74 Arcadias Wealthiest Man (2/2)
”Alan and Irma, was it? How may I help you?” Esther cooly asked. Her words creased the pair's brows. And as if reading through their doubts, she pursued, ”Was it about your Technomancy grades?”
Taking the hint, the two bowed in greetings and presented two gift boxes to Esther. ”Our father heard that your daughter's future coronation still faces many obstacles and has us send you these tokens of his appreciation. Please accept them,” Alan explained.
”I don't remember being that close to your father, but never mind, better have one more friend than foe,” Esther replied as if caving in to the von Skoll name and received the two's gifts. Their task complete, Alan and Irma left Esther's study. But before she followed them, her eyes brushed past an invisible nano-spying-machine hidden in her chair.
…
It didn't take long for Alan, Irma and Esther to join the coliseum's bluster. The two von Skolls picked two casual seats, while Esther joined her peers.
”What took you so long?” Hanns barked as Esther settled behind him.
”I had to receive bribes from two of your house's youths,” Esther countered in a remarkably detached tone, and with no time to argue, Hanns shifted his attention back on the students.
”Thank you all for answering my summon on such short notice. As you know, due to safety concerns, the academy canceled the usual Sura Hunting Selection and planned to send you all to the Sura Plane in the upcoming days. However, the situation has changed, and we must leave now.”
*BANG*
Hanns had barely finished his words that the buzzing blast of plasma salvos hammered the ears of all on the scene. At the academy's door, Rupert's 3,000 fighters emerged from their cloaking and fired thousands of plasma beams at the island. The academy's energy shield kicked into gear, withstanding the beams' assault.
Instantly, panic filled the scene. But as the students readied to lose their shit, Hanns raised his hand, and all the dra across several kilometers became his to control. Even the 3,000 students' dra no longer obeyed them, forcing them all to sit without disturbance.
”The Dra Shackle,” Kilian noted. The first of the Three Shackles, the Dra Shackle enabled Archons or above to turn all dra across kilometers against non-Archons. The ability ensured that before breaking their First Shackle, non-Archons couldn't defeat Archons. However, for bottom-tier Archons, it was more taxing than beneficial. Unless faced with no other choice, they wouldn't use it.
”Several hours ago, His Majesty and the Grand Master of the Blood Rose awoke from their comas and exterminated the rebel forces. 800,000 rebels perished at Orloth's borders, 1.2 million at Erlom, and 2 million at Koln. The treasonous Prince of Koln was executed alongside all members of his branch house, and all rebel nobles now face house extermination. Hundreds of aristocrats suspected of collusion with the rebels have already committed suicide.
Yes, a good chunk of you no longer have parents.
Yes, you might not have a tomorrow either. Some are doomed, but for others, it will depend on how the elder council chooses to investigate this case,” Hanns broke the news, and instantly, silence fell.
Three-thousand students' eyes widened in disbelief, the worst soiled their pants, while the best's faces twisted in horrible grimaces. Only a tiny portion maintained their cool, and as she sought her master's reaction, Lena was startled to see Kilian biting his lower lip to restrain a burst of laughter.
”Adam, pass my verbal decree and have the elder council exonerate all nobles that owe me money. I will give you a list. Also, I want the Imperial City to throw three days of celebration because damn it all, I am rich. So rich that I can buy the state!”