Gaal did not respond immediately, he stroked his chin in thought. Seeing that Gaal remained silent, Chairman Crawford Seam spoke up: "What is it? Is there anything about this matter that you cannot discuss? Are you unable to answer it? Or is it that you cannot answer it?"
Following Chairman Crawford Seam's words, the other council members also looked at Gaal. Gaal only shook his head and, after a brief hesitation, began to speak:
"No... How should I put it? It's just that I never really considered such matters before, nor did I ever wonder whether Gengar could read the memories of a corpse. Does that not speak to the Chairman's legacy? To possess such wisdom as to contemplate this possibility. Well, it has served as a reminder for me."
Gaal wore an expression of admiration, as if he had discovered a new world. Meanwhile, the members of the Magic Council darkened their expressions. They feared that Gaal's ghost-type summoned beast might be able to access the memories of the dead, and worried what would happen if it exposed some secrets. And now... it turned out that it was they who provided the reminder.
Chairman Crawford Seam furrowed his brow; he had never anticipated such an outcome, and had no choice but to press on: "Then perhaps we ought to give it a try."
Gaal nodded and looked at Stellium Celestial Serra, who was possessed by Gengar: "Gengar, can you read the memories of this demonic body?"
Possessed by Gengar, Stellium Celestial Serra looked at Gaal with a puzzled expression on her stunning face: "Geh ?"
Gaal repeated once more: "The memories contained within the demonic body."
Stellium Celestial Serra still tilted her head: "Geh?"
Gaal's face showed a look of resignation: "Use your power."
Stellium Celestial Serra nodded and raised her hand.
Swish!
A bone sword sprang forth from beneath her wrist.
Seeing this, Gaal turned to Chairman Crawford Seam and said: "At the moment, it appears you cannot. However, if the Chairman wishes, I can attempt to train Gengar through communication. After all, such an ability might prove useful in interrogating criminals."
Chairman Crawford Seam coughed lightly and quickly said: "No need, we've just witnessed the performance of your Gengar. It's unlikely to work. As for training, that's unnecessary, desecrating a corpse runs counter to the principles of the Magic Council. Let's not mention it any further. For now, you will reside in the Council for a while, we will issue a notice to clarify the matter regarding the fabrication of demons, and once that is resolved, you are free to leave."
Gaal nodded and said: "Very well, I shall trouble you further then."
He then turned to Gengar and said: "Return, Gengar."
Stellium Celestial Serra's body went limp and collapsed, and Gengar emerged from her form: "Geh geh geh geh (I do look like a fool, don't I?)~"
Gaal smiled and nodded in affirmation. Then he retrieved the body of the fallen Stellium Celestial Serra from the ground and turned to walk outside.
After Gaal departed, one by one the council members left, each lost in their own thoughts.
Only Chairman Crawford Seam remained, standing in place with a frown as he pondered: "Sly little brat..."
In truth, Chairman Crawford Seam had intended to use Gaal's ability to read memories as leverage against Gaal Brons, planning to coerce him into handing over Hades' research through the influence of the entire Council, but he never expected that this guy would play dumb and let him off the hook.
Now, ironically, it was he who had just been reminded that a ghost-type summoned beast might indeed be capable of reading memories. If any dark deeds were ever uncovered by that summoned beast, they would undoubtedly direct their wrath at him first.
He knew all too well how each member of the Council had changed over the years. Even though he had reasons to be lenient, such matters could never be admitted.
Chairman Crawford Seam produced an intelligence report, delivered by an undercover agent from the Dark Guild. It stated that Ivan had joined the Balam Alliance due to the allure of Hades' research, in an effort to acquire inexhaustible Magic Power.
That was why he had aligned himself with the Dark Guild. Furthermore, Hades did indeed possess nearly limitless Magic Power, as evidenced by the battle in the Rock Mountain Range.
But this Hades, who had recently suffered a severe defeat in a battle against Fairy Tail, had left a lasting impression on the Chairman.
Chairman Crawford Seam had been present at the scene, witnessing firsthand as Gaal charged into the Grimoire Heart Guild headquarters, nearly looting all the internal books, alongside Hades' furious, all-or-nothing expression.
If the roles were reversed, Chairman Crawford Seam would have likely gone mad. It was easy to imagine just how many important items Gaal had pilfered—the lifetime research and efforts of a Dark Mage who had lived for centuries, and that of a mage at the pinnacle of the Ishgar Continent.
For such research to fall into the hands of a mere kid was nothing short of a disgrace. Only a colossal organization like the Magic Council could truly harness the full potential of such resources.
If it even included the complete documentation of Hades' Second Magic Origin, that would be even better. No matter the cost, the Magic Council would spare no effort in recreating it.
Once accomplished, he would effectively become the second Hades—capable not only of prolonging "life" but also of upholding the magical community of the Ishgar Continent and maintaining the peace and stability of the Magic Council.
Alas...
That damn kid never understood his painstaking efforts. Chairman Crawford Seam narrowed his eyes slightly. After all, since he was currently within the Council, he was not worried that this guy would stir up any trouble.
Even Chairman Crawford Seam felt somewhat troubled. With ordinary mages, it was one thing; they had no spatial gear, and whatever they obtained, they carried on them at all times.
But Gaal—not only did he master Space Magic, his personal space was unfathomable in size. Every mage's space is independent. If they could not force Gaal to hand it over, then the only option would be to kill him; otherwise, the Magic Council would never acquire Hades' research and legacy.
——
Gaal was led by guards to a luxurious private chamber. Upon entering the room, his eyes were met with lavish decorations and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, through which one could overlook the entire square of the Magic Council and the distant mountainous landscape.
The room's opulence far surpassed that of many royal palaces in kingdoms. Not to mention the state-of-the-art magical products scattered throughout the room: as soon as Gaal approached the bed, a wardrobe extended an arm automatically, and from the drawer below, two pairs of slippers were delivered onto the floor.
Gaal hung his plain black-purple mage robe on the extended rack, which then retracted automatically, its dark wooden arms smoothing out the garment neatly as it did so: "Magic Intelligence? Tsk..."
Although the nations of the Ishgar Continent might seem backward—with armies still wielding spears and shields, and mages relying solely on their own Magic Power in battle—the Magic Council had long since adopted the most advanced technologies from around the world.
It's no wonder the Magic Council was considered corrupt. Perhaps the Council's strength lay in their mastery of Etherion and Face. The threat of Etherion kept the Western Continent from deploying its forces.
Face, on the other hand, was something that granted longevity akin to the heavens and earth; if I died, neither would you fare any better—the entire world would cease to harness Magic Power. For such a backward continent to possess something of that nature was simply absurd.
On the Western Continent, the Alvarez Empire had, over many years of constant upgrades, developed magical firearms, Magic Cruisers, and even long-range magic-guided missiles, yet they were held in check by the overwhelming power of Etherion.
Gaal couldn't help but be curious about the true nature of Etherion. Such a thing could certainly not be a product of the Magic Council. Had it truly been their own creation—one that could be used at will—the Magic Council would have long since conquered the Western Continent.
Gaal scanned the room and stomped his foot. He could clearly sense that beneath the floor, there were no magical arrays. Not even a single defensive Magic Circle. Perhaps it wasn't just this room—the entire Magic Council likely lacked any protective arrays.
After all, no one expected anyone to dare attack the Magic Council. Otherwise, one might expect the wolves from Tartaros to rush in and blow everyone to bits. If there were even a single defensive array in place, those wolves would likely perish countless times if they collided with it.
If a mage from the Dark Guild were to infiltrate from below and wreak havoc, the Magic Council would have nobody to counter him. But fortunately, that wasn't the case. There were no Dark Guild mages—only him, a righteous mage representing the light.
Gaal's Magic Power began to spread. The monitoring magical equipment at the room's entrance was momentarily disrupted. Gengar emerged partially from Gaal's shadow, opening his wide mouth, and one by one, Gastly and Haunter burst forth from Gengar's mouth: "Geh geh geh~"
They merged into the shadows on the floor, scattering and slipping into the various dark corners throughout the Magic Council.