Chapter 7.
Silverglow City, Royal Iris Manor.
In the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers illuminated wine glasses and the luxurious attire of the guests.
The air carried the fragrance of food, mixed with the subtle scent of business negotiations.
Sylvia held a wine glass as she moved gracefully through the crowd, a perfect smile resting on her face.
“President Mars, the mineral value of the Northern Territory is far greater than what the Ministry of Finance’s old report suggests.With Professor Logaris' new slting technology added to the equation, you should already know how much the returns can multiply.”
Sylvia spoke to a stout man who had made his fortune by reselling Magitech components.
President Mars' cheeks trembled slightly.
“Your Highness, just give the order!Your enterprise is the future for rchants like us!Funding will not be a problem!”
Sylvia nodded and turned toward a young nobleman.
“Andrew, I understand your concerns.”
“The places my father and my two dear brothers look down upon are precisely where I can take root.”
Andrew was one of the few reformist nobles supporting Sylvia.
His brows were tightly furrowed.
“Your Highness, the Northern Territory is different from the royal capital.Those old subordinates of the old Duke may not—”
“I know.”
Sylvia interrupted him.
“That is exactly why I need all of you.”
Her voice was quiet, yet Andrew instantly straightened his posture.
The look in his eyes changed imdiately.
“Your Highness!”
A figure in white robes appeared silently beside her.
It was Aurora.
“What is this?Does the Holy Maiden also take an interest in the mundane affairs of us ordinary people?”
Sylvia joked lightly.
Aurora wore a holy smile, but her words were extrely practical.
“I have already arranged things with the Senate of the Holy Church for you.However, the Inquisition Army operates independently.They are not under my authority, so you should be careful.”
Sylvia understood imdiately.
“Thank you.”
“There is no need for such words between us.”
Aurora handed her a glass of fruit juice.
Just as Sylvia was about to ask sothing else, a burly general strode over.
It was General Tieshi, the forr deputy commander of the Northern Legion.
“Princess!”
The general’s voice was thunderous.
“Your Highness is going to the Northern Territory to build a great enterprise.How could you leave an old fellow like behind in the royal capital?”
“You flatter , General.You are a pillar of the kingdom.I would not dare to summon you.”
“Please do not say that, Your Highness!”
General Tieshi looked excited.
“I heard that the third-generation Magitech Armor designed by Professor Logaris has already been issued to your guard unit!I have been craving that thing for a long ti!One punch can smash a troll’s head straight into its own chest!That is real power!”
He rubbed his hands together.
Instead of a high-ranking commander, he looked more like a child who had just seen a brand-new toy.
“As long as Your Highness lets try on that new armor, forget the Northern Territory.Even if it is a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, this old Tieshi will charge through it with you!”
Sylvia laughed softly.
That fellow Logaris always managed to bring her unexpected surprises in the strangest ways.
Just then, the music in the banquet hall was interrupted by a loud announcent from the entrance.
“Viscount Philip arrives on behalf of His Highness the Second Prince!By the command of the Second Prince, he presents a gift to Princess Sylvia, who is soon to depart for the Northern Territory!”
The announcent instantly silenced the entire banquet hall.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
A young man with powdered makeup and a purple formal suit walked in, waving a gem-studded fan.
It was Viscount Philip, the most favored court jester beside the Second Prince.
Two attendants followed behind him, respectfully carrying a tray covered with purple velvet.
Philip clearly enjoyed the attention.
Ignoring the complex looks from the crowd, he slowly walked toward Sylvia with an elegant stride and perford an exaggerated bow.
“My dear Princess,” he said in an overly sweet voice, “His Highness the Second Prince heard that you are about to shoulder the burdens of the royal family and travel to the harsh lands of the Northern Territory.His heart is filled with concern.He specially ordered to deliver this modest gift as a sign of an elder brother’s loving care for his younger sister.”
With that, he gave a signal to the attendants.
One of them stepped forward and lifted the velvet cloth.
On the tray was neither jewelry nor a rare treasure.
Instead, there was a crudely made bearskin cloak.
Beside it lay a worn book titled 《Records of Strange Tales from the Northern Territory》.
The guests present were either wealthy or noble.
Everyone understood the hidden ssage behind the gift.
It was practically a public suggestion that the princess' journey was nothing more than exile from the civilized world into a savage land.
General Tieshi had already clenched his fists.
Andrew’s face turned pale with anger.
Philip, however, pretended not to notice anyone’s reaction.
He half-covered his lips with his jeweled fan and spoke with deliberate concern.
“The Second Prince says that to truly integrate into a land, one must first embrace its soul.The winds and snow of the Northern Territory do not recognize the silk of the royal capital.Only such simple and resilient objects truly match that land…And perhaps certain resilient bloodlines that originate from there as well, do they not?”
The smile on Sylvia’s face did not change.
However, her eyes turned cold.
She looked at Philip and replied in the sa calm and gentle voice.
“My second brother is truly thoughtful.This ‘generous gift’ indeed carries deep aning.I will deliver it to Father exactly as it is so he may also witness my brother’s unique insights into the connection between royal bloodlines and the customs of our territories.Father always says that my brothers still need more experience in state affairs.Seeing such ticulous consideration from my second brother will surely bring him great comfort.”
The smug smile on Philip’s face froze instantly.
He had intended to stab at Sylvia using the issue of bloodline.
Instead, she had turned the situation around, elevating his petty insult into a matter of discussing national affairs with the king.
If he admitted it, he would be overstepping his authority.
If he denied it, he would publicly admit that he had co only to provoke her.
Just as he stood there in extre embarrassnt, trying to think of sothing to say to recover his dignity—
A hand suddenly grabbed his head.
Five fingers clamped around his skull like an iron vise.
“You are blocking the way, sissy.”
A calm male voice sounded.
Before the words even finished, Viscount Philip was lifted into the air with one hand.
Then he was thrown aside like garbage.
He rolled across the floor twice, his luxurious clothes now covered in dust.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A figure wearing a black research robe stood there, backlit by the light.
It was Logaris.
The professor from Saint Arcadia Academy who was rumored to never attend any aningless social events and who treated noble etiquette like dirt.
Seeing Viscount Philip in such a miserable state, many people in the hall secretly felt a sense of satisfaction.
Logaris ignored every gaze around him and walked straight toward Sylvia.
Sylvia looked at Logaris, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
Although such behavior lacked grace…
It was beautifully done.
“Professor Logaris,” Sylvia said with a hint of teasing, “I thought you planned to burn my invitation like scrap paper again.”
“After all, this is the beginning of when you truly break free from control.”
Logaris spoke quietly.
“You have been looking forward to this day for a long ti, haven’t you?”
Sylvia froze.
She had not expected Logaris to say that.
He actually still rembered.
That promise about freedom.
Logaris broke the brief silence and asked matter-of-factly.
“Where is the food?”
“I am hungry.”
Sylvia’s expression stiffened.
Then she shook her head helplessly.
She gave a signal to the maid beside her, Elena.
Elena imdiately understood.
Soon, a tray covered with a silver cloche was respectfully brought forward.
The lid was lifted.
Inside were several exquisitely prepared dishes.
Honey-glazed drake lizard tail.
Pan-seared landstrider steak.
And a small pudding topped with blueberry sauce.
Every dish was one of Logaris' usual favorites, the ones he was most particular about.
“Eat.”
Sylvia forced the word through clenched teeth.
“Eat until you choke.”
Logaris picked up the knife and fork without hesitation and calmly began eating.
His movents were elegant, but his speed was astonishing.
While eating, his gaze swept across the entire hall.
He noticed the approving look General Tieshi gave him and nodded slightly in response.
He saw a simply dressed young girl in the crowd.
She was his student, hired by Sylvia this ti as a Magitech engineer for the expedition.
He also spotted Aurora in the corner, holding a glass of fruit juice while watching the spectacle.
The Holy Maiden raised her glass toward him and gave a smile that seed to say, “I knew this would happen.”
The atmosphere of the banquet beca slightly delicate because of the incident.
However, under Sylvia’s control, music and conversation soon resud throughout the hall.
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