Chapter 1040: Prelude to the Storm

The last day of August.

Yesterday a heavy rain fell, bringing a touch of coolness to the scorching summer; the newly risen sun was not too glaring, the weather was clear and cloudless.

For the millions of residents living in Nuosiruier, today held nothing special.

At dawn, people left their homes to begin the day.

The streets gradually grew lively: cars roared, pedestrians swarmed; children in schools read aloud together with their teacher, worshippers in the Temple of the Gods prayed softly, factory machines whirred to life, assembly‑line workers wore numb expressions, farmers toiled in the estates and fields beyond the city, and shop clerks attended to customers on duty.

The myriad living beings did not notice any hint of change.

Some who paid more attention to current affairs, after reading the newspaper, would, in their spare time, discuss with those nearby that an Empire‑wide meeting was to be convened today.

The meeting's agenda was to establish an election committee and arrange the election process for the new Consul.

The overwhelming majority had no interest in discussing it; to them, the next Consul was a foregone conclusion.

No one is more suitable than His Excellency Ryan Augustus to serve as Consul!

Over the past ten years, everyone has witnessed the Consul's achievements: the Empire's territory expanded, merchants made fortunes, commoners' wages rose, children from poor families could attend school, and had a chance to become the extraordinary.

Every city erected new skyscrapers, neighborhoods and docks; streets widened, cars multiplied, and living conditions improved markedly.

The number of the extraordinary more than doubled, and their average strength surpassed the level of ten years ago by at least one rank.

Urban security improved, crimes and cases involving cultists of evil gods dropped sharply, and even the incidence of Blood Soul Curse decreased considerably.

Whether nobles and the rich, or the powerful extraordinary, the common folk at the bottom clearly felt the massive change.

The Empire flourished, and everything progressed toward a better direction.

This is the finest era!

In the Empire's history, dozens of Consuls and emperors have never matched Lei En's achievements; if he does not serve as Consul, who is qualified?

Almost no one believes the Consul will fail to be re‑elected; moreover, he must serve at least four terms!

Only a tiny fraction who can reach the Empire's upper echelons sensed a whiff of unease; beneath the calm political climate, currents churn, seemingly brewing a dreadful storm.

Eight o'clock.

Delegates arriving from across the Empire to the capital gathered gradually outside Fubeiden Castle; some waited at the gate without entering the Temple of Truth, while others went straight into the Hall of Council within the temple and sat quietly in their seats.

Whether veteran delegates or newly appointed young ones, everyone wore a serious, even solemn, expression.

Among the three‑hundred‑plus Empire delegates, only two or three dozen drew attention, all being representatives of various factions; they could at any moment contact the Empire's top figures, each backed by a Consul or a Holy Soul Wizard, making them pivotal within their own camps.

Usually, these power‑wielding delegates were surrounded by many people.

Their conversations served as the parliament's barometer.

But today, both inside and outside the Temple of Truth, silence reigned; Empire delegates only whispered a few words occasionally, mostly communicating with glances, observing their fellow members.

Their gazes were filled with scrutiny, vigilance, and suspicion.

"When..."

A quarter to nine, a magical bell tolled from the Temple of Truth.

The Hall of Council's three‑hundred‑plus seats were filled, and the Empire delegates awaited the Consul and the rotating representative of the Supreme Council.

When the next magical bell sounds, the meeting will officially commence.

Consul Hall.

Lei En walked to the office window, gazed toward the Temple of Truth where the magical bell echoed, stared for a few seconds, his eyes sweeping north of He Palace to a magnificent palace; after a brief pause, he recognized it as Rike Palace, the seat of the Oriense Empire's emperor.

"This day has finally arrived."

Lei En muttered softly, turned down the stairs without hesitation, and, under the reverent gazes of He Palace officials, arrived at the entrance of the Consul Hall.

The Rike Imperial Guard surged forward, and their leader Hai Sike Tuo saluted, "Consul."

Lei En gave a slight nod, mounted Bo Erqi, the golden‑scaled celestial steed, glanced upward at the sky, and suddenly laughed, "The weather's fine today, suitable for great deeds."

Hai Sike Tuo's eyes flickered slightly, and he murmured, "Indeed..."

"Let's go," Lei En gestured.

"At once!"

The Rike Imperial Guard formation advanced, led by four towering knights bearing the double‑headed eagle banner representing the Empire's Consul; successive ranks of knights encircled Lei En, the whole unit exuding a grim and majestic aura.

Xi Ka Liusi led an Extreme Warrior brigade flanking the column; the massive Extreme Warriors wore heavy powered armor, their imposing presence sending shivers.

The Consul's contingent exited He Palace, crossed the vast plaza directly before Rike Palace, and reached the Temple of Truth on the opposite side.

Finally they halted before the statue of the God of Magic.

Lei En dismounted, prayed silently before the statue, then stepped onto the platform and entered the Temple of Truth.

"Consul has arrived!"

Hai Sike Tuo strode quickly into the temple's council hall; his resonant voice echoed through the chamber, and the guards stationed at the doors, pillars, and around the hall snapped to attention, lightly tapping their weapons against the floor, producing a sharp "bang".

The Empire delegates rose in a rustle and turned toward the hall's entrance.

The atmosphere was solemn.

Lei En entered the temple's main hall; all Empire delegates rendered a respectful salute, watching him stride through the central aisle. Delegates on either side, whether of the Naiser faction or the Balance faction, all showed deference as he passed.

Mo Du faction delegates' eyes shone with even greater worship and zeal, like devout believers.

Lei En walked step by step down the aisle, passed the front row, and ascended the podium in the council hall, where a row of wide seats was arranged.

He halted before the central seat, turned to face the audience below.

"Honored Consul!"

The Empire delegates loudly saluted.

The Consul is elected from among the Empire delegates; not only a member of the Imperial Council but also the head of all delegates, serving as the council's speaker, presiding over meetings, bearing the title "First Delegate," and thus ranking far above the others.

Lei En raised his hand and said calmly, "Delegates, no need for formalities, please be seated."

The Empire delegates took their seats.

Lei En glanced at the adjacent chair; soon, an elf materialized—handsome, with pointed ears, clad in a pale‑red magical robe, a white raven embroidered on the chest.

"Master Ma Youfu." Lei En greeted.

"Consul."

The Supreme Council has a rotating representative each month who attends important sessions of the Empire's council, generally without speaking. This month it is Ma Youfu's turn, and for something as significant as establishing a campaign committee, he must be present.

"Master, please sit," Lei En said, "the meeting will begin shortly."

Ma Youfu suddenly said, "Consul, please wait a moment."

"Master, what is it?" Lei En looked closely at Ma Youfu's projection.

Although it was only a projection and Ma Youfu's true body was far away in Flaniss Floating City, a single glance from Lei En's eyes already put pressure on Ma Youfu.

The elf Grand Mage's eyes flickered, as if he dared not look directly at Lei En, and he subconsciously clenched his hand.

He inhaled deeply and shouted, "I request the Supreme Council to convene an emergency special meeting right here, before all the Empire's legislators, instead of going to the Supreme Palace."

"Wow…"

A commotion arose in the council hall.

At least half of the three hundred plus Empire legislators changed complexion; they were the ones who knew the details in advance, thinking in their hearts: It's coming!

Everyone looked at the Consul on the platform.

"Oh?" Lei En's expression remained calm as he retorted, "Master Ma Youfu, state your reasons." Generally, only the Empire's three great leaders are qualified to call a Supreme Council, and they must have sufficient cause; it's not Ma Youfu's turn.

Not to mention Ma Youfu wanting to summon the Supreme Council before the Empire's legislators.

Clearly he came prepared.

Ma Youfu said nothing, but a deep voice responded for him, "It was my request."

A tall figure appeared beside Ma Youfu, clad in a thick black magical robe, muscular, with a shaved head, a sharply trimmed beard, a stern visage and a fierce bearing—it was GreyEagle Duke Tim*Kenan.

After his projection appeared, he said, "Today there will be a major proposal concerning the Empire's future, to be submitted to the Empire's council for a vote, and the Supreme Council will also decide on the spot, making the final judgment."

"Consul, is my reason sufficient?"

Tim*Kenan stared at Lei En while speaking, showing his intent without concealment.

Before Lei En could answer, he received a magical transmission from the Supreme Council, coming from the Tim*Kenan before him; he hadn't even sought Lei En's consent.

Almost simultaneously, one figure after another appeared on the platform.

Duke Hong Shi Kerlston, KangJieladeGreatSage, Howai Master, PurpleFlameDuke Magna, Black Robe Duke Tuzlei, and the Holy Soul Wizard Cronomanse who had just achieved Holy Soul Ascension a few months ago.

Including Tim*Kenan and Ma Youfu, the eight members of the Naiser and Balance factions were all present.

That happened to be half of the Supreme Council's members.

Lei En's expression grew solemn.

On the Empire's council hall's podium, a projection array was set up; Holy Soul Wizards and Grand Mages could project directly from their own towers or Fu Kong Cheng. Yet this was not the Supreme Palace; in Empire history, Holy Soul Wizards convening outside the Supreme Palace had occurred only two or three times, and the rapid gathering of members from the two factions clearly indicated prior arrangement.

The Empire's legislators also realized that the Naiser and Balance factions truly intended to challenge the Consul!

The atmosphere on the platform solidified.

The legislators below dared not make any sound.

Some Empire legislators' palms sweated, their hearts extremely nervous, yet they also felt an excitement and anticipation of being part of a great event; witnessing the Supreme Council clash firsthand might be the only chance in their lifetimes!

The projections of the Holy Soul Wizards from both factions silently took their seats, all sitting to Lei En's left.

Lei En's gaze swept over them, expressionless, and said, "Since Master Kenan initiated the summons, let's proceed that way."

He stood before his seat and waited.

A few dozen seconds later.

The Holy Soul Wizards of the Mo Du faction projected in one after another: Anxiwodasi, Ouroin Master, Prophet Medif, Storm Queen, Silver Star Duke, Sabbath Dean, and O Xiliya.

When they saw the situation on the platform, their faces changed.

Anxiwodasi asked in a deep voice, "GreyEagle, why have you summoned us to the Empire's council hall?" Ouroin also furrowed his brow.

"Why ask knowingly," Tim*Kenan replied coolly.

Anxiwodasi's face instantly showed displeasure.

GreyEagle's motive was easy to guess: to have the proposal pass in the Empire's council and then be decided on the spot by the Supreme Council, denying the Mo Du faction any chance to deliberate. Moreover, voting before the Empire's legislators would exert greater pressure on the Mo Du faction.

The Balance and Naiser factions each held only eight votes in the Supreme Council, at most resulting in a tie.

GreyEagle's sudden move was a surprise attack…

A flash of insight struck Anxiwodasi's mind: without firm control, Tim*Kenan's temperament would never have orchestrated such a large formation, meaning he must hold at least nine votes!

The Mo Du faction has produced a traitor!

Which one?

Anxiwodasi quickly scanned the allies beside him, but in that moment could not determine which had defected.

He hurriedly gave Lei En a look, only to find Lei En did not respond.

Lei En said softly, "Teacher, please sit down."

Anxiwodasi instantly understood that Lei En had anticipated this situation and even knew who the traitor was, which made him more anxious. Whoever succeeds today will Tear the Supreme Council and the Empire apart; GreyEagle's chance of victory is low, and his actions will only accelerate Lei En's plan.

"GreyEagle, you will regret this," Anxiwodasi sighed, admitting that his deliberate or inadvertent delay of this day had ultimately failed.

"Hehe…"

Tim*Kenan responded with a cold laugh.

The Mo Du faction's Holy Soul Wizards displayed varied expressions as they took seats on Lei En's right side.

The sixteen members of the Supreme Council lined up on the platform, Lei En standing in the middle, loudly chanting, "Goddess protect us, truth endures!"

"Truth endures!"

Everyone in the council hall prayed along, and the statue in the temple quivered slightly.

After the prayer, Lei En announced, "The meeting begins. The first agenda today is to establish a campaign committee and launch the next Consul's election…"

The Holy Soul Wizards and Grand Mages on the platform remained silent.

Members listened quietly; many had gone through multiple elections and were familiar with the process. The election committee was not today's focus; throughout there was no obstruction. In a solemn yet strange atmosphere, Lei En smoothly selected a batch of imperial members to form the committee.

Suddenly, a hand was raised.

Everyone turned to look in unison, only to see a legendary wizard stand up and speak loudly: "Consul, fellow officials, I propose to the council: enact legislation that Holy Soul wizards may not serve as consul!"

(End of chapter)