CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 177 HOODED MAN

After concluding her meeting with the Royal Academy of Sciences’ president, Perfikot didn’t return to the royal palace or Windsor Castle, but instead headed back to Brandelis Manor.

At this time, Brandelis Manor was vastly different from the past; a military encampment was established outside the previously tranquil rural town, enclosing the manor.

Barricades, bunkers, trenches... A complete set of defensive fortifications surrounded the entire manor, with a whole regiment of guards stationed here, solely to protect the manor from intrusion by those with ill intentions.

Perfikot was indifferent to this. Although she was not entirely pleased with how her manor had become, considering she would unlikely return after leaving here, she let it be.

After all, only two years remained before the impending winter’s end, and during these two years, Perfikot’s primary focus was on the Northern Territory.

"I wonder if I’ll have the chance to come back in the future? Perhaps this is my last time home?" Perfikot walked into Brandelis Manor, gazing at everything familiar in front of her, and couldn’t help but ponder.

Despite being a traveler from another world, her three years of life here had created a bond with everything around her.

Unlike before, her familiar old housekeeper was now in the Northern Territory and didn’t come to greet her as he used to.

A layer of dust settled over the home; although the old housekeeper had meticulously covered all the furniture with cloth before leaving, some spots were inevitably missed.

Furthermore, Perfikot had taken all her maid dolls away, leaving the manor unoccupied for nearly half a year, hence the dust.

In fact, before departing, Foster had suggested bringing back the manor’s previous servants for upkeep, ensuring it would be usable upon Perfikot’s return.

But Perfikot didn’t care about this, since her original plan likely involved not returning after going to the Northern Territory.

Even if she did return, she could stay at Windsor Castle or temporarily find a hotel in Langton City, without needing to return to Brandelis Manor.

But letting the manor decay like this made Perfikot feel regretful, as there were many valuable things here she could take to the Northern Territory.

"Ah, if only Grandpa Fu were here, there’s just so much to organize in the manor!" Perfikot didn’t attempt to clean the dusty furniture or organize things within.

She simply walked through the dust-covered corridors to her laboratory.

Unlike other parts of the manor, Perfikot’s laboratory remained spotless, as if freshly cleaned.

"Magic... perhaps only at such times do I truly feel there’s magic in this world." Perfikot went to her desk, sat down in the chair, and after placing her Golden Touching Rod and wand on the table, she looked towards a corner of the room, speaking in a teasing tone: "Don’t you agree, uninvited sir?"

The room didn’t show any trace of another person, nor did anyone respond to Perfikot.

Yet, she calmly gazed at the corner, seemingly convinced someone was there.

"Clap, clap, clap!" Accompanied by several claps, the corner suddenly seemed to flow, as if someone spilled water over unfinished artwork, turning the colors chaotic and revealing a hooded man in a white robe clapping.

"No wonder you’re Mr. Brandelis’s daughter; how did you discover me?" The man’s voice was very hoarse. Even after revealing himself, he maintained distance from Perfikot, keeping his face hidden under the hood.

"This is my laboratory; everything’s arranged according to my habits. I can tell if someone’s touched anything." Perfikot placed her hand on the Golden Touching Rod, stroking the Philosopher’s Stone embedded within, and casually said: "Besides, your magic equipment may render you invisible, but your body’s heat, breath, heartbeat, scent traces, and disruption of air flow are all quite evident."

Upon hearing Perfikot’s words, the hooded man didn’t think them nonsensical.

On the contrary, he took out a notebook and charcoal pencil, earnestly recording what Perfikot said.

After this, he then bowed to Perfikot, expressing his thanks: "I’m glad you pointed out the inadequacies of my stealth; the invisibility cloak made me too complacent, neglecting skill refinement.

But for you to notice these, I think you must be Mr. Brandelis’s greatest creation — the perfect alchemical life form, right?"

At the mention of her father, Perfikot’s expression shifted slightly but remained composed.

She merely changed posture, resting one hand on the armrest, and calmly asked: "Do you know my father?"

"Yes, he and your mother were once our allies," the hooded man nodded, confirming his acquaintance with Perfikot’s parents.

"Interesting, you say they were your allies, yet you only sneak into my home in this clandestine manner, nearly four years after their deaths." Perfikot’s face betrayed no emotion, but her eyes gradually grew dangerous: "If you can’t give me a legitimate reason, I have ample legal grounds to arrest or execute you."

In the face of Perfikot’s death threat, the hooded man remained unmoved, as though emotionless.

He simply spoke in a very calm tone: "If it’s because I entered your home stealthily, I apologize. This wasn’t my intention, but the manor’s neglect over six months left me no choice but to trespass for information.

If an apology isn’t enough, I’m willing to perform a task as compensation."

"If that’s the case, can you tell me, what were you searching for upon trespassing into my home?" Perfikot eyed the hooded man, by now intrigued by this conspicuously odd and mysterious individual: "If it’s my parents’ relics you’re seeking, they’ve long been stored away; you won’t find them here."

"No, I’ve already found them," the hooded man’s response surprised Perfikot.