A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 295 The Fishman Empire's Reaction

Although the epicenter of the Crimson Infection was in the territory of the Church of Storms, the Murloc royal family was also greatly affected.

Inside the magnificent merfolk palace, Budrik, who had just been promoted from king to emperor, stared grimly at the report before him.

The ministers stood on both sides, each with their heads bowed low, like ostriches.

"Do you have anything to say?"

The audience was silent. Ever since the Storm Church broke with the royal family, the king had been in a bad mood, and this time he was furious.

"Why, why are so many fishmen turning into monsters out of nowhere! Don't you know anything?!"

The ministers remained silent. At this point, whoever stood up would be in trouble. That person would most likely become the scapegoat, at best getting a scolding, and at worst losing their position.

Many loyal ministers had previously stood up to advise Budlick, but they were all dismissed from their posts and sent home to retire on the spot.

Over time, this behavior became less and less common. Now, everyone is only concerned with themselves, and no one dares to contradict Budlick anymore.

"Speak! Are you all deaf?!"

"This happened for three whole days! Several border provinces have fallen, didn't you know then? Why are you only telling me now!"

Budlick's tone was filled with anger, mixed with a hint of fear.

Several provinces, with a population of over a billion, were completely overrun in just three days.

These monsters can even increase their numbers by attacking others. If Budrik hadn't been a high-ranking warrior, and if it hadn't been confirmed that the monsters could only infect first-tier superhumans, Budrik wouldn't have even dared to imagine what the situation would be like now.

"Theoolds, you are the Minister of State, say something."

Theodore, who had been hiding his head in his chest, could no longer conceal it and had no choice but to respond.

"Your Majesty, I was quite surprised when I first received this information, so I took some time to verify it, which is why it took a while."

Then, seeing the emperor's extremely pale face, Theodore continued to add.

"However, Your Majesty need not worry. I have dispatched an army of ten million, all of them highly skilled, and many of them are even first-tier transcendents. These are the elite of our empire's best troops, and they will surely be able to recover the lost territories and restore peace to the empire!"

Upon hearing this, Budlick's expression softened somewhat.

"I don't want this to happen again."

Budlick's expression changed several times, but finally, reason prevailed over anger. He did not immediately start a mass killing spree, as that would not be conducive to maintaining stability.

"Based on my understanding of the monk, this was definitely done by him."

The speaker was not the murloc emperor Budrik, but a young man standing to the side. He stood tall and straight the whole time, not bowing and scraping like the other murlocs. In fact, he wasn't even a murloc.

"Pastor Angelo, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Although Budlick thought this was nonsense, after all, who but those heartless mages would do such a cruel thing?

Isn't it obvious who the murderer is?

However, out of respect, he continued the conversation.

There's no way around it; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

Although this is the royal palace and Budrik is the emperor, don't forget that the entire Fishman Empire is only saved from being destroyed thanks to the support of the Alliance of Saints.

Therefore, even Budrik had no choice but to be humble and subservient when facing Angelo, the special bishop sent by the Alliance of Saints, who was the father of the Fishman Empire. There was nothing he could do; he really couldn't afford to offend him.

"This mage is probably an alchemist. He likely has a deep understanding of murlocs and is also proficient in the ways of flesh and blood."

You are absolutely right.

Budlick nodded repeatedly. The only thing he could rely on now was the incredibly powerful Alliance of Saints.

"According to intelligence, Corey, who arrived two years ago, perfectly fits the bill. He is a member of the Proliferation School, an organization dedicated to turning ordinary creatures into those hideous monsters, wantonly destroying the blessings of the gods..."

Budlick automatically filtered out Angelo's subsequent remarks, which were all baseless insults and slanders, and had no reference value whatsoever.

"So, it was Corey who did it?"

Budlick waited until Angelo finished speaking before speaking quietly.

"That's right!"

"Very good, I've got it."

"What's the use of memorizing this? You can't beat them anyway."

Angelo's old illness relapsed, and he started talking inappropriately again.

"Ahem, well, just saying."

"Alright, since we've reached a conclusion, let's get to work on it!"

Budlick was angered by Andilo's words, but he couldn't retaliate, so he could only feign embarrassment, cough twice, and then berate his ministers below.

So you dare to insult us?

Although that's what they thought, the ministers showed no expression on their faces and left silently. Only when they left the palace did they reveal bright smiles.

Putting everything else aside, how much profit can they possibly make from this army of ten million?

There's also the resettlement of the recovered provinces, the lost wealth, and the costs of subsequent reconstruction...

Thinking about these things, the ministers couldn't suppress the smirk on their faces.

As for the empire suddenly losing one-tenth of its population?

What business is it of theirs?

They came here to become officials and make money, not to truly govern the country. As for those who genuinely intend to govern the country...

They're all unemployed at home, of course. It's their own fault for being so talkative. They said things that displeased the emperor when he was unhappy, and they deserved to get into trouble.

"Lord Theodore, when will those ten million troops arrive?"

A minister approached Theodore and asked in a low voice.

"It'll be quick. I've sent out some people first, and we'll film the rest later."

"About how many people?"

"Rounded up, the total is 1000 million."

The man's eye twitched. He rounded up to 1000 million, which was 500 million.

"Five million?"

"almost."

"Is that so..."

The visitor nodded, and then spoke.

"Lord Theodore, I have three million private troops here who wish to join in the recapture of lost territory..."

"Splitting the grain and salary 30/70, you get 30% and I get 70%."

Before he could finish speaking, Theodore interrupted the man without any politeness.

"Isn't this a bit too little?"

"Take it or leave it."

"Oh, sir, don't go. Do it, I'll do it, okay?"

"Same old rule, send real people to their deaths, and the compensation will be split 50/50."

"Understood, I understand. Send some commoners, and then..."

"Those aren't lowly people, they're elite troops."

"Haha, those who know, know; they are indeed elites."

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.