But after hearing Kabe's introduction, Crawford and the others behind him all sucked in a sharp breath.
The Magic Council's knowledge of Alvarez was limited, but it was not nonexistent.
At the very least, they had heard the names of the Spriggan Twelve and the Twin Walls of the Empire before.
So when they realized that Kabe had actually poached someone of this level, Crawford and the others were first stunned, then shaken, and then overcome by a joy they could no longer suppress.
With this woman's position and influence inside Alvarez, as long as she was even slightly willing to cooperate, then forget ordinary military intelligence. The Council could probably find out even what kind of underwear their emperor wore.
And when they looked back at Kabe again, their eyes had completely changed.
They had no idea how this young man had persuaded such a figure, but with this accomplishment alone, a seat among the Ten Wizard Saints was now absolutely guaranteed.
An eighteen-year-old Wizard Saint!!
The quicker-thinking ones were already wondering whether there were any suitable younger relatives back home, and whether a marriage alliance between powerful families might somehow be arranged.
After introducing Irene, Kabe did not forget to casually introduce Brandish and the other two following behind her as well.
When they learned that Brandish was a reserve candidate for the Spriggan Twelve and likewise someone of considerable standing in Alvarez...
And that Heine and Juliet were also mid-to-high-ranking imperial officers who had long served under Irene...
Crawford could no longer restrain himself.
In his joy, he almost wanted to kneel on the spot and kowtow to Kabe.
Achievements. These were all perfect achievements.
Yes, Kabe was the one who had lured them over, but did all this not happen during his term as chairman?
Who would dare claim that he had not contributed even a little? Kabe was the new star of the magical world he valued most, the junior he was proudest of!
Crawford could already imagine how the newspapers would sing his praises for a very long time to come.
With this achievement under his name, even in the full history of previous chairmen, he would surely rank among the best.
Radiant with delight, Crawford nodded again and again, his large hand slapping Kabe heavily on the shoulder.
"Good, good, excellent! Kabe, you have rendered a tremendous service to Ishgar."
As he spoke, he solemnly extended his hand toward Irene and welcomed her with complete sincerity.
"I have long heard your name, Lady Irene. Welcome to Ishgar.
Given your strength and prestige, I am willing, in my capacity as Chairman of the Magic Council, to guarantee that you and Lord Kabe will both be appointed as members of the Ten Wizard Saints."
He deliberately raised his voice while saying it, to the point that not only the reporters but all the Council officials present could hear his decision.
At once, the entire place burst into an uproar.
Then came a wave of hurried whispers from every direction.
Even Ogg and the other councilors were visibly surprised by Crawford's sudden decision.
But after the surprise passed, not a single one of them opposed it.
Instead, they all began clapping in support of the proposal.
Gradually, the private murmurs disappeared, replaced by loud applause and one wave of cheering after another.
Amid the thunderous clapping and admiring voices, Irene calmly raised her hand and lightly shook Crawford's, neither overly excited nor overly reserved, just a brief touch before withdrawing.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Chairman. As a fellow child of Ishgar, I have merely made the most correct choice and returned to the side I truly belong to."
"You are from Ishgar?!"
Crawford's eyes lit up at once, and his voice was filled with astonishment.
But in the very next instant, his smile became even warmer.
"Wonderful. On behalf of the Magic Council and all the people of Ishgar, I welcome you home once again."
"You are too kind, Chairman. If anything, I should be the one thanking you for your magnanimity, for being willing to accept a sinner like me who left her homeland and only now found her way back."
"No, no, no, Lady Irene, you must never say such a thing. Your return is a tremendous blessing to Ishgar."
That was what Crawford said aloud.
But inside, he was laughing himself sick with joy, and the corners of his mouth were rising so wildly he could barely hold them down.
'See that? This is what true personal charm looks like. Let me see who dares say I do nothing now!'
Watching Irene reduce Crawford to this state with just a few simple sentences, even Kabe could not help being impressed.
As expected of a queen. After spending so many years at the center of power in Alvarez, she really did know exactly how to play this game.
After another long round of polite conversation with Irene, the delighted Crawford did not forget to lavish exaggerated praise and goodwill upon Brandish and the other two as well.
And when he learned that Brandish was also originally from Ishgar, and had even been born there before growing up abroad, Crawford became so pleased he was almost beside himself.
Look at that.
This was what true loyalty from overseas looked like.
Even after living for years in a foreign land, the moment their homeland needed them, they had returned without hesitation.
This was not only Kabe's personal achievement.
This was the achievement of the Magic Council and of Ishgar itself!!
Crawford, overjoyed, wasted no more time on useless words. He immediately invited Kabe, Irene, and the rest into the Council building to attend the luxurious banquet specially prepared in their honor.