Eastern Kingdom, capital Lunsenburg.
In the elegant palace tearoom, General Howell was drinking alone. There was no one around; even the guards assigned to watch the place had quietly withdrawn to a sufficiently safe distance—rumor had it that after the Old King was assassinated, General Howell had been heartbroken, and this was how he eased his grief each day.
At such a turbulent and critical moment, no one dared provoke this powerful general.
Howell sat quietly in the tearoom for a long time before suddenly opening his eyes.
Several illusory figures flickered into existence elsewhere in the tearoom. Though their exact forms could not be seen clearly, their voices were steady and distinct.
Including Howell, there were six people in total. Yet seven cushions had been prepared in the tearoom.
"Quillras succeeded."
Someone said, "But I'm still worried. Can the Frost Giant really return? Has the goddess truly been deceived by us? Our plan..."
Howell set down his teacup and said calmly:
"Gentlemen, why did we establish the Blue Robe Sect?"
The other five fell silent.
"For freedom," someone said, though it sounded somewhat forced.
"For power." Another spoke bluntly. "Miesella's doctrine does not serve the kingdom's interests in development, nor does it align with our goal of strengthening ourselves. The Ice and Snow Goddess Church is gradually encroaching upon the secular authority of the Eastern Kingdom. This so-called divine will is becoming more and more like a joke. Who knows whether those gods even care about what happens on the Northern Continent..."
Everyone voiced their own opinions.
At last, Howell smiled.
"It seems everyone has their own thoughts. That is perfectly normal. As long as we share common interests, we can sit down and cooperate properly. This Blue Robe Sect is our perfect masterpiece."
"No matter how the Ice