Chapter 1458 - 1421: What Is This?!

"I must reiterate: Viggo Fortez is a traitor to the entire North! Not only did he betray himself, but he also wove a malicious web, connecting various ill-wishers and incorporating them into it!"

"He unquestionably violated the laws of any Northern country and betrayed us and the King!"

In the opulent Gastang Palace, Philippa delivered her spirited speech as one Warlock after another was brought in, resisting while being dragged inside, shackled with the Demon-Blocking Golden Shackles.

Viggo Fortez is the centerpiece and mastermind; he will appear last.

"Slow down, Philippa." Tishaya looked coldly at this excellent graduate from her tenure, "I know, for you, Vizimir’s favor is more important than the unity and independent status of the Warlocks."

"Sabina holds a position in Codwin similar to yours; Liddercliff is from Yaden, and Keira Metz represents the interests of Temerian King Veltrest."

"But I’m also a Royal Advisor of Temeria." Triss suddenly interjected into the conversation between the two, looking at the petite, blonde witch beside her, "Keira, if this is Veltrest’s order, why am I unaware of it?"

"Don’t worry, dear Triss." Keira Metz said with a smile, "Veltrest has not stripped you of your Royal Advisor position, only that for this matter, he thought it best you didn’t know in advance."

The blonde witch giggled and said, "You should have been mentally prepared when you were screaming with joy and pleasure on that Demon Hunter Duke, shouldn’t you? Everything involves trade-offs."

"That’s enough, Keira." Philippa interrupted the conversation between the two Temerian Royal Advisors and brought the topic back. "Tishaya, what does your question have to do with this matter?"

"Because the king’s interests don’t need to align with those of the Mages. I have long suspected the reasons for your coup. The kings are eliminating the non-human races; maybe you think there’s nothing wrong with that, as do Keira and Sabina."

Tishaya said coldly.

"But I, Gedemitis, and Margaret oppose this approach, and unsurprisingly, Francesca should as well. However, such opposition is not considered betrayal! I know Vizimir wants to start a war and sees anything preventing it as a betrayal."

"Did Viggo Fortez and Francesca’s betrayal arise from this? Well, if that’s the case, then I’m a traitor too!"

Caduin solemnly interrupted, "Are you talking about war? The King of Istrad in Kovir does not support any hostile actions against the Niflgaard Empire. Kovir, in the past, present, and future, will remain a neutral country!"

"You are a member of the Warlock Supreme Council, Caduin, not an ambassador of Kovir!"

"You have no right to speak to me like that, Sabina!"

"Enough!" Philippa slammed her palm on the conference table, "I’ll satisfy your curiosity, Caduin. You ask who seeks war? It’s the Niflgaard people! Enshir of Enriss learned his lesson at Sodden Mountain and remembers it well!"

"He decided to remove the troublesome wizards from the board, and our great Viggo Fortez, his killings of the Niflgaard people at Sodden Mountain were practically his job application!"

"Tranowa and Fikat were persuaded by him to work for Enshir without hesitation, to become the future Governor of the Northern Province of the Empire or other significant positions!"

"Francesca Fendapei, known as Adeline Ann Griner, will become the Elf Queen of the Land of Freedom. But truthfully, as long as Enshir promises elves the power to slaughter humans, I think they are already satisfied."

Henry Gemitis, who had been silent with a solemn expression, then spoke.

"These are extremely serious accusations that require substantial evidence to support. However, before weighing the evidence, I reiterate my position, Philippa..."

The witch bowed humbly to the male Warlock.

"Evidence can be fabricated, actions and motives can be distorted, but facts remain facts. Philippa Eilhart, you have undermined the unity among the Warlocks."

"Regardless of whether Viggo Fortez is a Northern traitor, you are already a traitor to the Warlocks. And those betrayed are our Northern Kings."

The remaining events were unremarkable.

Tishaya had informed Yennefer early to bring Ciri to Airetusa, and Yennefer immediately understood the implication.

Thus, the Magic Source was brought into the hall while the rebel Warlocks continued to be escorted in one by one outside.

Under the control of Tishaya and Gemitis, the Chaos Magic Power touched the latent talent awakening within Ciri’s body, bringing her mind into a trance-like state.

With the Warlocks’ inquiries, through the wondrous nature of this state, the Warlocks present learned many things that had yet to be reported.

For instance: as early as last night, just a few hours ago, at Dor Angora, the combined forces of Yaden and Lilia had already provoked the Niflgaard garrison across the Yaruga River.

They attacked the outposts established by the Empire and incited the surrounding residents to begin resisting Niflgaard’s rule.

And Emperor Enshir, just an hour after the attack, ordered a tit-for-tat response. As if prepared in advance, the secretly stationed Niflgaard Army on the border surged forward into the territories of Yaden and Lilia.

Meanwhile, Redania’s King Vizimir, also last night, just a few hours ago, was assassinated.

When the Warlocks arrested the traitors, a war that had been quelled two years ago started once again!

Tishaya looked at Philippa with extreme disappointment.

In the face of Ciri’s undeniable statements, she felt she had already clarified her thoughts.

The war was reopened by the Northern Kings, and the arrests at this meeting were merely part of Philippa’s purge under the King’s orders.

Viggo Fortez and Francisca were both innocent people trying to prevent the war...

If it had been just a bit later, Tishaya would have almost completely agreed with her own thoughts.

She wanted to use magic to free the wizards who had been secretly captured.

Although this was Gastang Palace, where an anti-magic array had been activated, and though the captured warlocks were each wearing Demon-Blocking Golden Shackles.

But she herself was the administrator of the anti-magic array.

And Demon-Blocking Gold, this magic-repelling metal discovered only in the last few centuries... The young mages simply didn’t know, or couldn’t imagine, what these metals meant in front of a truly powerful wizard!

What’s more, Tishaya wasn’t alone; standing beside her was Gedemitis, who was even more experienced than her.

The two quickly exchanged glances, both thinking that since Philippa had already captured the people, it would be impossible to release them now.

And the only way to protect these ’persecuted’ wizards was to suddenly let them go with force.

But just as they were about to perform magic, Viggo Fortez walked in.

His hands were bound together with Demon-Blocking Golden Shackles, but unlike the other wizards who were almost retching and out of breath, his back was straight and his face showed no change.

When he walked into Gastang Palace, he didn’t even seem like a captured man with an uncertain future but more like a guest attending a banquet.

Gedemitis just glanced at him and immediately widened his eyes, pressing down on Tishaya’s hidden gesture to cast a spell!

Viggo Fortez had a smile on his face, one that almost wanted to burst into laughter.

"Viggo Fortez, how dare you..."

Philippa looked at him in anger and confusion. He shouldn’t have appeared here; she hadn’t ordered his escorts to bring him in now!

But Viggo Fortez didn’t even glance at Philippa.

He just smiled and said, "You always thought I was slowly trying to seize the power of the Warlock Supreme Council and the Wizard Association, and then use the influence of the wizards to serve Enshir."

"But Philippa, dear Philippa Eilhart. The reason you think this way is simply because you have never seen true power."

"You consider yourself the best among the female warlocks, undoubtedly first-rate in the Magic World. That’s not bad, after all, even I would find it terrifying if I wanted to face your fury and intrigues."

"But... don’t you think you’ve become too complacent, Philippa?"

The witch frowned, feeling a bad premonition in her heart, "What do you mean?!"

"I mean, you are mistaking reflections on the water for stars in the sky."

To everyone’s shock, the hem of Viggo Fortez’s robe began to flutter supernaturally... within this anti-magic array! Under the restraints of Demon-Blocking Golden Shackles!

"And I have long seen what true power really is!"

"Tishaya!" Henry Gemitis suddenly shouted, "Suppress him with all your strength! Quickly!"

At this moment, anyone could see that Viggo Fortez’s demeanor was clearly up to no good!

Tishaya immediately complied, as one of the greatest deans of Airetusa, her grasp of Gastang Palace’s anti-magic array was beyond proficient.

But up to this point, Tishaya was only left feeling... what exactly is she trying to suppress now?!

The amount of Chaos Magic Power this thing could mobilize... could it be limitless?!