"Why are we sneaking around like thieves?"
Char crouched down, following behind Sally, and asked with a peculiar expression.
The enchanting girl in front of him was wearing a relatively casual purple dress, her hair coiled on top of her head, revealing a slender and flawless nape.
Upon hearing Char's question, she turned around and gave him a coquettish glance. "My fiancé is here. Did you expect us to enter through the front door?"
"Exciting."
The current state of the two of them was just like having a secret affair. They sneaked in through a hidden passage behind the Violet's mansion, avoiding all the guards.
This was the meeting place that Sally and Char had agreed upon before leaving the Tower of Judgment yesterday.
After all, the invitation Char received was addressed to "Cain," not his current identity.
Moreover, "Sun" had already taken notice of him. If something were to happen later and Char was found to have appeared here, it would undoubtedly be attributed to him.
As expected, she was a wicked woman, just as she had said before.
Even though her fiancé was attending this banquet as well, she nonchalantly brought another man inside.
Was it a political marriage?
Or perhaps the prince was too foolish?
Although Char had been in the capital for so many years, he knew very little about royal affairs.
"By the way, does your family have many secret passages like this?"
Char pondered for a moment and asked casually as if nothing had happened.
He hadn't forgotten his main purpose for coming this time.
"We have quite a few. There are at least three that I know of. My father started creating these secret passages after the mansion was targeted in several political assassination attempts," Sally paused and then squinted her eyes gently. "Why? Are you thinking of sneaking in secretly to have a date with me?"
"It's something Sister wants me to do, right?"
Char tugged at her playfully.
With a charm level of 15, there was nothing to fear.
"Hmph, you still owe me three days of dates," Sally said, leading Char out of the secret passage. Suddenly, everything became clear before their eyes.
As the main venue for the banquet, the Violet Mansion was located in an estate on the outskirts of the capital city, occupying a frighteningly large area.
A rough estimate indicated that it was hundreds of times larger than the dilapidated mansion where Char lived during his childhood.
Many nobles owned similar properties where they would host parties or engage in hunting activities on weekends or during leisure time. Inviting friends and family to attend these events in formal attire was one of the primary means of socializing in high society.
"This way," Sally beckoned as she led Char through a narrow cobblestone path in the garden, arriving at the base of the luxurious mansion's wall.
Gently pushing open one of the windows, Sally suddenly held onto Char's shoulder. "Bend down."
"What for?" Char was puzzled but complied nonetheless.
Sally lightly laughed, kicked off her high heels, and held them in her hand, revealing her delicate feet with pale purple nail polish. She lifted her leg and stepped on Char's shoulder. "Don't look up, I'm not wearing anything."
Was it true or false?
Just as Char was about to look up, he felt a light body gracefully leap, using him as a stepping stone. Like a purple butterfly, Sally elegantly landed in the room.
Then she extended a small hand and said, "Come up."
Char didn't take her hand. With his current physical abilities, he could easily jump over a dozen meters high wall.
After landing, Char felt himself stepping on a soft carpet.
"You won't even take advantage of an opportunity like this?" Sally glanced at him. "Your mask is over there. Don't forget to put it on. The rule of the ball is that no matter what happens, the mask must not be removed."
"Alright, Sir Knight. The banquet is about to begin, and I need to change into my dance gown."
"Actually, you look good in your current outfit," Char blinked and said.
"Thank you for your compliment, but do you really want to watch me change clothes like this?" Sally chuckled as she looked at him, then reached out to push aside her long hair from the back of her neck and unzip her dress.
Char shrugged and picked up the mask on the table, examining it for a moment. It could only cover his eyes and the upper half of his face, resembling a black raven with feathers and diamonds embedded on both sides.
A rustling sound came from behind.
After a while, Char looked around and lifted his head. "Is this your room?"
"That's right! You're the first man to enter my room," Sally teased with suggestive words while pulling up her black stockings from the ankles to the thighs.
"Oh, by the way, I want to go out for a moment."
Char, for some reason, said with his back turned to Sally.
"You'll be discovered as soon as you go out."
"It's fine. I have my own way."
Char raised the [Veil of Concealment] in his hand and answered.
Then, under Sally's gaze, Char suddenly turned into a shadow and swiftly disappeared into the curtains.
"Remember to come back early. You have to dance the first dance with me today!"
...
"Phew, this feels like a secret affair."
Appearing again at the main entrance of the Violet Mansion, Char sat in a carriage, already wearing a different outfit and another mask.
After showing the invitation to the guards at the gate, he transformed into one of the upper-class participants attending the evening party and arrived at the mansion.
At this moment, the entire estate was brightly lit, with servants and waiters bustling around, leading elegantly dressed guests inside.
They all wore masks of different designs, making it impossible to recognize anyone.
The banquet had already begun.
Char walked slowly towards the entrance of the banquet, gazing at the bustling hall. On the central stage, musicians were playing a beautiful dance melody.
The long banquet tables nearby were adorned with exquisite patterned tablecloths and adorned with elaborately crafted silver candlesticks. They were filled with various cold dishes, including steak, desserts, and fruits, ready to be enjoyed.
Although the ball hadn't officially started, people were already scattered around the ground floor, chatting and holding glasses of champagne.
After a quick count, there were already over two hundred people present, not including the waitstaff.
It was quite a grand banquet.
At this moment, the entire Violet Mansion was resplendent. The crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast a golden glow, while the tiled floor showcased intricate golden patterns, exuding an atmosphere of luxury and grandeur.
Char took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and nonchalantly joined a small group of people nearby. He raised his glass, pretending as if nothing was amiss, and smoothly joined their conversation.
As they didn't know each other's identities, they didn't engage in private conversations, only discussing artistic insights.
For example, there was someone in the crowd who was currently giving a critique on the portrait collection of Count Violet.
After listening for a while and finding it utterly nonsensical, Char quickly lost interest and left the conversation.
He hadn't forgotten his true purpose for coming tonight.
After some time, as the crowd gradually quieted down, the protagonist of the entire banquet made his entrance.
Char looked up towards the middle-aged man standing at the edge of the second-floor staircase, holding a glass of wine and wearing an owl mask.
Count Violet.
Although his face was partially obscured by the mask, one could vaguely see that he was a handsome middle-aged man, around forty years old, with slicked-back black hair and a robust physique.
Standing beside him was a tall girl in a purple dress, wearing an angelic white feather mask that covered half of her face, revealing a delicate chin and rosy lips.
The girl seemed a bit bored, looking around as if searching for someone.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"I have only one request for all of you who are present."
A slightly authoritative voice, amplified by magic, spread throughout the entire hall, instantly silencing the previously murmuring crowd.
After all, coming from a military background, even his manner of speaking carried a serious tone that made people instinctively nervous.
"Since you have received an invitation from the House of Lautossos, you are our most esteemed guests and dearest friends. I hope you have a joyful and pleasant evening in this long night of festivities!"
"Of course, if by chance any love matches are formed, I would be delighted to witness it."
The previously imposing voice instantly softened, carrying a hint that only men could understand.
Count Violet raised his glass slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
At the same time, the orchestra in the center stage officially began their performance, marking the first climax of the evening!
Taking advantage of the commotion in the crowd, Char swiftly finished his drink, then, unnoticed by most, he set down his glass and followed a waiter towards a corridor leading to a side hall.
Before coming, he had roughly observed the layout of the surrounding buildings.
If there was indeed something underground as described by Arlyn, there was a high probability it would be related to places like the wine cellar.
So, after leaving the lively party, Char began to carefully search.
"May I assist you with something, sir?"
A waiter noticed Char and politely approached him, inquiring.
"Toilet... uh."
Char was just about to come up with an excuse to brush off the question when suddenly, his gaze froze!
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a masked guest, wearing a black mask, also leaving the bustling hall and disappearing at the end of the corridor stairs.
The problem was, Char had seen that mask before.
Back in the lower district, the masked assassin with a white mask who had tried to kill him wore a similar type of mask!
He claimed to be from the Night Shadow Society.
Arin's final message to him had also mentioned that the Night Shadow Society had strong ties to that mysterious organization and warned him to be cautious of the black-masked individuals.
And that guy...
Staring at the spot where the black-masked person vanished, Char narrowed his eyes.
He said to the waiter, "Can I visit the second floor?"
To his surprise, the waiter shook his head gently and replied, "I'm sorry, sir. Unless you are personally invited by the Count, access to the second floor is not allowed... However, you are free to roam anywhere else on the estate."
"The person just now..."
"That was a friend of the Count."
After uttering these words, the waiter bowed and left.
Interesting.
If one didn't know anything in advance, they might have found this reaction somewhat peculiar. But for Char, it was practically slapping the words "something is wrong" across his face!
Since the straightforward approach wasn't going to work, he still had other means at his disposal.
With that in mind, Char found a nearby storage room and swiftly transformed into a shadow, teleporting outside the window.
It was late into the night, and shadows were abundant, perfect for stealth.
Thus, Char soon randomly infiltrated a room on the second floor.
Just as he emerged from the curtain of shadows, preparing to assess the surroundings of the room.
At that moment, a soft voice, tinged with curiosity, sounded in his ear.
"Who are you?"
Char was slightly startled, freezing in place.
Upon hearing the voice, Char looked over and saw a noblewoman dressed in a black gown sitting by the bed, carefully observing him.
What could be more embarrassing than being caught red-handed?
Char sighed and glanced at the woman who resembled a noblewoman.
She exuded an elegant and gentle demeanor, with a touch of youthful innocence amidst her maturity. Her clear eyes resembled those of a startled deer in a forest, watery and innocent, revealing a charming and captivating expression.
Overall, she appeared to be a woman in her thirties.
In that instant, when he laid eyes on her, Char's mind instinctively conjured up a term.
Mellon.
In his past life, he had only come across such shamelessly abundant assets in manga, but he never expected to witness it firsthand in this situation.
Arin didn't deceive me!
Recalling what that person mentioned in the letter, Char immediately understood why a woman like her left such a deep impression on him.
She not only had a beautiful appearance and ample assets, but what mattered was that her waist was not overly thick, maintaining a well-proportioned figure.
Although compared to someone like Sally, who had a more youthful physique, she appeared slightly plump, for a woman of her demeanor, it was an added charm, filled with fatal allure for certain younger men.
Of course, Char firmly believed he wasn't one of them.
"Count... Me-madam?"
After a long pause, Char spoke softly.
Count Violet, truly an enviable fellow.
However, upon closer inspection, she didn't resemble Sally in the slightest.
"Do you know me?"
Having a masked stranger intrude into her bedroom, the Count's wife displayed not panic or wariness but rather curiosity.
Char sighed and remained silent, torn between whether to knock her out or make a quick escape before things escalated. If things got out of hand, his actions today would be considered a failure.
Indeed, a knight couldn't handle the delicate work of an assassin.
Sensing Char's mischievous intentions, she furrowed her brows lightly and spoke in a negotiating tone, whispering, "If you want to run, go ahead, but please don't knock me out, okay?"
"I'm a bit afraid of pain..." She glanced at Char and straightened her posture slightly. "Of course, if you want to stay here a little longer, no one will find out."
"There are guards outside to prevent me from wandering, but they won't enter without permission."
Char frowned.
Although the Countess seemed a bit childish in her mentality, that wasn't the point.
As the mistress of this mansion, she didn't have the freedom to move about?
To be guarded in this room like a prisoner?
Sensitive as he was, Char instinctively sensed the inconsistency in her words. His sixth sense as a man told him that this clue might be important.
Char glanced at the noblewoman, confirming that she didn't seem inclined to call for someone to capture him, and he pondered carefully for a moment.
It seemed she harbored no hostility, so perhaps he could approach it from this angle.
I am Char, known as a friend to women!
With this thought in mind, he smiled gently at the Countess, despite his charisma score of only 15.
The other person stared at him for a moment, she face slightly blushing. she blinked their eyes gently and lowered their head, almost burying it in their chest.
Char's smile demonstrated its power to captivate women.
Considering his current identity as a popular book author, Char suppressed his discomfort and sighed imperceptibly.
Then, he shifted his gaze to the window and, in a slightly melancholic tone befitting a literary enthusiast, softly said, "The moonlight is so beautiful."
However, after uttering those words, his expression froze slightly.
Thick clouds covered the pitch-black night sky, obscuring the radiant moonlight. Even the stars were sparse, shining faintly in isolation.
Where was the moon?
Just as Char was about to awkwardly transition to the topic of "Madam, you are even more beautiful," the noblewoman behind him suddenly asked in a hesitant tone, as if giving a secret code, "Is the wind gentle too?"
He turned around and looked at her delighted expression, feeling a bit amazed.
Oh well.
He had encountered a fan.
And a devoted one at that.