When Cardeas saw Martha Vist arriving late and appearing in public while holding the arm of an unfamiliar man, his expression turned extremely unpleasant.
"You're late, Martha," Cardeas remarked coldly, casting a glance at the man Martha Vist was accompanying.
"Sorry, brother. I went to pick up my escort. Let me introduce Ronan Marcenas, a member of the Federal Assembly."
Cardeas sized up Ronan Marcenas. Around thirty years old, it was quite impressive for someone his age to become a Federal Assembly member. However, Cardeas disliked the man upon seeing his slightly plump physique and peacock-like proud demeanor.
"Mind your position, Martha. Do you realize what this represents?" Cardeas asked, glancing at their linked arms.
"Of course, my brother," Martha Vist replied with a smile.
After glaring at Martha Vist, Cardeas refrained from further reprimand since guests were watching. Causing a scene would disgrace the Vist Foundation and reflect poorly on his role as head of the family.
Seeing this, both Martha Vist and Ronan Marcenas assumed Cardeas had tacitly approved, growing even more arrogant as they flamboyantly mingled with surrounding guests. Martha Vist particularly went out of her way to introduce Ronan Marcenas to others, helping him build connections.
Then, in Yang Hui's line of sight, he spotted Martha Vist and Ronan Marcenas's next target and smirked.
"Interesting developments ahead."
...
"Councilman Creuset, I didn't expect to see you here."
Indeed, Martha Vist's next target was Creuset, who was surrounded by several wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials.
"I'm honored to have received Mr. Cardeas's invitation. Naturally, I couldn't refuse, Miss Vist," Creuset replied calmly, his warm smile and gentle tone putting people at ease, though Martha Vist perceived it as mockery.
"Councilman Marcenas, long time no see." Being fellow assembly members, Creuset naturally knew Ronan Marcenas—a quite capable individual who had originally been on Creuset's recruitment list. However, he was removed after Creuset learned of his association with Martha Vist.
Had Creuset not emerged, Ronan Marcenas would have been the brightest rising star at this time. But now, Creuset overshadowed him at every turn.
"Long time no see, Councilman Creuset." Though Ronan Marcenas maintained a harmless smile on the surface, inwardly he constantly competed with Creuset, thinking of ways to embarrass him.
Firstly, without Creuset, he would have been the Federal Assembly's most outstanding young councilman, and he had always been in competition with Creuset.
Secondly, he knew Martha Vist had previously pursued Creuset. As Martha Vist's current suitor, being able to attend the Vist family's banquet intimately with her signaled the confirmation of his status. He also wanted to prove that Martha Vist's choice wasn't wrong—that he was indeed superior to Creuset.
"Councilman Creuset, you..."
"Excuse me for a moment, Miss Vist, Councilman Marcenas."
Just as Martha Vist was about to humiliate Creuset in front of everyone, he interrupted her as if foreseeing her intentions, ended their conversation, and walked toward Revil and Gopp with a wine glass in hand.
Seeing him heading toward Gopp and Revil, the others knowingly smiled and dispersed, interpreting Creuset's actions as an attempt to court military resources—a perfectly normal occurrence.
But to Martha Vist, it was entirely different. He had ignored her, interrupted her, and left without permission? This was a grave insult!
Fuming with rage, Martha was about to explode when she felt a hand pat hers. Looking over, she saw Rona Marsenas shaking his head at her, his eyes urging her to stay calm.
"Huff—" Suppressing her scorn and hatred, Martha Vist forced a smile back onto her face and, accompanied by Rona Marsenas, also headed toward Gopp and Revil.
It was true that Revil was a defeated general, but those attending this banquet were no ordinary people. They knew many things the average person didn't and certainly didn't believe Revil would simply fade into obscurity within the Federal Army.
However, halfway there, Rona Marsenas stopped Martha Vist, and the two halted, watching as Creuset made Gopp and Revil burst into laughter with just a few words. Their expressions turned grim.
"What should I do?" Martha thought to herself. She also wanted to win the support of Gopp and Revil. Though she didn't believe her charms would work on these two cunning old foxes, at least she and Rona Marsenas could make an impression in front of them.
At the right moment, she could even interrupt Creuset's conversation with them, cutting off his chance to secure ties with Gopp and Revil. But now...
The three were chatting so happily that if she barged in, it would be rude. She would not only lose face but also risk displeasing Gopp and Revil—hardly worth the cost.
Yet Martha Vist couldn't bear to watch Creuset succeed so smoothly and happily. The happier Creuset was, the angrier she became.
"Hmm?" Just then, Martha Vist spotted Athrun and Gai Murakumo standing nearby. A smirk curled her lips as an idea came to her, and she walked over.
"This is no place for you. Get out," Martha Vist declared haughtily as she approached the two. She knew their identities—Creuset's bodyguards. They were handsome, but they were merely lowly commoners with no right to be at the banquet.
Athrun and Gai Murakumo glanced at Martha Vist but remained unmoved.
Martha's scorn flared up again. Ignored by Creuset was bad enough, but now two lowly commoners were disregarding her too?
"Guards! Throw them out—"
"Wait."
At that moment, Yang Hui approached with a wine glass, smiling as he waved the attendants away.
"Gentlemen, may I ask who you are?" Yang Hui inquired of Athrun and Gai Murakumo.
"Hello, Mr. Hui Vist. I am Athrun Zala, bodyguard for Councilman Creuset."
"Gai Murakumo, same."
Both acted as if they didn't know Yang Hui and introduced themselves accordingly.
"Hmm." Yang Hui nodded, then turned to Martha Vist. "Since they are Councilman Creuset's bodyguards, shouldn't we first ask for Councilman Creuset's opinion?"
"Hmph! They're merely Councilman Creuset's bodyguards and don't qualify as guests. They have no right to enter the main banquet hall. Furthermore, by bringing bodyguards to the banquet, is Councilman Creuset questioning the Vist Foundation's hospitality?"
Martha deliberately raised her voice while speaking, ensuring everyone present could hear her words.
As expected, the elegant atmosphere instantly fell silent except for the background music, with all eyes turning toward them. Cardeas also approached to assess the situation.
"What's going on?"
"These two are Councilman Creuset's bodyguards. Martha tried to bypass the Councilman and expel them from the banquet," Yang Hui explained to Cardeas.
"Is this true?" Cardeas asked Martha with a darkened expression.
"Hmph! Are they qualified to attend this banquet?"
"Every arrival is a guest. Councilman Creuset previously explained their situation to me, and I granted them special permission to attend. Are you arbitrarily expelling my guests?"
"What? You're allowing two commoners to stand as equals with us?"
"Martha! Hold your tongue!" Cardeas sharply rebuked her. The term "commoners" wasn't just insulting Athrun and Gai Murakumo—many present were members of the Populist Faction, not to mention Revil was also in attendance.
"Well done." Yang Hui's lips curved slightly when he saw the displeased expressions of Revil and other Populist Faction members, giving Creuset an appreciative glance.
"Good coordination," Creuset returned with a meaningful look.
"Return to your room."
"Cardeas! You..."
"Go back!"
"You... Hmph!"
Martha Vist was driven away in a fury. Her companion, Ronan Marsenas, naturally couldn't stay either and fled in disgrace. All their schemes had failed, resulting only in self-inflicted humiliation and significant losses.
At the very least, Martha Vist had been blacklisted by Populist Faction members, while even Moderate Faction members now viewed her more negatively.
Ronan Marsenas, as her companion, was inevitably implicated. Due to Martha's impulsiveness, his future path would become infinitely more difficult—no, it might even be completely blocked, especially since he was currently a member of the Moderate Faction.
However... there were still gains to be had.
"Investigate Martha Vist's background," Jin Kolini quietly instructed his subordinate.
"Understood."
After the unpleasant individuals departed, Cardeas offered apologies, and the banquet resumed as if Martha Vist and Ronan Marsenas had never been present.
"My apologies, Generals. You had to witness such an unpleasant scene because of my bodyguards," Creuset said to Gopp and Revil.
"No need, Councilman Creuset. It wasn't your fault."
"But it still originated from my bodyguards."
"Enough, Councilman Creuset. If we continue with such formalities, we won't be able to continue this conversation."
"Very well, General Revil. Shall we continue? Where were we?"
"We were discussing your willingness to gift me your two bodyguards..."
"General Revil, I was just being polite."
"Tch, that's why I hate politicians the most!"
"That's not good news for me, General Revil."
"Hahaha..."
...
Watching Creuset chatting happily with Revil and Gopp, Yang Hui nodded. With Creuset's abilities and complete intelligence, if he couldn't connect with them, then he wouldn't be Creuset.
This way, Creuset had accomplished about 80% of his purpose for attending the banquet today. After telling Athrun and Gai Murakomo to enjoy the banquet, Yang Hui separated from them.
He planned to continue finding a corner to observe the guests, but...
"What are you sneaking around for? Alberto, come here!"
(End of Chapter)