After Kunou returned to her room, which was enormous and luxurious as one would expect, she suddenly got a call from the Principal of the Arcane Truth University. The Principal of the Arcane Truth Academy was an old Tier 9 Arcanist.
While the man wasn't the strongest one, but he was even more knowledgeable on many matters than many Tier 10 Arcanists, as he was the prime epitome of a scholar.
After several minutes Kunou arrived at the principal office, which was more modern than one would suppose it to be, as she sat down on the chair. The Principal was the old-looking man with a typical arcanist gown. As time had already written upon him, he had long white hair and a long white beard.
"You have called for me, Principal?"
She asked politely as she sat down.
"Yes, of course."
Answered Principal as he put down the cup of coffee he was drinking.
"There has been a call from the Imperial Palace that your family has arrived at the Schattenreich City, Princess. Transportation to the Imperial Palace would arrive shortly and don't take too much time; it would be prudent to arrive before the Banquet starts officially."
He explained as just now he got the call from the Imperial Palace. While the old man wasn't the strongest Arcanist around, his occupation as Principal of the Arcane Truth Academy gave him relatively high status in the Dresden Arcanum Empire.
Because of that, he was aware that the founder of the Empire, sole Tier 12 Arcanist, Adolf K. Weissmann the Silver King, was hosting an important banquet tonight, upon the success of their allies in the annihilation of the Warlock Path in the Baatorian Jihad.
Not only that, but there were rumors that Arcanists themselves would be declaring Holy War against the Gods in the Divine Star Region.
It was clear that the Dresden Arcanum Empire would soon enough undergo a huge change.
"Of course, Principal... if that is all, may I excuse myself?"
Asked Kudou graciously, as the Principal nodded and she left the office.
"Extermination War against the Divine Star Region and God Path..."
After several minutes, he sighed in frustration while thinking about what was to come. Of course, the Extermination War would mean an immeasurable amount of Arcanists dying in the War, and mainly because they were not so militaristic as the Chthonians.
The old arcanists studied the Baatorian Jihad and especially their military strategies on how they attacked the various planes, the siege of the Heavenly Plane, and killed the Dawn Lord or whatever abomination he became. Or the siege of the Canghzi Plane.
He had to admit that even though the Dresden Arcanum Empire was a bit stronger than the Chthonian Empire of the Baator, they severely lacked military power. Arcanists were by nature pursuers of the Truth.
Baatorians, on the other hand, was a militaristic bunch that created their warrior and military culture for more than 3,000 years, and it bore them splendid results if he had to admit.
Chthonian Empire of the Baator had far superior military doctrine and combat doctrine compared to the Dresden Arcanum Empire, which mainly depended on the superior power of their Arcanists or some gadgets.
Baatorian used the usage of modern combined warfare, combining together their powerhouses, regular armies, elite combat units, and fearsome advanced Arcanotechnology to create the most efficient war plans.
This allowed the Chthonian Empire of the Baator to take on even stronger foes and enemies than themselves and came out victorious. Not only that but even with minimal efforts and low casualties.
But at the same time, this would mean an opportunity for the Dresden Arcanum Empire and many Arcanists in it.
An opportunity to reach higher Tiers or obtain valuable resources from the Gods, they killed. Not only the Divine Sparks of God could contain some bits of Laws, but the entire corpse of God is a priceless treasure that could be refined into potions, pills, artifacts, or used in rituals.
"Only time would tell... only time would tell."
***
Some short time later, Imperial Place of the Schattenreich, MC POV.
Presently, there was still some time before the Banquet would officially start. Still, before the start, I went to meet Weissman as we had some things to discuss together.
"So in the end, you have decided for that outcome? I always thought you were a fence sitter."
I said as I looked at the Schattenreich City's panorama on the balcony of our room while my wives were resting after the journey.
"Not much of choice after that stunt that you pulled. Many of the war hawks are advocating for the war to start. Some of them are doing it for thousands of years already, especially those with the planes near the Divine Star Region, so in the end, it came to that."
Answered a smooth male voice as Weissmann entered the balcony.
"You are very close to the Tier 12..."
Stated Silver King plainly as he took the spot next to me, as we both watched the panorama of the Schattenreich City.
While I still had plenty of improvement place available to me, I long ago realized how to condense my Arcane Crest, and my Path was practically ready. If I wanted, I could do it right now, but I wanted to reach the limit of Tier 11.
Especially my Godhood still had a lot of room to grow.
"So, when will the party start?"
I asked, as the Extermination War on the Gods sounded very appealing to me... a lot of precious resources, Divine Sparks, and population. All of that would be available for the ripe.
"In a few decades. We need to ready armies and everything... Arcanists are not warmongers like you people..."
He said mischievously as I ignored his comment, trying to rile me up.
"You know, Hela always says that war is an art. And we are just artists."
I bit back with a smile, remembering how my beloved always talked about the war.