Chapter 46
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: The Archbishop's Banquet (2)
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Archbishop Conrad had long since set up various entertainment spots in Pioneer City. An underground casino, a theater, and even an auction house with no commission fees.
It was all an effort to boost the city's floating population. Once the Rift Core purification was complete, it was preparation to draw in the wealthy from inside the barrier.
Those efforts seemed to be paying off today.
"...This seems way bigger than I expected."
The banquet would begin once the sun set.
Cindy muttered in surprise as she entered the banquet hall. She was decked out in an expensive dress, mask, and various artifact accessories... but compared to the others around her, it was downright modest.
Woojin, on the other hand, felt no particular excitement. To him, everyone looked pretty much the same.
"What's so impressive about it?"
"Look at the ring on that guy's right hand."
Woojin glanced sideways at the man's hand. A large silver ring sat on his index finger, engraved like a seal.
"I see it. So what?"
"Silver signet rings are for nobles only. It's tradition."
At that, Woojin scanned the room. Quite a few people wore similar rings.
Looking closer...
The clothes people wore featured rare colors too. Expensive garments dyed with precious materials. Everyone was dressed in luxury as if it were nothing, so it was easy to miss the value.
"Those people have more money than you?"
"Not exactly... but my father sold off the merchant house in a hurry, so the family fortune got cut in half. Honestly, it's a bit intimidating."
The nobles' influence was as lofty as ever. With their deep bloodlines and connections, they held more sway than Cindy did today.
"Looks like you won't need to reveal yourself after all. It's pointless anyway."
"Yeah... you're right."
The original plan had been for Cindy to announce herself during the banquet to draw attention.
The youngest daughter of the Golden Beetle is here.
If the witch learned of it, she'd approach first. Woojin planned to watch and strike at the right moment...
'No reason to take the risky route now.'
The hall was packed with nobles whose names carried more weight than Cindy's. Bait to lure the witch was everywhere—no need to gamble with the girl's life.
It was a plan he'd opposed from the start, so this worked out better. Thinking that, he scanned the surroundings.
'...Security's tight.'
Holy Knights stood posted everywhere. Their gazes, hidden under helmets, fixed on the guests.
With so many VIPs, safety was paramount. They couldn't search everyone, but high-skilled knights were on standby for emergencies.
'Should be safe from any real threats.'
Still, better to prepare for the worst.
"Don't touch the food. Could be poisoned."
Woojin warned her. Right then, Cindy held a canapé.
"...It should be fine. I'm starving."
"Give it here."
Woojin snatched it and placed it on a passing waiter's tray. Cindy eyed it regretfully, even licking her fingers.
"So... how are we finding the target?"
"Gonna look around. I'll need to focus, so no talking."
"Got it. I'll stay quiet."
Their conversation ended.
His steps were leisurely, but Woojin's eyes darted busily, scrutinizing the guests.
Everyone was a stranger, of course... but he sought something familiar amid the unfamiliar faces.
'Let's recall the memories in my head.'
Three men toyed with by the witch: Derek, Cedric, and Enoch. He dredged up every detail of the witch from their memories.
Gait, smile, aura...
Even if her appearance changed, her essence wouldn't. No matter her disguise, her habits remained.
He compared the witch's habits from memory against the guests, eliminating candidates one by one.
...After two laps around the hall.
"Spot anyone?"
Cindy asked cautiously. Woojin had wandered silently for so long, she was curious how things stood.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"...Bust, looks like."
No one stood out. Cindy looked disappointed.
"Aw... too bad. But expecting a hit on the first try is greedy."
"Let's wait a bit more."
Too early to quit. Guests were still arriving.
As they strolled, Holy Knights eyed them, so they sat at a table near the entrance—perfect for checking newcomers.
Waiters naturally approached, setting out food: white wheat bread, stew, lightly charred sausages and meats, fresh fruit...
Cindy's gaze unconsciously followed the food. Woojin chuckled.
'She must be starving.'
It was only natural. They'd roamed the hall, inhaling food scents the whole time.
Woojin inspected the table, then cut a small corner with a knife and tasted it. Seemed fine.
"Eat up. Came all this way—feels wasteful to leave hungry."
"Very reasonable."
As they ate moderately, observing late arrivals...
...The atmosphere shifted.
The music changed. String players had been playing soft melodies, but trumpeters joined in with lively blasts.
Naturally, eyes turned forward. A man descended the stairs from the central hall. A priest in formal robes.
Woojin recognized him.
'Archbishop Conrad.'
Others seemed to as well. Applause erupted to welcome the host.
Conrad waved with a friendly smile, then gave his welcome speech.
"I heartily welcome you all who have flung open the barrier's gates and journeyed to this distant place. Your precious steps are a great honor and joy to us."
Conrad smiled meaningfully.
"...But the one deserving your cheers is someone else. For the true host of this banquet is not I, but another."
He stepped aside.
"Please welcome... Duke Edwin Leventor, the host of this gathering."
As Conrad finished, a man slowly descended the stairs. A middle-aged man with a confident smile. A deep purple cloak draped his shoulders.
Purple symbolized royalty.
'Claire explained that.'
Woojin recalled the story.
When the Demonic Realm's gates opened and northern kingdoms fell one by one...
Five kings sat at the negotiation table with the Church Alliance. They offered all their wealth, armies, and knights in exchange for land to shelter with their refugees.
'To halt the Demonic Realm's advance, we must unite.'
The Church Alliance accepted.
They divided the land inside the barrier into six parts—the largest to the Alliance, the rest shared among the five kings by agreement.
But the lands were too small for kingdoms, so the five became dukes.
One of them... Duke Edwin Leventor shouted to the crowd with a smile.
"What a splendid night! My thanks to Archbishop Conrad for his aid, and to the Church of Wisdom. Their achievements deserve endless praise. Demonic Realm conquest! Pioneer City! What evocative words!"
He couldn't yield all the glory. Edwin scanned the audience.
"Soon, I'll share grand news. But tonight's not for that—the night is short, and much entertainment awaits. Enjoy it to the fullest!"
With that, he raised his glass high and withdrew. The guests erupted in cheers again.
Woojin tilted his head.
'Skipped the main point entirely... why the good vibes?'
Turning, he saw Cindy's serious expression.
"What's up?"
"...Nobles have a habit of beating around the bush. Feels like Conrad and Duke Leventor have allied."
Indeed... they'd exchanged words suggestively, appearing together.
Was that a problem? When Woojin asked, Cindy nodded firmly.
"Might be signaling factions. They share interests, sure... but I don't know the goal."
Woojin shrugged.
"Headache for later. Focus on our task now."
"Nothing else to do, right?"
"Found the witch."
Cindy snapped her head up.
"...You did?"
"Yeah. Act natural."
Woojin said casually, scooping stew. But Cindy was visibly shaken. He'd mentioned it to reassure her, but it backfired.
Still, he followed through.
"Deep breath. In... out."
"...Done."
"Good. Don't turn your head—just shift your eyes. She's on the central hall stairs."
Cindy glanced sideways. Edwin chatted with an unfamiliar woman.
Beautiful even from afar. But her hair was slightly tousled on one side, like she'd just woken up.
"Got her. When did you spot her?"
"Not long ago. Came down after the welcome, talked to Edwin."
Seemed VIP rooms on the second floor. Her outfit was more nightgown than dress.
Cindy guessed easily.
"Courtesan."
"What's that?"
"To satisfy noble men's... you know."
"Got it."
Courtesans served nobles and tycoons. The witch was mimicking one to approach Edwin.
He'd expected her as a guest... but she'd already bedded the duke, it seemed. Finding her was one thing; reaching her another.
'What now?'
As Woojin pondered...
"...She's moving."
Cindy whispered.
Woojin checked the hall. The witch threw a robe over her nightgown and headed off alone.
An unexpected chance.
"What do we do?"
"What else? You wait here. I'll handle it and come back."
Safe here. She had artifacts, and high Holy Knights watched.
Cindy murmured timidly.
"I wanna follow..."
"Think I'd allow that?"
"...No."
No time for debate. The witch was moving.
"Stay put."
With that, he stood.
He tailed her silently. She wouldn't notice. Hiding presence was his specialty.
A skill honed for stalking prey or evading threats.
Things went smoothly.
She headed to a quiet back alley. Almost too easy. He could slit her throat cleanly now.
...Then curiosity struck.
'Where's she going?'
He wanted her destination. As he wondered, options split.
Kill now.
Or tail to the end...
But the dilemma vanished.
She stopped at a door. A small building tucked in the alley corner. She'd reached her goal during the pause.
Knock knock.
Two knocks. Then she muttered at the door like to herself.
"Open up. Job's done."
Creeeak—
The door opened with a hinge squeak. She entered. It shut, lock clicking inside.
Who opened it?
'Let's check.'
Woojin approached silently, ear to the wooden door. He caught their voices.
"Got the intel?"
"Easy. Courtesans hate doing Edwin. Turns over fast."
"Why? Good money."
"That bastard... yanks hair whenever. Can't we just kill him?"
"Hold it. We need the duke alive."
Ominous talk leaked out.
'Chased one fox, found the den.'
He gauged them. About three or four inside.
How to handle? Plenty of prey was good, but rushing could backfire.
As he thought...
A chill ran down his spine. Instinctively, he scanned around. Felt watched.
No one there.
But the gaze persisted. Like formless eyes staring...
'...Heavenly Eye?'
Then, a voice from inside.
"Rat outside. Kill it."