Ravenna's thought process was as clear as ever. She quickly redefined her goals and planned to take immediate action.
As she finished her contemplation and was about to open the storage locker, the bell at the entrance of the Alchemy Workshop suddenly rang, indicating someone's request to enter.
"Open the door," Ravenna calmly said, reaching out to open the storage locker as the workshop door opened.
Boom—
"Ravenna, do you have any free time...?"
Ronger, who heard a strange noise, looked at Ravenna, who was pressed against the storage locker door, with a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong?"
"...Nothing, ma'am."
Ravenna calmly closed the storage locker door, carefully pulled out the open-crotch white stockings that had slipped out of the door gap, and stuffed them into the pocket of her top. "What can I do for you?"
Although Ronger was puzzled, she didn't think much of it. The lady, who had a high reputation in the Tower of Babel and was also a disciple of Eileen, smiled, "The Etheric Academy is seeking peace with us."
This news stunned Ravenna for two seconds.
"The Etheric Academy... is seeking peace?" She repeated Ronger's words, "Are you sure, madam?"
"I can't say that everyone is seeking peace with us."
Ronger flicked her hair with her hand, and the woman, who hadn't been so radiant in a long time, smiled brightly, "But, this is indeed good news."
"The sanctions imposed by Her Majesty seem to have affected many. The death of Duke of Luminaris has plunged the Etheric Academy into serious factional chaos. Many high-ranking sorcerers who were abroad have returned to the Etheric Academy, most likely to divide the resources of the grand duke's lineage."
The inheritance of a fifth-stage extraordinary being, along with the still-existing grand duke's status, would not be so blatantly devoured and divided by others, no matter how he died.
But unfortunately... this poor and unlucky grand duke died by offending our great empress. Those countless jackals and tigers wouldn't pretend to be reserved or act as bystanders. They would wish to completely devour the entire grand duke's family in a few days.
"Calm down, madam."
Compared to the excited Ronger, Ravenna seemed unmoved. She furrowed her brows slightly and said, "Do you really think that their attitude was won by our own efforts?"
As Ronger's smile froze on her face, Ravenna continued:
"Or rather, are they really trying to court us?"
"..."
The lady opened her mouth, the joy on her face gradually faded, and she fell silent.
Yes, the Etheric Academy, those three factions that are courting them... who are they really trying to court?
"... I got carried away, Ravenna."
Ronger sighed, "How could I forget such a simple thing? Even now, even though we have no obstacles and abundant resources, no one values us."
"Everyone is just valuing Lord Ansel."
The status of the Tower of Babel in the eyes of the big shots has suddenly risen, not because it represents an extraordinary new future, but because... it is the new toy of the future Hydral.
Ronger could already guess what Ravenna would say next—that benefiting from this "identity" is not something to be proud of, but rather a shame... The girl has always been like this, always rational, always calm, always... ruthless.
"But, this is also something to be happy about."
Under Ronger's slightly stunned gaze, Ravenna said this, her lips curling up slightly:
"Madam, we will definitely have a better future."
Seeing Ravenna like this, Ronger stood in place for a long time, then quickly stepped forward and hugged her, leaving Ravenna at a loss.
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