I can return to the age of mysterious
Chapter 888 - 888 459 Position (4000)_2

Chapter 888: 459 Position (4000)_2 Chapter 888: 459 Position (4000)_2 There were no decorations or embellishments, only the pure, ice-cold black.

It was Aaron and Casio. After they had stopped the horse carriage, they talked with each other for a while. Aaron was quite chatty, but he said everything that the Chief Inspector of the Black Mechanism wanted him to say. For instance, the Chief Inspector dealt with a mass of affairs every day and was also a workaholic. Therefore, he would only arrive at the banquet at seven o’clock in the evening and hoped that Casio would understand.

Casio didn’t mind. After all, his mood was still quite good. One of the targets of his retracing mission, the Bronze Key, was about to come into his possession.

Once he had the key in hand, Casio would head for the Alfama Mountains. He had already dispatched his elite subordinates to Shire County ahead of schedule to look for traces of the Magic Box, believing that the two Commanders would not disappoint him.

In the corridor, amidst the gazes of many guests, the two entered the banquet hall. Suddenly, an old man who was conversing with a noble guest hurried over to them. His hair and beard were meticulously groomed, and he exuded vitality. In his right hand, he held a purple cane and wore a family ring. On the surface of the ring was the logo of a giant bear, representing the Augustus family.

This white-haired aristocrat was none other than Duke Augustus. Naturally, his status was exceedingly high, and he wielded considerable power and influence. Yet at the moment, his face brimmed with smiles, and he appeared hospitable and warm. He walked forward with steady steps, his arms wide open, the picture of a kindly and affable patriarch.

“Ah, the two of you have finally arrived, Mr. Aaron, Mr. Bai Kui…”

Aaron laughed heartily, skillfully stepping forward to embrace Duke Augustus with vigor. Aaron was always practicing court rapier techniques and was considered a disciple of the Master of the Rapier from the royal family. Duke Augustus had some acquaintance with that Master of the Rapier, so naturally, Aaron wouldn’t fail to show respect. Moreover, with Aaron’s easy-going nature, he had already attended many banquets. He also had a personal relationship with Duke Augustus.

They could be considered half-friends.

Even though one was in his sixties, and the other only in his twenties.

After they had embraced, Duke Augustus turned to Casio, whose aura was always cold. He maintained his smile and nodded, “Mr. Bai Kui, a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard much about you these days. You’ve only recently taken over as head of the Clinic, yet you’ve already achieved such great things. Impressive.”

With that, Duke Augustus lifted his arm and pointed towards a small circle in the side of the banquet hall where only a few people were gathered, “Please, this way, gentlemen.”

Casio smiled faintly, his azure eyes glancing at Duke Augustus. He thought the man was quite interesting, adept at reading the room. He didn’t make his distinguished guests uncomfortable, and his flattery and enthusiasm were just right. He expressed friendliness towards the powerful while maintaining the dignity of his ducal status. No wonder his banquets were so renowned.

For the past ten years, he had held a good reputation in the higher circles of Florence.

The three of them then walked toward a specific section of the hall. Duke Augustus, beaming, began to introduce Casio to several distinguished guests. Among them were aristocratic marquises, senior council members, and one of the leaders of a new aristocratic group. In short, they could all be referred to as important figures—even in the upper circles of Florence.

The banquets in Florence were just like this. The big shots huddled in a corner, discussing what could be taken as earth-shattering insider information to the common people. Other noble guests at the scene were also ranked. Some aristocrats and council members of status and influence exchanged business affairs, expressing their willingness to collaborate. The ladies and young misses talked about fresh and interesting things of the moment, fashionable adornments, and music. Younger guests also gathered together, revolving around several promising figures of the younger generation, discussing dining, entertainment, and frivolous anecdotes.

For example, in a circle of young aristocrats gathered right now.

There was Nien with his curly brown hair, sharing a recent amusing incident with his friends, satisfying his urge to spill.

“Soss actually had a conflict with that number two of the Dark Hunt…”

“Did he resent losing the competition for becoming a Shadow Hunter?”

“And what’s this about leaving the banquet due to ill health? Perhaps he didn’t want to see the Ninth Princess and Blood Fist enjoying each other’s company…”

“Hehehe…”

Among the young ones, many reveled in schadenfreude. Some didn’t express it openly, while others were quite straightforward, kicking someone when they were down. They seemed to take pleasure in seeing Soss in an embarrassing situation. Probably because Soss had been too proud and too condescending when he was in the limelight.

Now that he was in a moment of decline, naturally, he was the subject of everyone’s ridicule.

In the ladies’ circle on the left side of the hall.

“This number two Shadow Hunter is so young, and he looks quite tall and handsome, with a unique aura.”

A full-figured aristocratic lady held a wine glass and gazed distantly toward the right side of the hall. Standing among a group of elderly notables, Casio, tall and upright, was quite conspicuous. His distinct-featured profile was exceptionally profound, emitting a domineering and cold aura, quite eye-catching.

“Indeed, so young. It’s hard to say which family’s daughter will marry him, but surely she must be a young lady from a great aristocrat family at least…”

Another lady whispered beside her.

“Haven’t you heard the rumors? It’s said that the Royal Family intends for Ninth Princess Angela…” A third aristocratic lady slowly spoke up, starting to gossip.

In the melodious sounds of music, half an hour passed.

Six-thirty in the afternoon.

Suddenly, a beautiful figure walked in from outside the passageway.

All eyes turned to look.

She was a beautiful young girl of nineteen or twenty. Wearing a light green luxurious court gown that fit snugly, it highlighted her snow-white, delicate calves as if they were floating ice under the sunshine on the sea surface. The laced bodice of the long dress was slightly raised, revealing a glimpse of her proud, snowy whiteness.

Ninth Princess Angela, the pearl of the Hong Li Royal Family.

She wore an appropriate smile on her face, beautiful and enchanting.

The Ninth Princess made her way to the hall, and along the way, aristocratic friends who recognized her greeted and invited her over, but they were all declined. She was quite clear about her target, the small circle where Casio stood in the corner.

Ten seconds later, under the attentive gaze of many, the Ninth Princess approached Casio with a perfect smile on her face and said in a crisp voice.

“Hello, Mr. Bai Kui, nice to meet you.”

“You can call me Angela, or Mus,” she added.

Under the gaze of the Ninth Princess’s green eyes, Casio nodded.

“Hello.”

From then on, for the next half an hour, Casio didn’t speak another word to Ninth Princess Angela. He was having a good conversation with these senior aristocrats and council members, so he had no time to bother with anyone else. Part of the reason was to find out which senior levels within the Royal Family and the Council were leaning toward the Door Organization. After all, the Florence incident with dark creatures at the Experiment Field was enough to suggest that there were already issues within Florence.

During that half an hour, Ninth Princess Angela maintained a perfect but fake smile, almost stiff from the effort. Standing beside a group of men alone, she couldn’t get a word in edgewise. She only occasionally responded to a few topics that were clearly initiated by the Duke in an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness.

Ten seconds later, under the attentive gaze of many, the Ninth Princess approached Casio with a perfect smile on her face and said in a crisp voice.

“Hello, Mr. Bai Kui, nice to meet you.”

“You can call me Angela, or Mus,” she added.

Under the gaze of the Ninth Princess’s green eyes, Casio nodded.

“Hello.”

From then on, for the next half an hour, Casio didn’t speak another word to Ninth Princess Angela. He was having a good conversation with these senior aristocrats and council members, so he had no time to bother with anyone else. Part of the reason was to find out which senior levels within the Royal Family and the Council were leaning toward the Door Organization. After all, the Florence incident with dark creatures at the Experiment Field was enough to suggest that there were already issues within Florence.

During that half an hour, Ninth Princess Angela maintained a perfect but fake smile, almost stiff from the effort. Standing beside a group of men alone, she couldn’t get a word in edgewise. She only occasionally responded to a few topics that were clearly initiated by the Duke in an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness.