"A peak Mage? Who exactly are you? This is a private matter of Mandrake territory. I represent the will of the Mandrake Duke. If you don't want to bring trouble upon yourself, it's best not to interfere with the affairs of Mandrake lands."
Uriel looked at Witt with a grave expression. This mage was far stronger than him, and he wasn't confident he could defeat him outright. With his two 3rd-tier bodyguards, he might have a fifty-fifty chance. But a 4th-tier Exalted like this was core-level talent in any faction. A young mage stepping into the 4th tier without resources must have a powerful organization behind him. But could any organization rival his duke? The Mandrake Duke represented the official power of the entire Mandrake territory, backed by the whole Sacrifice Kingdom, and even beyond that, the Underworld Empire. A small secretive organization couldn't possibly compete.
"Ah, I seem to have been rude; I haven't properly introduced myself."
Witt saw Uriel's intimidating yet hesitant demeanor and gave a sly smile. "I am Witt, from the Skoll School of the Scholars' Nation…"
"Scholars' Nation?"
Uriel interrupted him sharply. In his eyes, any interference from the Scholars' Nation in Mandrake affairs was diplomatic provocation. "I don't see why your Scholars' Nation has any right to meddle in Mandrake matters. Or perhaps…" He shifted his gaze to Hel. "Fourth Young Master, you've betrayed the Mandrake family and Mandrake lands, allying with another nation."
The accusation was full of malice. If Hel admitted it, the Mandrake Duke could legitimately revoke her title and lands. If she didn't, Witt's involvement could escalate this into a diplomatic incident, forcing the Sacrifice Kingdom to side with the Duke for the sake of face.
"Relax," Witt said, looking at the cunning old man. "By the way, the newly ennobled King-tier mage Lady Viola of the Scholars' Nation is a close friend of my lord's maternal grandfather. My decision to come to Mandrake lands and join my lord's forces is partially because of this connection. So I advise you—think carefully before speaking, or else…"
He didn't finish the threat, but the meaning was clear.
"King-tier?" Uriel hadn't expected the Heim Marquis's network to be so strong. They had assumed he was just a down-and-out noble from the western continent, strong but not extraordinarily connected. Yet he actually knew a King-tier mage. If they'd known, the Duke wouldn't have used Hel to maneuver in Heim territory.
But it was too late now. Since Hel was still alive, it was likely she already suspected the poison plot. Tracing identities could lead straight to the Duke, and Hel probably already knew the mastermind. They had clearly offended her.
Uriel, stubborn as ever, said, "I'm here not for anything else, only to deliver the Duke's orders. The beastmen invasion will only become more rampant. For your safety and for the tens of thousands of citizens in Heim City, retreating to Mandrake City is your best option."
He pushed the order across the table in front of Hel. Hel frowned, thinking for a moment, then addressed Witt: "Witt, I remember the Empire has laws similar to this emergency wartime order, right?"
"Yes, Young Master."
Witt pulled out his treasured copy of the Underworld Empire Constitution and flipped to the relevant section. "According to Article 3 of the Lords Chapter, when a territory faces an invincible invasion, a lord may order their subordinate minor lords to abandon their lands and return to the main city. But the lord's orders are not mandatory—they only remove the restriction forcing minor lords to defend their lands. They cannot compel retreat."
"So, dear steward," Hel smiled at Uriel, "do you intend to violate the Empire's constitution to enforce your so-called orders? Or does the Mandrake Duke possess supreme legislative power above the Empire?"
Uriel broke into a cold sweat. Damn, how had he not realized this brat was so sharp? Supreme legislative power over the Empire? Legislative authority across the three great empires rests with the Imperial Parliament, not a small duchy—or even a kingdom.
"Heh, Fourth Young Master, you jest. The Duke's actions are for the people of Heim lands. Heim City is small; perhaps you were lucky to defend it, but how will you face the next beastmen invasion? After winter, the invaders will not be those cannon-fodder beastmen."
"Don't worry about that. We have our own solutions. So you might as well go back where you came from."
"Is that so?" Uriel glanced at Hel meaningfully, then stood and glared at her, gritting his teeth: "Fourth Young Master, do you think you can represent all of Heim City?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing… by the way, the time should be about right."
At that moment, the conference room door was knocked again. Outside, the young maid Anna's voice called:
"Young Master, the city's nobles have arrived."