Chapter 110: The Vixen Steps into the Hall of Marriage?

Inside the room, a graceful woman sat upright behind pale red curtains. Her slender waist curved like a willow branch, outlining an elegant silhouette—truly a vision of captivating beauty.

Yet at this moment, she exuded an air of melancholy.

“Mistress, it’s almost time.”

On the other side of the curtains, the groom, dressed in a white suit, bowed slightly as he spoke.

“Has Ellera not arrived yet?” the Mistress asked slowly.

“No, and it’s unlikely she will.”

“What do you think the chances are of bringing Ellera over to our side?”

“Less than ten percent, I’d say. The premise of forming a partnership is mutual need, but we don’t even know what she wants. She acts entirely on impulse; she’s unpredictable.”

The groom wiped the sweat from his brow.

Today he was supposed to be the protagonist, yet he was painfully aware he wasn’t the true lead.

This realization left him speechless.

But if they could win over Ellera, it would all be worth it.

Knock, knock—

The sound of knocking interrupted their conversation.

“Mistress, the leader of the Irregular Organization wishes to speak with you.”

“Let him in.”

The door opened, and Yue, the leader of the Irregular Organization, entered the room accompanied by several attendants.

A careful observer would notice that those attendants each carried an extraordinary aura—some were psychics, others fused warriors.

The Mistress remained behind the curtain.

“Yue, long time no see. What brings you here?”

Yue, unshaken by the Mistress’s presence, replied bluntly, “I won’t waste words. I want to know how the Smuggling Faction plans to choose amidst the tide of the times.”

“…You mean about those people?”

“Yes. They approached me just now. I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

“Hmph… Those people are really bold. To dare discuss such matters at a time like this.”

The Mistress let out a dismissive snort, not exactly an answer but enough to signal the topic was closed.

Yue shrugged helplessly—making decisions was never easy.

Who would have expected that at a banquet seemingly governed by the common sense of the upper echelons, someone was already scheming to carve up the ruined world?

“Oh, one more thing.”

Yue said before leaving, “Ellera isn’t as easy to get along with as you imagine.”

The Mistress behind the curtain smiled as if savoring a secret.

“Well, let’s see how it goes in practice.”

But after Yue’s departure, the lighthearted pretense vanished, and the aura from behind the curtain grew increasingly dark.

From the shadows beside the Mistress, the groom stepped forward again, glancing toward where Yue had left, and asked,

“Mistress, I don’t understand why you invited the Irregular Organization. It’s obvious they’re dissatisfied with our approach. If Ellera really shows up, they might sabotage us.”

“Precisely to increase the chances of Ellera coming.”

Having members of the Irregular Organization at the banquet meant a slightly higher chance Ellera would appear.

Even if sabotage was possible, they had to take the risk.

Everything hinged on getting Ellera here. Until then, all worries were premature.

“Let’s go. It’s almost time. Is there anything else?”

“Mistress, about what he said earlier… should we agree to it?” the groom asked in a very low voice.

“Before we see the fork in the road, betting recklessly without confidence is foolish,” the Mistress’s calm voice gave him reassurance, which he accepted.

Who in their right mind would begin dividing the world before seeing any sign of success?

It was like a college student who hadn’t even found a job yet confidently taking out loans to buy a car and a house, expecting a guaranteed ten-thousand monthly salary. Madness.

These were lunatics.

Perhaps there were already state security agents embedded in the crowd, watching them closely.

Rushing to pick sides now would be suicide.

The groom bowed his head.

“If anyone asks for me later, I’ll speak according to your instructions.”

“No. You withhold your opinion. I will speak.”

“Mistress!?”

The groom looked up sharply.

Could the Mistress have another plan?

The woman behind the curtain slowly twisted her graceful body and after a long pause said,

“The other side’s backing is not insignificant, and their confidence must have some basis… The reason I’m not placing a bet is that we don’t have enough chips. Even if what they say is true—that the far beyond-predicted Sea Boundary Tides will restore world order—we won’t play an important role in it.”

“Then… if we win over Ellera?”

The groom lowered his head slowly, a bead of sweat trickling down his nose.

No answer was the best answer.

The Mistress continued, “I suspect the Irregular Organization thinks the same way. Ellera’s presence is crucial; her strength alone can tip the scales irreversibly.”

Just then, the curtain slowly parted.

Accompanied by two maids, a woman dressed in a dazzling gown stepped out.

Her wine-red hair gave her an appearance both gentle and commanding.

Her graceful figure and twisted waist made it hard to believe she was over thirty; she looked better preserved than most young women in their prime.

“The future will definitely… I will do my best.”

“Looks like Ellera most likely won’t come. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The lights in the banquet hall dimmed suddenly.

Everyone present knew that Ellera probably wasn’t coming, and they shook their heads in disappointment.

Most had come with the hope of meeting and recruiting her.

The Mistress slowly walked to the stage—even there, a curtain partially concealed her figure.

“Welcome, everyone. We Smuggling Faction folk follow our hearts, so please enjoy yourselves freely here. Let us welcome today’s bride.”

Click—

A beam of white light shone from the entrance.

When someone appears and their aura shifts the entire atmosphere of the space, that person is either extremely powerful, holds an influential position, or possesses some extraordinary trait.

The Mistress froze for a moment, even tempted to step out from behind the curtain to take a closer look.

The Broken-Winged Butterfly, who stood nearest the door, squinted at the figure.

The silhouette was so dazzling she couldn’t make out the details clearly.

Once the figure was fully visible, Broken-Winged Butterfly’s eyes narrowed tightly.

“Ellera…?”

If the woman appearing here was the world-famous Witch, Broken-Winged Butterfly herself wouldn’t have believed it.

But the face covering on the woman’s face deliberately announced the truth.

Her gown spread out like fresh snow, and the scent of peach blossoms mixed with soft, tender skin added to her charm—half pure, half seductive.

Even without seeing her face, she had the ethereal beauty of a fairy, unlike any mortal.

So that girl actually had more outfits than just the ones that got burned to ashes!?

Broken-Winged Butterfly had always thought that the burnt gown and sock combination was like Ellera’s “second skin”—something inseparable.

Perhaps her point of focus was unusual, because the others at the banquet were all fixated on—

“What!?”

“Ellera… it’s Ellera! Why is she coming out from there? And at such a coincidental moment!”

“This is bad! No wonder the Smuggling Faction threw such a grand event—they’ve actually married off Ellera as a daughter-in-law!”

“That means the Smuggling Faction is about to soar. The Irregular Organization was once magnificent with Ellera. The Smuggling Faction’s future will be just as comfortable!”

“I heard Ellera’s true face is hideous. I can’t imagine how the groom can put up with it.”

“Can’t help it. The organization’s interests come first. If we can win Ellera over, all is well.”

“Nonsense! Look at Ellera’s figure and legs. If you ignore her face, she’s still a great catch.”

Hearing this gossip, Broken-Winged Butterfly’s expression darkened.

What does ‘ignore her face and she’s still great’ even mean?

Her face was just as stunning as her figure!

Having seen Ellera’s selfies, she could say this with absolute certainty.

“Oh? Why does the atmosphere feel off?”

The vixen who had just appeared bathed in white light spoke, her voice filled with confusion.

Her words shattered the silence.

Everyone in the hall immediately reacted, and the Mistress on stage promptly extended an invitation.

“Ms. Ellera, welcome. Would you mind staying for a little chat?”

Her tone dripped with a charm that hadn’t been present before—so alluring it was almost cloying.

Some of the men present were already seasoned warriors, but even they felt their resolve waver at the sound.

【Ah! How despicable!】

Among the crowd, Yue, who had remained calm and composed, suddenly stood up.

Using a beauty trap?

They really were leaving no stone unturned!

What would Ellera do?

Everyone turned to look at her.

Under all eyes, the vixen glanced at the stage briefly, then strode straight toward where Broken-Winged Butterfly stood.

Don’t come any closer!!!

Broken-Winged Butterfly’s terrified gaze was clear even in the darkness.

Though she wished she could take Ellera down immediately, she knew it was impossible here—losing in this setting and being dragged away would be a disgrace!

She had finally managed to turn the tide of public opinion.

She couldn’t afford to spoil everything now!

In just a few seconds, her mind raced for two and a half minutes, and finally she decided—

To call for backup.