Chapter 205 - The Empire’s Response

"I told you! Those bastards were lying!"

A large dragonewt roared.

The current location was in the Orca Empire's Imperial Castle's Meeting Hall. A group of beastmen was gathered together and watching a certain footage that had just been delivered from one of their spies situated in the Anglaria Kingdom.

"They were indeed lying...but the knowledge regarding those ancient magi-tech is somewhat...underwhelming," A were-lion dressed in noble attire said while looking up from the doc.u.ments he was reading.

"So what, Leonidas? The fact that they were lying to us gives us the justification for them to hand over that knowledge!" The dragonewt roared in return.

"Knowledge? More like playthings! These...magi-techs have little to no functions! Is it worth it to further agitate our relations with the beastkin? We have more pressing matters! How're we supposed to counteract those humans' guerilla attacks?!"

The were-lion Leonidas and the dragonewt began to bicker with each other. At the head of the table, a Were-lion wearing high-grade attire sighed tiredly. The robes he was wearing were made of the finest silk found in the Empire. It was a deep red color that had a unique golden motif decorating it. The robes also had a crest of a sword and staff crossed behind a golden lion's head imprinted on it.

It was the Empire's Royal family's coat of arms. This was the Emperor's robes and the person wearing it was the current Emperor of Orca, Romulus Orcadia.

"Leonidas, Ankhs, that's enough!"

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Leonidas and the dragonewt he was bickering with, Ankhs, immediately stopped their arguments.

The dragnewt, Ankhs, immediately bowed towards the Emperor and voiced his opinion.

"Your Majesty, with this we finally have definite proof that the Anglaria Kingdom has been lying to us! We must quickly seize this chance and acquire that knowledge! Despite what General Leonidas has said, just the unique methods and runic circuits that are used in creating those magi-techs are what we need to further develop and enrich our great Empire's magi-tech!"

The Emperor raised his hand and stopped Ankhs from saying anything further. He closed his eyes and began contemplating his subordinate's words. While the Emperor was thinking, the beastman next to him spoke up.

"The uniqueness of these methods are indeed important...from what I've heard over the past 2 months, the Anglaria Kingdom have been creating more new and convenient magi-tech that aid in the welfare of the Kingdom's people," the werewolf who was next to the Emperor said.

The werewolf was the current advisor of the Emperor, and he was also the Empire's Minister of Civil Affairs.

"...so what's your take on this, Incra?" the Emperor said while turning to his advisor who had just voiced his opinion.

"We don't want to antagonize the Anglaria Kingdom due to the humans, but we also need the magi-tech's knowledge for the welfare of our citizens. The moving economy of the Anglaria Kingdom in the past month alone is more than enough proof of the demand and conveniences that the new magi-tech devices bring for its people!"

General Leonidas' frown loosened once he heard the words of the advisor. At least he advised that they shouldn't antagonize the beastkin.

"Economy? What does this have to do with the Empire's need to acquire those magi-techs?" The Emperor asked.

"Anglaria has begun trade relations with the Neftersea Oceanic Empire and the Elfenheim Kingdom. The new magi-tech are being traded and sold off as we speak. The military power of the Anglaria Kingdom hasn't changed, but with the influx of credits coming into the Kingdom, their economic might has already rivaled or even surpassed the two Empires."

Incra signaled to one of the beastmen in the room and a werewolf woman stood up from her seat. "My Emperor, what Minister Incra has said is true. The economy of the Anglaria Kingdom has seen an exponential rise in credits being circulated into the Kingdom."

The werewolf woman walked up to the Emperor and presented a report regarding the Anglaria Kingdom. The Emperor read through it before nodding.

"I see...so Incra, what do you think is Our next best course of action?"

"We open trade relations with them, and negotiate in acquiring those magi-tech blueprints. We could also present them the evidence of their lies, but I don't think it'll help. The Arks will just attribute it to the fact that they had a talented artificer help them create and innovate new magi-tech for the Kingdom."

"Hmmm..."

"Your Majesty! With our military might, we can just seize the knowledge ourselves! Why waste time in trying to negotiate with those lying bastards?!" The dragonewt, Ankhs implored.

"Like. I. Said!" Leonidas roared. "We have those humans in our front yard! Do you also want the beastkin at our backyards as well?!"

"Enough! It's decided. We shall open trade relations with the Anglaria Kingdom. I'm sure that the head of our Magi-tech Department could gleam some information from the tools once we have them in our hands, no?" The Emperor said as he turned an eye towards Ankhs.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ankhs bowed down in compliance.

"Good! Incra, We want you to take some men and act as an envoy! Bring the news to the Kingdom and tell them that We want to open trade relations with them. Leonidas, Ankhs, stay behind...We have something to discuss."

The Emperor immediately dismissed everyone else. Only Leonidas, Ankhs, and the Emperor were left behind.

"The situation in the Empire is in a mess with the humans running amok... General, We leave this in your hands, take care of it as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Leonidas responded.

"But...the fact of the matter is...those Beastkin still lied to Us."

"Your Majesty?"

"We want you to work with Ankhs and try to secretly acquire the lost magi-tech knowledge from the Kingdom, We will permit the Nocturne Lions to mobilize," The Emperor said.

His words caused Ankhs' expression to brighten, while Leonidas couldn't help but frown.

"My Emperor...is this alright? We'll be antagonizing the Kingdom if we do this..."

"We understand this, but that information is much too important. From what We know, ancient magi-tech weapons might already be in the hands of the Beastkin."

"Y-Your Majesty! The footage and doc.u.ments only showed the development and records of insignificant magi-techs! They can't possibly have magi-tech weapons! If they did, then wouldn't our spies have already caught wind of it?!"

On the side, Ankhs scoffed at him. "Leonidas don't be naive. You know as well as I that there were news of ancient magi-tech weaponry inside the World Tree's Trials. Whether or not they have them, it would be better for us to confirm it ourselves! Just relying on the words of the beastkin? Hmph, who knows if that boy may have also fooled them?"

"..."

Leonidas was frowning. When the Empire had specifically asked if the Anglaria Kingdom had any knowledge regarding ancient magi-tech weapons, the kingdom only denied it firmly. Who knows if they were lying or not?

And just like Ankhs said, what if the boy who had taken the knowledge out of the Trials and was secretly keeping it away for himself?

They had no way to confirm this. Leonidas turned his eyes onto the table where doc.u.ments pertaining Cecil's information lay scattered about.

"He's just a boy...are we really going to such lengths just to confirm if he has it or not?!"

"It's better to be sure than not," Ankhs replied.

The Emperor stayed silent throughout their exchange. He waited until Leonidas had calmed down a bit before saying, "General, I know of your worries. So this is why We are having the Nocturne Lions mobilize."

"But, Your Majesty. The people protecting this child...they are the ones that are problematic, not him! We'd be offending the Anglaria Kingdom, the Neftersea Oceanic Empire, and not to mention a potential Transcendent-level figure!"

The Emperor waved his hands and suddenly a werecat immediately appeared right next to him. The werecat who was covered in a black garb kneeled down and asked, "What is it do you require, Your Majesty?"

"This boy, We want you to extract information from him. Find out if he has knowledge regarding ancient magi-tech weapons. No need to kidnap him for too long. Be quick and extract the necessary information. Also, make you keep things under a day or two. We don't want to alert the Anglaria Kingdom's forces."

"Yes, by Your will." The werecat then disappeared in the next instant.

The Emperor turned towards Leonidas and asked, "Will this at least absolve some of your worries, General?"

"Yes, Your Majesty...as long as they don't take too long, the Beastkin might not notice his disappearance...but, that boy. In the doc.u.ments they say that he is strong, much stronger than your average fighter."

"Don't worry, General. I've mobilized the First Fang."

"..."

Leonidas didn't say anything and only bowed. Ankhs walked forward and bowed, "What is required of me, Your Majesty?"

"You will go along with the Nocturne Lion's First Fang...you will be tasked with the boy's questioning. You're an artificer just like him, so it will be easier for you to extract the necessary information from the boy."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Meet the First Fangs near the Empire's Anglaria-Orca Border. You will follow them into the Kingdom and wait. The Fangs will bring the boy to you."

Ankhs bowed low in affirmation. The Emperor exited the room and returned to his chambers.

Back in the Meeting Hall, Ankhs was smiling. "Leonidas, Leonidas. You have to understand that the Emperor is only thinking for the wellbeing of the Empire! If perhaps we do get information on those magi-tech weapons...then wouldn't it be good for you? With the weapons, we can quickly clear those human sc.u.ms from our lands!"

"..."

Leonidas stayed silent and walked out of the room. Ankhs was smirking and laughing inwardly.

"Hehe, brat...you'll get what's coming for you! You dare kill my beloved nephew and hurt my sister! You'll experience hell once you've fallen into my hands!"