Chapter 576: Exchange of Floating Cities

A hand slowly rose beside Anxiwodasi.

At once, everyone's gaze converged on the hand‑raiser, who wore a magic robe of silver and blue, had a curvaceous figure and delicate features, a head of black curls that gave her a mature feminine beauty, and a tiny black mole at the corner of her mouth that added to her charm.

Silver Star Duke!

Her expression had been hesitant at first, but after raising her hand it gradually became resolute.

"Delairsha, are you mad?"

Storm Queen wore a look of disbelief; she never imagined her own sister would betray, and betray everyone at such a crucial moment.

All this time, the two sisters had always advanced and retreated together; they were Master Anxiwodasi's most steadfast supporters.

Having entered the Supreme Council for over three hundred years, they had never wavered.

Anxiwodasi was also taken off guard; not only him, but Master Tim*Kenan and the vast majority present had not anticipated this scene.

Even PurpleFlameDuke and Black Robe Duke cast surprised glances.

Lei En was also caught off guard, his mind flipping.

Red Stone Duke's preparation this time was too thorough; evidently he had been scheming in secret for decades, exhausting his efforts just to see this vote pass.

Master Ouroin and Master Howai had both been bought off by him.

If Dean Sabbath had not been promoted, Augulevi Master would already be dead, and the Supreme Council would have only eleven members, requiring just six votes for the resolution to pass.

But now there are twelve, so seven votes are needed.

The missing vote can only be bought from a Mo Du faction member, a task of extreme difficulty, likely outside Red Stone Duke's plan; he must resort to any means.

Since Red Stone Duke arrived in this plane, Lei En has noticed that he has been using psychic energy to communicate with multiple Holy Soul Wizards, yet the contents remain unknown.

Just now Lei En actually wondered who could betray the teacher.

Dean Sabbath had just been promoted; surviving this kidnapping left him somewhat resentful toward the teacher. If Red Stone Duke noticed, that would be an exploitable opportunity; Prophet Medif had previously been drawn into a dream by Red Stone Duke, and it's unclear whether any traces were left in his mind; Storm Queen's private life is chaotic, her relationships with many men are murky, and she might have been seduced by Red Stone Duke.

All three could cause trouble, but Lei En had never doubted the Silver Star Duke.

He knew well that the Silver Star Duke and Red Stone Duke had a past grudge; a few years ago he personally saw Red Stone Duke disguise himself and infiltrate Longshande, unknown motives, and he had clearly informed the Silver Star Duke.

Red Stone Duke proposed taking control of the Naiser Floating City; the Silver Star Duke reacted fiercely, perhaps out of envy, openly opposing.

However, in the blink of an eye, the Silver Star Duke's stance underwent a dramatic reversal.

This caught Lei En completely off guard.

He couldn't understand how Red Stone Duke persuaded her.

Red Stone Duke seemed to have known all along, and a victorious smile finally appeared on his face. With the Silver Star Duke's vote, he secured seven supporting votes, enough to turn the proposal into a resolution!

"I'm not mad."

Silver Star Duke took a deep breath, raised her hand firmly to vote, indicating agreement.

Anxiwodasi strained to maintain his composure; he believed the Silver Star Duke would not betray him, that she must have her reasons, and asked softly, "I need your explanation."

However, the Silver Star Duke glanced at Red Stone Duke and remained silent.

Storm Queen, hot‑tempered, shouted, "Delairsha, don't force me to act."

Before she could answer, Red Stone Duke spoke up, his demeanor that of a sure victory: "Lady Silver Star, she can speak the truth; everyone will eventually find out anyway."

"He made a deal with me, exchanging the Parras Floating City for my Iola Core and this supporting vote," the Silver Star Duke said, her tone complex—partly excited, partly doubtful, but mostly an irresistible temptation.

The Holy Soul Wizards' expressions turned vivid.

Storm Queen fell silent instantly.

One floating city for a single supporting vote—what a grand gesture!

Several Holy Soul Wizards couldn't help but look at Red Stone Duke, marveling at his boldness, wealth, and decisive decision‑making.

Even Lei En had to say he was impressed!

Given the Empire's current economy and prices, constructing a floating city costs roughly 80 million to 100 million Gold Shields, with the most important and valuable component being the Iola Core, accounting for half the city's worth.

Red Stone Duke offered his own floating city and received the Silver Star Duke's Iola Core; the price gap between them is estimated at about 40 million Gold Shields.

If one counts the Parras Floating City after its construction, Red Stone Duke has managed it for over two hundred years; the countless buildings, commercial properties, street layouts, functional designs, and wizard towers that cannot be dismantled represent an investment worth at least 20 million Gold Shields.

The cumulative price difference of this deal exceeds 60 million Gold Shields!

Not to mention, the Silver Star Duke gets a ready‑built floating city in one stroke, with no need to worry about renovations, saving a great deal of time and effort.

She cannot resist such a huge temptation.

Just by raising a hand, one can earn over 60 million Gold Shields, and it's the floating city she's always dreamed of—who could refuse?

Lei En, putting himself in her shoes, thought he would also agree.

Of course, Red Stone Duke also gains; he forfeits the Parras Floating City but acquires the far more valuable Naiser Floating City, adding over two thousand Wizards to his command, including more than ten Legendary High-rank Wizards, multiplying his power severalfold, leaping to become the leader of the Naiser faction and joining the Empire's three great powers!

Whether in actual value or political influence, Naiser far surpasses Parras.

Moreover, Red Stone Duke also obtained an Iola Core.

With his wealth and Naiser's manpower and resources, he could rebuild a brand‑new floating city in just a few years, certainly larger and better than Parras.

In short, Red Stone Duke makes a bloodless profit!

It's a win‑win deal.

As for whether Red Stone Duke will leave any secret passages in the Parras Floating City—such as loopholes in control permissions—or the lingering feud between the two, the Silver Star Duke, overwhelmed by the massive profit, can no longer care.

The Holy Soul Wizards, after pondering the cause and effect, all admired it.

This open scheme is truly flawless.

If the fame‑averse Master Ouroin or Master Howai were involved, a floating city might not sway them, but this is the goal the Silver Star Duke has pursued for over three hundred years; she cannot refuse.

No one can stop Red Stone Duke from acquiring the Naiser Floating City.

Anxiwodasi sighed.

He cannot blame the Silver Star Duke, nor can he demand she forgo such a huge benefit; otherwise the Mo Du faction would lose a staunch ally.

Storm Queen regained her composure, considering her sister's choice and taking the Silver Star Duke's perspective, she warned, "Delairsha, aren't you afraid he'll turn his back and deny it later?"

She stared at Duke Hong Shi, a cold smile on her face, "That guy isn't some modest gentleman; he can do even the most despicable things."

Duke Silver Star couldn't help but waver, lowering his hand.

The Holy Soul Wizards also grew suspicious, wondering whether Duke Hong Shi was swindling them.

Duke Hong Shi's expression froze.

His just‑spoken words felt like he was literally lifting a stone to smash his own foot.

However, his reaction was swift; he raised his voice at once: "I, Kelsong*Karse, swear in the name of the Goddess that if Duke Silver Star backs my proposal to take charge of the Naiser Floating City and it passes, I will hand over ParrasFloatingCity to Duke Silver Star in exchange for her Iola Core."

The oath just fell, and a faint sound echoed through the void into everyone's ears—a response from the Goddess, indicating she had heard.

The God of Magic was indeed watching here.

Lei En looked up, but saw nothing; the deity's thoughts were impossible to gauge, yet the Goddess's swift response was itself a statement.

The God of Magic protects the Empire, also the chief of the Empire's three deities, revered by billions, yet she seldom intervenes directly in internal affairs and rarely issues divine decrees to the Supreme Council; most of the time she acts as a just and stern arbiter.

She neither explicitly supported Duke Hong Shi's taking charge of Naiser nor opposed it.

That was enough.

"Lady Silver Star, you can believe me now, can't you?" Duke Hong Shi said with sincere laughter.

Duke Silver Star nodded satisfactorily, finally at ease, swearing before the Goddess that she would not dare renege on Duke Hong Shi.

Then she raised her hand again and said, "I approve."

"I oppose." Anxiwodasi stated.

"I oppose." Prophet Medif followed immediately.

"I oppose." Sabbath Dean hesitated briefly, then finally expressed his stance. Though this vote could not change the outcome, it reflected his alignment with the Mo Du faction.

Storm Queen found herself in a dilemma, torn between her sister's Floating City and the will supporting Master Anxiwodasi; she shook her head and said, "I abstain."

In the end, only Master Tim*Kenan remained silent.

He was still fuming, a sour expression on his bald head, his black beard on the chin stiff as sharp inverted triangles, as if ready to jab someone with it.

Anyone knew that this Holy Soul Wizard was suppressing his fury; it was best not to provoke him.

Although the result was already decided, the procedure had to be completed.

Tim*Kenan delayed voting, making Duke Hong Shi a bit anxious, and he urged, "Master Tim*Kenan, the proposal's outcome cannot change; please stop the needless delay."

"Are you impatient?" Tim*Kenan sneered.

"Please, Master, preserve some dignity for yourself," Duke Hong Shi said calmly, "the Goddess is watching us, the Supreme Council's rules cannot be broken. Moreover, you were the one who prompted me to raise this proposal; you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Those words landed like a slap on Tim*Kenan's face, darkening his expression further, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

He was undoubtedly the biggest loser of today's vote.

Among the four members of the Balance faction, aside from himself, one defected, two switched opposition at the last minute, leaving only himself as the lone Light Rod Commander; when this spreads, it will surely become a laughingstock.

"What a scheme! What cunning!"

Tim*Kenan's complexion shifted several times before he growled, "Kelsong, I've recorded today's ledger."

He spat harsh words, yet inadvertently placed Duke Hong Shi in the opponent's spot, acknowledging the new magnate's status, and this time he also accepted defeat.

"I oppose…" Tim*Kenan's words slipped out.

Duke Hong Shi realized he was about to win, and an indescribable joy surged in his heart.

"Your Excellency Tuz Lei, please lower your hand, cast an opposing vote, or abstain."

A voice suddenly rang out, cutting Tim*Kenan off, and the words startled and angered Duke Hong Shi; he whirled to look at the speaker, who was Lei En.

The Holy Soul Wizards were all taken aback.

Tim*Kenan instantly sensed a turn of events, forcibly stifling the "I oppose" he had just uttered, nearly choking himself.

"What do you mean?"

Duke Hong Shi stared intently at Lei En, suppressing the anger and the urge to strike him down; victory was just a step away, and he could not lose composure. In his eyes, Lei En's words were mere nonsense to disrupt the proceedings—why should the Black Robe Duke obey?

However, Lei En ignored him and repeated, "Your Excellency Tuz Lei, please lower your hand, cast an opposing vote, or abstain."

His expression was earnest, not at all foolish.

At once, all the Holy Soul Wizards' gazes fixed on the Black Robe Duke, whose impassive face showed not a hint of expression.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Are you sure you want me to do this?"

"Yes, I want you to keep your word; the favor you owe me will be repaid today," Lei En said resolutely.

The two's exchange made all the Holy Soul Wizards understand.

Black Robe Duke Tuz Lei had previously owed Lei En a favor, and he demanded repayment this time!

Anxiwodasi and Tim*Kenan were overjoyed, and the other Holy Soul Wizards also erupted in a clamor. Where there is joy, there is anger.

"You have no right to speak in the Supreme Council."

Duke Hong Shi erupted in fury, unable to restrain himself from striking Lei En; guided by the Will of Truth, he remained calm, forgoing his usual spiritual spell and instead unleashed an instant Nine‑Ring "Storm Whip" toward Lei En's head.

(End of Chapter)