"Thief?" Upon hearing Ebner's words, although Fors was somewhat puzzled, she wasn't the kind of girl who wouldn't listen to advice. She knew very well that he wouldn't say such words for no reason.
However, after she nodded slightly to indicate that she would move away after returning, she looked at Ebner teasingly and said with a smile, "In my novel, I usually suggest girls to move to the male protagonist's house. In the end, they would move to the male protagonist's house, and then a series of interesting stories would happen… I say, Ebner, don't tell me you have the same idea?"
The premise is that I have a home. I'm still living with my teacher… As for East Borough's house… Ahem, why would I seriously consider this? It's all Fors's fault for leading me astray.
After thinking for a moment, Ebner covered his forehead and said helplessly, "That's why I said there was something wrong with the plot of your novel."
"Your actions and tone are becoming more like Xio's…" Fors covered her mouth and laughed.
Just as the two were chatting, another guest walked in from the entrance of the hall.
It was a young lady. She wore a green gown with a simple style. Other than the ring on her left hand, there were no other accessories. However, this lady had long, smooth black hair. She had a voluptuous figure and beautiful curves. Her skin that was exposed was fair and tender. It was very attractive.
However, when the men in the surroundings looked at her face, they were slightly disappointed because it was an extremely ordinary face. It couldn't be said to be ugly, but it definitely wouldn't be associated with beauty, causing many interested gazes to instantly withdraw.
However, there was still a gaze on the lady, and the source of the wooden gaze was Hazel.
Hazel never expected that she would encounter guests with "treasures" one after another at an ordinary ball. However, she didn't act rashly this time. She wanted to wait until the ball began before acting.
The lady in simple clothes didn't seem to notice Hazel's magnanimity. She calmly circled around Macht and company and headed for the bathroom on the right side of the hall. Only when Hazel retracted her gaze did she reveal a teasing smile.
…
Outside the Daily Observer building, Xio had just registered the information for a guest when she saw a carriage with a black exterior and a curtain inside the window drive over. There was a coat of arms at a prominent spot in the carriage. The coat of arms was made of a vertical sword with a red crown at the hilt.
This… Sword of Judgment… The Sword of Judgment represents the royal family's Augustus family? As a former noble lady, heraldry was an essential course, so Xio immediately recognized what the badge represented.
So the important figure here is actually a member of the Augustus family… I wonder which prince or princess it is. As Xio thought this, she wanted to stop the carriage with her colleagues for inspection.
However, her actions were stopped by her superior, who allowed the carriage to pass by the road card.
"We're doing security here because we have to protect him… him. Naturally, there's no need to check."
…
Prince Edessak stepped from the carriage under the guard of his steward, Finkl. He studied the headquarters building of the Daily Observer with interest, thinking that this new building was indeed different in structure from his old-fashioned estate.
Then, just as he was about to greet the shareholders who had been waiting for him, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a modified captain's hat walk over.
Finkel, the butler, immediately stepped forward and stopped the visitor. Then he took off his hat and pressed it to his chest. He bowed in the most standard manner and asked, "Captain Kuhn, what would you like to do?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness… but I have something to ask of you."
The person who came was none other than Captain Kuhn of the Backlund Mandated Punishers. His expression was very solemn, and although his words were humble, his tone was very unyielding.
"Captain Kuhn, His Highness is about to attend the ball. How about I make an appointment for you to meet him after it's over?" Butler Finkl smiled politely.
"What I'm about to say is related to the ball!" Captain Kuhn didn't seem to be in the mood to argue with the butler as he looked directly at Prince Edessak.
The prince frowned, but then relaxed and said with a smile, "Let him come over, Finkle. As a believer of the Lord, I believe in the Mandated Punishers who promote the Lord's power in the mortal world."
"As you wish, Your Highness." Finkler turned and bowed before stepping aside to allow Captain Kuhn to step forward.
"Thank you for giving me a chance to speak, Your Highness." Kuhn first bowed and then went straight to the point.
"The Church had previously used a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact to divine that the mastermind behind the repeated attacks on the Lord in East Borough, Bridge Borough, and the dock area will also appear at this ball. We believe that the villain's target might be you… Therefore, I request that you allow me and my team members to hide among your followers. If there's any danger, we can deal with it in time."
Upon hearing this, Butler Feinkel immediately interrupted, "Your Highness, since there's danger, I think it's better to leave this place immediately… You have a noble status, so there's no need to put yourself in danger."
The captain of the Mandated Punishers, Kuhn, frowned and wondered if the villain would not come if the prince left. However, he could not interfere with the prince's decision. He could only wait and see.
Prince Edessak's eyes flashed. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "No, since I've made a promise to Mr. Pierre and Mr. Lalu, I can't go back on my words. Otherwise, the Daily Observer's ball today will become a joke in the industry. I can't embarrass my friends like this."
He paused and looked at Captain Kuhn. "And I believe that the Mandated Punishers of the Lord will ensure my safety."
"Don't worry, Your Highness… Although it was sudden, we were prepared," Captain Kuhn said confidently.
At the same time, the coachman, Cullen, who had parked the carriage two streets away, looked at the headquarters of the Daily Observer from afar and frowned slightly.
"This atmosphere doesn't feel right…" The more he looked, the more depressed he felt. He took out a mirror and prayed to the Ancestor to perform mirror divination.
Then, Cullen's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly summoned his messenger, Silica, and hurriedly wrote two letters before handing them to her. He said solemnly, "Silica, hand this one to the captain, and send the other to my parents at the vampire encampment. Try to be quick."
Silika nodded and picked up the letter. She flapped her silver illusory wings and disappeared.
…
In the ball hall, as the most distinguished guests entered, everyone, including Macht, turned to face the youth who was slowly walking over under the butler's lead. They bowed respectfully and said,
"Good evening, Prince Edessak."
Edessak? The important personage that the Forsaken Ones mentioned to attend the ball is actually the third prince… Speaking of which, several of the things I've encountered recently have something to do with this prince. Is it a coincidence? Or is he involved with some Demoness again?
Sigh, ever since I "let my imagination run wild" in the carriage, I always feel like everything is "arranged"…
Ebner shook his head and stopped thinking about such trivial matters. As he enjoyed the delicacies on the long table with Fors, he listened to the prince's speech.
"Thank you for coming…" Prince Edessak, who was standing on the second floor and looking down, first said a few polite words before saying, "The sales of our ball stemmed from the Daily Observer surpassing the Tussock Times in all aspects last week, becoming the third-largest newspaper in the kingdom's sales volume. Let us cheer for this impressive result and toast to this impressive achievement…
"I hereby announce that in my personal name, I will invest 3,000 pounds in the Daily Observer…"
So the prince was here to invest… What was this? Control a media company and prepare a voice channel for himself?
Ebner only pondered for a moment before putting this matter aside. It was none of his business anyway.
After the ball officially began, Ebner and Fors, who were almost full, invited each other to the first dance to digest their food.
This left Hazel, who had been paying attention to them, somewhat peeved. Seeing that the two of them had no intention of stopping, she looked around before her eyes lit up. This was because she saw that the lady who she had previously sensed was sitting alone in a corner beside the bathroom. No man had invited her to dance.
Hazel's eyes darted around as she requested her mother to make a trip to the bathroom before walking towards the lady.
…
The so-called ordinary lady in a simple dress was none other than Demoness of Afflictions, Ray. After changing her appearance, she used the identity and invitation that Berna had prepared for her when she was alive to sneak into the ball venue. Then, she discovered many interesting things.
"Mother's believer is also here… However, her condition doesn't seem right. My little fellow told me that she seems to have some mental problems… I shouldn't rashly greet her, lest I attract trouble.
The Mandated Punishers are actually here… Heh heh, that Captain is also here. From the looks of it, they have indeed used that Grade 1 Sealed Artifact! After using it a few more times, the accumulated negative effects won't be easily sealed. When that happens, it will attract those who are coveting it, and it will be time for me to take action.
There's also Miss Thief who has designs on me… Heh heh, perhaps I can use her today.
With this in mind, Ray looked at Hazel, who was walking towards him, and a brilliant smile appeared on his face. Even though this face was very ordinary, it still stunned Hazel, who had just walked up to him.
However, Hazel quickly recovered herself and pretended to trip as she fell into Ray's arms.
Ray's eyes narrowed and he reached out to steady her.
"Sorry, Ma'am." Hazel pretended to panic as she got up and apologized 'sincerely'.
"It's okay, young lady." Ray smiled and nodded.
Hazel didn't dare stay any longer as she pretended to hide in the bathroom in embarrassment.
Then, she stretched out her palm and focused.
It was an emerald green seed.