The air on a winter night is always desolate and merciless. [[0]](#__0)

  But tonight, the cold was particularly brazen.

  Viktor's appearance drew the attention of many people lingering at the entrance.

  Feeling that biting whirlwind of cold approaching, the previously bustling venue suddenly grew much quieter.

  It was as if an icy chill penetrated to the bone, gradually freezing the atmosphere around them. [[1]](#__1)

  All the nobles stood motionless with their wine glasses, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.

  Cocotte was sitting on a cloud outside the carriage, comfortably enjoying the cool breeze.

  Suddenly, she felt an even colder wind blow across her body, making her shiver involuntarily.

  Coming to her senses, she looked in the direction of that frigid sensation.

  As her gaze swept across the entrance of the banquet hall, Cocotte's eyes immediately lit up.

  Isn't that Viktor?

  The moment she spotted Viktor, Cocotte flattened her body against the cloud.

  Then she dangled half her body down from the carriage roof, her head upside down, and peered through the window to speak to Lia sitting inside:

  "Lia, Lia, look over there."

  Sitting in the carriage, Lia was not in a good mood.

  Her brows were furrowed, and she felt somewhat agitated.

  After all, Viktor still hadn't arrived, and Lia thought he might have stood them up again.

  But hearing Cocotte's words, she grew curious and looked in the direction Cocotte was pointing.

  That familiar black coat immediately caught her attention.

  This made Lia pause for a moment, narrowing her eyes to examine more carefully.

  Yes, confirmed.

  It was Viktor.

  After all, in a scene like today's, only Viktor would prefer to show up wearing an old-fashioned black coat. [[2]](#__2)

  However...

  "Why didn't he come find me first, and went straight there instead?"

  Lia found it strange and followed Viktor's gaze, finally noticing something wasn't right.

  He was now standing in front of Gwen.

  And in front of him stood someone who looked somewhat familiar.

  Lia frowned slightly, looking carefully for a while.

  Ah, now she remembered.

  Wasn't that the head of the Reiser family?

  "Are these Reiser family people causing trouble again?" [[3]](#__3)

  After all, the Reiser family had caused problems more than once or twice, from Professor Devon at the beginning, plus that Jace.

  By the looks of it, did all three of them—father and two sons—each need to provoke Viktor once before they'd be satisfied?

  At this moment, Cocotte's voice came from the carriage roof, casual and relaxed:

  "Viktor's here. Should we go over now?"

  "Hmm..."

  Lia rested both hands on the edge of the window, gently flipping her hair, watching with interest in Viktor's direction.

  While watching, she said:

  "No rush. Let's see what Viktor wants to do first."

  Viktor wasn't the type to pick fights randomly.

  If things had truly reached this point with Viktor, clearly, he must think there's something wrong with the other party.

  Meanwhile, silence reigned at the entrance of the banquet hall.

  Viktor maintained his cold gaze, seemingly devoid of emotion as he stared at Lipoort.

  The atmosphere was particularly tense and frigid.

  In this atmosphere, Lipoort still wore a smile, looking at Viktor before him with amusement.

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  The nobles dared not speak, only watching helplessly as the two men faced off.

  They glanced at Viktor, then turned to look at Lipoort.

  The grudge between the Reiser family and the Kravina family was well-known to almost everyone present.

  And both men were people of distinguished status, each wielding tremendous influence.

  Clearly, as things stood now, the most important matter at this banquet was no longer about the elves.

  It was about how to prevent these two from arguing.

  After all, if they really came to blows, they couldn't say what might happen to Lipoort's side.

  But Viktor might just blow up the entire banquet hall.

  To ease the tense atmosphere before the banquet, the nobles took the initiative to speak to Lipoort:

  "Mr. Lipoort, I think you should undergo an inspection."

  "Indeed, Mr. Lipoort, especially given today's special circumstances."

  Today's banquet was extremely important, and the most crucial point was to protect the elves appearing in the banquet hall.

  After all, the elves absolutely could not suffer any harm, or they would incur nature's wrath. [[0]](#__0)

  Therefore, no one was allowed to carry weapons or potentially dangerous items that might conceal magic into the banquet hall.

  The other nobles understood this principle and had already cooperated with the knights to complete the security check.

  So when Gwen stepped out to intercept Lipoort, the surrounding people didn't make much noise.

  After all, Gwen was not only the Knight Commander of the Imperial Knight Order but also a countess of high status.

  Her position within the empire was not low; there were few who could reach her level.

  Additionally, Gwen wasn't just defined by this identity—she was also Viktor's fiancée.

  Based on this relationship alone, it was enough to keep everyone silent.

  Although today's banquet was funded by the Reiser family, rules were rules.

  At this moment, Lipoort's gaze moved past Viktor to look at Gwen behind him.

  Now that he had regained his composure, Lipoort finally noticed something unusual about Gwen.

  No wonder he had committed such a basic error earlier, almost losing his composure.

  The light of justice emanating from this female knight was as dazzling as the scorching sun, making it difficult to look directly at her. [[1]](#__1)

  'What an unavoidable sense of justice.'

  Disgusting.

  But he still suppressed his emotions, politely removed his hat.

  His body bent slightly, bowing to Gwen.

  Though his voice was soft, it carried sincere apology:

  "I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness just now."

  "I'm willing to cooperate with the inspection."

  Upon hearing these words, the other nobles all breathed sighs of relief, grateful that Mr. Lipoort was reasonable.

  Hearing this, the other nobles relaxed, all aware of the delicate relationship between the Kravina family and the Reiser family.

  Fortunately, Mr. Lipoort, as a merchant, was quite sensible and easy to deal with.

  So Gwen waved her hand lightly, and a group of silver-armored knights quickly surrounded him.

  Each held a crystal-clear gemstone, pointing it at Lipoort's body.

  Beams of pale light burst forth from the center of the gemstones, illuminating around Lipoort's body.

  The light encircled him, scanning thoroughly from head to toe.

  The knights stared intently at the gemstones in their hands, checking for any abnormal reactions.

  Fortunately, no trace of metal weapons or magical artifacts was detected on Lipoort.

  The knights put away their gemstones, placed their arms across their chests, gave Lipoort a knight's salute, then politely said:

  "All clear, sir. Please proceed."

  They then dispersed, continuing to use the gemstones to inspect the other arriving nobles.

  Lipoort put his hat back on, looked up at Viktor, and smiled:

  "So you must be Mr. Viktor Kravina."

  "It's our first meeting, and I must first apologize on behalf of my two thoughtless sons."

  He then turned to Gwen, his eyes sparkling with sincere smiles:

  "You two make a truly wonderful couple. If there comes a day for a wedding, please be sure to invite me." [[2]](#__2)

  After saying this, he nodded elegantly to Viktor and continued:

  "I've been looking forward to meeting you, to clear up the misunderstandings between us."

  "But today may not be the best time, as many guests are waiting. Please excuse me."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Lipoort turned and walked toward the splendid banquet hall.

  The surrounding nobles followed in his footsteps, all surging toward the banquet hall.

  As the other nobles passed by Viktor, they couldn't help but feel their hearts race.

  Though reluctant, they still managed to force smiles, politely nodding to Viktor in acknowledgment.

  Once everyone had completely gone and no one was paying attention to them anymore.

  Viktor turned around to look at Gwen.

  But Gwen was still staring at Lipoort's retreating figure, showing no intention of looking away.

  "What did you notice?"

  Gwen seriously watched Lipoort chatting with the group of nobles, and slowly said:

  "This man gives off a very false impression."

  True and false, real and unreal.

  The words he spoke, perhaps even he himself didn't know how much was truth and how much was lies. [[3]](#__3)

  Viktor also turned his head to look at the departing Lipoort, saying calmly:

  "That's what merchants are like."

  Silver-tongued, you never know which words are true.

  "That's why I really dislike them."

  When dealing with such people, he always chose to keep his distance, giving them no opportunity.

  Moreover, knowing that the other party might be the so-called God of Commerce, Viktor would be even less inclined to walk into his trap.

  However, since Gwen could see that there was something off about him, it meant Viktor's guess wasn't far off.

  His identity, in Viktor's eyes, was already transparent.

  And at this moment, Lipoort had gradually disappeared from view.

  Gwen turned back, suddenly looking at Viktor:

  "Viktor, I also have a question."

  "What is it?"

  Viktor looked at Gwen with some confusion.

  The next second, Gwen's words were shocking.

  "So when will we start holding our wedding?"

  "..."

  Viktor froze in place, opening and closing his mouth.

  Looking at Gwen's direct stare, he couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart.

  At the same time, the crow on his shoulder extended one wing to cover its beak, emitting a sharp, mischievous laugh.

  This was exactly why Viktor said he hated this kind of smooth-talking God of Commerce the most.

  Obviously, from the first moment he met Gwen, the other party had precisely grasped her psychology.

  Effortlessly leading her into his trap.

  And seeing Gwen staring at him unwilling to look away, it seemed she wouldn't let him leave without an answer.

  Gwen's gaze locked onto Viktor, seemingly determined not to let him go without an answer.

  Just as Viktor was about to find an excuse to somehow placate Gwen for the time being.

  A familiar voice suddenly sounded from beside him.

  "Gwen, Viktor doesn't have such plans right now."

  "He still has many things to deal with and doesn't have time at the moment. I think you understand that."

  Hearing this familiar voice, Gwen couldn't help but turn her head.

  She saw Lia wearing a black formal dress, the black fur on the back of her neck trembling in the breeze.

  She walked over elegantly, step by step approaching Viktor, then gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

  Her eyes flashed with a hint of mischief as she winked at Viktor:

  "Am I right, dear brother?"

  Indeed.

  Lia was also a merchant.

  This point, however, Viktor couldn't bring himself to dislike.

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

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