“What is it, Vanessa? It’s rare for you to send an emergency signal.”

Halric entered her office and was startled to see her pacing around with a deep frown. She bit her lips as she motioned for him to sit down while activating an artifact that sealed the whole room.

When the young and innocent-looking boy sat down, she sat right next to him and, with a voice that contained a hint of desperation and pleading, muttered,

“You have to listen to me, Halric. Leave Blackcrest. I will help you gather your valuables and find a suitable place for your body.”

The Alchemist became more perplexed as his expression turned serious. He took a deep breath and asked,

“Care to explain why? Are the Imperials after me?”

The crimson-haired woman shook her head and responded,

“My sources tell me that Olivia Vir Divitiae has started preparing. She’s using that Sage to cast a forbidden spell.”

“What kind of spell?”

“Translocation… but not of people but energy. You heard of the plague rampaging in her territory, right? Specifically in Spectral Steel City. I don’t know the details but she’s targeting the Duke.”

Halric lowered his head and pinched his temples, a snort escaping his lips.

“How long do I have?”

“At best, three to four months. The Duke doesn’t know yet, but if this was approved by the remaining Seats, then I doubt he can make a difference. It doesn’t matter whether this is happening because of his clandestine dealings with Marjory or not, they really want him out of the Aristocratic Consortium.”

“...”

After a brief bout of silence, the boy scoffed, “And then what? Are they going to sacrifice everyone in the city?”

“Probably not. There will be a mass evacuation prior to the translocation spell. Some will be adamant and refuse to leave, so there will be casualties.”

Seeing his saddened and frustrated expression, Vanessa grabbed his hand and softened her voice,

“I’ve already begun the paperwork to relocate to the Militant Capital. The valuable merchandise is being transported as we speak. Halric… I know your circumstances and I consider you a dear friend, not just because you helped me in the past.”

“It’s just a plague, Vanessa. As long as the city is intac-”

He suddenly stopped talking as if realizing something.

“Wait, I am also a target?”

“They will want to expunge the plague. Obviously, blasting the city will be most optimal.”

“...”

Vanessa let go of the boy, stood up, and walked to her desk, retrieving an exquisite wooden box sealed with tiny golden chains. She laid the box in front of him without saying a word.

“You know I can’t leave, Vanessa. Not now and not ever. I will not, however, go down so easily.”

“I know.” She calmly responded, sighing and forcing a smile.

“This is a Protection Charm of the highest grade. Take it with you.”

Although Halric always refused her gifts, this time he didn’t. He opened the box and looked at the rectangular white piece of paper with ink-written runes all over it. It let out a faint golden vibrance as it nestled inside the magical box, most of its aura contained.

“Thank you. I will remember this.”

“It’s fine. Consider it a… parting gift. If you ever change your mind, I will be here until the end of next month.”

Halric got to his feet and performed an elegant bow as he lowered his head towards her in gratitude.

However, when he walked to the balcony and was about to leave, she stopped him and said,

“Life is full of wonders, Halric. Don’t give up so soon, please.”

In response, the boy glanced at her and retorted, “As brilliant of a mind as you have, Vanessa, there are still things rationality fails to win over. May our next meeting be a pleasant one, farewell.”

Imperial Capital of the Global Azakin Empire

“Your Radiance.”

The office was small but immaculate. It was atop the castle looming over the whole city, overlooking it like an immovable and unshakable construct.

Maxwell Frostrune, ruler of the Frostrune Duchy, knelt in front of the Emperor. However, the latter seemed disinterested in following the proper etiquette as he glanced at the old man and motioned for him to stand up.

The Emperor, Augustus Azakin, the most powerful man on the human continent. Someone who had an unstoppable army under him, along with the Magic Towers, and numerous artifacts that could raze entire cities to the ground.

Augustus was, in terms of appearance, unremarkable. He had average facial features, making him neither ugly nor handsome. However, he had a pair of narrow and profound black eyes, which were rumored to be a gift from the God of Madness, but that was far from the truth.

The Emperor was a mortal, an individually weak person, but one equipped with impressive intelligence and the deserved ability to establish himself as the ruler of arguably the strongest nation in the world.

With relatively short raven-black hair, a small and pointy nose, a commanding jawline, and a clean-shaven face, Augustus wore an outfit with a color that matched his eyes and hair, though it had golden buttons and stripes, making it easily recognizable as the Emperor’s unique attire.

“How did it go?”

When he heard the Emperor’s cold voice, the Duke snapped out of it his momentary daze and, with his head slightly lowered, reported,

“I have erased all traces of the Unholy Blasphmeres from my territory. I’ve started coordinating with Meyra to sweep the upper levels of the Salt Chasm as there might be remnants that fled there.”

“All available resources are at your disposal. You have a month to finish this. After that, If I hear they’ve been active in the North, you will be held accountable. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Your Radiance.”

“Good. You can leave, now.”

Maxwell Frostrune performed a bow and left the office thereafter. However, minutes after his departure, someone else came in.

It was a man with disheveled long brown hair, one golden eye and one red eye, and bandages wrapped around his neck. He clumsily bowed and sat across Augustus.

He was the Emperor’s Chamberlain and his most trusted confidant.

While the Emperor was reading the documents in silence, the Chamberlain faked a couple of coughs then said,

“Things aren’t looking good in the West. Twenty percent of the whole continent had fallen under that parasite’s ability.”

Augustus lifted his head and glanced at the man who reeked of alcohol.

“So even Marjory’s children weren’t able to vanquish him.”

“To begin with, she seemed to have sent them to scout and probe around. Though, between you and me, I doubt they can take the parasite down. How about sending the Angel Troup?”

The Emperor shook his head while sighing and leaning back.

“They won’t be able to do it, either. That abomination has grown stronger than a mature Dragon. Best we can do is ensure stability in our lands and wait for another parasite to take it down.”

“Is that really wise, Augustus? Once it gobbles up the Western Continent, it’ll creep its way towards us. By then, it would be too late to make a difference.”

“...”

The Chamberlain heard only silence as an answer. The Emperor clearly looked distressed by this issue. Usually, he would be several steps ahead of his enemies, but the Parasite lurking in the West had been biding its time and hiding from everyone until recently.

“Speaking of which, another parasite appeared. A docile one, from the looks of it.”

Augustus didn’t seem to be surprised by hearing that as if he already knew.

“As expected. Nothing escapes your eyes and ears.”

“For now, it’ll be watch and see. If he goes out of control, then he will fall by the hands of the Angel Troup.”