Lin Gui was in no hurry to float down with Elvia.
He raised his hand, his robe's wide sleeves shifting slightly.
In the next moment, two pitch-black birds with gleaming eyes flew out.
They began a brazen patrol of the area.
They skimmed right past the noses of the powerful guards.
They circled twice above the head of a mage who was holding a wine glass, his body faintly radiating mana.
One even audaciously landed on another female mage's wide-brimmed hat, lingering there for a moment.
This prompted the female mage to touch the top of her head in confusion.
Finally, they flew over to the vicinity of the Third Prince and Duke Joseph.
They circled and chased each other over the dining table right in front of them.
At their closest, they nearly brushed against Joseph's meticulously groomed beard.
Clinging to Lin Gui's back, Elvia watched the two birds' arrogant antics and couldn't help but whisper,
“Hey, I have to ask... why do you always like to send these two crows out to wander around before you do anything? Are you that afraid of people not noticing you?”
Without looking back, Lin Gui calmly corrected her, “They aren't crows. They're ravens.”
Elvia pouted. “Don't they look exactly the same? Just pitch black.”
Lin Gui: “...”
These two ravens were magical creatures that Lin Gui had recently “created” by combining magic and alchemy.
They were similar to the green lizard he had used for travel before.
However, while the green lizard was a high-grade product he had purchased in the Magic City and looked incredibly realistic, these ravens looked obviously fake at a glance.
Lin Gui explained, “I'm doing this to prevent another incident like the one with Gorn.”
“I have covered them with the 【Shroud of the Gloomy Night】 as well.”
“If the enemy has any means of detecting stealth, like Gorn's soul-detecting steel needle, they will detect and lock onto the ravens first.”
“When that happens, we'll notice it in advance and can slip away immediately.”
“Without Theia here, given our current strength, being discovered means death.”
At this moment, the two ravens practically wore provocation on every single feather.
They skimmed over the heads of exquisite statues and darted through the water screens of the fountains.
They even went as far as to fly right past the ear of an assassin hiding in the shadows, letting out obnoxious caws.
They paid “special attention” to every single guard, assassin, and sensory mage in the garden, whether hidden or in plain sight.
Once he confirmed that no one showed any unusual reaction, Elvia watched the ravens' near-suicidal antics, her eyelids twitching wildly.
Yet, she had to admit that although this method seemed incredibly obnoxious, it was undeniably effective.
She certainly didn't want to be kicked down by Lin Gui to take a hit for him again.
After confirming their safety, Lin Gui manipulated his oak staff and floated toward the Third Prince and Joseph.
Duke Joseph's face was adorned with a warm, affable smile.
He was warmly pulling a finely dressed young lady in front of the Third Prince.
His words were laden with heavy hints of matchmaking:
“Charles, look at my daughter, Emily. Ever since the last palace ball, she has been unable to forget your elegant bearing, Your Highness.”
“She recently passed the magic talent test at the Silver Moon Tower. Her mentors say she has a boundless future ahead of her.”
“Emily, why don't you show your brother Charles that new little spell you just learned?”
The young lady named Emily was quite beautiful, and her etiquette was flawless.
With just the right touch of shyness and admiration on her face, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice to the Third Prince.
She let out bell-like giggles from time to time, trying her best to close the distance between them.
However, although Third Prince Charles maintained a warm smile and responded politely, an imperceptible trace of anxiety was hidden deep in his eyes.
Several times, he tried to steer the conversation away, wanting to have a more private discussion with Joseph.
Yet, Miss Emily would skillfully and politely interrupt or steer it back every time.
Joseph observed all of this and sighed inwardly, knowing that the timing was about right.
“Alright, Emily. Can't you see your brother Charles has official matters to discuss?”
“Stop pestering him and go help your mother entertain the other guests.”
He then turned to the surrounding guests and laughed heartily, his voice loud and infectious.
“Everyone, please excuse us for a moment.”
“His Highness has some urgent matters concerning the kingdom's future to discuss with an old man like me.”
“I will take my leave for now. Please, enjoy the wine and music to your heart's content!”
His words were impeccable, giving the Third Prince a way out while simultaneously highlighting his own importance.
With that, he led the visibly relieved Third Prince away from the bustling garden and toward a quiet corridor inside the main manor building.
Lin Gui immediately manipulated his staff and followed them silently.
Joseph led the Third Prince to a heavy wooden door.
Before entering, a High-tier Transcendent warrior who had been following behind Joseph immediately sprang into action.
Instantly, more than ten fully armed High-tier Transcendent guards emerged from the shadows.
They dispersed in a highly disciplined manner.
One group quickly and silently cleared both ends of the corridor, setting up a security perimeter.
Another group held various peculiar magic items and began to thoroughly inspect the walls, ceiling, floor, and even the air of the meeting room.
They checked for any eavesdropping magic or hidden barriers.
Two sensory-specialist mages even closed their eyes and focused their minds, scanning every corner with their magical perception.
Only after confirming absolute security and privacy did the leading Transcendent warrior nod slightly to Joseph.
He then personally pushed open the heavy wooden door for the two.
Before the door could close, Lin Gui's staff guided them through like a slippery loach, slipping inside without a sound.
The moment the heavy, copper-plated wooden door shut, completely sealing off the noise and music from outside, the forced, warm smile on Third Prince Charles's face vanished instantly.
In its place was a pale urgency mixed with anxiety.
Without even waiting to reach the ornate negotiation table in the center of the room, he whirled around to face Duke Joseph, his words rushing out in a frantic torrent:
“Duke! We must take action immediately! John and his entire knight order... they're completely gone! Their soul lamps have all gone out, not a single one left!”
His fingers clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white from the force.
It was exceptionally conspicuous under the soft light of the moonstones embedded in the room.
“Do you have any idea what this means? The most loyal and powerful force my mother's family left me was wiped out overnight!”
“And those people outside right now...” He pointed forcefully toward the door, his voice trembling slightly.
“Those nobles who originally supported me, those wavering fence-sitters, what will they think now?”
“They'll think I've lost my claws and fangs!”
In stark contrast to the Third Prince's agitation, Duke Joseph remained completely composed.
He strolled over to the liquor cabinet and retrieved a bottle of amber-colored aged wine.
Unhurriedly pulling out the cork, he poured the fragrant liquid into two crystal glasses.
Not a single ripple of emotion could be seen on his plump face, as if what he had just heard was merely some trivial, inconsequential news.
Rate on N.U.
