Chapter 36: The Banquet
As the sun set and darkness descended, a hush fell over the already quiet Vikarn Port, still reeling from the demon attack.
But at the Clock Tower, in the heart of the city, the low, solemn chants of evening prayers continued, offering a semblance of comfort.
Carriages, escorted by knights in various attire, arrived at the Clock Tower, carrying the city’s nobles to the banquet.
Although Vikarn Port was a small, remote town compared to the capital, its status as one of the few cities with external ports, combined with the Empire’s newfound peace, had drawn attention, elevating the status of its nobles and officials.
The arriving nobles, in their ostentatious carriages and elaborate attire, exuded an air of arrogance.
The ancient Clock Tower, however, seemed out of place amidst the vibrant colors and displays of wealth.
Many nobles grumbled privately about having to attend banquets in such a drab location.
Previously, the Clock Tower, aside from the massive clock at its peak, had served as an auditorium or remained empty.
But Vikarn Port’s current City Lord, Glaimond, was fond of the Clock Tower’s location.
He had renovated it extensively, transforming its interior into a fortress, preserving only the clock and the ground-floor auditorium for prayers.
So, despite their complaints, the nobles wouldn’t refuse a banquet invitation, especially not tonight’s.
While such banquets were common in Vikarn Port, Glaimond rarely attended, usually making only a brief appearance.
Tonight, however, he would be present throughout, to reassure the city’s nobles, still shaken by the recent demon attacks.
Of course, this was just a pretense.
While the citizens were panicked, the upper class remained unconcerned.
They had received word from Glaimond, knowing this was all part of his plan, and continued their lavish lifestyles undisturbed.
Tonight’s “reassurance” was merely a show, a distribution of favors and appeasement.
As the prayers concluded, the Clock Tower’s heavy, ornate doors slowly opened.
Unseen, a slender figure clung to the outer wall of the Clock Tower, her position defying gravity.
Her expression, however, was one of frustration, her brow furrowed as she scanned the city from her vantage point.
“Tsk… something’s not right. I dispelled the rune. Where did Little Sister Bai go?”
The figure was Sasha, no longer in her simple dress, but now in a stunning crimson gown, her appearance altered to look more mature.
Her psychic circuits flickered, masking her presence. Even if someone looked up at the Clock Tower, they would see only shadows in the gathering darkness.
No one could detect her.
Sasha had assumed another identity (a certain noblewoman was currently tied up in her own room), intending to infiltrate the Clock Tower.
She wasn’t sure what traps Glaimond might have set, and entering through other means was too risky.
Moreover, Glaimond was a powerful opponent, and Sasha wasn’t a skilled fighter. She couldn’t match him in direct combat.
To obtain what she wanted, she had to resort to… borrowing without permission.
“Could Little Sister Bai have left Vikarn Port? But even before the lockdown, it was almost impossible…”
Sasha scratched her head, puzzled.
According to her plan, wherever Xu Bai was in Vikarn Port, dispelling the rune would reveal her true appearance.
And her original appearance, even without the wanted poster, would cause quite a stir.
With the City Guard on high alert and the Garrison Knights mobilized for the banquet, it was strange that there had been no reaction after half an hour.
Sasha sighed. She had wanted to see Little Sister Bai one last time, to send her back where she belonged.
A rune that granted access to Demonic Runes without any side effects… unless it was the Weapon of “Vikarn,” it meant she was a demon.
And a demon’s place was in the Abyssal Demon Realm, not Vikarn Port, and certainly not “Vikarn.”
But it seemed that wouldn’t be possible now.
“About ten minutes left. I’ll keep looking…”
As Sasha resumed her search, an inconspicuous carriage arrived at the Clock Tower, unnoticed among the many lavish vehicles.
Inside sat Xu Bai and Lin Yan, with Uncle Lin as their driver.
Although they lacked the entourage of other nobles, their presence couldn’t be ignored.
Xu Bai, sitting in the carriage, overheard whispers about the Lin family.
Several elaborately dressed noblewomen craned their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famously handsome Garrison Commander, Lin Yan.
“Bai, shouldn’t you… conceal your… power?” Lin Yan asked, oblivious to the attention she was attracting, her gaze fixed on Xu Bai’s face. “Although you look beautiful… it might cause trouble if others see you like this at the banquet.”
And she didn’t want those vulgar “nobles” to see how beautiful Bai was… a selfish thought she kept to herself.
Before Xu Bai could answer, Uncle Lin’s voice came from the front. “Don’t worry, Miss. Everything will be fine—I’m sure Miss Bai has considered this. Tonight will be an interesting banquet.”
“Miss Lin Yan, it should… be alright,” Xu Bai added softly, her gaze drifting towards the dark silhouette of the Clock Tower.
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of unease about that place…
Lin Yan’s expression changed slightly at Xu Bai’s words, but she quickly relaxed and nodded. “Alright.”
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