Margarita's face showed signs of age. She wore a pair of red half-frame glasses, her black-brown hair was pinned up with a hairclip, and she donned a deep black robe over a dark green gown that reached the floor. Compared to a few years ago, the wrinkles on her face—forehead lines, crow's feet, and nasolabial folds—were more pronounced. Yet, her deep eyes and calm expression remained unchanged. "Tell me, my disciple."
Veronica felt a twinge of complexity in her heart as she thought, My mentor was quite a beauty in her younger days.
"The purpose of the Garon Council since its inception has been to protect the interests of magic, preserve its survival, and promote its power," Veronica replied softly, knowing the textbook answer. "As for the ultimate goal, it is to establish a nation ruled entirely by wizards—a Wizarding Empire of our own."
"That's the standard answer." Margarita nodded but then shook her head. "But tell me, Veronica, have you already strayed from the path laid out by the Garon Council's original intent and its ultimate goal? Should I regard your actions as a betrayal?"
"No." Veronica responded calmly, shaking her head. "The ultimate goal and what I'm doing now are not contradictory, Mentor. We must be practical. Right now, the best option is for me to establish my independence and become Ryan's vassal."
"Becoming a vassal isn't exactly the best way to build a Wizarding Empire, Veronica," Margarita said with a hint of sarcasm and amusement. "Are you truly content to be your King Ryan's vassal, merely his chief courtier? Not even his wife?"
"What do I have to compete with Lady Sulia?" Veronica replied with a touch of frustration in her voice. "Behind her stands the entire nobility of Bretonnia. Even Ryan's claim to the throne and the title of Duke of Mousillon come through his marriage to Lady Sulia. How can I compete with that? Honestly, I'm lucky that Lady Sulia hasn't driven me out."
"Is that so? Tell me, Veronica, are you truly content with this? Do you believe this is enough for you?" Margarita's voice remained steady and unyielding, almost to the point of rigidity. "To be a vassal? A royal courtier? What about our ultimate goal?"
"That's merely our highest aspiration," Veronica replied, unsure of what Margarita was truly getting at. Deciding to speak plainly, she continued, "If we're talking about the highest goal, then Empress Katarin has already achieved it—she rules her own nation. And if we narrow the scope, Mentor, even you never became the Empire's Royal Archmage. At least I've become the chief courtier."
"Hah, still as sharp as ever." Margarita gave a cold chuckle, nodding slowly. "Knowing your limits and what you can accomplish—that's good. You're right. Establishing a Wizarding Empire is our highest goal, which means it's the most distant and ultimate objective. But deep down, we all know that the real model of the Garon Council is to mass-produce courtier-witches, marry them off to noble lords, and act as advisors, mentors, or even critics, to expand our influence."
"Yes, I've thought about this many times. The Garon Council was never realistically positioned to create an independent nation," Veronica agreed. She then looked puzzled. "But, Mentor, if you know this so clearly, why ask me?"
"Because I was afraid you didn't understand it," Margarita replied, narrowing her eyes. "I know you, my disciple. You're competitive, always wanting to be first, never willing to lose. Over the years, you've outshone many of your rivals, including Teresa, Aurora, and even Kalayrona. I feared that you might not know your limits—that you might think you could control someone like Ryan. He's exceptional, brilliant—a man who rose from knight to king in just twenty years. Do you think there aren't countless women drawn to him? I'm worried that, if you don't understand this, one day he'll cast you out, just like that wild little kitten who didn't know when to stop."
"He won't," Veronica quickly countered, shaking her head. "I trust Ryan. He would never do something like that."
"You're right, Ryan won't throw you out of his court—not when you were his first woman. But he could strip you of your position as chief courtier and revoke your status as his vassal. He could keep you in his court to warm his bed, but that's not the same as casting you out, is it? If one day you lose your influence, do you think Ryan would hesitate to reduce you to that role?" Margarita's cold smile deepened. "Do you know why I didn't become Ludwig's chief courtier but instead founded the Garon Council? First, men are unreliable. Second, rulers are often ruthless. And sometimes, how you are dealt with isn't even up to them."
Veronica's expression darkened. She didn't want to admit it, but Margarita wasn't wrong. If she fell from favor, Ryan wouldn't kill or exile her, but locking her up as a pampered prisoner, a caged bird—was that out of the question?
"What do you suggest, Mentor?" Veronica asked, now fully paying attention.
"My suggestion?" Margarita's tone grew even more serious. "Our ultimate goal, the Wizarding Empire, is fine as a slogan to rally the apprentices, to ignite their enthusiasm. But don't take it too seriously. You're about to lead a new branch, so you need to be clear on your role: What are you to Ryan? How are you useful to him? What can you do for him? You need to think these things through carefully, or conflict with him will be inevitable in the future."
"I understand." Veronica bowed her head. Margarita could see that her disciple had truly listened. Margarita knew that Veronica was a capable woman, adept at navigating relationships, with both exceptional beauty and talent. Normally, someone like her wouldn't need much advice, but Margarita felt it was necessary. Veronica's status had changed. Once in Bretonnia, she would no longer have Margarita's oversight and guidance within the council.
So she repeated her warning: "Your appearance and charm are advantages, but you cannot rely on them forever. Truly remarkable men will always have women around them. You must demonstrate what makes you unique—show him your true value."
"I understand, Mentor. Thank you for your guidance," Veronica responded solemnly.
"This afternoon, while you were absent, the vote was held, and it was decided to expel Aurora from the council. She has one month to pack up and leave the Skydome Fortress. Veronica, do you think we've won?" Margarita smiled, a smile that deepened the wrinkles on her face, but for a fleeting moment, Veronica could see the allure her mentor must have had in her youth. Lowering her head, she couldn't help but feel a bit smug as she replied, "Mentor, she was your rival for decades. I still remember how she constantly opposed you and used her influence to suppress me. Isn't this a good outcome?"
"Oh? So, you're still holding a grudge over what happened back then? Like when Aurora sent her daughter Teresa to compete for Ryan's affections? Or when she intentionally oppressed you?" Margarita's smile faded, replaced by a somber look. "Do you truly believe Aurora's expulsion is a good thing?"
Before Veronica could answer, Margarita continued on her own: "The Empire is vast, with a large population. It's well known that the northern regions of the Empire are poor, with the Black Forest covering much of the land. Beastmen and greenskin tribes run rampant within it."
"In contrast, the southern regions of the Empire are rich in resources, with many rivers, fertile fields, and thriving economies. They face fewer threats overall."
"The north, however, is home to many hardy humans. They are fierce fighters, devoted to Ulric, the god of wolves, and Taal, the god of nature. Similarly, the south is populated by people who prefer discipline and scholarship, with a greater reverence for the gods of justice and war. Though they can fight in close quarters, they prefer ranged weapons and magic."
"The Empire cannot abandon the north just because its land is poor and its people prefer close combat. Nor can it overly rely on northern troops simply because the north is the frontline against Chaos," Margarita stated coldly. "This has always been the case—an organization must understand balance. Ryan knows this, and so should you."
"If the north becomes uncontrollable, it must be dealt with. That's why Aurora was expelled from the council. Similarly, if the south becomes too dominant, it too must be addressed. That's why I'm sending you to establish the southern branch!" Margarita's voice grew more severe as she fixed her gaze on Veronica. "Do you think this is a victory for us? No, it's not my victory, nor Aurora's, nor yours! What you're proposing is for the Garon Council to abandon the north and favor the south."
"Mentor!" Veronica swallowed hard, realizing now what Margarita was truly saying.
"Aurora was invited into the Garon Council by me! I brought her in deliberately to give myself an opponent, a target for my people. Otherwise, they would have set their sights on me instead." Margarita's eyes burned with the fire of hell as she continued, "But now, that balance has been shattered, which is why Aurora was expelled. And you, too, must leave the council!"
Veronica's face paled. She stared at Margarita as if seeing her mentor
for the first time. Her long legs, wrapped in sheer patterned stockings, trembled uncontrollably. For the first time, Veronica felt like all her thoughts and ambitions were exposed before her mentor's gaze.
"Once balance is lost, and one side grows too powerful, without opposition or oversight, the situation becomes dangerous. Look at Kislev, at Empress Katarin. She and her Ice Witches control the entire kingdom, but what has that kingdom become under their rule? Can wizards truly govern a kingdom? The ancient Wizard Empire, and now Kislev, have given us the clearest answer."
"Ryan, Ludwig—it doesn't matter. They are both excellent leaders, and they are both ruthless. They will allow us a place in their courts and let us become important figures in their lives. But, Veronica, you must understand—they won't abandon the north for the south. They might let us hold power, but we should never attempt to completely crush our rivals and make ourselves supreme. That would be like a flood overwhelming the mountain."
Margarita's voice grew dry and raspy as she bore down on Veronica. "Don't make my mistake. I lost to Lord Teclis because of this and was forced to leave his court to establish the Garon Council!"
"I'm teaching you this now: Unless Ryan himself orders it, don't try to push Teresa or Aurora out of his court. If you do, the one who ends up demoted from chief courtier to bedwarmer will be you!"
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