Chapter 821: Strategic Meeting [Pt 2]
The planning hall was a sacred ground that only the most relevant people could venture into. However, since these people were at the top of the food chain, of course, they were granted access.
With Jared leading them, they all ventured towards the moderately large hall, with murals still staining the wall, and tiles so exquisite you could see your reflection.
The room also had a centre table which five chairs gathered around.
Two chairs were to the left, two to the right, and a more majestic one stood firmly at the head of the table.
"Have your seats. Jared smiled, moving to take his prestigious position among the others.
Despite his warm invitation, no one dared to have their seat before he did. It wasn't due to anything he had imposed on them, but rather, it was simply their respect for the hierarchy.
Once he sat, they followed.
"Alright, then. Since we're all here... let us begin."
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"... And that concludes the report."
An eerie silence followed Elrich Lendertwale's voice. Everyone in the room sat completely still as they watched Jared nod slowly.
"So, still no progress on the Midas front, eh?" He sighed.
The Midas Empire had been their most challenging opponent throughout the conquest. All the other nations had fallen without much difficulty, but this group was proving to be a serious thorn in his flesh.
"It's because of their pesky barrier. That's pretty much all they have going for them." Abellion growled.
He, who had been the only Demon, apart from Karlia, to be spared from the massacre in exchange for betraying his own people, had sworn complete fealty to Jared—or perhaps, Lewis Griffith.
In any case, he was his loyal servant, and his master's desires were his as well.
"Our Spells can't do anything to them and our technology is also incapable of breaching it yet." Jane Ursula responded with a grin.
The Midas Empire's Barrier had to be the most peculiar one in existence. It pretty much nullified their Spells and it was constantly active.
That was the only reason why their race, as well as the Magic Beasts, still had any reasonable grounds.
"We already have enough manpower to defeat them, do we not? It will be tough, but I can see us winning. If the Magic Technology Division could just work on something on their end, then—"
"Hey, are you seriously blaming me, Gerard?" Jane's eyes flared as she glared at the Beast King.
"N-no, of course not! I was just saying..."
Like a puppy, he shamefully hung his head low and accepted his fate.
"My division is working tirelessly to produce so many things at once, including the main project. The little time we have dedicated to breaking the barrier has proven futile. Yet what would you have me do?"
"Okay, okay, sorry..." Gerard could already see himself being backed into a corner.
It was shameful that a woman was talking to him with such disrespect, yet he knew he couldn't fight back.
If she had been his wife, he would have beaten her half to death for daring to speak against him. He would have shown her her place in the hierarchy.
Unfortunately for him, she wasn't his to discipline.
The man who claimed the title of her lover... was someone he would never wish to cross.
"Relax, Jane. I'm sure Gerard meant no harm. Right, Gerard?" Jared's voice soothingly interrupted their discussion.
His warm smile and understanding eyes would have given peace and comfort to Gerard, but he knew the true meaning behind them.
Shut up or die!
"Y-yes sir!" He bowed vigorously.
Jane scoffed a little, grinning afterwards. Clearly, she was looking down on him.
'Damnit...' Gerard endured the humiliation, giving more importance to his instincts of self-preservation.
"As long as we all get along well, that's fine. Thank you for the report, Elrich."
The man with flowing white hair bowed courteously without uttering a word. As Jared's top Mage, he only needed to speak when he was told to.
The very man who gave him the right to immortality was the one who now dictated his freedom of speech. However, Elrich didn't mind.
As long as Jared showed him more Magic, and ensured he always had enough 'materials' for his research, he was perfectly fine with being his loyal subordinate.
"How about you, Jane? Anything special to report?"
"Yes. Quite important, actually." Jane rose to her feet.
Unlike the miniature size that fairies usually donned, Jane had a regular human size. Of course, she had wings behind her, making it clear she was a fairy. Her pointy ears also gave it away.
"Our Magic Observatory detected some strange phenomenon that occurred some hours ago." She began, no longer smiling.
"What kind of strange phenomenon are we talking about here?"
"It's difficult to explain. It's like space and time folding in on itself, and reality itself warping. I also felt a strong surge of Magical Energy, unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. The readings were simply off the charts."
"But were you able to pinpoint its exact location or range?" Jared's eyes narrowed further as he heard more about this strange occurrence.
Clearly, it wasn't natural. An unprecedented phenomenon, occurring at such a critical moment? No... how could it simply be overlooked.
"That's the problem... not at all." Jane sighed. "The readings were so off the chart that we couldn't pinpoint the exact source."
A Magic Power that was too dense to calculate and trace? How absurd was this surge?
Or more importantly... Who had caused it?!
"Hmm... could this be the work of the Midas Empire again? They're relentless in their efforts and they aren't that weak either. Perhaps they've developed something formidable." Jared rubbed his chin in deep thought.
"Perhaps... or it could also be the work of our other opponents—the Outers?" Jane added, her eyes displaying just as much concern as Jared's.
"The Outgroup, huh? I see..."