Chapter 384

The engagement banquet is still at the old place—Argyle's grand estate.

It's dignified enough, spacious and lavish, and it's property of the famed Argyle family of the Aetheron Kingdom, with brand value to spare.

The town hall offers estate rentals, and every respectable wealthy person in Shiying Town loves to host banquets and parties here.

The elderly gentleman Humbert is a prominent figure in Shiying Town; holding the engagement banquet here was perfectly fine.

But the problem is, the groom isn't him.

The rumors about him being involved with his stepdaughter aren't just common gossip—they're known to everyone.

As a committee member, you've done well in Shiying Town; at least it's the only relatively peaceful town on the Twilight Hills. Even if morally questionable, we'll still wish you well.

But what does it mean to have your beloved stepdaughter hastily engage to a passing street minstrel?

Pure cuckold.

No one knows which trigeminal nerve this old cuckold snapped, but he insists on throwing a grand engagement banquet on the very first night of the New Year.

At this moment, the Argyle Estate.

The estate is shrouded under a large-scale 【Wind Wall Spell】; beneath the night sky, the soft, mysterious magical light glows even brighter, making the entire space feel like a Disneyland-level light pollution.

Guests arrive one after another.

They chat and exchange pleasantries.

At this moment, a man in a crisp white shirt walks into the 【Wind Wall Spell】 from the howling night wind.

The man is tall and broad-shouldered, with a rugged yet strikingly handsome face, upright posture, and a gentle smile. His hair is neatly styled, and paired with his calm demeanor, he somehow blends youthful radiance with the effortless poise of a mature man.

Behind him, on either side, walk two others: on the left, a slender boy whose features resemble his but are clearly softer and more delicate; on the right, a striking woman with smoky makeup, dressed in a sleek black moon-silk gown.

"Mr. Luo De! Long time no see."

"Luo De! Over here!"

"You've finally arrived, Mr. Luo De."

Several familiar faces from Shiying Town greet him warmly.

Some are investors from New Rank Street, others are owners of the ore processing plant, and a few are town hall officials.

Due to Luo De's active presence, he's interacted with most of them.

They all deeply appreciate and hold great affection for this forest warden who protects Shiying Town, and they eagerly respond whenever such occasions arise.

Luo De himself, however, barely remembers them.

With his arrival,

the front courtyard instantly grows quieter.

Most eyes turn toward him.

Some foreign investors or guests don't know Luo De personally, but they've heard rumors; they whisper among their circles, especially among ladies who rarely leave their homes.

"Is that the forest warden Luo De? He's so handsome."

"I wonder if he's married."

"Look, he's got a boy behind him—maybe his younger brother? So cute! My type."

"Heh, thin little boys aren't much fun—they need a full day's rest after one or two times. A big, sturdy man like Luo De is better—he could lift you up effortlessly and play with you. Snow Li, dare you go talk to him?"

"No thanks. I heard he keeps a succubus in the forest; his stamina's probably already drained dry. Besides… are you sure you're more fun than a succubus?"

"Well, not necessarily! I've got my own bedroom tricks!"

"Heh."

Luo De nods slightly to those he knows, a casual greeting.

One of the town hall official's daughters, clearly his fan, jumps up and down excitedly when he smiles at her, making her father beside her grimace in helpless amusement.

Luo De doesn't linger, leading Tally and Kris inside.

He wants to check on the old cuckold Humbert.

He hasn't seen him in days, and he's a little curious.

"A magical banquet? That'll cost a fortune."

Kris, the banshee now back in smoky makeup, raises an eyebrow, glancing at the mages surrounding the estate.

She seems to enjoy such events and insisted on coming to join the fuss.

Luo De notices the low-tier mages maintaining the magical lights near the estate.

He's about to say something,

when a middle-aged man hurries up to him, pale-faced, eyes bloodshot, visibly exhausted.

"Lord Luo De!"

The man has a scruffy beard and virtually no spiritual accumulation—he's just an ordinary human.

"Lord Luo De! Do you remember me?!"

No recollection.

I usually don't remember men's faces.

Not that I can't—I remember the appearances of the male elves Falshard and Bernhard.

Earlier today, he even ran into Bernhard in town; the elf nodded subtly as he passed by on the street.

Per their agreement, he won't make contact with the Windwall Forest folk until he's fully cleaned up the Third Elder's daughter, Ashli.

At this moment,

Kris leans close to his ear and whispers: "Fraser Fairclaw. We met him and his daughter Aure on our way back from Jade City through the Twilight Hills. You told me to help them when they were robbed by the Ruin Brotherhood."

Luo De looks at the banshee, her smoky makeup making her look strangely otherworldly.

"You remember that well?"

"Don't underestimate banshees, human," she says, lifting her head proudly.

"What did you call me?"

"Master! I mean, great master… please, don't do me tonight," the banshee instantly switches tone, bowing her head in surrender.

Her master is too brutal, and after falling under 【Seductive Fluid】, she loses all control—Kris says she's too young to handle it.

Luo De ignores her.

He smiles at the middle-aged man Fraser:

"Of course I remember—you're Mr. Fraser. I remember your daughter Aure; she's a very sweet little girl."

"Yes, yes! Just as I expected of Lord Luo De!"

Fraser's face lights up, then twists into a plea: "Lord Luo De, please save my daughter! Aure—she's been haunted by a demon! She won't last much longer!"

A demon?

Is there a demon in Shiying Town?

Hellspawn aren't easy to deal with.

Luo De frowns slightly.

A girl in a deep blue, strapless long dress walks over—her dress stays up almost entirely thanks to her ample bust.

Beneath her elegant swan-like neck hangs a silver chain shaped like waves, resting quietly in the crease of her soft skin, rising and falling gently with her breath.

Behind her, a golden braid thicker than her waist trails down to her hips, fading gradually to a pale pink at the ends.

—The witch Dimia.

She clearly heard their conversation.

On her baby-faced, slightly chubby cheeks, a wry smile lingers, accentuating her ample chest.

"Mr. Fraser, I recall you spoke with us before. We investigated—it's all baseless. Your daughter is simply ill."

"But that's not true! Aure is definitely haunted by a demon!"

The middle-aged man's voice grows hoarse with desperation.

Dimia, to avoid a scene, quickly casts a calming spell on his mind.

Watching his agitation subside and his arms fall limp, she immediately calls for attendants to escort him to the rest room.

Luo De watches the man being led away.

"What's going on?"

"A misunderstanding. Mr. Fraser's daughter fell ill with a strange disease that all doctors failed to cure. For some reason, he now believes it's demonic possession and has been desperately seeking ways to exorcise it."

(End of Chapter)