As night gradually fell, the Magical Wall that Tafiana had specially reinforced to resist the Demon Army was lit up with bands of bright lights, signaling that the city had entered night mode.
On the still lively streets, a carriage slowly threaded its way through the crowd, heading toward the Lord’s Mansion at the center of town.
Inside the carriage, Aize leaned against the window, occasionally glancing sidelong at the street scene outside.
He was wearing the formal attire that Weirli’an had prepared for him, crafted easily from old clothes found in the house, some newly bought fabric, and a bit of magic.
Quite convenient, really.
Sitting opposite him, Weirli’an had changed into an even more exquisite Violet Evening Gown than her usual one.
The smooth fabric and tailored fit accentuated her proud figure without reservation, and the tastefully placed jewelry and the Violet Flower on her chest complemented her violet hair, setting off an elegant and mysterious air.
Noble, graceful, yet not so ostentatious as to be off-putting.
In terms of appearance, Eze couldn’t find a single fault.
But at this moment, he was clearly in low spirits, face sullen, and kept yawning.
“How is it? Not interested in the banquet?”
“Not really.”
Aize tilted his head, his face gloomy, with a touch of a bitter smile.
“In the past, when I was still in the party, whenever I attended banquets like this, my teammates would always… well, get a bit upset.”
“If I spent even a little too long at the banquet, I’d get scolded in front of the guests. Stuff like—‘Is your work done? No? Then why are you wasting time here!? Get back to work!’—that sort of thing.”
Realizing she’d touched a sore spot, Weirli’an fell into an awkward silence, but Eze’s muttering continued.
“Fine wine and delicacies? Not for me. Drinking dulls the mind and lowers efficiency. I barely had time to sleep, let alone get drunk. As for the food… sure, it was good, but I was too busy. Just me alone, and that bunch of noble lords always trying to outmaneuver each other—who had time to eat?”
A noble’s banquet was never just for entertainment. Beneath the harmonious façade, it was full of exchanges of interest and all kinds of schemes; everyone was looking to bite off a piece from someone else.
Those who only cared about pleasure and lost themselves in flattery were doomed to be mere pawns in the game.
Unfortunately, aside from Heidi Yalt, Eze’s former teammates all seemed to fall into that category.
Aize himself actually hated these social events, but for the party’s interests, he had no choice but to attend—yet he was always accused of slacking off and trying to stand out.
What could he say about that?
“This time’s the same.”
Aize tapped the seat of the carriage beneath him.
“Why do you think that Viscount Edgar is being so courteous? Going to such lengths to drag us to this banquet? Because this banquet is a trap, dug to ensnare that Guild Leader.”
“As for me, I’m the spike in the pit—meant to jab him when he falls in. So of course I can’t be absent—in other words, he wants to use me, so naturally he has to be polite.”
Weirli’an blinked in surprise.
“You know all this… and you still agreed?”
“Why wouldn’t I? Using and being used has always been mutual. In the end, it’s all about ability. The key is to stay clear-headed, know your own position…”
Saying this, Aize sighed.
“Forget it, let’s not talk about this. It’s annoying.”
The carriage slowed to a stop. Through the window, a grand mansion—far beyond what a viscount’s rank should warrant—came into Eze’s view.
The butler responsible for receiving guests stepped down from the coachman’s seat, stood respectfully by the door, and said:
“Lady Vivi’an, Lord Ain, we have arrived.”
Aize let out a long sigh, stood up from his seat, slapped his own face a couple of times, then—
“Let’s go!”
That gloomy expression vanished in less than 0.1 seconds, replaced by a perfect, sunny smile.
The shift was so drastic, even Weirli’an was left dumbfounded.
“You… you’re actually pretty scary, you know.”
“Really? Thanks for the compliment, hehe—”
Even his mind had switched to business mode.
Seeing this, Weirli’an couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Her gaze dropped, her hand unconsciously clutching her gown, lips pursed as if deep in thought.
Aize didn’t pay it much mind:
“Let’s go, we can’t keep others waiting…”
Before he finished, Weirli’an suddenly stood up and, without warning, took hold of Aize’s left arm.
Under his surprised gaze, the witch spoke:
“Aren’t we husband and wife? What’s so strange about this?”
“Mm…”
Though Aize still had some objections, at this point, the rice was cooked—there was no point arguing, so he just nodded.
“And as for your former teammates, I can’t do anything about the past, but…”
Weirli’an gently brushed her hair back and smiled.
“From today on, no matter what it is, I won’t let you face it alone. If you need anything, just make use of me~”
Though she always gave off an air of nonchalance and unpredictability, at this moment, Weirli’an’s gaze was unusually resolute, her tone extremely serious.
Even Aize, whose heart had nearly turned to stone from all the hardships, felt a tremor inside for some reason.
But what followed was a faint sense of guilt.
Because, to his shame, no matter what Weirli’an said, he found it hard to fully trust her right now.
All he could do was avert his gaze and reach for the carriage door.
“Let’s go.”
“Mm!”
“Welcome to Edgar Mansion!!!”
Arm in arm, they stepped down from the carriage, immediately entering a corridor of servants led by the elderly butler, forming a welcoming procession.
The reception was so grand that many guests already inside, as well as passersby, couldn’t help but turn to look.
Quite a few people began to whisper among themselves.
Understandable—among all the local dignitaries present, Eze and Weirli’an were simply too conspicuous.
“My lord, Viscount Sean Edgar, is waiting out front to greet you both.”
“Thank you.”
After nodding to the butler, the two walked along the red carpet up to the brightly lit, open doors of the mansion.
Just as the butler had said, the lean-looking lord they’d met that morning was standing there with his hands behind his back.
When he saw Eze and Weirli’an, he immediately broke into a smile.
“Welcome, Lord Ain, Lady Vivi’an. Thank you for coming. I wish you both a wonderful evening.”
“The honor is ours, Lord. We thank you for your gracious hospitality, I—”
Aize was about to say more, but when he saw a figure appear in the doorway behind Sean, he froze, his smile fixed on his face.
Sean, apparently unaware of the change, stepped aside and, with a gesture toward the figure behind him, introduced:
“Allow me to present tonight’s distinguished guest—Heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Yalt and one of the Chosen Heroes, Her Highness Princess Heidi Yalt!”