Chapter 2637 – 2637. Dark Moon

Entering the banquet hall, I scanned the surroundings.

Men in tuxedos and women in glamorous dresses. An orchestra was playing, and the food on the tables was expensive and extravagant. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary party. But if you knew the faces of those attending, no one would dare call it ordinary.

Members of the Round Table Council that decided Neo London’s policies, CEOs and executives of well-known corporations, knights and mercenaries famous for their sheer power—individuals with immense reputations in Neo London were gathered in one place.

‘Not everyone is here, but… these are faces that can’t be ignored.’

I headed toward a suitable table. It was a table where mages from the Magic Association, whom I had met several times, were gathered.

In particular, one of them was a woman with whom I had a deep relationship.

A woman with waist-length blonde hair and glasses. With slightly pointed ears, she looked at me with shining eyes.

Orsia Heitel, the successor of the Heitel School and a 7th-circle mage. Although she wasn’t a combat mage like me, I learned the basics of spatial magic from her.

“Yujin, it’s been a while. I heard the news. I sincerely congratulate you on reaching the 7th circle.”

“Orsia, it’s been a while. Did you attend as a representative of the Magic Association?”

“Yes. The Association President is currently not in Neo London, and the Vice Presidents dumped the work on me.”

The smile on her lips was somehow chilly. She had been given the short end of the stick, so it was understandable that she wasn’t in a good mood.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yujin, I know you’re busy, but please visit the Magic Association later. You need to fill out paperwork to receive the items and benefits given to a 7th-circle mage affiliated with the Magic Association.”

“Do I have to talk about my unique ability too?”

“Of course not. Unique abilities are the essence of the 7th circle itself. That will absolutely not happen. I stake my name on it.”

“Hmm. I’ll visit when I have time. That dress looks good on you today. Shall we dance?”

I scanned her body and extended my hand. She was wearing a light green dress with little exposure. Only her wrists were visible. Her chest was also completely covered, but I knew her breasts were quite large.

“…I’ll refuse the dance. I’m uncomfortable dancing in front of people.”

“I understand. Forcing it isn’t the way of a gentleman.”

We looked at each other with meaningful eyes. It had been a while since we last met, but… it hadn’t been that long. We meet regularly and sleep together. We’re not dating; we’re sex partners.

I talked with other mages from the Magic Association around her. Most of them were 6th-circle mages, so they were very interested in me.

“Did you gain enlightenment while exploring dungeons? Or is there a secret method to reaching the 7th circle?”

“The dungeon was related to mages. I obtained some information and headed to the dungeon while hiding my identity.”

“There are dungeons that help mages. I’ve never been interested in dungeons before… I should look for one this time.”

I couldn’t talk with the mages for long. There were quite a few people approaching me cautiously, giving me the eye.

“Haha. It’s a pleasure to see the CEO of LK here. I have some questions about superconductors…”

“Congratulations on reaching the 7th circle. I heard you’re unmarried. Would you be willing to meet my daughter? She’s a 3rd-circle mage, even if she’s only a 3rd circle.”

“I have a good investment opportunity. Are you interested? I made a 130% profit from this investment. It’s a reliable investment that’s even been featured in the news.”

People swarmed around me like hyenas hunting for prey. I dealt with them appropriately without changing my expression. There was no harm in talking business at a party. In the first place, there wasn’t much else to talk about.

‘Even seemingly insignificant conversations can become valuable information once they leave this place.’

Every piece of information exchanged here is like gold. That’s why even nobles with weak power force themselves to attend famous banquets, knowing they will be looked down upon.

“Duke Elsa Bennevis is entering!”

“Duke William Snowden is entering!”

“Duke Laura Helvelin is entering!”

Princesses and princes with ducal titles entered.

I quietly observed the royals.

Elsa Bennevis. A woman with glamorous blonde hair and emerald eyes. She was a flamboyant woman. She had a voluptuous figure and a good body. She was popular with both men and women. It was already well-known that she ran several businesses.

William Snowden. A handsome man with blonde hair. He liked to wear white uniforms, and he was wearing one at the party. He had a confident smile. Like Elsa, he was a man of great ability. He was said to have the support of the navy. He was second in line to the throne.

Laura Helvelin. The third in line to the throne. With blonde hair and red eyes, she was shorter and had a smaller chest than Elsa. However, Laura had a better body ratio and was healthier. She was a princess with a knight’s license. It was rumored that the London Knights supported her.

The royals who entered one after another scattered in different directions.

Neo London’s business people mainly gathered around Elsa. Old nobles and naval officials gathered around William. There were many famous knights and rising nobles around Laura. They had already formed their own factions.

‘And they’re glancing at me.’

They were eager to draw me into their factions.

With my power and wealth, my influence after reaching the 7th circle was incomparable to before.

‘They’re all too busy watching each other to approach me first. If one of the three tries to contact me, the other two will try to restrain them.’

Frankly, it wasn’t pretty to see them openly trying to court me.

‘They’ll probably ask to see me separately through their servants later.’

After that, they would whisper sweet words and try to draw me into their factions.

‘The closest to the throne right now is Princess Elsa Bennevis, the first in line. But the Queen hasn’t declared her as the successor. It means there’s still a chance for the other royals. And there isn’t an overwhelming gap between Princess Elsa and the other royals.’

My joining one side could tip the scales. I could become a kingmaker.

‘First, Prince William is out. Most of the kings of Neo London have been queens. Therefore, the citizens of Neo London are more likely to have a preference and support for a princess. Princess Elsa and Princess Laura. It’s one of the two….’

Princess Laura’s power is weaker compared to Princess Elsa. Therefore, I could get a huge reward by helping Princess Laura become queen. Princess Elsa has a lot of power, so even if she becomes queen, I wouldn’t get much.

‘What I want is a conglomerate. For the Meyer family to rise as a conglomerate in Neo London. For that, is it better to side with Princess Laura? Princess Elsa is also a businesswoman who runs a business, so she might interfere with me. Princess Laura would be easier to control than Princess Elsa.’

Just as I was leaning towards Princess Laura, a woman in a maid’s uniform approached me. Unlike other maids, she was wearing a much more luxurious, dress-like maid’s uniform. She was a black-haired woman who looked to be in her late 20s, but….

‘The moment she gets close to me, my mana trembles and I feel tense. And it’s hard to gauge her depth. She’s at least a 7th circle. Maybe even an 8th circle.’

If she had that much power, her age didn’t matter.

I saw the sun emblem badge on her chest. It was the symbol of Prime.

There was only one person in the modern era who could wear this badge.

‘Royal Maid Captain Florence Palmer.’

She wasn’t just a 7th circle, but a definite 8th-circle transcendent. Late 20s? Unlike her appearance, she was much older. Unfortunately, detailed information about her wasn’t known. What was certain was that she was loyal to the Queen personally, not the royal family. Therefore, only the Queen could give her orders.

“Count Meyer. Her Majesty the Queen is calling for you. I will personally guide you to Her Majesty.”

“If Her Majesty the Queen calls, I must go.”

I followed behind Florence. As she moved, the servants didn’t dare block her path and stepped aside. I could feel even the high-ranking nobles and royals watching her.

In an empty hallway, I followed her and asked,

“Maid Captain Florence, I heard you only follow the orders of Her Majesty the Queen. Are you serving an individual? Or are you serving the throne?”

“I only serve Her Majesty Victoria VI.”

“…I see.”

I followed her into the Queen’s room. Florence didn’t leave the room and stood next to the Queen.

“I greet Her Majesty the Queen.”

I knelt before the Queen and carefully observed her. The Queen’s impression was like that of a kind grandmother. However, there was an aura of authority emanating from her that made it impossible to treat her carelessly.

“Rise, Count.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point. Do not interfere with the succession to the throne. If you interfere before this succession, the situation will become uncontrollable. That is not what I want. I don’t ask much of you. Please remain neutral in this succession.”

“Does Her Majesty the Queen want the princesses and princes to fight each other to the death?”

“Yes. This position should not be easily taken. I want them to take this position themselves. I have asked all those who could become asymmetrical forces, including you, to remain neutral.”

This wasn’t a request only for me. I couldn’t refuse it. No, I could refuse it. If I was willing to go against the current Queen.

‘The future is important, but the present must exist. And the justification that I couldn’t intervene because of Victoria VI’s orders will also work for the future queen.’

The calculation was complete.

“I will do as Her Majesty the Queen wishes.”

“Thank you, Count. I am always grateful for your efforts for Neo London. Florence, that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Florence, who answered briefly, put her hand into the front pocket of her apron. What she took out was a thick book.

‘…Is it a subspace artifact?’

“I heard that you recently reached the 7th circle. This is a magic book that I bestow upon you.”

I accepted the magic book that the Queen directly handed to me.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

I checked the cover of the magic book. The overly clean cover made it seem like it was a copy, not the original.

“It’s the magic book of German, a court mage from 130 years ago. It is said to contain 8th-circle lightning magic and some 7th-circle magic. I am not a mage, so I don’t know much, but you, as a mage, will know its value.”

“…It’s a priceless treasure. I can only be grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

I spoke with sincerity.

This was something I needed more than anything else right now.

“Now, I must go to the banquet hall. Count Meyer, can you escort me?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

I gladly took her hand.