A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 522 Decline

"What's going on? How was Jiang Shuzhou able to invade the Empire?! Why did it take you so long to discover this?!"

Oliver's roar echoed through the Senate.

The other legends, however, remained silent and unresponsive.

The entire empire can be said to consist of three major powers.

The central Senate and the local electors.

Furthermore, there are several factions within the Senate.

Electors, as local military leaders, helped the empire manage the nobles under their command, while the Senate, as a decentralized organization, assisted the emperor in managing these electors.

This situation creates a constraint: if the electors unite, they can overthrow a disunited Senate, but if the Senate unites, it can forcibly suppress all the electors.

However, over the years, neither the Senate nor the Electors have ever reached a consensus.

"The Archimonde family has been confirmed to have betrayed the Empire. Now, what should we do?"

Oliver's face was ashen, a truly pitiful sight. This time, the death and demotion of two high-level legends had greatly dampened the enthusiasm of the other legends.

At least now, the legends are less inclined to confront Jiang Shuzhou.

They are all important figures, honored guests wherever they go, and have no reason to risk their lives.

In the past, when the emperor was still alive, perhaps alliances could be used to suppress the rebellion. But now it's different. The throne is vacant, the princes are fighting among themselves, and various nobles are vying to establish their own independent regimes. It's a scene straight out of the end of an empire.

This is the mistake of the Knight King Caesar back then. If he had infused the Covenant with his own will, would things have turned out this way?

It can only be said that he placed too much faith in the wisdom of his descendants, never expecting that they would ruin the empire like this.

This is to be expected, though. The empire was already in a state of decline, with brutal nobles, outrageous taxes, intensified land annexation, numerous warlords and private armies, and internal factional chaos.

In other words, the empire was strong, had a deep foundation, and was restrained by something like the "destiny" of the alliance, which prevented it from completely exploding.

However, this fragile balance could be broken if an external force intervened.

Previously, the alliance was still effective, so external forces were all kicked out.

However, this time, Jiang Shuzhou came, and the result was naturally different.

"Are you all deaf? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Oliver roared.

However, the other legends remained silent, preferring to do nothing rather than make a mistake.

How many coins? And you're willing to risk your life for the empire?

"Mendetec has a legendary elemental singularity. Since Jiang Shuzhou knocked it down, I'm afraid the resource allocation will be reduced recently."

Oliver said with a cold laugh.

This time, the other legends seemed to come alive instantly, as if triggered by a keyword.

"That won't do. One of my family's younger members has great talent and might even be able to advance to the legendary level. If the resource quota is reduced..."

"We bear no responsibility for Mendeteke's defeat!"

"Exactly, the areas we're guarding are doing quite well, so why are we having our resource allocations reduced?"

These guys will only be willing to make a move or say a few words when it involves their own interests.

"So, what do you suggest we do?"

Oliver fell silent again after he said this.

Jiang Shuzhou was renowned for his prowess. He had killed at least dozens of legendary figures on his own, and had several more legendary figures by his side. Both his combat strength and influence were extremely outrageous.

People like this reminded them of that person.

The legendary mage, Roland the Spellbreaker.

He personally buried and killed the former mage and the powerful goddess of the magic net. In an instant, the once-powerful god fell, and all the legends of the continent were shocked.

Can a legend be this strong?

Now, Roland has left, and Jiang Shuzhou has arrived.

And this time, it's aimed at them.

"If they dare to attack us now, will they attack the Alliance of Saints next? I strongly suggest that we ask the Alliance of Saints for help."

"Agreed! Furthermore, we should lodge a protest with the Mage Alliance! Jiang Shuzhou has overstepped his bounds!"

"Agreed!"

Oliver sighed deeply.

"Then let's leave it at that..."

How long ago did this great empire fall to the point where it had to seek help from other powers for such treacherous officials?

Once the new emperor ascends the throne, reforms must be implemented, otherwise the empire may truly decline slowly.

If Oliver had previously been hesitant about Rosemary's reforms, he now wholeheartedly supports them.

He wants to make the empire great again!

Soon, after discussion, three points were finalized.

The first step was to protest to the Mage Alliance, demanding that Jiang Shuzhou stop the invasion. This was obviously impossible, but we had to try anyway.

Secondly, we should go to the Alliance of Saints and request the support of the gods.

Finally, there was the election of the emperor.

They planned to increase the pressure, even holding a royal selection to bring together the surviving princes and princesses for a final showdown.

This time, they finally understood what it meant for a country to be without a ruler for even a day.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"A nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day, Your Majesty. I implore you to become the King of the North, to carry on the legacy of the late Emperor, to reform the North, and to uphold justice for the common people!"

Inside the specially constructed, magnificent hall, Jiang Shuzhou and Liam were enacting a pre-planned drama.

"Oh, not at all! It's only natural that Rosemary and I have a past relationship. How could I possibly become queen for my own selfish desires?"

Jiang Shuzhou waved his hand, seemingly disagreeing.

"But Your Majesty, if it weren't for you, we would still be being deceived by treacherous officials! You deserve this title!"

Liam spoke with tears streaming down his face, his words filled with anguish, and he was deeply moved.

"Don't say those things. This is what I should do. Don't mention it again."

Amidst the bewildered stares of those around him, Jiang Shuzhou refused once again.

"Please grant this request, just for the sake of the people of the empire."

"I've already said it, I'm not that kind of person. I'm usually very charitable, love peace, and am indifferent to fame and fortune. I have no desire to be made a king."

At this moment, Liam knelt on one knee, then gave a wink to the local Mendetek officials behind him, and immediately everyone knelt down.

"Your Majesty, your kindness and benevolence make you the best candidate to become King Cheng. I think if the late Emperor were still alive, she would have wished for the same thing!"

This time, Jiang Shuzhou sighed deeply.

"Alas, old friend, I never imagined that our parting would be forever separated by death. Well, now the empire is engulfed in war, with treacherous officials causing chaos within and foreign enemies lurking around. I will lend you a hand, first by bestowing upon you the title of King, then by granting you regency, and restoring peace and order to the people of the empire!"

As he talked, even Jiang Shuzhou himself started to believe it.

"It's cold, put on another layer."

Grace, who had been waiting nearby, draped the dragon robe she had prepared over Jiang Shuzhou's shoulders.

"Alas, you have truly caused me great suffering!"