Chapter 267: Council of Kings (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: Council of Kings (3)
Isaac and Aichel. There was no telling when, how, or what kind of relationship they had formed.
However, one thought immediately came to mind. Isaac was the youngest Archwizard in history and the Elemental King of Ice. At the academy, he was notorious as the incarnation of lust—a total playboy.
Even if rumors tend to be exaggerated, the stories about Isaac didn’t just appear out of thin air…!
What if something needed to be done for the family, and Aichel, as the next head of the house, had to handle it personally?
If that’s the case…
It was a plausible hypothesis. These days, countless nobles were falling over themselves to impress the Ice Sovereign.
Is Sister Aichel sacrificing herself?
Aichel was already struggling to solidify the Whiteclark family's authority in an aristocratic society teeming with schemes and treachery.
She’s like the tragic heroine of a smutty novel…!
The plots of the erotic books Keridna secretly read began to play out in her imagination. The heroine, forced to endure various acts at the hands of a handsome man for the sake of her goals.
One scenario after another of what might be happening in that office flashed through her mind. Her face turned as red as a ripe apple, a reaction entirely beyond her control.
Keridna unknowingly spiraled into a mix of shame and vicarious thrill.
No, why am I enjoying this?
Regaining her rationality, Keridna shook her head vigorously.
Isaac was a powerful, handsome man. Even if he was too overwhelming for her to ever want to date, it was only natural for a girl in her youth like Keridna to feel a flicker of desire. However, it was a fact she refused to acknowledge.
—Ah… Ice Sovereign…
“Ugh…”
It was getting harder to endure. Her heart felt like it was about to explode.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from afar. Someone was approaching the corner. It sounded like a maid.
Keridna quickly scrambled to her feet, bowed her head, and scurried away, her heart a chaotic mess of pity and envy toward Aichel.
Noticing that Keridna had finally left, Aichel lowered her voice.
The misunderstanding Keridna had just concocted would likely prove quite useful later on.
*
The mark of the covenant was now fully etched onto Aichel Whiteclark’s shoulder. With this, the pact was sealed.
“…”
“Is something the matter, Ice Sovereign?”
“Is it always… that painful?”
Her face was still flushed.
“Oh. Do you mean the moaning? My apologies if it bothered you. It’s a chronic issue.”
Aichel laughed nonchalantly as she buttoned her shirt.
For someone who had just been making such suggestive sounds, she looked remarkably composed and innocent, making it difficult to reconcile the two images in my mind.
She really knows how to make a person feel awkward…
It wasn't a "chronic issue" at all; she had clearly done it on purpose.
Aichel adjusted her clothes and, just in case, reinforced the soundproof barrier in the office once more. Afterward, she approached the Whiteclark family emblem mounted on the wall.
She pressed the eyes, the front paw, and the wings of the white dragon in a specific sequence. With a heavy click, the emblem swung open like a door.
“Let’s go. We can enter through here. There are other routes, of course, but… what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Lately, it felt like I was stumbling into secret passages every other day.
We entered the passage, which led deep into the basement. The walls were lined with lamps emitting a soft, magical glow, keeping the darkness at bay.
“We’re here.”
The entrance to the secret cellar.
When Aichel opened the door, a luxurious round-table conference room was revealed. In the dim interior, the four figures seated at the table stood out with startling clarity.
They were elemental manifestations—fire, water, wind, and lightning. The four Elemental Kings had sent their avatars, using the conference room as a medium to project their presence.
Since these were merely avatars and not their true bodies, no Status Windows appeared.
…Wait.
For some reason, a Status Window appeared behind a pillar.
Wind Sovereign Erin Campbell.
Why is she hiding behind a pillar? And why is her level only 1?
“I greet the most esteemed Kings.”
Aichel didn't seem to notice the Wind Sovereign lurking in the shadows.
A mass of flowing water shifted into the shape of a woman. It was the Water Sovereign, Siren Silivian. Her voice, laced with a graceful laugh, exuded an air of supreme confidence.
I tactfully took a seat in one of the empty chairs.
Across from me sat a small child formed from light green wind. This was the avatar of Erin Campbell, the Wind Sovereign. Although her true form was behind the pillar, I didn't call her out, assuming she had her reasons for hiding.
“I’m still not quite relaxed. Why did you call me here?”
[Ice Sovereign, have you sealed the covenant?]
Blazing flames coalesced into the shape of a bearded wizard. It was the elderly Fire Sovereign, Andersen Versando.
I nodded. The Fire Sovereign exchanged a glance with Aichel behind me, likely receiving a silent confirmation that my words were true.
Fire Sovereign Andersen seemed to organize his thoughts as he stroked his long beard. Even his beard was composed of living flame, with sparks flickering and dying in the air.
[Thank you for coming. I called you because I wish to discuss three matters.]
Fire Sovereign Andersen got straight to the point.
[First, let me tell you about this place. When the nation of Zelver conquered the continent and declared itself an Empire, much blood was shed. Eventually, the Archwizards who had fought for the Empire began to feel disillusioned with a nation built on a foundation of corpses. War has a way of changing one's perspective.]
It was a history I was already familiar with.
[In the end, they left the Empire, gathered their own followers, and founded their own nations. As you likely know, they became the Primordial Elemental Kings.]
Zelver became the Empire first, and the founding of the elemental nations followed.
[The Empire was displeased, and conflicts were frequent. However, it was nearly impossible to control the Primordial Elemental Kings, who possessed their own independent wills and paths. The previous Elemental Kings, wishing to avoid further unnecessary bloodshed, proposed a friendly relationship with the Empire. The Empire, recognizing the danger the Kings posed, accepted. But… that was not enough.]
This was the part of the story I didn't know.
[As the Elemental Kings scattered, threats to the world began to arise, and they needed a way to coordinate. Eventually, the previous Kings decided to meet in secret. If it were revealed that we gather regularly in one place, it would cause a massive upheaval in the global order.]
“So that’s why this place was created?”
Fire Sovereign Andersen nodded.
[We went through several trials and errors, but as you can see, the system is now firmly established.]
Were the Elemental Kings conspiring together from the very beginning?
The "trials and errors" they faced must have been fierce, considering the egos involved when the pinnacle of each element comes together.
[We hold regular meetings every three years unless special circumstances arise. Occasionally, we intervene to prevent threats to the world's order and maintain the status quo.]
It felt like they had introduced a regulated system to fix the flaws of a laissez-faire world. No matter how powerful they were, it was rational in the long run to let nature take its course. However, things that threatened the world by defying the natural order were exceptions. When such issues arose, the Elemental Kings decided it was best to intervene collectively.
The purpose of the Council of Kings was to gather, make rational decisions, and combine their overwhelming power.
[That is why we invited you, the new Ice Sovereign, to this meeting.]
It was semi-coercive.
By no stretch of the imagination could the Council of Kings be called purely altruistic. An Elemental King who refused to attend would eventually become a target of the others' suspicion.
As Andersen mentioned, an Elemental King was difficult to control individually. This conference provided a perfect structure for keeping one another in check.
“So, you’re asking me to become a member.”
I shrugged.
I didn't trust them blindly. However, I needed to recruit the strongest forces possible to fight against the Evil God. If I could count the Elemental Kings among my allies, it would be ideal. The Council of Kings was a resource ripe for the taking.
“…I agree with the sentiment.”
[Oh my, how fortunate that you’re such a reasonable man!]
I heard Siren’s melodic laughter. For some reason, she leaned her head on her hand and stared intently at me. Her gaze felt… heavy.
[Ah, the more I look at you, the more attractive you become…]
“…?”
[Does ‘our’ Ice Sovereign perhaps have a thing for older women?]
What is this random flirting?
[Refrain from such useless chatter, Siren.]
Purple lightning crackled, forming the shape of a grown man. He reprimanded Siren, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. This was undoubtedly the avatar of the Lightning Sovereign, Jaul Dragonniac.
[Mr. Jaul, I’m still at an age where I crave pure love, you know? My heart can't help but be drawn to someone as graceful and kind as the Ice Sovereign.]
[You’ve been through menopause so long ago you’ve probably forgotten what it was like. Tone down the perverted lust.]
[Shut your mouth, Campbell.]
Siren’s voice sharpened at the calm yet biting remark from the Wind Sovereign’s avatar.
The Wind Sovereign’s true form was still behind the pillar, but the speaker was the light green avatar seated at the table.
[I wish you’d act your age, you pedophile.]
[Oh my, are you mocking me now?]
Siren glared at the Wind Sovereign’s avatar with a forced smile. Despite her watery form, it felt like veins were about to pop on her forehead. In contrast, the Wind Sovereign’s avatar seemed entirely bored.
These guys are surprisingly human.
It wasn't all solemnity and grand posturing. Thanks to Siren, the tension had eased considerably.
By the way, thanks to the Wind Sovereign, I was reminded once again that everyone in this room was incredibly old. Interpreting the Wind Sovereign’s words, Siren was essentially hitting on someone young enough to be her great-great-grandchild.
“…”
Wait. Thinking about it that way, this is actually pretty disturbing.