Extraordinary Voyage

In the increasingly tense atmosphere permeating "New Inn Port."

The third and fourth days passed in a flash.

Although various forces continued to allocate additional personnel for comprehensive searches, they ended up with nothing for two consecutive days. Facing the Killing Ghost, who might have fully recovered to "Senior Knight Level," many of the high-ranking officials began to grow restless.

Until... the fifth day.

Clip-clop... clip-clop...

The crisp sound of hooves set in the sunset, a carriage slowly came to a halt in front of the luxurious "Rose Crown" hotel.

The gilded carriage door opened, and a tall and handsome young man stepped down the steps.

Click—

The black, long military boots clicked sharply against the cobblestones.

With short brown hair, black eyes, and a straight deep blue school officer uniform accentuating his heroic presence, a standard longsword hung at his waist. Despite its simple appearance, there was no disguising that it was a true lethal weapon.

Just standing there simply, he resembled a spear piercing the heavens, his majestic aura drawing glances.

After alighting, he did not leave immediately but turned, bowed slightly, and chivalrously caught a slender hand clad in lace gloves, gently helping its owner down from the carriage.

A beautifully dressed lady wearing a luxurious off-shoulder lavender gown and silver high heels appeared.

With ruby lips and snowy skin, her long hair tied back, adorned with shining hair accessories, revealing a delicate, slender neck, and an emerald brooch on her chest. Her grace and poise defied guessing her exact age, only that she was an unequivocal beauty.

The gracefully disembarking noble lady softly smiled at the young man helping her, glanced around, noticed several familiar socialites nearby frequently casting glances her way, and instantly shifted her gaze back to the young man by her side.

Daphne covered her red lips with a light chuckle and leaned near the young man's ear, jokingly saying, "Who would've thought our little Aiven would be so charming? Attracting the attention of beautiful ladies so quickly."

"Aunt, what are you joking about?"

Aiven had no time to heed the beautiful girls around; two days prior, over eighty trainees from the short training camp spontaneously formed multiple teams to assist other organizations' Extraordinary in patrolling the entire city nonstop.

Aiven came here not only due to his aunt's request but also because he carried a mission.

Although ordinary people were still in the dark, due to the havoc wreaked by the "Killing Ghost," in reality, there was no absolute safe place within the entire "New Inn Port" (perhaps except for the New Inn Cathedral and Principal Princeton's Witchcraft Garden).

Even yesterday, the intelligence reported that a noble family residing in a countryside manor had been assassinated by the "Demon's Disciple."

In just four nights, over five hundred people had been murdered, including several influential upper-class individuals.

Even if the City Hall had never released the news publicly, many citizens already sensed the anomaly in the city, as fewer pedestrians were visibly present on the roads as they traveled by carriage.

The high-ranking officials were aware of the perilous situation.

Aiven even once doubted that the banquet organized tonight by Mr. Murdoch, under the guise of socializing, had any ulterior motive.

As a Navy Captain, Uncle Gel from "Cooper Manor" was also "honored" with an invitation.

Before Aiven was aware, Aunt Daphne's carriage had already stopped right outside the Navy Academy entrance, inviting Aiven to be her dance partner for today.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible to send his aunt back, and it might be safer to keep her by his side. So, he simply agreed to attend the banquet with her.

However, being cautious, Aiven brought along his combat sword instead of a decorative one, in case of unexpected incidents.

"Don't be shy now, today's the chance for you to meet a few more upper-class friends from 'New Inn Port.' Don't worry, Aunt will introduce you to suitable young ladies!"

Located in the relatively isolated countryside, Aunt Daphne wasn't aware of anything unusual about today's banquet and mainly focused on introducing a virtuous "female friend" to Aiven.

Achievements and careers are men's matters, as a woman, Aunt Daphne clearly cared more about the "Galliot Clan's" legacy issues.

"Ahem, Aunt, let us go in quickly."

As more young women began to gather at the entrance, Aiven felt a little overwhelmed by their unabashed stares and urged immediately.

Aunt Daphne didn't tease him further, taking Aiven's arm and stepping into the hotel.

...

By the time they arrived, it wasn't too early; guests were already mingling in groups of twos and threes, conversing vigorously, seemingly unaffected by the "Killing Ghost" incidents of recent days.

The banquet table draped in white linens was laden with various delicacies, a tall champagne tower gleaming in amber hues, and musicians had begun playing lively music to warm up the atmosphere.

Everything retained that sense of opulence and tranquility, forming a striking contrast with the tense scene outside.

Those lower in rank and uninformed remained in the dark, while those in the know were evidently confident about the banquet's security with the Governor himself present, completely untroubled by potential unexpected incidents!

"Deve, over here!"

They had just entered the banquet hall when Aunt Daphne's acquaintance spotted them and warmly waved them over.

"Jenny, good evening! Shanna, Teresa, you're here early." Aunt Daphne, pulling Aiven, walked over, greeting familiar friends.

"Oh! Daphne, where did you find this young handsome guy?"

Seeing Aiven, whose appearance and demeanor were outstanding beside Aunt Daphne, the three elegantly dressed ladies couldn't resist some gossip.

In a flaming red gown, with deep eyes and alluring red lips, Teresa glanced at Aiven, teasingly saying, "Could it be that your Gel isn't home often...? Hehe..."

"Tsk, you think everyone is like you?! Already an aunt and still as carefree as when you were young!" Daphne placed her hands on her hips, laughing off the comment, not annoyed as they were too familiar for harmless jokes to be unusual.

"This is my and Gel's nephew, Aiven Galliot, and he's a Navy Major at only fifteen!"

Turning back, she introduced Aiven, "Jenny and Shanna's husbands were Navy Officers with your Uncle Gel and are assigned to the First Fleet, and Teresa's father was their former superior. We've been friends for over a decade, and they are all great people."

"Good evening, lovely ladies!" Introduced by Aunt Daphne, Aiven, like a genuine junior, kept his composure, greeting each of these Navy Officer spouses.

"What an outstanding junior, why bring him out for us to see only now? Although their statuses weren't very high, they've been around long enough to look out for their juniors."

Normally, a fifteen-year-old would likely be still attending the Navy Academy, with graduation usually at seventeen starting as a Sub-Lieutenant. To have both strength and achievements to qualify as a School-Level Officer before turning twenty could earn the title of a talented young individual in any setting.

Even without counting his medals and Wizard identity, Aiven's accomplishments were impressive enough on their own.

Daphne had been waiting for this question.

"Sigh, this child has always been with his Uncle Gel in Gabred, having seen little of the world. This time, he came to New Inn Port to attend this year's short training... The most important thing is for everyone to help introduce a lovely young lady to our Aiven..."

"As expected..." Aiven thought, placing a hand on his forehead, aware that when these "aunties" gathered, they would inevitably discuss this topic.