But I find it very sacred.

Mien took out several magic rings:

"This is a batch that Hein has already prepared. You can distribute it to the scholars here, one for each person."

If something similar happens again, try to save their lives as much as possible, but be sure to avoid being discovered and never overreact.

Then a large number of scholars were dispatched here to try to understand and control the situation.

When I get back, I'll have Hein ramp up production and equip each person with multiple magic rings to deal with any potential problems.

"Phyllis." Mien made her look at him. "You absolutely cannot be found out, no matter the cost, understand?"

Phyllis accepted it anyway, though something was still on her mind.

But she believed that Mien must already have a bigger plan, especially one involving the upper echelons of the empire.

All I need to do is handle the tasks within my job responsibilities.

He nodded firmly: "Understood, Chief."

…………

After returning to the Academy, Mien spent several days reading the messages from Phyllis, then carefully organized them into official documents, making sure everything was clear and organized.

"Your Excellency, Prince Phoenix and Pope Phil have arrived."

Mien removed his monocle, stretched, and was already prepared:

"Let's go, let's go and welcome the 'future master of the empire'."

Prince Phoenix, dressed in a gilded royal robe, walked beside Bishop Phil with an impatient expression on his face.

He was tall but thin, lacking the majesty and strength of royalty, instead exuding the air of a street thug whose attire didn't match his appearance.

"Pope Phil, why don't you just send someone? Does the Academy of Scholars dare to disobey us?"

Bishop Phil, standing to the side, wore a large papal cloak; despite his white hair and beard, he possessed the powerful composure of a middle-aged man.

"Your Highness, the Temple Academy is equal to us."

Phoenix turned his head away impatiently, not understanding why Phil insisted on pulling him out of the manor bed.

Just to meet a weak academician chief?

Then he thought of that hateful woman—his own sister Rachel.

She caused all this trouble!

Every time he thought about it, it made him grit his teeth in hatred.

He doesn't have Rachel's ambition, but what's the point of having such a big ambition?

Isn't this involution?

As princes and princesses, they were already destined for a life of wealth and luxury. Wouldn't it be better for them to focus their energy on enjoying themselves?

In any case, the empire has inexhaustible resources.

Why bother arguing? Even if he becomes the next emperor, it doesn't mean he has to make things difficult for her. He doesn't have the time or inclination for that.

But things are different now.

Rachel's frequent annoying actions always made him very angry, and he wished he could grab Rachel and torture her like the maids in the manor.

Pope Phil too!

He's more playful than me in private, but once he steps out of the manor, he acts all serious. If I hadn't seen him naked, I would have believed him.

And I always force myself to go out and pretend to be serious too!

If being a prince means constant trouble and things don't go his way, then what's the point of being a prince?

Pope Phil saw the resentful looks in the eyes of those around him and sighed heavily in his heart.

He genuinely felt that the prince beside him was a fool, the biggest fool of all.

I often feel unable to understand the other person's thought process.

But what can we do?

Fools are easier to control; they're better than a smart person like Rachel.

Putting aside his own vulnerabilities, he has already had a lot of friction and grudges with Rachel. Who can guarantee that the powerful woman won't turn against him after she takes power?

The next emperor can only be Phoenix.

Mien solemnly welcomed the prince and the pope in front of the tower.

He shook hands and bowed to Pope Phil, but Prince Phoenix, looking rather foolish, staggered straight in.

Mien didn't care; she was already used to it.

After entering the council chamber, all the accompanying personnel remained outside, leaving only three people.

Phoenix noticed the thick stack of documents in Mien's hand and frowned.

He didn't understand why the Academy of Scholars was one of the three laws, nor did he understand what the people coming and going in the vast Academy of Scholars were busy with.

The empire rests on the shoulders of their royal family and the Papacy.

As soon as they sat down, before Phil and the other man could speak, Mien spoke first.

"Your Highness and Pope Phil, you have come at the right time. The Academy of Scholars has recently discovered a major incident within the Empire, which harbors great danger and we need you to learn about it."

After saying that, he stood up and placed the two documents on the table between the two of them.

It meticulously records the events that occurred in Valgon City a few days prior, and provides a detailed account of the esoteric incident in Iron Can Street.

The two princes were surprised by Mien's unusual behavior; his solemn expression suggested that something major had happened.

Phoenix felt instinctively annoyed just looking at that thick stack of things.

He didn't think anything would happen that would endanger the empire; as long as the empire didn't fall, it was none of his business and wouldn't affect him.

Pope Phil quickly flipped through two pages and thought:

These are just some esoteric religious activities, nothing new, and they can usually be completed in a few days.

I don't know why Mien made such a big deal out of nothing.

On the surface, they showed respect, because ultimately, dealing with esoteric activities was precisely what their Holy See needed to do.

Gradually, the Academy took over these tasks for them, handling mundane and trivial matters for the people, so they didn't have to worry about them.

"Sect cult activities? It seems to happen quite often, and the Academy always handles them very well," Phil said with a smile.

Phoenix complained, "Why can't we just handle this ourselves?"

Phil secretly glared at him. How could he offend Mien in his struggle with Rachel? The Academy of Scholars was a third force that needed to be won over, no matter what.

Sometimes I really don't want to bring this useless teammate along, but I have no choice but to.

Mien shook his head: "Please take a closer look. This time is different; the impact could be significant."

Phil then carefully flipped through the pages again.

As I watched, my brows furrowed.

It uses detailed and scientific evidence and argumentation to explain the consequences of this event.

—This will most likely lead to the fall of Valgon!

Prince Phoenix initially didn't care, but seeing Phil's expression, he guessed the seriousness of the matter.

"Bishop Phil, what's wrong?"

Phil said as he read:

"It says that this cult incident could lead to the fall of Valgon."

"What?! It's fallen?!" Phoenix shouted.

He had heard of such things as fall in his entire life, but he couldn't believe it would happen to the Cassirer Empire:

Is it true?

"It looks like there's some trouble."

Phoenix said to Mien, "Can't your Academy solve this? What's the point of your existence in the Empire then?!"

Mien said helplessly:

"According to the laws of the Empire, esoteric matters are not under the jurisdiction of the Academy of Scholars, and once they reach the size of an organization and form an armed force, they should be the responsibility of the local army or the Vatican."

Phoenix felt a headache coming on. Although he didn't think it was really happening, he felt it was just another problem that would disrupt his peaceful life.

Mien stood up, his posture exceptionally formal:

"That's why I specifically entrusted it to the royal family and the Papacy this time."

Phoenix looked at Mien's nonchalant demeanor and thought even less of him.

He turned his head and said, "Pope Phil, you handle this!"

He thought to himself: If we suppress this academy in the future, I don't think Mien will need to continue as the chief scholar.

Phil frowned; as a seasoned veteran, he sensed that something was amiss.

Mien's high-profile approach to this matter is bound to cause some serious trouble; it's not as simple as it seems on the surface.

So he tentatively asked, "Chief Mien, what do you need us to do?"

Mien smiled and said calmly:

"It's very simple. Just send someone to investigate the internal plot of the incident, control the situation without alerting the enemy, find a way to research magic or potions to cure the curse, and finally suppress the awakening of the evil god."

Phil listened and thought: It's that simple.

There are only a few minor issues to resolve:

How to investigate? How to control? How to cure? How to suppress? ...