https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1616-A-War-With-No-Victors-LXVI-/12529355/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1618-A-War-with-No-Victors-LXVIII-/12529357/
Chapter 1617: A War with No Victors (Sixty-Seven)
Chapter 1617: A War with No Victors (Sixty-Seven)
"I recall you didn't have a high opinion of the American magical community," Hermione remarked, recalling Albert's previous rants about the dismal state of magic in the United States. According to him, American wizards were overly paranoid about Muggles, which often led to foreign wizards inadvertently breaking the laws of the American Ministry of Magic and facing fines or imprisonment.
"Yes, American wizards are terrified of being exposed by Muggles, like mice scared of cats," Albert concealed none of his disdain for that country. "To be frank, I see a potential future for wizards reflected in that country."
"You don't hold a high opinion of wizards?" Hermione was surprised that Albert had brought this up out of the blue.
"Once Muggle technology advances to a certain level, there will be no place for magic to hide. Of course, it will take a few hundred years for Muggle technology to get to that point," Albert predicted.
Indeed, Albert had little faith in the future of wizardkind. He believed that as Muggle technology progressed, it would gradually suppress the influence of wizards.
"Did you see this future for the Ministry of Magic in a prophecy?" Hermione probed.
"A seer doesn't always need a prophecy to see the future," Albert said calmly. "Some con artists in the Muggle world are very good at deducing a lot from scant clues."
"So, what do you think we should do about it?"
"Have faith in the wisdom of future generations," Albert replied without hesitation.
"That doesn't sound like something you would usually say," Hermione remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean, let's leave the problems we can't solve now to future generations to deal with themselves," Albert said casually. "After all, by then, we'll all be a pile of bones with no worries."
"Well..."
Hermione was taken aback, not expecting Albert to outright admit that he couldn't solve the problem.
As they climbed the hill, the topic of conversation shifted away from this conundrum.
There were more pressing matters that needed their attention.
Muggle electronics could still function within the expanded space created by the Undetectable Extension Charm, but the magical field did affect them. Albert intended to separate the areas where backup power supplies were stored from the other regions.
This caused Albert no small amount of trouble, as he had to constantly make minor adjustments to the architecture of Avalon Village to minimize the impact of the magical field on Muggle electronics.
To be honest, it was a thankless task. Fortunately, Albert's initial design was reasonably sound, or he might have given up and left it as it was.
However, Albert's actions left Mr. Joseph Clova, the architect, speechless. Although Mr. Clova could understand Albert's concerns, he found his behavior a bit exasperating.
"Are you leaving?" Joseph looked up at the sky and then at the man in front of him, who seemed to be trying to shirk his responsibilities.
"Yes, I have other matters to attend to. I'll leave the rest to you," Albert said his farewells to those present and then, after walking some distance away, he disapparated.
"You're not upset that he's shirking his responsibilities like this?" Joseph looked at the people around him.
Everyone exchanged glances, and finally, Hermione spoke up. "Albert has a lot on his plate. He's always busy."
Joseph was left speechless.
Indeed, Albert was a busy man. By the time he arrived at the manor, dusk was approaching.
"Are they here?" Albert asked.
"Yes, they are. I've already told them about Chi's situation, and they've agreed to help. They're quite interested in your 'Youth and Vitality' potion, though," Isabelle placed a glass of iced fruit tea in front of Albert and smiled teasingly. "They took an afternoon nap to prepare for tonight's banquet. They're in the bathroom taking a bath now. Do you want to join them?"
"Maybe some other time. There will be plenty of similar opportunities in the future," Albert showed little enthusiasm for the idea. After experiencing such things numerous times, the novelty had worn off.
Of course, the main reason was that they weren't close enough, and bathing together would be awkward.
"You don't seem very excited about tonight's welcome banquet," Katrina straddled Albert's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "That won't do. You'll make the girls doubt their charms."
After saying this, Katrina kissed Albert passionately, trying to stir his emotions.
Isabelle shook her head at the shameless display of the couple. "Will Hermione be joining us for tonight's banquet?"
"She's actually quite interested in it," Albert replied.
After prying Katrina's hands off him, the two finally separated.
"Now that your lovers are all here, you must be happy," Isabelle commented.
"No, she can't make it. Hermione is currently staying with the Weasleys, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to come out at night. It might raise suspicions," Albert shook his head. "I'm sure she's disappointed."
Katrina couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude, not because Hermione was missing the banquet, but because she, too, was slowly becoming like Albert.
"Catherine and the others plan to stay in Britain for a while," Isabelle brought up another matter. "Are they giving up on their business?"
"Apparently, they want to stay for a vacation, so..." Katrina blinked. "You'll have to make time for them from now on. We've already discussed and allocated everything."
Albert's lips twitched. He never imagined that his wives and lovers had already divided him amongst themselves without his knowledge. Such a blissful dilemma was probably the envy of countless men worldwide.
"Don't worry, they know their limits. For you, it's just a happy dilemma," Isabelle wasn't concerned about Albert's physical condition. As long as they stretched out the timeline, Albert could easily handle the women in his life.
This was one of the main reasons why Catherine and Valeria decided to stay in Europe for their vacation.
Even if they became Albert's lovers out of mutual benefit, who wouldn't want to experience a beautiful romance instead of just focusing on interests?
Isabelle wasn't sure if they had been informed of Albert's arrival, or if they had just finished their bath, but soon after, the three women walked into the living room confidently, clad only in thin beige bathrobes, seemingly intending to discuss something with her.
"Albert!"
Like a fan meeting their idol, Valeria rushed into the living room and immediately embraced Albert, giving him a passionate kiss without a care in the world that she was wearing only a bathrobe.
Louise blushed as she watched the affectionate couple.
Catherine, on the other hand, stood by with a look of great interest. After they separated, she, too, kissed Albert on the lips.
"This should be the second time," Catherine still felt that her decision had been the right one.
However, she didn't bring up their child and instead asked about something else. "When will we sign the contract?"
"Let's do it now. I'll go first!"
Louise, who usually took a back seat, surprised everyone by taking the initiative and kissing Albert as well. However, her kissing technique was less polished than the other two women, or perhaps she had no experience in kissing at all.
(End of Chapter)
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