Chapter 511

Chapter 511: The Engraved Tower

The news of Clancia’s annexation of the ancient Gufia grasslands quickly spread across the land. Carrier birds, owls, and hawks, each carrying letters, flew to every corner of the world, spreading the astonishing news.

Mozhwa, the capital of the clock tower.

On the bustling streets, magitech vehicles roared past. Uniformed personnel stepped out of the vehicles, holding up umbrellas to shield themselves from the gray rain falling from the sky, and entered the towering structure before them. This 76-story tall tower had eight massive pillars at its entrance. The long and wide staircase formed a tiered platform that supported these pillars. Personnel in uniforms ascended the stairs and entered the building.

At the top of the Engraved Tower.

From here, one could overlook the entire city below, taking in all the sights. It seemed like a great spot for sightseeing, but this place was not open to the public. Instead, it was where the various factions of Rourna convened.

Although Rourna was ostensibly ruled by the Mage Council, many high-ranking mages knew that the true power lay behind the council with several large factions.

Each faction possessed unique skills and knowledge, forming interest groups that collectively maintained their positions.

Underneath the clock tower at the top, this hall had windows on all sides, allowing the distant sounds of ships and rivers to be heard clearly. Ironclad warships sailed through the sea and along the shore, driven by magitech furnaces. They brought goods from all directions, which were then transported by magitech vehicles to factories for processing.

Currently, twelve mages sat in the hall, positioned according to the hours on a stone table. Behind each mage was a high-backed chair nearly three meters tall, obscuring their entire figure. From behind, it was impossible to see who sat on the stone chairs.

These stone chairs were intricately engraved with complex patterns, each chair back bearing a different exquisite design representing their respective factions.

A mage dressed in a black robe, wearing a half-gear emblem on his chest, spoke.

“Since everyone has arrived, let us begin.”

“I’m sure you’ve all received the news that Clancia has already annexed the Gufia grasslands, and both sides swore an alliance in front of nearly a million beasts.”

“Such a grand and solemn ceremony also means that breaking the alliance would bring endless condemnation and the risk of collapsing trust.”

“As a result, it will be very difficult for us to sow discord between the two sides.”

After the mage finished speaking, the other mages exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Then, one by one, they raised their hands to speak.

“Given our current progress, we have Black Rock and Falcon support. Plus, the army we recruited in the east of the original Vergha has a slightly smaller population than the other side, but our overall strength should far surpass Clancia’s coalition. Defeating them won’t be a problem.”

“True, but who can guarantee that Cui Cui won’t immediately attack if we make a move? And those heretics in the south might cause trouble too, just like the Divine Wing birds under Sword Pine City.”

The leading mage spoke again, “But we can’t afford to wait any longer. Recently, some documents came from Clancia, did you all see them?”

“This Lady Lolan Hill, though a young witch, seems to have received much help from her predecessors and understands the knowledge of the Twilight Era quite well.”

“If her plans are fully implemented, the advantages of our Frost Rose Coalition will gradually diminish. Perhaps in a few decades or even a century, they might become stronger instead.”

“Since waiting is not an option and immediate action is too risky, we must only focus on weakening their wings.”

“We need to strengthen our naval forces. We must soon have an ironclad fleet to block communication between New Vergha and the southern islands. At the same time, it will facilitate our troop movements, allowing us to transport heavy golems along the coast to the west and north to support our allies and assist in combat.”

“Does anyone else have any suggestions to add?” said the mage wearing the half-gear emblem again.

“Perhaps we could secretly support a few covert agents in the Holy Land to disrupt the selection of the next Pope, making the new Pope and Clancia incompatible. In this way, they would be distracted by many issues,” suggested one of the mages.

“There is some risk involved. If discovered, it might provoke their hostility and create a new enemy.”

“But the fact is, even if we don’t do this, we cannot act immediately, right? If successful, bringing the Holy Land over to our side would form a four-nation encirclement against Clancia, giving us significant leeway to attack Clancia.”

“Do nothing and there’s no hope; do something and there’s a greater chance of victory. Why not give it a try?”

Under the mage’s persuasion, the other mages wavered. After much discussion, most changed their stance to support this proposal.

“In truth, these are minor details. Our biggest pressure and problems still come from Cui Cui. This empire is too vast; even a small movement within it is hard to handle.”

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent. The reason for the Frost Rose Coalition was daily life under the shadow of this giant, causing anxiety and a desire for change.

“Forget about this for now. Any recent news from Cui Cui?”

“Yes, some big news.”

“Oh, is it another earl exposing a bastard child?” joked one of the mages.

“No, it’s said that the seventh daughter of the Landsworth family has officially announced her engagement to the Crown Prince. The wedding is scheduled to take place in 1-2 years.”

“Hehe, the current Crown Prince is quite fortunate. His brothers, while talented, are getting old due to being born earlier. Hence, the two emperors directly chose the younger twin. It’s said they are only in their twenties, truly young.”

“Yes, it can be said that the current emperor deliberately suppressed many opposing voices to pave the way for the Crown Prince. Not only did he find the reputable Landsworth family as a marital ally, but he also specially promoted the collateral nobility of the Crown Prince’s maternal clan, giving them key military positions to control the army.”

“Moreover, I recently heard that the emperor summoned the Griffin Duke and is preparing to give the position of the second Empress to the Salus family.”

“The Griffin Duke probably wouldn’t care. With their family’s power already at its peak, adding another Empress wouldn’t change much and would only involve them in the disputes of the throne. I guess the old Griffin Duke would prefer his children marry someone from a peaceful household.”

“Furthermore, regarding the Griffin Duke’s family, their origins are the independent Kingdom of Griffins, which joined Cui Cui through the mediation of the sages. Now that Oz Country no longer exists, the sages fear the overly powerful Cui Cui royal family and might not mediate anymore.”

The representatives discussed matters related to Cui Cui, occasionally jesting to release their pent-up frustration. However, as the meeting neared its end, they had to return to the main issue of dealing with the Cui Cui Empire.

“Even if the two emperors of Cui Cui are currently uninterested in military action, the Basca family remains a threat. Their Elixir Dragon is still terrifying, and since they are a branch of the Cui Cui royal family, even if they privately mobilize troops westward, they might not face severe punishment. Perhaps to placate the Red Dragon Duke, the Cui Cui royal family might back them, leading to a direct declaration of war by the Cui Cui Empire.”

“It’s like a storm brewing,” everyone sighed.

“We’ll still increase the budget this year to improve the internal public opinion environment in the Cui Cui Empire and suppress the voices of the warmongers.”

“Additionally, we should consult those two elders. Perhaps only they can help us resolve this issue.”

“That’s the only way left.”

“So this meeting is adjourned. Within the Frost Coalition, Chancellor Xie Liya will propose motions, and everyone will cooperate accordingly.”

“This time, we’ll handle it through the ‘Hour Hand’ faction.”

A mage stood up, wearing a delicate pocket watch, with golden short hair and handsome features, bowing slightly to the assembly.

(End of Chapter)