Chapter 156: Underground Ball

"Please don’t get agitated. We’re an adventuring party from the Adventurers’ Association." The resolute martial artist glanced at Yapi. "We accepted a commission to locate a wealthy man’s old residence from ten years ago and retrieve his family’s belongings."

"Hmm, now that sounds like something a human would say. Don’t move—I’ll report to my lord."

The leading soldier immediately went to inform Phield.

"So arrogant..." Yapi muttered unhappily.

"Alright, that’s enough," the martial artist said, shaking his head.

Before long, the soldier returned and waved at them. "My lord wishes to see you. Come with me."

"Huh? He’s not going to do something weird, right...?"

The two girls couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The group exchanged glances, both nervous and irritated—after all, the people before them didn’t look like good men.

Lydia hesitated, dragging her feet as she was led into a warm camp. The first thing she noticed was a young noble dressed in luxurious robes. A faint, unreadable smile lingered on his lips as he wiped a longsword, giving off an unfathomable aura.

He looked about the same age as her, didn’t he?

"Greetings, my lord."

The adventuring party greeted Phield.

"No need to be nervous. I just have a few questions." Phield gestured for them to sit and said bluntly, "Any major news lately?"

"No. If anything counts as major news, it would be the Empress encouraging adventurers to clear out corrupted corpses. Oh, and I heard there’s an organization called the Night Owl Sisterhood that’s suddenly become active." The martial artist spoke while sneaking a glance at Phield. Seeing no reaction, he gathered his courage and continued, "They’ve been attacking and killing nobles, claiming they want to overthrow the Empire’s tyranny."

"Oh? Interesting." Phield raised an eyebrow. "Any specific intel?"

"Not yet. They’re very mysterious. I only know they’re extremely powerful."

After a moment of thought, Phield mused inwardly: The Empire’s Empress seems to be dealing with both internal and external crises... Could it be she’s had her own ’defeat animation’ experience?

He made a decision—he would strengthen his security forces and learn more combat techniques. He had no intention of being taken down.

"Thank you for your help. You may rest here for the night—I’ll provide food and water." Phield nodded at them kindly, then added, "Corrupted corpses are dangerous. I suggest you prepare thoroughly or bring more people before venturing out again."

"Mhm."

As soon as they left Phield’s sight, the group collectively let out a sigh of relief.

"Phew... I felt like I was being watched by some kind of monster. Like I was about to be eaten."

"Yeah, he’s definitely killed a lot of people."

"I actually think he seems nice," Lydia said, lowering the brim of her hat.

"Oh? Our little Lydia fantasizing about becoming a noble’s wife?" the female mage teased.

"No way!"

After parting ways with the adventuring party, Phield spent two days traveling before arriving at Maple Leaf City.

After sending Sherry’s letter and the relics of the reconnaissance corps, Phield headed to Simon’s manor. His plan was to purchase a batch of giant wolves to form Ashina’s Divine Guard, and perhaps acquire some valuable items along the way.

But now, as he looked at the minimap, a conspicuous green dot beneath the manor caught his attention, and he fell into thought.

"An uncontracted Divine Chosen... attending the ball? Or... being sold as a commodity?"

Unlike before, Maple Leaf Manor was unusually low-key this time. There were no scantily dressed maids to greet him—only a butler.

It was Phield’s first time meeting the manor’s butler: a gentle yet refined elderly gentleman.

"Honorable Mr. Phield, I presume this is your first time attending Maple Leaf Territory’s unique ball?"

"Indeed. An opportunity to broaden one’s horizons—no noble with intelligence and ambition would pass it up." Phield spoke without reservation. He had long since grown accustomed to noble etiquette. "Take me to meet an old friend."

In simple terms, one of the ways nobles converse politely is by flaunting their refinement while subtly avoiding the real topic.

If they’ve never tasted a high-end dish, they’ll say: "It’s not made by a royal chef—inauthentic, unrefined, beneath my standards."

Among imperial nobles, posturing earns more respect than honesty.

"Oh~ then Maple Leaf Territory will not disappoint you." The butler winked at Phield. "After tonight, what expands won’t just be your horizons... but perhaps something else. A beauty, perhaps—someone’s fiancée, someone’s mother-in-law, even a Divine Chosen. Everything here is filled with fantasy and the unknown."

"I’m already looking forward to it."

Phield curved his lips into a gentle smile, though inwardly, he remained indifferent.

Their tone and manner resembled elegant poets, yet beneath it all lay something deeply corrupt.

"Beasts."

As Phield passed a gardener sweeping the ground, he clearly heard the man mutter a curse.

"Hmm?"

A thought stirred. Phield carefully observed the gardener—nothing remarkable, except for the headscarf wrapped around his head.

"A pink cat-head? Could it be... not again? I hope I’m mistaken."

He immediately thought of a certain acquaintance who owed him three million gold coins. Shaking his head, he silently prayed she wasn’t foolish enough to show up here—otherwise, saving her back then would have been pointless.

Following the butler, Phield found Simon, who was busy checking accounts.

"Look who’s here—my savior!" Simon tossed aside his ledger and burst into exaggerated laughter as he welcomed Phield. "Did you bring the joy pills? I can’t wait any longer—I swear, those adorable little beans are going to shine tonight!"

"Of course I did. I’m counting on them to trade for giant wolves."

"You’ll get them, you’ll get them."

After some pleasantries, Simon mysteriously took out a letter, a set of black clothing, and a mask.

"This outfit is a one-time enchanted item, produced by a Divine Chosen—quality guaranteed! Once worn, no one will be able to perceive your identity. Of course, you can also just wear the mask and attend without clothing—many people do. If you want to go even wilder, you can attend with ’nothing held back.’ That even earns you favor—every year, we select the most daring participant."

Phield accepted the clothes with a hint of tension. Attending an underground ball like this was pushing his boundaries.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. He was curious—just what did the most rotten side of Maple Leaf Territory look like?

"This magical letter records the exact location of the ball and serves as your entry pass. The event isn’t just for entertainment—there’s also an auction and a black market. Anything can be traded, including the giant wolves you want. Cherish this opportunity—not every noble is qualified to attend."

"I will."