Badge in Azure

The dishes for the banquet were prepared with magical beasts and magical plants. Eleanor had sown the plants, which were good for increasing humans’ strength, among other benefits. Since, they were planted at the South Court, there was not much yield, so only the people close to Saleen were allowed to eat them. There was no alcohol on the table. Each porcelain cup contained a diluted magic liquid.

It was late autumn, but spring blossoms were on display in the large room. With the help of magic arrays, it was spring all year inside the temple. The seasons were only expressed where it was necessary.

The simple decorations had magic patterns concealed all over them, adding to the luxuriousness of the palace. The magic patterns were directly refined through alchemy on top of precious steel rocks.

During the banquet, apart from humans, there was Eleanor, an elf, and as demons. If the Winged Skill had been around, there would have been a Spirit of the Dead present, too.

The Myers Continent had been sealed off for a very long time. Rare creatures from other planes had become Saleen’s subordinates. Even Alchemy City did not have them.

Saleen’s subordinates were quite happy. Saleen had advanced to level 10, and Saleen’s teacher was also a level 10 mage. Jola was a level 10 True Might. The number of level 10 people in the city seemed as if it was about to exceed single digits. Sreeger Island’s mages were about to advance to level 10, as well.

The number of level 10 people might not have equalled Alchemy City or the Holy See, but they did not have any incidents of infighting or scheming against each other. Metatrin City was everyone’s fortress and homeland. Saleen did not expect them to go out to the battlefield; it was enough to protect their own territory.

Everyone treasured everything before them. A stable country in the chaotic world, without being troubled by wars and without being infiltrated by the religious powers, was extremely difficult to attain.

Toward the north of Qin, a church had already appeared. Although the number of people who practiced the religion were few, its existence still caused people to feel uneasy, because in past experiences, when any churches appeared in Qin, countless civilians would participate in attacks.

For the first time, solemnity appeared on the occupied land.

If the Holy See’s power in the north increased, who knew if the faith of the Lord of Glory would spread. The professionals and aristocrats were unwilling to see it.

The banquet continued until just before daybreak. After everything had been cleared away, tea leaves and snacks were served, and Saleen and his guests began to casually discuss everyone’s requests.

What surprised Saleen was that the professionals did not need him to provide more material things. They only hoped that Saleen would be able to have closer relations with everyone.

If Saleen was not free, he could allow Jola and the other level 10 people to share what they had learned from their experiences. Even if some were only at level 10, it would still be immense help for professionals at a slightly lower level.

Saleen recalled Lex’s teacher, an elderly sorcerer who had given lectures in Bitter Water Prefecture for low-level mages to attend. When Saleen had been at Bitter Water Prefecture, he had benefited greatly from them.

Saleen spontaneously and generously struck a deal and confirmed it. In the future Metatrin City, Saleen would arrange to communicate with professionals in each area of the city and the temple. The communication would be targeted toward low-level professionals, whereas the ones in the temple would be for Saleen’s trusted professionals to gather and talk. Every week, a level 10 person would host the talks.

It was not difficult for Saleen. Jason might not be bothered to do such things, but level 10 mages had begun to appear at Jason’s side. They could help Saleen by passing on their experiences.

Saleen decided to give his first speech, and continued for more than two hours. Because Saleen had not made any preparations, he was not as smooth as he usually would be, but the mages and grand swordmasters were still entranced. And he wasn’t the only one. Nailisi and Jola led discussions, from debating the learnings of past battles to detailing the problems that had surfaced during cultivation.

Saleen glanced at the clock. It was three in the morning. Alchemy City’s mages were probably fast asleep. Only then did he allow Daniel to call for the people from Devil’s Horn. A large number of professionals retreated. Saleen only let his followers, Cuisi, and the other demons stay behind.

The Caucasus warriors all retreated, leaving behind only demons as protection. The demons were, at a minimum, level 4, with a maximum of level 9. Saleen had not anticipated that the demons would have to fight. In any case, the five-meter-tall demons stood in the background, stressing out the others.

Even a level 4 demon could fight a Black Metal Grand Swordmaster. It was because their bodies were tough. It was just like how Sika could kill a level 10 person, while being level 9.

But the demons also had an advantage over Sika. If she were injured, she would immediately lose her combat capabilities. That was not the case for demons. As long as they were able to move an arm or a leg, they would continue to pose a threat.

The tables and chairs in the hall were replaced by the demons, changing it from the luxurious style that suited aristocrats to drab and minimal. Even the walls, which had been decorated elaborately, looked old. With a light touch from a corroding spell, the hall looked as though it had been used for years.

Saleen was seated at the head of the long crystal table, dressed in his Constellation outfit. Nailisi, Jola, Eleanor, Nicholas, and the others sat with him, waiting for Alchemy City’s mages to arrive.

After 10 minutes, a few demons arrived outside the hall to say that the mages had arrived. Saleen did not go to receive them, and the Followers by his side did not move.

Daniel led seven young mages inside, which surprised Saleen. The leading mage wore a red magic robe, and the other mages wore black sorcerer robes. Notably, each mage was empty-handed. None carried a mace, representing the respect they held for Saleen.

The red-robed mage did not express any complaints toward Saleen’s remissness. He walked to the other side of the table and bowed toward Saleen from a distance. Saleen had no choice but to stand and return the bow.

“I am Glenn. My teacher ordered me to represent Devil’s Horn to do business with Metatrin City.”

Saleen smiled, but carefully analyzed them. No mention of his true age, but Glenn had mentioned a teacher, which was worth noting. A level 10 mage’s teacher would have to be outstanding, and this Glenn was already outstanding. Saleen used his Elemental Eye to scan him and found that the energy in Glenn’s body was extremely balanced. The degree of subtlety to his control was about the same as his, which meant that the mage’s battle experience was rich, and his mental strength was powerful.

“Master Glenn, please sit.” Saleen smiled and waved his hand. The demons entered and began to lay out the dishes. Even if they were a mage, they would not have much of an appetite for food, but Saleen did. He had lost a lot of life energy. Although food and drink would not be able to replenish much, it was one means to do so. Part of the reason why sorcerers’ lifespans were so long was because they could absorb more nutrients from food. However, Saleen would eat as much as he could.

Glenn beckoned for the six mages behind him to sit. Saleen raised his cup. “Here’s to welcoming these great mages. A person who has attained level 10 strength is at the pinnacle of this world. Master Glenn, it is an honor to meet you. Saleen used an aristocratic tone and did not receive Glenn’s words at all, as if he had no intention of mentioning anything related to business.

Glenn raised his cup and discovered that the wine in the cup was mixed with magic liquid. He was somewhat displeased with Saleen’s extravagance, but he continued to maintain an expression of amiability on his face.

“Master Saleen, you are too polite. I have long heard of your battle prowess.”

“It’s not worth mentioning, Master Glenn…”

“We are both level 10—just call me Glenn.” He couldn’t stand Saleen’s tone, but because Saleen was also a king, Glenn was more than willing to communicate as a mage.

“Alright, Glenn. Have you come to represent Devil’s Horn or Alchemy City?”

Saleen repeated his question, causing Glenn to ponder deeply. Saleen’s words held a deeper layer of meaning. If he said he was there to represent Alchemy City, that meant that Devil’s Horn was there to replace the Elemental Hand. If he said he was there to represent Devil’s Horn, that meant that the business deal would not benefit Saleen, because Devil’s Horn and the Elemental Hand would continue their relations.

“I represent Devil’s Horn.” It was better for Glenn to speak the truth. For now, it was impossible for Devil’s Horn to break apart from the Elemental Hand.

“Then that’s troublesome. The enmity between me and the Elemental Hand can no longer be resolved.”

Glenn knitted his brows. “What hatred is there between mages that cannot be resolved?”

“The Elemental Hand makes me feel very uncomfortable,” Saleen said.

The furrow in Glenn’s brows deepened. Saleen’s words were domineering, but he recalled the past when Saleen had not been strong. The Elemental Hand had once tried to coerce Saleen into handing over the trade rights for magic chords.

“Why are you uncomfortable?” Glenn asked earnestly, as he wanted to make a decision about whether or not they really wanted to cooperate with Metatrin City.

“Pompeii City!” Saleen said loudly. “Pompeii City had millions of people. Because the Elemental Hand wanted to kill me, they all died. I admit, I was overly cautious and did not rescue them. I could only stand on the sidelines, watching as an ancient city was destroyed. I was powerless and felt very small. I hate the Elemental Hand. The situation is that simple. As long as I, Saleen Metatrin, live, my goal is to eliminate the Elemental Hand!”

“But, Saleen, for the sake of controlling the situation, you destroyed Ironwall City!” Glenn reminded, puzzled.

“Ironwall City was my enemy. Pompeii City was the Elemental Hand’s ally. I am disgusted about this. As mages, should we not place importance on alliance treaties?”