Chapter 1049: Dissolving the Supreme Council

Agreed.

That voice, plain as water, sounded to the listeners like a sudden thunderclap on flat ground.

Everyone stared at Black Robe Duke Tuzlei with a dumbfounded expression, not understanding what was happening.

The Empire's legislators were still shocked by Prophet Medif's abstention, assuming the proposal would be rejected; the Consul's supporters felt a pang of disappointment, some were panicked, and they did not expect the Black Robe Duke to suddenly switch sides and cast the final approving vote.

The resolution passed!

A hint of a smile flashed in Lei En's eyes; although he had struck a deal with Augulevi Master, he could not be sure the other side would keep the promise, but now he could relax.

The Holy Soul Wizards on the stage each wore a vivid expression.

Anxiwodasi, Ouluoin, Sabbath Dean and Keluonomanse were all stunned, while Aoxiliya looked somewhat bewildered.

The Silver Star Duke and Storm Queen, sisters, were first shocked, then felt a surge of relief, realizing Lei En had already planned everything; had they not held firm, they would surely have been settled by Lei En later, with no good outcome.

The Holy Soul Wizard who voted against reacted most violently.

Kaierstong's smile froze instantly; a moment ago he thought the proposal had been rejected, successfully thwarting Lei En's ambition as if atop a cloud, and the next moment the Black Robe Duke cast the approving vote, as if plunging him into a bottomless abyss.

The rapid reversal left his projection standing dumbly on the spot, like a statue.

KangJieladeGreatSage shook his head helplessly.

Howai Master silently drew on his pipe.

PurpleFlameDuke Magna's face was hidden beneath a hood, making her expression unreadable; Prophet Medif, somewhat panicked, instinctively looked at the Purple Flame Duke, but received no response.

Mayoufu stared dumbfounded, completely unable to grasp the situation.

Tim*Kenan, at this moment, became calm, saying nothing, merely giving Lei En a cold stare; his deep eyes flickered continuously, evidently thinking rapidly, as if brewing something.

Tuzlei!

Kaierstong finally snapped back, pointing at the Black Robe Duke and roaring, "Are you mad? Do you know what you're doing? No amount of favors he gives you can outweigh the loss of this vote, you fool—you'll regret this immediately!"

His roar shook the entire council hall.

The Empire's legislators had never seen a Holy Soul Wizard so enraged; a terrifying spiritual pressure loomed overhead, causing the weaker legislators in the back rows to shiver.

The Black Robe Duke, berated point‑blank, showed no change in expression, not even glancing at Kaierstong.

The wordless contempt made Kaierstong even more furious.

"Quiet!"

Lei En gave a light hiss, stopping Kaierstong from continuing his outburst.

Although he wanted to let the fellow insult Augulevi Master's avatar—risking angering Augulevi, who might teleport him straight to ParrasFloatingCity to eliminate his failed experimental avatar—the priority now was to announce the resolution's passage to avoid further complications.

"Kaierstong, this is the Supreme Council, not a place for you to run wild."

Lei En called Kaierstong by name, his words blunt, and with a casual gesture he dissipated the opponent's spiritual pressure into nothingness.

Kaierstong fell silent for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping the others on stage, then mocked, "Supreme Council... heh heh, does the Supreme Council even need to exist?"

The Holy Soul Wizards' projections all quivered.

Lei En ignored him and shouted, "Under the goddess's witness, I declare: the resolution appointing me, Ryan Augustus, as the Empire's lifelong Consul, passed at the Supreme Council with nine votes for, five against, and two abstentions."

"May the goddess protect, truth forever!" After announcing the resolution, Lei En shouted loudly.

"May the goddess protect, truth forever!"

"May the goddess protect, truth forever..." Most of the Empire's legislators in the council hall rose and praised loudly; after a few repetitions, some front‑row legislators suddenly shouted, "The Consul is supreme, may his reign be endless!"

The council hall fell silent for a heartbeat.

Tim*Kenan, Kaierstong and the other opposing Holy Soul Wizards had been about to leave after praising the goddess, but hearing the slogan, they suddenly stayed.

"The Consul is supreme, may his reign be endless!"

Under the Holy Soul Wizards' angry gazes, those Empire legislators showed no fear, their faces alight with zeal as they repeatedly raised their arms and shouted.

Gradually, more and more legislators joined, their praises for the Consul rising incessantly, even drowning out the chants praising the goddess.

Tim*Kenan and the others' faces turned ashen.

Even the Holy Soul Wizard who had just voted in favor wore a solemn expression.

Lei En himself was at a loss, both laughing and crying.

It truly wasn't his arrangement; the leading legislators were southern noble families of the Empire, who had amassed huge fortunes in the secondary continent's trade companies, their wealth soaring dozens of times in just ten years, making them his most fervent supporters.

Moreover, the southern nobles, being far from Nuosiruier and backed by trade city‑states, faced little suppression.

Many families are descendants of the founding heroes, still retaining strong feudal traditions, historically refusing to submit to the Supreme Council's rule, believing the Empire must have an emperor!

They led the chaotic chants, and the other Empire legislators thought it was his plan, so they followed suit.

It truly was a case of no defense.

Lei En raised his hand and applied a few feeble pressures, and the shouting gradually subsided.

「Consul, supreme and unsurpassed……」 Tim*Kenan stared at Lei En, speaking in a deep voice: "It seems you no longer regard the Supreme Council at all, placing yourself above the Supreme Council." He turned his head to look at Anxiwodasi and the others, "Everyone, you have also seen his ambition; it is precisely because of your support that his ambition has become so inflated, now preparing to undermine the Supreme Council…".

"How do you explain that slogan?"

"It's merely flattering words about me," Lei En said, glancing at those Empire legislators, not denying it wasn't his plan, then raised his voice sharply: "What I mean is, I have no intention of sidelining the Supreme Council."

"Just empty flattery towards me." Lei En glanced at those few Empire councilors, without explaining that it wasn't his arrangement, suddenly raised his voice: "What I mean is, I have no intention of undermining the Supreme Council."

"I intend to dissolve the Supreme Council."

A powerful, domineering aura burst from Lei En, sweeping the hall; his body swelled to over five meters tall, like a deity descending, his voice deafening, each word striking everyone's mind like lightning:

"I, Ryan Augustus, in the name of the Empire's lifelong Consul, hereby announce that the Kermitis Supreme Council is dissolved, effective immediately!"

"I, Ryan Augustus, in my capacity as lifelong Consul of the Empire, hereby announce that the 'Kekemitis Supreme Council' is dissolved, effective immediately!"

The entire council hall exploded, everyone left stunned.

The Empire's legislators below were suppressed by Lei En's aura, unable to move, like statues watching the Consul on stage; even Lei En's most fervent supporters never dreamed he would be so audacious, directly challenging the Supreme Council.

The Empire councilors below were immobilized by Lei En's aura, like statues gazing at the Consul on stage; even Lei En's most fervent supporters never imagined he would be so bold and reckless as to directly challenge the Supreme Council.

No!

This is not a challenge, but a coup!

The Holy Soul Wizards were also stunned by Lei En's words, except for two: one was Anxiwodasi, the other was Black Robe Duke Tu Zlei.

The Silver Star Duke and the Storm Queen at first thought they had misheard, froze for a few seconds, and looked at Lei En with disbelief in their eyes.

KangJieladeGreatSage furrowed his brows, and Ouroin Master's expression grew solemn.

Sabbath Dean said anxiously, "Lei En, don't let the people below blind you; this is not wise. Master Anxiwodasi, please persuade him quickly."

Anxiwodasi's expression was complicated, but he gave no reply.

Kerlston, however, wore a pleased expression.

"You're insane!"

Tim*Kenan said darkly, "So you've already lost your reason; no wonder you're so arrogant. Who gave you the power to dissolve the Supreme Council?" He looked up at VijesCui's statue and added, "Do you think the goddess would permit your foolish actions?"

"This has nothing to do with the goddess," Lei En's voice rang like a bell, "I am the lifelong Consul, and the Imperial Council granted me this authority."

"Imperial Council?"

Tim*Kenan's gaze swept over the trembling Imperial Councilors below, his face full of contempt: "Just these weaklings?"

"In your eyes they are weak, but the Empire is made up of countless weak ones; they represent the Empire's people."

Lei En shouted, "The Empire is the people's Empire!"

"The Imperial Council's authority comes from the people, representing the Empire's Will, and the Imperial Council gave me this power to dissolve the Supreme Council."

The Imperial Councilors' eyes lit up upon hearing these words.

"Hahaha…"

Tim*Kenan laughed loudly, "It's sheer sophistry. Which Imperial Councilor here has the right to represent the people? This world is ruled by the strong; the weak must obey. The Supreme Council's power has never come from others, but from our own strength!"

"Ryan Augustus, I thought you were a wise man, but I didn't expect such childishness."

"Even if all the Empire's people support you, so what?" Tim*Kenan sneered repeatedly, pointing at Lei En, "How many of them could save you?"

"Everyone!"

Tim*Kenan shouted, "For years this person has schemed, weakening our strength, seizing our territories, tarnishing our reputation, stealing our power—all for his personal greed, coveting the Golden Throne in Rike Palace."

"Today, he intends to overturn the Supreme Council's rule; we must discard factional strife, unite, and eliminate this greatest threat to the Empire!"

"Seconded!" Kerlston immediately agreed.

KangJieladeGreatSage shook his head, "Lei En, you should not walk this path."

Except for PurpleFlameDuke Magna and Ma Youfu, who immediately pledged to follow, the other Holy Soul Wizards hesitated. Ouroin Master, Howai Master, Prophet Medif, the Silver Star Duke, and the Storm Queen sisters were all wavering.

Aoxiliya and Sabbath Dean explicitly supported Lei En.

Keluonomanse and the Black Robe Duke stepped back, indicating it was none of their business, staying out of the matter.

"Anxiwodasi!" Tim*Kenan said gravely, "You too will betray the Supreme Council? The situation has come to this point because of you; you are most responsible, having indulged him as he climbed to power, gaining strength and developing unwarranted ambition!"

Anxiwodasi remained silent.

"As his teacher, I don't believe you haven't noticed his plot," Tim*Kenan accused loudly, "If you don't distance yourself from him today, you become his accomplice!"

Kerlston pleaded, "Master Anxiwodasi, I have always admired your wisdom and bearing; for the Empire's greater good, you should make some sacrifices."

Both were pressuring Anxiwodasi with words to take a stance.

One played the antagonist, the other the protagonist.

They knew clearly that if Anxiwodasi stepped forward against Lei En, most other members of the Mo Du faction would follow. Thus, the majority of the Supreme Council would stand opposite Lei En, making it extremely easy to unite and kill Lei En.

Lei En watched coldly, letting the two play out.

He himself also wanted to know whether his teacher would still keep the pact of "neither support, nor oppose, nor participate" made years ago, now that circumstances had changed.

Everyone waited for Anxiwodasi to speak; after a few seconds of silence, he finally said, "For over a thousand years, the Supreme Council has merely ruled the Empire without truly caring for the people or earnestly governing development. If the old Mechanical Union had not appeared, the Empire's national strength would have regressed."

"For the past several hundred years, the Supreme Council has been merely a arena for our power struggles; factional fights never ceased, and I am weary."

"The Supreme Council is no longer fit to lead the Empire."

"And our Empire, too, should now enter a time of reform!"

Anxiwodasi's stance was clear: he supported Lei En. Tim*Kenan, sensing trouble before the end, retorted, "Perhaps the Empire needs reform, but not by concentrating power in one person's hands, letting an emperor tower over us. Anxiwodasi, have you forgotten the calamities those tyrants and despots brought upon the Empire?"

"I trust Lei En; he will not become a tyrant," Anxiwodasi replied firmly.

"Human hearts change, Master Anxiwodasi," Kerlston said, "Moreover, do you truly understand him?"

"This person!"

Kerlston pointed at Lei En, "I tentatively consider him human, but he is certainly not the 'Lei En' born in a remote town of Longshande. A country bumpkin who, before twenty, couldn't even reach the threshold of a transcendent, yet rose to the Empire's pinnacle in just a few decades. Master Anxiwodasi, do you believe such a genius exists in the world?"

"Perhaps everything he does now is a façade, merely to win your trust and steal the Empire's absolute power."

"Perhaps he is not human at all, maybe even a dark god!"

Anxiwodasi opened his mouth but stopped.

Kerlston's words not only moved the Holy Soul Wizards, but the Imperial Councilors below also exchanged puzzled looks; the Consul's life story—obscure before twenty, soaring after twenty—is a well‑known tale.

To ordinary people in the Empire's lower tiers, the Consul is the most inspiring role model.

But to transcendent beings beyond legends, it is too bizarre, far beyond their comprehension, overturning too many norms.

Some speculate the Consul is a reincarnated deity.

Others think the Consul is the soul reincarnation of Emperor Alpha, but regardless of speculation, Lei En is not that "Lei En".

A portion of the Imperial Councilors' attitudes began to loosen.

Kerlston's keen perception caught this shift, and he immediately added, "Absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Master Anxiwodasi, can you guarantee that once he wields the Empire's supreme authority, he will taste the flavor of dictatorship and never change thereafter?"

Anxiwodasi's face showed hesitation, a lingering worry of his.

He turned his head toward Lei En.

Then he saw Lei En with a calm expression, utterly indifferent to the dispute unfolding before him—neither explaining nor participating, allowing Tim*Kenan and Kerlston to voice criticisms against him, as if he had no connection at all, merely an outsider.

Anxiwodasi knows Lei En all too well.

He immediately understood everything happening in the council hall, the factions among the Holy Soul wizards, and that his support would not affect the result.

Because Lei En completely grasped the whole situation, he had an absolute certainty of victory!

Anxiwodasi suddenly awoke.

"I trust Lei En." He expressed his support for Lei En without hesitation, clear and decisive, shouting, "Lei En is the only choice to lead the Empire to glory!"

Kellstone was greatly disappointed.

Lei En gave the teacher a smile.

After Anxiwodasi voiced his stance, a chain reaction immediately occurred; Ororin said, "Lei En's achievements as Consul are the strongest proof; no one can do better than him. I have always deeply believed in Lei En's character, and will continue to believe."

He paused, then said, "But I disagree with dissolving the Supreme Council, and I do not wish to fight any of you. Whoever wins, I will accept the result."

He wanted to stay neutral.

"Me too."

Medif, after casting an abstention vote, finally spoke again.

The Silver Star Duke and Storm Queen tangled for a long time; the sisters exchanged a glance, silently moved to Anxiwodasi's side, and made their choice.

Lei En was rather surprised by their decision.

The Silver Star Duke has never been very clever, short‑sighted, greedy to the point of folly; the Storm Queen also has a willful, reckless nature, often acting irrationally. Lei En originally thought they would oppose dissolving the Supreme Council, because that would strip them of their power as Holy Soul wizards.

Unexpectedly, in the most crucial decision, they chose the right side.

At this moment, Howai Master suddenly set down his pipe and announced, "Regardless of today's outcome, I withdraw from the Supreme Council and will no longer involve myself in the Empire's affairs."

"Howai Master, please consider carefully!"

Tim*Kenan was frantic; Howai Master, as a Level 32 Thousand‑Spell Wizard, was only second to the three great heads. If he were absent, his faction's strength would greatly diminish, making it hard to contend with Lei En and the Mo Du faction, and the Balance faction would lose a vote in the future.

Yet Howai Master's mind was made up, and he gave no further response.

"This matter does not concern me," said the Black Robe Duke.

Tim*Kenan glanced at Tu Zlei, and did not try to win him over; he no longer trusted Tu Zlei at all, and now Tu Zlei not supporting Lei En was the best outcome.

Keluonamase was the same.

The Supreme Council's sixteen members were again divided into three camps: six supporting Lei En, five opposing Lei En, five neutral or uninvolved.

Six to five!

Tim*Kenan looked at the allies beside him.

On our side there are five, two of whom are Holy Soul wizards above Thirty‑level; the other side has only one Anxiwodasi; the GrandSage and PurpleFlameDuke are both Level 29, while Lei En, Sabbath Dean and Ao Xiliya have just been promoted, just over Level 20.

Most importantly, apart from Ma Youfu, all our Holy Soul wizards possess Floating Cities, a total of four.

Lei En's side has only three Floating Cities.

Each Floating City holds massive power, decisive in effect; four Floating Cities can easily suppress three Floating Cities.

The advantage is ours!

"Ryan Augustus, since you are determined to seek death, I will fulfill you." Tim*Kenan's projection vanished.

Kellstone, PurpleFlameDuke Magna, GrandSage and Ma Youfu's projections also departed.

As they disappeared, a few huge booms sounded over Nuosiruier; the capital's people looked up, astonished to see, besides the Naiser Floating City, a second Floating City appear in the sky, followed by a third and fourth.

Flaniss Floating City, Ai En Floating City, ParrasFloatingCity, Tiris Floating City!

One by one, Floating Cities leapt out of the star realm.

"What's happening?"

Millions of capital citizens stared in shock; before they could grasp the situation, they heard the void's trembling roar again, Weizelan Floating City, AgraLun Floating City, Erasuo Floating City all arrived. They covered the sky, casting vast shadows on the ground.

On this day, the eight Floating Cities of the Oriense Empire gathered in the capital!

(End of chapter)