Chapter Ten: The Storm in the Grand Hall (Part Two)

The entire hall erupted into an uproar, even the members of the Green Armband Democratic Party were shocked, clearly unaware of this matter beforehand.

“Why, why did this happen? We pay taxes to the government every year, is this how the government protects us?” someone shouted.

A fist slammed heavily onto the table as Warrenheit raised both hands to signal for silence. “Allow me first to apologize for the government’s failure, especially to Mr. Hegel and his family who have been abducted. Although we had secret agents assigned to protect them beforehand, it is clear that Commineson’s strength exceeded our estimation, which led to this tragedy. Rest assured, rescue teams have already been dispatched and we will do everything in our power to save Mr. Hegel and his family. But what I want to say here is that we must never allow such a tragedy to occur again.”

“Damn Commineson!”

“In recent years, we have successfully opened maritime trade routes, and the Republic has vigorously developed commerce. Though many refugees lost their lands, they were still able to find work in urban factories. Everyone believes Landia will only get better—and indeed, it will. But everyone forgets, there are not only friends in this world. Over the past three years, the government has been repeatedly criticized by Parliament, with demands to cut military spending.”

“Prime Minister, if you mean to say that our Democratic Party’s call for reduced military spending in Parliament led to insufficient defense and the kidnapping of Mr. Hegel’s family, I think you exaggerate. Commineson must be eliminated, but there aren’t so many enemies around us. Other southern nations are now imitating us; though they have not ousted their own kings, they too are expanding maritime trade,” retorted a Democratic Party member.

“You are wrong. We are surrounded by enemies now,” Warrenheit replied calmly. “Because of our republic, if you look at the map, including the Far East and the newly discovered wild lands, not a single country is exactly like ours, so we have no partners. Yes, we are developing maritime trade, and the neighboring countries are learning from us, but once they develop, they will become our competitors; in the east of the continent, the Plantagenet Dynasty once monopolized most trade with the Far East, but now we have broken that monopoly, challenging their position; furthermore, the northern and central countries of the continent, even after thirty-five years of our republic’s existence, still have not formally recognized our legitimacy, and remnants of the Tianlun Dynasty still wander their lands. Just two days ago, do you know, the church sent an envoy—they first went to the Plantagenets, then sailed downstream to Heldasin, and will arrive in Valencia this afternoon. I will meet this envoy and hear why the church suddenly wishes to visit Landia. I do not believe it is the loving light of the gods shining upon Landia, but whether it is fire, lightning, hurricane, or divine wrath, I will stand tall and face it, shielding Landia from disaster.”

Applause rang out again. The Democratic Party member who had just argued was now flushed with emotion and said, “Prime Minister, that was not our intention. The republic belongs to all of us, and of course we will not leave you and the Liberal Party alone to confront Commineson, to battle the Plantagenets for trade routes, or even to withstand the wrath of the gods. We Democrats will stand right behind you, defending our great motherland against calamity.”

Having finished, this Democratic Party member suddenly raised his arm and shouted to the crowd behind him, “Down with the church! They are the real parasites—they do no labor, yet possess vast lands. Return the land to us!”

The people in the hall, first moved by Warrenheit’s speech and then fired up by this Democratic Party member, began to raise their arms and shout in unison, “Return it to us!”

The cry spread outside, throughout the square—those outside had no idea what Warrenheit had said, only that the voices from inside were unified, whether Democrat, Liberal, or unaffiliated.

The whole square was boiling, the chants rising and falling: “Return it to us!”

The cry reached the church of the Radiant Faith in Valencia. Once they learned what was happening, the bishop’s expression changed slightly, and he ordered the doors closed to block out the unsettling roar.

Inside the great hall, only Wei Wuji wore a half-smile as he looked around. As an outsider, he felt none of the Landians’ passionate defense of their own interests. Yet he watched Warrenheit on stage with admiration—no matter what, the man was indeed a remarkable figure. Surely he had more moves to come?

When the crowd settled somewhat, Warrenheit continued, “Therefore, I ask every citizen here, help me, help Landia—this is our own country. When even the gods are hostile to us, only we can save ourselves.”

At this moment, the side doors of the hall opened and several people dressed as mages entered in file. Notably, all these high-ranking mages were women.

“Greetings, everyone. We are from the Women’s Academy of Magic. My name is Akasha. We represent Dean Messiah and the Southern Women’s Academy, here to show our support for Prime Minister Warrenheit. The freedom mentioned by the Prime Minister is one of the three core principles that we mages have always upheld. Even the gods cannot change our rights. We possess freedom—the freedom to study magic. Therefore, our Academy wholeheartedly supports Landia on this matter, and we hope every citizen of Landia will preserve this rare quality, spreading magic and freedom to every corner of the world.”

The hall erupted once more. The appearance of these female mages signified the support of the Southern Women’s Academy for Landia. Though the Academy’s influence within the continent’s mage community was still far less than that of the Mage Towers and other powerful organizations, it represented a segment of the mage faction, likely the only neutral group capable of challenging the church. While this would not sway all mages to Landia’s side, the Academy’s stance would certainly influence some, forcing those who might have favored the church to reconsider neutrality, lest a split or civil war arise within the mage community.

This was something most mages wanted to avoid. Years ago, mages realized that only by remaining united—or at least avoiding large-scale division or infighting—could they maintain their independent, sovereign status and stand against the continent's great powers.

Though Wei Wuji did not fully grasp all this, he sensed the implications and regarded Warrenheit even more highly. This strong-willed Prime Minister, who advanced by retreating, must hold a status akin to the Chief Daoist of Far East Huaguo—a formidable character indeed.

Still, no matter how much he admired him, action was necessary. Otherwise, Amango’s beloved would be in even greater danger.

With a sigh, Wei Wuji made his move.