In early March of Imperial Year 2513, the Grass Festival took place at the Skydome Fortress.
The Grand Assembly of Garon was held once again.
After many years, the Skydome Fortress was still bustling with activity. Hundreds of official witches and their apprentices already made the fortress feel crowded, and during the Grand Assembly, additional guests and observers flooded in, making the place even more chaotic.
Lining the high castle corridors were stone golems, most sculpted in the shapes of beasts or giants. Red carpets stretched down the halls, and the massive tapestries depicted various stories, showcasing the history of the Garon Council. Despite its age, the Skydome Fortress still held many secrets within its ancient and little-known corners. Even Margarita, the Garon Council's Speaker, didn't know where some of the hidden paths led.
The Garon Council was founded after the Great Holy War, but its origins could be traced back to the time of the Three Emperors. During this chaotic period, political disputes and enmity plagued the Empire as the three emperors—Marienburg, Talabecland, and Stirland—constantly clashed (later replaced by the Wolf Emperor, Reikland Emperor, and Talabecland Emperor). Behind these emperors stood the Empire's three major churches: the White Wolf Church supported the Wolf Emperor, the Justice Church backed the Reikland Emperor, and the Nature Church sided with the Talabecland Emperor.
The first Talabecland Emperor during the Three Emperors era was a female ruler named Ottilia III. After losing the election to the Stirland Elector, she refused to accept her defeat and allied with the White Wolf and Nature Churches, publicly declaring that Emperor Sigmar was merely a man who had declared himself a god. She claimed that Sigmar was an emperor but not a deity, and thus the electoral system left behind by him was a decaying old order that needed reform.
Her solution was to declare herself the Empress of the Empire.
At the same time, Marienburg also declared its own emperor. The Stirland Emperor engaged Ottilia III in battle but was soundly defeated at the Battle of Talabec. In this conflict, Ottilia III demonstrated her brilliance—swift thinking, keen tactical acumen, and unmatched courage on the battlefield. She defeated the Stirland Emperor with a smaller force, and from that point, the Empire fractured further. Her actions inspired all contenders for the throne to realize that anyone with enough courage and power could claim the title of emperor.
Thus began the era of the Three Emperors.
Although Ottilia III never achieved her dream of becoming Empress of the Empire, she found that only her own territories recognized her authority. In order to consolidate her rule, she defied the Empire's ban on sorcery, offering high wages to attract many wizards to her court. Due to her personal preferences, most of those who received positions were female sorceresses. Eventually, these sorceresses formed their own organization, known as the Sorceress Assembly.
This was the precursor to the Garon Council, though at this time the Sorceress Assembly remained illegal. They operated as Ottilia's advisory council, offering magical assistance in her court.
It wasn't until the eve of the Great Holy War, when the Empire was on the brink of destruction, that Ludwig the Savior, a devout priest of the Justice Church and a minor noble from the countryside of Nuln, united the Empire's forces. The Sorceress Assembly joined Talabecland's forces under Ottilia and gambled everything on Ludwig. Their bet paid off as Ludwig defeated the Chaos hordes and rebuilt the Empire. Thanks to their political maneuvering, the Sorceress Assembly gained official recognition and the right to operate openly.
In a gathering of over a hundred witches at the Skydome Fortress, the Sorceress Assembly declared the abandonment of their old name and officially renamed themselves the Garon Council.
This was the history of the Garon Council.
Sitting in her room, Veronica Bernadotte, a rising star who had ascended to the middle rank of the Sanctuary within just forty years, was in a good mood as she reviewed various documents. Despite her room being mostly emptied, the beautiful Garon witch, with her radiant complexion, found joy simply sitting on a chair watching her apprentices pack things.
Veronica had decided to fully distance herself from the Garon Council. She would retain her title as a Garon Elder but lead more than a hundred witches and apprentices to Bretonnia to establish a southern branch. This would create a North and South Council.
Though her dream had been to become Speaker, Veronica found this outcome satisfactory. She was content with the balance between her personal life and her career. Backed by Ryan's influence, she had ample resources and military power, and she could conduct her research without interference.
She was quite pleased with this arrangement.
Today, Veronica wore a stunning, light blue dress with white feathers, paired with a white fox-fur coat. The gown's elven silk fabric delicately accentuated her graceful figure. Underneath, she wore an enchanted elven undershirt. Her long, soft black-brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her sweet and lively face was filled with joy. As she watched her apprentices move her belongings, her legs, clad in sheer, patterned stockings, stretched out lazily. Her feet, encased in black, pearl-studded, open-toed heels, rested comfortably as she asked her apprentice, Catherine, who had recently advanced to Legendary status during the Eight Peaks Expedition, "Catherine, are you really coming with me to Bretonnia?"
"I'll follow my mentor wherever you go," Catherine replied softly, wearing the standard red robe of a Garon witch over a form-fitting black dress. Unlike Veronica, she wore black tights and brown ankle boots. Having admired Veronica since her early years, Catherine was unwavering in her loyalty. "Wasn't that decided already?"
"Decided?" Veronica smiled knowingly but didn't elaborate. Instead, she asked, "And the gifts I arranged—were they delivered?"
"They were, Mentor," Catherine said, her face reddening under her mentor's scrutinizing gaze, as if her private thoughts were laid bare.
"What's the word?" Veronica sipped her coffee, adding sugar and milk with a beautifully crafted silver spoon—a piece of royal tableware from Ryan's palace. Like all witches, Veronica enjoyed a life of luxury. She gestured for her apprentices to leave, signaling Catherine to continue.
"Four Legendary witches have agreed to follow you to Bretonnia: Life witch Noor, Death and Shadow witch Phyllis, Light witch Rita, and Sky witch Clara. Additionally, Legendary witches Laura and Matilda from the Light and Fire schools, respectively, have expressed willingness to join you," Catherine reported from a notebook filled with names.
In total, more than a dozen Garon witches were willing to join Veronica in establishing the southern branch.
"And what about Aurora and Teresa? Are they prepared for their likely expulsion from the council?" Veronica crossed her legs, aware of the power she now held. She knew that her status as a Sanctuary witch wasn't the sole reason for her influence. Much of it stemmed from the man behind her—Ryan.
However, sharing that man with Teresa created an awkward dynamic. Veronica was confident that even if Aurora were voted out, the council would allow her ample time to pack up and leave with dignity.
How ironic, Veronica thought, chuckling to herself. She had clearly surpassed Teresa. The "Garon princess" had yet to find her path to advancing to Sanctuary.
"Also, Mentor, your meeting with the Speaker is scheduled for 3 p.m. It's already 2 p.m.," Catherine reminded her.
"I know, I'll get ready." Veronica nodded, her thoughts turning serious. Even someone as bold as Veronica couldn't help but feel a sense of gravity when it came to Speaker Margarita. While the Speaker's power was about equal to Veronica's, being a high-level Sanctuary sorceress, her nearly 300 years of experience made her formidable. Veronica approached the meeting with caution.
Outside, snow and wind howled. The peaks surrounding the Skydome Fortress were eternally covered in snow. As she gazed through the glass window at the swirling chaos outside, Veronica let out a soft sigh.
About fifty minutes later, Veronica made her way to the central tower for her meeting with her mentor. It had been five or six years since she had last seen Margarita.
The central tower was the heart of the Garon Council and a restricted area. Margarita spent most of her time inside, conducting her research. Ever since Ludwig the Savior had disappeared after removing his crown, Margarita had become even more reclusive. As Veronica walked toward the central tower, she could feel the whispers and envious stares of the other witches. They saw her rapid ascent—surpassing what many could achieve in a lifetime—with a mixture of admiration, jealousy, and resentment. In the world of witches, resources were limited, and those with more left others with less. Even though Veronica hadn't used council resources, few witches considered this fact.
But Veronica ignored the gossip. She liked something Ryan often said: True strength comes from within, not from what others think of you.
After reciting a secret phrase, the painting of Ludwig the Savior at the door shifted, allowing Veronica to enter. She climbed the spiral staircase up several floors until she reached a large door. Knocking softly, she called out, "Mentor?"
"Come in," came a gentle voice from inside. Veronica pushed open the black-painted door, which bore a family crest of a golden griffon—an emblem gifted to Margarita by Ludwig the Savior.
Though she had visited many times before, Veronica was still awestruck by the opulence of Margarita's private office.
The warm-toned room was filled with furniture crafted from the
finest wood in the world—purple sandalwood. Directly opposite the entrance was a large desk inlaid with jewels and ancient runes, with rows of magical books, a self-writing quill, and a globe used for long-distance communication.
Veronica recognized the globe as a high-grade communication device made from vibranium and mithril, which allowed Margarita to contact anyone within the Skydome Fortress or, if needed, the entire Old World.
Behind the desk stood two towering bookshelves filled with rare and valuable tomes, some of which chronicled the history of the Elven Empire and the Human Mage Empire, and others that contained ancient, forgotten spells and elven runes.
Two staircases on either side of the office led to a door on the second floor, which was Margarita's private quarters.
Margarita, the Speaker of the Garon Council, sat behind her desk. When she saw Veronica, her stern expression didn't change, and she didn't even look up. "Oh? Veronica, you're a bit early. Take a seat, I'll be done soon."
"Yes, Mentor." Veronica pulled up a chair and sat down. Margarita's face was hidden behind piles of scrolls and books as she worked on something. Sensing that Veronica had seated herself, Margarita continued, "There's wine, fruit liquor, mead, tea from Cathay, and sake from Nippon in the cabinet. Help yourself to whatever you like."
"No need, Mentor," Veronica replied, sitting upright like the timid apprentice she had once been when Margarita first took her under her wing.
"You've always been such a relief—much less trouble than Katarin, at least!" Margarita said, her voice weary. "Katarin sent word that Kislev's political situation is unstable, so she won't be attending the Grand Assembly. It's the outcome we anticipated. What do you think, Veronica?"
"There's not much to say, Mentor," Veronica replied, after some thought. "But I've heard that Ryan's General Belia has been ferrying Kislevites out by the boatload, especially scholars, skilled workers, and Urugan elites."
"Hmph!" Margarita snorted. "An inevitable conclusion. Nothing more to say."
"In the third row of the second shelf in the cabinet, there's some candied pineapple. Help yourself while I finish up. We have much to discuss, Veronica—my last direct disciple."
"Yes, Mentor." Veronica's heart stirred. She wasn't sure what Margarita meant by calling her the last disciple. Was she naming Veronica her successor? Was she planning to retire? Or perhaps she was nearing the end of her life?
Any of these were possible—or perhaps none. It could simply be a test.
Veronica decided to remain silent.
After another ten minutes, Margarita finally indicated that she had finished her work.
"Veronica, I have a question for you."
"Please ask, Mentor."
"What was the original purpose, or shall we say, the ultimate goal, of the Garon Council?"
"It is…"
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