The smile on the Pope's face froze, but it did not fade.
Everyone in the call, even the spectators, felt like their backs were dripping with sweat because of how venomous the Emperor's retort was.
Not only did he bluntly state that the culprit was closely related to him, but she was also closely related to the Temple.
Bu Emperor's message was clear, so clear that even the Pope was taken aback for a minute.
"Any more questions? Or is there someone here in the call still unconvinced with my, the Seirende Emperor's decision?"
"..."
"Now there are no more questions, I'll leave the decision to you. There is only one way to enter our territory other than to go through the security gates.
And if the Tournament was not held because most of the delegates were not able to come to the venue on time, then it's not my Empire's fault but yours."
With that, Emperor Valentin unclasped his hands and prepared to exit, which made the other resistant leaders panic.
"Emperor Valentin?! Are you not afraid that you will make everyone here, even your own allies and the Main Temple your enemy? What about your young people, what if the Farauld Magic Institute will be forever blacklisted in the tournament." One of the kings shouted hastily.
"Go ahead, do not support our Empire if you want. Even the main temple can do so, but remember… The cure potion came from our Empire. I dare you to become shameless dogs and keep on using my Empire's formula.
Oh, I forgot… even if the formula has been publicized, the ingredients can only be found in my Empire too!" Emperor Valentin shrugged and looked at them haughtily.
He continued, "Well, you can try to cultivate your own if you want. It's not like the ingredients were hard to make. That is if your territories have enough fertile lands to cultivate them all…"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOnce again, the leaders' words remained stuck in their mouths. How could they forget that the Seirende Empire was the largest exporter of medicinal herbs and potion ingredients?!
More importantly, the modified herbs used for the cure potion were only found in their Empire!
Emperor Valentin's words were like a slap on their faces. Yes, they can live without the cure potion, however, since the Empire closed off its gates, it would not be long before their own territories were the next target of the curse users.
Even if they have the formula, could they source the ingredients? The formula has been announced to the public a few days ago, and many doctors have tried concocting it but to no avail. They have to know what kind of plants were used in the potion!
"And don't worry about the Farauld Magic Institute not joining the tournament. We will just be fine without it.
In the end, it was just an added experience for the children and we still have Lady Eli and our outstanding talents inside the Empire to hone the next generation stronger." This time, it was Grandmaster Farauld who answered the question regarding the banning of the Farauld Institute.
With a cunning smile, Grandmaster Reuben continued, "It is also not like we were the ones who were hungry to send our students to learn from the other schools. For decades, the winners of our institute have always treated the learning exchange as a vacation trip."
"..." The headmaster of Vanderford Institute and the other delegates from the educational council all had colorful faces. They wanted to retaliate but they knew that Grandmaster Reuben's words were right.
For years they had one, the delegates of the Farauld Magic Institute only treated their winning prize as a field trip for the chosen teachers and kids. They even drew lots on which school they would have to visit!
Meanwhile in the Farauld institute's plaza where the students were also gathered to watch the entire farce all had a look as if they have seen a different world
"Wow!!! I never thought our headmaster could trash-talk like that! I could not help but admit, he is so cool and eloquent!"
"Not to mention, His Majesty Emperor's words are fiery and ruthless too!"
"Indeed! But listening to their words, I could not help but feel proud that we are part of the Empire."
"Oh… I am going to call my Father King to not give a hard time to His Majesty! I must convince him to maintain a good relationship with the Empire!"
"Ah! Me too! I can't let my father be swayed by the old fogeys in there! The Institute and the Empire were protected as well! We must stand by their side too as part of the allied kingdoms!"
"We will join too! I'll ask my parents too!"
In a flash, all of the children who were enrolled in the Farauld Institute sent an express message to their parents to give a good word.
Everyone could see in the broadcast that one by one, the allied kingdoms started to express their willingness to cooperate the reason that the Emperor's extreme security measures were still reasonable.
"Alright… I do not need to hear all of your answers one by one. You still have a few weeks to decide. However, do not blame me should my knights see anyone from your territory trying to sneak and circumvent our procedure. They will be treated harshly should they try to bypass our gates, even if you yourselves plead." Emperor Valentin looked at them coldly with fierce eyes.
"Zero tolerance for those who want to enter and exit the Empire. If anyone, even if he is a royal is caught sneaking, they will be treated as the Empire's terrorist enemies! Do not say I did not warn you!"
With that, Emperor Valentin cut his connection to his own messenger emblem and soon all the mediums disappeared without a trace.
In the room, only three of them were left, and the broadcast on their side was also stopped.
The three elders did not say a word, but they completely understood each other. The Seirende will stand by their own rules to protect their own.
–
Crash! In the Vanderford Empire, the Emperor could not help but throw his glass in anger as not only did he see Emperor Valentin condemned by the leaders, but he was also repeatedly slapped in the face.
In the same room, the crown prince silently watched his father vent his anger at the things around him with an indifferent gaze.
"Ranon, Son! Go ahead and do what you think is right for this matter. You know our goal right? Do not let the empire down!" After he had vented his anger the Vanderford Emperor looked at Ranon with a frenzied expression as he ordered him to be sent out to the Seirende Empire.
"I will father. You can rest assured." Even if his father was looking like a crazed beast, the indifference in Crown Prince Ranon's eyes remained the same. He only nodded and went on his way to prepare for leaving.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe was supposed to go with the delegates to the Empire to represent the Vanderford but the advanced parties were denied entry. So he waited for the conference to finish before he made a move.
As soon as he exited the hall and went to the council room, a group of elderly noblemen swarmed at him with anxiousness.
"Your Highness Crown Prince…" They greeted, " What is his majesty's decision?"
"He said that we can do what we think is right to reach the goal. He does not care about anything else."
The council member sighed but they still looked rather relieved.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I have already sent some men to check any weak spots in their security. Even if they could maintain tight security on the entry points, I'm sure they could not protect their void, underground and aerial borders."
"That's right, Your Highness, leave it to us!"
"We will try our best!" They all declared in a fawning expression.
"Do what you need to do. I'll give you three days. If not, we will just walk through their doors and comply with their wishes. It's not like they would see anything wrong on our end anyways." The Crown Prince shrugged and waved them goodbye.
Just like that, the leader's conference ended in an awkward state, leaving each of the head figures to rack their brains and think of their gains and losses.
Especially those smaller kingdoms who tried to join the bandwagon and openly supported the oppression of the Empire!
How could they be so foolish to forget how many benefits their little kingdoms get just because the Seirende Empire exists?
And even now that they refused to let people in, just the thought of publicizing the cure potion formula had already put the Empire on the highest moral pedestal!!!
Now, how could they persecute such a magnanimous and capable Empire filled with extraordinary talents?
In the end, these kingdoms could only grit their teeth and thicken their faces,
"Screw it! Tell all the delegates to peacefully comply with the Seirende Emperor's rules! Should they protest, the kingdom will not back them up!!!