Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"This is indeed the worst possible scenario."
McDonald felt a sudden twinge in his heart.
If what he said is true, then the tenth disaster star symbolizes an invasion, rather than a specific enemy, which broadens the scope significantly.
Aldridge was also startled by this conjecture.
"So! We must prepare powerful forces to deal with the worst-case scenario."
Seeing that the two were almost in a daze, Scholar Alvey spoke loudly, his strong voice bringing them back to their senses.
"Alvey is right; we must strengthen our own power."
With his junior's reminder, Aldridge's eyes regained their brilliance.
He said, "Lord McDonald, we are now going to talk to you about the main topic of today's discussion."
At this point in their conversation, McDonald had already grasped most of the underlying issues.
The struggle for the throne, Prince Antonio's background, the mysterious wizard organization, the Scholar's Tower abandoning its neutrality, the legendary demon race, and the terrifying doomsday prophecy.
He had already linked these matters together.
"As you should be thinking right now," Aldridge said, his tone filled with sincerity.
"The Scholar's Tower has abandoned the neutrality it has maintained in politics and joined the current struggle for the throne to establish a powerful force. And the most convenient and effective way we've decided upon after careful consideration is to unite with the wizards, which is why we chose to ally with Prince Antonio, who has deep connections with the wizarding community. Of course, I do not deny that my friendship with Prince Antonio's grandfather, Zico Hewitt, significantly influenced my choice. But..."
"One must acknowledge that the wizards wield powers that mortals cannot easily comprehend. If the legendary demon race invades our human world, and if the demons truly possess the strange abilities described in legends, then the best weapon we have against them is the wizards—after all, as the saying goes, 'use magic to defeat magic.'"
"And as you know, the wizards have a very poor reputation in the secular world. Due to the long-standing propaganda from the Church, they have always been misunderstood and even feared by the public. Each wizard must carefully conceal their identity to survive, yet they wish to walk openly in the sunlight. So..."
McDonald understood immediately, "The Scholar's Tower craves power, while the wizards long for an open identity..."
"Exactly. We hit it off perfectly."
Aldridge nodded in confirmation and, seeing no signs of disgust or anger on McDonald's face, he continued with confidence, "Lord McDonald, do you know how the child you are looking after was rescued?"
"You mean Jonny?"
McDonald was taken aback but quickly realized that since the Scholar's Tower was on Prince Antonio's side, it was no surprise they knew about this matter. It might very well have been this wise man who suggested to the prince to rescue Jonny.
He had asked about how Prince Antonio's subordinates rescued Jonny that night, but the prince had only vaguely said he would tell him at the right time.
Was this finally the right time?
"Yes, Lord McDonald, it is that child. Now I can be straightforward with you. It was the wizards from the Arcane Order who rescued Jonny using their magical powers. They broke through layers of guards and obtained Jonny's location from the head of a powerful, rigorously trained assassin, ultimately saving the child and effectively concealing their actions from the public."
"If ordinary people—meaning people relative to wizards—had been sent, they could not have accomplished such a perfect operation. Ordinary people would either be unable to break through the heavy guards or would fail to do so without being detected, and it's very likely they could do neither."
After hearing Scholar Aldridge's description, McDonald nodded in agreement.
"Lord McDonald," Aldridge asked, "do you think the Scholar's Tower's actions are justified?"
McDonald stroked his beard and honestly replied, "At the very least, I cannot dispute them."
"Do you hold any secular prejudices against the spellcasters—what they call themselves, wizards?"
"Oh, to be specific, I have no prejudices against their abilities. Just as weapons themselves do not have inherent good or evil, it depends on whether the person using them is just or evil."
"But..." McDonald questioned, "if it's just a small team for assassinations or sabotage, that's one thing, but if it's a large-scale military operation, it seems a bit lacking."
"So..." Alvey interjected, raising his right hand into a fist, "we need to use national-level power to support and establish an army composed of wizards to confront the formidable enemies that are approaching."
"An army composed of wizards?"
Alvey's words left McDonald utterly astonished.
Such beings are practically legendary; to form an entire army out of them?
Moreover...
"The Church, or rather the Holy See, would they allow that?"
McDonald thought of the most critical question.
"Heh. Of course, they won't allow it."
Aldridge sneered, a hint of coldness in his laughter.
"The Church will be our greatest stumbling block on the road ahead."
Alvey echoed, "This stumbling block must be removed."
To consider the Church a stumbling block to be cleared away?
Despite all the shocks McDonald had received since entering the Scholar's Tower, he was still stunned by the words of the two scholars at this moment.
For the people of this country, the Gabella Church represents the divine on earth. Moreover, behind the Church lies a powerful organization that is hardly different from a major nation—one might say it is more appropriate to call it the Papal State.
"You... are you serious?"
McDonald asked the two scholars, his face filled with disbelief.
"Of course, my Marshal. I won't hide it from you. You know the Archduke is backed by the D'Arshi family, but who supports the D'Arshi family? Let me tell you the truth: it is the Gabella Church that is backing them. Regardless, we must confront the enormous entity of the Gabella Church. This is a... huge stone."
"What?" Aldridge detected a flicker of hesitation in McDonald's eyes. "Is the loyalty of the Marshal beginning to waver?"
"You!"
McDonald was furious.
(End of the Chapter)
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Translated 4 Series, 1.65K+ Chapters and 2.01M+ Words.