Chapter 260: A Traitor Among Us

"I shouldn't have given up the ducal title and lands back then," Anxiwodasi said regretfully.

Lei En nodded.

If the teacher owned a ducal fief, even without diligent management, entrusting a steward to govern it, the tax revenue alone from its area would be at least two to three million gold shields per year, never falling into such destitution.

"Teacher, why does the Supreme Council refuse your regaining the fief?" Lei En asked.

He, like most people in the Empire, only knows the Supreme Council's authority and members, but knows little about its internal affairs.

"It's just a matter of pride."

Anxiwodasi shook his head helplessly and said, "For us Holy Souls, authority isn't that important; we wouldn't truly fight to the death, but as faction leaders, countless people's interests are tied to us, so we must contend."

"The Supreme Council's sole principle is preserving the Empire's existence."

"Provided they don't violate that principle, they're happy to watch my jokes. Especially Augulevi Master, that old fellow—since Weizelan rose, he's been my archrival."

"As for Tim*Kenan, he's a fence‑sitter."

"Sometimes he backs me, other times he sides with Augulevi; his balance theory even has a few neutral Holy Souls supporting it, and many matters get ruined by him."

When Anxiwodasi mentioned the Supreme Council, his complexion turned sour.

"Weizelan is in debt to the Empire Bank; they've known for a long time, and privately agreed not to let me obtain a fief to collect taxes to repay the debt."

"Over the years, they've often used the debt issue to force my concessions on various matters."

Lei En suddenly understood.

The Floating City's debt is the teacher's leverage; once grasped, his influence in the Supreme Council will be weakened, leaving him very passive, and it works every time.

Such a useful lever, the other two titans surely won't let go.

"But this time the situation is a bit different…" Anxiwodasi stopped mid‑sentence, his eyes full of worry, as if reluctant to say more.

Lei En asked with concern, "Teacher, what's wrong?"

Anxiwodasi hesitated, seeming to contemplate something, glanced at Lei En, and finally said, "Lei En, how much do you know about the Iola Core?"

"I'm not very familiar," Lei En replied honestly.

The Iola Core is the greatest magical creation in the world; it was invented by Augulevi Master, and legend says it was made with the aid of the God of Magic, producing the world's first Iola Core.

Anxiwodasi said slowly, "For over two thousand years, the method of making the Iola Core has been held by the Supreme Council; Wizards below Holy Soul rank aren't qualified to learn it. Moreover, the method alone isn't enough—aside from the first one, later Iola Cores require the energy of another Iola Core to activate before they can be used."

"To be activated by another Iola Core…"

Lei En muttered a few words, then suddenly looked up at Anxiwodasi, his face awash with uncontrollable shock, and exclaimed, "Teacher!"

Because he didn't know the details, he had never considered this before.

Who manufactured the Iola Core of the Naxas Floating City? Moreover, it has already been activated, supplying power to Naxas!

Thinking deeper, it's inevitable that one would suspect the Supreme Council.

Anxiwodasi's expression grew heavy, and in a low voice said, "Even though I don't want to believe it, there must be a traitor within the Supreme Council."

Lei En felt incredulous.

The Kermitis Supreme Council has twelve members in total, each a Holy Soul Wizard.

It's hard to imagine that a Holy Soul Wizard would betray humanity, aligning with the Death Knot Sigil, the Cataclysmic Legion, or even the Lord of the Dead.

No wonder the teacher was so out of sorts when he saw the Naxas Floating City that day.

He even felt a bit terrified.

It turned out it wasn't just because Ruuin seized control of the Floating City; it also made him think of a traitor emerging in the Supreme Council.

"Teacher, do you know who it is?" Lei En hurriedly asked.

"Don't know," Anxiwodasi shook his head, "the council discussed the issue, but everyone proved their innocence, and it ended with no result."

"Possibly the three who know—Ruuin and Modra are dead, and Korstted has also fallen."

"We're probably unable to locate that traitor."

Lei En didn't know what to say; the level of a Holy Soul Wizard is too high for him to intervene.

But this is undoubtedly a grave incident that could shake the entire Empire; as long as the traitor lurks in the Supreme Council for even a day, the Empire faces a massive threat that could erupt at any moment.

The teacher has been constantly worried these past days, not just about money but also about the traitor's matter.

Lei En's mind rapidly flashed through the list of twelve Holy Soul Wizards.

First, eliminate the teacher.

Then the five Holy Soul Wizards without a Floating City.

These five are: Duke Silver Star, who possesses an Iola Core yet hasn't activated it; the founder of the Combat School, Ouroin Master; "Prophet" Medif Master; the recluse in a dark valley, Mantusrei*Hohui, the sole Holy Soul‑ranked Thousand‑Spell Wizard; and, so far the youngest and most low‑key Holy Soul Wizard, Black Robe Duke Tuzlei*Silin, who has only a Wizard Tower.

The remaining six Holy Soul Wizards each have their own Floating City:

First Wizard, the Supreme Council's originator Augulevi Master, whose Naiser Floating City is stationed in the capital Nuosiruier;

Lord of the Flaniss Floating City, GreyEagle Duke Tim*Kenan, located in the northwestern city of Longpis;

On the northern prairie, Duke Hong Shi founded the Parras Floating City, hailed as humanity's first prodigy who pioneered the "Psychic" branch;

The Empire's greatest alchemist, GrandSage KangJielade, who invented Soul Stones, has his Aien Floating City situated in Sunset City in the Empire's northeast;

Storm Queen "Xing Bu", ruler of the vassal Hohawen Principality, owner of the AgraLun Floating City;

Duke PurpleFlame Magna*Eran of Isrek City, whose Tiris Floating City never opens to outsiders.

Each of these Holy Soul Wizards is renowned throughout the Empire.

Even beyond the Empire, in other planes, their names are spoken among many alien races as legendary great casters.

Yet precisely these six Holy Soul Wizards are the prime suspects, as only their talents can activate a brand‑new Iola Core.

Lei En racked his brain but couldn't guess which one betrayed the Supreme Council.

"Don't make wild guesses," Anxiwodasi warned Lei En, seeing his expression. "This is of great importance; I'm telling only you, so don't tell anyone."

"I understand, teacher," Lei En nodded in acknowledgment.

Both fell silent.

Lei En sees the teacher still deep in thought, prepares to stand and take his leave, but hears him ask, "The Mechanical Guild proactively borrowing money this time, and offering such good terms, are they after something from you?"

"Yes." Lei En takes the chance to say, "The Mechanical Guild wants to purchase the manufacturing technology of Rambo's Gun."

"Rambo's Gun?" Character: Anxiwodasi suddenly becomes interested.

That day he fought in the sky, naturally also saw the machine gun displaying its great power, but these past few days he's been swamped, internal and external troubles, and hasn't had time to inquire.

Lei En immediately takes a machine gun out of his ring.

He needs the teacher to provide protection for him, to prevent the machine gun from falling into others' hands; first he must disclose everything to the teacher, so he cannot conceal.

Character: Anxiwodasi takes the Rambo's Gun, holds it in his hand and examines it.

The machine gun weighs over two hundred pounds; a wizard not adept at close combat finds it a bit cumbersome, but for a Holy Soul Wizard it's still as light as nothing.

He flips through it several times, quickly figuring out the firing method.

"Interesting." The Holy Soul Wizard fiddles a few times, with a crack, pulls the bolt, sees cooling runes on the barrel, looks puzzled: "The principle should be similar to a soul gun, how does it have such ferocious power?"

"Teacher, you can try it." Lei En loads a magazine onto the machine gun, saying with a smile.

"Alright."

Character: Anxiwodasi points the muzzle at the wall and pulls the trigger.

Da da da da……

The gunfire erupts, and the room resounds with a fierce and dense roar.

In just a few seconds dozens of bullets are fired, then halted by an invisible force field, the bullets hanging in mid‑air.

"Hmm?"

Character: Anxiwodasi's eyes brighten, immediately perceiving the machine gun's peculiarity, exclaims, "This gun doesn't consume any soul power!"

Lei En nods in acknowledgment, "Yes, that's why only my Makurag people can use it."

"No wonder…"

Character: Anxiwodasi can't help but be enlightened, suddenly releases his grip, the Rambo's Gun flies up, swivels its muzzle, pointing at himself.

Before Lei En can speak, the gunshot sounds again.

Da da da… bullets pour out, heading toward Character: Anxiwodasi's bag. A layer of blazing shield appears, bullets hit it with clanging sounds, instantly melted by the shield's high temperature into molten iron, splashing everywhere.

The gunfire ceases.

Character: Anxiwodasi catches the Rambo's Gun again, takes a bullet from the magazine, pinches it on his fingertip to observe, guesses the machine gun's secret lies within the bullet, but does not disassemble it.

"The power is decent; each bullet's force is comparable to a second‑ring Arcane missile, perhaps slightly stronger. However, its firing rate is much faster than Arcane missiles, its range longer, and it doesn't consume soul power. Transcendent beings below the legendary rank probably few can withstand it."

"Truly incredible!"

He immediately realizes the crucial point, "Can ordinary people also use this gun?"

"Yes." Lei En nods in response.

"Is its manufacturing cost high?" Character: Anxiwodasi continues to ask.

Lei En considers briefly before replying, "Not really high. Rambo's Gun can be simplified and lightened, reducing material usage, while its power hardly drops. The cost can be lowered to within five Gold Shields; any mechanical factory can produce it."

"So cheap!"

Character: Anxiwodasi's expression grows solemn, ponders for a while, then says, "Lei En, this is a weapon that can change the world's balance; if it leaks out, countless people may die by its gun, the consequences are unpredictable."

"I know, that's why I refused the Mechanical Guild."

Lei En stands very solemnly and says, "Teacher, I hope to publicly claim the machine gun as your invention, to block those coveting the gun."

"Fine, but you also must protect it yourself, don't let others touch it." Character: Anxiwodasi gladly agrees.

As he speaks, he stuffs the bullet back into the magazine, returns the machine gun to Lei En.

Lei En puts away the Rambo's Gun, a lingering concern finally settles.

Both smile, a tacit understanding formed between master and disciple.

Lei En raises funds for Fu Kong Cheng, will provide more capital in the future, and Character: Anxiwodasi serves as a backing, safeguarding Lei En. Both get what they need; there is profit exchange and genuine master‑student friendship; such a relationship is solid enough to trust each other.

Returning from Fu Kong Cheng to the castle.

Lei En immediately dispatches people to notify Akaland, and goes to find Madam Xia Lanwei himself.

He uses ten shops on Commercial Street as collateral, borrows fifty thousand Gold Shields at very low interest from the Steel Dragon real estate merchant.

Then he himself pulls out a hundred thousand Gold Shields, and in the afternoon delivers them to Fu Kong Cheng.

Character: Anxiwodasi also borrows money from Storm Queen smoothly; in half a day, Weizelan gathers the required eight point five million Gold Shields.

Once the money is gathered, people's hearts immediately settle.

Time can make people forget pain, soothe grief; Fu Kong Cheng quickly regains its former prosperity, the departed are gradually forgotten, as if they never came.

Lei En also rarely enters a period of calm and fulfilling life.

The monthly ticket ranking got blown up, tragedy!

The new volume is two days later than expected; for the monthly tickets, I also daringly add an extra update.

During the double monthly ticket period, i. e., the 28th to 30th, for every 30 additional tickets (currently 1842 tickets), I will add a chapter of at least three thousand words, to be delivered next month, up to ten chapters; more and I'm afraid I can't write, so smash me with tickets!

(End of chapter)