The Queen Villainess Eavesdrops on My Heart and Won’t Let Me Slack Off – Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Take the Initiative to Counter-Kill Her!

Demiplane, Arcane Society. A secondary convening order, audible to all council members, was activated.

The standard for a secondary convening order was: for non-urgent tasks and research, attendance in person was mandatory. If unable to disengage, one must delegate their relevant authority to a trusted advisor to execute the task on their behalf. Of course, one could also directly delegate to the highest leader of the Arcane Society, the Empress of Eternal Night. This was the usual choice for the proud and opinionated advisors, as only the Empress of Eternal Night, whose strength completely crushed theirs, had the right to vote on their behalf.

When the Empress of Eternal Night arrived from the City of Mysteries to the core Magic Tower of the Arcane Society, her twelve magic advisors were already seated around the round table, awaiting her. It was at this very round table that the direction of many critical battles for the Empire was decided, leading the people of the Empire to refer to these powerful mages around the Empress as the “Twelve Knights of the Round Table.”

However, as the Azurevine Empire was established and the Arcane Society grew stronger, the tasks requiring the combined efforts of the advisors decreased, and it had been some time since they had gathered like this, instead being busy with their own areas of interest. Especially the Chief Advisor, Observer Nicola Galilei, and the Fourth Advisor Sophie Amt, who spent most of their time away from the Arcane Society’s Magic Tower.

But today, by chance, everyone was present. The Empress of Eternal Night arrived last and lazily settled into the unique throne made of pure magical energy at the head of the table. Since the Star Throne was reforged, her seat in the Arcane Society had also become less rigid, generally widened and enlarged for her to recline in. However, compared to the serious administrative officials, mages generally paid no mind to worldly appearances. The Empress of Eternal Night was an existence beyond divinity in their hearts, so how she sat was of no consequence, as long as Your Majesty was comfortable.

The Empress of Eternal Night’s smiling gaze swept over her subordinates. Seeing that they were all present and accounted for, with limbs intact, brought her considerable relief. “It seems your research has been proceeding smoothly lately.” Of course, “limbs intact” in the eyes of mages did not necessarily mean original parts. For instance, some mages had experimented with magically transforming their bodies or fusing them with special artifacts, albeit not as high-profile as Frankenstein’s advocacy for mechanical augmentation over original parts.

“It is Your Majesty’s radiance that guides us forward,” they praised the Empress sincerely. Radiance might be debatable, but the increasing funding from Your Majesty was undeniable. The Empress of Eternal Night’s smile remained unchanged, and she nodded gently. “The reason for summoning you all back is simple: based on the latest intelligence, we will redefine the development focus of the Arcane Society.”

The advisors’ expressions immediately became serious. The Empress of Eternal Night’s investigation into the Seven Gods was internal news that everyone had been privy to; they were all very concerned about its progress. Now that a phased conclusion had been reached, it was their duty to adjust the Arcane Society accordingly.

Without further ado, the Empress of Eternal Night briefed her magic advisors on the void planes discovered recently and how Nalinar confirmed that the Eternal Night World was indeed blocking the path of the gods’ attack. “Since the Seven Gods are at odds with the entire Multiverse, the Empire should unite with the indigenous nations of planes similarly threatened and establish a common alliance against the Seven Gods, bogging down their long front line.” Chief Advisor, Observer Galilei, suggested immediately. “Coincidentally, I have connections with powerful mages from other worlds and can promote this matter.” His research field was the relationship between the Multiverse and different planes, somewhat akin to astronomers on Earth. However, astronomers did not have the opportunity to travel to other planets, but the convenient cross-plane teleportation in the Magical World allowed Galilei to personally visit different worlds, debate, and converse with like-minded mages who yearned for the mysteries of the universe’s depths.

The Empress of Eternal Night nodded in praise, “This is, of course, the path that must be taken. Esteemed Galilei, thank you for your efforts. We will also work internally to lay the groundwork for alliance building.” Although cross-plane teleportation existed, this method was limited to powerful legendary mages and was not applicable to conventional warfare, let alone the direct divine might of the Seven Gods, who poured legions of angels into other planes for wholesale slaughter. Perhaps some worlds in the Multiverse had mastered such means, like the Abyss and Hell, but the Azurevine Empire had not yet reached that stage and lacked even the opportunity to join such an alliance, let alone lead it. The Empire was not yet worthy. Galilei’s idea, though good, was built on shaky ground. Of course, preparatory work was still necessary; at least communication between powerhouses would suffice for mutual exchange, perhaps accelerating technological advancement. Building a forward outpost on the inevitable path of the Seven Gods, assembled with the elite forces of various planes, might also be a good way to buy time for development.

“So, our next development focus is to strengthen research in cross-plane transport of personnel and material?” Sophie Amt asked. This lucky cat was in charge of the entire Arcane Society’s finances, and if investments shifted, her own investments and downstream industries would need to adapt. The Empire was currently industrializing, requiring enormous capital investment for various industries. Wealthy nobles had not yet noticed the opportunities, leaving the state treasury and the officially backed Amt Merchant Association to take the lead. In the long run, Sophie was bound to make a fortune, but the resources she invested without seeing immediate returns were astronomical figures that deterred other merchant guilds.

“No, that is the second step,” the Empress of Eternal Night stated decisively. “The Empire’s priority will be to strengthen domestic development, enhance national strength, gradually upgrade weapons and equipment, prioritize the unification of the Eternal Night World, and integrate resources for outward expansion.” Frankenstein nodded, “The Chapter of Imbalance is willing to undertake this task. However, if you continue the unification process, resistance led by the church will likely cause significant losses to the Empire, with little gain.”

The Empress of Eternal Night smiled confidently, “Times have changed. The Empire does not need to directly conquer those nations. We only need to support factions favorable to the Empire to come to power and form a community of interest against the gods on this main plane.” She relayed the proxy war method presented by Margaret to the advisors. Although their primary professions were as mages, having experienced countless battles with the Empire, they were not entirely ignorant of military matters and quickly grasped that this was a shortcut to expand imperial influence and exploit resources with minimal resistance. Countries and regions with existing conflicts could be secretly incited to escalate their wars; for races without conflict, new forces could be cultivated to act as their representatives, receiving military aid to consume enemy forces through guerrilla tactics. The methods were diverse; as long as there were enough of these cultivated “puppets,” the Empire, while not achieving outright conquest, would gain control and resources no less than through military unification. The attempt in the Orc Kingdom had been successful and was nearing harvest; next was the trial in the Mermaid Sea Kingdom, which would put the Empire’s hidden warfare strategy into practice.

“Chancellor is truly worthy of his demonic heritage, skilled in insidious schemes.”
“I declare that our Empire will be the biggest behind-the-scenes manipulator from now on!”
“I can already think of dozens of sworn old enemies…”
“What war? It’s all business, business!”
Mages, unlike nobles, possessed knowledge and a practical approach, willing to actively embrace new things. Who said mages only liked head-on confrontations in broad daylight? In fact, any mature mage who could cleverly resolve an enemy with a small spell would not waste magic power on releasing a meteor shower. However, the Empress of Eternal Night, an anomaly outside the conventional system, was an exception.

Ultimately, all unanimously approved the Empress of Eternal Night’s model: strengthening productivity internally to complete the magical industrialization upgrade, and externally stimulating export economies through proxy wars. Even if the Seven Gods were to ignite war in the Eternal Night World, these mages felt no fear. In the Multiverse, mages were the most resolute atheists; gods were merely powerful life forms in their eyes. If given the opportunity to dissect and study them, they would not hesitate, and there was no reverence involved. Currently, an Incarnation of the God of Nature was constantly being analyzed and researched outside the Arcane Society, and there were no shortage of divine beasts and divine fragments brought back from the Astral Plane. Following the Empress of Eternal Night to resolutely repel the Seven Gods from their doorstep, or even the world, was the fundamental aspiration of every mage; they did not fear risks.

The Empire’s development was also inseparable from the support of these mages. They were the Empire’s scientists, engineers, and high-skilled technicians, and besides the national treasury, they were the group with the most assets and the guarantee of military strength. Only with their full support could magical industrialization be accelerated. Previously, mages had casually participated in “New Arcana” research based on their interests, largely with a playful attitude and considerable laxity. After this roundtable meeting, magic research within the Arcane Society would become formalized and institutionalized, with unified planning proposed by the Empress of Eternal Night (copying Roger’s homework), concentrating resources and manpower to break through in directions most beneficial to the Empire as a whole. This change marked the beginning of the Azurevine Empire’s research and development field adopting certain characteristics of a planned economy, moving beyond its phase of wild growth driven by capital and individual researcher interests.

The meeting concluded in a joyous atmosphere. The magic advisors had not met for a long time, and this rare gathering presented an opportunity for an “exchange meeting,” to which they invited the Empress of Eternal Night. In reality, many who had been involved in politics years ago were prepared to settle old scores and invited the Empress of Eternal Night to bear witness. The Empress, who enjoyed watching a good show, readily agreed and arranged for a venue and banquet. The advisors also sharpened their claws, looking at their disobedient old rivals, ready to prove their new accumulations from the past few days.

Just as everyone was confident and eager to perform their skills…

They noticed the Empress’s expression suddenly change, and she teleported away. Just moments ago, she had sensed abnormal magical energy flow, suspecting that Roger had activated the Demon Emperor’s Command and was now in danger!

***

City of Mysteries, commoner district. Shana’s actions were sudden and completely outside the realm of normal human behavior. One moment she was discussing life philosophy, saying she didn’t want to live, and the next she was in close proximity, dissolving Roger’s magic, and attempting a kiss, all in one seamless, outrageous sequence that even scum and villains would find extreme. Her kissing technique was incredibly clumsy, like her sneak attacks, which were always swift and brutal. Her cold lips slammed into his like a stiff young calf, hurting Roger’s lips and teeth.

“Are you crazy?” Roger pushed her head away the instant she flinched in pain. Who would kiss someone with absolutely no emotional foundation, after saying they wanted to be like a small animal, like this? Was this just about breeding? Shana was beautiful, of course, but this predatory, beast-like action evoked no desire, no pleasure, and felt more like an insult. Shana, who had suddenly found something “fun,” was no longer the lost and shy young girl she had been. Moreover, with her magic amplified, her strength surpassed Roger’s. She slapped away Roger’s hand, then grabbed him by the collar, saying with interest, “Resist, I hear you’re more fun the more you resist!”

Roger laughed in anger. Where did you hear that, some cheap romance novel from a street vendor? He knew he shouldn’t have come to the commoner district. Who knew what kind of boring novels catering to young girls’ fantasies were hidden here, and this girl had somehow seen them and her mind was corrupted! How detestable, she’s still a child!

Shana paid no mind. Roger’s words reminded her of how the Seven Gods treated traitors, making her understand her predicament. Thus, this rare moment of freedom felt precious. Compared to the meaning of existence for angels fulfilling their missions, mortal life clearly offered more choices, but she might not have time to experience them all. She created a temporary spatial anomaly, pulling both herself and Roger inside, then pushed Roger onto the ground and began to unbutton his clothes. While bold, she had no interest in performing forbidden acts with children on the street.

“That’s enough!” Roger was furious and also uneasy. He had just activated the Demon Emperor’s Command, and the Empress of Eternal Night would surely have noticed and would be coming to his aid. What would she think if she saw him tangled with a girl who had only been born a few hours ago? Furthermore, this devoid-of-romance, animalistic “social practice” was completely unacceptable to a normal person. He had tried to break free from Shana’s control, but unfortunately, having been ambushed, he couldn’t borrow the Empress’s magic and was truly outmatched by Shana.

Seeing Shana’s hands becoming more intrusive, Roger knew that if this continued, trouble was inevitable. He hardened his resolve, knowing he had to take the initiative to have any chance of counter-killing her. As their bodies intertwined, clothes touched and friction occurred. Shana’s loose, thin formal dress also warped and distorted, revealing openings. Roger’s hands slithered in like snakes, skillfully caressing her sensitive areas with a practiced rhythm. “Hmph, this feels good. Are you starting to serve me?” Shana’s eyes became alluring, and the strange sensation made her feel novel and comfortable. Roger’s other hand moved downwards. Shana did not resist, thinking Roger had also gotten into the mood. At this moment, she was simply a playful child seeking diverse life experiences. The waves of comfort soon made her relax her guard. Roger’s eyes flashed. Shana released her suppression of him, and the Demon Emperor’s Command activated, unleashing magical power! At the same time, the temporary space showed signs of being attacked.