Persuade

  "I'm actually not a complete Serb."

  "Isn't he a Ser?" Panni was somewhat surprised. Can someone who isn't a Ser become a Red Robe Master?

  This is really unthinkable.

  The recruitment standards of the Red Robe Association have been relaxed a lot in recent centuries, from 'pure-blooded Mulan nobles' to 'Mulan noble bloodline' and then to 'Mulan bloodline'... It's worth noting that more than 70% of people living in Sel live with some Mulan blood...

  This Mulan and Mulan in Mulholland are completely different definitions.

  At the time of the downfall of the Empire of Imauskas, most of the inhabitants of Sell were descendants of Laissez. After the Mulhorand Empire took over this land, the Mulan people became the rulers. The sudden outbreak of the Sell rebellion and the Beast Gate War brought about a drastic change in this situation - in the more than 2,000 years that followed, these original Mulan people and Laissez descendants gradually merged due to circumstances - because the Mulan people were in a dominant ruling position in Sell, this mixed nation was still called the Mulan people, but it could no longer be considered the same nation as the Mulan people within the borders of the Mulhorand Empire.

  The remaining thirty percent or so of the Serians were new Laysamans who flowed into Ser from the north after the founding war, and this part of the people had a low status in Ser. Some could become free men, but most were slaves, and those who could climb to high positions were rare, and the overall number was still decreasing with time.

  So nowadays most Seri people's children have a chance of becoming Red Robe Masters. But if they are foreigners, it is a bit like a fantasy tale.

  Penny waited for Hughes to continue while thinking about where she had heard the surname Trophidi before.

  "Oh, the reason for this might sound a bit strange to you, because my father and some high-ranking members of the Law Enforcement Association decided that I should keep this surname," Hughes said. "Because this surname has a very special status in a region in the West."

  "Huh...?"

  "Hantuo, have you heard of this place? The Trophidi is one of the well-known large landowner families in that country, and their central territory is right at Crow Cliff. Uh, my mom is from that family."

  "So that's it..." Panni furrowed her brow, seeming to understand why the Red Robe Master would let Hughes keep this surname.

  "Hmm... to be honest, waiting around for those big shots to make their moves, even if you can still do some things you want to do, I'm sure your heart is still uneasy." Panni thought for a moment before saying.

  "Anxious? Which eye did you see me being anxious with?" Hughes heard this and furrowed his brow, a clear look of annoyance flashing in his eyes.

  Pang Ni's mood relaxed slightly, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, knowing that she had already found a breakthrough.

  "Look... you've been caught out by me, waiting like this is actually a very passive approach. If I were you, I should take the initiative to grasp more power."

  "Take the initiative to grasp power?"

  Penny nodded: "Not bad, because this will make you safer. You need to know that the political situation in Sel is very treacherous. Although your identity can give you strong protection in some insignificant places at home, once the interests are raised to the national level, the power brought by your identity will not be so great. As far as I know, Fokal's enemies are not few. If the plan of the wizard in Hantu is implemented, as the center of the plan, you will receive attention and calculation from all parties. At that time, can you still guarantee your own safety?"

  "Hmm... what you said seems to make sense... but can your assistance be more reliable than my own family?" Hughes furrowed his brow, nodded slightly, thought for a moment, then shook his head.

  "I'm not sure about this, but you...do you understand or rather trust those people in your family?"

  Huse fell silent for a moment, then shook his head again.

  "But you at least understand us to some extent."

  "Despicable?" Lijitai sneered twice: "I've long since realized that your heart is filled with things that don't conform to the style of Saiya, such as this boring weakness."

  "Maybe so." Penny shook her head helplessly.

  "Oh, actually you're quite clear that this weakness is unnecessary because you've already told him our entire intention and it's indeed beneficial for him." Lijita said.

  "What you said is right, so let's think about how to carry out our educational undertaking." Pan Ni nodded her head and leaned back in her chair with a relaxed expression.

  "Education business?" Lijita's mouth corner revealed a hint of sarcastic smile.

  ……

  Southern Susa Province

  The wind and sand blow across the desolate wilderness, with endless dust in sight.

  Although Sel's climate is poor, due to the mages' use of arcane power to manipulate the weather in local agricultural areas, there are not many true wildernesses in Sel.

  Such vast expanses of wasteland are rarely seen, and this place is particularly unusual.

  This is a research institute under the Red Robe Master's Plastic Energy System, with a simple name called "Meteorite".

  The reason for this name is not entirely due to the humble style of Plastin monks, but more because the main building of this research institute is a huge meteorite with countless holes dug out, which is also the largest in all of Serel.

  As the central institution of the Plastics Department, it is usually noisy here, which has a direct relationship with the nature of Plastics Department magic. Fireballs, ice storms, lightning bolts, flying bullet storms... Research on these spells can be expected to have unexpected accidents and spectacular sound and light effects.

  "So often, mages who have been burned to a crisp from experimentation are carried into the nearby temple of Kossuth, where the elemental fire deity's messengers will tend to their wounds." The demon's voice was hoarse: "Before that, I think we still have a chance for mutual benefit."

  "War? Well, we are going to find a way to make Sel start another war." The wizard clenched his fingers and leaned back into the soft leather backrest: "But before that, I want to know who is the culprit that caused us such huge losses?"

  "That was a young and not very powerful wizard, seemingly your apprentice." The demon said after a moment of silence.

  "Our apprentice?" The wizard's face was full of surprise: "This sounds unbelievable, Your Excellency the Demon Lord, how could an apprentice possibly possess such abilities?"

  "It's true, in fact. Although I've never heard him mention his own name, oh, that was my oversight, but I'll be able to recognize him when we meet again." The demon said: "In our several actions, I sensed that distinctive soul through the power I granted to my followers. Even if he wasn't the mastermind among those who ruined our plans, he must have been a key figure. Unfortunately... this form of mine can't provide accurate information about him, otherwise the prophecy spell would save us a lot of trouble."

  "Oh, that's great. Although finding this person in Sel is like looking for a needle in a haystack, I think we can send some scouts to the north to investigate while we're at it." The wizard's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as he stood up from his chair: "Now I'm going out to work. Before trying to stir up a war, first solve the family's current troubles, and then... climb to a position that has enough influence."

  "I think my knowledge and strength can help you." The flames in the stove danced a few times.

  "Of course, our contract is not over yet. I still need to rely on your power to find that troublemaker. I wish our next collaboration will be pleasant." The wizard smiled and pointed his hand at the fireplace, reciting an incantation.

  ……