Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1632 - 564: Steel Throne (Part 2)

"Lord Rein, you..." Sword Saint Terrio found himself staring at Rein from head to toe without restraint.

"Lord Terrio, it's best to address him as the Steel Throne." Noticing Terrio's shocked face, Haleem rubbed his beard while grinning.

"Terrio, do whatever feels right to you." Rein let out a helpless chuckle.

Yet, upon closer inspection, Terrio advanced promptly, face grave, and offered a sincere bow to Rein, declaring, "Lord Steel Throne!"

"You..."

"Oh dear, I completely overlooked notifying the council of your advancement. To stop them from choosing poorly, I've got to dispatch a message right away." Sword Saint Terrio abruptly creased his forehead as the realization hit him.

...

Meanwhile.

Federation Capital Anthor.

Atop the Parliament Building, within an opulent office facing south, a silver-haired elder puffed on his pipe while swiftly inking a thick pile of papers with his feather pen.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Right then, urgent raps echoed through the door.

"Enter!" the elder called out.

A lady in a fitted skirt dashed inside, sweat glistening on her brow, and announced:

"Mr. Speaker, this demands your immediate attention."

The secretary's worried look alerted Federation Speaker Lawson Powell that a grave incident had unfolded.

This prompted Lawson to snatch the paper and start scanning its contents.

"What! All three Lords Robert have perished?"

That opening line alone jolted Lawson deeply!

With these three included, five Federation powerhouses had now perished during the Floating City Ruins expedition... the toll was truly heavy.

"Hmm? The Floating City Ruins are under control?"

"What! The key achievement came from the Empire's only envoy, Lord Rein? Thus, the Floating City's command lies with the Empire?"

Finishing the secret dispatch, a whirlwind of feelings surged in Lawson, who knitted his brows, pondered briefly, and then instructed:

"Summon the capital's members for an urgent assembly in just fifteen minutes."

"Understood, Mr. Speaker."

...

Fifteen minutes passed.

Inside a lavish meeting hall of the Federation Parliament Building, uproar reigned supreme.

"Has Sword Saint Terrio lost his mind?"

"Are you aware the Federation sacrificed five—yes, five epic-tier powerhouses—and ultimately, the Floating City ended up under Empire control?"

"This prank has gone far too overboard."

"Absolutely, and word is the Empire dispatched just a single powerhouse this round!"

"What!"

The session, centered on the Floating City, ignited fierce debates among the assembly the instant it kicked off.

...

"Quiet down!" Lawson, positioned at the head of the table, struck his pipe and commanded sternly.

"Clerk, distribute the full details of the matter to the members."

With aides passing the unaltered secret reports to everyone, the whole room plunged into hush.

After almost a full minute of quiet, one member at last queried: "This... Mr. Speaker, does... does the report reflect reality?"

"Indeed, the Intelligence Bureau cross-checked with the Cave Camp, and Lord Terrio himself forwarded the account." Vice Speaker Bertrand replied for Lawson.

Just then, with a loud 'bang,' the meeting room doors burst wide, and a male aide stumbled in, face ashen.

Numerous members nearly berated him but held back once they recognized him as Lawson's typically poised secretary. His evident alarm signaled a tremendous development.

But what enormous occurrence could this be?

Might there be further twists with the Floating City?

Beneath the intrigued gazes of the assembly, the male aide approached Speaker Lawson's position and whispered shakily:

"Mr. Speaker... chaos has erupted in the Dragan Empire! The Imperial City Tamriel has largely collapsed, the invaders are... the Fiend Demon!"

"What!"

This revelation struck like thunder from clear skies!

The elite officials there were all stunned into stupor.

"Give us the full briefing!" Vice Speaker Bertrand recovered and demanded.

As the male aide recounted the details once more, the members slowly started voicing their views.

Here, a military official chimed in: "Maybe, for the Federation, this doesn't have to be unfortunate."

"Maybe we can reclaim the Floating City."

"Exactly!"

"Sounds logical!"

"Armed with the Floating City, we'd even challenge the Fiend Demon."

Plenty of members' gazes sparkled in support.

"That's unwise!" Suddenly, a composed woman's tone cut through.

"Leaving aside how such actions would shatter ties between the Empire and Federation, have you considered how Lord Rein, as the Empire's lone participant, managed to lead the Floating City Ruins venture?"

The objection came from the striking female member Trena.

Trena's statement led several members to agree with nods, even as others resisted.

Soon, another member added:

"Member Trena, if memory serves, you've long shared a tight bond with this Lord Rein, and intel from the department mentions he's also..."

At those words, a flush spread across Trena's cheeks unbidden.

"No misconceptions, please—my suggestion is, amid the Dragan Empire's turmoil, why not use this chance to convince Lord Rein to switch straight to the Federation?"

"In the end, considering the Dragan Empire's dire straits, they might not shoulder the Floating City's restoration expenses even in possession, whereas only our Federation can aid him."