Chapter 247

Not to mention the fact that the Watcher Legion, their trump card, has yet to be deployed.

If the Northern Federation doesn't come up with a solution, it may truly perish.

The existence of the Northern Federation, this "giant" of the Northern Continent, has been the subject of many fascinating reports. It boasts the largest territory in the Northern Continent and is composed of many national alliances, yet it always suffers the most severe blows.

The Northern Coalition had just ended its internal strife and was finally able to catch its breath from the threat of the Augustus Empire when, before it could even recover, the neighboring Eastern Continent launched an attack.

In less than two months since its establishment, the Northern Federation has been plagued by one crisis after another, leading some to wonder if it has been cursed by the gods and should be disbanded and reorganized under a different name to ward off evil.

Da da da da.

In Baron City, on the main street outside Queen's Street, a line of magnificent carriages headed toward the castle.

"The meeting is about to begin."

"In my lifetime, I never thought I would witness the convening of a high-level meeting of the Northern Continent, especially one led by our Augustus."

"That's right, Her Empress Your Majesty is far more capable than the Old Emperor."

"I thought the Empress too young back then, but now it seems she's really capable. Maybe she can take this opportunity to make the Northern Federation submit, and then Augustus will be the true overlord of the Northern Continent!"

"Don't be too happy yet, the threat from the Arcadia Empire is still there."

"Hmph! Arcadia is nothing but a joke; we'll make sure they never leave alive!"

"Look! A carriage from the Northern Federation!"

A luxuriously decorated two-horse carriage drove by, its exterior adorned with gold trim and featuring the falcon emblem of the Northern Federation at the front. A group of soldiers in heavy black armor followed around the carriage.

Neat, serious, and solemn... The carefully selected accompanying soldiers are heavy armored soldiers from the hunter legion. Taking the Bounty Hunter team as an example, the role of these heavy armored soldiers in the team is to defend the front line and charge into battle.

The entire hunter legion created by Motis also includes the archer legion, assassin legion, mage legion, and warrior legion. Its training mode is different from that of ordinary armies. It mainly focuses on the cooperation between each class, rather than relying on any one ace legion to directly kill the opponent.

The advantage of this combination is that it can maximize the ability of each position and role. The disadvantage is that some legions have excessively high requirements for the quality of soldiers. For example, the mage legion also requires Supernatural Being to fill the positions, resulting in a significant gap in the number of soldiers. In addition, the training difficulty is also greater than that of ordinary armies.

But Motis wasn't in a hurry. Since the Northern Federation's army was practically non-existent and was being built from scratch, why not lay a foundation for that goal first?

As for Arcadia's threat... well, she not only has some connections with Ryan, but also with the Empress of Augustus. I believe inviting the Empire to help her shouldn't be a problem.

Watched by the Baron City, the carriage entered Queen's Street. Due to the recent events, Queen's Street is now in a semi-closed state, and only a few nobles and specific groups are allowed to enter.

Soon, the other attendees also arrived at the castle.

"Teacher, do you think Her Vainay Your Majesty agree to join forces with the Northern Federation?"

In the corridors inside the castle.

Caslathdi wore a light purple dress with white lace cuffs and a delicate silver flower pin at her chest, making her look elegant and serene.

"Probably, but the outcome won't affect the negotiation process. The key is what price the Northern Federation is willing to pay." Haino was still wearing her milky-white magic robe. She didn't like noble attire, or she would wear the bishop's robes provided by Gate of Janus, which was a long robe interwoven with silver and white. It was a bit too formal compared to the magic robe, and she would only wear it when she was at Gate of Janus headquarters.

"I never expected that the Northern Continent would be forced to join forces by Arcadia." Caslathdi shook his head slightly. "Technological superiority has a huge impact on war, but in the battle against the Chaos Space, the Supernatural Being still have to take the lead."

She recalled the scene that night when tens of thousands of musket bullets turned into rubber bullets after being fired. That was a power that was simply incomprehensible. The extraordinary and the rules were what dominated this world.

However, there are many more things to consider at the national level. After all, the number of Supernatural Being is still too small, and in large-scale wars, a good weapon can indeed affect the outcome.

Caslathdi suddenly thought of an old classmate, someone she had met while studying at the St. Marian Academy, from a mysterious race on the Eastern Continent.

"Teacher, do you remember Kavanagh?" she asked.

"Kavanagh Sedrine?" Haino pondered for a moment. "That Dwarves girl?"

"Yes, I helped her conceal her identity back then, and thanks to the teacher's help, she was able to study smoothly at the academy."

"She left after graduation, and nobody knows where she went."

"Yes, but she left me a token, saying that I could find her if anything happened." Caslathdi took out a small, mysterious bronze hammer.

The dwarves are mysterious creatures from a previous era, and people know very little about them. Caslathdi had only seen a few words about them in the royal family's ancient books, and all her later knowledge about them came from Kavanagh.

In fact, the Dwarves were one of the first races to follow the Earth Goddess. They were very skilled in mechanical and forging matters, possessed mysterious knowledge acquired through the Faith Path in the earth, and were loyal guardians of the Earth Temple.

jiu liu ling yi er liu er qi ling

Unfortunately, the Dwarves suffered heavy casualties in the War of the Gods and have been hiding in the eastern continent to recuperate ever since.

Kavanagh's identity is unknown. Her appearance was purely coincidental. She triggered a certain array mechanism while entering the ancient ruins where the Earth Goddess was worshipped and was thus teleported out. Although she eventually returned safely to her tribe, she used this opportunity to persuade her tribesmen to come out and see the world—a dream she had had since childhood.

She firmly believed that the mechanism was a divine message from the Earth Goddess, and that the Dwarves had been lying low for too long and it was time for them to come out and see what was going on.

As for Kavanagh's arrival at the St. Marian Academy, it was also a coincidence. Yes, Ms. Kavanagh always appeared in the right place at the right time. Although she was sometimes helpless, she firmly believed that it must be the guidance of the Goddess.

While being a dwarf isn't taboo on the continent, it's best to keep it a secret. So, Caslathdi forged a Princess- knight identity for Kavanagh. As for why the knight is so short, no one would be so tactless as to cause trouble; that would be ungentlemanly. Besides, Caslathdi is Princess of the Augustus Empire and a student of the vice-dean.

"You're planning to ask her for help?" Haino saw through Caslathdi's thoughts.

"You can give it a try."

"But the Arcadia Empire is the nation that worships the Earth Goddess, so why should the Dwarves help Augustus?"

"Kavanagh once said that Arcadia was too brutal, and their emperor was a bloodthirsty and cruel ruler, which directly discouraged the dwarves from coming into the world. Worshipping the Earth Goddess does not necessarily mean worshipping a nation. Anyone can worship Goddess, can't they?" Caslathdi said with a playful smile, "I can say now, 'Good morning, teacher, praise the Earth Goddess.'"

Haino smiled helplessly, "Perhaps. You can give it a try. If you can really find the Dwarves to help, the situation should be much better."

"Um."

Caslathdi didn't know if she could be of any help; perhaps the Empire didn't need it. But that was all she could do.

What she didn't know was that if she told Ryan about this, Ryan would be so excited that he would pick her up and dance a waltz with her.

Judging from the Empire's current situation, although it has the technology, those incompetent researchers simply cannot comprehend the greatness of the Roman Empire's civilization. The dwarves, on the other hand, have a history dating back to a time even older Roman Empire. Even if they suffered severe damage and lost some of their heritage, their technology is still among the best on the continent.

As they were talking, the two entered the council hall and ran into Motis at the door.

"Hello, it is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty Emperor Motis."

Caslathdi bowed slightly.

"Hello, Prince Caslathdi."

Calling her Princess was no longer appropriate. 'Vainay' bestowed upon Caslathdi the title of Prince, but without any territory or real power, which Caslathdi did not care about.

"Oh, everyone's so punctual."

A voice sounded from behind them.

Ryan walked in with Ina. He looked at Motis, smiled, and bowed politely. "Greetings, Your Majesty Motis."

"Hi Ryan, it's been a long time."

"Yes, it's been a long time. I'm so glad the Northern Coalition's problems were resolved smoothly, and even happier that Augustus and the Northern Federation can get along harmoniously." Ryan smiled. "I also hope everything goes well today."

"Praise the Sun God, I think I will." Motis nodded slightly, his face expressionless, and then led Duke Shane into the hall.

"Ryan, do you know Emperor Motis?" Caslathdi asked curiously in a low voice.

"I met her by chance while dealing with Wildeya's affairs," Ryan chuckled. "Of course, it was just a meeting; we weren't close, much less friends."

"She seems to have a certain..." Caslathdi pondered.

"Like a warrior instead of Empress?" Ryan continued.

"Shh." Caslathdi raised her index finger and glanced quietly at 'Motis' who was sitting at the conference table. "Don't let her hear you."

Ryan shrugged, smiled, greeted Haino, and then went inside.

The spacious council hall was actually not crowded. Apart from the people from the Northern Federation, other affiliated councils, including Veldria, were participating via projection. Oh, and the Kingdom of Lotte was also included. Since Elvian was in the Kingdom of Lotte, 'Vainay' had invited Queen Amabena as well.

Well, putting aside the strength of the Kingdom of Lotte, its geographical location certainly makes it very important.

At this moment, Caslathdi sat down in the second seat on the left of the long table, while Haino stood beside her without sitting down. Her gaze shifted to the entrance of the hall, where a black-haired figure strode in.

"Shally's here." Caslathdi looked over as well.

"Good morning, Prince Caslathdi." 'Shally' greeted him naturally, and then sat down next to Caslathdi, which was her seat, the third one from the left.

Next was the fourth seat. Ryan went over and sat down, and then Haino chose to sit in the fifth seat.

Motis sat in the first seat on the right. After a while, Lin Qi appeared, accompanied by Bishop Alchino, who was not originally qualified to be present at such an event, but only because of Lin Qi.

Lin Qi sat behind Motis and nodded to Ryan across from her, while Alchino returned the Ryan with a smile.

After she learned about what happened last time, Ryan made a point of saying a few nice words to 'Lin Qi', otherwise how could she have been brought to a place like this by 'Lin Qi'?

Being able to attend the meeting meant that 'Lin Qi' had already considered her one of their own, which was tantamount to taking sides, and Alchino didn't hesitate at all. Even within a church like the Gate of Janus, taking sides was an important and necessary matter.

If she hadn't chosen a side, her career as bishop might have ended there; she might never have been promoted.

As for whose side to choose, the Saintess is so young and talented, what is there to hesitate about?

Whoosh!

A figure appeared at the top left.

"Huh? Caslathdi, why are you sitting in Ryan's seat?" Magana glanced at him and said with displeasure, "You sit back, Ryan, you come sit here."

"These are the seats His Your Majesty arranged." Before Caslathdi could speak, 'Shally' interjected, "What, Grand Duke, do you have a problem with this?"

"Are you out of your mind? If I have no objections, I won't say anything."

"Huh~ Who's speaking?"

'Shally' deliberately looked up to find the person who was speaking, which infuriated Magana. Ryan quickly spoke up to comfort them and signaled the two to stop arguing.

"Your Grand Duke, the people from the Northern Federation are still here," Ryan whispered.

Magana glared at 'Shally', but said nothing more.

Caslathdi was caught in the middle and felt helpless.

Haino was relieved that her seat wasn't next to Caslathdi; it would have been much more comfortable to sit next to Ryan.

Of course, there are also discomforts.

She glanced at 'Lin Qi' opposite her and found that the latter still had a cold and aloof demeanor. That cold and holy appearance, humph! It's all an act. What Saintess, she's clearly a witch! And a demon of lust at that!

After a while, several more figures appeared.

Elvian's projection appeared next to 'Lin Qi', and she sat in the third seat. Then Amabena also appeared.

"Ryan, Ryan!" Amarbena waved excitedly when she saw Ryan sitting directly opposite her.

"What are you shouting for? This is an important occasion!" Magana glared at Amabena.

Amabena paused, then asked, "Who's speaking?"

There was a sudden silence for a few seconds.

"Oh, it's Grand Duke Magana, I'm so sorry." Amabena waved her hand apologetically. "I'm so sorry I didn't see you earlier."

She genuinely didn't see it.

On the one hand, the Grand Duke was a bit short, and on the other hand, her attention was completely focused on Ryan. This actually had little to do with height.

Ryan saw that Magana's veins were bulging.

He was also quite helpless. He knew that Amabena definitely didn't do it on purpose. That idiot wouldn't dare to joke about Magana. At most, she would talk back to Elvian, the fallen Queen.

"Puff."

An untimely laugh.

It's from 'Shally'.

"Queen Amabena, you don't need to apologize. The Grand Duke is indeed a bit short. It's normal that you didn't see it."

Magana hadn't intended to lash out, but upon hearing what 'Shally' said, she was so angry that the ahoge on her head stood up.

"Shally! I, the Grand Duke, will kill you!!!"

"Oh, whatever you want, provided you come to Baron first."

"Are all the internal relationships in the Augustus Empire this chaotic?" Amabena asked Elvian in a low voice, but the latter did not speak, only giving her a look as if she were an idiot.

Several more figures appeared afterward, all of them being vassals of the Augustus Empire, similar to the Kingdom of Lotte. Since it was a high-level meeting of the Northern Continent, 'Vainay' invited them along anyway.

These countries basically maintained relatively independent governance, only needing to pay a portion of taxes to the Augustus Empire each year.

In fact, Ryan intended to incorporate all these countries into Augustus to achieve true unification—unified political power and policies—and then gradually abolish some corrupt systems, thus advancing the imperial civilization forward.

The reason why unification was not achieved in the past was because the situation in the Northern Continent was already chaotic. In addition, the Old Emperor had lost the ambition he had in his youth, so unification would inevitably encounter obstacles. First of all, those kingdoms were not very willing, and secondly, places like the Gate of Janus would not want to see the Augustus Empire become stronger and stronger.

But Ryan will eliminate these difficulties little by little; there's no need to rush.

Since taking office, 'Vainay' has done a lot of things, even killing many nobles, but she has not touched any issues related to policies and systems, nor has she touched the interests of the noble groups.

She is gathering her strength, and when the time comes to actually make a move, she must be decisive and swift.