"No hideouts? Are we perhaps mistaken?

"

'How is that possible?' Mikhail thought to himself.

Leon was also astonished by this and had come up with a different reason on the spot.

"They probably came from a different country.

"

Or what else could it be? If those intruders don't have anything that roots them in the empire, that would only mean they are not from here at all.

"But why are they here?

" Mikhail muttered in wonder.

Both the emperor and the marquis were now deep in their thoughts. Lukas, however, remained muted observing the two of them. Leon then had a foreboding realization after a while and gulped silently.

Could it be…

"Your Majesty, perhaps the east is moving?

"

Leon's question made the room cold as the silence dropped a few more decibels. What he said just now made Mikhail's nerves stand on edge while Lukas only tilted his head in query.

"So you mean to say that these intruders could be spies from the east?

" Mikhail gazed at his trusted friend and aide.

"The current emperor of Sol is known as a warmonger. That is the reason why the Sol empire took hold of the entire east continent due to years and years of conquering lands and kingdoms,

" Leon was already feeling down as he said these but he needed to bring it to light. He then shrugged his shoulders,

"But these are just my speculations…

"

The two people know about the emperor of Sol and have heard of him before. He was a young king that was pushed to the throne after the previous king died. As soon as he rose to the seat, his exploits and warmongering ways started with the purpose of conquering the east continent. He had settled down after fulfilling his mission and nobody had heard of the Sol empire after that.

They just know that the Sol empire is a ticking bomb. Who knows if the Sol emperor got interested in conquering new lands again? He could be vying for the neighboring empires such as Rosenthal.

After all, there wasn't a peace treaty or anything like that between the three most powerful empires. They just mind their own business and ignore the others. It is plausible that there would be a time when one of them would start to act.

Mikhail had these troubles for so long and had even thought of seeing the other rulers and proposing a peace treaty. But with the way things are standing now...

Mikhail's imploring gaze fell on the dark-haired man.

"What do you think, Lukas?

"

Lukas was merely listening to them a while ago but the spotlight was shifted to him now. His brows creased as he pondered.

"... I don't know but it is a possibility.

"

He is not ignorant about war and stuff. He is also not an idiot to not know the concerns this mission was posing. He honestly said his piece and didn't try to ignore it either. After all, if a war would really break he will be affected by it too.

Mikhail sighed and clasped his hands together, a serious expression on his face.

"If that is true, then this is a grave situation. A war could happen in the future…

"

The room got silent again.

The last great war happened a century ago and it was between kingdoms. Rosenthal was one of them. But when Solomon appeared, the war gradually ceased, and a silent agreement existed between empires that they wouldn't meddle with one another's business. But this was not official and Solomon has already disappeared. If the empire of Sol is truly making its move then another great war…

Plus the fact that artificial magic exists, the scale won't be small at all. This issue is truly alarming.

"Even though this is just speculation, we can't let down our guards and we should prepare for the worst,

" Mikhail declared.

Knowing the gravity of the situation, Leon was forlorn. The two men's hearts were heavy, only Lukas seemed unaffected by the gloomy atmosphere.

"Or you can just send the silver wings to do the job,

" he remarked.

Despite knowing the consequences, Lukas wasn't somber. In fact, he would rather fight on the battlefield and quench his bloodlust than sit around and do nothing. Life is too boring for him currently and the only thing that interested him is that strange woman and the hunt for artificial mages.

Mikhail immediately expressed his disapproval.

"No. That will definitely lead to war.

"

He knew of Lukas's eccentric character and had believed that he was serious to an extent. But he couldn't let him do that.

Lukas's mouth broke off into a grin.

"What's wrong with that? You have an army.

"

'You have me.' He wanted to add but chose to sneer instead.

He was half-joking and half-serious and Lukas knows that the emperor is aware of it.

'Too bad… These people like peace very much.'

Peace? Lukas never had that. Not even in his sleep he ever felt peaceful. It is an alien concept to him. The only time he feels peace is when he kills someone. So whether there was war or none, he couldn't care less. He has nothing to care for anyway.

Leon was struck dumb by Lukas's comments and had stared at him apprehensively.

"Your Grace…

"

'This man is crazy.'

Only a madman would rather choose to rally in war than to live in harmony.

Lukas's purple eyes glinted.

"Just kidding~

"

Leon sighed but was still suspicious of him. Only the emperor was at rest as he shook his head.

"Good grief.

"

In any case, Mikhail is still grateful that Lukas is being cooperative. Last time, he had run away upon being dissatisfied and who knows where he went off to? Lukas is a type of man that can't be held down unless it appeals to him. Thus, why he kept giving Lukas missions to not let this man be bored.

Boredom could cost them greatly.

"That's my report, I will take my leave now.

" Without even waiting for a reply, Lukas turned to leave.

"Wait,

" Mikhail called out immediately.

Lukas looked at him in question.

"Hmm?

"

"About what I said before… Will you think about it?

" Mikhail had been pestering Lukas nonstop whenever he had a chance.