I created my own system

"I was very fortunate to arrive in time, but everytime I think the possible disaster I couldn't have but shiver"

Astralia couldn't blame since the scale of destruction described by the intel was a devastation that could sink the people's morale that they just recently regain.

{We can't cost any kind of unrest to the people, their faith in the imperial house must not waver. So for now Viena keep a close watch of the investigation group. Although we know that there is nothing to find there, its still good to let our enemy believe we are following the plan they made}

Viena just nodded and confirmed that she will stay and assist Eros and Yukan's group.

"How are the things in your end your grace?"

{We only missing a certain info, if we could just get it we can stop this problem without spilling too much blood}

With the evidence they have right now, the emperor can issue a warrant to arrest Lorenzo and all his subordinates. The problem with this is the possible scenario of war breaking out, and with the current status of the people they cant drag another event to which more lives will be wasted. As much as possible they need to minimize the possibility of mass destruction and death. One of thier options is to find all the weapons and powerful human assets of Aileen, their aim to eliminate and weaknen the enemy kingdom before issuing a warrant of arrest.

Problem is they still couldn't found the last inform they need to locate where the enemy's armory.

"Are you worried about the information about the armada, your grace?"

Another sigh was heard it seems the grand duke greatly considers the threath of this mysterious aeriel army.

"Your grace couldn't we use the colors instead?"

{That would result in massive destruction Viena}

"But we can't escape that scenario since we are heading straight to war, I believe we are just dragging things. When we already know the inevitable ending"

{I know but still, if there is a possibility of saving more lives shouldn't we still do it? The cardinal dukes share the sae sentiment as me}

"Yes but the empress doesn't, while the emperor trust you since you are his uncle, the mother of the nation believes that we are merely giving our enemies time to prepare. We need to strike while they still believe to be in control of the situation. Death is something we can't avoid in this situation, just like what almost happened to the team where the young Lionheart is currently with, we cant avoid it your grace"

Astralia couldn't deny her words but knowing that the people of the empire are still recovering, they cant just announced war. At the same time they need to take advantage of this situation.

{The emperor gave his trust to me, if by any chance war can't be avoided, then so be it. After all its Aileen is not the only one prepared}

Viena wanted to say more when suddenly she recieves a message from Yukan.

{What is it?}

"Its from Yukan, I think they found something from the lab"

The grand duke smiled as he heard that it seems he anticipated that they will find something.

{Go, and report to me whatever you will find}

He then cut off the call, and his officer immediately responding to his command.

"What could thye possibly find in a place built to bait us?" Viena thought so but decided to return to the underground lab.

"What did you find? She asked, her tone was impatient as if she wanted to end everything and leave as soon sa possible.

Eros did not her attitude one bit, but since she is in higher position in the team, he didn't voice out his discontent. Yukan sensing the tension took the responsibility to take action.

"We found taces of mana, it seems whoever set this place was on the rush because they left many traces. Our mages can identify the mana signature and we can match them to the imperial catalog, where all the mages in the impire are registered"

"Oh? And then?" Viena just responded like that earning another reason for Eros to hate her.

"Lady Viena, we are requesting for you to returned to the imperial palace along the mages with us to immediately run the test to find the mage who owns the signature we found" the young Lionheart said as he give he signal to the mages to walk forward.

"We need the results immediately since we can't let the culprit use Lumen to take the fall for them" he continued to say while giving a look as if suggesting her to get moving.

A look that made the officer aware of his dissatisfaction. She wanted to discipline such action but seeing the mages giving her the same look she decided to put it on hold.

"Alright, I can escort the mages though I am concerned why the others must remained here?"

"Thats because we our not don yet with our investigation, I suggest you get it moving officer and seize your questions and do what you must"

Baylee one of the tower mages that was sent, gave her that answer. Like Eros he is not a fan of Viena's attitude. Its like she doesn't want to be here but was forced to comply. That's why instead of letting other mage do the escorting they had her do it.

"Since you dont want to be here just go and dont ask anymore questions" he added before leaving and resuming their search. Eros followed him closely along with Liam.

Viena cant help but sigh, it seems her annoyance about the situation end up affected her work.

"Lets go I will take you to the palace"

And so she left with three association mage and one tower mage.

The team continue their duty, findng more clues under the pile of documents and grotesque specimens.

"Its different" the young Lion muttered, as he compares the file from the tower and the one they found.

"The data here are all inconsistent as if they are only put here....for design?"

"Yeah like some sort of decoration put here just to add up to the pile"

Baylee already know this place was just planted to frame Lumen but didn't expect to see some junks.

"Something is off, if they wanted to frame someone they would have put more concrete evidence here but... everything here are rubbish"

"Yeah as if they expected that we won't be able to analyze it" a mage from the association, Lyrise commented.

"..."

"..."

The two mages stop for a moment as they come to a dreadful realization. Even Eros who was listening to their conversation couldn't help but shiver. Simultaneously they all look at the hundreds of glass tanks, all line up as if waiting for something.

The three imperial mages, Baylee and Lyrise gulped down while Eros took out an artifact, slowly he approached one of the tanks. The canonical source for this content: M|V|L2EMPYR.

A heavy silence came to them while the officers commanded their aura to protect the mages. Liam took his own defensive artifact, ready to protect his master if needed.

A lamp rested quietly on Eros' hand, and he put it right in front of the glass tank.

"Glow" he muttered and the lamp illuminated a light that pierced through the hundreds tanks.

"What the hell is that?" One of the swordmasters who was there to guard them muttered in horror. Right inside the pile of flesh swimming into the murky liquid. A creature was there, curled up as if sleeping.

"Let me see that Eros" Baylee rush forward and began casting a spell to analyze the entity inside the specimen.

"Be careful it might explode if you are not careful" Lyrise advice while the latter just nodded knowing what she was worried.

Eros maintain the artifact letting it shine even brighter while all mages began focused on examining it.

"This is!" Baylee gasps as soon as he realized what could have happened few moments ago.

"So that bitch actually came here to save us?" He murmured while signaling Eros to stop.

"What did you see?"

"There was a bomb inside the tanks, it was meant to trigger aftre sensing a massive amount of mana but it was stop when lady Viena arrived"

He explained then he looked at the officers send by the arcduke and said, "It seems your lord had been informed about what those things can do" then he look at the file on his hand knowing they were only put there to create an appearance that will only confused them.

"Find more traces here, even a strand of hair will do and if possible bring a seer here. I want to know if they can see the past of this place. If they cant then it only means we are dealing with something big" he then glance at Yukan and continue his words.

"Probably a kingdom like Aileen or something?" His voice was firm without a hint of hesitation catching both Yukan and Eros off guard.