The First Magic World War

Charles returned from Julian's "freeloading" visit and went back to Embassy Street, where he secluded himself in deep thought about how to get his name on the alliance treaty between the two nations.

Although Aurora Sumei had only provided a piece of intelligence, that piece was worth ten thousand Aegeus.

Many people would be willing to pay ten thousand Aegeus but still might not obtain such information.

As for taking over Ban Lanmalock's duel, it had not yet entered its procedural stage, so it seemed there was no need to consider it for the moment.

He currently possessed two rapiers, one was Blood Rose and the other was Unicorn, along with a Vampiric Pistol called Withing Rose. Although these were not as handy as an Antispace Sniper Rifle or two Silver Rhinoceroses, they were sufficient for general combat.

Charles did not know what two weapons Aurora would send, but if there were two more bloodsucking weapons, he would not be at a disadvantage in terms of weaponry. As for his own strength, that was an unavoidable issue no longer worth considering.

Charles had not thought for long before he heard a carriage returning. He stood up to meet it and, sure enough, saw the Augusladin High Priest.

This particular priest had a face flushed with joy, evidently having enjoyed his time recently. Upon seeing Charles, he cheerfully asked, "How was your meeting with Miss Sumei?"

Charles decided to be straightforward, saying, "Aurora and I have already discussed promoting an alliance between our two countries to fully confront Byron. Tomorrow, I will draft a document to be delivered to the Foreign Minister of the Inglima Empire, that Count Su Mei."

The Augusladin High Priest was startled and exclaimed, "How can you be so reckless with such a national affair?"

Charles patted his chest and replied, "It is precisely because this is a national affair that I must give my all. Miss Sumei has already agreed to help me submit the document."

Charles also found no other excuse to sign his name on such an important document, so he simply played a bigger game, bluffing the Augusladin High Priest.

The Augusladin High Priest was somewhat distressed. He repeatedly advised that national affairs could not be handled so recklessly and even specially "hinted" to Charles that he had made great progress recently and might even have a chance to meet the Imperial Emperor of the Inglima Empire next month.

Charles became increasingly suspicious, pondering, "How does the Augusladin High Priest seem unaware of the alliance?"

"Could someone else be pushing this matter? Is it someone else from the embassy group, or perhaps a covert agent?"

In such matters of diplomacy, there often are tactics involved—such as sending an official diplomatic delegation and, covertly, another. Those behind the scenes are the ones who can determine the diplomatic strategy.

Charles and the Augusladin High Priest argued fiercely for a while. They then found a private room and talked into the late night. Surprisingly, Charles persuaded the High Priest who agreed to submit a document, but specified that he would only seal it, not sign his name.

The Augusladin High Priest was worried that the matter was too reckless and might implicate him personally.

Meanwhile, Charles was overjoyed. He immediately stayed up all night to write a document. In his previous life, he had been a math teacher; in this life, he was a legitimate clerk of the Central Government Office. The alliance treaty document included countless detailed data points, articulated many reasons, drew from much publicly accessible data from Earth, and was impressively eloquent, nearly integrating stories from the Thirty-Six Strategies.

Fortunately, he was an Eighth Order Transcendent, able to stay up all night writing, producing over twenty-three thousand words. He obtained the official seal from the High Priest, knowing that the High Priest did not want to get involved, then excitedly went alone to the residence of the Foreign Minister of the Inglima Empire.

Originally, his status was not sufficient; it was utterly impossible for him to meet the esteemed Count Sumei. However, wasn't there someone on the inside? He approached Aurora Sumei, and this young lady actually managed to secure him an opportunity to have lunch with the Count.

The place where Count Sumei dined was a small restaurant, yet it was situated at a high vantage point within the Foreign Minister's residence, offering a panoramic view of the river flowing through Notruden, a sight far superior to that from Charles's Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58, with its views over the Lukawaro scenery.

The only company the Count had during lunch was Aurora and Charles.

This highly influential aristocrat of the Inglima Empire appeared all smiles, showing no visible emotion as he chatted and laughed with his daughter, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

Charles, of course, knew to keep quiet. As soon as the Count's lunch was served, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly; it was in the style of Fars.

At that, the Count Sumei took the opportunity to ask, "You are a person of Fars, taste the Fars-style dish my chef has prepared and see if it's authentic or not."

Charles's lunch was a meal of roast chicken, grilled fish paired with steak and salad, and a serving of champagne to accompany the meal. Frankly speaking, most restaurants in Fars couldn't offer authentic champagne. After tasting it, he nodded repeatedly and said, "It's more authentic than any Fars dish I've ever had, though my palate cannot be the standard as I've only dined in public restaurants and never had the chance to taste nobility's private meals."

Count Sumei laughed upon seeing a thick dossier by his side and asked, "Is that for me to see?"

Charles hurriedly presented the document he had stayed up all night preparing. The count took it, read a few lines, and couldn't help but express great surprise. By the time he finished the first page, he was deeply engrossed in it.

Halfway through, he spoke to Charles, who was still enjoying his meal, "Mister Mecklen, please continue eating at your leisure; I need to meet with His Majesty the Emperor at the palace."

He also said to his daughter, "Please keep Mister Mecklen company. Don't let him leave before I return; we might need him to explain some things."

Count Sumei hurried off. Although Charles did not know why the Count stopped eating halfway through the document, it did not affect his appetite in the least.

Charles finished his meal in no time and, seeing Aurora had finished hers, he eyed the Count's untouched lunch and adeptly brought it over to himself, saying, "It's not fitting for someone as noble as the Count to eat something that's gone cold."

Aurora had never seen anyone quite like Charles and said quietly, "So, you're just going to eat it?" Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

Charles savored a bite of Count Sumei's fried goose liver, finding it quite delightful and far surpassing the quality of ordinary restaurants in Strasbourg, and answered, "What's wrong with that?"

Aurora shook her head, deciding not to argue with him about what is called table manners.

Seeing how quickly Charles was eating, she almost pushed her meal, of which she had eaten less than a tenth, towards him.

In a low voice, Aurora said, "I've found a bloodsucking weapon, a Knight's Spear, but I haven't found a suitable rapier."

"If a bloodsucking rapier won't do, my father also has a treasured magic stabbing sword..."