Supreme Magus novel Chapter 316

Friya was too weak to fight and Quylla was barely alive. They would be dead weight in the battle that was still ahead of them.

As soon as they crossed over, Phloria closed the Warp Steps.

"What do you think you are doing?" Orion was shocked.

"I already lost too much today." Phloria’s eyes kept weeping, but her voice was steady.

"I’m not going to hide somewhere while you two risk your lives. Mom, dad. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happens to you. Not while knowing I could have made a difference. Yurial is dead because of me."

"No, dear." Jirni caressed her shoulder, honoring her daughter’s determination.

"Yurial is dead because of Nalear. You didn’t make Quylla your slave. You didn’t order her to hurt him nor you prevented the arrival of the healers who could have saved him. Let’s put an end to this madness."

***

Milea Genys, the Magic Empress of the Gorgon Empire, had seen many awful things during her life as both wandering magician and ruler of her country. Yet seeing so many youths turned into beasts and lose their lives was a sight even her found disturbing.

"Leegaain, why did you bring me here? What’s the point in watching this massacre and do nothing?" The fight between the two Awakened seemed out of a bard tale. Unlike the three Guardians, Milea couldn’t avert her eyes from the bloodshed taking place on all five floors of the White Griffon.

"Because I wanted you to see first hand what was the Gorgon Empire when I left it. One thing is reading history books, another is living it." Leegaain explained.

"If you want to prevent such things from happening again during your rule, you must be brave enough to take unpopular decisions. Avoid grave problems long enough and everything will fester."

"Being a ruler it’s not a popularity contest." Salaark snorted. "Those idiots of the Griffon Kingdom achieved such a long peace that they were afraid of the conflict with the noble households. Without conflict, there is no progress.

"They should have thought of the consequences of letting powerful people become even more powerful would have in the long term, instead of prioritizing the status quo. It ended with the Royal family almost losing its dominance.

"It would have caused a civil war that would have lasted years. Remember, powerful people already have all the means they need to protect themselves. If you let them, they’ll drain your authority. A stable country requires balance and shared resources."

"Indeed." Tyris nodded. "My only hope is that, just like for Balkor, this bloodshed will bring some real changes. The royals have finally opened their eyes, now it’s time for the nobles to see the errors of their way or get condemned by history."

***

Nalear was surrounded by undead students who stared at her with looks full of hunger and hatred. Their usually pristine white uniforms were tainted by blood and excrement, releasing a foul stench that would make hard for most people not to puke.

To Nalear it was just another day.

It was the exact same thing she felt every time she watched one of those disgusting stuck up noble kids walk along the corridors of the White Griffon like they owned the place. Nalear had suffered them ever since her first year of academy, back when she was just twelve years.