Chapter 79, The City Council's Banquet (Part 1)_3
Following Mueller into the banquet hall, the Duke approached with a gleaming smile: "Laine, you arrived just in time; there are several people here who wish to meet you. By the way, who is this by your side?"
Though a smile graced the Duke's face, his eyes were filled with disregard for Veronica, and his words left Catherine, trailing behind them, in a state of confusion—how come she couldn't understand the Duke's language?
Veronica's heart tightened; she knew the Duke didn't favor her, believing that as a witch, she was unfit to be Laine's partner, hence his words served as a discouragement!
For the Duke spoke entirely in High Gothic—a language so complex that even the Jialan Council's elite struggled to grasp!
In such a setting, if Veronica, as Laine's partner, failed to comprehend Schultz's speech, it would be a grave loss of face.
Laine signaled that her moment to shine had arrived.
Indeed, even Teresa did not comprehend High Gothic; otherwise, she would surely have deciphered the scriptures upon Laine's longsword scabbard.
But Veronica did understand.
Why was it that Teresa, a well-born Female Member of Jialan, did not know High Gothic, yet Veronica could?
The reason was simple—Veronica's High Gothic was taught by Laine; endowed with incredible talent, she truly spent years mastering this language once Laine was willing to teach her.
"Greetings! Lord Schultz, it is an honor to introduce myself to you. I am Veronica Bernadotte, from the Jialan Council, currently Laine's partner and collaborator." Veronica offered the Duke a flawless courtesy (also taught by Laine).
This woman actually knows High Gothic? Schultz raised an eyebrow in surprise.
In his eyes, a witch was unworthy of Laine, especially considering Laine was from his own ranks.
Given his stature, once he failed to trouble Veronica, he would cease any further vexation, thus the Duke signaled Laine to accompany him in meeting some acquaintances.
After mingling with various guilds and several great nobles and prominent merchants, Laine's eyes slightly squinted.
It was the turn of the Aesthetic Society.
A beautiful woman stood before Laine; she was about one sixty-five meters tall, clad in a purple strapless evening dress, adorned with exotic treasures from around the world—pearls, emeralds, gemstones, amber, and even diamonds encrusted upon her fingernails. Her face possessed an unrivaled beauty that eclipsed all women present, blending the youth of teenage years, the allure of her twenties, and the maturity of her thirties. Frankly, she was the most breathtaking woman Laine had ever seen—without comparison.
She resembled a poppy flower, captivating the gaze of every man in the hall.
"So, this is humanity's hero? The White Wolf Knight Laine from Nord? Hmm~ certainly extraordinary indeed! Greetings, I am Agneda Krausner; you may address me as Agneda~"
"Hello, Lady Agneda, my name is Laine."
Agneda Krausner, President of the Aesthetic Society, smiled enticingly, extending her hand to Laine: "Such a handsome young man! Hoho~ tomorrow evening there will be a grand performance at the Aesthetic Society, personally hosted by me; would our hero be interested in attending?"
After speaking, the President's laughter grew even more radiant: "There is a 'reward'!"
Nearly all the men present focused their eyes on Laine.
What would he choose to do?