Inside the Royal Palace in Digo, the Imperial Capital, Nisheriel stretched in her office chair, then set the report in her hand on the desk.
"I've read the report. It seems we really haven't taken the Life Cult seriously enough. But they've already withdrawn from Dierjia and Kingsbia. Beyond keeping an eye on them, it's no longer appropriate for us to continue investigating in depth."
Nisheriel straightened in her chair.
"Every part of the Empire is still trying to catch up industrially, and the economy remains unstable in many places. The war in Kingsbia and the Ocean Convention were displays of strength, but we are still weak beneath the surface."
Mulan understood the Queen's meaning. She no longer wanted to commit major resources.
"But Your Majesty, this concerns a possible fourth Great Holy Relic."
Nisheriel smiled.
"If the timing is right, we certainly won't pass up a chance to obtain the Book of Dawn. But right now, there are many other places that need the Empire's manpower and resources."
"Mulan, I know you blame yourself deeply for the loss of the Book of Dawn and believe your research led to this outcome. But throughout history, people have paid considerable prices to understand the power of the Three Great Holy Relics. You've already done enough."
"Your Majesty."
He looked at Nisheriel, who was studying him closely. She rose from her seat and came around the desk.
Nisheriel was tall and slender. In her high heels, her eyes were only slightly below Mulan's. She walked up to him and looked at his face from close range.
Although this made Mulan a little uncomfortable, averting his gaze would have been terribly disrespectful to the Queen. He could only bow slightly and lower his head, making sure he showed no hint of looking down