Chapter 215 Epilogue 1
"Harry… I think I know the subject of their urgent meeting," Envy mused as the news segment concluded.
"Do you mean the Kraken, ma'am?" Harry inquired, while deftly preparing another pot of tea.
"Yes," Envy replied, her tone contemplative. "The last time I encountered a Kraken was during the late 1600s. It was widely believed that Krakens had gone extinct due to the depletion of the world's mana."
Envy continued her explanation as she watched the tea leaves unfurl in the pot. "Krakens are colossal mythical creatures. They require substantial amounts of food to sustain themselves, and specifically, they need prey that contains magical energy. Without it, they weaken and eventually perish."
She paused, her expression serious. "So, the implications of the Kraken's existence in this era are significant. Mages will undoubtedly scramble to determine where it resides, or more precisely, where it hides. Why have they surfaced now? What has triggered their reappearance? There are limited theories to explain why a Kraken might survive in the current era. One possibility is that it resides near a natural mana font beneath the ocean. If this were true, it would undoubtedly spark a fierce competition among mage factions to claim that mana font as their own."
Envy's thoughts circled back to the looming complications. She could already feel the headache coming on. The resurgence of the Kraken would likely bring a host of problems, and she anticipated being quite busy in the coming days.
There was also the unsettling realization that she might be excluded from key Hightower decisions. The secretive meeting between Golden Scale and Cyrus, the two Grand Councilors, seemed designed to keep her out of the loop, or worse, suggest that she was not considered necessary in their efforts to restore the mage society to a bygone era of power and influence, regardless of the means required to achieve it.
Envy's growing realization of being isolated from the center of power and decision-making by Golden Scale and Cyrus made her increasingly cautious. She began to question the safety of her position within the Hightower. As a precaution, she decided to take steps to safeguard her assets.
"Harry," Envy summoned her butler.
"Yes, ma'am. How may I be of service?" The butler inquired politely as he meticulously poured her tea.
"I need you to help me liquidate all of my assets in London and split the proceeds into two halves. One half should be transferred to Lust for safekeeping, and the other should go to Mr. Emberweave," Envy ordered.
"It appears you're preparing for the worst. What about your assets in Somerset, especially your Sanctum Sanctorum? Many items within it could potentially trigger a civil war in the Curtained World. What would you like me to do with them, ma'am?" The butler sought clarification.
Envy shook her head in response. "There's no need, Harry. I don't believe they're foolish enough to pry into my Sanctum Sanctorum." She dismissed the idea, knowing the dangers within her secret sanctum. If Cyrus or anyone else attempted to infiltrate it, they would encounter a slew of deadly traps and formidable creatures, making it a perilous endeavor.
— Nevada - Near Great Basin National Park - Stenmark Estate —
The Stenmark Estate, perched atop a hill overlooking the majestic expanse of the Great Basin National Park, was a testament to both natural beauty and proud Viking heritage.
The estate's location provided a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding wilderness. From the highest vantage points, one could witness the rolling hills, dense forests, and the distant glimmer of lakes in the Great Basin. This stunning backdrop created an aura of tranquility that enveloped the estate.
Nestled within this picturesque landscape was the heart of the Stenmark clan's heritage, their ancestral home. The main house was an architectural masterpiece, constructed from sturdy timber that echoed the design of Viking longhouses. Its sloping roofs bore intricate wood carvings, depicting sagas of Viking conquests and exploration.
Surrounding the estate, there were vast pastures where the Stenmark clan indulged their passion for ranching. A small dairy farm thrived here, producing some of the finest milk and cheese in the region. Cows grazed peacefully on the lush green fields, and a traditional Viking longship, crafted as a sculpture, stood proudly at the entrance to the ranch—a symbol of their seafaring lineage.
In the central courtyard of the estate, a serene oasis was created. Here, a massive stone hearth, reminiscent of the Viking longships' fire pits, served as a gathering point for family and guests. Around it, there were stone benches adorned with Viking runes and symbols.
The landscaping of the estate was carefully designed to incorporate hardy Nordic plants and trees. A small pond with a dragon-shaped fountain added a touch of Viking mythology to the scene, while nearby, a Viking-style longboat was transformed into a unique playground for the younger generation of the clan.
Within the main building of the Stenmark Estate, a structure meticulously designed to resemble a Viking longhouse, time seemed to flow between the ancient past and modern convenience. While the building retained the appearance and atmosphere of a Viking relic, it had been subtly infused with modern amenities like televisions, air conditioners, and computers, offering the best of both worlds.
In the grand hall of this remarkable edifice, Ragnar Stenmark, the patriarch of the clan, occupied the seat of honor. Before him sat two distinguished guests. One was Hagrim Goldgrip, the esteemed president of the Dwarf Association, and the other was Patrick Dupont, a mage and the patriarch of the renowned Dupont family hailing from France.
Hagrim Goldgrip held the prestigious position of overseeing the Dwarf Association, an entity responsible for nearly 40% of the magical ore market. Dwarves controlled the secret realm where most of the world's magical ore was mined, making Hagrim a key figure in the magical industry.
On the other hand, Patrick Dupont hailed from a long line of non-combatant mages, known for their extraordinary winemaking skills. The Dupont family's wines were renowned across the globe, cherished for their unrivaled quality since the Middle Ages. Some of their vintages, such as those crafted in the 1800s, were sold at auction houses for exorbitant prices, with individual bottles fetching upwards of a million USD and often exceeding ten million by the end of the auction.
These two distinguished guests, each representing vastly different yet equally influential aspects of the magical world, had come to the Stenmark Estate to meet with Ragnar Stenmark. The three of them sat together, engaging in casual conversation about everyday life, while Dupont occasionally glanced at his wristwatch.
Just at that moment, the grand hall's entrance swung open, revealing Greed accompanied by an alluring woman. This woman exuded an irresistible charm, with her seductive blond hair, captivating smile, and a voluptuous figure that seemed naturally designed to entice.
This bewitching woman was none other than Lust, the behind-the-scenes queen of Hollywood. Everyone present had a shared connection – they were all members of the Magic Harmony faction. Hagrim Goldgrip was an exception, as his presence was attributed to the close cooperative relationship and trade between the dwarves and this influential faction.
"Ah, finally, you've arrived," Ragnar warmly greeted both Greed and Lust as they entered the hall.
"Lord Stenmark, I apologize for our tardiness. Let's begin the meeting," Greed expressed as she found a seat.
"Seriously, Greed? I'm not a combat type. Why drag me into this meeting? I'm busy, you know," Lust started to complain before settling down next to Greed. She then turned toward Dupont and gave him a seductive wink, causing Dupont to startle and his face to flush red momentarily.
"And you think I'm not busy?" Greed gritted her teeth in annoyance. She then noticed Lust turning her seductive charms toward Hagrim and sending him a wink. At that point, Greed reached the limit of her tolerance for her flirtatious friend and slapped Lust on the head, bringing her friend's flirtatious behavior under control.
"Stop doing that already!" Greed roared at Lust as she slapped her head.
"Hey! That hurt!" Lust clutched her head and looked at her friend, a bit admonishing.
"I brought you here because only your magic can penetrate Pride's magic shield, and she'll always run away the moment she sees you. So you're here as a strategic weapon against her," Greed explained.
"Seriously, Greed. Do I look like Pride repellent spray to you? I'm the queen of Hollywood. I'm..." Lust was about to continue, but...
"Yes! You're Pride repellent spray now, so shut up for a few minutes and listen to the meeting," Greed cut her off, making Lust look at Greed a bit resentfully.
"Tsch... Greed... you said you'd tell me where Mr. James is. Don't you dare lie to me, okay? Otherwise, I'll use my technique to send you to the Seventh Heaven. I'm okay with both men and women, you know," Lust said seductively to Greed. Greed quickly turned toward her with sharp eyes.
"Do that, and I'll cut the budget for your new movie!" Greed issued her ultimatum.
"I'm very sorry, Ms. Greed. I'll never do that again," Lust said politely, changing her seductive demeanor into a business-like one in an instant.
"Now, Lord Stenmark, let's discuss how to defend against Pride's attack in New Mexico. Shall we?" Greed said, officially starting the meeting.
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