Chapter 21

Half past four in the afternoon.

Blue Whale Mansion.

Selena slowly opened her eyes, a hint of surprise showing in them.

Previously, when she stayed up late, even if she caught up on sleep the next day she would be utterly exhausted, but today was completely different—she felt full of energy and completely at ease.

"Mmm~ probably just slept more deeply."

"Dong~ dong~ dong~"

From outside the window came a sonorous bell toll, ringing 17 times in succession—it was the timekeeping bell of the Temple.

Selena still remembered tonight's King of Chess championship; she immediately sat up, threw on her clothes in a few quick motions, and then dispelled the protective ward on her door.

"Luosen~Lu. Helick, are you there?"

"I'm here."

Luosen's voice came from outside the door, as gentle as ever, letting Selena's heart, which had just leapt to her throat, settle back down.

She lightly patted her chest: "Phew, phew, the Aaron Night Guard didn't come knocking."

The Aaron Night Guard's methods are furtive and brutal; if they really came knocking, the two of them might not be a match.

She might manage to save her life, but Luosen would surely be done for; now that everything is safe and sound, it couldn't be better.

Fully dressed, she opened her bedroom door and immediately smelled a rich aroma of food.

Turning her head, she saw the small dining table in the living room laden with exquisite dishes, with two glasses of fine wine placed beside them.

Luosen stood by the table with a smile, extending his hand: "Madam, please enjoy your meal."

Selena's mood grew ever brighter: "Dear, it looks like you rested well too."

"Indeed not bad; this is the first time in my life I've stayed in such a nice place."

After they sat down on either side of the table and had eaten their fill, Luosen raised his wine glass and gave it a gentle sway: "Madam, I have a report to make."

For some reason, Selena noticed that Luosen's movements seemed a little odd, but upon closer reflection she couldn't pinpoint what was odd, so she didn't think much of it.

"Probably just because I just woke up."

She took a sip of her wine, relaxed, and asked: "Good news or bad?"

"For now, it's neither good nor bad."

"Go ahead and tell me."

"It's like this: the King of Chess championship also set up a betting pool for predicting who would be today's King of Chess. Then I placed the maximum bet of 1000 ogres on myself."

Selena thought Luosen was being a bit reckless.

"You should have consulted me on this, after all it's money we earned together."

But having said that, she didn't really take it to heart—first, because she was used to large sums, and second, because this money came too easily.

Luosen looked apologetic: "I thought the same, but the betting closed at four, and you were still asleep, plus there was a protective ward on the wall—I really had no way to let you know."

That was also true; the bet was placed and couldn't be withdrawn, so Selena gave it a little thought.

"Alright, then what are the odds now?"

"One to nineteen; I placed the bet in your name, so when the time comes you just go collect the winnings. That's a substantial sum."

Selena felt like laughing: "You make it sound as if you're already today's King of Chess."

Luosen spread his hands: "What if it really is?"

"I'll wait and see."

Selena merely said that, not really taking it to heart, as most of her attention remained on the food before her.

Especially the braised seven-gill eel, which was incredibly delicious—her favorite.

After the meal, the two once again disguised themselves as Sir Helick of the Levinde Kingdom and Lady Weiluna, arms linked as they headed to the chess room on the first floor.

The King of Chess tournament at the Blue Whale Mansion is very famous, with a considerable number of people staying there just for that event.

As the tournament was about to begin, the residents all streamed out toward the chess room, making the stairways and corridors much livelier than usual.

With more people, topics naturally multiplied.

Normally, at this time most people would be talking about the winning chess moves, but today the situation is special, and most of the talk still revolves around the fleeing princess.

Luosen and Selena walked along, ears pricked, listening.

"Buddy, has that unlucky bird‑dropping baron been caught?"

"Probably not."

"How do you know it hasn't? I'd say maybe they've already tossed him into the sea to feed the fish."

"Hey~ then you don't understand the Aaron people's ways."

"If they really caught someone, they would certainly not dispose of it quietly; they'd hang the corpse in the busiest Glory Square for everyone to see."

"Exactly~ that's the reasoning."

"That bird‑dropping baron couldn't have already left Dawn City, could he?"

"Probably not; I heard those night guards have been combing the Harbor District for him, so he's likely hiding there."

"Isn't the Harbor District just where we are?"

Amid the clamor of discussion, Selena began to worry again, whispering to Luosen: "How about we just take a ship out tonight?"

Luosen didn't object, smiling and nodding: "No problem—we'll leave after the chess match ends."

Just then, another piece of news came from nearby.

"Have you heard? Someone spotted the wandering Master Levin on the street."

"How do those two words, "wandering" and "Master," go together?" someone didn't understand."

Immediately, a busybody offered an explanation.

Levin, a commoner by birth, was promoted to Arcane Master three years ago, refused all solicitations from the great nobles, and has wandered the Weilan lands like a lone wolf.

Ha, this Master's brain must have been kicked by a donkey, not being a noble but a beggar.

Watch what you say, this wandering Master has a very odd temper and is especially good at fighting; it's said that even Master Shahelamu might not necessarily, best not to provoke.

Listening to these discussions, Selena whispered to Luosen with an envious tone.

Ah, if only I could become an Arcane Master, but it's impossible.

Luosen smiled: "Madam, even if you can't do it yourself, you can still find a Master husband."

Selena immediately shook her head: "No way. Masters are all old men with white hair." Then she glanced at Luosen: "Besides, I already have a husband, right?"

Yes, Madam.

At this moment, another conversation voice came over.

What good day is today? The vicinity of the manor seems very lively, with people everywhere.

They're looking for a cat.

Looking for a cat?

A noble lady lost her beloved pet cat and posted a bounty of 3000 Ogres at the mercenaries' guild.

Tsk, 3000 Ogres, the noble ladies of Dawn City are really rich.

Who says it isn't?

Selena listened with a face full of astonishment.

What cat is worth so much money? Could it have the bloodline of Ortelin flowing in its veins?

Luosen secretly laughed: "Klub's idea is not bad."

The 3000 Ogres bounty exerted huge attraction; near the manor, over ten thousand people dreaming of getting rich overnight gathered to look for the cat.

On the surface, he smiled and replied: "I don't recall Empress Zhuo Ya's precious cat having been bred, so it's unlikely."

Ortelin, the name of a famous pet cat, whose owner is the supreme ruler of the Radiant Empire on the White Continent, Empress Zhuo Ya.

Selena then gave her opinion: "If I get to see that noble lady, I'll definitely give her some advice to spend less money."

While speaking, the two followed the crowd to the first-floor hall of the manor.

Unlike in the morning, the manor's first floor now had many people wearing gray leather armor, looking fierce.

These people act in groups of three, each group consisting of one battle mage and two warriors, guarding each passage of the hall.

Each person's chest is embroidered with a dark red three-headed bird pattern, which is the Shahelamu family's 'Prophet Bird' crest.

Obviously, this is the Shahelamu family's guard.

At the chess room entrance, two groups stand guard, one on each side, explaining that they need to verify participants' identities to ensure the manor's safety.

For each guest entering the chess room, the battle mage in the team would take out a deep blue true-knowledge crystal, carefully examine the magical effects on their person, and confiscate any weapons they carry.

Several guests were thus pulled out by the battle mage, the reason being they used Transformation Technique to fake their identities, while their real identities were wanted criminals bearing charges.

Selena watched, her heart tightened: "Luosen, the situation is somewhat not good."

Luosen gently pinched her palm: "Madam, rest assured, the battle mages' true-knowledge crystal is rather ordinary; it can't see through our Transformation Technique."

After saying that, he added: "I forgot to mention, I actually have been using my own original Transformation Technique; ordinary true-knowledge crystals can't see through it."

Really?

Genuine.

Were previous King of Chess tournaments this strict?

No, only today is this strict, probably related to our matter. It should be Master Shahelamu worrying that the Aaron Night Guard will cause trouble.

It's said that to prevent accidents, even Master Shahelamu himself came in person.

Luosen knew Shahelamu was truly in the manor, and not far from them in a nearby corner.

The reason no one noticed is because this old man used Transformation Technique to disguise his identity.

During their secret communication, the two had already arrived at the chess room entrance.

The two battle mages by the door approached, one on the left and one on the right, holding true-knowledge crystals to check their identities.

The deep blue crystal circled around them once, showing no abnormal light, meaning it didn't sense any traces of Transformation Technique.

The battle mage then looked at Luosen's waist sword: "Please hand over your weapon, Sir Knight."

Luosen readily undid his sword, but before handing it over, he raised his hand and made a false sweep on the scabbard, instantly causing a large amount of pale gold runes to tightly wrap the blade.

Please allow me to use the Noble Seal, because I don't like others touching my personal belongings.

I understand your feelings; we will safeguard your sword with utmost care.

On the other side, Selena saw this and immediately imitated it, doing the same operation on her Sleeping Beauty staff.

Afterwards, the two entered the manor's chess room.

This is a fairly spacious hall, circular, with spectator seats around and the arena in the middle.

On the field are set up more than forty chess tables, over thirty of which are equipped with independent Victory Chess referees.

At this moment, the chess tables are fully occupied by sixty-four participants, basically all renowned Victory Chess masters.

Half come from various places in Weilan, the other half from other member states of the Natural Alliance.

Of course, there is also a small portion of newcomers, such as Luosen portraying Sir Knight.

But whether familiar or unfamiliar faces, in society they are all successful people: successful merchants, nobles, celebrities in certain fields.

In short, they are all wealthy and leisurely, financially free upper-class society; participating in the chess tournament gains mainly prestige rather than money.

Most of the spectator seats are also filled, about seven or eight hundred people.

Only a small portion of the audience are manor patrons; the vast majority are civilians who bought tickets specifically to watch the chess tournament.

The audience's ticket price is not cheap; reportedly each ticket costs five Ogres, with half the revenue going to the manor and the other half to that day's Chess King.

That is to say, if Luosen wins the Chess King, he could obtain approximately 2000 Ogres as the Chess King prize.

Finally, although Selena does not participate, being a family member of a chess player, she is allowed to sit in the companion seat beside the chess table.

Of course, you may only accompany them and may not use any method to interfere with the contestants, including Spiritual Whisper.

When Luosen sits down, Selena scans the chess arena's contestants with her gaze and finds many familiar faces, several of whom are renowned Victory Chess Masters.

She instantly chuckles gloatingly, "Dear Luosen, I see three true Victory Chess Masters. If you can defeat them and become today's Chess King, I'll give you a dance."

Luosen raises an eyebrow, "Dance? Can I choose any style?"

"In the Natural Alliance, whether it's the continent's popular Waltz, Rumba, Swan Dance, Tango, or Weilan's Swift, I can do them all."

Luosen smiles faintly, "Then I'll have to work hard."

Just as the match is about to begin, the Aaron Night Guards' gazes also gradually turn toward this palace‑like luxurious inn.

The reason is simple: they have already turned the other districts of the Harbor District upside down, even meticulously searching the seabed of Storm Bay.

Only the Blue Whale Mansion remains.

(End of Chapter)