Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

This question caused the Grand Duke to tense up abruptly.

"You're actually curious about this?"

His tone became somewhat wary.

"It is said that the 'Blood King's Palace' has recently experienced some unusual fluctuations."

Gaetano's expression turned serious:
"I've heard some rumors from the main world."

"There is discussion within the School Alliance about whether it is necessary to intervene in the affairs of the Chaotic Blood World."

The Grand Duke remained silent for a long time, so long that Gaetano began to suspect that there was a problem with the communication.

"Lord Gaetano," Alcadi finally spoke:
"There are some things I advise you not to get involved in."

"Oh?"

The dwarf raised an eyebrow.

"What I mean is, your best option is to stand back and, if things get weird, quickly return to the main world to avoid being affected."

The dwarf looked down at the barrel of wine in his hand, seemingly deep in thought.

"This is such a hassle..."

"I originally just wanted to stay here quietly as a technical consultant, have a few drinks, and occasionally give some pointers to those idiots in the Industrial Alliance."

"Unexpectedly, the water is getting muddier and muddier."

The Grand Duke noticed the atmosphere was becoming too heavy, so he changed the subject:

"Your Excellency, I have always been very curious about the story of the Great Wizard Selna."

"The archives of the wizarding civilization should be more complete than ours, right?"

This question caused Gaetano's expression to change slightly.

What do you want to know?

"everything."

A glint of light flashed in the Grand Duke's eyes:
"From her pioneering of the chaotic world to her death... I want to know the whole story."

The dwarf wizard pondered for a moment, seemingly weighing something.

Finally, he sighed:
"Okay, I'll treat this as a history lesson for you."

He took another big gulp of wine, as if preparing for the long narration that was about to begin.

“Selna von Esterheim was born into a declining wizard clan—or rather, by her generation there were only one or two formal wizards left.”

"She was exceptionally talented in her youth. By chance, she was spotted by the King of Illusions, who was then a quasi-Witch King, and was taken in as his disciple."

"Under Pandora's guidance, she specialized in 'bloodline mutation' and 'organ transplantation' and quickly became a key figure in the field."

"In the middle of the Third Era, during a routine exploration, Selna discovered an unusual rift."

Gaetano tapped his head, trying to recall his memories:

"That leads to a chaotic land, which later became the World of Chaos and Blood."

"Back then, there were no thirteen clans here, no vampire civilization, and not even the name 'Chaotic Blood World' existed."

"There is only a group of 'primitive vampires' driven half-mad by the curse, and countless bizarre and ferocious creatures."

"That was a truly chaotic place."

"Pollution, curses, madness... all the negative factors combined to make this place a hellish place."

The Duke listened intently.

He had seen snippets of this history in ancient texts, but never in such detail.

“While other wizards were avoiding this chaotic land, Selna saw ‘possibility’.”

The dwarf paused:
"Therefore, it took her hundreds of years to initially bring order to this chaotic land."

"They drove out the most dangerous demonic creatures, purified the most polluted areas, and established the first settlements."

The Grand Duke suddenly realized: "So, the thirteen clans..."

"They were all raised up by Selna."

Gaetano nodded:

"She selects the best individuals from the original vampires, provides them with bloodline modifications and technical support, and helps them establish their own territories."

"At that time, the thirteen clans were extremely grateful to Selna."

"She is revered as the 'Lady of Blood' and is the de facto leader of the entire chaotic world of blood."

The Grand Duke thought of their official history, and Selna seemed to be just a "benefactor who helped the thirteen clans rise to power".

But it was never mentioned that she was the true "creator".

"However……"

Gaetano's tone turned serious:
"Selna's pursuit of 'perfection' ultimately led her to the abyss."

"She began experimenting on her own body."

"By fusing various bloodlines and replacing various organs, they are attempting to create the 'ultimate life form'."

"The initial results were indeed amazing—her strength continued to increase, and her physical functions reached a level that was unimaginable to ordinary people."

“Some even say that she has already touched the threshold of the Witch King.”

"But the costs are also accumulating."

The dwarf's voice deepened:
“Each modification made her body become more…inhuman.”

"Scales, tentacles, compound eyes, exoskeleton..."

"At first, there were only some subtle changes, which she concealed with magic, and no one noticed."

"But as the reforms deepened, those changes became more and more obvious and harder to hide."

"at last……"

Gaetano took a deep breath: "She has become a monster that she doesn't even recognize herself."

The Grand Duke frowned: "Hasn't she realized the problem?"

“I realize it,” the dwarf said with a wry smile. “But she can’t stop now.”

She said, "If we give up now, all our previous efforts will have been in vain."

I can only keep going, until I succeed or I die.

“This mentality…” Gaetano shook his head: “Too many wizards who pursue ‘perfection’ end up destroyed in this way.”

The Grand Duke processed this information.

Gaetano took another swig of wine:

"What's even more ironic is that... before she died, she left her remains to the younger generation of her family."

"Her original intention was to hope that outstanding young people among her descendants would be able to carry on her legacy, but she never expected..."

“So…” the Grand Duke interrupted the other person as they were about to call out that name:
"Ron Ralph later obtained Selna's illusory remains, so legally speaking, he is the rightful heir to the Chaotic Blood World?"

"Yes."

Gaetano gave a meaningful smile:
“Selna is the pioneer and creator of the chaotic world, and her legacy represents the ‘orthodoxy’ of this land.”

“If Ralph wanted to… he could use the banner of ‘restoring orthodoxy’ to rightfully become the king of the Chaotic Blood World.”

The Grand Duke's face turned ugly.

He finally understood why the Alliance of Schools had appointed Ron as governor without hesitation.

"What's interesting is..."

Gaetano took another swig of wine: "Hilda helped us fill in many of the details of this history."

"Hilda?"

The Grand Duke was stunned.

"Your ancestor, the one from the 'Eye' clan," the dwarf said with a touch of melancholy.

"It is said that she was a witch in her youth and even worked as that guy's...experimental assistant."

"What?!" The Grand Duke's voice suddenly rose.

He had never heard of this news.

Hilda—the most senior member of the thirteen clans—has always been perceived by all the Grand Dukes as a "pure vampire."

Although she was proficient in various fields of knowledge, she attributed that to her long life and rich experience.

"Surprised?" Gaetano's lips curled into a smile:

"That was my reaction when I first heard about it."

"When Hilda was young, she was said to be a member of the Selna family."

"Later, that false king rose to power... Hilda was one of the very few wizards who 'witnessed the whole thing'."

The dwarf's eyes deepened: "She witnessed firsthand the rise and madness of the false king."

"Then... he escaped unscathed and is still alive today."

"This level of skill is not something an ordinary person can possess."

"Your Excellency..." the Grand Duke asked tentatively, "Why would Hilda tell you this?"

“Who knows?” Gaetano shrugged.

"Perhaps they think that an old drunkard like me isn't a threat?"

"Perhaps they want to use me to transmit some information to the main world?"

“Or perhaps…” his eyes sharpened: “she is preparing for something that might happen.”

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it yourself." The dwarf wizard yawned and cut off the communication.

"I've had a bit too much to drink, I'm going to bed now."

The light from the communication array gradually dimmed, and Arkadi's projection dissipated into the air like melting frost.

Gaetano remained in the same drunken state, holding the barrel of wine and swaying unsteadily in place.

As the last trace of magic dissipated completely, the dwarf's back suddenly straightened.

His cloudy, hazy eyes cleared, and he put down the wine barrel—it had been just a prop all along.

"I've been pretending to be drunk for hundreds of years, it's fucking tiring."

Gaetano muttered a curse under his breath and took out another communication crystal from his pocket.

"Hopefully that kid isn't asleep yet."

The dwarf wizard chanted the activation incantation, and magic flowed into the crystal.

The blue light condensed in the air, quickly forming a blurry human-shaped outline.

"Your Excellency Gaetano."

Ron's voice came from the projector, tinged with surprise:

"Why are you contacting me at this time? What happened?"

"Kid, I have some news to tell you."

Gaetano got straight to the point; he didn't want to beat around the bush.

"The Grand Duke of the Heart Clan just contacted me to inquire about your strength and capabilities."

In the projection, Ron's expression didn't change much; this result seemed to be within his expectations.

What did he find out?

“I told him the truth.”

The dwarf shrugged:

"The collision of the demigods at the wedding, the tragic state of Cyrus and Elwin... these were hardly secrets."

"In addition, I also told him some history about Selna and that false king."

"That history should be very enlightening for the vampire lords."

Ron pondered for a moment.

"You want them to realize that they are nothing more than 'food' in that false king's eyes?"

“Smart.” Gaetano nodded approvingly: “Divide and conquer is always the most effective strategy.”

Let them distrust each other and worry about their fate... that's far more cunning than us taking direct action.

"but……"

The dwarf's expression turned serious: "Before we get to that, I'd like to ask you a question."

"Please speak."

How much do you know about the 'Blood King's Palace'?

This question made Ron frown slightly.

The Blood King's Palace—that's where Aiden's "kingdom" is located, the most dangerous and mysterious forbidden zone in the entire chaotic world of Blood.

According to the fragments of memory he gleaned from Professor Yutel's illusory remains, and some of the information left behind by Selna...

“That is the core of the false king’s kingdom.”

Ron slowly began, “His power is rooted there, deeply bound to the rules of the Chaotic Blood World.”

"It is also the 'cage' that confines him—it both protects him from external interference and prevents him from leaving."

Not entirely correct.

Gaetano shook his head:

"The Blood Palace is not just the kingdom of the false king; it is more like a... 'wound'."

“Wound?” Ron caught the key word.

"When Selna was exploring the world of chaotic blood, she discovered a strange phenomenon."

The dwarf spoke with a strong voice, showing no signs of drunkenness:
"The 'world will' of this plane is extremely weak, abnormally weak."

“In a normal plane, even at the lowest level, there will be basic ‘self-awareness’.”

It repels external intrusions, self-repairs, and maintains the basic operation of rules.

"A world of chaotic blood..."

The dwarf clenched his fist loosely, as if imitating a hollow object:
"It's a shell with its internal organs emptied out, with only a thin skin barely maintaining its form." Ron's memories were triggered, and this metaphor reminded him of his recent experience.

“Selna initially thought it was naturally formed,” Gaetano continued.
"After all, there are indeed some planes with 'innate defects' in the endless sea of ​​stars."

For various reasons, they were incomplete from the very beginning.

"But as she delved deeper into the chaotic world of bloodshed... she discovered the truth."

"The world's will in this dimension is not 'naturally weak'."

"Something gnawed at this world a very, very long time ago."

"And the place where the Blood King's Palace was built..." The dwarf's voice became hoarse:

"It's the mark left by that devouring, a 'crack' that can never heal."

Ron fell into deep thought.

He began to understand why Aiden had chosen to establish his kingdom there.

"I understand," he said, stating his deduction.

“He didn’t ‘choose’ the Blood King’s Palace; he ‘had no choice’ but to stay there.”

“That’s right.” Gaetano nodded. “But the problem is… recently, that crack has been ‘expanding’.”

This statement is like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating ripples.

“Expansion?” Ron’s tone suddenly turned serious. “Are you sure?”

"Alkadi just inadvertently revealed some information."

A glint of light flashed in Gaetano's eyes:
"The Heart Clan has already sensed something amiss, and Arkadi will come to probe your strength at this time..."

He looked at Ron: "That means he's considering his options."

Ron remained silent for a moment.

"Is there any other information?"

"Have."

Gaetano's tone became more serious:
“Hilda contacted me first.”

The name made Ron's expression change slightly.

What did she say?

“She told me a crucial piece of information—the false king was already able to ‘project’ his will onto the outside world.”

"Although it is only a fragmented effect, it is enough to manipulate those vampires with high blood purity."

"The Grand Dukes of the three major clans, 'Teeth,' 'Claws,' and 'Wings'... their recent behavior has become increasingly radical, increasingly... unlike themselves."

Ron frowned.

If this intelligence is true, it means that war may come sooner than expected.

“I also discovered some clues in the industrial alliance’s intelligence network.”

Gaetano added:
"The three major clans, 'Fang,' 'Claw,' and 'Wing,' have recently made large-scale mobilizations of resources."

"The procurement list includes: blood crystal explosives, siege equipment parts, large quantities of medical supplies and military rations..."

“The quantity of these supplies far exceeds ‘defense needs,’ and they are preparing for war,” Ron asserted.

“Hilda asked me to tell you something.” Gaetano tapped his head:

“When the king’s eyes are open, the pieces will move according to his will.”

But on the chessboard, there are always a few pieces that can be chosen to become players.

Ron tore it open slightly and quickly understood its meaning.

Hilda was telling him that some grand dukes might still retain their autonomy and could be won over.

"Your Excellency Gaetano, what is your suggestion?"

The dwarf was silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"If you want to gain a foothold in this chaotic world, you must do one thing."

Interrupt His revival process before He fully awakens.

How do I interrupt?

“Destroy His ‘anchor’.” Gaetano lowered his voice:
"Although the false king is trapped in the Blood King's Palace, his power maintains its presence in the outside world through the bloodlines of the thirteen clans."

Those grand dukes with the purest bloodlines were His 'anchors'.

“Kill them, or… make them betray that false king.”

Ron nodded: "Thank you for your reminder, Lord Gaetano."

"Don't thank me." The dwarf waved his hand. "I just don't want to see the Chaotic Blood World turn into ruins."

"After all, while the blood wine here may not be as good as that in the main world, it has a wide variety of types."

"If that madman ruins it, where am I supposed to find so many novel blood wines to drink?"

………………

At the border between the Heart Clan and the Eye Clan's territories, an ancient castle stands silently under the eternal twilight.

It is said that during the classical period of the vampire civilization, it was a venue for nobles to hold grand balls.

Back then, handsome men and beautiful women from various clans would dance here, exchanging love poems and vows under the blood moon.

However, those glorious days are long gone, and now only ruins remain of the ancient castle.

Al-Kaddi arrived half an hour early.

When he stepped into the castle hall, he found Hilda already waiting there.

The Grand Duchess still looks like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.

She wore a simple black dress, and her long silver-blue hair fell down, making her youthful face appear even paler.

"Arcadi".

Hilda's voice was hoarse and aged: "You've arrived earlier than I expected."

“You arrived earlier.”

Arkadi stood opposite her, with a dusty rectangular stone table between them.

"You came to me to find out my 'stance,' right?"

Hilda got straight to the point.

Alkadi did not deny it.

"You are the longest-lived of all the grand dukes."

He spoke frankly:

“I believe you know better than anyone what the king’s awakening means.”

Hilda chuckled softly.

Do you know why I've lived so long?

Before Alkadi could answer, she gave the answer herself.

"Because I never take sides."

The blue-haired "girl" stands leaning on a cane, her figure appearing frail in the backlight.
“Eight thousand years... I’ve seen far too many people who ‘choose sides’.”

"Some people make the right choice and rise to great heights; others make the wrong choice and are wiped out."

"But more..."

She turned around, her gaze shooting towards Alkadi like lightning:

"They are those poor wretches who thought they had 'made the right choice,' only to find out in the end that they were just pawns in someone else's game."

"That guy was like that back then—he thought he was in control of his destiny, but he didn't realize that he was also in control of his destiny."

Arkady frowned. "You mean..."

"I have witnessed someone's rise to power."

Hilda said slowly:
"At the end of the Third Era, I was just a distant relative of the Selna family."

At that time, I wasn't even considered a prominent figure in the family; I could only do peripheral research work.

"Someone back then..."

Her gaze became unfocused: "He's still a somewhat melancholic but not crazy young man."

"His adoration for Selna bordered on fanaticism, and he knew all her research findings and great deeds by heart."

At every family gathering, he would speak at length about Selna's greatness—her achievements, her ideals, her vision…

Many people thought he would become the successor to Selna's ideals.

“But he did this not for the sake of ‘inheritance’.”

Hilda's tone suddenly turned icy: "What he wants is 'devouring'."

“He admires Selna, but not because he reveres her greatness.”

"That twisted desire was finally exposed the moment the illusory remains were stolen."

A brief silence fell over the hall.

The wind outside the window whistled through the crumbling walls, making a mournful sound, like the whispers of the dead.

Hilda tapped her cane and suddenly spoke:
“Arkadi, you are the Grand Duke of the Heart Clan and the strongest among the thirteen clans.”

But I have to tell you a cruel truth..."

“When the king is fully awake, you ‘offspring’ will be nothing more than ‘parts’ that can be recycled at any time in his eyes.”

"He doesn't care about blood ties."

Hilda said coldly, "Because he himself rose to power by 'betraying his bloodline'."

Alkadi clenched his fist silently beneath his robe sleeve.

He wanted to refute, but found himself speechless.

Because what Hilda said was true.

In fact, among his peers, he was at best mediocre.

This position of Grand Duke fell into his lap only because those among his peers who were too "outstanding" would suddenly "disappear" one night.

No one knew where they went, and no one dared to ask.

Everyone tacitly understood that those people had been taken away by the "King".

As for what happened after they were taken away... nobody wants to know.

"War will happen next; it's unavoidable."

Hilda, leaning on her cane, slowly sat down in the chair.

If you ignore her youthful appearance, she looks no different from any other elderly person with mobility issues.

The three major clans, "Teeth," "Claws," and "Wings," have been deeply eroded.

"As you know, Cassano is usually a cunning but rational person, good at weighing pros and cons."

“But now he…” she shook her head: “His eyes are filled only with madness and killing.”

"They are no longer themselves."

This judgment plunged Alkadi into despair.

The three major clans, "Teeth," "Claws," and "Wings," together accounted for almost one-third of the military strength of the thirteen clans.

“You have a choice,” Hilda’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “Stand on the King’s side and become the ‘nourishment’ for His awakening.”

"Or stand on the other side of Twilight City and gamble on an uncertain future."

"certainly……"

A slight smile played on her lips: "There's a third option."

"Stand back a bit like me and see which way the wind is blowing."

Alcadi lowered his head, lost in thought.

The wind outside the castle was still howling, whistling sharply through the crumbling walls.

"If I choose the third path..."

He finally spoke: "Will you support me?"

"support?"

Hilda seemed amused by him:
"I never support anyone, but at least I can... not oppose them."

She stood up, leaning on her cane.

"and many more……"

Arkady wanted to ask something more, but the Grand Duchess had already disappeared into the twilight.

The castle fell silent once more.

He stood alone in the dilapidated hall, motionless for a long time.

Aiden's awakening is inevitable, and the war horns are about to sound.

In this impending storm, everyone must make a choice.

Should we side with Aiden?

That means becoming the claws and teeth of the "King," which are then absorbed as "nourishment" after His awakening.

Standing on the other side of Twilight City?
That would mean turning against one's own bloodline and breaking with the entire traditional order.

And the third way...

"Let's wait and see."

Arkadi uttered those two words in his mind.

We will not take sides, nor will we express any opinion; we will simply observe the situation.

Wait until the situation becomes clear before making the most advantageous choice.

This is the safest strategy, and it's the survival rule that Hilda has followed for eight thousand years.

However... can we really continue to observe indefinitely? (End of Chapter)