But if news of the Chaos Sect openly operating in Marinburg spreads, the Empire will have another excuse to interfere in Marinburg's internal affairs.
This Chaos Sect incident was discovered by the Imperial Grand Alchemist, who has no reason not to report it to the Emperor.
Tobias wanted to argue that no one knew what was inside the Deep Mine District; the Dwarven tunnels could reach a thousand meters underground, and no one knew what was hidden in those tunnels. He wasn't about to send an army to their deaths.
However, looking at the unfriendly gazes of the members of the Upper House, Tobias had no choice but to admit his mistake: "It was my oversight, please forgive me, I am willing to take responsibility for this matter." For more chapters visit novęlfire.net
After Count Gent said that, the members of the Upper House found it hard to hold him accountable, because in reality, all the members understood that no one knew what was inside the Deep Mine District. If Tobias were held responsible today, it would set a bad precedent, meaning that anyone else could be responsible for the Deep Mine District tomorrow.
After a brief discussion, Schultz and Odrich, among others, made a decision: "Lockdown the whole city! Form an expeditionary army immediately! Thoroughly clean the Deep Mine District to give His Majesty the Emperor an explanation."
"By the way, Your Grace, if... I mean, if we cannot find evidence, cannot find the culprit, will you take responsibility for this?" As the plan was finalized, a noble suddenly spoke from the seats.
Schultz squinted his eyes at the situation.
Adelbert Casanova, a member of the Marinburg Upper House, Viscount, and the second richest merchant in Marinburg. This dashing merchant was also the chairman of the "Gentleman's Alliance" chamber of commerce.
"Adelbert, I know what you're trying to do, but I want to say, we all have to be responsible for this." Schultz gently emphasized, with a slight disdain in the duke's tone: "If you're thinking of doing something sneaky, just think about what responsibility you'll bear if Marinburg loses its autonomy because of it."
Adelbert said nothing.
At this moment, a yawning voice sounded faintly, with a rather peculiar accent: "I say, gentlemen? Have you finished discussing? Can I go back now?"
Everyone turned their gaze to the speaker.
This was a high elf, dressed in the most luxurious elven satin clothes, with golden long hair draping down beside his sharp ears. He had very handsome features, but his handsome face was filled with arrogance: "The mess made by the monkeys should be cleaned up by the monkeys themselves. This has nothing to do with us elves. Well, I'm leaving, or else I'll miss my afternoon tea time."
With that, the high elf yawned and then signaled his servants to follow, completely disregarding anyone else's feelings as he walked out of the council chamber, only nodding at Schultz as he left to indicate he was departing.
The humans present all had flashes of anger in their eyes but soon turned resigned.
This elf was Tymag-Den-Kaben, the high elf envoy to the Human Empire, governor of the Iphita Elf Enclave, and the Elf Phoenix King's representative in the Old World.
Extreme arrogance was his hallmark, and for this, the high elf had caused countless disputes with the civic council, but fearing the high elf's mighty fleet and the close trade alliance with Marinburg, the nobles dared not act against him, most often swallowing their anger, with only Schultz receiving a modicum of respect.
The council chamber fell into silence until the Ocean Church Archbishop, Odrich, asked: "What about the Grand Alchemist?"
"The Grand Alchemist? He should be on his way back to Brunswick now." Schultz sighed slightly, the duke said: "Enforce the decree as soon as possible!"
The administrative apparatus of Marinburg was highly efficient. Under the duke's orders, carts of gold were pulled from various chambers of commerce and churches to recruit an underground expeditionary army city-wide. Many mercenaries and adventurers were enticed by the lure of wealth to join, and within just half a day, Marinburg had mustered over two thousand ready for a grand expedition to sweep through the Deep Mine District.
Marinburg's actions clearly troubled some dark creatures lurking in the underground tunnels.
While the expeditionary army was still resupplying and not yet set out, the Aesthetic Society mansion outside the city received an unexpected guest.
Agneda was sitting in a luxurious armchair, conversing in low tones with her servant—a tall and skinny man.
"What has that northern barbarian been doing these last few days?"
"He wandered all around the Shield Coin District with his little girlfriend, buying clothes everywhere."
"Does he know about our presence?"
"He visited the Aesthetic Society, but wasn't particularly interested and didn't come back after the first time."
"Hiss~ Does he still remain unaware?"
A servant with deep purple skin walked in: "Master, Belte has arrived."
"Belte!!! He's still daring enough to come here!" Agneda said through gritted teeth; the beautiful woman had lost all her usual grace and composure: "What a fool! Killing the Demon Hunter without handling the aftermath! Those who believe in the Blood God truly are foolish idiots!"
A tall figure entered from outside, and compared to the Belte Jacob had seen, this Belte now showed even more evident madness and filth. On one hand, it indicated the growing psychological impact on the Fallen Hunter from personally killing his mentor, and on the other, it signaled how the Blood God increasingly favored his follower.
However, Belte's steps were somewhat faltering; Jacob's dying attack had heavily wounded the Fallen Hunter, and upon realizing Marinburg was organizing an underground expeditionary army, Belte could only surface again.
Agneda knew she had to protect this Fallen Hunter; otherwise, her safety would also be at risk, so she arranged for Belte to hide elsewhere: "Go with my servant to that place to hide, things are tense now, fully absorb your new power first, and we'll talk about other matters after the storm passes."
"Agneda, let me remind you, Jacob and that man named Laine are together, Jacob had a record of this mission." Belte said weakly.
Once Belte left under the guidance of the servant, Agneda grew increasingly uneasy.
Laine and the Demon Hunting Master are together?
She decided to take action.
The Aesthetic Society president boarded a carriage heading to a secluded village outside the city.
This village had maze-like winding roads, with houses interconnected. The villagers lived under a mysterious atmosphere, and the village was renowned for producing various politicians and scholars, enjoying high prestige for its talent.
After presenting identification marked with the Aesthetic Society's emblem, Agneda successfully met the person she wanted to see.
This was a hunchbacked man shrouded in a black robe, only his eyes exposed. Seeing Agneda, he said: "What brings the president of the Aesthetic Society here?"
"Cut the crap! I need you to use the Great Prophecy Art on someone, to help me understand his background!"
"The stronger the person to be prophesied, the greater the price to be paid. Are you ready for the cost?"
"You'll be paid well."
"Who is the target of the prophecy?"
"The Nord human hero, 'Great Hammer' Laine!" Agneda did not elaborate; she took out a bag full of gold coins and placed it before the hunchbacked man: "Is it enough?"
The breathless Belte said, "He has visited the Aesthetic Society, but he wasn't very interested and didn't come back after appearing once." Agneda pondered deeply: "Do you think after all this he hasn't discovered us yet?"
A waiter came in, his skin was peculiarly colored, like some kind of deep shadow: "My lords, Belte has come to visit." He spoke softly to Agneda.
"That fool!" Agneda erupted with fury as she lost her usual composure, "Does he think he's the first hunter in Marienburg? How ridiculous! Show him in and let me handle this."
As soon as Agneda finished her statement, the tall figure of a man entered from outside, a towering figure. Compared to the one Jacob had seen before, this Belte appeared even more frayed and diminished, which suggested to anyone perceptive enough that the Blood God loved his worshipers less and less.
Still somewhat breathless, Belte said, "That Northern Barbarian has been shopping around Shield Coin District with his little girlfriend these past few days."
He knew he had visited the Aesthetic Society, but he didn't seem particularly interested and hadn't returned since that first visit.
"Why haven't we discovered him? His existence has escaped our notice?" she asked, the aggravated tone not quite masking the edge in her voice.
A tall figure entered from outside. Without considering others, with the usual elegance already forgotten, the high elf simply yawned, gestured for his servants to follow, and walked straight out of the chamber, nodding at Schultz as he exited.
The onlookers exchanged glances of anger that quickly turned to resignation.
This particular elf was Tymag-Den-Kaben, the high elf ambassador to the Human Empire, the governor of Iphita Elf Enclave, and the representative of the Elf Phoenix King in the Old World.
His extreme arrogance was his signature trait, and on account of this, the high elf had caused countless unpleasant incidents with the municipal council, yet deterred by the powerful fleets of the high elves and the strong trade ties with Marinburg, the nobility dared not take any action against him and mostly swallowed their pride, only Schultz was able to gain some measure of respect.
The council chamber fell silent until the Ocean Church Archbishop Odrich asked, "And the Great Alchemist?"
"The Great Alchemist? He should be on his way back to Brunswick now," sighed Schultz slightly, the duke said, "Let's implement the orders as soon as possible!"
Marienburg's administrative apparatus was highly efficient, and at the duke's command, cartloads of gold from major merchant houses and churches were rolled out, aimed at recruiting an underground expeditionary army for the whole city. Attracted by the lure of wealth, many mercenaries and adventurers joined, and in just half a day Marinburg gathered an expeditionary force of over two thousand, ready to march forth and sweep through the Deep Mine District.
Marienburg's actions clearly troubled certain dark creatures hiding in the underground tunnels.
While the expeditionary army was still resupplying and not yet on its way, the Aesthetic Society's manor outside the city received an uninvited guest.
Agneda was sitting calmly in a luxurious upholstered chair, talking in a low voice to her servant—a tall, slender man.
"What has that barbarian from the north been doing these past days?"
"He's been wandering all around the Shield Coin District with his little girlfriend, buying clothes everywhere."
"Is he aware of our presence?"
"He visited the Aesthetic Society, but he wasn't very interested and hasn't returned since."
"Hiss~ Could it be he hasn't realized yet?"