The Council Hall fell silent for quite some time before someone finally said in a low voice, "Then... why don't we just stop copying it? We can pretend this never happened."
"Exactly," Helga immediately agreed. "Seal away the captured firearms, and suppress the battle report a little. Aldo is still far from Gabella anyway. Let them fight among themselves."
The others nodded one after another. Since these weapons could shake the position of Spellcasters, they might as well keep them out. What they couldn't see wouldn't trouble them.
Doherty, however, shook his head and said calmly, "No. That path won't work."
He looked at everyone and explained, "Don't forget, most of the members of Gabella's senate, military command, treasury, and even the key ministers in the imperial palace are ordinary people. They don't care whether magic is sacred. They only care whether a war can be won. If the Secret Art Society openly obstructs a new weapon that can greatly enhance military strength..."
He paused, lowering his voice further. "What will they think? Will they think we're protecting the Empire, or protecting our own privileges?"
No one spoke. Everyone understood that the Secret Art Society, which had only recently stepped onto the political stage, was not yet firmly established. If they were saddled with some unpleasant labels, the results they had painstakingly built over decades could collapse overnight.
Just then, Sebastian Cole, who had barely spoken until now, slowly raised his head.
"I have an idea." Sebastian's voice was gentle, yet carried the seasoned calculations of a veteran. "We shouldn't oppose the copying project. On the contrary, we should actively support it—and get ahead of everyone else by taking charge of the matter through the Secret Art Society."
He swept his gaze around the room and continued, "We can petition