"But his impression of you can't be restored." Aurora's words sent Teresa's heart plummeting, yet the Female Elder of the Jialan Council still asked bluntly, "You like him, don't you?"
"Mother!!!" Teresa instinctively exclaimed.
Aurora sighed softly, "Daughter, you're acting just like a lovesick girl... which is normal. Everyone likes outstanding men, and Laine is exceptionally outstanding. It's no wonder my daughter is infatuated with him, but this doesn't mean you don't have competition. You must understand, Veronica is Laine's partner."
"What?!" Teresa abruptly lifted her head, and then the female sorcerer immediately connected a series of events regarding Laine: "No wonder, no wonder he refuses to budge on matters concerning his partner, no wonder he..."
"Additionally, Veronica is Margarita's person!" Aurora spoke with a tone of unavoidable mockery, "Without Laine's protection, would Veronica have what she does today?"
"So... this recall was the Speaker's intention?" Teresa adjusted her glasses, "Indeed, Laine is definitely someone the Speaker and her cohorts want to recruit, and Veronica herself is Laine's partner..."
"Moreover, that little girl Veronica is quite likely to have that kind of relationship with Laine. She usually maintains her purity and doesn't give men a second glance. She's only partnered with Laine, and is no longer untouched... but that's not important." Aurora shook her head, her black hair that, like her daughter's, reached waist-length, shimmered with a faint light, "What's important is, my daughter, you must learn to reflect. What did you fail to do despite having the advantage? Why did you squander the goodwill that Laine had built up for us?"
The room fell silent, the only sounds were the crackling of the special magic furnace in the fireplace and the wind and snow tapping on the window outside.
"My mistake, mother, please give me another chance!" Teresa admitted with gritted teeth, "I will do better than Veronica!"
"No way!" Teresa's request was decisively rejected by Aurora, "You know your issues, but if you make contact with Laine again, the result will be the same. You've already left a bad impression on him. Can you change the habits you've developed since childhood? No, you'll only continue to strain the relationship and eventually be ousted, but give it some time; time is the best medicine. It will dilute the bad impression you've left on Laine."
Teresa became anxious, "But that woman Veronica is currently by Laine's side..."
"Ha~ don't worry, Veronica won't be by Laine's side for long. She must complete her task quickly to prove she's better than you." Aurora pushed her gold-rimmed glasses, the eyes of the Female Elder Jialan exuding authority and dominance, "Kicking her out is something I can manage, but since Margarita just assigned her to Laine, I can't immediately pull her away. However, once the task is complete, I have ways to summon her back. Veronica must return to the Council to report. My only worry is that doing so might make Laine doubly dissatisfied with Jialan, but for you, I can't care so much now."
"Mother... I'm sorry." Teresa quietly walked to Aurora's side.
"Teresa, go to Jialan Grand Secret Realm for further study." Aurora took her daughter's hand, "Rid yourself of your bad habits, your arrogance and personality, before contacting Laine again. Work hard! Happiness always requires your own efforts to achieve, not blaming circumstances or shirking responsibility. Remember, winning Laine's favor doesn't depend on how Veronica is, but on how excellent you are. Remember, the Trovik family needs an excellent heir, and we mother and daughter also need an outstanding external aid. Investing in Laine has proven to be well worth it; we have no reason not to continue."
"I understand, mother!" Teresa held her mother's hand, as if a blaze was alight in her eyes. Discover more novels at novel-fire.ɴet
——A new storm has appeared dividing line——
Northern Nord, coast of the Chaos Sea.
The Imperial Army crushed a barbarian army of several thousand with less than five hundred losses. Only a scant few barbarians escaped by boat, the rest were annihilated by the Imperial Army.
"We achieved a great victory in this battle! My Majesty!" Imperial General Adelaide Carolberg eagerly approached the Emperor. The war was far easier and lighter than imagined. Under the Emperor's personal leadership and the full assault of the Rick Guard, the barbarian army was driven into the sea to feed the fish. Several tribes will be erased from the barbarian history, as the Emperor ordered no prisoners.
The leading Barbarian Chief Ovson had his head smashed by Carl Franz with a single blow, the power of the Divine Hammer being so immense it could enhance the Emperor's physical attributes and combat ability tenfold.
"We owe this to Gailte, without his magic, we wouldn't have won so easily." Carl Franz calmly stated, considering more than just the surface meaning of this victory.
Following this engagement, a great victory not only could further elevate the Emperor's prestige, but also win over the Prince-Electors' hearts, making Carl Franz foresee that any future request for troop contributions from the Prince-Electors will face significantly less resistance, greatly enhancing the Emperor's voice in the imperial court.
Carl Franz had already compiled a blacklist of all nobles who refused to respond to the Rick Territory summons in this call-up. These nobles will have their lands confiscated and be held accountable, with the Emperor reclaiming the valuable lands for some personal use to enrich the treasury and redistributing part to capable and loyal vassals.
After such a glorious victory, the nobility will undoubtedly not question the Emperor's noble actions, as loyal nobles will only receive rewards, not punishment. Under such circumstances, who would care about the fate of the disloyal? Other nobles will only covet their fertile lands.
Having rearranged the list of candidates for several important occupations, Carl Franz knew the road ahead was long. To reunite the fragmented and independently governed powerful country, the Emperor faced numerous challenges, but remained convinced that everything would eventually echo this victory, and the era of light for humanity would ultimately arrive.
Just like over a thousand years ago when Emperor Charlemagne led humanity to unify the continent.
Draped in a Golden Cloak and wearing a golden mask, the Great Alchemist approached with the Golden Staff in hand, "A glorious victory, my Emperor."
"Yes, a glorious victory, but it's far from enough. We must not become arrogant and complacent because of victory." The Emperor nodded, then shouted loudly, "Quickly clean the battlefield! My soldiers! Return home with victory and glory!"
"Victory! Glory! We pre-emptively wish you a happy Winter Festival with this victory! My Emperor!" Some Rick Guards jeered loudly, Carl Franz also laughed heartily, unfazed, "Happy Winter Festival! My soldiers!"
Once the Emperor and the Great Alchemist walked a little distance away, Carl Franz took the opportunity to whisper to Gailte, "I hope you will become the Royal Chief Grand Wizard, my Great Alchemist.
Gailte's body slightly trembled; the opportunity he had dreamt of was truly in front of him, and the Great Alchemist reacted very swiftly: "Willing to serve you, my Emperor."
The two walked a long way silently before Gailte shared his thoughts with the Emperor, "Please allow me to momentarily depart on the journey back, my Emperor. I need to acquire a batch of alchemy materials."
"Where does my Great Alchemist intend to purchase these materials?" The Emperor fully understood, for the war had ended, and Gailte indeed had no need to remain among the troops.
"I will go to Marinburg."