Hogwarts: From Selling White Peppers to Becoming a God

Chapter 255 Proposing Marriage?

"I am still only one step away from you, but in the time it takes to measure an inch, it is an insurmountable chasm that even light cannot cross."

"The magic of wizards is very magical to Muggles, but it is conceivable. However, the things that Muggle technology can do are things that wizards cannot even imagine."

"They can manipulate an atom, or even an electron, with such precision that it's like carving a model of a city on the tip of a needle, or like a cosmic giant with an eye as big as this planet, performing an amputation on the ant in my hand."

As Murphy spoke, he reached out and let an ant crawl onto his palm, then presented it to the Queen.

"At such a minute scale of observation, the disturbances of magic can no longer be hidden."

"The exposure of magic was inevitable."

"If we remain in our current state, Muggles will surely discover wizards within fifty years."

The Queen looked at the ant in Murphy's hand and imagined a giant with eyes as big as planets, whose enormous hands, capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of worlds, held a tiny scalpel, no longer than her finger, and was performing surgery on the ant.

The stark contrast between the extremely large and the extremely small made her dizzy for a moment, but it also helped her understand Murphy's meaning.

If Muggles could actually do such a thing, it would be something she couldn't even imagine.

"It's only a matter of time before the Wizarding Secrets Act collapses. In fact, signs of this trend are already emerging. The reason we need to establish contact with the leaders of Muggle society is because we can no longer completely conceal the existence of the wizarding world on our own."

"The exponential development of technology is an unstoppable trend. Unless we interfere with the technological progress of Muggles from now on, stop their development, or reduce their population to a level that can no longer threaten us and establish a wizard-ruled world, we have no choice but to adapt to this trend."

"Even now, it's too late to stop it. You may have heard of Grindelwald; that era may have been the last chance to stop the technological explosion in the Muggle world. But now, that chance has passed."

"Imagine what would happen if we continued to adhere to that ancient law from three hundred years ago, desperately concealing our existence, and then decades later, the Muggles discovered us?"

"By then, Muggles will possess power beyond our comprehension. Even with magic, our race will be unable to gain any advantage. At best, we will be enslaved, kept in captivity, and used as vessels for magic to be studied."

"The more likely outcome is that we will rebel against this fate and then be wiped out."

The Queen looked at him with some surprise. "So, you want to save the world?"

"No, that was just a side effect. As I said, my only goal is to explore magic."

Sophia pondered for a while before saying, "What you're saying is something I've never heard before. I lack knowledge of the Muggle world, but it sounds quite reasonable. Assuming what you're saying is correct, then why did you choose the Soviet Union? You're clearly British."

"Britain is no good. First, its military strength is insufficient, making it vulnerable to manipulation. Second, its industrial capacity is inadequate, making it difficult to achieve self-sufficiency. Moreover, its system is flawed, making it unable to concentrate its resources."

"The Soviet Union is the most suitable."

"So, do you want to rule the Muggle society of Sue?" the Queen asked.

"You misunderstand, Your Majesty. I have no interest in ruling anyone."

"I just need more people to participate in the development of science and magic. Scientists are naturally the priority, but in addition, we also need a market that can absorb this huge industry and a force that can protect it."

"The reason I wanted to accomplish this through the Soviet president was because it was the most convenient and feasible solution."

"At the same time, what I do will inevitably bring benefits to the people of the Soviet Union. I don't need to forcefully reverse anything, but only need a stable and safe environment to develop my business."

"So, this is just your hobby, yet you want hundreds of millions of Muggles in the Kingdom of Su to work for your hobby," the Queen questioned.

"Therefore, Your Majesty, I am very fortunate. My interests happen to align with the interests of the people of Sukuriku, and also with the trends of the future world. While pursuing my interests, I can do something for hundreds of millions of Muggles, and at the same time, do something for world peace. Why not?"

Do you believe you can change the world?

"I've already done that," Murphy said.

"You're a madman, Mr. Murphy."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

The Queen looked at him for a long while before looking away. "But my family seems to always be drawn to madmen."

Sofia stood up, facing Lake Lagado.

After a long pause, she said, "I already know your aspirations."

"It's crazy, but I see your sincerity."

"The Soviet Union is my territory."

"Even though my authority only extends to the magical world, any wizard who wants to do anything within the territory of Su must obtain my permission."

"Of course." Murphy bowed slightly. "That's why I'm here."

"To gain my permission, you need to do one thing for me," the Queen said.

"Please give me your orders."

"Kill Ivan Frederick for me."

"I thought you just wanted to reclaim the power that was rightfully yours," Murphy said. "Isn't Grand Duke Ivan your uncle?"

"He was a traitor, betraying his sister's trust and his monarch."

"Is that all the reason you want to kill him?" Murphy asked.

If that's all there is to it, then Murphy might reassess the value of working with this queen; an emotional ruler is hardly a good partner.

"Ivan's mother, Margaret's family, wields considerable power in Alkaim. They will not submit to me unless Ivan is dead. Killing Ivan is the least bloody option."

Murphy looked at the fifteen-year-old girl in front of him. Her long silver hair was tied up in a bun, and beneath her sharp eyebrows, her azure eyes shone like morning stars, containing a will strong enough to traverse mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

This girl is crazy enough.

Interesting, though.

"Do you have a plan? Or are you suggesting I infiltrate and go on a killing spree?"

"Ivan is protected by two high-ranking shamans, making him difficult to defeat. Or are you saying you can use the kind of attack from the Bryansk forest at will?"

Murphy knew she was referring to the "Avada Kedavra Cannon" fired through the Raven Array antenna.

He shook his head. "No."

The wind-up animation is too long; if the opponent wanted to run away, they would have already disappeared.

"Among the two experts protecting Ivan, one is Sophie Christian, the former captain of the Royal Guard, who is Ivan's half-brother, and the other is Felipe Carlos, the 'Song of the Earth,' Ivan's cousin, who is also the current shaman on duty at the ancestral tomb."

"I'll find a reason to get Felipe out of the way and have Lady Yaga hold him off for you. But Sophie is always by Ivan's side. He's very strong; some say he's the most powerful battle mage. You can only kill Ivan if you break through his blockade."

Murphy nodded. "I have a question. I heard Al-Kaim is under lockdown. How do I get in?"

"In order to continue the royal bloodline, Alkaim still maintains intermarriage with other magical kingdoms in Europe. Although we have not had contact with the British for centuries, you can still... enter the city as a marriage proposal delegation."

"...Propose marriage?"

"I will turn 16 next month, which is considered adulthood according to the laws of Alkaim. Ivan wants me to marry his son Ras so that he can continue to be his regent. But as empress, I have the right to choose my own husband. Therefore, two weeks ago, Alkaim extended invitations to several ancient wizarding families in Europe."

As she spoke, the Queen handed Murphy a magnificent letter.

The envelope was printed with a totem composed of a double-headed eagle, a bear, a deer, a wolf, and a wild boar.

"Darkholm isn't exactly an ancient wizarding family..." Murphy said.

The queen glanced at him. "This is merely a means to enter the city. It's not for you to marry me."

Murphy breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'm relieved."

Sophia's gaze seemed to sharpen for a moment. "Someone will discuss the next steps with you. You may leave now."

(End of this chapter)