Chapter 49: The White House
ftEHNZaIn the central region of Serdes, in the middle of a uniform plain, a single fortress stood.Z8N
4X8amUhThe land was so fertile and open that it would have been perfect for cultivation, yet all that existed was a green prairie covered in grass.g6dNmX
16dTTThere were no traces of people or creatures living nearby.zic
8jVOzIt looked like an island placed upon a green sea.1XV
wEh6That place was the territory of Blancaros and, at the same time, the headquarters of the Grand Council that handles all matters of the continent.M8UX2da
wD7xBhCommonly known as the White House.u1ggreO
YuJmPerda had arrived there.xg7
It1‘Is this it?’SEI61
fG43Perda raised his gaze toward the entrance of the fortress.IBLG
9qWS2nThe gate was already open.t3ThfI
JcEKxRRFor an ordinary person, that would be all they could see, but someone familiar with magic like Perda could perceive more.Isi
oal2In front of the gate, there was a translucent white barrier, extended in the shape of a dome.R5tFfSV
suXexOrder and territory.HsUMmag
4SGYmIf those two conditions were met, within Blancaros’s domain no one could oppose him.8Hrsp
zJfNot even a god.62WaU
ApW“You can be at ease.”1CN7p
jnFA young voice was heard from the other side of the gate.QnGkRcf
jdJFfKWhen Perda turned his gaze, he saw a man standing there.KYXrw
FA5“Lord Blancaros is benevolent toward those who respect rules and order.”M3WQ2s
yRr5mwPerda examined his appearance.iuP
NDhjaHHe was dressed entirely in white, and his skin was also white.QbJiv
XqJHis pale appearance resembled that of a vampire, if not for the pair of horns and his eyes.KGP
igJ4The man placed his hand over his chest and introduced himself.sSKmiV
cb0“Forgive the delay in introducing myself. I am the Hand of Blancaros and I will be your guide, Lord Perda.”zyVEp7
GOHVAs expected, he was one of Blancaros’s spawn.nlrg
ammMFjdBlancaros had three spawn in total—the Hand, the Mouth, and the Eye.brQ9
N43MkZVEach specialized according to their name.GiLek
xgtUnlike other dragon spawn, they were gentle.4xOOyfz
8rTHsoW“Please, come in. I will guide you.”r1G
26pfAnd none of them could leave Blancaros’s territory.nLTRfwW
8iaKM4“Understood.”DXCw6
Yb8Perda extended his hand toward the interior.tNI3
ROX9gAt that moment, he felt as if tiny particles were seeping into his skin.OxhzBcM
qsmShortly after, he noticed something strange in the movement of his circle in the dantian.UVfLR
pnjOIt was becoming slower.EcuS
04niBut it wasn’t as if something were obstructing it, rather as if he himself were naturally reducing its force.fd6li
TTnd‘Impressive.’F6Eok
Ccx4Absolute domain.moJuqe
IRqtSo absolute that it even applied to himself, which made it incredibly precise and solid.Ulk
sFOBut that suppression did not nullify it completely.ubhn
CikGX3vThe message was clear.OoP09B
jqCHXS‘If you can cause harm, try it.’gHdAcO5
bSiZBut Blancaros’s punishment could not be avoided.f4N
Sqg8eWith no possibility of excuses.WjvxfH
Vd44HIt was a warning.sr6Lfi
2MYUh‘At least I can use Shadow Hand.’7RVn1
KWOnpThe concentration required to form magic circles was also interfered with, but if he didn’t create them, it didn’t matter.rzw33
NtNwNSCThat was why he had learned Shape of Shadow.PDP96
u7qMGJDPerda glanced slightly back.XStROV
8mSnDZed and Arwen, who were following him, also showed discomfort.6t6
rnO9N42“How does it feel to enter this domain?”aawqRq
N7iarq“Not very good… it’s like a sense of weakness. Even the eyes feel heavy.”Xdpl
17EosuB“I feel it too. It’s like I’m lacking strength… I don’t think I can use aura.”CIUdiOd
zy0The knight could not use aura, and Zed had his racial abilities blocked.oygZ4ol
DPiL“Ruri, what about you?”H7xngn
liUeMZ“No problem.”idR9
Uutj9I“I see.”GOAPs
J95QThe conversation ended just like that.az64
pBaBut to someone observing, it would seem strange.Mlqjky
pUnGnArwen slightly tilted his head toward Zed.Zou2KF
iRdE“Did something happen between that spawn girl and the regent?”eRRyH
tfb“I don’t know. I decided not to get involved in that.”SNI
xtqWhen dragons fight, humans suffer.YysvING
BaMjaZed had already experienced that.Iye7n
lH0lq“There are five hours left before the council begins. Would you like to go to your room or to the banquet hall?”3pBg
mWJtiJY“What’s the difference?”Aa2Z
Pn7qr“Rest or social interaction. Right now, many are gathered in the hall.”98f
ax1Ct“Obviously we should go to the hall, right?”k8xX
vwIm5Zed shone with excitement.cEkD
iKqxbwPerda looked at him with disdain, and Zed hurried to justify himself.tfl13
nWowE“Think about it. Knowing the enemy is half the battle won.”uqwT2JK
rX50lH“I was thinking the same.”tV2i
uzxLLB“Then why that look?”kdC
3nD“Because you weren’t thinking that.”qhdx
ytY3XZed looked indignant, but couldn’t deny it.lb3
b8PFKIF“Guide us to the hall.”S818O
UZ1bZ“Understood.”biiN
O5lp91The Hand of Blancaros began to guide them.YfbA
Dyuu14Before following him, Perda patted Zed on the shoulder.AiPY9v
YYK“Enjoy the banquet.”YbB
qM8Ts“Eh? Ah… yes. Thanks.”DZZSIq
O8IAs he walked, those words kept echoing in his mind.iQ75KtU
5DjsHR‘No way.’yox
I9lpBut maybe yes.8kE
raWy0zIf it was Perda.2BdVVA
TVYptUCZed asked cautiously.kG4v
893“You’re not planning to use this banquet as my knighting ceremony… right?”QDwReS
T3ZogU“……”sdL
RNw7L“Right…?”v4JSa
IVymxWPerda did not say no.1liqyTy
Ymn***SeBXvN
BQHr2lDBanquet hall of the White House.v2N30i
dExPGbOnly 5 hours remained before the start of the Grand Council, so the place was already full of nobles.j7N
DKBfGPdIf there were no limit on the number of companions per person, the hall would have already been completely crowded.UMSC8C
22CNmThe large white doors opened softly, letting out music and laughter from inside.ZP20Vv
jOZJKAa“Ho…”qt5zC
rwB4OIt was the first time Perda set foot in the Grand Council.yIn
vAu1Even he, who was not someone sentimental, could not help but let out an exclamation.G1G
8GdHe had thought the Empire’s buildings were luxurious, but in the end, they were still human creations.CeH6fJ
JO9zCVFThe constructions of the dragons were on another level.DdtPqx
uX5Z7Inside, people accustomed to that environment laughed and conversed.H7Igsk3
oKlBAnd they were not only humans.yLDZ
2e5ARaces that normally did not coexist with human society were also present, such as the great chief of the elves, dwarves, and gnomes.cSc0
c6B9n“Wow…”mjLGn
1lgerWyThe one who could not contain his amazement was Arwen.oaEyRL
ndJSeeing him, Zed smiled with amusement.e4j
iEg4ZO“It looks like it’s your first time at a party, huh, knight?”MtCAkE
Bue“No, I’ve attended several for work, accompanying the count.”b6d8L
nwLOT“Then drop that peasant face. It shows.”oOQ7B2
qLFfp“Ah… yes…”oFMx6
PniwGEzAt Zed’s warning, Arwen nodded obediently and fixed his gaze forward.PMU
09sS7NBut his discomfort did not disappear.dKrHb1
zZg3mc‘Consilus was right.’RYU
QWEXHe was someone who needed experience.vrT9
PfsUnlike Arwen, Zed and Ruri were not carried away by the atmosphere.TJad
PpdZed was too accustomed to this type of gathering, and Ruri simply moved at her own pace.R0g
OTexAnd what Perda felt beneath that luxury was—Skld
aMP9Ko‘It’s like entering a nest of snakes.’oeW58
y415gDisgust.5rTrZ
IDnINn5It was completely different from the tensions with provincial nobles.l3lzLr
nOFno6From the moment he met their eyes, everything felt like a battle.sMRv
ZqyDOp2Friendly gazes were, in reality, constantly analyzing weaknesses.LxyW
QsC6CjsEven a simple greeting felt like an evaluation.pX6
k24fOPT‘That’s why they are high-ranking nobles—that’s why they can be kings.’wHTO
3coThey had power.cGAx
cBFcThe power to remain in that place.t1kuz
qkFlXThe power to rise.qbEdXd
cuf4hvThe power to bring others down.Ch82
9Hx03And what should one do when surrounded by people like that?sJM905
FrLa7The answer was simple.ZWP
auiiPerda walked with his back straight, unfazed.lK4z
omikgAs he advanced, he met each gaze, reading the flow.FSZ1
ezMOAlthough it appeared to be a social gathering, everyone eventually grouped into their own factions.o7hV
2Fr9URSHe thought—v20t
LhCIf I had to join someone where would I go?6fTH9Wz
q8B5ywAnd then someone caught his attention.ai2VXC
rHutBq“Haha! So you came, regent of Valdrova!”PJg
lOL5Among a group of humans, a man and several women dressed in extreme luxury stood out.GEwumq
vQVThey were at the center, as if dominating the place, gesturing to Perda.DXFe
nFFOn the man’s shoulder was the emblem of the Arken Empire.LY1T
FY1yBPo‘Alexander Arken.’EFLJlmB
y2XThe first prince of the Arken Empire.xdo8y5X
Lh9***4iGC
P5gucThe incompetent emperor, Godfrey Arken.JrCMyC
wVf6ASHis two sons, the first prince Alexander Arken and the second prince Ureas Arken, had attempted to overthrow him.zqworP
D1YvThey called it the beginning of a new era for the Empire.Lpom38b
GEHAKBut the result was disastrous.lI2p
oEIVGodfrey remained on the throne, and they became a laughingstock.pZW2
JX4‘They couldn’t even bring down a useless emperor…’4j5KoT
9wkGPe5That only strengthened the emperor’s power further.OaTy0
IQSFor Perda, who desired the fall of the Empire, those two were nothing more than useless.3dem
RL6k“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Alexander Arken.”xNISKRs
5YCnThe firstborn.alnaTkf
bbj4A man in his thirties, with an elegant beard that seemed to proclaim his ambition to be emperor.sBMzGx
bQK3“Perda Valdrova. It is an honor to meet you, Crown Prince.”9MjU3
2u32yM“I sent you a letter before, but I couldn’t reply. I was too busy with official matters.”3IbLYfw
SyxYwoYeah, right.BVnKvF
bG0iWhile Perda thought that, the woman beside him interjected.ZpWQVe
3am0au5“Ha ha! He has a hundred million subjects! Not even two bodies would be enough for him!”tMa
6AfyWyzUnlike the prince’s golden brilliance, she wore blue.q68V
ZFI6She looked young, but her brazen laughter was insolent.PmoU
uzAHowever, Alexander could do nothing to her.SjwDTM
XBVOO1cBecause, despite her appearance, she was over a hundred years old.YfBb
3ju“Who is this handsome boy? Aren’t you going to introduce him to me?”INsPx
fmft“Ah, right! My apologies for the lack of manners. Allow me to introduce her. She is the president of the Serdes Human Magic Academy, Erdes Roton.”4ac39
yAZGTErdes Roton.XdE02
QzIMhThe last lineage of a family that had once been the greatest of alchemists and also the worst of swindlers.i28vGi0
DkFN5fShe had no land or title.xBkpTo
wzNyPShe only possessed the seventh circle.hYeSbZ8
jBFIA2But under her name, all human mages were controlled by her.eXFbY7
v2qGg2Or rather, they were supposed to be.CAuHkD
dgH22n0She was that kind of woman.3jdc17
bdTe“I am Perda Valdrova. It is an honor to meet a great Archmage.”oe5Y
g36omO“Haha. I wanted to see the face of the Grand Duchess, but I ended up seeing her fiancé first.”axeu5G
evBdJ2“I heard it was not easy for you to attend this place.”4vLR
KaU4“Of course I know. This is a place for mortals, not for immortals.”1j8l
jcU9sShe smiled.FwrBDr
LZXfYIt was not a joyful smile, but an almost automatic one.SaHFs
XV6A1B2Her eyes fixed on Perda.t1k4
pXpH53J“Regent of Valdrova… no, I’d rather call you Regent Perda. I’m not very used to directly mentioning Valdrova’s name. Is that fine with you?”j6qf
VsR0BFn“As you wish.”d070Nb
wjRo“How old are you?”ydA
bjFSY“18 years old.”S2O2o
5xUwnD“A family of mages?”qJR
P97“No. I was the third son of a knight named Rosnova.”3QLp4
MNRNHer eyes widened like full moons.az2
HkwzJu“Hmm, how curious. I’ve heard that knights also train mana, but only as something secondary. Yet from you, I can clearly feel that of a mage.”O5GYJv
kEeCjW4“I trained as a mage.”gyc
ypQ4Z“Oh, I see! Did you achieve something great at such a young age? Ha ha!”alJN4TR
2wvjRAs she laughed, she continued speaking.XriZl2a
DfR4HGw“The prince told me. They said you made a great contribution by catching some rats in the Empire.”yuK55mF
kaD6o“Rats?”zCjzn
Bid“Black mages.”4hf5m0y
X0cDHe remembered.nis
KvBShe was referring to the group of black mages hidden in the sewers.UfC6p0T
af4FeYuIn reality, Perda had eliminated them because they would interfere with his plans to destroy the Empire.HO0W
Kfk9WzsBut he did not lie.Dlh8
Fr8e“I only contributed a little to a larger plan.”e7hjDU
ILqfnhp“Don’t be modest. Your achievements don’t end there. You also handled the matter of Tesalos Wolcher, didn’t you?”U9rFAy9
PqaG4That happened before the engagement, when he gathered all the lords.GrvV
1wOA man he had no intention of killing, but had to.mMOY
BvwAmr“That bastard was researching black magic, right?”2io9uo0
GcbSgQv“That’s correct.”yrb1
6TmIoix“It was interesting. According to the records, he was a mediocre mage without talent, but after being consumed by rage, he mutated into a Red Circle. After that, it seems he made progress.”k4RK
ZLM7wjErdes leaned her body forward.xke
0lpmbb“After falling into black magic.”K6pxZ
xXG9kstThe wine in her glass swirled slightly.2dxZpXm
4mEe“You know? I hate practitioners of black magic.”b7MML
CFuTXvJIt was well known.KG9gM
Il6M5She showed no tolerance toward those who practiced it.dpPYm
QcxSWiShe stripped them of their status and destroyed their circle, condemning them to never be able to become mages again.FDL8Hb
A26“I hate them so much that if they breathed the same air as me, it would make me want to strangle them.”J1B
10lh“I see.”jups
KcX“Useless people without talent sell their souls to demons and then call it effort. Without realizing they will end up as puppets worse than beasts, wandering as miserable souls.”HBV
4VjHer narrowed eyes shone blue.QRP
RMKxk“And what do you think, Perda? What is your opinion of those who practice black magic, hmm?”wGuJZAJ
fUtWhat could be felt in her gaze was absolute contempt.OOlyw
ZHvCThat gaze was directed at black mages.VBJ
zAXd“Especially if someone were to inherit that kind of necromancy using demonic beasts—what do you think would happen?”bXC
7mCny51That contempt was now directed at Perda.gXc2N
jkIThe meaning was clear.uwasi
2VD‘I know who you are.’AJS
ROhXvieShe knew that Perda possessed a Red Circle.QYU
fuVnAnd that he had learned black magic.UDla
os6SuThat was why she despised him like that.ubLC
g3LAs the strongest mage of humanity, her hatred was something to be feared.DI3
Odz‘But do you know that much?’T0V
SfjThat it was that very hatred that ended up strangling you.DCfZNa
K73That you fell into the grave you dug with your own contempt.i4Ng7xF
fG3a8EAnd that the one who pushed you there was me.JKyyBt
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationHow does she know that Mc is a red circle mage also use black magic.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationOho look at the audacity of this old hag.