Volume 3: The Land of Mist Chapter 2 Two Meetings (Part 2)
Just as Remedios had expected, the entire meeting was filled with a tense atmosphere.
After all, some time had passed, and even the least well-informed people should have received the news that the storm on the Broken Sea had ceased. This was the first time since Terra's conquest eight hundred years ago that the entire Ava Continent was defenselessly exposed to the threat of the Imperial Fleet.
Ward Fengge, the Lord of Ys City, initiated the proposal of the Moon Wheel Conference almost on the same day when the news was confirmed, hoping to summon the seven city lords to the Phoenix Palace to reach a new sacred resolution under the witness of the Holy Fire.
However, at this moment, he seemed to be the most relaxed person in the entire venue.
"It's a relief that you're back. I thought you would stay in Stormreach for a few more days."
Ward Fengge spoke after Remedios took her seat, hiding his dissatisfaction in a frivolous tone.
The mayors of the seven city-states had the power to initiate a lunar meeting and propose sacred proposals once a year. This power could be considered a symbol of the mayor's status. However, Remedios used her power as the mayor to postpone the lunar meeting for one day. Although this was completely in compliance with the regulations , it was still an act that did not respect tradition.
Especially for the initiator of the meeting, there will be a feeling of being suppressed.
Remedios ignored his words and turned her gaze to the person who was not part of this meeting.
A man in a gray linen robe sat quietly in the corner of the hall, his face hidden in the shadows. On the chest of his robe hung an inverted triangular Austrian iron pendant with a sun pattern in the middle.
Nowadays, not many people may know this symbol in the Vic continent that adheres to the laws of the stars. Even in Ava Continent, which still inherits the "classical magic system", not many people know about it.
The Takma Order - the original source of the word magic, the original researchers who have been trying to understand the principles of witchcraft since the Bronze Age, the founder of the magic system, and the oldest magic sect.
Although strictly speaking, the Moon Wheel Conference is the highest-level meeting in Ava Continent, which is only open to the mayors of the seven major city-states, the consultants sent by the Takma Cult are an exception.
From the reign of the first Lord of the Mist to the current era of the Seven Cities' co-governance, the Takma Cult has maintained a certain cooperative relationship with every ruler of Ava. Although the Takma Cult will not intervene in specific matters, the opinions put forward by the consultants they send are advice that every ruler of Ava needs to seriously consider.
The Takma seemed to have noticed Remedios's gaze. He nodded slightly in greeting, and Remedios nodded in return. Then she looked around at the six city lords around her. Finally, her gaze stopped on Ward Fengge and she spoke in a calm voice:
"Then let us begin this Moon Wheel Meeting under the witness of the Holy Fire."
Under Remedios's empty eyes, Ward, as the initiator of the Moon Wheel Conference, felt unprecedented pressure.
But after calming himself down, he spoke in the same tone as usual:
"Although I am the initiator of this Moon Wheel Conference, I believe everyone present here knows what the theme of today's meeting is. The storm, the storm that lasted for more than 800 years, finally subsided two days ago , which also means that a new era has arrived."
Before he finished speaking, the man in dark gold scale armor sitting next to him spoke:
"Please wait a moment. Finally? A new era? Mr. Fengge, why do I feel like you have been looking forward to this for a long time? Or do you not know that the Imperial Army is gathering fleets at White Goose Port and Green Water Port?"
Earlier this year, the Riel Empire sent envoys to Ava, announcing that the Eighth Holy Spirit had appeared and that He would calm the storm of the Broken Sea in the near future, making the entire Ava submit to the empire.
At the time, they thought it was just a routine threat that every emperor made soon after taking office. The elves had a long enough lifespan that many of the people present had experienced this several times, and they also understood that the other party was just talking nonsense.
However, this time it was different. After sending envoys to issue an ultimatum, the young queen named Eileen Riel actually began to seriously train troops and mobilize ships to make preparations.
But now, with hindsight, the other party had already expected the end of the storm.
Of course, whether this is the eighth appearance of the Holy Spirit is another matter for Ava Island, which does not believe in the Holy Spirit Church.
But at least, the other party did find a way to make the Broken Sea storm disappear, or predicted the time when the storm would disappear.
"But this will also be an opportunity. The disappearance of the storm means that the ancient shipping routes can be used again, and we can start large-scale trade with the continent of Vic again. By then, the weapons made by the craftsmen of Clockwork City and the crops of Fengsui City can be exported to the continent of Vic again."
Ward Fengge said with a slightly excited mood.
Each of the seven city-states in Ava represents a profession. For example, Ys is the "city of navigators". In the past, the foreign trade and fisheries of the entire Ava were all handled by Ys. In the era when the Vic continent had not yet been unified, they relied on the wealth accumulated through foreign trade to become the most powerful and prosperous city-state in the entire Ava.
However, after the storm blocked the Broken Sea, Ys City could only survive by fishing, and its status plummeted. It was not until 20 years ago that Ward Windsong took over the position of the Lord of Ys City and began to vigorously support the development of the Chamber of Commerce, gradually leading the city-state to revival.
"Trade? Did you not understand what I just said? Let me repeat it again. The fleet of the Riel Empire is gathering on the other side of the river. They are here to invade us, not to trade with you."
The man in golden armor said angrily.
"But this can all be resolved without bloodshed, right?"
Ward said this, and turned his gaze to the Shadow Queen Remedios who was sitting in the upper seat, and continued:
"The envoy from the Empire who came earlier this year said that their Queen's condition is that we have to accept it until the first Riel Empire soldier sets foot on the land of Ava Continent, right? To be honest, I think that condition is not bad."
The imperial envoys at that time promised that as long as Ava was willing to kneel and recognize the rule of the empire, they would be included in the empire's sphere of influence as an autonomous province. In addition to paying tithes on time, the elves of Ava would be able to completely retain their cultural traditions, beliefs and political systems, and they were even allowed to keep their own army.
"We are only going to build a tower and allow the gods of mankind to preach here. Basically, there will be no other changes. Oh, by the way, there is also a contract to purchase large quantities of grain. This is indeed a bit troublesome, but the other party also said that this aspect can be discussed."
After hearing what Ward said, a female elf dressed as a priest spoke up.
"Just a tower? That is the evil tower that guides the Moon Realm Demons into the human world. Is it as trivial as you say?"
The man in golden armor nodded and continued:
"Do you remember the oath our ancestors made before the Phoenix Holy Flame? To prevent all Moon Realm-related forces from entering Ava Continent, but this is the only thing we cannot compromise on."
Their words seemed to divert the topic. The lords of Clockwork City and Fengsui City, who had been slightly moved before, suppressed their emotions and joined the voices of opposition.
Ward just sneered when he heard this and looked at Remedios and said:
"I have no objection to your decision to stop using the power of the Moon Realm, but I am very curious about the storm that has been raging on the Broken Sea for more than 800 years. Could it be that the power comes from the real world?"
