Tarsuria, Year of Severus, 15, I.R., the 85th day of Fall, Arenfall

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"Surprised I'm alive?" The injured prince grinned at the dumbfounded senators.

Prince Arterius limped towards Lord Prestonheim's table and greeted his godfather.

"Y-you should be in bed." The old commander's eyes widened to see his poor godson's condition.

The young prince had injured his bad leg once again. The unfortunate prince was clearly hurt. Aside from his reinjured leg, Prince Arterius had his left arm bruised and mangled from the impact. He also had a huge gash on his right cheek and welt on his left eyebrow.

Lord Prestonheim could only imagine the young prince's pain. Every inch of Prince Arterius' body should've hurt, but his stubbornness and determination were pushing him through the toughest of situations.

"I know, godfather," Prince Arterius sighed. "But I don't want to miss this discussion with the Senators!" He grinned.

It was clear to Lord Prestonheim how the prince was pushing himself, after all, it was his life and honor on the line.

The young prince proceeded to sit on the table and pointed at the chunk of ice inside the glass located on top of the table.

"Honorable Senators, have you enjoyed the fruits of our research?" He smiled as he picked up the glass.

"Yes," Senator Lucresia replied. "We understand that...uhh…this…hmmm…breakthrough is going to advance us, am I correct?"

"Indeed." Prince Arterius nodded his head.

"You do understand that these chunks of ice are nothing more than…." The old senator scratched his head. "What is a good term for it? Oh! Refreshments!"

Most of the Senate started laughing. Some of the prince's allies whispered with each other. Lord Prestonheim couldn't hide his dismay towards such distinguished men. Regardless of the prince's current status, he  was still a blood of nobility and a son of the Imperatur.

Prince Arterius simply smiled and offered the glass to him.

"Godfather, would you care to drink from this glass?" The prince asked.

"O-of course." He took the glass from Arterius' hand and drank from it.

The cold water was refreshing to say the least. It was indeed something that could relax one's nerves under the sweltering heat. However, even he agrees, that as it was, the discovery was useless to the Principalian Senators. If it's not a weapon or something else that could help the empire grow its borders, then, it's nothing more than a footnote.

"Now, with the use of your exousia, try to put some on the glass and throw it on the ground." His godson confidently said. "Oh! Please, just a little bit of exousia!"

Lord Prestonheim was baffled with his last statement. Is the ice functional like a rune? There was only one way to find out. He threw the glass to the ground. The glass broke and the water scattered on the dusty ground. The Senators went silent.

"What was that you were trying to say?" Senator Ordaneus mocked. "Freeze them to death?"

"More like, wet the ground with ice!" Senator Lucresia seconded.

Most of the Senators laughed at Prince Arterius expense. What was his godson thinking? Lord Prestonheim couldn't help but feel pity for the prince. But he saw not a hint of disappointment in Arterius' eyes. He remained calm and confident with what he said.

His godson smiled and sat on the table, raising his legs from the ground. "I would do this if I were you!"

Suddenly, the ice began to glow and scattered throughout the ground, freezing everything, it came in contact too. Even the foot of the table and stools succumbed to its frozen grip. The Senators and Lord Prestonheim were quick to react and were able to lift their foot on time before the bed of frost could harm them.

There was a brief silence after that. The Senators had nothing to comment about it. Lord Prestonheim too, although, he had an idea of what his godson was trying to tell the rest of them. He heard his godson grunt as he lowered down his leg back to the frozen ground. They followed as well.

"Wooooh… too cold, isn't it?" He sighed in relief. "Well, it just works wonder on my apparent injury!" He smiled.

Everyone inside the tent was dumbfounded with what they saw. Lord Prestonheim couldn't believe what just happened. Whatever he did was something he never saw on the report he was given from Servus 305-M. Could it be that the prince was given a different set of report? It was highly unlikely. All he could do was stare at his godson vying for an explanation at what happened.

"Honorable Senators and Commanders, that is the real potential of this so-called refreshment." Prince Arterius confidently answered. "You see, this new technology could solve a lot of things for our soldiers in battle. Imagine the possibility where the rations could now stay longer than its usual lifespan? Less rotting of meat, less spoiling of bread, cool water to refresh them during long marches—"

"Would you get to your point!" Senator Lucresia interrupted.

"But I would've loved to hear the other things he had to say!" Senator Dotlan interjected.

"We have no time for such, Senator Dotlan! We have other matters to discuss aside from this!" Senator Lucresia spat.

It was clear that the balding, senator was irritated with the theatrical spectacle his godson made. He knew deep down that Senator Lucresia knew the implications of this discovery towards military tactics. Lord Prestonheim himself could just imagine how easy it would be for them to cross rivers by freezing the waters with the technology or using it as a sort of projectile to freeze their enemies.

He knew Senator Lucresia could already imagine the battles they could win with the technology, and it was because of Prince Arterius' efforts. Lord Prestonheim expected the senator to downplay the prince's accomplishment, but he was confident that his godson had already factored it.

"Very well, Senators." Prince Arterius sighed. "This new technology could also be placed inside bottles and tightly-sealed earthenware and be used as projectiles against our opponents. Just imagine how we could turn the tide of battle around with these causing havoc among their ranks?"

Senator Lucresia clapped his hands. "Impressive, Prince Arterius. But I think this research was made by 305-M and not by—"

"Are you discrediting the prince?!" Lord Prestonheim finally exploded. "Let me remind you, Senator Lucresia that this was his idea to survey the mines and look for purpose on those stones."

"Well, that doesn't mean that it should be credited to him just because he thought about it. That being said, if you only thought about it but was never the one to act on it makes you useless." The Senator replied.

The other senators whispered amongst themselves while some argued over the statement. Unfortunately, the number of allies Prince Arterius had was far too small compared to that of his younger brother. Prince Veritus' allies were trying to make sure that they get their favored prince on that throne, even if it meant discrediting the real heir to the throne.

"Well, I supposed you're correct Senator Lucresia." Prince Arterius calmly agreed. "But let me ask you a question, if you don't mind. Using that logic of yours. Would you say that the Imperatur is not as competent as you?"

"TREASON! What you're saying is treason!" Senator Lucresia's face reddened with rage.

"Hear me out!" Prince Arterius tried to calm the fuming, balding man. "You see, most of the time, my father would have an idea and he usually would tell his subordinates to do his bidding. Now, from what you said to me earlier, does that mean that my father is not doing his role effectively and that you should be given credit for all that made his reign great?! I wonder, because that's what you were trying to imply based on your logic."

Lord Prestonheim had to bow his head down to suppress his laughter. It was the first time that someone turned his logic on the sly senator. He couldn't forget the face of the balding old fox with his mouth ajar. The old man was dumbfounded and had nothing to say.

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Announcement!

Due to my hectic schedule, I am sorry to inform you that the updates will be changed to Monday-Wednesday-Friday.  But to make up with you guys, I shall update 10 chapters every 1st of the month beginning September. 

I hope you understand. Thanks!

Ad Astra et Ultra!!!