Chapter 560: Radical, Dissatisfied

Returning to the study, Badijiaer sat quietly for a moment before tapping the Communication Magic Tool at the corner of his desk; soon after, several projections appeared in the study one after another.

Huo En's projection expressed his dissatisfaction the moment he appeared, "Badijiaer, what could be so important that it couldn't be said during the day? I am in the middle of an important experiment; if it fails because of you, the losses will be on your head!"

Badijiaer did not respond and remained silent; seeing this, Huo En found it difficult to continue his outburst, and it was not until everyone had arrived that Badijiaer spoke slowly:

"I still believe we cannot open this door. Gnomes are not Half-Elves; they are fundamentally different from us and difficult to integrate. Once they develop and grow strong, they will inevitably have more demands. I suggest increasing the intensity of our search to completely eliminate the Spellcasters among the Gnomes and thoroughly extinguish their desire to resist."

Badijiaer, who had just been promising protection to the Gnomes, was now saying the exact opposite of what he had said before, but the problem was that the promise was not Badijiaer's alone, but a joint decision by the Seven Towers Great Arcanists.

Having agreed to it before and now opposing it, Huo En, who had always been at odds with Badijiaer, seized the opportunity again, "Badijiaer, I recall it was you who found the Gnomes to participate in the competition, right? What is the meaning of saying this now?"

"Huo En, you know what I mean! Finding Gnomes to participate in a competition and giving them a piece of land are two completely different things. I regret it now, is that not allowed?"

Seeing that the two were about to argue, Lander of Jilan Tower immediately stepped forward to stop them, "Can you two not argue the moment you meet? Listen to what Princess Xiya has to explain first. The decision was made in a rush last time, and I also feel it was a bit hasty now."

Everyone looked at Princess Xiya; Xiya's expression remained unchanged, as this was not the first time that something decided beforehand had encountered variables later on.

Proposals between the Seven Towers Great Arcanists were usually passed easily; everyone knew each other's bottom lines and boundaries, and most suggestions and decisions were in line with the common interests of the Seven Towers.

Basically, if something was proposed, it could pass, and everyone would not easily oppose it. But once there were variables, even if it was a regret after the fact, the original proposer had to give everyone an explanation.

In essence, the Seven Towers Group was a small Arcane Union, and this kind of explanation could basically be regarded as "re-deliberation"; as long as one could convince the majority, maintaining the original decision was certain.

If not, then overturning the original decision was also within reason.

Although Xiya had not expected anyone to question the previous decision, this matter had been proposed by her, so she naturally had many considerations; it was indeed quite hasty last time, which was why she hadn't had time to explain in detail. Now that someone was questioning it, it was the perfect opportunity to explain:

"Before I explain, let me introduce the Yellow Maple Hills to everyone—"

The projections used for the meeting of the seven Great Arcanists were naturally not ordinary projections; Xiya's projection possessed Spellcasting capabilities similar to her true body, and with just a point of her finger, a projected map appeared in Badijiaer's study.

The map shifted constantly, eventually settling at a suitable angle.

"If you have paid even a little attention to the development progress of the Kangqi Plain, you should recognize where this is. At the southernmost part of the Kangqi Plain, the Yellow Maple Hills are right here."

Xiya pointed to a corner of the map, highlighting that area while continuing, "Gnolls are entrenched here, and the land is not fertile. Of course, that is not the point; the point is that the Elves have effectively intervened with the Gnomes within Netheril!"

"It is not an easy task to completely eliminate the Gnomes within our borders, and it is not necessary. My meaning is that we can foster an obedient Gnome tribe to gather the scattered Gnomes, so as to avoid the Elves meddling and making things uncontrollable."

There was actually an implicit issue here, which was the definition of the Nether Territory. Although Princess Xiya did not say it explicitly, the others felt it to some extent.

Regarding the Nether Territory, the definition held by the Netherese and the definition held by the Elves were clearly not the same thing. The Netherese believed that the surrounding ownerless lands belonged to the Nether Territory, and even for lands with owners, it was something that could be negotiated.

As for the Elves' definition, it was merely the land for survival that the Netherese had opened up—specifically, the collection of all Nether Territories.

Land was the place of survival and the thing that could least be conceded; in order to achieve substantive occupation as quickly as possible, being slightly more aggressive was acceptable.

It was not enough just to call upon the Netherese to go and develop it; even if they were of another race, as long as they obeyed the order and rule of Netheril, they could also go and develop it.

As long as it was developed, it would be Nether Territory, and even the Elves could not question it.

"It is still under our control now; as for the future, do you have confidence?"

Although the others did not answer, their eyes were filled with determination.

Just then, Badijiaer suddenly took the initiative to speak, "I will keep an eye on those little things. If they dare to harbor ulterior motives, I will destroy them with my own hands. And those long-eared ones—as long as they dare to come and stir up trouble, I will kill every one that comes."

This meant that he had already agreed to Xiya's approach.

But at the same time, some of his methods made Xiya frown, "There is no need to say it like that. This is not your responsibility alone; it is the responsibility of the Seven Towers, and indeed all Netherese Mages."

After a pause, Xiya's tone became slightly firmer, "However, regarding the Elves, it is better to be steady. If you provoke our neighbor to the east again, I will not clean up your mess for you."

*Cough—*

Badijiaer smiled awkwardly, "I will be careful next time and won't let them catch any handle."

*Hmph—*

Xiya was indeed somewhat dissatisfied, "The Ascension Plan cannot be my reason for pushing them indefinitely. Next time there is an action, can you notify me in advance so I can be prepared!"

It was true that the Ascension Plan was proposed by the Elves, and they did indeed need the cooperation of Netheril; however, while this plan might have some unknown conspiracy, at least for now, it was mutually beneficial to both sides.

Xiya could not rely on this to demand endless concessions from the Elves. Once in a while was fine, but if it happened every time, she wouldn't be able to stand it if she were an Elf.

Seeing that Princess Xiya did not seem to be joking, Badijiaer knew that he had indeed gone a bit too far in the past, "Rest assured, I will go to the Underground Passage next, and I will have my people pause their actions as well. Next time there is an action, I will definitely tell you in advance."

*Hmph—*

Princess Xiya let out another cold snort and canceled the projection directly.

Seeing this, the others also canceled their projections one after another, leaving only Huo En, who remained until the end and said pointedly, "Do not overestimate the rationality of those long-eared ones."

Now it was Badijiaer's turn to snort coldly, but Huo En's projection disappeared just in time, leaving Badijiaer to snort at the empty study.

Casually picking up a book from the desk, Badijiaer was about to open it when his expression suddenly changed, and his entire person vanished in an instant; only the book he had just picked up fell slowly, making not a sound as it touched the desk.

……