Chapter 317

The Alabaster Empire,

the news of the war in another world was not confined to the Ishgall continent,

in fact, long before the war broke out, the distant Arakitasia had been watching this war, and as soon as it ended, the news was immediately sent back.

While Zeref traveled the world, the Alabaster Empire's ruler, General Inbel, summoned the Holy Eleven Shields.

"Too slow, too slow—how much longer will this take?!"

Inside the opulent Wang Gong hall, around the circular council table,

seeing that not everyone had arrived yet, after a long wait, Agil Ram, the desert king with spiky hedgehog hair and a yellow headband, let out an impatient voice.

"Exactly! Inbel, why don't you speak first, then we'll tell them later."

On the other side, Branthis, with her green hair, also spoke with clear dissatisfaction.

"I will speak when the time is right, or when everyone has arrived."

Inbel replied coolly to this.

"Inbel, won't you tell us why you issued the summoning order?"

At that moment, from the far end of the table, War Empress Timaria looked at Inbel and spoke.

She knew Inbel's character well—she was certain he would not issue a summoning order lightly.

Yet Inbel ignored her, saying nothing.

"Hey! Are you mute?!"

Seeing he showed her no respect whatsoever, a flash of anger appeared on War Empress's face.

In a fit of rage, she was about to act—when the next second, a staff blocked her path.

At the same time, a slightly aged voice came forth.

"Enough. Inbel summoned us for a reason—just wait quietly."

Though the voice was soft and weak, upon hearing these words, War Empress froze in place.

It was an old man with wavy white long hair and a thick Bai Huzi, wearing a black cloak bearing the Alabaster Empire's emblem and a white robe.

One of the Two Pillars of August Alabaster.

Seeing August step forward, War Empress snorted coldly and sat back down, refraining from further outburst.

Among the Holy Shields, aside from the Two Pillars, none were stronger or weaker than the others—even Inbel as ruler was no exception.

But since August had intervened, the proper respect must still be shown.

Thus, the council hall fell silent once more.

Until the last member, Bradman, arrived—among the Holy Eleven Shields, only three remained absent, and all others were now present.

"It concerns Ishgall."

Seeing the time was right, Inbel of the Holy Eleven Shields slowly rose.

"Not long ago, the Magic Fapingyi Society of Ishgall was attacked; most of its combat strength was lost, and even their strongest mage, Celestial Serena, died on the battlefield—the Magic Divine Power has been rendered useless."

Upon hearing Inbel's words, everyone in the room paused slightly, then spoke with cautious doubt.

"The Magic Fapingyi Society? Magic Divine Power? Inbel, are you certain it was the Magic Fapingyi Society and Magic Divine Power?"

War Empress stood up and asked.

Though separated by sea, every one present had Shenyouti Society of the immense power of the Magic Fapingyi Society and Magic Divine Power.

Three years ago, the Alabaster Empire had once waged war against the Magic Fapingyi Society.

With the strength of the Holy Eleven Shields, the Magic Fapingyi Society had barely any mages capable of stopping them.

Thus, the Holy Eleven Shields swiftly seized the Ishgall coastline.

Originally, they were poised to continue their conquest unimpeded—yet unexpectedly, though the Magic Fapingyi Society had few standout mages, they possessed the forbidden weapon, Magic Divine Power, capable of destroying a nation, and Fis, which erased all magic.

Due to the deterrent of these forbidden weapons, they were forced to retreat to Arakitasia—yet now someone had attacked the Magic Fapingyi Society?

"It was the Magic Fapingyi Society."

Inbel replied calmly.

"According to intelligence, a portal to another world has appeared on the Ishgall continent, and the Magic Fapingyi Society was attacked by them."

As he spoke, Inbel released magical energy and distributed the intelligence reports, which contained all known information about the other world.

After receiving them, as several glanced over the contents, every person's expression changed in shock.

Even August, one of the Two Pillars of Alabaster, grew solemn.

Another world… Akatsuki, Monu Sect, World Government, Four Emperors, Seireitei…

In less than a year, so many portals to another world had emerged within Ishgall…

And judging from their records and outcomes, even a single one of them seemed to have terrifyingly immense backgrounds.

Most striking of all was the rumor, a thousand years old, concerning the "Omniscient and Omnipotent Great Will."

Setting down the report, August looked at Inbel seriously and said: "Inbel, are you certain?"

"Certain!"

Inbel nodded: "The one who sparked this war is Ma Xieer D. Tichi, who calls himself Blackbeard."

"His identity is a former crewman of the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the Grand Line; now he has defected to Ishgall."

"To obtain fragments of the Great Will, this otherworlder infiltrated the Magic Fapingyi Society and instigated war between the two factions."

"After being discovered, he openly revealed this information."

"Even Whitebeard, who sought to kill him, did not deny it."

Inbel recounted everything he knew of the feud between Whitebeard and Blackbeard, and also explained in detail the other otherworldly factions.

Upon hearing of the otherworlders' strength, those present fell even quieter.

If Inbel's words were true—if those otherworlders truly possessed such power—it would not be a good thing for them at all.

After all, who knows—one day these fellows might cross the sea and attack Alvarez.

"An Emperor who can single-handedly withstand the power of a Mage Sprit… is that Bai Huzi merely one among the Four Emperors?"

Ogarust said in a low, grave voice.

"Yes, besides him, there are three others, and…"

Imbell added at this point: "It's not only the Four Emperors—the Akatsuki organization, the Monu Sect, and the World Government are all forces that cannot be underestimated."

"And all of these organizations seem to have already entered this world one after another, seeking fragments of the 'Great Will.'"