Chapter 239
****
The Next day,
The whole North-frontier city was excited as John had made a Big presentation about the Black Death disease in Rose Insitute and gave the solutions regarding this life reaping disease but he only gave the theories while keeping the formulas to himself . There wasn't much hubbub before the lecture but it became big after the Pharmacists got to know about the contents of John's lecture .
One of the Pharmacists spoke enthusiastically after hearing John's lecture, "I never thought that Black Death was an artificially made disease and could have such a solution . The most important conclusion was that it was a parasite that affected those with low magic power . It seems, our army had encountered this disease and hence the extreme measures employed by Lord John to tackle it . You should have been present yesterday, you missed a big opportunity to see such a lecture which would be recorded in history for the next coming years . I guess this would also develop the next generation of Pharmacists after this example . "
One of the Pharmacists spoke as he was in his lab yesterday, "Well, this entire lecture was recorded so there is no problem even if I missed it . It will be there at the Rose Institute so I will head there later on and research more on that case after borrowing the books . Anyway, currently most of the Pharmacists are hired by the Administrative headquarters, I too am going since the pay is good . Do you know anything about it?"
"As far as I know, It is certainly related to this war so that is the reason for higher pay . And another reason is that there are few Light magicians in our domain and hence the bigger reliance on us . "
Foreign Minister Anin looked at the report given by his assistant and asked, "Are you sure that this news is true?"
The assistant nodded and spoke, "Yes, Milord . I have personally verified it . I was at the lecture previously with our Pharmacist and he said that this was very big news . It seems they certainly know the source of this problem and may have already created a drug which can nullify it . "
He continued, "However, the bigger matter right now is, Previously Minister Taylor invited us to attend their biggest Auction today . He hinted that we will be more surprised today after visiting that Auction . From my sources, I know that Demon Prince Chad's assistant too is going to attend this auction . The only ones that are not being invited are Ambassador Luke and his mates . I think you know the reason behind that . I expect them to introduce the cures for Black Death at this auction . "
Anin asked with a serious face, "Did you remind him about our lost ships in the north-sea and their consequences?"
The Assistant nodded and spoke, "Yes, however, Interior Minister Taylor is quite stubborn, It seems currently their policy is coming from King John himself . So we can't influence it . He said that any misadventure at Winter City and Aurora Island will lead to consequences for which they won't be responsible . Today, they will officially announce the existence of Winter City, Aurora City and other wild areas that they are trying to tame or have already tamed . "
The assistant spoke with a grave tone, "However, they gave us another piece of important information which would be useful to us . "
Anin furrowed his brows and asked, "What is it?"
He spread out a map and pointed towards some locations, "Duke Norman too is expanding his lands at North with the permission of the Royal family while carefully avoiding areas that are being occupied by Lord John himself . These are the places where they are trying to occupy the northlands . "
Anin shockingly asked as he never expected this sort of development, "What! They are already occupying all the wild areas in the North? Now, this is big news . We must inform the other ministers . "
The Assistant continued and spoke in a grave manner, "The reason they gave us this information is that It seems they want to strengthen their relations with other powers . I guess, the Fire-abyss kingdom too will be alarmed by these moves . "
Anin sighed and thought, 'If we had just moved a year or two earlier, then we would have been able to capture those lands and get a permanent base near Aelius . But all is ruined because of those Ballistas . '
He sighed and spoke, "I guess, we were too greedy to swallow everyone up near our borders and waited for too long . "
The assistant spoke, "Yes, the Fire-abyss kingdom too is alarmed . However, they are more worried about Duke Friedreich Bluesea's Borders and Count John's Borders meeting up after this expansion . This would basically strengthen both Sky Kingdom and Duke Fredreich . "
Duke Anin murmured, "It seems this auction will be very important from the way they are promoting it . "
Assistant worriedly asked, "Lord, What about General Nokhud and their Raid at Winter city?"
Anin smiled and spoke, "If they(Sky Kingdom) are able to repel it . We will simply say that we thought there was some foreign power and hence sent an expedition . We only got to know about their occupation after today's announcement . If they are not able to repel it, we can ask for some big concessions from their side like getting back Tornwall or some of their technologies . In the end, Might is Right . We are anyway prepared for Diplomatic as well as Military measures . Are you clear?"
The Assistant nodded and spoke, "Yes, Milord . "
Anin murmured as his assistant left, "I hope we don't lose too many men . Anyway, I should check up on Greg, Jackson and others . "
***
Darius's Assistant meanwhile got a report from his men and took the bottle and unencrypted it to read the message .
He read the message which was related to Lord Evan who was previously assassinated, "Hmmm . . . Now, this is big . Should I report it to General? Nah, I will directly pass on this message to Strategist Jonas and other ministers . From the looks of it, General Darius is very much in this war because of his personal hate for Count John where he lost his brother so he may suppress this news and try to use it to his advantage . I need to make preparations . "
****
At the Auction,
Currently, Georgio was keenly looking at the movements of John and all the other Aristocrats who were participating with much enthusiasm .
He murmured as he watched diplomats and ministers of various kingdoms, "I guess they are going to reveal something big and hence the big movements today . "
He smiled as he looked at Ambassador Luke who was coming in as if he was a thief .
"Serves them right . "
Meanwhile Ambassador Luke was quite irritated as he had to attend this auction from the commoner sitting arrangements while hiding his face at the same time .
He irritatingly murmured, "Damn it . It is certainly suspicious that all of these aristocrats are present here . Something is definitely going on . Why were we so anxious to get our hands in this pit thinking it was gold mine . "
His assistant asked as he observed Luke's current mood, "Milord, I think it is related to the cure of Black Death and their medicines . What do you think?"
Luke shrugged it off and spoke in a grave manner, "What about it? Nothing to do with us . We will report them as usual . It is the ministers who will deal with Black Death and the recent cure which Count John has introduced . More than Black Death I am more worried about the presence of those dwarves and demons . I hope they don't sign a deal with them or else it would be disastrous for us . The very advantage that we have will all go to waste if they ally with Bryndyll . Even those Demons have visited this Auction today . It would be very troublesome to deal with them together . "
He thought, 'Well on the positive side, the Dwarves will get on bad terms with the Fjords . '
Meanwhile, Anin smiled as he saw that Luke was currently hiding his face and seated at the commoner area to observe the Auction .
He thought of some idea after finding them out, 'Aah those arrogant guys are quite docile today . I must have some fun teasing them . '
Anin slowly approached Luke and mocked him, "hahahaha, It seems that even the Mighty Aelius can't do anything to a rebel . Well, I guess it was natural that Count John rebelled against the greed of your king and his ministers who were hoping to eat Dragon meat without putting in any effort . Well, you guys were still lucky to get those Ballistas without any research . If we were in your place we would have never treated Count John and his men with such contempt . I guess that is the difference between Aelius and Bryndyll when it comes to treating their researchers . "
One of Luke's guards couldn't take in any slander and immediately roared, "You dare slander Aelius and the Royal family?"
Anin smiled as he saw one of Luke's guards taking the bait of his words, He smiled and further provoked them, "Yeah, What if I am? You know this isn't Aelius where your brute force would work . "
He smiled and pointed near the guards at Auction, "If you want, you can try using your authority on them . I don't think they would mind me slandering Aelius, no, they would be delighted hearing it . "
With a serious face, Luke asked Anin after hearing him, "What do you mean, Minister Anin?"
Anin gave a cunning smile and spoke, "As you guessed, we are going to recognize the Sky Kingdom after some negotiations . You see I got orders from Ministers at Bryndyll that they were quite satisfied with the gift provided by Diplomat Phillip . And if you are offended for this land being called the Sky Kingdom, then show me that this is Aelius . I don't see any authority or Power of Aelius or the Royal Family over here . "
With a dark face, Luke didn't refute because he knew that if he created a ruckus then he and his men would be thrown out immediately . They had already lost face when they were the only ones who were not invited at this auction .
He signaled his guard to calm down and headed the other way, He murmured, "I guess we need to tolerate this humiliation for now . "
A lot of guys were clamoring as they identified that it was Ambassador Luke and his men,
One of the Demon diplomats smiled as he saw Ambassador Luke, "Hmmm . . . This is quite interesting . It seems something big is happening today at this auction as even Luke disregarding his face is coming here personally . No wonder Ministers wanted me to attend this Auction . I guess this is the effect of that Cure for Black Death . "
He gazed in a different direction but couldn't find the source, "Hmm . . . What is this ominous aura? I guess I am hallucinating a lot these days after arriving at this City . "
