In the Central Cathedral of the Upper Town, the Pope and several Cardinals were gathered around a large table and seemed to be having a heated discussion.
- "The rune of protection is weakening! With our last reserves, the barriers of the city will barely hold a few days at the minimum regime" announced a Cardinal with concern.
- "We have to do something. Where's Frix? He's the one in charge of the maintenance of the rune, damn it" another continued.
Everyone was worried. In front of them were multiple blue windows floating in the air.
[System] ERROR: Automated collecting matrix OFFLINE
[System] Switching to emergency backup… complete
[System] Estimated time before exhaustion: 3 days 11 hours
As the Cardinals considered what they could do, the doors of the meeting room suddenly swung open before a young monk entered, breathing heavily.
- "Urgent message from Cardinal Frix!" announced the monk, catching his breath between each syllable.
Immediately, all the people present turned and listened to the following message which the monk hastened to read.
- "The central collection matrix has been stolen" continued the messenger before pausing to breathe.
- "Who ?! Who stole it?" yelled the Pope, suddenly getting up.
The monk looked up, beads of sweat streaming down his cheeks before he swallowed hard.
- "The Elven Archmage Isaac and the Magus of the Court Zachary Kol…"
- "GRAND ARCHMAGE?"
Zachary's voice echoed through the entire mansion. Zachary, Isaac and his apprentices were seated around a dining table on which a multitude of dishes had been placed.
No mini dragon in sight, but Isaac could feel their energy emanating from the corner of the dining room. They had covered themselves with a layer of magic making them invisible to most of the people present, it was something much like the gift of Artiel and Rebecca.
Isaac looked up at his fellow Archmage, his mouth busy chewing on a chicken leg.
- "Yes…" Isaac replied while enjoying his meal.
Zachary suddenly rose from his seat and slapped the table with both hands.
- "Isaac! Join Kilguana!" he declared loudly.
- "Nope. Not happening" Isaac replied while extending his hand to grab another chicken thigh.
- "Okay! Plan B let's sign a non-aggression pact" Zachary immediately resumed.
- "Hmm…" Isaac answered.
Isaac thought about this proposal long enough that he finished his thigh and had already started devouring a new one.
He had to think about it clearly and logically. An alliance? Out of the question, he was not friendly enough with Kilguana to want to ally with them. Of course, if Zachary were to find himself in an impasse, Isaac would surely come to help but from there to ally with a kingdom? Certainly not.
Nevertheless, a pact of non-aggression and perhaps of cooperation? It could be discussed. If he could get Kilguana to recognize him as an independent entity, that would be perfect.
- "Alright" he said at last.
- "Okay, we'll have to create a kingdom for you then" Zachary continued.
At that, Isaac nearly swallowed askew and coughed, trying to catch his breath. As soon as the coughing fit was over, he looked completely lost at Zachary.
- "Making a pact with a person and a pact with an organization changes a lot of things. If you create your own kingdom, you will have the same prerogatives as a King, you will have diplomatic relations of your choice, you can nominate ambassadors. You will be recognized as an entity in its own right" Zachary replied when he saw Isaac's gaze.
- "But how? I have no land, don't even talk about a population" Isaac retorted.
Zachary turned to the butler on his left and waved him over. Immediately, the latter left the room.
- "Frankly, when I speak of a kingdom, it doesn't have to be one really. You can call it what you want: Empire, Kingdom, Principality, State. Even a company or an association. The most important thing is that it is an independent political organization regardless of its size. The land? You can take the sanctuary, no one has more authority there than you. The people? You and your apprentices are enough. "
Isaac was a little taken aback but considered the option. In the end, it wasn't bad. Thus, he could seize ownership of the sanctuary while ensuring his own independence in the eyes of other kingdoms. Gosh, he could perhaps take Cram as part of his new kingdom.
This plan was perfect! Worthy of a Reincarnate who became Archmage.
Isaac didn't want to think about it anymore and went back to enjoying his meal. The food was excellent! Even Rebecca, Iracuz and Artiel were almost glued to their plates.
- "Can you take care of it?" Isaac said between bites.
It wasn't because he couldn't do or something, although it was also because he was quite bored just thinking about the papers he would have to sign. No, most importantly, setting up a kingdom and making it official requires political resources and aristocratic and political knowledge that Isaac does not have.
Zachary is another matter. He has been immersed in politics since his birth in this world. So, he knows how it all works by heart. Isaac therefore preferred to leave the details to him.
Moments later, the butler entered again with a paper, quill, and inkwell. Without wasting time, Zachary began to write, returned the sheet to the butler before starting to walk towards the door.
- "Enjoy the meal and relax! I'll keep you posted" he announced before leaving.
- "You're the best !" Isaac replied, still eating.
For his part, sweat beaded on Zachary's forehead. He had to act and quickly, things had changed drastically.
An Archmage was one thing but a Grand Archmage? They had to hurry and formalize a friendship with Isaac as soon as possible. Zachary had been right to stop the King during the hearing.
Isaac devoured five whole dishes. A roasted wild boar, marinated chicken, a peking duck in sweet and sour sauce and a cheese salad, all the dishes he could have dreamed of were lined up in front of him.
Thanks to his control over his body, he could have continued to eat, but unlike him, most living things seem to have to rest. Night was beginning to fall, and the butlers and maids were barely standing up.
Isaac's apprentices looked like they were going to fall asleep on the table in front of them. Isaac was so focused on his meal that he had totally forgotten about the presence of the people around.
Why hadn't they gone to rest in their room? For the simple reason that etiquette required lower ranks to wait for higher ranks to finish their meal before leaving. Except in exceptional circumstances of course.
As for the servants, they had to stay until there is no one left at the table.
With Zachary gone, that left only Isaac as Archmage, now Grand Archmage, as the highest-ranking person at the table.
Honestly, Isaac didn't even know how his apprentices knew etiquette for these kinds of circumstances. Even he didn't know this rule, he would have liked to tell them to leave, but obviously the head butler didn't seem to want to let them.
- "Monsignor, etiquette must be followed to the letter. As Grand Archmage, you will have to meet many personalities. So I took the liberty of teaching in your apprentices some basic rules, it is important that you follow them to the letter! " Had he declared.
Frankly, Isaac didn't feel like arguing any longer when he saw the butler's determined gaze. He therefore decided to suspend his frugal meal and got up to leave the dining room, not without being reprimanded by the servants when he tried to take his plate with him to wash it.
Old habits. In this world or his old world, he had no servants to do his dishes and... well serve him. All this luxury was new to him.
- "Master Kol likes to take a little digestive walk after the meal in the gardens of the manor. The sky is clear today" declared the Governor as he approached him.
The idea of a little night walk was appealing to Isaac. He did a lot of it in the garden of origins between two magical experiments.
Isaac nodded in response. Immediately, the butler motioned to a few maids who left the room immediately. "What are they going to do?" Isaac wondered.
- "Follow me, please" then announced the butler.
Without delay, Isaac decided to follow him while his apprentices began to walk to their room to rest. Unlike Isaac who could eat theoretically infinitely, the three teenagers had abused enough.
Their bodies let them know instantly that they had eaten too much. Seeing their condition, the butler nodded before opening a door.
Isaac and the butler went through several hallways, all as finely decorated as the rest of the mansion. The building's color scheme appeared to be mostly red and white.
From the carpets, walls and paintings hanging there, red and white were predominant. According to the butler, these were Zachary's favorite colors, which is why the architect decided to use them as much as possible.
Frankly, Isaac didn't really like this avalanche of aggressive color. After all, as the saying goes: "excess is a vice."
But he wasn't going to criticize the work of an architect. How could he criticize the work of someone when he himself didn't know the very basics of house building? So, for the moment, he just relaxed.
A few seconds passed before the two men arrived in front of a large glass door which the butler opened. Outside were a few maids and a score of guards waiting patiently.
"So, that's where they went" Isaac thought, seeing them lower their eyes in a slight bow.
Small table, chair, and… torches? They looked like torches but the flames seemed strange and above all, they seemed to emit mana in small quantities.
- "These are magic torches, a creation of Master Kol during his young years at the Royal Academy" announced the butler seeing the curiosity of Isaac.
- "I see… I didn't ask you your name. You are?" Isaac asked, turning his gaze to the butler.
He didn't had a lot of time since the last events took place. Once teleported, Zachary had taken the time to explain the basics of life in the mansion to him.
Isaac had not yet had time to learn about his surroundings. So, he decided to take the opportunity to get to know the butler who seemed to be in charge.
- "Frederic. You can call me Frederic, Excellency" replied the butler, bowing slightly forward, one hand on his back and the other on his chest.
- "Nice to meet you, Frederic. Call me Isaac when we are in a small group" Isaac continued with a smile.
- "As you wish" answered Frederic.
With that, the escort set out into the gardens with Isaac in the center. The view was as splendid as when he had arrived. The two moons gracefully illuminated the grass and the water that streamed all over the place.
The group passed over several small bridges or paths bordering a running water alongside small croaking toads, hissing cicadas and other harmless and normal animals.
This little scene reminded him of his days in the garden and just relaxed by watching the little scenery around.
Meanwhile, at the Palace, a flash of light suddenly appeared in the King's office. The latter seeming to speak with two Generals turned slowly, not surprised by the intrusion of the Magus.
- "What terrible news have you come to bring me on this divine evening, Zachary?" asked the King, sighing lightly. "It won't be the first and probably not the last."
Zachary didn't waste any more time and have a sheet of paper to the King which he began to read immediately upon seeing his friend's hurried expression.
A few seconds passed before surprise covered the face of the monarch. He stood up suddenly, almost tearing the sheet in his hands.
- "GRAND ARCHMAGE ?!"
Zachary could only respond with a nod of his head. The King sighed and sank back into his seat before placing his hand on his face.
- "Do what is necessary, Zachary. I give you all authority on this affair. I want to quickly end this so that I can sleep peacefully" declared the King. "But first, we'll have to take care of the Church."
At that, Zachary narrowed his eyes slightly and listened intently to the rest of what the King had to say.
- "I don't know what they're up to, but the Papal Guard is on the move. That doesn't sound good if you ask me."