In the crowd, Pilan leaned on his cane, silently frowning.Guests who were not aligned with the Cross family began to sense the oppressive atmosphere, and their conversations gradually quieted.Leading the way, Zector stopped at the door of a side hall and smiled. "Ladies and gentlemen, many distinguished guests will be attending this banquet, and the main hall can’t accommodate everyone. Representatives of the various families, please proceed to the main hall, while attendants and their relatives can be seated here."The crowd erupted in discontent as some people immediately voiced their dissatisfaction."Hmph! Such arrogance.""They're looking down on us. If it weren't for Adrian's reputation, do they really think we’d attend this ridiculous Dragoria Feast?""This is ridiculous! The man hasn't even arrived, but he’s already putting on airs!" a sharp voice echoed among the crowd."Hey, you can't say that. He used to be the underground king of Silverboa. It's normal for him to l
"Dandy Finwood from Black Tiger?""Why is he here?"Accompanied by a high-pitched announcement, a large group of people walked in, led by a disdainful-looking Dandy. Beside him was Stan from Zephyr Wing. They roughly pushed through the crowd and approached Zector, smiling broadly."Zector! Sorry, we're late!" Dandy greeted as he and Stan handed over some gift boxes.Zector, acknowledging their generous gifts, nodded politely.Dandy then turned his gaze toward the troublemakers in the crowd. His smile faded, and he straightened his posture, exuding a unique aura of authority. With a sinister smile, he said, "What’s this? I heard some of you want to sit in the main hall?"The people who had been giving Zector a hard time shrank back, not daring to make a sound. Dandy's reputation was well known to them, and they, being merely extended family members and servants, dared not provoke him. They avoided eye contact and kept silent."Dandy, what do you mean by that?" Mosi, who had previ
Most of the people behind Zector left, except for those holding invitations.The main hall, far more magnificent than the side hall, featured expansive space and a predominantly Gothic architectural style. The guests seated themselves, chatting and laughing."Everyone's here. When is Adrian coming out?" Jayden asked loudly, sitting cross-legged with an unfriendly expression."The guests have arrived. It's time for the host to stop hiding," Pilan added, straightening his back and leaning on his cane while closing his eyes slightly in a relaxed manner."We came here out of respect for Adrian. Tell him to come out!" a fat man with a fierce look shouted, a menacing gaze on his face as he banged the table and stood up.The other guests, noticing the disruptive trio, exchanged thoughtful glances."Oh, so eager to see me? Are you that eager to step into your graves?" A resolute figure appeared on the stage, his cold, knife-like gaze sweeping over the crowd. The guests shivered and beg
Adrian heard Mosi’s words but ignored him and fixed his gaze instead on Pilan, a murderous glint in his narrowed eyes. "Sir Pilan, you owe me an explanation."Pilan's closed eyelids remained steady, but his thin hands trembled slightly. His voice, ancient and indifferent, replied, "What explanation do you seek?"Adrian let out a cold, disdainful laugh. "Your shamelessness is truly revealing." His voice, like a whisper from the depths of hell, echoed through the room. "The Nathuks deserve to pay."Pilan abruptly opened his eyes, a flicker of fear crossing his face before he suppressed it. Adrian's figure on the stage brought back vivid memories of an incident five years ago."The Nathuks wronged you, but what have I done to provoke you? You nearly crippled my heir," Pilan replied. The tension eased with this statement, and relief spread through the room.Suddenly, the hall's main doors swung open with a crash. A bald middle-aged man in black entered, his eagle-eyed gaze and predato
"Hey scar face, how dare you cause a scene here. Weren't you the one begging for Mr. Adrian's mercy on your knees previously?" Dandy stepped toward the bearded man to defend Adrian, despite his earlier doubts.Seeing Dandy's support, Stan joined in, taunting, "Casper, don't act so high and mighty. Wasn't your predecessor groveling at Mr. Adrian's feet not long ago?"Casper didn't show anger; instead, he smiled coldly at the two. "Do you even have the right to speak to me? Adrian, too afraid to face me directly, sends his lackeys to do his bidding?"Adrian calmly waved a hand, gesturing for Dandy and Stan to step back, and addressed Casper firmly, "No one will act insolently at my gathering. If you seek death, I will oblige."Right at that moment, a flurry of footsteps echoed outside the main hall.Jayden, wearing a sinister grin, yelled, "Kill Adrian!"Earlier, he had dispatched a message to his allies who were supposed to be arriving now. Jayden doubted Adrian could survive an o
"I’m not a forgiving person. I have no choice but to end those who oppose me.""How arrogant!" The authoritative-looking man in black who had spoken earlier slammed the table, his rage and fear palpable.Just as Casper and the others seemed ready to escalate the situation, a loud announcement cut through the tension."Mr. Jaxson has arrived!"The crowd was stunned into fervent discussion."Who would’ve thought Jaxson would show up personally?!""I heard Jaxson is principled and won't stand for any injustice.""When he learns Adrian killed Jayden, Adrian will be in trouble.""Yeah, unless Jaxson is here to support Adrian.""That’s unlikely. Jaxson wouldn't risk alienating the Buchanans and Nathuks for Adrian."Amid the buzz, Jaxson entered with two personal guards. He then crossed paths with Zector, who was dragging Jayden's corpse out of the hall. He paused, his gaze lingering on the body with a frown.Zector, apparently unaware of Jaxson's reaction, nodded respectfully. "Mr
Finally, Jaxson halted five meters from Adrian, silently observing him.Adrian, elevated on the stage, met Jaxson’s gaze with a hint of condescension."Adrian, how dare you display such arrogance before Lord Jaxson! Step down and show respect!" Mosi, witnessing the confrontation, was both delighted and indignant, admonishing Adrian."Adrian, disrespecting the mayor is akin to defying the law. Those who defy the law will face severe punishment and expulsion from the city. Do you wish to face such consequences?" Trembling, Pilan flattered Jaxson, addressing Adrian directly."Adrian, come down and salute. Otherwise, I will uphold the law on Lord Jaxson's behalf." Casper's demeanor relaxed, a playful smile crossing his face. He relished seeing Adrian placed in an uncomfortable position."Enough! Silence, all of you!" Jaxson's furious shout sent a shiver through the room. People were puzzled, unsure why Jaxson was so enraged. Weren't they merely upholding his authority?Jaxson's expre
Maman smiled, muttering to himself, "Falconia truly is the strongest nation in the world."Just then, a hearty laugh drew everyone's attention."He is indeed worthy of being acknowledged as the strongest warrior of Dragoria, unparalleled in demeanor! I came uninvited. Mr. Adrian. Please forgive me."Reid Gills of the Council of Elders, along with two other elders, entered the hall. They were followed closely by eight other powerful figures, all exuding formidable auras."Heavens! Mr. Reid and other mighty figures from the Council of Elders are here. Adrian's influence is unimaginable. Nearly half of the pillars of Dragoria are attending his banquet."The guests were astonished, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor, their eyes glazed over in disbelief."This is a once-in-a-lifetime event! I'll have bragging rights for decades!""That's Mr. Reid, the cornerstone of Dragoria! I can't believe he's here too!""Wow, I'm insanely jealous!"Casper was in shock, unable to comprehend