Chapter 174 - Conspiracies and Secrets (4)
Bratislava, Slovakia.
Above the city, Asterion hovered in the air, his red eyes gazing downward with a cold smile. The pilgrim had obviously Apparated when he spoke his words earlier, but unfortunately for him, escaping from a Special Grade Wizard was not so easy.
Still, Asterion had to admire the man's bit of courage, for instead of Apparating to another country or hiding in some unknown mountain, he chose to Apparate directly to the Slovakian Ministry of Magic—a bold and cunning move, Asterion thought.
Wearing a graceful smile, Asterion landed in a dark alley and stepped out onto the streets of the old city, dressed in an elegant black suit embroidered with the Black family crest on his chest. In his hand, the Patriarch's Ring and Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, which contained one of the three Deathly Hallows.
Gazing at the ring that held the Resurrection Stone, Asterion narrowed his eyes, thinking of Grindelwald, but dismissed the thought as he stopped in front of a beautiful building.
To Muggles, this place was nothing more than a massive monument with nothing inside. But to the eyes of any witch or wizard, it was an imposing building in the middle of the city.
As he walked toward the entrance, Asterion was stopped by two men guarding the entrance to the Ministry of Magic.
"Identification and International Visa," one of the men said in Slovak, holding his wand and looking at the young man with suspicion. There was no way not to be suspicious of Asterion, dressed the way he was. Everything about him screamed "Englishman" from head to toe.
Asterion didn't speak Slovak, so naturally, he didn't understand what the guard said, but he could guess from the man's expressions and gestures. Pulling a small black book with a golden tower symbol from his jacket, Asterion handed it over willingly.
Karan took the small book and opened it, his eyes narrowing as he read the information inside.
The book automatically translated itself into his language, and beside a picture of the same young man standing in front of him, it read:
[Asterion Black]
Position: Patriarch of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, holding two seats on the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower.
Wizard: Special Grade.
Karan ignored everything else when he saw "Special Grade." Looking up and seeing those red eyes calmly staring back at him, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Without waiting to speak to his companion, Karan ran into the Ministry of Magic, not caring about his companion's shocked expression.
Asterion wasn't surprised by the man's reaction and waited patiently. He had told Dumbledore that there would be no international incidents, and he would keep to that promise as long as things were resolved peacefully.
While Asterion waited outside, Karan had already burst into the office of the Slovakian Minister of Magic, Wilfred Petkovic.
"Minister! I have something urgent to report!" Karan exclaimed, despite the disapproving look from his superior.
Ignoring the deadly glare he was receiving, he approached and handed over the small black book.
Wilfred's eyes narrowed at the sight of the Tower symbol on the ID card. Taking the book and opening it, his expression grew even more serious as he read the information inside.
"Thank you for the warning, Karan. You may leave; I will personally handle everything related to this matter," Wilfred said in a calm tone, which greatly surprised Karan. But as a subordinate, he nodded and left the office.
Once Karan was gone, Wilfred turned to the man sitting next to him with a cold look. He wasn't pleased about being used, despite being a member of Organization R. He didn't care much for that old group. He could sense that if something were to happen while the two were in conflict—which seemed almost inevitable—it would be difficult for him to be re-elected. This left him even more dissatisfied with the man.
"You'd better pray, because the one who has arrived can destroy this country at any moment," Wilfred commented coldly to the dark-skinned man dressed in an elegant red suit.
"Don't worry, Wilfred. He wouldn't dare do anything while I'm on international soil," replied Vladislav Mitrovic, also known as the Pilgrim, a high-ranking member of the old Organization R.
"Humph." Wilfred merely snorted coldly at the man, looking at him with disdain.
He didn't know what Vladislav had done, but the arrival of Asterion Black meant that this man had dared to do something against a Special Grade Wizard—suicide in his eyes, as well as in the eyes of almost every wizard around the world.
The door opened, and Wilfred narrowed his eyes as he saw the tall boy with black hair and red eyes. He was impeccably dressed like an English noble. Asterion Black, responsible for killing two Special Grade Wizards at the age of just 14. An incredible record in the entire history of the wizarding world.
Smiling kindly, Wilfred stood and approached Asterion, extending his hand. "It is a pleasure to greet the slayer of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Your presence graces us with honor and admiration, Lord Black."
Asterion looked at the middle-aged man. He had brown hair streaked with white, and he appeared to be someone who had lived a full life, filled with seriousness—clearly someone who had fought his entire life, just like any other wizard in the world.
Shaking the Minister's hand firmly, Asterion replied, "Your country is beautiful, Minister Petkovic."
Wilfred's smile widened at this. Asterion's words hinted that he hadn't come with hostile intentions, greatly easing the Minister's concerns about the arrival of the Special Grade Wizard.
Gesturing for Asterion to sit in the chair across from his desk, Wilfred poured two wide glasses of whiskey, serving one to the Special Grade Wizard.
"Thank you," Asterion said, taking the glass and bringing it to his lips while his eyes fell on the man in the red suit. His eyes did not hide the amusement he felt as he looked at the man who had conspired against him.
"I must say, your arrival has surprised everyone, Lord Black. After all, I received no notice of your visit to my country from the Clock Tower." Noticing Asterion's gaze, Wilfred commented with a subtle tone of disapproval at his abrupt arrival.
"I did notify them of my arrival, but something must have gone wrong, and the message didn't reach the Slovakian Ministry of Magic," Asterion replied with an elegant smile, his eyes giving the Minister a slightly dangerous look, as if warning him not to pursue this delicate matter any further.
Wilfred cursed himself internally. He had thought Asterion was young and inexperienced with politics, but he realized now that the boy was a shrewd fox despite his age.
He also noted the dangerous tone in the Special Grade Wizard's eyes—a subtle warning that Wilfred wisely chose to heed. Only a fool would antagonize a Special Grade Wizard, and he was not like Vladislav, who dared to provoke one.
Wilfred wanted to live for many more years!
"What brings you to my beautiful country?" Wilfred took a sip of his whiskey and asked with genuine curiosity. He was truly curious to know how the worthless man beside him had managed to provoke a Special Grade Wizard.
"The man next to you conspired against me, Dumbledore, and Rose Potter—three Special Grade Wizards," Asterion replied, looking at the Minister of Magic with amusement. He was eager to see how the Minister would react to those words.
Wilfred took a deep breath and tried to steady his trembling hand, which held the glass. He had known Vladislav was a stupid fool, but he didn't realize the man was this stupid!
To provoke not one, but three Special Grade Wizards!
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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).