself. Please seize it.
"That's all I have to say."
Matilda's every word was gentle and full of politeness, as if it carried the power to make people trust and relax. Sitting in the seat below, Count Duller listened to what the princess said quietly, but he slightly sighed in his heart.
What an impeccable speech. Now, the part of reasoning was over.
Of course, for some people in this hall, they would continue to work hard. Count Duller saw that some members of parliament stood up and spoke. Some of them seemed to be discussing something with the people around them. Some of them were casting some communication spells that were allowed in the hall. They seemed to be contacting their own people and asking for help with intelligence.
Count Duller glanced at the opportunistic merchant not far away. He saw that the merchant's chubby face was full of anxiety, but this time, he didn't despise the merchant anymore. Then, he lowered his head and looked at the gorgeous ring with a huge gem on his finger.
After thinking for a while, he put the ring in front of his face and injected magic power into it. This expensive magic item glowed slightly, and a voice came directly into Count Duller's ears, "My Lord, what can I do for you?"
"Where is the Kingdom Knight Regiment?"
"They're at Parliament Street and Upper Cross Block."
"Where is Duke Ferdinand?"
"Duke Ferdinand left Obsidian Palace an hour ago, but we can't find out the exact whereabouts of the duke."
"That's enough."
Count Duller exhaled and rubbed his slightly sore eyebrows. Then, he decided to raise both hands and feet in favor of the emperor's emergency bill.
…
The corridors of the Royal Association of Mages were long and deep. A hunched figure slowly walked through the corridors and arches that depicted the portraits of great mages in history. The artificial nerve cord wriggled slightly under the robe, and the terrifying sound of friction could be heard.
The mages who passed by all felt the depression and gloominess from this black-robed figure. However, no one would show the slightest disrespect to this figure who was strolling leisurely in the Association of Mages, even though the latter was wearing a private robe without any logo, didn't wear the badge of the Association of Mages, and almost didn't take the initiative to greet anyone on the way.
Even so, everyone who passed by this figure would still respectfully stop, bow slightly, and call him "Master Daniel."
Daniel would simply nod in response. This was the friendliest response he could give in this place.
At the end of the corridor, Daniel stopped in his tracks.
He raised his head and looked at the wall on one side of the corridor. There were several blank spaces on the wall, and one of the blank spaces had been painted with simple lines. The smell of some kind of paint faintly wafted in the air.
After a long time, he suddenly withdrew his gaze and looked in another direction at the corner of the corridor. A female mage in a lavender robe seemed to have appeared there out of thin air and was walking toward him.
The mages who passed by all stopped when they saw this woman. They respectfully saluted her and called her "President Mabel."
Windsor Mappel responded to the greetings of the people around her in a friendly manner, but she did not slow down at all. She went straight to Daniel and smiled. "I didn't expect you to come so early."
"Well, I happen to have some free time." Daniel nodded lightly. Although his attitude was still cold, there was no obvious conflict and disdain toward the Association of Mages. As he spoke, he looked up at the corridor and frowned slightly. "Which famous and rich person is going to be painted on this corridor?"
Windsor Mappel looked at her mentor and suddenly could not help but laugh. "It's you, my mentor."
The expression on Daniel's face finally changed due to shock. His yellowish eyes widened slightly as he glanced at the portrait on the wall, and then turned back to look at his former apprentice. His frown was even more obvious than before. "Me? This is not funny. "
"This is not a joke. This is what the high-order representatives of the Association of Mages have unanimously agreed on. Even His Majesty has approved."
"I'm not a member of the Association for a long time." Daniel said in a strange tone.
"Lord Richard in the fourth portrait is not a member, and neither is Mrs. Melina Vinton in the twelfth portrait." Windsor Mappel said with a smile. "No one has stipulated that only the portraits of the Association of Mages can be painted on the Sage Corridor of the Association of Mages. You are obviously qualified to be one of them. You have almost single-handedly built the foundation of the Empire's magical engineering industry and helped us find the direction in time at the critical juncture of the changes of the times. This alone is enough to meet the standard of a 'Sage'."
Daniel's eyebrows twitched slightly. His eyes darted a few times in front of the unoutlined mural, but he did not say a word. Only Windsor Mappel's voice came from the side. "I know, this was one of your biggest dreams. Although you may not care now, I think you are fully qualified to be in this corridor.
"In terms of achievements that can change the times, you, who laid the foundation of the Empire's magical engineering industry, are obviously far more than a president of the Association of Mages who performs his duties step by step."
After a few seconds of silence, Daniel twitched the corner of his mouth. He turned and walked forward. "Boring."
Hearing this disdainful and cold comment, Windsor Mappel could not help but laugh. Her teacher did not ask her to send someone to remove the things on the wall.
She turned and followed Daniel. The latter turned his head slightly and said casually, "I'm here to hand over the technical information of the communication device to you. The Association of Mages has completed the design of the power source and the amplifying structure and passed the inspection in the laboratory. Our work is done. The rest is yours."
"Very timely!" Windsor Mappel said with a smile. "This way, the transceiver I designed will completely solve the power source problem. The next step is to enter the practical phase. Now that the communication towers are ready to be completely remodeled, the timing is perfect."
Daniel grunted, and then showed a slightly mocking smile. "Not long ago, more than half of the Association of Mages were still discussing the cost and feasibility of remodeling the national communication tower network. Everyone was red in the face, as if they were willing to break away from the rest of the world for the sake of the Empire. Now, you have come up with a remodeling plan … The wind in the Association has changed as quickly as before."
Windsor Mappel's face flashed a hint of awkwardness. She smiled bitterly and shook her head. "You should know that the atmosphere in the city has changed recently. I've also heard some unconfirmed … rumors."
"I've heard a lot," Daniel said casually. "Although I don't want to hear it, living in Oldenheim, it's hard to have a quiet ear."
"… Mages are the most sensitive group." Windsor Mappel sighed. "Although they are proud, pride is no match for imperial power. It's not that the wind in the Association has changed too quickly, it's that the wind in Oldenheim has changed too quickly."
Daniel's footsteps stopped. With a thoughtful expression, he muttered softly, "The wind in Oldenheim …"
"Teacher." Windsor Mappel did not seem to hear the muffled voice of the old man beside her. "What did you say?"
"Nothing. I'm just lamenting that there are too many things in the city." Daniel shook his head. Then, seemingly casually, he asked, "By the way, I heard that you have figured out the strange 'deep-sea runes' that Cecil's people gave us?"
"Far from figuring it out," Windsor Mappel said. "Those things are stranger than I thought. It's so strange that it's inexplicable. As Cecil's people explained in advance, the so-called 'deep-sea runes' came from a civilization other than human beings. The difference between the two civilizations is greater than the difference between humans and elves. So, it's not that easy to figure out the logic in the depths of those runes. But fortunately, even if we can't figure out the deep logic, those runes can still work. Experiments have proven that using the deep-sea runes to build a fully enclosed space can prevent any form of mental pollution. It can even have a strong purifying effect on contaminated individuals … "
"… Oh, sounds interesting." Daniel raised his eyebrows. "If I have time, I'd like to see the facility after you build it."
"Of course, it's in Obsidian Palace. His Majesty should be happy that you're interested in it. After all, you're an expert in the field of runes."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
