High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1576: Chapter 320: Emergency Conscription Order

”I have not violated any rules!”

The witch firmly rejected the committee members’ proposition: ”If necessary, I am willing to make a statement at the Great Wizard Conference in accordance with the Wizard’s Codex, allowing all members to bear witness. But don’t even think about taking a single byte of experimental data from my laboratory!”

”Providing the relevant materials may help you avoid the risk of prosecution,” the round-faced witch gently reminded her. ”According to the agreement between the Alliance and the Moon Council, if an Upper House Member is subjected to criminal accusations—even if unproven—during the period of accusation, the Alliance has an obligation to adjust resource allocations for the clan affiliated with that member.”

”Is that supposed to be a threat?” Su Shijun wasn’t angry; instead, she laughed.

”No,” the gaunt warlock coughed twice and shook his head in denial: ”This is about safeguarding the glory of the Wizard’s Codex... and the stability of the Mage Alliance. Rules are rules.”

”Even if your so-called rules hinder wizards’ pursuit of the truths of magic?” Su Shijun’s fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, her voice detached: ”...If you have evidence, you can have the enforcement team shut down my laboratory; if you have opinions about the lab, you can go protest to the First University.”

At this point, her fingertips stopped on the armrest as she fixed her gaze on the questioning committee members behind the conference table. In a soft voice, she continued, ”...And if you want to pick a fight with the Moon Council, go ahead and try.”

The meeting room fell into silence.

Only the faint rustling of assistants’ feather pens on parchment and the ticking of the clock on the conference table could be heard.

The questioning committee members behind the desk coughed lightly, shifted uneasily in their seats, and cautiously exchanged glances.

Finally, the round-faced witch seated at the center decided to swiftly conclude this unpleasant exchange: ”The Alliance is an alliance for all wizards. Its operations are impartial and reasonable, governed by ’The Code’ and the ’Charter.’ Danhag harbors no subjective malice towards any clan or individual. On this, you may rest assured.”

”Since this inquiry failed to provide a coherent explanation for the accident’s cause, subsequent inquiries will proceed in a hearing format.”

”Prior to the inquiry, we had a brief discussion with the senior commissioner of the criminal court. If the inquiry proves unsuccessful, you will need to head downstairs to attend a hearing at Danhag’s High Court, Criminal Division Three, and explain the experiments your lab is conducting... We suggest that you bring all experimental data and materials.”

”If the school has no objections.” The witch’s mouth twisted into a faint sneer.

”The school needs to focus on the Black Prison,” the elder wizard grabbed the gavel in front of him and slammed it twice onto the table. ”You are a member of the Moon Council, not truly affiliated with the First University... Danhag’s commissioner has indicated to us that if your laboratory demonstrates sufficient cooperation during this investigation, the High Court may consider leniency for the Dark Blue Castle’s illegal experimentation case.”

”Consider leniency?” The witch snorted coldly. ”Can Danhag also consider canceling my conscription order?”

”Oh,” the elder wizard raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the file in his hands. ”That condition isn’t listed on my parchment... But based on my limited experience in Danhag, the Moon Council has no authority to decline the Supreme Summons, or it automatically forfeits its Upper House Member status.”

”Then there’s nothing left to discuss,” the witch rudely rejected, displaying an attitude completely out of sync with her usual composure. ”I’ll attend your hearing. But I won’t bring experimental data or materials. If you want them, talk to Old Yao or Vice Principal Shi instead of bothering me, the humble lab director... or deputy director.”

”What about the Dark Blue Castle...” The elder wizard hesitated but couldn’t resist reminding.

”The castle of ghosts? I know.” The witch adjusted her glasses and glanced at the row of elder wizards seated behind the long table, her mouth curling into a derisive smile. ”But what does that have to do with me? If your memory is failing, I can remind you: I belong to the Qingqiu Fox clan, not the ghosts of the Dark Blue Castle.”

The atmosphere in the room turned cold.

Though it was unclear whether it was due to the morning chill.

At that moment, a golden stream of light pierced through the meeting room’s secret barrier and began circling the ceiling three times. The tail of the stream shimmered with flecks of gold; the fragments of the barrier and space debris it carried as it sped through dimensions.

After its rotations, the golden light abruptly paused and landed in front of Su Shijun.

It was a golden token, round on top and cloud-shaped below, resembling a flattened bronze bell. Encased within it were Cloud Script characters imbued with a majestic aura.

The token’s face bore a single circle, and within that circle was one word: ”Summon.”

Su Shijun let out a heavy sigh—speaking of Cao Cao, and here Cao Cao came; fearing something didn’t stop it from arriving. She pursed her lips, raised her hand reluctantly, and tapped the ”Summon” character.

The token shattered with a deafening sound. At the same time, a deep voice resonated throughout the entire meeting room:

”Hereby, summon Moon Council Upper House Member, Big Wizard Su Shijun, to immediately proceed to the Black Prison for auxiliary defense. No delays permitted. This summons holds the highest Alliance priority. Office of the First University Principal.”

The meeting room remained silent.

The round-faced witch’s assistant, seated just behind her, stared dreamily at the golden light slowly dissipating into the air. She failed even to notice the drop of ink blotting her parchment from the tip of her feather pen.

After a brief pause.

The Moon Council Upper House Member seated at the center of the meeting room spoke courteously, ”So... Is there anything else?”

The trio of questioning committee members shook their heads in unison.

Compared to the Alliance’s top-priority summons, their inquiry meeting, the criminal tribunal’s hearing, and even Danhag’s Supreme Court trials could all be postponed indefinitely.

”Then...”

The witch inclined her head slightly, gracefully rising while lifting her arm.

A group of uniformed sprites swarmed around her, assisting her in donning her pre-perfumed cloak and hat. The crisp clacking of her shoes against the floor resumed.

The sound stopped at the doorway.

From behind came the voice of the elder wizard, slightly frazzled: ”Postponement does not mean cancellation. Regarding the next scheduled date for the hearing at the Criminal Division Three, we will formally notify you via Danhag’s External Liaison Office...”

”Bang!”

The response came in the form of a heavily slammed door.

Low, indistinct murmurs swirled beneath the hollow ceiling, echoing faintly and dissipating: ”One trouble after another... When will I ever get back to the lab?”

...

...

”I warned you all—the inquiry wasn’t a good idea.”

A sudden voice shattered the room’s stillness, emerging from the ornate clock on the table. Intertwined with the ticking of its hands, the voice felt particularly eerie: ”Now then, about our earlier proposal...”