Hal was naturally surprised and a bit angry that Ennya had been assigned to such a dangerous mission.
He could accept the assignment for himself, as this was a chance to earn Chaos Points.
Ennya, on the other hand, could train a bit more before being sent to such missions, no?
Hal couldn’t help but worry for the not-so-bright midget.
In the end, he could only accept the arrangement, remembering it was the emperor’s will.
He asked for more details, like why the empire doesn’t just send a majority of the Magnas to wipe out the threat in the east and southeast once and for all.
As it turned out, the Imperium’s hands were full in the northern seas, holding off the main Fellkin Legion.
Six of the Magna Novem were apparently tasked to fight there, and the oldest among them had been there for more than a decade now.
It appeared that the empire’s show of might, stability, and peace was but an illusion portrayed to prevent panic.
If the northern seas fall to the enemy, the Imperium would be doomed.
This was why the mission assigned to them was high-risk, and if the emperor had a choice, he probably wouldn’t send such fine seedlings into their potential deaths.
But of course, difficulties forge a mighty wizard.
While the mission was risky and there was a fair chance that the four Magna Prospects could perish, there was also a good chance they would return stronger, tougher, and more battle-hardened.
By the time they arrived at the main road leading to the capital, Hal was in no mood to appreciate the scenery.
The majestic granite walls and grand adamantium gates of Aetherforth came into view.
While the seemingly infallible city armed with countless Manatech siege weapons improved Hal’s mood a little, the boost wasn’t enough to allow him to take in and appreciate the sight of the widest and most luxurious red brick street he had ever seen in his life.
Skyscrapers and Manatech vehicles were aplenty, and the streets were teeming with life and vibrance.
Yet to Hal, everything seemed false.
He couldn’t help but wonder whether these people could still be this happy if they learned of the truth.
’Probably not...’ he thought as the Manatech Jeepney made its way to the Imperial Castle.
A few minutes later, another set of even more impenetrable walls came into view, similar to the ones protecting the entire city, but slightly higher and much thicker.
There were also many more Manatech artillery units mounted on these walls.
This time, Hal couldn’t help but marvel at the castle’s defenses, snapped out of his gloomy thoughts by their sheer impressiveness.
There were likely many more defensive mechanisms that could be activated if the fell race somehow managed to breach the walls.
They soon arrived, and the driver stopped at the gates, dropping the two of them off.
This was as far as Manatech vehicles were allowed to go.
"Hal," Isolde called, "come, follow me."
Hal naturally obeyed, feeling slightly nervous as he stepped past the imposing black adamantium gates.
Two guards left their posts to escort them.
However, Hal felt that they were being observed instead, and that with one wrong move, the two would immediately turn hostile.
The imperial guards didn’t seem weak, that’s for sure.
The cohort of four slowly made their way into the massive white castle, its majestic spires reaching desperately for the heavens.
As they arrived, the adamantium doors were opened by the stationed imperial guards, their gazes unwaveringly straight, even as the two visitors passed them by.
At the far end of the vast hall stood a scholarly middle-aged man in long white robes, wearing extremely thick makeup that made him look almost like a woman.
If not for his distinctly masculine facial features, one might have mistaken his gender.
’Hoh, is this the eunuch Master was talking about?’ Hal mused.
"Greetings, Eunuch Rockheart. I present to you, Hal Fennec," Isolde said with a slight bow.
Clearly, the headmistress’s status wasn’t too low in the empire, as she would have lowered her head more otherwise.
Rockheart’s return bow further reinforced this assumption.
The next moment, the eunuch turned to Hal, scanning him from head to toe before smiling faintly.
"Hal Fennec, the soon-to-be Magna Prospect of Chaos. Welcome to the Imperial Castle. As much as I would like to meet you under more relaxed circumstances, the situation does not allow it. I appreciate your courage and dedication to the empire’s cause."
To Hal’s surprise, Rockheart also offered him a bow, which he quickly returned, slightly uneasy.
He didn’t believe he deserved a bow from one of the emperor’s trusted aides.
Soon, one of the imperial maids—a purple-haired young woman wearing a short black-and-white dress and a frilly tiara—approached. She appeared to be four or five years older than Hal and bowed to him silently.
The eunuch spoke in her place:
"This is Maid Seventeen, one of the emperor’s seasoned and trusted servants. She will be the one to take care of you while we handle the official appointment proceedings."
Rockheart then turned to the young woman with an indifferent look.
"Seventeen, treat this young man well and keep watch for any suspicious servants or guards. If you see anything, even if you’re unsure, report it immediately and prioritize the young man’s safety. Understood?"
"Understood, Lord Rockheart."
After the reassuring conversation, Seventeen shifted her focus to Hal and bowed once more:
"Please follow me, Lord Hal. I shall lead you to your room."
Hal turned to Isolde for guidance, and upon receiving a nod, he unhesitatingly followed the gorgeous maid.
He was slightly unnerved by the "security talks," wondering why they were being so cautious inside such a well-guarded location.
How could someone from the fell race even manage to infiltrate the castle when even the guards watched someone as renowned as the headmistress so warily?
In any case, he wasn’t about to relax.
He began scanning his surroundings as he walked through the grand, luxurious hallways of the Imperial Castle’s first floor, ready to cast a repositioning spell at the first sign of danger.
Fortunately, no one seemed to be acting strangely.