"Anna, that matter you mentioned was actually the Empire's enemies' Quagmire Plan!"
In the lounge, Roland spoke to her with some astonishment.
"Sorry. I really couldn't say anything before. Only by telling Lord Antonia directly, in a place and setting like this, could I avoid a leak."
"Were you worried they would divine it?"
"Besides that, I was also worried someone in the upper ranks would leak the information."
Roland gave her a long, searching look.
Still, he felt that great minds thought alike.
"I haven't been involved much in the Empire's political maneuvering, so I can't really comment.
But one thing is certain: the people at the Pydos Mage Tower are going to suffer for this."
"Of course. The Gnosis School includes a branch devoted to prophecy, and of all forms of prophecy, astrology places the greatest emphasis on broader trends.
They've always been responsible for providing warnings about wars and major disasters.
In the days before the arcane reform, they were even responsible for forecasting the weather...
Their regular budget includes funding specifically for those duties. This really is a dereliction of duty."
Hearing Roland's words, Anna immediately brightened.
"Do you really have to enjoy their misfortune so much?"
Roland felt helpless.
But he couldn't really say much about the issues between Anna and her parent tower.
He could only quietly consider what opportunities and challenges this affair might bring him.
For example, establishing an "Astronomical Bureau" for the Seris School.
They could even snatch away that cushy, state-funded stargazing job.
"Rain Hurlengar, a former winner of the Magic School's Morningstar Award, a genius high mage, and a master of the undead.
But like every genius who strayed down the wrong path, none of his past glory could outweigh the wrongdoing brought about by his forbidden experiments.