The black sun hangs high

Chapter 359 Basic Consensus
"Um……"

Faced with Hugh's answer, the old-fashioned mage Edmund nodded noncommittally. However, this was probably just a habitual gesture and did not mean that Edmund truly agreed with Hugh's answer.

Edmund tilted his head slightly, and after listening intently to another part of Weilyn's speech, a slightly strange look crept onto his brow.

Then, the mage turned his attention back to Hugh, placing his hands on his knees and gently sliding his left thumb, which was adorned with a metal ring, twice.

He raised his question once again.

“In fact, I noticed you a long time ago… or rather, I spoke face-to-face with some of the key members of the Dawn Society many years ago.”

Edmund said slowly, "At that time, he had just begun his exile, had not yet been called a professor, and even carried a warrant for his arrest from the royal family of St. Steel. You should know who I'm talking about, right?"

Hughes nodded. "I guess you're referring to Frey Meyer."

"Yes, it's him."

Edmund didn't try to be mysterious; he nodded directly: "He's a very special person, and I admit, I don't like his kind of exception... Sometimes, some of his arguments and opinions are like chaotic specks of light appearing in a complete magical configuration, making the originally orderly situation seem very chaotic."

Instead of arguing with Edmund or defending Professor Meyer, Hughes chose to listen quietly.

"Undeniably, some of the points he insisted on and articulated were indeed very appealing, but anyone with even a little eloquence or a deep understanding of deception could easily fabricate such statements. I originally thought that his life in exile would make him more clear-headed and realize the flaws in his ideas, but I never expected that so many people would resonate with him."

The ring finally stopped sliding: "If he could come to Merlinle this time, I would definitely have a good talk with him and his friends, but unfortunately... it was you who came."

Upon hearing such strange words, Hugh simply smiled and said, "So, my visit disappointed Master Edmund?"

"What disappoints me is not you, but the decision-makers who made you and that young girl their representatives."

"After all, it was us who received the invitation, not Professor Mayer. Objectively speaking, we are indeed the most suitable candidates in the short term."

Hughes grinned. "Besides, in the matter of Seren, we and some others have already been forced to become 'representatives,' haven't we?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere of the conversation subtly changed. The other three deep-sea level mages simultaneously glanced at Edmund. They knew very well that the Legal Committee was seriously absent from certain matters related to Seren City. Under such circumstances, no matter what Hugh made, it was not unreasonable.

Even the two elven mages felt that Hugh's attitude was a bit too mild.

To Hugh's surprise, Edmund reacted in this way.

He seemed somewhat downcast, his expression and gaze becoming rather somber, and a distinct sense of guilt and apology flashed across his face.

Compared to other magical scholars, this deep-sea mage was clearly more concerned with secular political situations and related affairs. Perhaps this is why he felt resistance and panic towards the visions and methods and processes described by Professor Mayer back then.

However, his conservative tendencies, personality, and associated moral values ​​inevitably led Edmund to focus on the tragedy that had befallen the city of Seren and to feel pain because of it.

These two behaviors may seem contradictory, but they are actually two sides of the same coin that coexist within a single entity.

Hugh had no doubt that the deep-sea mage before him was genuinely expressing his anguish. At the same time, Edmund probably wouldn't oppose the decisions made by the Legal Committee in this series of events; at least in the general direction, he was supportive.

“Master Edmund, I believe that emotions can offer very little help with things that have already happened… but the phenomena revealed by the development of these events and their ultimate consequences can provide us with much reference and guidance.”

Hugh said calmly, "I guess the reason you're asking me these questions is because deep down you don't want to trust the Dawn Society, right?"

"Ha, you're right."

Lady Delalie suddenly burst out laughing: "Guess what Edmund says about you in private? Oh well, the words are rather vile, I don't think the goddess Mel would want to hear them coming from my mouth."

Faced with his companion's words, the mage Edmund remained calm. He nodded and admitted, "Delaly is not wrong, and your judgment is correct. I really cannot trust your Dawn Society. As for support and cooperation, those should be based on trust."

He waved his hand, and the image inside the giant Eye of Mel crystal ball immediately disappeared: "Tell me the truth, Mr. Ernst... what exactly does the Dawn Society intend to do in the coming period of time? Or rather, what goals do you intend to achieve?"

Faced with this somewhat pointed question, Hugh suddenly felt more relaxed. Although he could handle almost any social situation smoothly thanks to the memories accumulated in his mental world, deep down he still preferred this direct way of communicating.

If you can reach an agreement, then talk; if you can't, then break it off. Although this description may seem irresponsible, it is often a very simple and realistic situation.

Or should they be called "dwarf negotiation philosophy"?
Hugh and Edmund maintained eye contact. After a moment of thought, he said seriously, "The things that the Dawn Society, as I know them, is doing now and may do in the future, can all be simply summarized as 'resistance'."

"Resist? Resist with whom?"

Clearly, this is what Edmund really wants to know.

So Hugh replied, "The Black Sun Society, the Saint Steel royal family controlled by the Black Sun Society, and those ancient entities hidden behind them, who could unleash an even greater catastrophe at any moment..."

The instant he uttered those words, Hugh sensed a subtle shift in the magic around him. It was incredibly subtle, like a barely perceptible breeze, which then transformed into extremely fine magical threads that reached towards his body. A massive, intricate metal disc began to rotate—a normal reaction to Hugh's senses and perception of external detection.

Hugh knew very well that he couldn't truly convince this deep-sea mage with words and actions alone. People who had stood at the "top of the tower" for a long time always liked to show off their abilities and authority in such places. After all, a significant part of magic and magical power existed for this purpose.

Faced with this extremely secretive yet real magical probing, Hugh did not keep it out of his mental world. He deliberately weakened his defenses, allowing the other party's magical threads to probe into his mind, and directly exposed a part of his thoughts to the other party.

At the same time, many more important secrets were protected several times more than usual. Messages related to the ancient creations and their power, secrets about one's own past, the Dream Sanctuary, and Theseus were completely sealed under the surging spiritual waves.

Edmund was somewhat surprised by how smoothly the magical detection of Hugh's thoughts went. Under Hugh's deliberate "guidance," he almost immediately confirmed the accuracy of Hugh's answers. At the same time, he also saw the many efforts that the Dawn Society had made for these goals, including Hugh's discussions with Meyer, Darthwell, and others on certain topics.

For a deep-sea mage with immense spiritual and magical power, the time required to view and read these memories was extremely short, almost an instant. Edmund was already certain that Hugh had not lied in his previous answer—he was very honest, even excessively so.

However, just as he was about to delve deeper into Hugh's thoughts, he found that his magic threads had collided with an invisible, enormous wall.

The deep-sea level mage stood there, stunned.

As a spellcaster with profound magical skills, he could naturally discern the truth hidden behind the protection by its nature. Those magical defenses that were hastily organized always seemed excessively strong. They were like a brick or slab of stone, seemingly solid, but if the person striking them had enough strength, the protection would break instantly.

Those well-prepared protective rituals are more flexible; they will try their best to neutralize the incoming impact and cover up any blind spots, making it impossible for people to easily see through them and back down.

Now, Edmund is convinced that the "wall" blocking his way is the latter.

Moreover, its power seemed to far exceed his expectations; not only was it impossible to bypass or break through, but even the thoughts he released himself could be captured upon approaching it...

Hugh's smile became even more genuine, because he saw that Edmund's brows had furrowed.

Hugh's mind relaxed again—the intruding magical threads had completely retreated, and moreover, they had left behind some messages that Hugh could read thanks to the terrifying protective power of the metal disc.

"Um……"

Edmund leaned back in his chair, sighed, and said slowly, "Well, Mr. Ernst, I admit that I underestimated your sincerity, as well as your internal thoughts and determination. But I still want to ask, assuming that all the goals you mentioned are achieved, what will the Dawn Society do next?"

This time, however, Hugh shook his head helplessly: "That's no longer my concern."

Upon hearing this answer, both Mage Edmund and Lady Delalie were somewhat surprised, but the two elven mages beside them immediately understood. The fat elf tentatively asked, "You mean, this process will take a long time?"

His twin brother immediately added, "No, he meant it would be a very, very long time for them as humans."

"Yes, that's it."

Hugh nodded to the two elven mages: "It may be a decade or two, or even decades or centuries... Even if we can really eliminate the Black Sun Society and the regime it controls in a short time, and make Saint Steel a normal country again, we still won't be able to truly deal with the black sun in the sky and those things in the ocean."

"Although I also long to see a normal sky and sun again in my lifetime, as a member of the main race of Vaan, I'm afraid I can't do it... Not only me, but most of us can't do it... So, when that day really comes, it should be the successors who come after us who should think about what to do."

Hugh's words clearly had some impact on the two human mages present. Lady Delauri pursed her lips, sighed silently, then straightened up, took a sugar cube, and placed it in the center of the plate in front of her.

This is a very famous aristocratic etiquette in the Kingdom of Delan, often used to express agreement during talks.

Edmund's expression softened as well. He gripped the ring on his thumb and asked, "Are these all your thoughts?"

"It was our idea."

Hugh replied, “If you don’t believe me, you can talk to Professor Meyer and the others yourself… The cipher should be set up, enough to support a long and protracted debate between the two sides.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to them again, but this time not for any debate, but as you said, to solve the problem we have right now.”

As he spoke, the deep-sea mage, who had always maintained a conservative attitude, reached out and picked up a sugar cube from an exquisite jar beside him, placing it on the plate in front of him.

At this precious moment when both sides reached an agreement, even the rigid Edmund relaxed considerably, so he took the initiative to ask, "By the way, Mr. Ernst... if one day, with the consent of others within the Dawn Society, were you interested in taking on some position in Merlinle? I mean, a teacher or professor, or of course, an honorary professor."

"Me? Professor?"

Hugh quickly shook his head: "You must be joking, Master Edmund. I'm still a student when it comes to magic."

"Student? Then who is your teacher? Is it that butler from the Walter royal family?"

"Of course not Mr. Finn..."

Hughes shook his head: "My teacher, she's probably still busy giving a lecture right now."

(End of this chapter)