Decision

With "The Hermit's" explanation concluded, it was time for Other Shore's favorite segment: the Seven-Person Council debate.

During this segment, one could witness the normally high-ranking and powerful nobles fiercely arguing over a single issue, sometimes even resorting to personal attacks in their distress.

"The Chamber of Commerce has profited so much from the Empire over the years, and now you're faltering when it's time to take responsibility? Truly a bunch of parasitic scumbags."

The first to launch a personal attack was the "Regent," the representative of the Imperial Capital's nobles. Most of these titles had existed since the time of the First King. As the first generation of Seven-Person Council members passed away, their successors inherited their titles.

Other Shore lazily propped her face with her palm, listening with great interest to the heated debate.

As for her, she had chosen the title herself. It originated from a flower she saw during an expedition to the Eastern Continent when she was still a Second-Order Knight of the Holy Temple. The flower was beautiful and left a deep impression on her.

When His Majesty Henry conferred her title, she insisted on keeping her own.

The prosecution, led by the "Pope," argued that Elemental Shapers were an uncontrollable factor for the Empire. Even more unforgivable was the Elemental Shaper's intricate connection with the Winter Witch. Therefore, they must do everything in their power to uncover the person's true identity and hand him over to the Tribunal to face the Empire's justice.

Before that, the Lofik Consortium should fully cooperate with their actions.

This, of course, was met with a ruthless rejection from the Lofik Consortium's representative. Protecting the privacy of every guest was a promise the Chamber of Commerce made to everyone. For merchants, credibility was paramount and could not be violated.

"That might be difficult to achieve."

The "Scholar" from the Astrology Society maintained her harmless smile, explaining gently, "I participated in the construction of Fireplace Bay. Teleportation Magic can only record the coordinates of two locations at a time. Even the Grand Magus of the Astrology Society couldn't teleport Heisenberg from Fireplace Bay to the Imperial Capital."

"Then arrest him, torture him to extract his identity, and if necessary, deploy the Golden Fleet! We must nip the threat in the bud!"

The "Iron Fist," Speaker of the Tribunal, was as radical as ever, even prepared to commit the Empire's invincible Golden Fleet to war.

However, in reality, the Tribunal had no authority to mobilize the Golden Fleet. This war machine, the Empire's pride, was always under the control of the royal family. It was typical of the high nobles to issue orders so casually, only for countless others to clean up their mess afterward.

Other Shore silently grumbled in her mind.

The "Hermit," dean of the council, who had remained silent, stated calmly, "We are currently unable to make an accurate judgment about Heisenberg. Acting rashly will only be counterproductive. The Empire can no longer withstand another War of Corruption."

This point struck at the heart of the matter, bringing the meeting to a stalemate.

They all knew that although the Empire had won the War of Corruption, it had also paid a heavy price. Since then, the King had been bedridden, and the Empire had begun to decline. Worse still, the propaganda of victory had not curbed the rampant spread of Evil God cultists. Instead, after the war, fanatical evil followers had sprung up like mushrooms after a rain across the land.

"The Hermit" looked directly at the Pope with his cloudy eyes. "The last thing the Empire should do now is let the news of Heisenberg's existence spread. Regardless of his connection to... that person, or his own stance, he will become the savior in the eyes of the Evil God fanatics, replacing that person."

Thus, the vote unexpectedly came to 3:3, and all eyes turned to Other Shore, who had never participated in the discussion.

The vote in her hand was crucial and would directly impact the Empire's future.

"I believe Mr. The Hermit makes a lot of sense. I vote against."

Her response was clean and decisive, leaving no room for the Pope's faction to lobby her.

As expected, she received a cold glare from the Pope—this was the third consecutive time she had stood against the Holy See.

However, Other Shore had to clarify that she had no personal grievances with the Pope. It was simply that the series of radical policies implemented by the Holy See in recent years did not align with her principles.

Since the King fell ill, she felt the Pope had become increasingly obsessed with power.

Yet, the Holy See faction's judgment on the Lofik Consortium was quite accurate. A group of parasites born for profit, always finding ways to hoard wealth, utterly indifferent to the Empire's future.

Therefore, it was often incredibly difficult for her to cast her vote.

But no matter what, with the vote reaching a 3:4 split, any further words seemed pale and powerless. This was the system of the Seven-Person Council; everyone ultimately had to abide by the voting outcome.

"Then, according to the voting result, Mr. Horn will be the one to liaise with Heisenberg."

The Lofik Consortium's representative gave a deep look to the "Iron Fist" council member from the Tribunal. "We will test his intentions through peaceful and stable means. I believe he has the potential to be won over by the Empire. I do not wish to see anyone incite war in Fireplace Bay."

In recent years, the Tribunal could be described as infamous. It had clearly become a tool for the Pope to eliminate his rivals.

"Iron Fist" merely snorted and looked away.

This long and uninteresting debate finally concluded. No matter how many times she participated, Other Shore could not adapt to the meeting's atmosphere.

Although every council member claimed to act for the Empire's future, the meeting's agenda was always about securing more benefits for their own factions. In fact, she felt the kingdom had begun to fracture the moment the concept of "factions" emerged.

And now, another grand expedition awaited her.

Imperial intelligence had tracked the movements of a Dream Eater. Not long ago, they had murdered a former Containment Bureau A-class investigator and an executive from the Imperial Union Bank in Fireplace Bay.

This might be the Kingdom Army's first real engagement with these Evil God fanatics.

Seeing Other Shore rise to leave, the Pope suddenly stepped forward to meet her.

"I wish you victory."

He stared intently at Other Shore, offering a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

The Kingdom Army's political stance was once again... disappointing. But fortunately, before long, the Seven-Person Council would welcome a new, wiser decision-maker.

Other Shore did not reply. She merely nodded politely at the Pope and then walked out of the church without looking back.

Rather than dealing with the Pope's expression, she was more drawn to the giant ice bird, which made her itch with anticipation.

No Knight could refuse a cool-looking mount.

This was a meeting about Heisenberg. Unlike these politicians, if she met Heisenberg, she would have only one request.

To let her ride that giant ice bird and fly around in the sky.

Please, she would do anything!

At the same time, Mr. Heisenberg, far away in Brookwood Town, pushed open the door to the guest room he was tiptoeing towards, pushing open the ajar door.

The light emanating from the crack in the door caught his attention.

This was Miss Chloe's room.

When he saw the scene in the side room, a bolt of lightning struck his brain—Miss Chloe was lying by the bedside, having lit a gas lamp she'd gotten from who knows where. On the floor in front of her lay an open goatskin book, and beside her were a dazzling array of medicinal herbs.

What had happened these past few days?

When did Miss Chloe learn to read?