Chapter 989 — Aldernan in the Mist

No sooner had Matilda's voice faded than a great hum of discussion erupted through the entire council hall.

Whether noble-faction councilors, representatives of wealthy burghers, or delegates from mage and scholar associations of every level, all fell into the same astonishment in that moment, and after astonishment came irrepressible doubt and heated debate.

In that moment, they even forgot the decorum and rules they ordinarily observed so carefully.

Amid the roaring discussion, at last a councilor rose and demanded a more detailed explanation; another shouted that this was a mad notion, stressing that it would plunge the Empire into unprecedented and terrifying chaos. And as the center of this storm, Matilda merely watched it all quietly, not in the least surprised by what was happening before her.

The Parliament... this new political creation had existed and operated in the Typhon Empire for more than ten years, while its earlier prototype, the "Noble Assembly," had existed on this land for even longer. No one could deny its historical role and practical value in Typhon's development; even at this very moment, Matilda understood clearly how immense the significance of "Parliament" was, and likewise understood the councilors' present astonishment and helplessness. Therefore, for the first ten-odd minutes, she said nothing at all, only leaving time for those in the hall to confirm and digest the news—and to slowly calm down.

At last, under Matilda's calm gaze, the agitated councilors closed their mouths one after another, and the buzzing, rumbling hall slowly quieted.

Count Dulle did not join the discussion. He sat quietly in his seat, watching the men and women he knew so well from daily life flush red in the face over the past ten-odd minutes. A thoughtful expression on his face, he gathered in his mind the recent changes in Aldernan's situation and the news arriving through every channel. For half a minute, he even recalled his earlier journey abroad with the diplomatic mission to Cecil—finally, he raised his head and happened to see that pearl of the Empire rise from her chair.

Matilda stood up, and that movement brought complete silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I can name every one of you. I know each of you, and I understand—and sympathize with—you," she said slowly in a steady voice after sweeping her gaze around the hall. "So I understand your doubts and anxiety at this moment. But please be patient and hear me out—the royal family has no intention of destroying the stable order we have maintained for so long, still less of attacking the Parliament we built together out of malice or some other unspeakable purpose."

Seeing that everyone's eyes were fixed on her, Matilda paused, then continued:

"The Empire is facing a crisis, one unlike any challenge we have ever confronted—I do not mean only the 'war' with Cecil, a war full of suspicious points, nor only the recent anomalies of the Church of the War God. It is the cause behind those anomalies that is truly chilling.

"There are fatal holes in our army. Traitors have appeared within our noble system. Our church and our common folk are being eroded by some evil force—these things come with ferocious momentum, attempting to overturn the Empire's order, and their most terrifying aspect lies in their swift destruction, unpredictable actions, and powerful ability to infiltrate and lie dormant. I believe everyone present is well aware of the recent shifts in the situation and the rumors circulating in the imperial capital, so you should understand what I mean.

"Faced with such a challenge, Parliament is clearly powerless—I do not deny the meaning of Parliament's existence or its role in the Empire, but under the present special circumstances, we must replace it with a body that is more efficient, more controlled, and more secure and closed.

"From today, the Empire will enter a state of emergency. The Imperial Cabinet, headed by His Majesty Emperor Luoyan, will assume full authority over many of Parliament's powers. All military, administrative, and religious units will take orders directly from the Emperor. We must mobilize the army and eliminate the unstable elements within the country with the highest efficiency, restore stability to Aldernan in the shortest possible time, unite the Empire's strength in the shortest possible time, and resolve this crisis in the shortest possible time.

"As for all of you sitting here... please set your minds completely at ease. Parliament is only temporarily closed; this is merely one part of entering the state of emergency—though this is the first time we have executed an 'emergency act' of this magnitude, rest assured, everything is under His Majesty's control. Nor need any of you worry about your safety or reputation—everyone beneath the Threefold Spires is the pride of the Empire's upper society. I believe in the loyalty of every one of you, and His Majesty believes it as well.

"Then, loyal and upright councilors, you too should understand the efforts the royal family has made to protect the Empire's interests—the choice you make today will be noble and worthy of being recorded in the annals of history.

"This is a rare opportunity to make a great contribution to the Empire and prove yourselves. Please seize it firmly.

"I have finished speaking."

Every word Matilda spoke was gentle and full of courtesy, as though carrying a power that made people trust and relax against their will. Count Dulle sat in the lower seats, quietly listening to Her Highness the Princess finish, yet inwardly he gave a faint sigh.

What an impeccable speech—now the reasonable part was over.

Of course, for certain people in this hall, they would keep trying a while longer—Count Dulle saw councilors rise to speak, councilors apparently discussing something with those around them, and others casting communication spells permitted in the hall, seemingly contacting their connections and seeking help with certain intelligence.

Count Dulle glanced at that opportunistic merchant not far away and saw his plump face full of anxiety, but this time he felt no urge to despise him. Then he lowered his head and looked at the ornate ring with its enormous gem on his finger.

After a moment's thought, he brought the ring before him and infused it with magic—the expensive magical item glowed faintly, and a voice spoke directly into Count Dulle's ear: "My lord, what are your orders?"

"Where are the Guardian Knights?"

"They are on Parliament Street and in the Upper Cross District."

"Where is Duke Peiyi?"

"Duke Peiyi left the Obsidian Palace an hour ago—but we have no way to investigate His Grace's exact whereabouts."

"That is enough."

Count Dulle exhaled, rubbed his slightly sore brow, and then decided to raise both hands and both feet in support of His Majesty the Emperor's emergency act.

……

The corridors of the Royal Mages Association were deep and long. A hunched figure slowly passed through those long galleries and archways painted with portraits of history's great mages, artificial nerve cords writhing faintly beneath his robe and giving off a fearsome sound of friction.

Mages passing by all sensed the oppression and gloom emanating from this black-robed figure, yet no one showed the slightest disrespect toward this figure strolling so freely through the Mages Association—even though the latter wore a private robe bearing no insignia, wore no badge of the Mages Association, and almost never greeted anyone on the road first.

Even so, everyone who passed by this figure would still stop respectfully, bow slightly, and address him as "Master Daniel."

Daniel would respond with a simple nod—this was already the most amiable and friendly reaction he could produce in this place.

At the end of this corridor, Daniel's steps halted.