At that moment, many eyes turned to the Holographic Projection in the center of the hall, focusing on the doll-like, exquisitely crafted yet lifeless "Ophelia Norton" seated upon the throne. They watched this "last royal of the Ancient Gondor Empire," seemingly hoping to read some hint of an attitude from the ancient woman's face.
Others turned their attention toward the seats of the Typhon Empire and the Silver Empire. They watched for every subtle shift in Rosetta Augustus's and Bercetia Morningstar's expressions, waiting for these two imperial leaders to state their positions—the representatives present all knew that on matters involving the fundamental order, small nations carried little weight. Only the positions of the three great empires could determine the final outcome.
For many of the national representatives here, this was probably the most absurd and unconventional situation they had ever encountered: above the capital of an ancient empire that had been destroyed for seven hundred years, they were discussing whether its ruined capital should be regarded as an independent city-state. And the last heir of that ancient empire was still alive, watching the conference proceedings from deep underground—while a powerful force of iron soldiers had gathered at her side...
A representative from a small southwestern country could not help wiping the fine sweat from his forehead. He muttered quietly to his aide beside him, "I think next time they should send someone with less hair..."
The aide lowered his voice as well and said helplessly, "I never thought things would develop like this... From the beginning, we never thought we had any chance to meddle with the Azure Well, but the kingdom's advisers had all predicted that the three great empires would occupy and divide this source of magical power... Now, if the Azure Well truly becomes an independent city-state