Summoning America

Chapter 194: Fresh Air (2)

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As Grand Mage Meiscra positioned himself in the center of the Agarthan screen, Emperor Mirishial leaned back and crossed his arms. The old Agarthan elf had a penchant for long-winded speeches that could put even the most studious scholar to sleep. Of his several thousand years of existence, he never felt impatient as when he heard Meiscra speak. Was this how Vulkaryn felt all the time? Would it be doubly worse for him to listen to the scholar?

"My fellow councilors," Meiscra began, his voice as dry as the pages of an ancient tome, "Agartha faces a difficult predicament. Our mages have suffered heavy losses on the Muan front and our reserves are stretched thin. We simply cannot commit additional forces without risking the collapse of our magical infrastructure."

Mirishial felt his fingers twitch, itching to summon a fireball to lob at Meiscra's head. The Grand Mage did have a valid point, but he could see through his lies, even if the others couldn't. Agartha's reluctance to fully commit to the war effort had been a festering wound in the EDI's side for months. How many more Muan lives would be lost while Agartha hoarded their mages like a dragon with a gold addiction?

Despite his suspicions, he had no proof. He needed to tread carefully. "Grand Mage Meiscra," Mirishial said, "are you suggesting that Agartha would abandon Mu in their hour of need?"

Meiscra had the audacity to look affronted, as if Mirishial had just accused him of kicking a puppy. "Not at all, Your Majesty. We merely ask that the council consider the long-term consequences of overextending our magical resources. If we deplete our reserves now, we may find ourselves as defenseless as a newborn babe when the next threat arrives."

There was no doubt about this 'threat' he alluded to – it was the Ravernal Empire. It was an extremely convenient and reliable excuse, one he couldn't easily display for risk of hypocrisy and double standards. As much as he wanted to admonish the selfish Agarthans, he couldn't do so without straining the integrity of the EDI. And, judging from the reactions of the other members, they felt the same way.

The various screens erupted into a maelstrom of garbled whispers and mutters, discussing amongst themselves. High Seer Tasconbeau didn't seem to need much time with his people before he stepped up, his king seemingly confident in whatever his right-hand man was about to say. "The Central Kingdom shares Agartha's concerns. We must consider the future, lest we find ourselves without a leg to stand on. Perhaps a strategic reallocation of our mages would be prudent."

Mirishial bit back a bit of a scoff. The two nations had been engaged in a game of magical one-upmanship for centuries, each trying to outmaneuver the other while maintaining a facade of civility. It was like watching two peacocks strut and preen, oblivious to the fact that their feathers were molting. And now they wanted to join hands in solidarity?

He wanted to say something, but he didn't need to. Vulkaryn conveyed exactly what was on his mind. "Unacceptable!" he roared, the mic hitching as it struggled to register his deep bellow. "You speak of preservation, yet what good will our preparations be if Mu falls? You dare claim to be more important than Mu, the superpower of the Second Civilized Region? You, who have not even secured half the influence or power that Leifor has?!"

The Agarthan shot back, escalating the debate. Emperor Mirishial rubbed his temples. What could he do?