" Barnett and Audenll have not returned for a long time, so it's safe to assume that something has happened to them!"
"But they did contribute to their fellow Spellcasters, so their names and deeds need not be erased; let them be left for posterity to remember them."
Antonio looked around at everyone, his expression growing increasingly serious.
"However, Barnett's behavior must be strictly prohibited in the future!"
"I know that you are all masters of arcane arts with profound attainments in your respective fields, but you are not invincible! Not to mention other spellcasters, even if you clash with mortals, if the other party finds the right method, they can still end your lives."
The emperor's words were sharp, like thorns piercing the hearts of the crowd, making them very uncomfortable.
Many people frowned. As members of the highest echelons of the Arcane Society, they were all arrogant and condescending towards the younger generation of Spellcasters and those mortals who were immune to magic.
Now, Antonio Griffin bluntly points out that they might be killed by the weak whom they have always looked down upon, and if Antonio were not the leader of the Arcane Society, someone in the room would have already taken the opportunity to teach this arrogant man a lesson.
Antonio continued, "I know that you are all used to being undisciplined. Since I tightened my control over the senior members, many of you have been secretly dissatisfied with me and feel that you have lost your free life."
"But I want to tell you that an organization's discipline is both a constraint and a protection for its members. Putting Audennell aside for now, what happened to Barnett is enough to prove this point. If we had known Barnett's whereabouts, we could have found him in time, rescued him when he was in danger, or... avenged him! At least he wouldn't have disappeared without a trace like this!"
"Your Majesty is right!" Doughty Matte immediately agreed as soon as Antonio finished speaking. "From now on, regardless of rank, any member who violates the rules must be punished."
"I strongly agree with strengthening discipline and control over organization members!"
I agree!
Two of the less senior members of the Council of Ten —the two who replaced Barnett and Audennell —also expressed their support for Antonio.
"A bunch of sycophantic bastards!" Enoch Christopher thought to himself, but he didn't voice his disapproval. Reason told him that as the conflict between the Spellcaster community and the Papacy became increasingly open and intense, they needed to strengthen their unity to fight against such a behemoth as the Papacy.
"Alright, let's move on to the second topic!" Doughty Matte said, "Should we use this battle with the Vatican to bring the Arcane Society to light?"
Everyone present was startled by these words. Was this day finally coming?
To walk openly and honestly in the sunlight is the heartfelt wish of most Spellcasters.
At this moment, everyone turned their attention to one person— Mariana.
"I think it's a good idea!" Mariana, who had been silent all along, spoke up when she felt everyone's gaze. "In Horn Bay, since the Duchy of Eaton recognized the legal rights of our Spellcaster compatriots, other countries have followed suit. Although there have been some dissenting voices among the people of these countries, the overall situation has been relatively calm, and the public has not shown much resistance to it."
The Horn Bay War was instigated by the Arcane Society, and this war can be seen as a prelude, or a preliminary battle, to the war between the Arcane Society and the Papacy.
The Arcane Society used this to test several things, including, as Mariana mentioned, public attitudes toward Spellcaster standing in the light.
"But…" a Council of Ten member named Joshua Neke expressed his doubts, " The Horn Bay people's lack of objection is based on the fact that Spellcaster provided tremendous help in their war against the Church. We all know that without Mariana and others' support for Eaton, this war would have ended in victory for the Church's army long ago."
In the early stages of the Horn Bay War, the Crusader Army, led by Simon Fedotov, unexpectedly bypassed neutral city-states and launched a surprise attack on the northern states of the New Protestant Alliance by "borrowing" their way through the neutral city-states. They conquered cities and territories along the way and were unstoppable.
Fortunately, Mariana, leading the Arcane Society's Spellcasters, dealt a heavy blow to the advancing Crusader Army, interrupting their flanking maneuver and saving the Duchy of Eaton and the devastating situation in the north for the New Protestant Alliance.
Although the subsequent course of the war remained unfavorable, no one denied the enormous contributions Spellcaster made in the early stages of the war.
"Don't worry, Joshua." Doughty Matte stroked his beard and looked at him with a smile. " The Blazing Dragon Legion will shine brightly in our war against the Papacy. The true identities of the Legion warriors will be revealed to the world. The Gabella people have a fanatical worship of victory on the battlefield, and a great victory can dilute the impact of their Spellcaster identity! The Legion warriors are stronger than mortal knights and mortal soldiers. They will bring more victories and make every Gabella person gradually fall in love with them."
" Is Blazing Dragon Legion going to join the war against the Papacy?" Joshua asked in surprise.
"Indeed, His Majesty has already made the decision in the cabinet, and Marshal McDonald has begun preparations for their expedition!"
"Uh… shouldn't we discuss deploying the Blazing Dragon Legion within the Council of Ten first? Our opponent this time is the Light Church, not those weak rebels."
Doughty Matte gave Joshua a disapproving look: "They may be Spellcasters, but they are also Imperial troops. Whether or not to send them into battle should be decided by the professionals of the Imperial government. How many of you here understand warfare? Besides, how long do you intend to keep their fighting power hidden? This war is a rare opportunity for the Blazing Dragon Legion to distinguish themselves. Furthermore..."
Dorti suddenly smiled. "Those mortal armies ahead can't have sacrificed themselves in vain. They've worked so hard to create this 'decline,' and now they're just waiting for the Blazing Dragon Legion to save them."
Joshua lowered his head. "I'm sorry, I misspoke."
"Speaking of which," Antonio said, looking at Mariana, "we should thank Lady Scarlet Flame!"
"If it weren't for the arcane weapons she created, the Spellcasters would never have been able to organize a sizable army!"
"Thank you, Scarlet Flame Lady!" Everyone followed him and looked at Mariana, expressing their sincere gratitude.
Mariana has been researching magical weapons within the Arcane Society.
Blazing Dragon Legion's widely deployed " Fire Crossbow " and " Thunder Hammer " weapons are both her creations.
Both weapons are named after the Arda Territory of the Kingdom of Aldor, borrowing popular nicknames for two firearms originating from there.
Although they share the same name, it's a deception. Unlike Alda's firearms, which rely on gunpowder gas for propulsion, Blazing Dragon Legion's " Fire Crossbow " and " Thunder Hammer " are entirely powered by magic.