Chapter 1016: Council

Proofread by Thomas F

Isolde Ashenwood

The door opened, and Matiaus entered the council room; the eyes of all nine of us turned to him.

Usually, the man strode confidently and irritated many of us, but he is capable. So, we bear it, but this time he had failed, and for it he will have to answer.

As for his punishment, we will decide it after what he says today.

Feeling the eyes of us all, he kept his expression somber, but I could feel he was faintly nervous. If I could sense it, others could sense it as well; everybody is a shark here.

Matiaus is also one, with him holding many of our secrets, but today he is a fish with us sharks circling him.

"Council," He greeted.

"Take a seat, Lord Matiaus," said Magrum, the head of the Oksall Council.

"Thank you, my Lord Council Head,"

The silence descended, with everyone looking at him. The tension was palpable; everybody is angry at what happened at the academy; it was embarrassing.

It's a good thing it didn't happen in the main academy. Well, if it had happened there, the man would have resigned on the first day.

The concern also wouldn't have been this big. The Thorn's Brazier and other defenses of the academy would have dealt with the criminals within seconds. It's why they attacked in the hunt.

"First, let me start by saying that we are disappointed in Silent Forest, Lord Matiaus."

"We conveyed that to the central headquarters and are now conveying it to you as well. Especially you, since under your watch, the academy had been attacked," Lorst said sharply.

"It was my greatest failure, and for it, I apologize."

The apology surprised me, not only me but others as well. He is good at his job, or was before the failure, but he has a flaw, or rather a personality trait: he never admits mistakes, much less apologizes.

I shouldn't be surprised; this man is extremely intelligent.

He knows when to deflect and when to take responsibility. If he didn't take it now, we'd be angrier than we are; there is no way he will keep his job then.

"It was, and there will be consequences, but that is for later. The important question is, on whose behest was that academy attacked?" I asked.

Technically, they had come for Margaux Swan, but they had attacked in the academy's territory and attacked its members, including its Principal.

"It's the White Crown, gang. Its leader, White Gyrge, initiated the attack."

"In our investigation, we found it linked to the Harsoth Empire's Count Viremont." Everybody expected it, not the man, but the place.

Still, the chamber exploded in curses.

Count Viremont- I recognized him like everybody. He is one of two people bringing an army to the Renwell Region, with Silver being the target.

"Do we have conclusive proof?" asked Magrum. That is an important question.

If we have it, we could go to the Empire directly or take direct action; without it, we could not. Though that doesn't mean we will not; even with the agreement, we have ways to make them pay for it, and we will.

"No, they have been extremely careful. We cannot conclusively link it to Count Viremont or those behind it," he replied, shaking his head.

"It's not just Viremont?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"We don't have proof of it yet, but we believe Viremont is just a pawn, acting on behalf of someone else," he replied

"It's not the new information; the campaign had powerful supporters who were hiding in the shadows." He added. We were not briefed on it. Only Magram seemed to have it, given there was no surprise in his eyes.

"Who is it? The state, a powerful noble, or faction?" Grimgore asked. The empire is full of dangerous people; it could be anyone.

"We don't know; they have been extremely careful," he replied. He might not know, but his bosses at central headquarters might.

"The gang members, what is going to happen to them?" I asked. "They will be persecuted," he replied, and I just looked at the man.

"I mean, the powerful ones," I clarified, glaring at the man. He understood what I was talking about, but remained quiet until I clarified.

"They too will be persecuted in special courts and will be for the dead for the world."

Dead to the world, not dead in reality! They consider killing such people a waste, but he is right. Once they are dead to the world, they will never be seen again.

I wanted to ask more, but I know I am already pushing.

A few minutes later, he left, and nine of us turned toward each other. He gave us information, and now the question is what we do about it.

"We do not know who is behind Viremont, but that does not absolve him of the crime. I don't know what central leadership will do, but we have to do something."

"They have attacked one of our most sacred institutions. We will be a laughingstock if we do nothing," I said, and they nodded.

The response wouldn't have been this positive. If there hadn't been an election next year, nobody would want to seem weak—especially those whose seats are not secure.

"Lady Ashenwood, we cannot go to war, nor will leadership let us send assassins," Magrum stated. He is right.

Things are going well for relations between the empire and the states. That means they are buying a lot from us, including Oksall; we cannot jeopardize that.

"I understand, but we have to do something, or what will others say? Forget that; our people will ask that question and even challenge us if we do nothing," I said, and the two glared at me.

They understood the hint; they don't like to get into war or any conflict.

"You are right, Lady Ashenwood, and I believe you have an idea about it." I smiled and nodded.

Of course, I have. They attacked the academy where every woman of the house had learned since its inception, including myself and my daughter.

My ancestors were friends with Countess Ravlorn and fought alongside her; most of them died.

Most importantly, they attacked my best friend and sister-in-law, which I could not bear. Not to mention, if something had happened to Margaux Swan, there would have been consequences.

"It's simple," I said. "We help Silver—and we do it in a way that leaves no doubt the assistance came from us."

"Absolutely not," Aelira replied without hesitation.

The refusal didn't surprise me.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into this conflict, whether directly or indirectly."

I had expected as much. Aelira is anti-war—openly or by proxy—unless we ourselves were under threat.

"Council?" I asked, and the heads began to nod. Soon, five heads nodded. Including me, six. I needed only five.

Only Magrum, Alira, and Lorst remained quiet.

"What do you have in mind?" asked Magrum, and I told them. There was even greater opposition, but eventually we came to an agreement, since the majority already agreed to act.

"Now that we agree with it, let's move to the next topic, which is related to Greltheaven."

"The Velvet Garden," said Magrum.

"Its opening is in less than two months, and if the information coming from intelligence is to be believed, then the legacy will produce at least twice the emotion essence. Some reports from our masters state it might be even thrice."

"So, it's important that our share also increases," he stated, and everybody nodded.

The emotion essence Velvet Garden provided to the state had become too important. He also sells it separately to the lords of different cities, including me.

I get quite a lot, thanks to building relations with him earlier than the rest. The aid I had provided him before his battle with the undead had helped the most.

I believe I get as much as Magrum, or more. Carla didn't answer, even when I had asked her directly.

"Lady Ashenwood, you have the best relations with Silver; it will be your responsibility. We need at least twice; thrice would be the best," he said.

It's a big responsibility, and he did not do it out of liking for me. No, he does not like me.

I know the moves he is making in the dark to curtail my influence. This is part of that. If I fail, it will affect the entire state, which would be bad for me.

"It will be my honor, Council Head," I replied with a smile.

He may have believed it was a poisoned chalice, but it was an opportunity I had wanted all along. That was precisely why I steered the conversation in that direction, and, just as I had expected, he took the bait.

I had already negotiated it; only the final steps remained. Now, with greater leverage in my hands, completing it would be far easier.

The attack had been a disaster, but even disasters can create opportunities for those prepared to seize them.

The elections are next year, and it had been far too long since House Ashenwood last held the High Chair. It was time we did that again.

Two hours passed, and the meeting ended.

I went back to my office in the council hall. I will be in Oksall for a week, and I have a lot of work to do.

'My lady, he is here.'

A few minutes later, the door opened, and an orc man walked in; Oren, my fellow council member.

"Lady Ashenwood," he said.

"Lord Grimgore,"

The man took a seat; he looked confident as always, dressed in an impeccable suit.

"I will say, you have taken quite a risk. That Silver is a bastard; he bargains hard for every drop of essence," he said, and I smiled. "The risk didn't matter, my lord. The prosperity of the state does, and for it, I will take any risk."

The man smiled at that; the smile that looked genuine, but was not.

"What can I do for you, Lord Grimgore?" I asked.

He had asked for the meeting today. I am curious, since I already have a meeting planned two days later. I always meet every council member when the council is in session.

"As you are aware, I plan to run again, and I hope you will help with that. You have a lot of influence in the south," he said, and I smiled internally.

He is one of the council members whose seat is in danger.

Last election, he won quite comfortably, but this time, he is a lot more diminished. Those nasty things he had done to Blackwell made his reputation plummet.

He might have wiped his tracks, and Magrum might have saved him from other consequences, but it affected his reputation, which matters a lot to Oksall.

"What will I get for that?" I asked. Politics is all about give and take. Personally, I don't like the man, but that hardly matters in politics.

"I will support three of your proposals every year," he replied, and I laughed, which he did not like.

"What will it take for you to support me?" he asked, barely keeping his expression in control.

"That is not the right question, Lord Grimgore."

"The right question should be, what will you offer me, and please this time, give me a genuine offer," I replied, and sparks of anger appeared in his eyes, but they disappeared just as they appeared.

He understood what I wanted too: his vote, which he could not give. He is Magrum's man.

…

Margaux Swan

I stepped out and saw rows and rows of girls standing in the garden.

"Welcome Home, Great Mage," they greeted in unison with big smiles on their faces. "Thank you, girls," I thanked them with a smile.

It made me happy. Still, they shouldn't have.

"I had said no for show," I said to Carla, who was standing in front. "They wanted you to look at the smiles on their faces and pride in their eyes."

"They deserve something since you already declined the party," she replied, and I sighed.

I didn't decline it, but postponed it until we dealt with the threats that were coming at us, but Carla is right. The girls deserve it, as it is their accomplishment as much as mine, no matter how fake it felt.

I am having difficulty accepting the title. To me, Great Mages are those who could cast Grade V spells; I could not.

Still, I put a smile on my face and turned to the girls.

They do not need to know what I feel; they need only to understand. If I could become a Great Mage, they could too, and not just a Great Mage, but anything.

I could already see that ambition appearing in their eyes.

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