NOVPUBPerlman did not interfere; instead, he gestured to the attendants of the mansion to disperse the Demon Race gathered in the banquet hall today.
Before long, only a small portion remained in the hall, eager to see the outcome.
"Perlman, you’ve always talked about leading Parriet. I used to admire you, but now you’re starting with war and tyranny, even willing to stain Isatia’s reputation. How have you fallen so far!"
Aitio demanded angrily.
Upon hearing this, the corners of Perlman’s mouth curled into a mocking smile.
"Aitio, you’re as naive as ever because you’ve never experienced the moment I felt everything was shattered. You certainly won’t understand the choices I make now,"
he said, tilting his head and leaning on his cane as he spoke to Aitio.
"Nonsense! Wrong is wrong, and right is right!"
Aitio retorted sharply,
"I certainly don’t understand you, but I’ll never allow you to lead the Floral City Parriet and the Demon Race astray!"
As she spoke, twenty-two ice crystal spikes had already formed at her side and shot towards Perlman. The Magic Fluorescent Screen that had been floating in mid-air burst into countless fragments under the terrifying magic power.
However, as her ice spikes were about to reach Perlman, they dissipated in an instant under the influence of psychic power, and the stone tiles on the mansion’s floor lit up beneath Aitio’s feet.
Silver light flickered, and Aitio’s figure suddenly became rigid, bound by an invisible barrier as if she were shackled.
"It seems we cannot come to an agreement."
Perlman’s look towards Aitio cooled, viewing her with the disinterest one might show toward a dull object,
"As long as you die here, she will be Isatia."
Aitio’s face changed slightly, feeling the Prohibited Zone of the mansion, knowing this place was not suitable for battle.
"Don’t resort to violence in my home."
He lifted his cane and, with another tap, an invisible force of psychic power instantly made Aitio feel a hundred times heavier, causing the ground to crack.
Aitio clenched her teeth, trying to break the barrier’s restraint, but in the next second, another wave of psychic power hit her hard.
The formal intervention of two eighth-order Lords of the Demon World plunged the entire hall into chaos. The remaining members of the Demon Race, in panic, stumbled toward the exit, toppling over tables laden with delicacies, glassware shattering on the floor, while some demons froze in place, pale as death, trembling with fear as if under a spell of rigidity.
But it seemed Perlman had no intention of harming them. After subduing Aitio, he did not make another move, allowing the demons ample time to leave the mansion and flee further away to a safer place.
Until the mansion became almost deserted again.
The crystal chandelier overhead swayed perilously; the fine wines and dishes on the table were strewn on the floor, champagne spilling everywhere.
"Oh yes, Isatia has another daughter, proof of Isatia’s identity."
Perlman spoke to Aitio as if a thought had just struck him.
He strolled over, looking at the disheveled Aitio, his eyes full of mockery.
Yet absurdly, by the time all settled down, her daughter would likely be unable to protect herself, overwhelmed by curses even before the chance to prove her mother was not at fault.
"You dare harm Hyperion... don’t forget, she has an aunt. Princess Talia won’t let you off!"
Aitio bit down hard, still defiantly glaring at Perlman.
"Oh? The princess whose whereabouts are unknown?"
Perlman seemed to see through Aitio’s thoughts,
"Rather than pin your hopes on a princess unseen for a century, whose life or death is uncertain, you’d be better off praying for another member of the Great Demon Clan to stop me."
"You have a daughter, too. How can you do such a thing?"
Aitio’s face turned pale, her hand trembling uncontrollably.
She absolutely could not lose today; she dared not imagine what would become of Floral City Pariel, the King’s royal palace, and Hyperion in the future.
But at this moment, she was at an absolute disadvantage; Perlman had yet to seriously engage her in combat.
All she knew was that Perlman was a mage specializing in psychic power with spiritual magic as a secondary.
The difference between spirit and psychic power lies in that spirit controls beings from within, while psychic power controls them from without.
For example, spiritual magic cannot make a unit unable to fly take flight, but telekinesis magic can make a unit levitate.
Furthermore, spiritual magic often causes special interference beyond controlling actions, like mental disturbance–something telekinesis magic cannot accomplish.
And while psychic power can be resisted by physical strength and broken free from, making it difficult to control martial artists, spiritual magic can easily control martial artists but struggle against mages and priests with high spell resistance, as well as special creatures.
Masters of both spirit and psychic power produce nearly irresistible control that requires both physical and magic attributes to stand against Perlman.
Once in true combat, Aitio felt Perlman was unfathomable, unable to withstand his terrifying psychic power.
"Nigel, you now understand what’s happening, don’t you?"
During a brief silence, Perlman turned to Nigel, who had been standing quietly at the side of the banquet hall, his head bowed. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
"..."
Nigel clenched his fists, with veins throbbing on the back of his hand.
"I’ve never blamed you for leaving my side over the years, even going to The Senate. You’re just like I was when I was young, naive yet enthusiastic, steadfast but possibly misguided. Over the years, I’ve hoped you would see for yourself what humanity is truly like."
