Imperial Regulations
When he finally managed to see his surroundings clearly, he realized that he was no longer in the military camp!
He was already at Half-Horn Mountain!
"Ha ha ha ha ha... My dear sister, you truly are kind to the point of foolishness. You expended so much magic to create a teleportation array to come to this place, worried that our battle would harm innocent people? Ha ha... But by using up so much magic, how much power will you have left to control your Crimson Flame Dragon in the fight?"
The Ice Witch sneered, and a low chant emerged from her mouth... Suddenly, the ice mountain cracked open!!
A massive head had already emerged fully, followed by a gigantic body covered in ice crystal-like scales!
Looking at the creature, as large as a small mountain, with a strange horn on its forehead, a massive body shrouded in icy cold air, and claws the size of carriages... with two wings flapping behind it...
This was a dragon of this world...
---
In the history of the Wallace Empire, a notable emperor once said:
"The Imperial Code is sacred and inviolable! Within the empire's domain, everyone must strictly adhere to the constraints of the Imperial Code."
This emperor later created one of the most glorious eras in the history of the Wallace Empire, known for its strict laws and stable imperial rule.
However, it was also said that the same emperor, while leaving behind that famous quote, privately added another statement. Although this private statement was not recorded in any official documents, it was widely known through various channels.
"...Everyone must adhere to the Imperial Code, but there are two exceptions. The first exception is the Emperor himself. The imperial power can sometimes override the code! And... the second exception is... Wizards!"
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Powerful Wizards often possess abilities far beyond those of ordinary people. When such abilities reach an extreme level, they can even change the fate of a nation. Existing records document Wizards so powerful that they are almost akin to deities in the eyes of mortals.
These powerful individuals can level mountains and fill seas with a wave of their hand. They can summon storms and blizzards or turn fertile plains into scorched deserts. They can annihilate armies with a gesture or create disasters capable of destroying small nations.
For such powerful beings, worldly "codes" are clearly unable to restrain them. Expecting those who can destroy the world to follow mortal laws is unrealistic.
Even disregarding those legendary figures with god-like powers, duels between ordinary Wizards can still cause minor catastrophes, enough to destroy a city.
Historically, during the unification of the continent, a dark era marked by chaos and war, a duel between two Wizards could annihilate a city-state!
After the continent was unified into the powerful Wallace Empire, large-scale conflicts subsided, and Wizard battles became rarer. Even so, the history of the Wallace Empire still records incidents where Wizards, in their private duels, "incidentally" destroyed one or two small towns.
Despite this, the Imperial Code never included laws prohibiting Wizards from dueling in public. There are regulations against public brawling for ordinary people, but Wizards are exempt.
Even the Magic Guild only advises Wizards to avoid settling personal grudges in crowded areas, a suggestion rather than a mandate.
Moreover, an agreement between the Magic Guild and the Empire stipulates that any intermediate or higher-level Wizard, unless guilty of treason, cannot be judged or punished without a joint trial by the Empire, the Magic Guild, and the Temple of Light. Without this joint trial, the Empire cannot arrest or convict any intermediate or higher-level Wizard.
In the Empire's centuries-long history, no intermediate or higher-level Wizard has ever been punished for breaking the law, underscoring the unique status of Wizards above ordinary people.
A group with extraordinary abilities, acting almost entirely on their whims and nearly beyond control... To ordinary people, Wizards are such beings, and thus, Wizards are always spoken of with a mix of respect and fear, with fear taking the larger part.
---
Almost all the residents of Half-Horn City were awakened by the commotion that night.
The violent tremors woke many from their dreams, even knocking some out of their beds. Ceiling lights swayed, wooden doors creaked, and countless people awoke in terror, finding themselves unable to stand steadily amid the intense shaking.
People ran out of their homes in panic, only to see the sky, which should have been dark, flashing with dazzling lights. The huge balls of light flickered, and in the distance, an unknown beast's roar, terrifying to the core, echoed!
Wave after wave of tremors came from outside the city, resembling a dreadful disaster. Earthquakes, the fire in the sky, and that chilling roar sent the residents of Half-Horn City into a frenzy.
The most terrifying moment came when a particularly strong tremor caused a section of the northern city wall to collapse! The sound of the wall collapsing drove people into a blind panic within the city!