276. The Council (2)
The only thing that holds a shred of truth in the name “High Council of Aseas” is “Aseas.” They are not a council, nor are they worthy of being called “high.”
At least, that’s what Faijashi thought.
During the Celestial War, they were merely a militant group that used powerful magic to float an entire magic tower in the air, wandering the world to master their craft. There were no citizens capable of establishing a council, and their meetings were far from democratic.
“The Council Mages are looking for something! I heard they’ve been reading the stars or something…?”
“Just rumors, I suppose.”
As they crossed the vast grain fields beyond the western gate of Paltennoia, Fernandez muttered while holding the reins. Rene, ignoring him completely, giggled.
“Isn’t it romantic? Scholars roaming the world for truth… noble mages….”
“Most of the Wildcasts sitting on the streets are scholars roaming the world for truth. What makes them great is their symbolism and power.”
“Really, so romantic….”
In the distance, still faint. At the edge of the grassland horizon, a tower stood like a mountain, frozen in place.
Though only a vague silhouette could be seen due to the distance, its sheer size was enough to leave an impression.
It was, quite literally, a “tower.” Not a monument, but a massive, complex structure with living quarters and research facilities.
It was said to be the size of a castle, and when they “moved,” it was quite a spectacle.
“The citizens of Paltennoia are very excited. And why wouldn’t they be? The High Council of Aseas rarely ventures outside the southern regions. When was the last time they approached the capital…? Five hundred years ago, was it?”
“Could Marquis Arnang have had a hand in this?”
“Duke Troia? How could that old man possibly sway the High Council of Aseas?”
“Well, Tremule managed to secure the imperial Philainneil University.”
“That’s because the Emperor forgave the university’s debts! Do you think Marquis Arnang has that kind of wealth?”
The most influential pro-Emperor family in the southern part of the Empire is the Arnang family of Troia, also known as Duke Troia.
The Empire is divided into nine regions. Eight principalities ruled by the eight ducal families, and the imperial capital, Paltennoia.
The vast flooded area in the southern part of Paltennoia is the principality of Marquis Arnang.
And the region where the High Council of Aseas is based also lies in that direction.
-Outwardly, it’s a jungle search. But who knows?
For the past 500 years, the High Council of Aseas has often used the excuse of investigating ancient ruins in the southern jungles.
Generally, if you’ve been investigating for 500 years and found nothing, you’d think there’s nothing there…
“Even if it’s a mobile structure, if they’ve been wandering within one region for so long, they must have some connections with the local powers. For them to suddenly visit the capital… we’ll have to see if it’s good news or bad news.”
Fernandez, holding the reins, gazed at the increasingly large stone tower ahead.
It’s massive. About the size of a fortress. How they manage to move an entire castle is beyond me, but well. Ancient magic is, after all, literally “magic.”
“Could it be bad news?”
“Looking at it from a result-oriented perspective, this will definitely be good news.”
“Huh?”
“What I can speculate, others can too. Part of Marquis Arnang’s influence comes from the presence of the High Council of Aseas within his territory.”
That’s also why the Emperor supported Philainneil University. A powerful group of mages guarantees authority by their very existence.
“So, the other dukes, and the nobles who keep an ear on external affairs, will all focus on the connection between Aseas and Marquis Arnang. Regardless of the actual moves of the parties involved, it will appear that way.”
“But why would the High Council suddenly enter the capital?”
“Exactly.”
What Aseas intends, whether Marquis Arnang truly had a hand in it—these things aren’t visible to outsiders. Others will only hear the outcome and speculate on the details.
If the influential future Emperor, Duke Carvelier, has been politically inactive for a long time, causing confusion among the nobility, this could also be a good move.
It feels like a chess piece moving forward. One move. A pawn advances.
“Other nobles will suspect the connection between Marquis Arnang and you. Or, some may believe in rumors of discord between Aseas and Marquis Arnang. Others might speculate that the High Council is lowering itself to the future Emperor of the Empire.”
Rumors may lack substance, but they gain weight based on their spread and complexity. The more complex and conspiratorial the rumor, the more power it holds.
Unlike the truth, rumors are beasts that know how to inflate themselves. To those who hold their reins, they sometimes grant infinite power.
“No matter how the story unfolds, everything will solidify your power.”
“Indeed. I made the right choice.”
“Huh?”
“You. The decision to marry you. Sometimes I think, what if you just left and joined hands with another noble? Could I stand against you? That kind of thought.”
Prince Robert once said during the war.
Ferrin. His real name, Fernandez Sernerd. Secretly known as the Inquisition Officer of Vaitas and a “Saint.” And a more famous name among the intelligence agencies of various nations.
[Untouchable].
His movements are unpredictable.
No way. But everything I’ve done so far has ultimately led to international influence, and all those events were interconnected in an organic flow.
That means everything, from the first step to the last move, was thoroughly planned.
Is there even a being capable of such a thing?
Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s an overestimation. But from the position of “deducing the truth from the results,” just based on what’s visible, he was someone not to be messed with.
It’s not about his personal strength or the depth of his schemes. The problem is his unpredictability itself. The fact that the intelligence agency gave up on predicting him means they want nothing to do with him in the future.
“Nonsense.”
Fernandez laughed as he looked at the massive gate of the fortress that had now come into view.
“Why? Am I useful?”
“Because I’m useful. Since my value is high, I should deal with the side that offers the highest price, right?”
With a sly grin, Fernandez looked at Rene, who had a wounded look in her eye, and chuckled.
“Did I really demand such a high price?”
“The position of the Imperial Secretary isn’t something you can buy with money.”
“So, our relationship was just a transaction…”
“Of course. And the currency is favor. What could be more valuable than that?”
Giving favors and collecting favors. What could be a more ideal transaction than that?
As Fernandez shrugged and spoke, Rene suddenly looked up, her eyes glistening. She hesitated for a moment, then whispered in a small voice.
“You don’t say that to just anyone, right?”
“Huh?”
“Well… others might misunderstand, so only say it to me. I won’t misunderstand!”
I… I married you, after all! Rene blurted out before quickly darting inside the castle gate.
Fernandez watched her retreating figure for a moment, then tugged on the reins.
“Misunderstand?”
-You’re getting better at this game, Fernandez.
* * *
After that, Fernandez was practically dragged around by Rene as they toured various places.
The Tower of Aseas. It’s called a tower, but it was more like a small city. The high outer walls, the bustling market inside, the residential alleys, and the massive tower deep within the inner walls.
Every section was precisely divided, as if measured with a ruler. This meant it was a planned city designed around the tower. It was essentially a garden created to sustain the tower.
-And they call this a council? Haha, how despicable.
It’s hard to call it an institution responsible for the city’s administration or decision-making. The city itself was built for the council. Faijashi sneered bitterly.
He was right. It was more like a monarchy than a council. But that was the common social structure across all regions of this civilized world. It could be mocked, but it wasn’t a serious crime deserving of condemnation.
“It’s really intricate!”
“Indeed.”
“…What are you looking at? These accessories!”
“Ah. Right.”
Rene marveled at the accessories on the market stalls, while Fernandez marveled at the city’s design philosophy. Rene pouted slightly but soon started moving again.
The city tour was peaceful.
There was no chance of an ambush in the High Council’s courtyard, and if there were any groups planning to assassinate King Carvelier, they wouldn’t have escaped the notice of the Empire’s Iron Side.
‘I should meet Robert soon.’
-With Iron Side practically in your hands, of course.
If Rene becomes the Emperor. That’s a necessary assumption, but the Iron Side, which Robert had controlled, would naturally fall into Rene’s hands during the power transition. And given the role of the Imperial Secretary, who oversees the palace’s miscellaneous affairs, it would likely become Fernandez’s power.
Using heretics and cults for incidents involving heresy and Maledika, and Iron Side for political incidents. A luxurious spy network indeed. At least the vast domain from the central continent to the east would be under Fernandez’s watch.
‘Quite the rise.’
-This much is just the beginning.
‘Well. Anyway, good… huh?’
-Thud.
Fernandez, following Rene, sensed something strange. His hand moved faster than his thoughts. With a lightning-fast motion, he caught the unfamiliar hand reaching into his pocket.
“Eek!”
“A thief?”
You could say his guts were hanging out. How dare someone reach out to the aide of the Grand Duke of Carvelier? Breaking their wrist wouldn’t even be a legal issue.
But Fernandez soon stopped.
The person who had reached into his pocket. Something shiny caught his eye from the neck of the man wearing a deep hood.
“High Council?”
“…Ugh.”
The symbol of the High Council of Aseas hung from his neck. The man struggled to pull his hand back and muttered with an embarrassed face.
“This ruins the mystique.”
“What are you talking about… A council member stealing?”
“Stealing? I was just trying to deliver a letter!”
“…A letter?”
As he spoke, the man opened his clenched hand. It was natural to think he was pickpocketing, but in his hand was a letter.
-Sleeve insertion! That’s the secret technique of the intelligence agency I’ve only heard rumors about! Later, when you open your pocket without realizing, you’ll find a chilling warning letter inside!
‘Stop talking nonsense. Is this a time for jokes?’
Fernandez looked at the man with a blank expression, and the man quickly composed himself, whispering with a solemn face.
“The Grand Chairman wishes to meet you. Wildcast.”
“…Wildcast?”
“Faijashi Wildcast. I was told you’d know if I said that. If not, my apologies?”
Fernandez smirked at the words and glanced at Rene walking far ahead. The man, noticing his gaze, added.
“His Highness King Carvelier is also officially invited. But the Chairman wishes to meet you separately.”
“Then I should join.”
Fernandez nodded readily. It’s actually a good thing. If I can hear the reason for the capital visit directly from the Chairman. And if I can establish some kind of cooperative relationship, nothing could be better.
‘Faijashi. Where have I heard that name before?’
-This is getting interesting. Haha.
![[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TS-Obsessed-Gamer-The-Ultimate-Return2.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return")
