The Imperial Council

Northril's winters were bitterly cold, and it snowed most of the time.

But today was an exceptionally rare clear day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the azure heavens were like a jewel. The rising sun shone upon the earth, and the ice and snow from the previous night reflected its light, as if draping the entire city in silver, lifting everyone's spirits.

Millions of residents had already risen. They discovered that there were several times more patrol guards on the streets than usual. At every transportation hub and every important institution of the Empire, Transcendent soldiers dispatched by the Imperial Legion stood guard. The entire city's alert level had been raised to its highest.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the people.

Today was the Imperial Council's once-in-a-decade vote to elect a new consul.

Some elderly people had witnessed several elections, but for some reason, none had ever been as grave as today's. When people met, they merely nodded to one another in greeting, exchanging a few words in low voices at most.

Nine in the morning.

Fubeden Castle rang out with a resounding magical bell, its sound spreading throughout Northril. The people nearby looked up toward the Imperial Council, seeing only the radiance of the Statue of the Goddess of Magic. The city walls blocked their view, preventing them from seeing the "Temple of Truth," where the Imperial Council was located.

"It's begun."

Many people thought this silently, exchanging glances with those beside them.

Rayne set out from Maringer Manor. He didn't use the Teleportation Spell today, instead riding in an understated black automobile. A squad of Extreme Warriors guarded it from all sides, and amid the countless awed gazes along the road, the automobile arrived at Fubeden Castle.

The enormous castle was under tight security. All twenty