"Felix is right. We should head to Imperial City."

Deborah felt helpless. All she could do now was worry about Felix. Even with several masters of Transcendence Realm backing them, challenging the royal family would be futile.

As they continued their journey, Felix asked, "Madam Goddard, have you or Mr. Earnhart Senior ever met the royal alchemists?"

The question made Deborah frown as she answered, "Yes. We've met them and know who they are, but their pill-forming rate remains a mystery."

Her body tensed when she finished speaking.

"Are you saying the royal family attacked because they feared your presence would affect Martial City's Ascension Pill production?"

When Felix nodded, Deborah, Ezra, and the others immediately grasped the implications.

"That explains how the royal family maintained so many masters of Transcendence Realm over the years. They must have eliminated any alchemist they thought could produce advanced pills at a higher rate."

Everyone understood withou