The Black Necromancer

Chapter 398 The War Council

?

Vera sat with crossed arms as she listened to the arguing elders of the High Council. She was involved in the latest council meeting on the request of her father.

"My province has come under heavy attack from the rebels! My soldiers have reported the use of new weapons that they have never seen before! Flying ships!" An old Elf complained with a rushed tone. His wrinkled face was a light shade of red, showing how flustered he was.

"My people too, have reported the use of flying ships in the attacks of the rebels. The ships carry such incredible power that they can match A ranks in a direct confrontation. Nothing they have tried so far have been able to cause damage to the ships." Elante nodded his head as he said his piece.

Alvar's eyes were stormy as he linked his fingers in front of him. His gaze drifted to the detailed magical three dimensional map that was projected on the table. The various points and provinces that had come under the attack of the rebels were highlighted, allowing him to see them clearly.

"Elders, as you are very much aware, it seems like these rebels have been able to grasp an ancient technique that we believed had been lost in time." Alvar began, his tone deep and profound. The various eyes turned to him as he began to speak.

"An ancient technique lost in time? What are you talking about?" One of the council members that was not in the know looked around, genuinely confused. His name was Russo, and he was the head of a province that centered around agriculture in the Western regions of Rivera.

Alvar glanced at him silently. He was not surprised that Russo had no idea what he was talking about. This was a matter that was tightly secured, and only those that had stumbled upon some certain clues and items that were related to this lost technique were aware of what it was.

"I am talking about a relic that belonged to an ancient empire that existed long ago. I do not know the name of the empire, or what race they were, but what I do know, is that they did not belong to this world. Or at least, if they were from this world, their very traces had been wiped out and the world had fallen into a regressive and primitive state after their destruction." Alvar shared a summarized version of what had been deduced over the centuries as the Elven Empire kept on finding more and more clues.

"I see. So these... relics... They are clues on how to build magic airships?" Russo held his chin and asked.

"No, not exactly. Each relic has held a different clue entirely. The reason why we have a higher ratio of mages with great talent and a very productive workforce is partly due to these relics that have been found and passed down over the ages." Alvar explained.

"Oh, I see now. This is quite the revelation." Russo thought of his the regions under his control. "By any chance, is the ever-fertile land that I preside over influenced by one of these relics?" He asked curiously.

"Three, to be exact." Alvar confirmed his thoughts.

"...Ah, I see." Russo frowned but soon put it in the back of his mind.

Russo was one of the few Elves in his power that did not entirely support the treatment of the rebels, but as he was part of the minority, he did not voice his opinions so easily. At the back of his mind, he was happy for the rebels, but he felt that they should have gone to Dura to support the stable development of the kingdom for the next few centuries.

He was in a bit of a tight spot now. He was loyal to Rivera and the Elven Empire that carried the same name as the continent, but he cared for all Elves, whether they were of pure or impure blood. Because of that, he had chosen to take a back seat in all the talks and meetings concerning this war.

"If they have gotten one of these relics, then it is safe to assume that what they acquired was something that taught them how to build advanced weapons of war, like the magic airships. But is that all there is?" A council member asked.

Alvar held his chin. "The rebels have been around for a long time. Even longer than I have been Emperor. We can only assume that they have gotten their hands on more than one relic. They may even be holding back their forces on us."

"There is nothing we can do but retaliate against these rebels. We must show our hand and spare no mercy, crushing them at once!" Elante expressed his thoughts. He was firmly in support of wiping out the rebels in all out war.

"I agree."

"I, too, agree."

"I concur."

Several voices rang out as the various members voiced their stances.

"I abstain." Russo said when the eyes turned to him. No one looked surprised. The man had always been conservative and against war and violence. This was despite high High A rank strength.

"Your indecisiveness will be your downfall, you decrepit old fool." Elante scowled at Russo.

"Be quiet. Your ignorance has left you blind, Elante. Your rashness will ensure you fall long before me, you warmongering buffoon." Russo replied in a calm tone, already expecting Elante to try and chastise him.

"Enough, you two." Alvar cut in and glared at both of them. He then turned to Vera. "What is your stance, Vera?"

"I wish to abstain from this decision." Vera said in a plain tone. She did not even spare her father a glance, as they were seemingly still on bad terms. The council members silently watched this. They were not surprised that Alvar and his daughter were on bad terms over this matter.

"Then the decision is set. We shall go to war with the rebels! Let this meeting come to a close!" Alvar knocked his knuckles against the table and stood up.