Extraordinary Voyage

Before those boisterous "aunts" took action and turned the banquet into a matchmaking event, Aiven found an excuse to quickly slip away.

Behind him, a few ladies chuckled "kindly" at his somewhat embarrassed retreating figure.

"Aiven, over here!"

"Krell, you finally made it."

Leaving the small circle of ladies, Aiven had barely walked two steps before he ran into his roommate Krell, who was also the teammate chosen for this operation.

"What's the matter? Is there a situation?" Krell looked around the hall suspiciously, seeing nothing unusual in response to Aiven's uneasy demeanor.

"It's scarier than a situation! Forget it, let's not talk about it. I left too early; are there any new instructions from the commander?"

"No, we were both originally invited to this banquet. The commander just asked us to stand by as a backup force in case anything happens. The academy hasn't received any requests for aid or cooperation from City Hall either."

Krell shook his head, indicating he didn't have any inside information.

"Is that so?"

Aiven's question wasn't just a sudden whim, but because his fully activated Sea Bird Reconnaissance Network had just detected an anomaly.

In the panoramic overhead view, much like satellite imagery.

As night fell, agile figures discreetly gathered at the hotel, hiding in rooms closer to the perimeter. Anyone with common sense would know they couldn't be ordinary people.

He dared not let the seabirds approach too closely, only roughly judging by their positions and movements from afar.

One, two... there should be a total of five formally-ranked Extraordinary and ten fully armed Apprentice Knights, judging by their attire, all likely strong individuals within the City Guard.

Seeing these hidden City Guards, combined with Krell's words, a revelation struck Aiven.

In the latest battle report, on the second night, the Iron Wall Knight Order and the Crowman Team collaborated to catch the "Top Student Murder Prince" and "Fat Killer Clown," successfully exterminating them.

Including the "Hammer Following Mad Demon" Aiven had already slain on the first day, the number of "Killing Ghosts" was essentially down by three.

Yet, during the following two days, the City Guard, which was supposed to be one of the main forces, had achieved nothing, causing the Governor to become visibly impatient.

It was apparent that today's banquet was a trap set by him, forgoing other forces and using the City Guard as the main force.

Using the jubilant crowd to lure the remaining "Killing Ghosts" into the open.

Whether it was a genuine desire to resolve the "Killing Ghost" incident quickly, display competence to the Crown Prince and upper echelon of the Kingdom, or mitigate the impact of such a malicious event during his governance.

Undoubtedly, this was a risky move!

While the "Killing Ghosts" each had their patterns, they all shared the habit of creating tragedies or worse. A joyous crowd was still incredibly attractive to them. But which of the remaining "Demon's Disciple," "Highly Poisonous Bluebells," "White-Faced Dancer," or "Random Host" would be drawn in was unknown.

However, whichever one came, this banquet would become a dangerous vortex.

The initial speculation was confirmed, and Aiven was contemplating whether to forcibly send his aunt away first when the banquet quietly began...

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to you all..." The Governor stood in the center of the banquet hall, enthusiastically addressing the guests.

There was no choice but to temporarily set aside his tumultuous thoughts and observe the situation. Aiven gently nudged Krell with his elbow and gestured towards the center of the crowd with his mouth.

"Krell, who is standing next to the Governor?"

"That's his wife and only daughter. Why do you ask? Interested in that beautiful young lady? Hehe..." Krell made a knowing expression, thinking he understood Aiven's intentions.

"What intentions?! Stay alert, tonight won't be peaceful!"

Aiven marveled at how the Governor had truly put everything on the line! Not only stepping up himself, but also bringing his wife and daughter—he was so confident, wasn't he afraid of losing both the women and the battle?

Suddenly, Aiven felt something moving in his pocket.

He quietly took out his "Violet Eye" identity card, and a line of information passed through his mind.

He closed his eyes slightly and reconnected to the seabirds' perspective. At this time, the tiny Needle-tailed Swifts and ubiquitous White Seagulls had already spread throughout the entire hotel, allowing Aiven to observe everything at the banquet.

This was also his greatest reliance.

Soon, Aiven spotted two familiar figures on an open platform on the second floor overlooking the banquet hall.

One was wearing a School Officer Uniform like himself, but of a higher rank, already a Lieutenant Colonel; the other was a beautiful lady in a grass-green long dress, radiant under the banquet hall lights.

They were his acquaintances from the "Shadow Library," Anthony and Delis.

They had already contacted Aiven two days ago, planning to team up against those "Killing Ghosts." Believing in strength in numbers, Aiven had agreed, although it was only arranged to act privately, and did not conflict with the official mission.

"Aiven! Discovery, come to the 'Rose Crown' hotel quickly."

This was the message sent to Aiven via the "Violet Eye" identity card. This kind of communication witchcraft embedded in the identity card, although not enabling long-distance transmission, worked just fine within a city.

Only both parties needed to activate Spiritual Power, thus it couldn't be widely adopted.

Evidently, they too, attending the banquet detected the anomaly and summoned Aiven, who had been forewarned, to join the hunt.

After a brief reply assuring them of his presence, Aiven put away the card. As long as he was in this hotel, nothing could escape his eyes, and he could provide support at any time.

"Hurry, Aiven, it's time for the first dance!"

At this moment, Daphne, unaware of the impending danger, saw that Aiven hadn't returned and came straight over. In high society balls, there are rules; the first dance is usually performed by partnered dancers, and only after that would they freely interact, and Aiven was the partner Daphne brought.

Leaving a lady without a male dance partner is both impolite and embarrassing.

"Alright, Auntie!"

"Is this your friend?" Daphne suddenly noticed Krell standing next to Aiven and curiously asked.

"Good evening, madam! I am Krell Dawson, a classmate of Aiven, and it's an honor to meet you!" Without needing an introduction from Aiven, the outgoing Krell stepped forward to introduce himself.

"Dawson? As in Dawson of the First Fleet's General Dawson?"

It wasn't Daphne speaking, but Lady Teresa, who had come over with her dance partner.

"If the First Fleet doesn't have a second General Dawson, then he's my uncle!" Being recognized by the family name is an honor in itself, Krell acknowledged openly.

"Indeed, a young man from the Dawson Clan, my family..."

"Alright, Teresa, let's enter the venue first; there's plenty of time to socialize later." Daphne, knowing her friend's temperament, stopped her from saying more.

"Krell, I'm going over now. Let's chat after the first dance. Bye!"

"Alright, see you later." Krell waved, watching Aiven and Daphne leave arm in arm only to suddenly realize that although he had an invitation, he hadn't initially intended to attend. When suddenly assigned this task, he didn't have a dance partner.

Ah, so pathetic...!