Chapter 332: Stalemate
"Congratulations, Phineas, you are now a legendary wizard,"
Although Dumbledore was very surprised, he still congratulated Phineas calmly.
"Thank you very much."
Phineas nodded to Dumbledore.
Logically speaking, Dumbledore could be considered Phineas's teacher, but Phineas was already a legend, and legendary wizards were not to bow to any other wizard. This was the law of the wizarding world. Therefore, for this kind of friendship that protected the sublimation of the soul, a nod was enough.
Although Dumbledore was surprised and puzzled as to why Phineas was so cautious about the fact that the strength of a legendary soul was already comparable to his own, he understood that this was Phineas's secret and did not ask.
Dumbledore, who was once a trump card in Phineas's plans to counter other families, had now become a being on the same level as Phineas.
And Phineas, who had once been suspected many times by Dumbledore, could no longer be targeted.
Once you successfully undergo the process of becoming a legend, your life, social status, and even interpersonal relationships change.
In the absence of demigods, legends are the pinnacle of the magical world.
After becoming a legend, Phineas no longer needed to stay in Nicolas's manor, and even all the forces of the Black family no longer needed to hide.
The Selwyn and Lestrange families also had legends. The reason they needed to avoid the law enforcement team was because their legends would not interfere with this matter.
The Rich family was able to go to war with the Council of Elders because their legend was willing to support Kuzan's decision.
But the Black family's situation was entirely different.
The Council of Elders' true target had always been Phineas; the Black family was just a side target. However, now that Phineas had become a legend, he no longer needed to hide from the law enforcement team—so the Black family didn't need to either.
—
One day later, Lisa Manor
Phineas squatted in front of Lisa's grave, placed a bunch of white chrysanthemums on the ground, and cleared away the weeds.
Standing behind him were the brothers Damon and Stefan, as well as the heads of the Asia and Africa branches.
"Damon, how many of our people have not arrived yet?"
Phineas asked without turning his head.
Damon bowed slightly and answered,
"Master, eight of our people have now arrived in the UK, and the remaining two have reached Europe."
Phineas nodded slightly, stood up, and turned to face the others.
"I'm asking you again. This time, I have no way out—but you still have a choice. I can give you this choice: take your people back to the regions you were originally responsible for. I can pretend I never controlled those places. But once my decision is made, there will be no turning back for any of us."
Damon and the others exchanged glances, then bowed to Phineas together.
"Thank you for not abandoning us, Young Master. You saved our lives and gave us meaning. Since you did not abandon us, we will give our lives for you without hesitation."
Phineas sighed.
"Very well. Then make the announcement—to the world, to all wizards. Let everyone know that I, Phineas Walburga Black, officially announce that the Black family and all its members are withdrawing from the Council of Elders. At the same time, I formally declare war on the Council of Elders and all its subordinates!"
"Yes!"
As the crowd responded, puffs of smoke and the sound of Apparition echoed throughout the manor.
All of Phineas's agents left Lisa Manor and announced to the wizarding world that their master—the youngest legendary wizard in the Black family's history, and even in the wizarding world—Phineas Walburga Black, had officially declared war on the Council of Elders.
---
When the news about Phineas reached the headquarters of the Council of Elders in the Vatican,
the elders convened an internal meeting.
One of the ordinary elders shouted angrily,
"How dare he!"
The Second Elder snorted disdainfully.
"Why wouldn't he dare? He's already a legend. A legendary wizard—especially one so young—deserves our attention."
The three elders nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, a teenage legendary wizard. Only the legendary Merlin could have accomplished such a feat."
The Chief Elder shook his head.
"No, as far as I know, Merlin only became a legend in middle age."
The words of the three elders made the ordinary elder who had spoken in anger turn pale and fall silent.
At this point, the Third Elder continued,
"Even if we admit that he has astonishing talent, we cannot tolerate his declaration of war on the Council of Elders. It is an act of contempt."
The Second Elder shook his head slightly.
"Actually, there's no need for war. We can send an envoy to inform Phineas Black that if he makes the Black family disappear entirely and admits his mistakes before the wizarding world, we'll permit him to join the Council and even offer him a seat as an elder."
The Chief Elder considered this for a moment, then nodded.
"That's acceptable. Doesn't Phineas Black wish to become a god? Then tell him that if he joins the Council of Elders, he will have a chance to ascend in the next era."
"Agreed!"
"I support that!"
"Then it's settled!"
Following the Chief Elder's decision, the others offered no further objection.
Once the ordinary elders had departed, only the three senior elders remained in the dark chamber, their faces obscured by shadow.
"Chief, Deputy—why did you make that decision? Phineas Black's previous actions show that he's not someone who gives up easily."
The Second Elder smiled faintly.
"Third Seat, we made this decision because the Chief has already reached the realm of demigod."
"What? Chief?"
The three elders turned to the Chief Elder in shock.
The Chief Elder nodded slightly.
"Yes, I have become a demigod. And I also know how many will be permitted to become gods in this era."
"How many?"
"Only two."
"What? That few?"
This time, the three elders were truly stunned. The number of seats on the Council typically mirrored the number of god-making slots available in a given era—determined by calculations based on the previous era's figures. Generally, there were no discrepancies. In fact, past eras often allowed one or two extra god-making slots beyond the number of Council seats. There had never been a case where only two were available.
The number was shockingly low.
And beyond the Council, others were watching closely—wizards who had lived through many generations in the magical world, including the four giants who remained hidden in unknown places.