Chapter 390 - 393: Sorry, I Already Have a Fiancee

Amid the endless stretches of gloomy steel fortifications, they had already been decorated into something dazzling with colorful flags and ribbons.

Streetlamps and candlelight shone brightly, and the nearby residential areas were just as brightly lit.

A band blowing horns and beating drums slowly paraded along the lively streets.

Passersby followed behind, playing cheerful tunes while sincerely celebrating this important festival.

Joyful music echoed through the streets. Citizens waved flags from their windows, smiles of happiness on their faces.

From time to time, colorful streamers drifted down from the sky, like multicolored flowers falling from above.

Even though it was already night, the shops on both sides were still open.

The cheerful people of the royal city had thoughtfully decorated their shops with flags and ribbons.

After half a month of repairs, the royal city had taken on a completely new look.

Those buildings that had been destroyed had all been restored or rebuilt to their original appearance.

The residents of the royal city all knew that the destruction back then had mainly been caused by the demi-human invasion, when a large number of demi-human slaves were released.

The enraged demi-human slaves went from house to house setting fires, which led to the losses across the entire city.

But after a period of reconstruction, most of the residents' lives had returned to normal.

Only a small portion of the wealthy and the lords.

As members of the upper class, losing that batch of free labor caused them a bit of trouble.

Without those demi-human slaves acting as free labor, their expenses had inevitably increased.

They were forced to squeeze out small portions from their vast wealth to hire workers to maintain the normal operation of their territories.

Was that good for them?

It wasn't.

After all, making these noble lords spend even a little money on those lowly commoners made them feel reluctant.

Watching their money fall bit by bit into the hands of commoners made the nobles and wealthy merchants feel as if pieces of flesh were being cut from their bodies.

Soon, luxurious carriages drove along the colorful streets, sweeping up the ribbons as they headed toward the royal city gates.

The carriages stopped in front of the palace, and the nobles stepping down exchanged polite greetings.

They asked after each other, all wearing familiar smiles.

"Mr. Joseph, it's been a long time."

"Count Edmond, indeed, it has been a long time. Your health…?"

"Still as strong as ever. Compared to me, you look even sturdier."

"Mr. Vincent, you…"

While the nobles exchanged pleasantries, smiling as if they were well acquainted,

The towering and profound black great tower was also decorated with colorful ribbons and scattered points of light.

Its original coldness and authority were softened by a festive atmosphere.

In the grand courtyard, long white tables were placed closely together.

They were filled with food and red wine, and rows of candles illuminated the entire courtyard.

Various bright candles were placed on the tables, making the whole courtyard shine brilliantly.

Today was the wedding day of King August and Queen Hilda.

Most of the nobles present understood it clearly.

The current kingdom already appeared weak, lacking vitality.

The once-magnificent royal family was now reduced to August alone, a figure in name only.

The nobles acknowledged the former prestige of the Samuel royal family.

At the same time, they were willing to support the future descendants of Samuel, the future king after August.

But those promises were only words.

The present August had already lost his authority. That was an undeniable fact.

The operation of the entire kingdom was now directed solely by Grand Duke Barlow.

The Samuel royal family existed in name only.

In fact, whether the Cant Kingdom belonged to Samuel or Barlow made little difference.

So, the nobles attending this wedding, on the surface, were giving face to the Samuel royal family.

But in reality, they were giving face to Grand Duke Barlow.

Attending the banquet also meant choosing a side.

After a while, a group of diplomatic envoys entered the banquet hall.

The lords waiting outside became very enthusiastic upon seeing these imperial envoys.

One after another, they stepped forward to greet these foreign friends.

The envoys also responded warmly, "Thank you all for your company over the past month. The hospitality of the Cant Kingdom truly lives up to its reputation."

"When the time comes, please do visit the Empire. We will certainly return the hospitality."

Hearing this, the nobles and lords burst into laughter.

They chatted warmly together, the atmosphere harmonious and pleasant.

This wedding banquet had been prepared for half a month.

Such a grand event of welcoming the queen had to be held lavishly, without any carelessness.

Normally, preparing something like this for half a year or even a year wouldn't be unusual, but due to the urgent situation, the time had to be compressed.

Over the past month, diplomatic affairs had also been arranged quite properly.

Once the king's wedding was over, these nobles from the Empire would set off on their journey home.

Soon, several more carriages entered the vast courtyard before the castle, loaded with gifts.

Many nobles showed surprise, because they already recognized the insignia on those carriages, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.

Looking at the carriages filled with gifts, the nobles couldn't help but admire, "As expected of the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce. Their generosity is unmatched."

The guards opened the rear carriage door, and a beautiful woman in formal attire stepped out.

She was the female auctioneer from that previous auction.

Sensing the gazes on her, she smiled lightly and said to the nobles filling the courtyard, "These are gifts from our chamber to celebrate the king and queen."

"A small token of our appreciation."

Only the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce could call such a mountain of gifts "a small token."

No one found it strange that they could bring out such gifts.

Any nation that had dealings with them knew well the extent of their financial power.

Even when the commercial district in the kingdom was destroyed, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce had only felt a slight sting.

It was said that the chamber had once received the protection of a god, which ensured their countless wealth.

At the same time, the diplomatic ministers remained calm.

These well-traveled old men had seen plenty.

The Cassidra Chamber of Commerce traded widely with many countries.

But it had never established itself within the Karensia Empire.

Although the reasons behind it were thought-provoking, that was the reality.

After all, they were envoys of the Empire, and no matter how influential the chamber was, it was still just a group of merchants.

Naturally, they didn't have much in common.

However, the people from the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce were quite familiar and outgoing. The beautiful auctioneer took the initiative to approach the diplomatic ministers.

With a bright smile, she asked, "May I ask, has Councilor Viktor not arrived yet?"

The ministers exchanged glances, their faces full of confusion.

"Uh, does the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce have business with Count Viktor?"

The auctioneer smiled and explained, "It's like this. Regarding the previous compensation matter, we need to speak with Councilor Viktor in person."

"Our side has already made preparations."

This was indeed a reasonable request.

After all, it involved one billion Gio. That was by no means a small amount.

They silently calculated that such a sum was enough to demonstrate the chamber's financial strength.

To produce compensation on demand, truly generous.

Just as the ministers were about to reply, "Count Viktor will probably still…"

Their words stopped in their throats, and the nobles present all turned serious.

All eyes turned in the same direction, shock appearing on their faces.

The carriage of the Barlow family and the carriage of the Laurene family arrived side by side in front of the palace.

To be precise, the Laurene family already existed in name only.

Now, it should be called the Clavenna family.

After all, the entire Shulborn had become Viktor's territory, and even the sole heir had changed her surname to Clavenna.

But when these two carriages arrived together, all the nobles and wealthy individuals present knew who had come.

The escorting knights stepped forward and opened the carriage doors.

Two young women stepped out at the same time.

Aurelian wore a white gown, adorned with delicate patterns and luxurious silver jewelry, making her look like a princess formed from moonlight.

Priscilla wore her usual exquisite black dress. Her cold beauty formed a striking contrast with Aurelian's graceful elegance.

These two gentle young women left the nobles present staring in a daze.

Yet not a single person dared to approach them.

Not to mention that Aurelian was an imperial princess of noble status.

Grand Duke Barlow was her maternal grandfather.

Who would dare approach her? Were they out of their minds?

As for Priscilla, no one dared to provoke her either.

Only the high-ranking nobles and lords knew about her race.

Most people only knew she was Laurene's daughter, who had changed her surname to Clavenna due to certain circumstances.

Just the name "Clavenna" alone was enough to make countless people stop and only watch from afar.

But since Aurelian and Priscilla had already arrived...

'Why wasn't Viktor in the carriage?'

Suddenly, someone looked up at the sky, their gaze freezing.

"Hey… what is that?"

Hearing the voice, everyone followed his gaze and looked up.

At that moment, they all saw it clearly.

In the sky, a dazzling star was falling, like a meteor hanging in the night sky gradually descending.

Its long silver tail spiraled a few times in the air before rushing toward the ground with a cold aura.

Everyone's eyes widened.

Because they noticed that this meteor was heading straight toward them.

The meteor moved so fast it was almost impossible to see clearly.

'It's over!'

That was the only thought left in everyone's mind.

And the meteor, dragging its tail, landed right in front of them.

Whoosh!

The comet fell, but it did not create a massive shockwave.

Instead, it stirred a gentle breeze.

As the soft cyan light slowly dissipated, the meteor returned to the night.

And Viktor replaced the star, appearing before everyone.

The moment they saw Viktor, the nobles froze in place.

'That meteor just now…'

'Was Viktor?'

Before anyone could recover from the shock, the auctioneer from the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce excitedly shouted, "Councilor Viktor!"

She walked toward him in delight, but suddenly felt a cold gaze sweep over her.

Her body froze.

Because at that moment, Viktor's emotionless eyes were already fixed on her.

With an indifferent voice, he said calmly, "Sorry, but please keep your distance from me."

"I already have a fiancee."