At the Celestial Court, the heart of Firecast and the Zino Kingdom, a somber meeting was held. The Conquestian, the leader and king of the Zino Kingdom, was massaging his temple in frustration. Beside him was the Second Sage, Sage Alana, wearing a blank face. It was unknown what she was thinking. Since the First Sage was visiting the Alzar Kingdom, his seat was empty. Furthermore, after the Arcellius Family fell from grace, the position for the last sage remained unoccupied. Before them were two long tables, arranged to face one another. There were exactly ten seats on each side.
On one was the Ten Dawns, the ten strongest Arcanists employed by the kingdom. They were equivalent to strategic trump cards, which had the potential of turning the tide of a battle. Of course, they were not omnipotent nor mighty Rank 3 existences like the Sword King, Protector Avin, or Lord Wenmord. Not even close. On a battlefield though, with proper planning and timing, they could unleash unprecedented destruction to enemy forces. Take Ten Dawn Nassandra and Tengon's performance in the battle with the emperor. Using the large-scale destruction magic, Torrential Blizzard, they could cleave an enormous hole in the enemy defenses. They were so intimidating that they easily became the centerpiece of that battle.
Currently, many of the seats were also vacant. Ten Dawn Nassandra was taken by Protector Avin to locations unknown. Ten Dawn Tengon Vensire was assassinated by Inari and his partner. Ten Dawn Iris and Krogan were escorting the First Sage in Algard. Thankfully though, it was not a complete no-show. People like Ten Dawn Rosemary Arkfell were present to fill up the seats. The attendance rate was a little more than half, which was a stark contrast to the other side.
The other side was the Ten Auroras. If the Ten Dawns were likened to swords, then the Ten Auroras were the shields. They were the true foundation of the kingdom! Responsible for general administration, they had preeminent political power, only preceded by the Three Sages themselves. Each of them handled specific roles, allowing them to govern the realm smoothly and effectively. This arrangement was similar to the Alzar Kingdom's Royal Assembly or the Xingyuu Empire's Imperial Council. Virtually none of them were Arcanists, remaining as ordinary humans. They looked down on both Arcanists and martial artists, treating them as weapons. Unlike the Ten Dawns, every Ten Aurora was present.
One of the Ten Auroras slammed his fist down, shaking the table. His spittle flew in response to his fury. "I keep telling you! We need to mobilize the military across the kingdom. We cannot let this threat remain!"
At the moment, the capital city's military was mobilized. Due to their near defeat by the Xingyuu Empire in the Invasion of Aereon years ago, the Zino Kingdom had focused on reinforcing their forces internally. So, while their garrison might be lacking in grandeur when compared to the Alzar Kingdom's capital city of Algard, they were far more disciplined and organized. Many detachments were already deployed to key locations and plenty of security checkpoints were created quickly. With help from Princess Samanthie and the reserve Alzar forces, the city quickly became an iron-clad fortress. Despite that, the Ten Auroras were still dissatisfied. They wanted to transform this cowardly, reactive response into a proactive one!
The Conquestian might suggest that the risk of retaliation was low, but no one wanted to depend on that 'low' chance. Worse than that, the Conquestian could offer no proof of his assumptions. If something were to change suddenly, then they would be unable to react in time. Look at the recent commotion in Algard as proof. Unlike the general public, the Zino Kingdom had received extensive information regarding the Lannisail explosion. It had rocked the capital city to the core, revealing the full power of heaven and earth! Considering that the same nearly happened here, it would be hard not to compare the Lannisail explosion with Protector Avin's actions.
Furthermore, they did not even know where Protector Avin was! Princess Samanthie was helpless to this too, and she wielded the Alzar Kingdom's information network. It was far more robust and encompassing than the Zino Kingdom. This created a deep sense of unease in everyone. A hidden knife was far scarier than an open one. Until they understood the extent of Protector Avin's powers, as well as his motives and personality, then it was best to tread with caution, if not aggression. Regardless of how strong one person was, he could not survive against an entire kingdom. At least, that was their thoughts. Therefore, their current state of passiveness was fought with fierce retaliation by the Ten Auroras.
"And how do you suggest we find them?" one of the Ten Dawns bitterly said. "According to the Conquestian, he's a Blue Depth Arcanist…"
It was no surprise they were disheartened. The Ten Dawns were supposed to be the trump cards of the Zino Kingdom, standing at the height of magical prowess! Although they were merely Low Condensed Drop Arcanists, they believed none would be their superior. That illusion was shattered by the Conquestian breaking through to High Condensed Drop. It showed that their meager skill was nothing to be proud of. If their reactions were already so drastic, then sensing Protector Avin's might was world-shattering. Their confidence was completely smashed! Protector Avin was the true genius above geniuses! The severe mental damage nurtured a heavy notion of defeatism. No one wanted to face a Blue Depth Arcanist, much less the Protector of that legendary Arcellius Family!
That was not all. The Ten Auroras were viewing Protector Avin from a 'human' standpoint, not as an Arcanist. They wholeheartedly believed that one could never surpass the power of many. Of course, that was a perfectly logical assumption. Someone might be a gifted genius, achieving Perception Realm or Condensed Drop, such that they could surpass humanly limitations. This was why they were revered with such respect and fear. They were powerful! However, they were not almighty. Unfortunately, that logic was also somewhat flawed. Protector Avin was not a mere Perception Realm or Condensed Drop, but a true Blue Depth Arcanist! The level between them was not a simple one or two, but maybe a thousand! As Low Condensed Drop Arcanists, the Ten Dawns understood this best. Protector Avin's might could not be underestimated!
For example, take the large-scale strategic magic, Torrential Blizzard, used by Ten Dawn Nassandra and Tengon. It had the potential to tip the scales of battle with a single spell. Although it was conducted by two people simultaneously, raising the upper limit of power, it was nonetheless limited by their foundations of Low Condensed Drop. Above that was Medium, High, Peak, and Half-Step… A total of five levels for Blue Depth! Just looking at the heavenly phenomenon created by his actions, Protector Avin's abilities had reached the city-level at the minimum! An entire city could be destroyed on his whim! That was the consensus of the Ten Dawns. Therefore, rather than actively poking the hornet's nest, they thought it was better to lay their weapons low and approach things diplomatically. The two sides had argued for an hour already.
"Useless bunch," someone snapped. "As expected, the Ten Dawns shouldn't be in this meeting. We're running a kingdom, not a circus."
"What did you say?" a Ten Dawn charged up their aura.
"Calm down, Ten Dawn Lorth," a woman's voice tried placating.
"Are you agreeing with them, Ten Dawn Rosemary?" Lorth shouted.
"I never said that. I am merely asking you to calm down. The same goes for you, Ten Aurora Angel."
Before the fires could reignite again, the Leader of the Ten Auroras and Head of the Celestial Council clapped his hands. The sound brought everyone to attention. "Please, ladies and gentlemen. We're in the presence of the Conquestian and the Second Sage. We should act like it." Seeing the Second Sage's non-responsive face, he turned to glance at the Conquestian instead.
"I understand everyone's concerns," the Conquestian said slowly. "However, it is a fact that Protector Avin's actions have disrupted the law and order of the kingdom. No matter if he is a Condensed Drop or Blue Depth Arcanist, we cannot allow him to ignore our laws." The Ten Auroras started beaming smiles. This was exactly in line with their goals. "But… needlessly mobilizing our military might guarantee nothing productive. As far as I can tell, our target is one person. That assumption might change at any time."
His actions had assumed that Protector Avin was alone, but that was not necessarily true. His collaborators did not need to be Blue Depth Arcanists to inflict irreversible damage to the Zino Kingdom. They could be politicians, generals, or even merchants. A single misstep could lead the kingdom to a path of destruction! The Conquestian was considering things from a higher viewpoint. Right now, he was looking across the ocean… towards the Xingyuu Empire! With the empire's rapid deterioration every day, the world's status quo was bound to change. The dynamic of power was about to shift! To prevent diverting unnecessary energy to a lesser threat, it was better to prepare for the empire.
"This is my order," the Conquestian declared. His aura rose to a mighty power, stifling everyone's breath. "We will henceforth enter a low level of war readiness. We cannot put the cart before the horse. Our main threat was and still is the Xingyuu Empire. Thus, the information division will be responsible for locating Protector Avin's locations. Until further contact is made, I forbid any hostile actions."
"And if the target is hostile?"
The Conquestian's glare turned sharp. "Then we will have no choice but to remove the threat."