Wilfred looked at Vladislav and couldn't help but wonder if there was any brain inside that large head. He couldn't imagine that there could be someone so stupid as to offend three Special Grade Wizards at once.
Three Special Grade Wizards, one of whom was considered the Most Powerful Man in the world!
Albus Dumbledore!
Taking a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions, Wilfred found himself unable to relax despite his long experience. A bad premonition had settled in his heart and hadn't left for a moment. On the contrary, this sense of extreme danger only grew stronger with time.
He knew the source of the danger was sitting right in front of him, elegantly sipping a glass of whiskey.
Asterion Black, the "Black Prince" as he was commonly known in the International Wizarding Community, a man worth several Special Grade Wizards. According to reports, there were nearly twenty Special Grade Cursed Spirits under his control!
What is the concept of nearly twenty Special Grade Cursed Spirits?
Wilfred knew that if Asterion Black wished it, his country could vanish from the map in an instant—simple and deadly.
"The Minister knows how to resolve this peacefully," Asterion said, his voice calm and courteous. Anyone could have mistaken the handsome young man for a prince.
Of course, Wilfred knew what Asterion was referring to: handing Vladislav over to Asterion would resolve everything peacefully. However, this was a dangerous decision—not just for him, the Minister of Magic, but also for his beautiful country, Slovakia.
First, the consequences of handing over the future Special Grade Wizard of the country would make him a sinner in the eyes of the wizarding population. Being re-elected would be nothing but a distant dream. He doubted he'd even keep his life intact, and he might be forced to commit suicide to appease the anger of the people.
Second, the damage to the country from such a decision would be catastrophic. Catastrophic would even be an understatement. His entire country would be dragged through the mud, and when anyone thought of Slovakia, they would think of the country that handed over its own citizen to die on foreign soil in a public execution.
Wilfred could already imagine the mass migration if he agreed to hand Vladislav over to England. He wouldn't blame his citizens if they chose that path. After all, who would stay in a country that couldn't even protect its own talent?
Taking a deep breath, Wilfred made his decision. Even if he rejected Asterion's humiliating proposal, the Minister of Magic was certain that Asterion Black would never dare to kill someone inside a foreign Ministry of Magic. The consequences of such an act were no different from lighting a match and throwing it onto a gasoline-soaked pyre.
"I apologize, Lord Asterion, but that is simply impossible. Vladislav is a citizen of Slovakia, and as such, he will be judged according to our country's laws," Wilfred said.
As he spoke, Wilfred could already imagine Asterion Black's emotional outburst, but instead, what followed was only a sigh laden with helplessness and weariness.
Placing the glass on the table, Asterion crossed his legs and toyed with the Ring of Marvolo Gaunt, spinning it on his finger as he calmly responded, "You're putting me in a difficult position, Minister of Magic."
Wilfred stood up and bowed, placing his hand over his chest, showing total sincerity in his words. "I know, and that is why I humbly ask for you to calm your anger. Vladislav will be judged with complete fairness."
Sweat trickled down the middle-aged man's face as the ominous feeling grew stronger. He felt as if he could be killed at any moment. It was a sensation that brought him back to his youth when he faced a Semi-Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
Looking at the man who displayed humility and seriousness before him, Asterion gave him a glance of appreciation and responded with another question, "Wilfred, history is strange. Only the victors get to write it."
Without paying attention to the man's confused expression, Asterion continued speaking calmly, "When historians look back on this day, they will see that Minister of Magic Wilfred Petkovic and the Semi-Special Grade Wizard from the evil Organization R conspired to kill Asterion Black in an assassination attempt orchestrated right here in the Ministry of Magic of Slovakia."
"I was merely forced to defend myself in pure self-defense, after all, my life was at risk," Asterion concluded, still toying with the ring on his finger. His words were calm and elegant, as though he weren't discussing what would become one of the most shocking events of the 20th century.
The faces of both Wilfred and Vladislav changed drastically upon hearing Asterion's bold and shameless lie. A deep fear appeared on their faces.
They had never imagined that Asterion would disregard the already tense public opinion in Europe and attack the Minister of Magic within his own Ministry!
"Lord Black—" Wilfred tried to plead, but what happened in the next instant left him wide-eyed in shock and pure horror.
The moment Asterion finished speaking, the entire atmosphere shifted in less than a second. The imposing and majestic Ministry—the central hub of Slovakia's magical community—was torn apart, shattered, slashed, and burned in an instant.
A figure emerged from the ruins of the once-proud Slovakian Ministry of Magic, clad in silver armor that shimmered like stars. His flaming white wings spread wide, casting radiant, golden fire all around.
The red-and-gold flames seemed to have a life of their own, engulfing everything in their path. Yet, incredibly, they avoided all human life in the area.
Fortunately, Asterion had managed to control his power; otherwise, it wouldn't just be the Ministry of Magic, but the entire city that would have been affected.
In the office of the Slovakian Minister of Magic—or rather, what was left of it after the cataclysmic destruction that had befallen the Ministry—Asterion sat unscathed. Everything within ten meters of him remained intact, and not a single speck of dust marred his fine clothes. He was seated in a chair, legs crossed, idly playing with his ring.
"What a disappointment. Unfortunately, I can't fulfill the promise I made. When they ask whose fault today's events were, know that it's yours and yours alone. Now, face the consequences of your actions, Minister of Magic Wilfred Petkovic."
Asterion spoke while observing the colorless face of the most powerful man in Slovakia, his expression resembling that of a wax figure. Pure horror was veiled in his eyes—a look reminiscent of men returning from war, their faces haunted, terrified by the smallest sounds.
No longer concerned with Wilfred, Asterion's red eyes finally fell on the man in the red suit.
"Well, well, little rat, we finally meet in person. I hope you enjoyed what you saw, for this is just the beginning of your hellish life. But don't worry—you won't be alone. Your superiors will be joining you."
Asterion's voice was calm as he noticed something interesting: the man seemed to tremble at his words.
"You're insane! A monster!" Vladislav spat, gritting his teeth, desperately trying to suppress the terror rising in his chest, but found it an impossible task. The great and noble Semi-Special Grade Wizard could not remain calm in the presence of the purest and most destructive force seated before him.
For the first time in his life, Vladislav felt terror seize his thoughts again, like the hunger that had gnawed at his stomach when he was just a child on the streets of Bratislava.
If it hadn't been for an elder from the R organization, who saw him fighting a dog for scraps of food and noticed his magical energy, he probably would have been just another beggar in the world.
"I find it amusing when someone like you calls me a monster, but in my eyes, the real monsters are those like you who hide in the shadows, trying to manipulate the world like mere puppets," Asterion remarked, a playful smile dancing on his lips.
"But you're right about one thing: I will become the very monster you speak of and despise. As they say, you have to be careful because, at some point, the hunter becomes the monster he hunts."
Looking directly into Vladislav's eyes, Asterion spoke in a calm tone. He didn't resent his destiny of becoming a monster.
After all, it was all about choices, and he had chosen to become one. He had to face the consequences of his actions, just as Arcturus had once told him.
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Author's thoughts: The First R-18 was written on Patreon, it was a bit rusty, but I think I did a good job.
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Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 175 - Conspiracies and Secrets (5), Chatper 176 - Conspiracies and Secrets (6), Chapter 177 - Conspiracies and Secrets (7), Chapter 178 - Decision and two wives (1), Chapter 179 - Decision and two wives (2), Chapter 180 - The Old King of Camelot (1), Chapter 181 - The Old King of Camelot (2), Chapter 182 - The Old King of Camelot (3), Chapter 183 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1), Chapter 184 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2), Chapter 185 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (3), Chapter 186 - Second Trial of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (4), Chapter 187 - Second Test of the International Tournament of Witchcraft and Wizardry (5), Chapter 188 - Asterion & Daphne (R-18), Chapter 189 - Asterion & Daphne, Chapter 190 - How to Train Your Dragon (1).