The Left Minister stood up as his gaze roamed on the faces of gathered people. “We have received information—Bone Spear Tower is going to attack.”

 Immediately everyone’s eyes went wide. “How could this be?” Oswyn said. “We have fought a great battle with them just about a year before. How could they recover so soon?”

 “They have lost many of their high-level mages. They shouldn’t be in a condition to attack us,” added Eugan.

 “Is the source of information reliable?” Segast said for the very first time. Only Xod was frowning deeply.

 The Left Minister smiled bitterly. “We don’t know how they recover so fast,” he said, “but I can tell you that our source is safe.”

 Oswyn’s gaze moved towards the emperor as he said, “May I know what His Majesty want us to do?”

 The other three leaders also had the same question.

 Kallus Ceston smiled and said, “Of course, you have to send your mages in the war—but don’t worry, I will reward you according to your merits. Other than that,” his piercing gaze roamed on the four leaders, “I want to discuss with you the prices of the artefacts and potions.”

 “Prices of the artefacts and potions?” Eugan frowned. “Your Majesty, is there something wrong with the price?” Of course, he knew Kallus wanted to lower the price for the upcoming war. He was just playing dumb. After all, wartime was the time when artefacts and potions earned the most. How could he let such a wonderful opportunity go to waste? 

Oswyn also narrowed his eyes. Segast was calm as usual, while Xod cared little about it. He was more than happy to lower the price for the war, if he could make the other three houses suffer.

“Mr. Eugan Sweeder,” the Left Minister began. “Have you no loyalty towards your empire? Did you ever wonder how ordinary people would think if they knew about it?”

“You…?!” Eugan almost choked on his saliva. Even a dunce could hear a threat in the Left Minister’s voice, much less a cunning fellow like him. If people knew that he refused to help the empire in time of need, there was no doubt they would boycott him and his family. The royal family just needed to spread a single rumour, and the reputation of his family would go into mud, in a single night.

The Left Minister curled his lips in disdain, but then he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we won’t take advantage of you. We would offer you a decent price. You won’t take any loss, that I promise.”

“I am all ears,” said Eugan, a little more docile than before.

“Good,” the Left Minister nodded in approval. Then he turned towards Kadyn and said, “Mr. Kadyn, can you, please, tell our guests; at what price you are selling the artefacts and potions to our royal family?”

“Oh, sure.” Kadyn stood up with a pleasant smile. “I was selling my artefacts to the royal family at half of the market price. Now, since the war is brewing, I am ready to lower the price even further. How about at 1/4th of the market price?”

“Weren’t you already selling at that price?!” Oswyn almost jumped in shock as he realised what was going on.

Kadyn eyed the man and shook his head. “How is that possible? Do you think it is possible to sell at that price? I would just be able to recover the price of the materials, and to pay the potioneers and artisans, I have to pay from my own pocket. Why would I do such a thing? However, now the time is different. So I am ready to make this little sacrifice.”

“You—you are shameless!” Eugan’s countenance also looked terrible.

“How am I shameless?” Kadyn sneered. “Tell me, is it possible to sell potions and artefacts at 1/4th of the market price? If it is possible, why don’t you sell at that price, too?”

“I—”

The man was completely at a loss for words.

“If it wasn’t for the war,” continued Kadyn, “I would never sell my goods at such a low price. If you don’t believe me—you can ask His Majesty. Ain’t I speaking the truth?”

Kallus’ mouth twitched. He was the majestic emperor, he never thought he had to lie in his life shamelessly—when everyone knew what was the truth.

As he was about to speak, Xod stood up. “It doesn’t matter at what price he sold his goods previously. It is true he is selling them at 1/4th of the market price now.” Then he bowed towards the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I am ready to sell at the same price as Mr. Kadyn.”

“Xod, you—” Oswyn and Eugan clenched their teeth furiously when they saw the situation turning for the worst. Even Segast gave a few glances to Xod. This guy knew how to take advantage of the moment.

Kadyn eyed struggling Oswyn and Eugan and calm Segast. At this moment, Segast stood up and said, “I’m also ready to help the empire. After all, this is the place where I grew up. Even Mr. Kadyn—who arrived just a month or so before—helped us with all of his strength; so how can I be left behind. I would be ashamed of myself if I didn’t help.”

Kadyn gave a few curious glances to the man and nodded in approval. Although he didn’t voice his support immediately, at least, he was better than Eugan and Oswyn, who were still struggling to decide.

Kadyn smiled and asked, “What is your decision Mr. Oswyn and Mr. Eugan? Do you want to help your empire in tough times, or watch as our brave warriors sacrifice themselves due to the lack of artefacts and potions?”

“Fine!” the duo said in unison. “We are ready to help!” 

They glared at Kadyn deeply and sat down with gloomy faces.. The two of them looked as if they had swallowed a rotten fly, but others in the hall were all smiling.