“Um… I don’t really know what to say, Your Majesty. I like your firm attitude, and it is true that sinners must be punished. But…”

Heretia carefully continued speaking.

“It would be best if the people who had only been used in the process are left unharmed, right? Those people are the power of the empire and the ones that make the empire what it is.”

Instead of answering Heretia’s question, Juan asked Heretia a question.

“What are you trying to say, Heretia?”

“Form an alliance with the Magic Tower.”

“Magic Tower?”

“I forgot whether it was called the Magician’s Tower or the Magic Tower. But I’m talking about the group of freaks who live at the place where Mananen McLeir’s body is buried. I suggest you form an alliance with them.”

Juan looked at Heretia with surprised eyes, and Heretia frowned upon seeing his gaze.

“What? You don’t like my suggestion?”

“No. It’s just that Harmon Helwin had told me the same thing—he told me to first form an alliance with the Magic Tower back when I had yet to become the emperor. I had a close relationship with the magicians thanks to Dane Dormund, but it was my first time forming a formal alliance,” Juan said as he stroked his chin and tilted his head. “But I heard that they have now turned into just a group of scholars. I was told that anyone who uses magic is labeled as an illegal mage by the Church.”

“That applies only outside the Magic Tower....