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"Quiet!!!!" Watching the assembly hall resembling a wet market, Lorelei's face darkened. She directly used magecraft to shout sharply.
Silence returned to the assembly hall.
"Mister Gravera's guess is correct. My father believes the probability of the other party being a True Magic user is extremely high. However, it is an indisputable fact that the other party is manipulating a Divine Spirit suspected to be God."
"Given the strict faith of the Holy Church, there is a high probability they will accept his rule. Therefore, the other party can already be said to be the de facto leader of the Holy Church."
"Adding to that the True Magic user's relationship with the Black and White Princesses of True Ancestors, it is an indisputable fact that the forces at his command exceed the total of the Mage's Association. Inviting him for a meeting to determine the direction of the magical world, and even the real world, is a necessary matter."
Lorelei expressionlessly recited the script on the small screen before her.
"The opinions of the Wandering Sea and the Atlas Institute?" Lorelei looked at Gravera and Peter, speaking indifferently.
"The Atlas Institute's goal is to maintain the status quo. Therefore, I will temporarily reside in London, participate in the talks, and await their conclusion," Peter stated with a stern face, speaking solemnly.
"The Wandering Sea's goal is also thus. However, this old man wishes to ask, esteemed members of the Clock Tower, do you have any method to make that True Magic user come for talks? After all..." Gravera lightly tapped the cane in his hand, speaking puzzledly.
Although Gravera's words were incomplete, everyone present understood his meaning. Which faction's top leader would accept such an invitation to enter the main camp of a hostile force?
However, everyone present understood that not inviting him over wouldn't work either. After all, London had the Clock Tower's two-thousand-year-old Magic Foundation base.
Only here could old antiques like the elder Barthomeloi and about a hundred others resist that True Magic user to some extent by borrowing the Magic Foundation arranged over two millennia.
If they invited him to meet elsewhere, what if their own leader was killed on the spot? No one dared to take that risk.
Thinking this, all Clock Tower members present focused their gazes on Kayneth. Within the Clock Tower, only Kayneth had clearly pledged allegiance to Haru.
As for the head of the Spiritual Evocation department whose young daughter was 'played with' by Haru—he himself had always maintained an ambiguous attitude.
Everyone also expressed understanding.
After all, it was just an abandoned daughter; her status was probably just that of a plaything. Pledging allegiance would be too risky.
"Head of the Archibald family, I remember you have been applying for those Magic Crests for that True Magic user, right?" Lorelei closed her eyes, concealing the killing intent in her gaze, speaking indifferently.
Hating the house because of the crow—that described Lorelei perfectly.
Treating her Barthomeloi family as a prostitute provider—such an act trampling her family honor, how could Lorelei not hate it? If Kayneth weren't a Lord in the Clock Tower, his figure would probably be in the sewers tomorrow.
"Indeed, that is so." Kayneth nonchalantly nodded.
The matter of Kayneth applying for those Magic Crests, collected by the Clock Tower over thousands of years, for Haru was basically known to every noble.
Magic Crests that could be collected by the Mage's Association were not low-grade items.
High-level magic inheritances like Kiritsugu Emiya's Time Alter, and the Second Magic inheritance jewel magecraft of Tohsaka Tokiomi, who died in the original timeline, were all collected by the Clock Tower in secret vaults.
Only those old antiques and heads of major families possessed the privilege of applying for one to research for a month within a year.
Even though Kayneth's status had been rising rapidly recently, through some connections, he could only apply for 10 per month to give to Haru for research.
It was because of this that Kayneth was utterly devoted to Haru. After all, Haru only needed to annihilate a tiny part to deduce the complete content; one crest took only about ten seconds.
Haru, adhering to the principle that 'if you want the horse to run fast, you have to feed it grass,' granted the remaining 29 days to Kayneth.
Kayneth, whose magical energy soared thanks to the large number of various inheritances, how could he not be eternally grateful?
And now, Lorelei bringing up this matter—her intention was very clear. It was probably the invitation letter thrown out by the old Barthomeloi.
"How many, specifically?" Kayneth stated calmly.
"All inventory. But research is limited to seven days at most," Lorelei stated seriously.
"Give the items to me, send them to His Excellency. As for whether His Excellency comes or not?" Kayneth spread his hands, looking as if he were powerless.
"One month!!!" Lorelei clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth.
Raging fire erupted in her brown pupils—the substantial anger produced by emotional instability causing magical power to go berserk.
Kayneth pursed his lips, still maintaining his 'I am powerless' gesture.
Although normally, talks would likely not be very dangerous, who knew if this meeting was a sham specifically set up for him?
Besides, he was ultimately just a subordinate—how could he presumptuously make decisions for his master?
Kayneth, whose interests were long tied to Haru, knew very well: if his boss lived well, he lived well. If his current backer fell, he could consider sleeping in that sewer.
Lorelei's eyes held intense killing intent. A howling gale enveloped her.
"How about sending the items over in advance? At least show some sincerity?" Facing Lorelei's killing intent, Kayneth, whose little days were quite comfortable, decisively conceded, proposing a suggestion.
"IM! POS! SI! BLE!" Lorelei enunciated each word, her tone filled with an indescribable chill.
If they really sent the Magic Crests over, what if they never returned? Wouldn't she, Lorelei, have to bear the responsibility?
And based on Lorelei's impression of Haru, the probability of them never returning was simply too high.
"Then what's there to talk about?" Kayneth shrugged, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode out of the assembly hall.
Inside the assembly hall, those belonging to the Clock Tower headquarters silently watched Kayneth's departing figure.
The previous conversation was equivalent to a direct dialogue between the Clock Tower and Haru. They, being of lower status, dared not rashly speak out.
If an accident occurred in the end, and they, who had spoken out, were used as scapegoats, it wouldn't be fun at all. However, among those present, there were still people who could speak out.
"The Atlas Institute proposes that sending the Magic Crests in advance to show goodwill is more appropriate," Peter, still maintaining that stern face, spoke.
"The Wandering Sea seconds this. We must hold talks with the other party to avoid war. All we seek is the Root; war is not in the interest of the Mage's Association." The old fox Gravera directly raised the banner of the Mage's Association to pressure Lorelei into submission.
After all, the one losing the most was actually the Clock Tower. The two organizations, being in a state of subtle hostility, felt no pressure in kicking them while they were down.
Besides, if the invitation was successful, these Magic Crests would definitely have to be returned after use. If they could snatch one or two at that time, wouldn't it be delightful?
One must know, among those Magic Crests, those involving forbidden domains were exceptionally numerous.
"We won't trouble the Wandering Sea and the Atlas Institute. The Clock Tower will do its utmost to promote these peace talks," Lorelei took a deep breath, maintaining an expressionless appearance, speaking calmly.
"Excellent!" X2
Gravera and Peter exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.
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