Chapter 271: 263: Duke Ward's Invitation

Chapter 271: Chapter 263: Duke Ward’s Invitation

Galsa Warehouse is one of the largest warehouses in Ice Peak City and also a specialized large warehouse used by the Royal Family of the Dillon Kingdom, storing the daily consumables of the Royal Household, most of which are transported in from outside the city.

Galsa Warehouse is located to the due west of Ice Peak City, in close proximity to the Ice Castle Palace.

The year before last, a fire gutted a large part of Galsa Warehouse, but thanks to the timely response of the City Guard Army and the Royal Court Guard Army, the Ice Castle Palace was saved from the flames.

Last year, Kingdom Finance spent a considerable sum of money rebuilding Galsa Warehouse, which also leads to its mention in this document as New Galsa Warehouse.

Lis remembered clearly that the rise of the “Demon’s Gate” wasn’t at Galsa Warehouse, but during the major incident at that time, one of the locations overseen by Duke Ward’s men included Galsa Warehouse.

Which means, there must be a problem with this place!

...

Let’s see if I can take this opportunity to find the problem with this place and exacerbate the conflict between the King and Duke Ward in advance.

Hans glanced at the two documents in his hands, one for the newly built Galsa Warehouse and the other for the repair work of the Ice Peak City Wall—both being among the most crucial construction projects in Ice Peak City.

Hans didn’t believe that just visiting these two places would uncover any issues with the Finance Assistant, perhaps Kenne Simon was just putting on a show for the higher-ups.

Difficult to refuse.

“I understand, Lord Simon, I will arrange the schedule for tomorrow.”

“Mm, go ahead, start organizing people to check the tax ledgers right away, I leave it all to you, let me know if anything comes up.”

Lis nodded, appearing utterly unconcerned, sincerely prepared to be nothing more than a mascot.

Hans nodded, having received his instructions from Simon, and left to implement his tasks.

Everything had already been arranged, including manpower and ledger books; it was just a matter of putting Lis forward as a target.

As for whether Philip had done something wrong?

What a joke, the goal wasn’t really to find problems; if needed, problems could “naturally appear.”

Sigh~

Hans, walking along the corridor of the Royal Palace, took a deep breath, somehow feeling a sense of oppression in the Finance Officer’s office just now.

Was that the pressure from a former Transcendent power?

Better be more vigilant!

…

After Hans had left, Lis just stayed honestly in his own office, ready for anything that might come his way at any moment.

A day passed, and besides a servant who came to deliver lunch, not another soul disturbed Lis.

“Is this what it feels like to be a mascot?”

Lis laughed to himself, then began cleaning up, ready to return “home.”

Knock knock~

The knock on the door came at an untimely moment.

Lis glanced out of the window at the darkening sky, curious about who would be looking for him at this time.

“Come in!”

The door was pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged man with a smile appeared in front of Lis.

This person was very familiar to Lis, the Finance Assistant Frue Philip!

Lis had obtained this man’s portrait from Kenne Simon.

Why would he come to find me now?

Could it be that he has noticed my intention to “make a move” on him?

“Haha, Kenne, are you heading back?”

Philip said with a smile, his tone intimate and warm, which to anyone else would appear as though they were close friends!

But Lis knew that Kenne Simon had no personal relationship with this man.

So, what is he up to?

Lis heightened his vigilance inwardly but showed no change in expression as he donned his red and black coat and asked with his hand on the palm-rest:

“Is there something?”

Philip’s smile widened, apparently not noticing Lis’s brusque tone.

“Duke Ward is hosting a party at his mansion tonight and specifically asked me to invite you, Kenne!”

Staring at the stern face of Kenne Simon, Lis managed to keep control as his brows knitted slightly in refusal,

“I’m sorry, please extend my apologies to my Duke, I have some personal matters to attend to tonight.”

Could this be… a test from King Lukar? Was the battle of wits about to begin?

What a nuisance!

Lis was very clear that, whether by common sense or his own preference, he could not accept Philip’s invitation at this time.

Before entering Ice Peak City, Lis had made up his mind that the lower Kenne Simon’s profile, the better, while Lis’s other identity would be the one causing a stir in public.

The more decisive the refusal, the more it would reflect Kenne Simon’s stern and conservative nature.

“Don’t be like that,”

Philip’s smile remained unchanged as he stepped forward, patting Lis on the shoulder.

“Duke Ward has been appreciating you for a long time, Kenne.”

“Don’t miss this opportunity!”

As soon as Philip touched Lis, Lis felt a special spiritual power flowing into his body at the point of contact.

This spiritual power was very hidden, slowly spreading towards Lis’s mind.

If Lis weren’t an Arcanist, an ordinary Extraordinary Professional might not even notice this special spiritual force.

—————–

[Special spiritual influence detected!]

[You are undergoing an “Intermediate Subconscious Suggestion” check!]

[Checking…]

[Specialty “Nether River’s Blessing” effect activated! “Solid Soul” status takes effect!]

[You are exempt from this check!]

—————–

“Intermediate Subconscious Suggestion”?

Wow, how does Philip have this ability?

“Subconscious Suggestion” is a very special skill, affecting the target’s subconscious, making them subconsciously make the choice the user desires.

This skill effect is very covert and leaves no side effects, undetectable by examinations, but it does have its flaws.

That is, its impact is limited!

For example, if this skill were effective, it could influence Lis’s choice of dinner, but it couldn’t make Lis work overtime.

This must be the effect of a Magic Item on Philip, touching my body to conceal the transfer of magical power, avoiding detection by the Royal Palace Detection Array.

This must be the effect of a Magic Item, what does Philip want me to do?

If it were Kenne Simon who had lost his extraordinary power, he wouldn’t be able to resist the effect of “Intermediate Subconscious Suggestion.”

Seeing Lis silent for a moment, Philip continued to ask,

“So, how about it, why not join me at Duke Ward’s party?”

So, all this just to have me meet with Duke Ward?

“Alright.”

Lis pretended to be influenced by “Intermediate Subconscious Suggestion” and nodded in agreement to Philip’s suggestion.

“Then let’s be on our way,”

Philip said with a smile, walking alongside Lis out of the Ice Castle Palace.

Watching a small official nearby take note of the two, Philip’s smile grew even more triumphant.

Seeing the two from a distance, Hans’s expression turned somewhat ugly. After hesitating for a while, he headed towards the room of Salas Finance Minister.

Under Philip’s lead, Lis followed onto a carriage marked with the Duke Ward family crest, heading eastward through the city.

Lis noticed that there were several other carriages, just like theirs, waiting outside the Ice Castle Palace.