Chapter 1576: Chapter 320: Ergency Conscription Order
“I have not violated any rules!”
The witch firmly rejected the committee mbers’ proposition: “If necessary, I am willing to make a statent at the Great Wizard Conference in accordance with the Wizard’s Codex, allowing all mbers to bear witness. But don’t even think about taking a single byte of experintal data from my laboratory!”
“Providing the relevant materials may help you avoid the risk of prosecution,” the round-faced witch gently reminded her. “According to the agreent between the Alliance and the Moon Council, if an Upper House mber is subjected to criminal accusations—even if unproven—during the period of accusation, the Alliance has an obligation to adjust resource allocations for the clan affiliated with that mber.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat?” Su Shijun wasn’t angry; instead, she laughed.
“No,” the gaunt warlock coughed twice and shook his head in denial: “This is about safeguarding the glory of the Wizard’s Codex… and the stability of the Mage Alliance. Rules are rules.”
“Even if your so-called rules hinder wizards’ pursuit of the truths of magic?” Su Shijun’s fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, her voice detached: “…If you have evidence, you can have the enforcent team shut down my laboratory; if you have opinions about the lab, you can go protest to the First University.”
At this point, her fingertips stopped on the armrest as she fixed her gaze on the questioning committee mbers behind the conference table. In a soft voice, she continued, “…And if you want to pick a fight with the Moon Council, go ahead and try.”
The eting room fell into silence.
Only the faint rustling of assistants’ feather pens on parchnt and the ticking of the clock on the conference table could be heard.
The questioning committee mbers behind the desk coughed lightly, shifted uneasily in their seats, and cautiously exchanged glances.
Finally, the round-faced witch seated at the center decided to swiftly conclude this unpleasant exchange: “The Alliance is an alliance for all wizards. Its operations are impartial and reasonable, governed by ‘The Code’ and the ‘Charter.’ Danhag harbors no subjective malice towards any clan or individual. On this, you may rest assured.”
“Since this inquiry failed to provide a coherent explanation for the accident’s cause, subsequent inquiries will proceed in a hearing format.”
“Prior to the inquiry, we had a brief discussion with the senior commissioner of the criminal court. If the inquiry proves unsuccessful, you will need to head downstairs to attend a hearing at Danhag’s High Court, Criminal Division Three, and explain the experints your lab is conducting… We suggest that you bring all experintal data and materials.”
“If the school has no objections.” The witch’s mouth twisted into a faint sneer.
“The school needs to focus on the Black Prison,” the elder wizard grabbed the gavel in front of him and slamd it twice onto the table. “You are a mber of the Moon Council, not truly affiliated with the First University… Danhag’s commissioner has indicated to us that if your laboratory demonstrates sufficient cooperation during this investigation, the High Court may consider leniency for the Dark Blue Castle’s illegal experintation case.”
“Consider leniency?” The witch snorted coldly. “Can Danhag also consider canceling my conscription order?”
“Oh,” the elder wizard raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the file in his hands. “That condition isn’t listed on my parchnt… But based on my limited experience in Danhag, the Moon Council has no authority to decline the Supre Summons, or it automatically forfeits its Upper House mber status.”
“Then there’s nothing left to discuss,” the witch rudely rejected, displaying an attitude completely out of sync with her usual composure. “I’ll attend your hearing. But I won’t bring experintal data or materials. If you want them, talk to Old Yao or Vice Principal Shi instead of bothering , the humble lab director… or deputy director.”
“What about the Dark Blue Castle…” The elder wizard hesitated but couldn’t resist reminding.
“The castle of ghosts? I know.” The witch adjusted her glasses and glanced at the row of elder wizards seated behind the long table, her mouth curling into a derisive smile. “But what does that have to do with ? If your mory is failing, I can remind you: I belong to the Qingqiu Fox clan, not the ghosts of the Dark Blue Castle.”
The atmosphere in the room turned cold.
Though it was unclear whether it was due to the morning chill.
At that mont, a golden stream of light pierced through the eting room’s secret barrier and began circling the ceiling three tis. The tail of the stream shimred with flecks of gold; the fragnts of the barrier and space debris it carried as it sped through dinsions.
After its rotations, the golden light abruptly paused and landed in front of Su Shijun.
It was a golden token, round on top and cloud-shaped below, resembling a flattened bronze bell. Encased within it were Cloud Script characters imbued with a majestic aura.
The token’s face bore a single circle, and within that circle was one word: “Summon.”
Su Shijun let out a heavy sigh—speaking of Cao Cao, and here Cao Cao ca; fearing sothing didn’t stop it from arriving. She pursed her lips, raised her hand reluctantly, and tapped the “Summon” character.
The token shattered with a deafening sound. At the sa ti, a deep voice resonated throughout the entire eting room:
“Hereby, summon Moon Council Upper House mber, Big Wizard Su Shijun, to imdiately proceed to the Black Prison for auxiliary defense. No delays permitted. This summons holds the highest Alliance priority. Office of the First University Principal.”
The eting room remained silent.
The round-faced witch’s assistant, seated just behind her, stared dreamily at the golden light slowly dissipating into the air. She failed even to notice the drop of ink blotting her parchnt from the tip of her feather pen.
After a brief pause.
The Moon Council Upper House mber seated at the center of the eting room spoke courteously, “So… Is there anything else?”
The trio of questioning committee mbers shook their heads in unison.
Compared to the Alliance’s top-priority summons, their inquiry eting, the criminal tribunal’s hearing, and even Danhag’s Supre Court trials could all be postponed indefinitely.
“Then…”
The witch inclined her head slightly, gracefully rising while lifting her arm.
A group of uniford sprites sward around her, assisting her in donning her pre-perfud cloak and hat. The crisp clacking of her shoes against the floor resud.
The sound stopped at the doorway.
From behind ca the voice of the elder wizard, slightly frazzled: “Postponent does not an cancellation. Regarding the next scheduled date for the hearing at the Criminal Division Three, we will formally notify you via Danhag’s External Liaison Office…”
“Bang!”
The response ca in the form of a heavily slamd door.
Low, indistinct murmurs swirled beneath the hollow ceiling, echoing faintly and dissipating: “One trouble after another… When will I ever get back to the lab?”
…
…
“I warned you all—the inquiry wasn’t a good idea.”
A sudden voice shattered the room’s stillness, erging from the ornate clock on the table. Intertwined with the ticking of its hands, the voice felt particularly eerie: “Now then, about our earlier proposal…”
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