Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Conversations at the Banquet

“Adley!”

Wind directly splashed the clear sake from her cup onto his face, the fragrance of the drink spreading through the air. He opened his eyes, the smile on his face not fading away, as if he was used to it. He stretched out his hand backward, and an attendant immediately handed him a clean towel. After drying himself, he pulled out a chair and sat down casually.

“I was just joking, Wind, why are you so angry? Or perhaps you’re jealous. Looks like I have to marry you off sooner than expected.”

“Hmph, go ahead and think that. I would never marry you no matter who I marry,” Wind said with disdain. She despised Adley the most among all the playboys.

Mere watched the two with a smile, though Wind detested Adley, their families could very well get married because the head of the Anemii family had great expectations for Adley. Both parents were willing to arrange this match. Who knew how relationships might change; anything could happen.

Lacy didn’t interject, as she was meeting Adley for the first time and wasn’t familiar with him. She also wasn’t good at initiating conversations. Additionally, due to the previous attack, the Tisiphone family might be responsible for Angus’s death, which made her wary.

This young man from the Tisiphone family was now at Sequence 4. Among his peers, he was considered the most talented. She blinked, and information about Adley appeared in her mind.

Name: Adley Tisiphone

Race: Human (Adapted 96%)

Identity: Eldest son and heir of the Tisiphone family

Status: Healthy (No abnormalities)

Sequence: War Sequence 4 – Painful Blade (Evaluation: Rare Silver)

Talents:

【Accurate Heart】(Rare): Can control every part of the body with precision, easily manipulating weapons to millimeter accuracy, quickly and accurately targeting weak points of enemies, and slicing arrows with swords.

Ability: 【Weakness Perception】(Excellent): Can sense and identify weak points in enemy defenses, leading to a fatal strike.

【Rapid】(Rare): Enhances physical constitution and coordination, greatly increasing movement speed. (Accurate Heart +3, originally Excellent.)

【Painful Blade】(Rare): Inflicts moderate soul damage on weapons, causing enemies to tremble mentally, and potentially causing permanent mental disorders when severely hit.

Skill: 【Revenge Assassination Technique】(Rare): A special art passed down in the Tisiphone family, a refined and ruthless skill.

Looking at the information in her mind, Lacy became even more convinced that the Tisiphone family played the role of the murderer. But the question was whether it was Adley’s own will or someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Although the Kallistes family was relatively new, they were also a powerful trading guild comparable to the Tisiphones. If this came to light, it would lead to endless retaliation and confrontation. Even if the Kallistes fell, the Tisiphones wouldn’t gain much.

While Lacy was thinking, Adley finished his argument with Wind and turned towards her, introducing himself.

“Miss Lacy, I am Adley, the eldest son of the Tisiphone family.”

“Hello, I’m Lacy from the Kallistes family,” the girl replied calmly.

“Lord Angus was a respectable person, he kept his word and acted with principle. Our two merchant families cooperated on many projects during his lifetime. I even learned from him for a while. Hearing of his sudden passing, I felt deeply saddened.”

“Mr. Angus was like an uncle to me. If you ever need help, Lacy, don’t hesitate to come to me. I will definitely assist you if I can, or at least find other solutions.”

Adley spoke with sincerity. Though Wind looked somewhat disdainful, she didn’t jump in to contradict him. Mere lowered her head and sipped her juice, her expression unreadable.

Indeed, the girl thought, if she didn’t have extraordinary abilities and a system, and was just an ordinary person like in her past life, she might have been swayed by Adley’s words like the other girls in the hall. Even if she wasn’t instantly moved, she would likely have formed a favorable impression and considered him a friend worth having.

“Thank you, Young Master Adley. If I encounter any difficulties in the future, I will remember your kindness.”

Lacy slightly bowed her head in gratitude, concealing her expression, then offered a simple smile. She wasn’t good at acting, so she maintained a neutral expression.

Adley raised his wine glass in a toast to Lacy and drank it down, showing his generosity. Lacy smiled and looked at her small glass of fruit wine, then drained it, her face turning slightly red. For a moment, her beauty intoxicated everyone present.

The atmosphere among the four became livelier, and they began discussing recent events. News from the northwest battlefield hadn’t spread widely yet. Currently, discussions at the banquet mostly revolved around cooperation between Hope Lane and Rourna, and the recent ‘Lake Light Shield.’

After some discussion, Fenton brought out his youngest daughter for everyone to see, a healthy child. After handing the baby back to his wife, he walked over to Lacy’s table.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed our wine and pastries?” Fenton greeted with a smile, then asked an attendant to bring a chair for him to sit on.

“Fenton, you’re too modest. Every time you host a banquet, the food is so plentiful, one can hardly find fault,” Mere complimented with a smile, and the others echoed her.

Fenton laughed heartily, then asked an attendant to bring several beautifully packaged boxes.

“You can open them. This is a new wine we’ve developed, named ‘Soma.’ However, this wine is quite special and best enjoyed alone at home,” Fenton said with a mysterious smile, piquing everyone’s curiosity.

Lacy, like the others, opened the lid. Inside were small glass bottles containing a light red liquid.

“I must taste this,” Adley said, opening a bottle, sniffing it, and pouring a little into a cup.

Seeing that he didn’t pour much, Fenton didn’t stop him. Adley took a sip, savoring it slowly, then praised its excellent taste. The alcohol content was low, making it suitable for girls too.

Wind looked envious but, constrained by her femininity, didn’t open hers. Instead, she mocked,

“Adley, are you just here as Fenton’s stooge, putting on such an act?”

Adley didn’t take offense, only smiling and suggesting Wind try it herself.

Thus, the music at the banquet began to play, and many young men and women paired up to dance and spin in the ballroom. Adley invited three ladies to dance. Lacy remained still, clearly shy. Wind muttered a few sarcastic remarks at Adley before dancing with another friend. Mere, not wanting Adley to feel too awkward, danced briefly with him.

Finally, as night fell, the banquet ended amidst joyful music.

* * *

(End of Chapter)