In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
Within those two days, most of the buildings in the Cant Kingdom that weren't too badly damaged had basically been repaired halfway.
These buildings were mostly residential homes, many of which had been burned down by the demi-humans who were trying to rescue their fellow kind.
According to the agreement, the damage to these buildings and the loss of demi-human slaves all had to be compensated by the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
After all, those two tiger-men and the other demi-humans had been brought into the royal city by the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
But the commercial city that had been leveled to the ground was destined to not recover so quickly.
In this land where every inch was worth gold, a large number of shop plots in the commercial city had been purchased by the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
According to the treaty between both sides, since the kingdom failed to protect these valuable shops, it also had to provide compensation.
Overall, it was still the kingdom that suffered the loss.
Of course, in reality, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce didn't profit either.
Because that batch of demi-humans had escaped, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce was unable to deliver the goods to Viktor as scheduled.
According to usual practice, they had to compensate Viktor ten times the price.
After all the compensation was settled, the one who came out on top was neither the kingdom nor the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
It was Viktor alone.
But whether it was the kingdom or the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce, after witnessing Viktor's terrifying magic that shook people to the core, no one dared to provoke this walking "natural disaster."
Life still had to go on.
The royal city had suffered severe damage and was still in the process of reconstruction.
So, the diplomatic banquet to welcome Princess Aurelian was moved from the royal city to another location.
Although there was a proposal to hold it in Grand Duke Barlow's territory, the atmosphere there was too strange, and most people couldn't accept it.
In the end, it was decided to hold it in Count Laurien's territory... Shulben.
———
That night, Count Laurien's mansion was as bright as day.
Luxurious carriages stopped one after another in front of the main gate, exquisitely carved, with golden embossing spread all over their bodies.
Nobles from all directions stepped out of their carriages, the swords at their waists reflecting a cold gleam.
Around the mansion, heavily armored guards stood like an iron wall.
Under the guidance of servants, the nobles entered the brilliantly lit mansion.
Among the nobles, the lords of the Cant Kingdom and the twelve diplomatic ministers from the Empire exchanged greetings and courtesies.
Everyone knew it clearly.
The purpose of today's banquet was to deepen the relationship and friendship between the Empire and the Kingdom.
Aurelian had arrived in Shulben early.
When she walked out of the mansion, quite a few nobles bowed toward the noble princess.
Today, Princess Aurelian had changed into a silver gown.
Under the gentle cover of the night sky and the warm lights, she looked like a dazzling star.
The slender dress highlighted Aurelian's figure, and the wide, pleated skirt swayed gently beneath her.
Her long silver hair was elegantly tied up high, with a silver hairpin running through it.
Aurelian also wore a smile, responding to the nobles one by one.
Vanilla followed closely behind her, dressed in that dignified maid outfit, looking both cute and approachable.
She followed along with the flow of nobles until she stood at the mansion's gate.
With a pleasant sound of horse hooves and the crisp ringing of bells, a luxurious convoy of carriages slowly arrived at Count Laurien's residence.
The carriage, made of golden-thread nanmu wood, gave off a faint woody fragrance. The kingdom's emblem was engraved in gold on both sides of the carriage.
Metal bells hung along the edges of the carriage roof, and a swaying candlelight was also suspended at the rear of the carriage.
The golden patterns on the wheels curved delicately, and the saddles on the white horses were finely crafted, making it obvious at a glance that they were different from other noble convoys.
A large number of guards slowly and unevenly circled the carriage once.
Hilda stepped out from the group of soldiers, opened the carriage door, and bowed.
When August stepped out of the carriage, quite a few nobles began to bow and salute him.
Only those nobles of even higher status showed a trace of dissatisfaction in their eyes when they saw August.
After stepping down from the carriage, August immediately saw Aurelian standing at the entrance.
He couldn't help but smile and walk forward.
At this moment, he seemed somewhat modest.
"To be personally welcomed by Princess Aurelian, I am deeply honored."
Aurelian simply responded with a smile.
At this time, August glanced around with a smile, as if searching for someone.
After looking around without success, he asked Aurelian with some confusion, "Where is Councilor Clavenna? Why don't I see him?"
"Teacher Viktor is currently speaking with Count Laurien."
Aurelian explained, still wearing a polite smile.
The king nodded with a smile, "I see."
"Just in time, I also have matters to discuss with Count Laurien."
"Your Highness, why not walk with me?"
Aurelian had just been about to politely refuse, but suddenly thought that Teacher Viktor was also upstairs.
The words of refusal that were about to leave her mouth turned into, "Of course, I was just thinking the same."
She could only force a smile and walk forward together with August.
Fortunately, with Vanilla and Hilda following behind, it didn't count as being alone.
As soon as they entered the mansion, what came into view was a brilliantly lit hall.
The hall was spacious, and the candlelight made the golden walls look like a sea of gold.
The green plants on both sides gave off a fresh scent, and the tables covered with white silk were filled with all kinds of food.
The candlelight made the white silk shine brightly. In a corner, several musicians were focused on playing music.
The elegant sound of violins spread throughout the golden hall, making everyone who entered feel at ease.
The nobles chatted and exchanged pleasantries. When they saw August and the princess, they raised their glasses toward them in respect.
August nodded in response one by one, very satisfied with the atmosphere.
It was easy to imagine how much effort Count Laurien had put into this banquet. The preparations were extremely meticulous.
However, he did not see Grand Duke Barlow at this banquet.
Although Grand Duke Barlow almost never attended such events, today was, after all, somewhat special.
His absence made August feel a little strange.
As they walked, the king even noticed the female student who had narrowly lost at the academy last time... Joanna.
She was sitting quietly to one side of the banquet hall. When she saw the king, she stared at him without blinking.
Aurelian also noticed the girl.
She remembered that she was the runner-up in the academy's arena competition, Joanna.
The king also noticed Aurelian's expression. Coming back to his senses, he turned to look at Hilda, "If I remember correctly, that is your younger sister, Joanna?"
Hilda nodded from behind and replied, "Yes."
"Why don't you go keep her company?"
"This is Count Laurien's territory, and Princess Aurelian is with me. You don't need to follow me at all times."
Hearing this, Hilda's expression grew slightly quiet as she humbly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After that, she obediently turned and walked toward Joanna.
Meanwhile, Aurelian's gaze still rested on Joanna, as if she was quite interested in her.
Seeing this, August began to introduce her, "She is Hilda's younger sister. Like her sister, she has quite good talent."
"Only…"
As if recalling something, he looked in that direction, a faint trace of reminiscence in his eyes, and continued, "After the younger sister was born, Hilda's parents died in an accident."
"It was Hilda who took care of her and raised her to adulthood."
At this time, Hilda had already walked over to Joanna.
Seeing her sister arrive, Joanna still wore a somewhat indifferent expression.
But her gaze shifted from August to her sister, her eyes full of closeness.
Hilda sat beside Joanna and began to ask about her well-being with concern.
Seeing this scene, August couldn't help but say a few more words, "Because of Hilda's outstanding performance at the academy, as well as her remarkable talent, she earned two stars and became a true noble viscount."
"I was the one who personally awarded her that title."
Aurelian stood to the side, quietly saying nothing.
August suddenly realized he had spoken a bit too much. Coming back to himself, he couldn't help but smile apologetically, "Sorry, I got carried away and talked too much."
Aurelian smiled at him, "It's alright. I think you and Viscount Hilda have a good relationship."
August smiled lightly and said somewhat helplessly, "Do we?"
"Maybe it's because we were classmates."
"Let's continue."
———
Following the golden staircase, in the golden corridor on the second floor,
Count Laurien and Viktor stood in front of a door.
In the dim, flickering candlelight of the corridor, the crimson "Do Not Enter" sign on the door looked especially eye-catching.
Count Laurien's gaze shifted to Viktor.
He noticed the pitch-black, one-eyed crow on Viktor's shoulder, pecking at its glossy feathers.
Laurien spoke with anticipation, his tone faintly carrying a hint of pleading, "Mr. Viktor."
"You… can really cure my wife's madness?"
Viktor remained silent for a moment, then replied calmly, "It can be tried."
Hearing Viktor's answer, Laurien took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Then, I'll leave it to you."
After that, he removed the faint blue barrier and gently pushed open the door.
Beyond the door was pitch darkness. The candlelight from the corridor couldn't penetrate the deep black inside the room at all.
But the air beyond the door felt heavy and sticky. A bloody smell rushed forward and entered Viktor's nose.
It was as if clumps of flesh were hidden deep inside the room.
Viktor stood at the doorway and frowned.
Count Laurien looked into the darkness, closed his eyes in pain, and said in a low voice, "Mr. Viktor, from here on, I won't accompany you inside."
"I don't want to see my wife in that state in front of outsiders. I won't be able to control my emotions."
The pale moonlight illuminated Laurien's white hair, making it appear exceptionally bright.
He slowly opened his eyes. Those red pupils, the same as his daughter's, showed deep seriousness, "My wife is very dangerous. Though with your strength, it shouldn't be a problem."
"But I still have to remind you, please be careful."
Viktor said nothing more and stepped into the deep darkness of the room.
It was as if the blackness inside was slowly churning, like a pool of dark ink wrapping around his entire body.
With every step he took in the darkness, it felt like he was sinking deeper into a silent, lifeless swamp.
Creak!
Bang!