Imperial Intelligence building – Starfall City – Avalon Empire

Emperor Osoric Avalon

Osoric was attending a meeting of the Avalon Empire generals and other ministers.

Even Ophelia, the headmistress of the College of Magic and the esteemed court witch of the empire, was present.

They all bowed to him as the head of his intelligence Althea Grayleaf stood up and greeted him. ”Good morning your Majesty. We have a lot to fill you in on so I will start.”

She walked over to a large board that she sent some mana into and it showed a video of the cult meeting the spy attended. .

Osoric watched it and learned of their goals. They wanted to send Archer somewhere for his heart so they would receive help bringing back their ancestors and taking over Pluoria.

His eyes widened and spoke with a shocked voice. ”They are after Archer? And has this boss been captured?”

Althea nodded her head as she read a report before answering. ”Yes, he was arrested an hour ago and is now getting interrogated in the imperial prison.”

Osoric motioned for her to continue. ”They are after the boy because the Netherfolk want his heart. I didn’t know why until I consulted the College of Magics historian Draven Drakebane who agreed to join us today.”

The emperor looked over and saw a middle-aged man with black hair and yellow eyes who stood up and bowed.

He walked to the front of the room and started talking. ”Many know of the Fall of Frostholm. I was one of the handful of survivors. After that day I decided to dedicate my life to history and through my research I have found accounts of survivors of the Placidia who spoke of similar monsters who also attacked my city.”

Draven pulled out a crystal and a screen appeared in front of him. It showed Ghouls, Blightborn, Ratlings, and Rat Ogres.

It showed many other monsters before Draven continued. ”These Netherfolk come from another dimension or world and use underground tunnels to attack kingdoms all over the world. They capture humans, demi-humans, and other races to experiment on them, turning them into horrendous creatures who fight in their armies. We believe they want Archer as he owns a mana heart and could fuel something as it actively pulls in the world’s mana.”

Osoric nodded before asking a question that everyone was also wondering. ”How big are their armies? What is your estimate?”

Draven quickly replied. ”Billions. They are the cause of the Placidia incident, the downfall of Frostholm, and many other cities all over Thrylos. Recently I heard Shell Island was found empty with no life to be found.”

When the room heard this they all quietened down, but Althea Grayleaf spoke up. ”We believe they will attack before the Celestial Magic Tournament as the boy is growing even stronger and the cult wants to capture him.”

Osoric started thinking and spoke to his Generals. ”Ramp up recruitment. Make sure the armies are on standby, send soldiers to all major towns and cities, dispatch the reserve legions to reinforce the forts and castles across the empire, and tell them to be on high alert.”

He looked at Althea and spoke. ”Send more spies to keep an eye on the cult but don’t infiltrate them. We need to guard the boy so I’ll send Thorin and Marion to watch over him and hope they are enough to keep him safe.”

As he finished speaking Ophelia commented. ”The College of Magic will guard the boy and already hired the mercenary groups Shadow Legion and Silvershield Company thanks to Duke Ashguard who donated a large sum of gold to us.”

She stood up and continued. ”My Mother, the Queen of the Covenfell Kingdom has sent a thousand battle sisters to assist the empire but has requested that a group of Witchhunters also guard the college.”

Osoric narrowed his eyes before asking. ”What does she want for all this assistance?”

When Ophelia heard this she grinned before stating the price. ”Mother wants a meeting with the boy and the right to recruit witches from the empire for twenty years along with ownership of the Shadowmoor Isles off the east coast?”

One of the generals jumped up and barked out. ”Outrageous. You can ask for so much when we will be able to defend ourselves with your kingdom’s help.”

Ophelia chuckled and ignored the older man as she looked at the emperor who was thinking before he shut up the general.

”I agree to your terms. But why does Vespera want to meet the boy? Is she trying to trap him?” Osoric commented with a chuckle.

She laughed before shaking her head. ”No. She has no interest in men, she prefers her research and running the kingdom. But I shall tell her you agreed to her offer.”

Osoric nodded as she vanished from the chair. The meeting went on and the preparations for any attack were organized.

Ophelia Blackfire’s POV

While the meeting continued Ophelia appeared in her office and picked up an artifact as she sent mana into it and waited.

After a few minutes a woman who looked like her but had jet black hair spoke. ”Ophie! How is my little witch? Did Osoric agree to my offer?”

Ophelia nodded her head as she answered. ”Yes I’m fine Mother and he accepted. Send the recruiters, there are many undiscovered witches here.”

Vespera Blackfire smiled at her daughter’s response before commenting. ”What was his reaction to me wanting to meet the dragon boy and how is he now you’ve met him?”

She sat down and looked out the window as the professors were telling the new students what classes they would be in.

Ophelia answered her mother’s question. ”Osoric wasn’t bothered as he knows he doesn’t control him and Archer is a strange boy, he is surrounded by beautiful girls who fawn over him and attracts trouble anywhere he goes but he indirectly helps. Such as he manages to wipe out outlaw and bandit issues wherever he goes.”

When Vespera heard this she giggled before talking. ”Yes, my spies have informed me that he steals any treasure that he can get his claws on. I heard one story where he robbed a noble’s wealth after mutilating the man’s son.”

”Yes he tends to be violent and kills without mercy but he dotes over the girls all the time,” Ophelia commented as she spotted him in the crowd after Lucius Montague walked away from them.

Vespera started laughing as she teased her daughter. ”You sound jealous Dear.”

When she heard her Mother she snapped back. ”I’m not jealous over a mere boy who has nine different women.”

”Don’t lie to yourself Ophie. I’m sending your aunt Morgavia, Astrid, and the rest. They are experienced Witchunters now and want to explore the world, so they can help guard the College until the threat of the Swarms ceases.” Vespera commented with a chuckle.

Ophelia sighed as she heard her cousins were coming and just accepted it, but she wouldn’t let them fall into that playboy’s claws.

Her Mother could see right through her and grinned as she thought to herself. ‘She is interested in him but is denying it. Maybe with the girls there she might be proactive and chase what she wants.’

She shook her head before speaking. ”My Dear, I have to go as matters of the kingdom need to be addressed, but when things calm down make sure to send the boy over. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Ophelia sighed again before replying. ”Yes, Mother.”

The artifact went quiet after they said their goodbyes. She started working on the paperwork and wondered how long until trouble appeared again.

Halime Nagendra’s POV

Halime was alone as she stood not far from Archer and the girls. She was being careful not to touch anyone as some people moved out of her way.

Everyone has now heard that she is walking poison and she has found it hard to make friends apart from Archer and Lion girls.

She stood there looking at the professors preparing to tell the students which class they were in.

That’s when she felt a pair of hands touch her shoulders and started rubbing them causing her to let out a relaxed sigh but soon come to and jump forward.

Halime turned around and spotted Archer looking down at her with a charming smile which caught her off guard.

He approached her and spoke. ”I love your yellow snake eyes, they are beautiful and your scales are pretty.”

When she heard his compliments she went stiff and didn’t know how to react but felt her cheeks go red.

Archer smiled when he saw her reaction and asked. ”Would you like to join me and the girls Halime?”

She looked at him and quickly nodded as she had enough of being alone and finally found someone who she could get close to.

Halime followed behind him until they were back with the girls who introduced themselves to the snake girl who was shocked at the amount of girls but soon accepted it.

They all started to talk until they saw the Headmistress appear and hushed the crowd.

A

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