After watching Count Birmingham get into his Mana Sedan and leave through the window, Kennard took the report in his hand down two corridors to another corner of the organizing committee's offices, which had been set aside in the City Lord's Manor in Bunta City specifically to prepare for this Industry Forum.
He pushed open an ordinary door and saw Xu Yi sitting behind a broad desk, his head lowered as he apparently worked through some documents.
Xu Yi's new secretary, an elven girl from the Night Song Tribe named Cindy, stood beside him, also leafing through some documents.
"Have you sent those people from the Ashur Duchy on their way?" Xu Yi asked without looking up.
"Yes, Count Birmingham just left," Kennard replied. He walked over and handed him the report. "He said he would discuss the matter with the Grand Duke of Assyria when he returned and try to give you a satisfactory explanation, Mr. President."
"It seems he isn't quite that stupid." Xu Yi looked up with a slight smile. "To be honest, when I said we reserved the right to retaliate against the Ashur Duchy, I was only trying to scare them. There are several countries between us and the Ashur Duchy. There really isn't much to gain from going all that way to attack them."
"I understand." Kennard smiled as well. "We only wanted to warn those plotting against our guild. But Mr. President, this incident makes me think we need to pay more attention to this issue. After receiving the report, I put together some rough figures. Over the past five years, the number of researchers leaving our guild's Magic Research Institute has risen noticeably. Last year alone, as many as thirty-seven researchers resigned."
"How many researchers does the Magic Research Institute have at