Chapter 263: Chapter 38 Conspiracy

“Discovered that ancient ruin?”

Everyone glanced at each other in confusion, and the black-robed person who had spoken before couldn’t help but speak up again.

“What else? They haven’t even completely picked up the remnants left by the Ancient Magic Empire, how could they have the leisure to study an entirely new system.”

In the crystal ball, the person referred to as Grey Mist spoke indifferently, the tone seemed to carry a hint of subtle contempt towards the Continent Magic Council, which was known as the pinnacle of magic.

“That is a massive remnant of a metallic city, also the legendary destroyed capital of the ancient Goblin civilization, the Mechanical City — Tarkeshia.”

“The Magic Council, in the central imperial palace of that city, obtained something similar to a central tower’s spirit, storing countless mechanical blueprints and records.

It is precisely because of this, they were able to promote a series of mechanical products to the entire continent virtually overnight.”

“Using mechanical constructs as a lead, gradually changing the entire pattern of Yar Continent, and then manipulating the major trends of destiny. The one sitting atop the Astrology Tower in the Floating City, is presumably attempting to take that step towards reaching Legend!”

“…”

Suddenly hearing such secrets, everyone was so stunned that they felt dizzy and did not know what to say.

Not surprised by everyone’s reaction, the shadow in the crystal ball flickered slightly and spoke again.

“According to the feedback from the stars, the Net of Destiny’s progression is about to reach its second turning point. The first time, the Yiter Kingdom Federation saw the biggest change. This time, the major changes will appear within the Gloria Empire—”

“The time is almost near, with the emergence of mechanical constructs, have there not already been two voices within the upper echelons of the Empire? One advocating acceptance, the other advocating rejection?”

Upon hearing this, the four people on the right side of the long table became somewhat agitated.

“Do you mean that, next, the Gloria Empire will be impacted by mechanical constructs as the Federation was?”

After being silent for a while, the person sitting in the third seat to the right side of the long table spoke.

“But due to a compromise with those Conservatives, the Reformists only managed to advocate for the opening up of civilian magic-guided mechanical constructs, while combat mechanical constructs that allow Professionals to exert strength beyond their ranks are still under strict control within the Empire.”

“Not to mention the ordinary Chambers of Commerce, even Nobles below Marquis rank have to strictly report ownership of combat mechanical constructs to the Royal Family and regularly undergo inspection by Prophetic Spellcasters to ensure there is no underreporting of numbers.

Private stockpiling is a serious crime, treated as conspiracy to commit treason.”

“And now, the mainstream upper echelons of the Empire are still dominated by the Conservative Party. For the Reformists to have achieved this step is already a Limit.

In the next hundred years, the situation of mechanical constructs being under control is unlikely to change, and even less likely to have any significant impact on the situation.”

After listening to this gentleman’s remarks, the shadow in the crystal ball nodded.

“You are correct, but this will precisely become the catalyst for the second revolution—the upper echelons of the Gloria Empire have been in a stagnant state for too long.

Not to mention the eternally unchanged four High Rank Dukes, in the thousands of years since the Empire’s founding, only two new Marquis have ever emerged. And this was simply because one Marquis died, leaving a vacancy.”

“Moreover, the reason you all are sitting here right now is likely because of this very reason, isn’t it?”

The people on the right side of the long table quickly exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

“Forgive my impudence, Grey Mist, but if we cooperate with you, what benefits can we gain?”

The person sitting at the foremost position on the right, wearing a dark gold lion-faced mask, slowly spoke up.

“Benefits? Hehehehe…”

A raspy low laugh came from the crystal ball.

“First of all, by choosing to help us, you are likewise helping yourselves. After more than two thousand years of sedimentation, the game table of the Gloria Empire is already full of players.”

“If you all still wish to partake in this game called power, then you must find a way to make the early players leave the table, creating vacancies.”

“In the past, you had to be concerned about the prophets from the Royal Family and high-level Nobles, worried about those at the Ninth Rank Limit, concerned about not having sufficient troops.

Now, we will provide high-level Prophets and Ninth Rank Limit warriors to support you, offering you equivalent countervailing power in these respects.

As for troops, I believe that in a conventional army, there are no forces stronger than the Mechanical Army.

When those top-tier Nobles are mired in the quagmire of war, what you need to do next, I suppose, goes without saying.”

“Moreover, once the task is complete, our people will leave. And all the remaining territories, mineral resources, and populations will be yours!

The Empire will ultimately be your Empire, won’t it?”

Towards the end, the figure in the Crystal Ball deliberately stressed the word ‘yours’.

As his words came to a close, the room fell into a brief silence once again.

Moments later, the person at the head of the right side of the long table, wearing a dark gold lion-faced mask, spoke up again.

“Then, how shall we cooperate?”

The Crystal Ball flickered slightly, and the blurry figure spoke calmly.

“There’s no rush, gentlemen. Upon your return to the Empire, a special envoy will communicate with you and inform you of the next steps.”

With these words, the figure in the Crystal Ball turned his gaze towards the three figures in black robes sitting on the left side of the long table.

“Then, it’s the turn of the three distinguished sirs from the Federation. I trust you are aware of the recent events in the Leka Kingdom?”

“Is the Sixth Prince backed by you?”

The black-robed person at the head of the left-side instantly responded with surprise and suspicion.

Faced with everyone’s inquiries, the figure merely revealed a smile, neither confirming nor denying.

“Who stands behind the Leka Kingdom’s Sixth Prince is not important. What matters is the display of the Mechanical Army’s strength in the war.”

“Would you like to…”

“Rumble——!”

Before the words from the Crystal Ball could finish, the ground above suddenly burst into a huge tremor.

The next instant, the thick strata of the earth tore apart like a piece of paper, creating an irregular, massive fissure through which a sliver of white sunlight cast its rays, illuminating the unexpectedly targeted assembly.

With the integrity of the secret chamber compromised, the faint Grey Mist rolling on the walls instantly dissipated.

Crack——

Sensing something amiss, the Crystal Ball at the head of the table directly exploded. At the same time, all the fragments lit up with grey Magic Flame, swiftly disintegrating into inert dust.

Yet, before the fragments were completely annihilated, a silhouette with a silver tower-shaped emblem on its shoulder materialized, capturing the remaining fragments along with the grey fires in stasis.

“!”

In an instant, the seven black-robed figures in the room reacted, simultaneously unleashing their strongest hasty strikes at the silhouette and each employing Space Magic to prepare for escape.

However, all spatial fluctuations were merely ephemeral, calming down once again.

Within ten miles centered on Villa Number Twenty-Six, the space had been sealed with a temporary, ultra-high intensity blockade.