Fire Mage

Harley extended her hand, conjuring a flaming illusion that formed the image of a vast crater—blackened land, cracked buildings, and a giant violet gate pulsing with corrupted energy.

"A Dungeon of the Abyss has erupted in our northern province, near our capital's border. Thousands are dead. We've lost more than forty Rank-2 mages. And the economy has plummeted into a crisis."

Even though it was a base for the Amber Church, the misfortune started when a crafty Fire Mage turned the gold in the treasury to dust. Due to the political domination of the Amber Church, they were forced to pay for a mistake they hadn't made.

She looked directly at the Speaker, then swept her gaze across the chamber.

"The Moon Kingdom does not possess the raw military power of the Blood Empire, nor the elite mages of the Azure Federation. We ask not for pity, but for assistance. We are still a member of the Union Council. If we let each other fall, the collapse will echo into your lands next."

A few members whispered to one another but didn't speak out.

Asthar of the Azure Federation smirked. "A tragic incident. But why should we risk our soldiers because of your lack of power? Did you not have dozens of Rank-3 and even Rank-4 mages in the Tower? You yourself seem to be around an intermediate Rank-5 Fire Mage. Why not solve it yourself?"

Harley's brow twitched.

Rhea could sense the rising tension.

Harley couldn't help but glare. "There is a Legendary Beast and four Rank-5 Magical Beasts guarding the entrance and raiding the nearby villages and towns. Even if I go there personally, I wouldn't last a few seconds against those beasts."

"Then you should've worked harder to improve your kingdom's strength. When our land is already overrun with monsters, do you think we have extra manpower to spare?" Nedia from the Blood Empire spoke coldly.

Salvatore tapped his staff lightly on the stone dais, a crack of thunder rolling across the chamber.

"This is not the time for petty bickering. The Moon Kingdom's plea is noted. Council members may decide whether or not to lend aid."

Harley bowed stiffly and returned to her seat, though her mana still simmered like an angry hearth.

Salvatore turned next to the rows of kingdom representatives and candidates seated in the second ring. His gaze swept over the room before settling on a man draped in obsidian robes lined with faint glimmering runes. His eyes glowed with faint silver hues, and a single golden pendant shaped like a spiral moon rested on his chest.

"Next, the representative of the Arc Kingdom," Salvatore announced, his voice calm and resonant across the chamber.

The Arc Kingdom's envoy, Lord Halron Vyrin, stood slowly, his movements smooth and practiced. He brushed back his silvery-blue hair and gave a curt bow toward the Speaker's platform before clearing his throat and stepping forward.

"Honorable members of the Union Council," Halron began, his voice silk-wrapped steel. "As with many territories affected by the rising instability following the advent of the Chaos Era, our lands too have suffered… The appearance of a 'Warping Domain' near the city of Corle has caused great concern. It twists the very laws of nature, and several scouting units have already disappeared. There have been appearances of Nightmare Creatures in many places, too."

Low murmurs rippled across the chamber, filled with concern.

"Unlike our neighbor," he continued, "the Arc Kingdom does not seek aid. We believe in handling our internal matters independently, even if the threat touches the roots of our capital. However, we do request authorization for a particular solution... one deemed controversial by some of the council's more traditional members."

The Speaker tilted his head. "A solution?"

Halron gave a small nod. "We request permission to deploy the Nightmare Serum on a large-scale basis. Temporarily."

A few members from the Order Church and Twilight Church shifted uncomfortably, as if they were already aware of the serum. Even Zegan from the Rogue Throne raised an eyebrow in mild interest.

The Speaker's voice cut through the growing buzz. "Explain, Lord Vyrin. What exactly does this Nightmare Serum do?"

Halron's lips curled into a faint smile, as though expecting the question. "The Nightmare Serum is a combat-enhancement reagent, derived from the essence of Nightmare Creatures and stabilized through Dreamroot catalysts. In simpler terms, it grants Mystics and Mages a temporary ascension, boosting their rank by one for exactly thirteen minutes. Enough to turn the tide of battle or survive a dungeon's ambush."

"Temporary rank-up?" Edith scoffed.

Runeth whispered back, "He's only telling half the truth. It turns a person into a complete Nightmare Creature. Still, it would be very effective if the user is desperate or already dying."

On the platform, Salvatore tapped his staff twice for order. "And the risks?"

Halron didn't falter. "Mental instability. Nightmares, hallucinations, and in rare cases, complete possession by the Nightmare Creature. That is why it's restricted to only trained Mystics who've undergone Dream Resistance Trials. We will not force it on our citizens. Only our elite."

There was a long silence. The council weighed his words, and the seriousness of the situation was evident.

"You're asking for an exception to use a forbidden alchemical solution on a kingdom-wide level in the middle of an unstable era," Salvatore stated firmly.

"Only with your consent and the Council Leader's consent, Mr. Speaker," Halron replied, bowing once again. "We do not ask for weapons from the Union. We ask only for permission to use our own."

Salvatore paused, his aged eyes scanning the council members, many of whom now wore contemplative or disturbed expressions.

Many neighboring kingdoms—like Moon, Hearth, and Ember—already knew that the Arc Kingdom had been heading down a tyrannical path and felt threatened.

"We will take note of your request. The Strategic and Magical Ethics Committees will review your proposal before the final vote," the Speaker declared. "Until then, no distribution of the Nightmare Serum beyond your elite corps will be allowed."

"Understood," Halron said with a respectful bow before returning to his seat.

The air around the council grew heavier with tension as members whispered to their neighbors. Another kingdom had admitted to facing chaos. Another had taken a step toward dangerous, unregulated measures.

More representatives rose from their seats and voiced complaints or sought aid, but the Speaker only told them to wait.

"Let the presentation of ideologies of the four candidates begin."

He glanced at the central ring.

"Asthar of the Azure Federation. Your turn."

The man rose with elegance. He bowed with deliberate grace before speaking.

"In these uncertain times, unity must be built not through force, but balance. The Azure Federation proposes the establishment of a Magical Security Council, composed of representatives from each region, under one overseer—the Union Leader."

He raised a small artifact—a glimmering silver orb—and it projected a smooth, clean structure of a council building, magic towers, and gates to monitor rifts.

"I will ensure funding through artifact trade, re-regulated mana taxes…"

A few gasps emerged as he spoke. The Cardinal of the Storm Church scoffed, but many nodded thoughtfully.

Rhea whispered to Edith, "That's bold."

Asthar continued, now moving on to matters of economy, guild enforcement, and foreign barrier support.

When he stepped down fifteen minutes later, there was polite applause.

But most of the kingdoms—like Moon, Hearth, and others—couldn't help but shake their heads in disappointment.

What they needed wasn't economic support or better trade deals, but manpower to drive out the monsters.

The Speaker then turned.

"Nedia of the Blood Empire. Please share your thoughts."

The crimson-armored woman stood slowly. With her came a wave of silence, darker than before. She didn't conjure illusions or wave her hand for flair.

She spoke—each word drenched in weight.

"I do not offer hope or aid. I offer order."

Her amber eyes scanned the chamber.

"We face not a crisis, but a collapse of faith—in our leaders, our doctrines, and even our gods. The Blood Empire has always been honest about one thing: strength reigns supreme. And only a strong Union Leader can protect you. As long as you support me, I'll visit your kingdom and help you personally. But you must work under me."

She then spoke of building fortress cities, increasing martial law during monster outbreaks, and drawing upon blood contracts to bind rogue guilds and wandering cults.

Her voice was devoid of mercy, but it thrilled some.

"To rule during Chaos, one must become a shield and a sword. I am both."

When she returned to her seat, many glanced at each other while only a few applauded.

Clearly, no kingdom wanted to become a servant nation of the Blood Empire.

Finally, the Speaker turned toward Edith's side of the chamber.

"Rhea Boneflare. Candidate of the Iron Kingdom. Step forward."

The murmurs returned instantly.

But when Rhea stood, her ribbon fluttering slightly, the hall quieted.

She said nothing for five long seconds.

Then, her voice rose—clear, steady, filled with conviction.

"Unlike my rivals, I am not backed by an empire. I have no armies waiting beyond your borders. No churches or organizations to support me, either."

She curled her lips up and spoke.

"But even with tens of thousands of knights, dozens of Legendary Mystics, and even Demigods gathering here, a demon lurked in the slums two days ago. It wasn't a mere imp but a Legend-rank demon. No one would've noticed if not for my friend coincidentally bumping into it. How did that happen?"

Her words were like sharp daggers, pointing at all the Legend-rank powerhouses and the Churches.