Chapter 486: Balance
Edward's meeting with the people with private Demi-planes did not spread to the general public. However, it spread amongst other Arcanists–especially the Tower Masters living in Academy City.
Acquiring a tower in that city is one of the highest honors of the Empire. It is a status of strength, power, and acknowledgment of one's achievements.
And after receiving the tower, most people will stay there and do their research. As such, it's not a problem for them to have one or multiple Demi-planes on the towers.
However, there are political implications behind the towers. With all these talented Arcanists in one place, it is easier to monitor and essentially control them.
Many people do not like such a fact. So, many Tower Masters would leave their towers empty and have their research laboratory in their own residence across Earth or other places in the Empire's territory.
The Empire's tolerance for these people is very high. After all, they are still people who follow the rules but do not like to be under strict management or regulations.
However, there is a group of Tower Masters who prefer to use private Demi-planes. These people do not only want privacy but absolute control and power over a domain–hence the Demi-planes.
Based on a Tower Master's choice, they will be placed on a watch list of different levels. The lowest level is those who stay in Academy City; these people are often supporters of the Empire–or at the very least, support order and not abuse their God-like power.
The second level involved those who stayed in the Empire's territory and had deep connections with many of their peers.
Finally, there are the people with private Demi-planes, the group full of ambitious individuals.
After the news spread, many of these Tower Masters in the third level acted. Some returned to Academy City, while a few also gave up their private Demi-plane.
These people were smart and understood the Emperor's tolerance of them had lowered. As the brightest mind of the Empire, their value also corresponds to a dangerous threat.
As such, despite the Emperor's love for talent, he might begin to secretly liquidate them. The Ghost Squad was not a joke. If those lunatics decided to quietly eliminate them, only a few people might survive.
Well, that was the thought of many people prior to recent events. Now, people knew the Empire had a way to stop time for the entire planet. Although they guessed the price for deploying such technology must be enormous, it would not matter to the Emperor if he truly wanted to eliminate them.
So, as an act of precaution and to send a signal of their obedience or change of mind.
After his chat with Luna and Morgana, Edward spent the next few hours checking the media and Skynet to check people's reactions to recent events.
The word "traitor" has become a little sensitive during this war. However, the populace was shocked that someone of that caliber betrayed the Empire and became a terrorist.
Luckily, everything was still under control, and the people did not panic. So, Edward created another clone to work on the Dimensional Wall that separated those people with Demi-planes.
Finally, he decided to take a break by taking a long bath and sleeping. It has been years since he slept–if he did not count fun times with any of his wives. So, he chose to relax for the next few hours until his meeting with the Black Clover Squads.
After arriving at the destination, everyone was already there: the Captains, Asta and Yuno, Queen Lolopechka, representatives from the Eastern Continent, and many other people.
As soon as Edward appeared, everyone was either drinking, eating, or chatting. However, he could sense a weird mood or atmosphere in the venue.
"Sir Wizard King. No, I mean, his majesty, the Arcane Emperor," said one of the Vice-Captains who first saw Edward. Everyone finally noticed him and saluted together.
There was disharmony with all these people talking together because some people called [Wizard King] while others called [Arcane Emperor]. A few people started calling him one name before changing midway.
"Be at ease," said Edward with a smile before heading near a bonfire and sitting on a log. He immediately became the center of attention but did not pay attention to such a thing.
After sitting down, his adopted daughter–Charmy–handed him a large piece of meat, followed by a bowl of pasta and rice.
"Thanks," said Edward as he ate ravenously. Edward ate his food, and Charmy kept giving him until he finished the dessert she gave him. Finally, he glanced at the group.
"You guys have become boring," said Edward, and no one knew how to answer these words–except one.
"Can you blame them?" said Yami, who still had his rugged look while smoking his cigarette. He even ignored his sister, who was secretly kicking him as a warning.
"It's good to see you haven't changed," said Edward.
"That's yet to be determined," replied Yami.
Edward nodded, "I'm sure many of you have questions. I will take this time to answer you."
No one immediately spoke. So, after an awkward silence for a few seconds, they looked at Yami. However, he shrugged his shoulders to indicate not to rely on him.
"I will speak," said Fugeoleon, who walked to the front. "Sir, to be honest, I think the majority of us are lost. What is our purpose in this world? Safety? From our observation, the Aurors, Earth Defense Force, and the Imperial Navy are more than enough to protect not only this planet but the territory of the Empire."
As magic knights, they used to protect their kingdoms. But now, they seem to be useless.
"Maybe research?" continued Fugeoleon. "However, most of us are fighters and not good at research. Furthermore, what we can contribute in general to the technology tree of the Empire is very little.
"So, what is our purpose?"
Edward saw a few people nodding their heads, and he could tell the majority of people present agreed with Fugeleon's words. So, he took a moment to organize his words:
"I brought you all here for many reasons. The majority of you are extremely gifted individuals. And after integrating into the Empire and using its resources, you can become some of the strongest Arcanists alive."
Edward squinted his eyes," The Empire is destined to rule over this universe. Our tentacles will stretch to every corner, and many people–the Gods, to be specific–will not allow such a thing. So, I need as many talented individuals as possible for this grand war that's coming.
"And that's not the only reason I brought you back. To be exact, there are two things that only your team can accomplish."
Everyone focused.
"The first one is the Plane Expedition Legion. The Empire has recently discovered the existence of other planes. You can think of them as places like the Underworld and Elysium from your dimension.
"I will create a legion of people to infiltrate certain planes and slowly rise from the ground up. The members of these regions need to be talented, willing to take risks, and flexible enough to succeed in such a dangerous mission.
"Many of your magic fits the requirement for this legion," explained Edward, who suddenly paused as he took a drink from Charmy and caressed her head.
"And the final purpose I brought you here is to bring balance to the Empire."
"Balance? I don't think anything needs balance," said Fugeleon.
"The Empire is divided into Scholar and Battle Arcanist. Because of my desire for more knowledge, Scholar Arcanists have a higher status, are stronger, and are more valued.
"Meanwhile, Battle Arcanists do the most dangerous jobs, receive less compensation, and have lower political and economic status. Unfortunately, the situation has reached a point where the balance is too one-sided.
"And that's where you come in. I will use you guys to raise the status of Battle Arcanists and reinstate the balance."
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