Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam

As the ’Hermit’s explanation ended, it was time for the Bian’s second favorite seven-person council debate session.

In this session, you can see those high-ranking dignitaries disputing so fiercely over an issue that they even resort to personal attacks.

"The guild has reaped so much profit in the Empire over the years, and now you become cowardly when it’s your turn to take responsibility? Truly a group of genuine parasites."

The first to engage in personal attacks was the ’Regent King’, a representative of the imperial nobility. Most of these titles have been around since the time of the first generation of kings, and as the initial batch of seven council members experienced life and death, their successors inherited their titles.

Bian lazily propped her cheek with her palm, listening with interest to this intense debate.

As for her, the title was one she chose for herself, derived from a flower she saw during an Eastern Continent expedition when she was a Tier Two Knight of the Holy Hall. The flower was beautiful and left a deep impression on her.

When His Majesty Henry knighted her, she insisted on keeping her own title.

The faction led by the ’Pope’ believed that the Elemental Shaper was an uncontrollable factor for the Empire, and the unforgivable thing was his countless connections with the Lindong Witch. Therefore, they must find a way to discover his true identity and bring him to the Judicial Court to be baptized by the Empire’s laws.

Before that, the Lofic Consortium should fully cooperate with their actions.

This was, of course, met with the merciless refusal of the Lofic Consortium representative, as protecting the privacy of every guest is a promise to everyone from the guild. For businessmen, reputation is inviolable.

"That would be difficult to achieve."

The ’Scholar’ of the Astrology Association maintained her harmless smile, explaining warmly, "I participated in the construction of Fireplace Bay. Magic transportation can only record the coordinates of two locations at once, even the Great Mage of the Astrology Association could not transport Heisenberg from Fireplace Bay to the imperial capital."

"Then arrest him, torture him for his identity, and if necessary, mobilize the Golden Fleet to ensure the threat is nipped in the bud!"

The ’Iron Hand’, chairman of the Judicial Court, was as aggressive as ever, ready to deploy the Empire’s invincible Golden Fleet into battle.

But in reality, the Judicial Court did not have the authority to mobilize the Golden Fleet. This war weapon, which the Empire is proud of, has always been controlled by the royal family. It fits well with the tone of the great nobles, always issuing orders frivolously, then letting countless people clean up after them.

Bian silently ridiculed in her heart.

The ’Hermit’ Dean, who had been silent, calmly said, "We are currently unable to make an accurate judgment on Heisenberg. Acting rashly will only backfire. The Empire can no longer withstand another fallen war."

This strike hit the nail on the head, putting the meeting into a stalemate.

They all knew that although the Empire was the victor of the Fallen War, it also paid a heavy price in that war. Since then, the King has been bedridden, and the Empire has been in decline. Worse still, the victory propaganda has not deterred the rampage of the Evil God’s followers. Instead, subsequently, the evil fanatics sprouted everywhere like mushrooms after the rain.

The ’Hermit’ fixed his muddled eyes on the Pope, "What the Empire should least do now is to spread the news of Heisenberg’s existence. Regardless of what connection he has with... that person, no matter what stance he himself holds, he will replace that person and become the Savior in the eyes of the Evil God Fanatics."

So, the voting came unsurprisingly to 3:3, and all the attention shifted to Bian, who had never participated in the discussion.

The vote in her hand was crucial, directly impacting the future of the Empire.

"I think ’Mr. Hermit’ makes a good point. I vote for the opposing side."

Her response was crisp and neat, leaving no room for the Pope’s faction to rally votes.

As expected, she received the Pope’s cold gaze—it was the third time in a row she had stood against the church.

However, Bian had to clarify that she had no personal vendetta against the Pope; it was simply that the series of radical policies the church had implemented in recent years did not align with her beliefs.

Ever since the King fell ill, she felt the Pope had become increasingly obsessed with power.

But the church faction’s certain judgment about the Lofic Consortium was accurate: a group of parasites born for profit always tries every way to amass wealth, indifferent to the Empire’s future.

Therefore, many times, it became extremely difficult to cast this vote in her hand.

Nonetheless, as the voting formed a 3:4 situation, any words were pale and powerless. This is the seven-person council system; everyone must ultimately abide by the voting result.

"Then, according to the voting result, Mr. Horn will make the contact with Heisenberg."

The representative of the Lofic Consortium gave the Judicial Court’s ’Iron Hand’ member a deep look, "Probe his stance through peaceful and prudent means. I believe he can be won over by the Empire. I do not wish to see anyone incite war at Fireplace Bay."

Over the years, it was not an exaggeration to describe the Judicial Court’s notoriety. It had clearly become a tool for the Pope to eliminate dissent.

’Iron Hand’ merely snorted coldly and shifted his gaze elsewhere.

This long and tedious debate finally came to an end, and no matter how many times Bian participated, she could never adapt to the meeting’s atmosphere.

Although every council member hoisted the banner of the Empire’s future, the meeting’s agenda always revolved around gaining more benefits for their camp. In reality, she felt that since the concept of a ’camp’ appeared, this Kingdom was already starting to split.

And now, there awaited a grand expedition for her.

The Empire’s intelligence agents had detected the trail of the Dream Erosion. Not long ago, they murdered a former A-level investigator of the Reception Bureau and an executive from the Imperial Reserve at Fireplace Bay.

This might be the first time the Kingdom Army truly faced off against these Evil God Fanatics.

Seeing Bian get up to leave, the Pope suddenly approached her.

"Wish you all a triumphant victory."

He stared hard at Bian, smiling insincerely.

The political stance of the Kingdom Army once again... brought disappointment, but fortunately, it wouldn’t be long before the seven-person council welcomed a new, wiser decision maker.

Bian did not respond, merely nodding politely at the Pope, then headed out of the chapel without looking back.

More than watching the Pope’s expression, she relished the thought of that giant ice bird, making her itch with excitement.

No knight could refuse such a dashing mount.

It was a meeting about Heisenberg, but unlike these politicians, if she ever met Heisenberg, she had only one request.

To ride that Big Ice Bird and fly a lap in the sky.

Please, she would do anything!

.........

Meanwhile, far away in Ximu Town, Mr. Heisenberg stealthily approached the guest room, pushing open the slightly ajar door.

The light spilling from the door slit caught his attention.

This was Miss Keroy’s room.

When he saw the scene inside the side chamber, a bolt of lightning struck his brain—Miss Keroy was lying by the bed, having lit a gas lamp from nowhere, and in front of her on the floor was an open vellum book, surrounded by a dazzling array of herbs.

What on earth had happened in the last few days?

Since when did Miss Keroy learn to read books?