Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 681 - 587 Member of the Upper Council

Whoosh——

Queen Isabella, who always maintained a calm demeanor and never showed her emotions, suddenly stood up, disregarding her royal poise. Even the Great Knight's formidable strength stirred up a gust in the study due to her swift movement.

The pages on the desk were blown into the air, fluttering about and scattering all over the floor.

Sitting beside her, Liweina, who had marveled several times at Aiven's wizardry talents, was now wide-eyed, as if in a dream. She initially thought that Aiven arrived so quickly because he had already been on the road when she sent the Spirit Realm Communication.

She dared not imagine that he might have received the Spirit Realm Communication while still far away.

Then.

The queen realized her lapse, gently smoothing her golden-red hair that had fallen over her ear, regaining her usual dignified demeanor, and looked at the members of the advisor council:

"Esteemed advisors, today's meeting is temporarily adjourned. Please organize your thoughts, and we will continue the discussion tomorrow.

Additionally, everything seen here today is top secret. No one is allowed to disclose it to outsiders, understood?"

When saying this final sentence, Queen Isabella's face already bore a stern look, her imposing presence making it almost impossible for anyone to breathe.

"By Your Majesty's command!"

The advisors in the advisor council, though possessing the solitude of scholars, understood the importance of prioritizing matters.

In the kingdom, another Upper-Rank Wizard has emerged outside of Princeton, a force akin to nuclear deterrence, far outweighing the unrest in neighboring countries in terms of importance and significance to the kingdom.

In countless past years.

What frightened those in power most about wizards was their terrifying methods that were impossible to guard against—mosquitoes, poisons, curses... even the air around them served as a medium for their witchcraft. What made common folks despair was that, most times, it made little difference to an Upper-Rank Wizard whether the opponent was one person or an entire army.

And what tempted those in power irresistibly was that kind of era-surpassing "productivity"!

The Steam Industrial System that dominated the entire continent, the various Magic Potions distributed by the military, the equipment of the Crowman Team, even the kingdom's unparalleled maritime power—the Legendary Battleship "Steam Fortress"—stemmed from Princeton and his "Violet Eye" faction.

And Aiven's contributions in this aspect are equally conspicuous: "Practical Therapy for Scurvy," "Heavy Cruiser," "Bregentine-type Two-Masted Mixed Sail Ship," "Siren's Song," "Coral Steel," "Sea Bird Mind Network," the Battlefield Divine Medicine "Penicillin," etc.

Have all brought profound benefits to the kingdom.

Now, promoted to Upper-Rank Wizard, he is virtually a human-shaped gold mine, enough for the kingdom to indulge in endlessly!

Among those who could appreciate this was Francis, the advisor council's vice chair, who holds the notion of "Technological empowerment and national comprehensive development."

After the advisors all bowed and left, leaving only the queen, the Crown Prince, and Aiven in the study.

When Isabella looked at Aiven again, her expression had silently shifted to one like a bloom in the spring, and the words she spoke were extraordinarily pleasing:

"Count Galliot, starting today, the kingdom's Upper House seats will increase from fifty-eight to fifty-nine!

Although the Noble Title Management Law stipulates that non-military merit titles cannot be continuously promoted, after the three-year period since your last promotion to Viscount, I will preside over your promotion to Count.

The greater the ability, the greater the rights, what do you think?"

Her Majesty the Queen evidently understands the ways of those in power and has no intention of probing into the secret of Aiven's rapid ascension, offering real titles and ranks directly.

Aiven, although not someone who would sharpen his head and dive into the kingdom's center of power, the "Upper Council," like many other dignitaries, whose lifelong wish is to lead their family into the Upper Council.

But this time, it is an acknowledgment of his status following the growth in power, and he naturally will not pass up benefits handed to him.

Moreover, he could emulate some Great Nobles, find a reliable proxy to reside permanently in the Royal Capital.

While he lacks high-end talent reserves himself, the Aimoer family does not have such shortages. Besides, he has already repeatedly gathered wool from the old father-in-law's family countless times, one more won't hurt.

He doesn't even have to pay the proxy's salary—how delightful.

The Upper House members are among the most powerful in the kingdom, enjoying many privileges, each belonging to families above the count level. Any policy implementation in the kingdom requires their majority cooperation to be successful.

But dismissals, deprived descendants, family decay, etc., incidents also occur frequently, and the number of Upper House members is not fixed. Even for elections, intense and sometimes bitter political battles are necessary to succeed.

Yet, Aiven's casual manner here evidently shows that power affords convenience.

Flap, flap, flap...

With a slight gesture of his hand, the scattered documents on the floor fluttered back to the queen's desk like butterflies, stacking neatly one by one.

Aiven solemnly bowed:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your acknowledgment. I shall make every effort not to fail your trust!"

Then Isabella offered more, aside from political power, there would be national-level policy inclination. Given the kingdom's characteristics, part of the annual military procurement orders would be handed over to the Georgia Territory.

In other words, after entering the top-tier aristocratic club, the coveted legal cannon casting rights were now within reach! The batch of secretly trial-produced shipborne heavy artillery in "Steel City" could now be brought out openly.