Evening had arrived, and the deep indigo night sky swept away the last traces of sunset's afterglow.

  Erica sat inside the carriage, watching the final ray of dim yellow light quietly vanish into the distant mountains.

  Turning her head, she gazed at the soft, hazy lights glowing from the du Cloye mansion.

  As the carriage's clattering gradually subsided, the cabin ceased its bumping and swaying.

  The servant gently pulled the reins with a soft "whoa."

  The sound of wheels rolling on cobblestones faded away, and the rhythmic clip-clop of horse hooves gradually stopped.

  Erica remained seated in the carriage, reluctant to disembark.

  Thinking of Viktor's words from earlier that day, a profound sense of security welled up from the depths of her heart.

  Yet her face showed no trace of relief.

  Erica's hurried departure earlier hadn't been due to embarrassment over Professor Viktor's words.

  Well, though that was partly the reason.

  Most importantly, she no longer knew how to face Professor Viktor.

  She felt utterly incapable of providing any assistance to Professor Viktor.

  Despite becoming the youngest third-tier mage, she still couldn't help Professor Viktor in the slightest.

  Erica lowered her head and clenched her fists, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness wash over her.

  She sighed.

  She had a premonition that something momentous was about to unfold in the royal capital.

  But compared to others, it seemed that in Viktor's presence, she was truly nothing more than a student.

  She couldn't offer him any meaningful help whatsoever.

  She could only handle trivial tasks like delivering messages.

  Professor Viktor had become far too brilliant.

  She had once resolved to catch up with him.

  But now she couldn't even glimpse his retreating figure.

  Her gaze drifted down her arm to the ground, staring blankly at the street before the gate as she murmured to herself:

  "What should I do..."

  The servant opened the carriage door, and gusts of cold air pulled Erica back to reality.

  Realizing the carriage had stopped at her family's entrance, she reached up and patted her cheeks.

  She heard the servant's voice from outside:

  "Miss, we've arrived."

  "However, it appears we have guests today. Shall we go in now?"

  Erica looked puzzled and poked her head out the window to peer ahead.

  An extraordinarily luxurious carriage adorned with golden patterns was parked before the mansion's main gate.

  The emblem encircled by golden filigree was instantly recognizable as the Casidra Trading Association's symbol.

  Events were unfolding exactly as her father had predicted—Lipoote had indeed come to visit.

  This was expected, as the president of the Casidra Trading Association would arrive sooner or later.

  So Erica responded to the servant:

  "Let's go in now. Lingering in the carriage would be discourteous."

  The servant outside bowed respectfully and assisted her down from the carriage.

  Following the servant toward the entrance, before the servant could act, the main gate was pushed open from within with a slight creak.

  Then an unfamiliar yet refined voice drifted into Erica's ears:

  "What a delightful meeting, Levi."

  Amid cheerful laughter, Lipoote emerged like an elegant aristocrat.

  His golden pupils flowed like liquid gold, appearing mysterious and profound.

  Behind Lipoote, Zora Nandena strode with long legs, calmly following at his side.

  Upon seeing Erica, she gracefully offered a courteous smile.

  Erica had some recollection of this woman, knowing her family frequently conducted business with the Casidra Trading Association.

  They had encountered each other several times at previous banquets.

  What left the deepest impression was the woman's enviably long legs.

  They had made Erica quite jealous for some time.

  Just then, Lipoote, having just emerged, also noticed Erica standing at the entrance.

  When his golden pupils fell upon Erica, his golden eyes seemed to freeze momentarily.

  The light in his gaze appeared to stagnate for several seconds.

  As if in his eyes, Erica resembled a precious work of art.

  Erica paid no particular attention to this detail and gracefully curtsied to Lipoote out of propriety:

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  "Good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Erica du Cloye."

  At that moment, Levi approached from the side, and seeing Lipoote meeting his daughter, he took the initiative to introduce:

  "This is my daughter Erica. You should be meeting her for the first time."

  "...Indeed."

  Lipoote snapped back to attention, his golden eyes flickering with renewed light.

  He was clearly quite intrigued by the Erica before him.

  The corners of his mouth curved upward slightly as he spoke with elegance:

  "What a lovely young lady. She's as beautiful as her mother."

  Erica raised her head slightly, regarding Lipoote with curiosity:

  "Have you met my mother?"

  "Of course. She was a gentle yet formidable beauty."

  Lipoote smiled and nodded at Erica, then turned back to Levi:

  "I believe I understand now why you would refuse at any cost... oh, forget I said that."

  The child is present.

  His eyes conveyed this meaning as he removed his tall hat and bowed to Levi.

  "No need to see me off, my dear old friend."

  Zora beside him bowed in unison with Lipoote.

  The two slowly straightened and walked toward the main gate together.

  As they passed by Erica, Lipoote cast her an expectant smile:

  "At the banquet in a few days, I look forward to our next meeting."

  His voice was gentle and sincere:

  "Please be certain to attend."

  Hearing Lipoote's words, Erica was momentarily stunned.

  Before she could recover, Lipoote had already continued toward the main gate.

  Erica couldn't help but turn around, watching the pair exit through the gate and board the carriage bearing the 'Casidra Trading Association' emblem.

  After the servant closed the carriage door for them, he climbed to the driver's seat, flicked the reins, and urged the horses forward.

  Familiar rumbling arose, mixed with the crisp sound of hooves striking stone, reaching Erica's ears.

  Watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Levi's voice sounded softly behind her:

  "That's Lipoote, the true head of the Reiser family."

  Hearing her father's words, Erica carefully tried to recall Lipoote's appearance.

  Though they had just met, she seemed unable to remember his features clearly.

  The only thing that remained vivid was his mysterious golden pupils.

  Those were completely unlike the eyes any normal human should possess.

  "What did Viktor tell you?"

  At this moment, Levi inquired again.

  Erica understood what her father was asking about, so she responded with utmost seriousness:

  "Professor Viktor said."

  "He will handle everything."

  Hearing this answer, Levi breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Is that so?"

  "What a reassuring response indeed."

  He turned and walked toward the mansion with relaxed steps.

  Erica followed behind him, asking with some confusion:

  "Father, what about this banquet?"

  It seemed everyone was anticipating this event.

  Levi paused, turned to look at Erica, and patiently explained:

  "To celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Empire and the elves, Lipoote will host a banquet."

  "Of course, this will be held in the First Prince's name."

  Lipoote naturally lacked the standing to invite elves and so many nobles, though many aristocrats would be willing to honor him with their presence.

  Thinking of what Lipoote had told him, Levi added:

  "You'll understand in a few days."

  ...

  The Empire's grandest banquet hall was resplendent in gold and jade.

  The long crimson carpet, vibrant as fresh paint, flowed down from the hall's center, outlining golden steps that stretched straight through the vast courtyard.

  Brilliant candlelight illuminated the golden decorations, while the dome's illumination filled every shadowy corner of the hall.

  At the banquet hall's center stood a long table draped in pristine white linen.

  Several gleaming three-candle candelabras graced the table, while various delicacies, desserts, and wines sparkled like precious gems.

  Flanking the hall were tall, stately windows with silver curtains drawn high, forming cascading drapes.

  Musicians in splendid attire remained hidden in the banquet hall's dim corners, performing pleasant melodies.

  Nobles dressed in magnificent clothing successively crossed the red carpet and entered this golden, glittering banquet hall.

  The smiles adorning their faces bloomed like spring flowers, and their colorful chatter gradually merged into a joyful symphony.

  Outside the courtyard, carriages lined up in rows along the courtyard's perimeter, watched over by dedicated knights.

  Beneath the gentle music and candlelight, the entire banquet hall was suffused with an elegant and distinctive atmosphere.

  The courtesy of formal greetings hadn't grown lax because of this; rather, it had become more subtle and inscrutable.

  "Lia, couldn't you have chosen something more comfortable?"

  Cocotte grumbled while unhappily tugging at her white dress.

  She felt this outfit was too restrictive and uncomfortable.

  Cocotte continued complaining while adjusting the white gown on her body.

  However, she quite liked the white gauze on both shoulders—it felt fluffy and warm to the touch.

  Though she only needed a single spell to maintain her body temperature.

  Lia sat in the carriage, quietly gazing through the window at the distant banquet hall.

  A black dress adorned with patterns perfectly accentuated the porcelain whiteness of her skin.

  A long black velvet cloak wrapped around her shoulders, warding off the night's chill.

  Hearing Cocotte's complaint, she casually glanced in her direction.

  "If your chest could protrude a bit more, I wouldn't mind letting you wear something looser."

  "After all, that wouldn't cause them to fall out."

  Cocotte: "..."

  She felt like Lia was saying something particularly rude.

  With this thought, Cocotte replied sullenly:

  "I'm going out for some fresh air."

  So Cocotte nimbly climbed out through the carriage window, and the clouds outside swiftly caught her body.

  She perched on the clouds above the carriage, gazing at this grand banquet where nobles congregated, and couldn't help but gape.

  "Whoa..."

  It was truly a banquet that could blind one's eyes in every conceivable way.

  Lia casually called out toward the window:

  "Don't wander too far."

  Then she quietly settled back into the carriage.

  However, how should she put it...

  Lia's mood wasn't particularly good.

  Because Viktor seemed to be running late again.

  Last time when she brought Cocotte to the palace, he hadn't shown up.

  If he failed to appear this time as well, she would really need to give Viktor a proper lecture.

  This banquet wasn't an ordinary family gathering; its grand scale demonstrated the budding friendship established between the Elf Queen and humanity.

  Therefore, the nobles who had come to the royal capital were all distinguished personages.

  Even large contingents of knights had been deployed to maintain order at the venue.

  From her distant vantage point, Lia could see Gwen standing at the very front of the knight formation.

  She solemnly supervised every knight, maintaining vigilant watch to prevent any ill-intentioned nobles from behaving inappropriately.

  Observing this, Lia recalled news about Gwen.

  Lia was well aware of Gwen's return to the knight order.

  In truth, there was no need to pull strings to get Gwen reinstated, because Gwen herself possessed the necessary ability and qualifications.

  As long as she desired it, she could successfully return to continue as knight captain.

  Moreover, those knights were also quite pleased about it.

  Although the current Gwen still maintained her expressionless demeanor, her obviously independent bearing now at least indicated she had recovered somewhat.

  Presumably.

  At least Lia no longer had to worry about Gwen being unable to function without Viktor by her side.

  At that moment, a commotion of horse hooves caught Lia's attention.

  A carriage inlaid with intricate patterns appeared in her field of vision—bearing the Reiser family's crest.

  The carriage door was opened by a servant, but only Reiser family head Lipoote stepped down.

  When he appeared, the surrounding nobles flocked forward to welcome him.

  They entered the banquet hall together amid laughter and conversation.

  But as they ascended the steps, a silver figure blocked their path.

  "Halt. Routine inspection."

  Seeing Gwen's appearance, Lipoote seemed somewhat surprised, apparently not expecting that even a knight would step forward to stop him.

  He narrowed his eyes and casually appraised Gwen.

  "You are...?"

  A somewhat discourteous voice rang out, and at that moment, a cold wind suddenly swept through the surroundings.

  The nobles clustered around Lipoote were startled and all fell silent in unison.

  Wind gradually descended from the sky, gathering upon the red carpet.

  White mist condensed together, and a gust of wind scattered it all away.

  "She is my fiancée."

  Cold wind always accompanied icy words.

  The familiar windbreaker appeared before everyone, and Viktor stood protectively in front of Gwen:

  "Do you have a problem with that?"

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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