Chapter 156: Shapeshifting Wizard

Under the guard of the silver‑clad knights, the convoy traveled for more than three hours and arrived at Dong Ting City.

The entire Dong Ting Bo Ju Ling has a population of over one million, but only about three hundred thousand live within the city; the urban area is much smaller than Longshande and is built on the lakeshore where it meets the Na Qu Mo He.

It is early spring now, and a slight chill wind still blows.

Upon entering the city, the snow on the streets had been cleared, and people, seeing the long convoy and the accompanying silver‑clad knights, showed expressions of awe.

Through the car window, Lei En admired the city's scenery.

It was his first time in Dong Ting City; Viola had been here many times, but she could barely contain her excitement as she introduced the city that would soon belong to him.

Lei En understood her feelings, smiled, and occasionally interjected with a few questions.

Soon after, the convoy turned west within the city, where a gently rising slope resembled the tip of a dagger, extending from the urban area to the lake; the higher one climbed, the higher the altitude and the narrower the sides, eventually forming a massive cliff a hundred meters above the lake surface at the summit.

Atop the level cliff stood a simple yet massive castle, belonging to successive Dong Ting Counts, called Dong Ting Fortress.

On the slope below the castle were many manor villas, surrounded by verdant trees and beautiful scenery. According to Viola, the area is called Moon‑Facing Slope, equivalent to Longshande's Silver Star District, and serves as the residence of nobles and the wealthy in Dong Ting City.

The streets of Moon‑Facing Slope were paved with large stone slabs; the convoy ascended the road and finally reached Dong Ting Fortress at the summit.

The castle's main gate was open, and the convoy drove inside.

The wide lawn was filled with people, led by a middle‑aged man in official attire, about forty years old, stout, with a beaming smile.

"He is Mayor Sir Mickson of Dong Ting City, who has administered the Countship for two decades," Viola whispered from the car.

Behind Mayor Mickson stood a large group of officials and nobles, each with curiosity and enthusiasm, seemingly awaiting the arrival of the new Count.

However, when they saw the silver‑clad knights, many people's gazes changed.

When the carriage came to a stop, Mickson straightened his clothes, stepped forward to open the door, and shouted, "Your Excellency the Count, I am Mayor Mickson; at last we have awaited your arrival!"

Viola rose and alighted; as people caught sight of her face, a collective intake of breath rose from the crowd.

Mickson, who stood closest, looked stunned, froze for several seconds, then bowed and, a little stammering, called out again, "Honored to meet the Countess!"

"Honored to meet the Countess…"

On the castle lawn, everyone lowered their heads in salute.

"Thank you all for your efforts," Viola said with a smile, her clear voice reaching their ears, uplifting spirits, and her smile felt like a spring breeze.

At that moment, the men present, married or not, couldn't help their thoughts becoming stirred.

Yet before their imaginations could run wild, a tall, handsome young man stepped down from the Countess's carriage and stood behind her.

Although they showed no overt intimacy, anyone could guess that the man's relationship with the Countess was not simple.

Some well‑informed people immediately guessed the man's identity.

Mayor Mickson was one of them; as he was about to salute Lei En, Viola waved his hand away and said, "Mayor Mickson, please introduce everyone to me."

"Very well, very well."

Mickson responded quickly, instantly grasping the Countess's intent, turned, pointed to the person beside her, and smiled, "Sir, this is the Vice Mayor…"

Next, Viola met several important figures of Dong Ting City one by one.

Lei En stood beside her, saying nothing, like the most loyal guard.

Nevertheless, many eyes kept falling on him, and he heard whispered remarks such as "Earl of Glamorgan" and "the Countess's lover."

After the welcoming ceremony ended, Mickson led the crowd away.

The silver‑clad knights assumed the castle's guard duties, and housekeeper Abigail began having people unload luggage; the castle already had dozens of servants, who, under an elderly steward's guidance, met the new Countess.

After several hours of bustle, everything was finally arranged properly.

Viola and Lei En moved into the castle owner's bedroom, a luxurious, spacious great room with elegant décor, two large balconies—one overlooking the city to view the entire metropolis, the other facing Dong Ting Lake with an open vista and pleasant scenery.

Looking into the distance, a winding great river could be seen, into which the lake water flowed; cargo‑laden ships sailed continuously on its surface.

In the afternoon, the two sat on a balcony, admiring the view of Dong Ting Lake.

Within her own castle, Viola voiced her thoughts.

As Lei En had expected, she plans to relocate the Silver Star Record Company to Dong Ting City, having already obtained the Duke's consent.

In the future, she will leverage Dong Ting City's superior water‑transport conditions to sell Phonographs throughout the Empire, shifting from river to sea shipping and expanding worldwide.

The plan also received approval from Longhaired Lady.

If all goes smoothly, Dong Ting City will become a city of musical art, the headquarters of the Beauty and Goodness Church will relocate here, and perhaps one day Viola will ascend to the papal throne.

Furthermore, Viola has already chosen the site for building the Wizard Tower.

Dong Ting Fortress occupies the cliff atop Moon‑Facing Slope, but only uses half of the area; the remaining half is just enough for the Wizard Tower's foundation.

Lei En respects Viola's vision and, of course, raises both hands in support.

He has long understood the Half‑elf's temperament; she is an independent woman with her own ideas and pursuits, valuing emotions but not placing them first.

However, this also means the two will inevitably be apart for a period.

"Lei En," Viola said affectionately, gazing at her lover, "For many years to come I will stay in Dong Ting City, living in Dong Ting Fortress; you may consider this your home, and wherever you go, do not forget to return."

The early‑spring chill brushed his face, yet Lei En felt warm inside.

He nodded heavily and earnestly said, "I will return."

Viola rose, sat on his lap, nestled in his arms; the two said nothing, silently gazing at Dong Ting Lake's scenery, quietly enjoying their private world.

The next evening, a grand banquet was held in Dong Ting Fortress.

Outside the castle gates, traffic was bustling, and almost every important figure in Dong Ting City—officials, nobles, and even the extraordinary—had received invitations.

This was the new Count's first public appearance, and no one declined; all attended in formal attire.

Lei En was not particularly interested in such banquets, but for Viola's safety he acted as her escort and met the guests.

In the massive banquet hall, crystal chandeliers illuminated every corner, and servants, like a stream, presented fine wine and food onto the long tables.

On a stage at one side of the hall, the hired band played soothing, melodic music.

Hundreds of guests gathered in groups of three to five, chatting together.

As the host, Viola did not rest the entire evening; under Mayor Mickson's introductions, she intended to speak briefly with each guest in person.

With her peerless beauty, even though she was not a count, the guests, male or female, were astonished by the favor she received.

Lei En used his Soul Eye to observe covertly; after just one banquet, Viola had already won over the high society of Winter Ting City, making the first step of governing the Earl's fief go very smoothly.

When the banquet was halfway through, Lei En saw no threat and stopped shadowing Viola.

He carried a tray of food and wine, walked to the terrace outside the main hall, admired Dong Ting Hu under the night sky, while directing the sounds of all things toward Viola and ate alone.

Below the terrace was a lawn, and a dozen meters further out lay a cliff.

The cliff was tall, forming a right angle with the water's surface; one could hear the water below, and a ring of exquisite marble railings surrounded it.

The servants and guests, upon seeing him, did not come over to disturb.

Lei En was pleased with that.

"Earl of Glamorgan," a voice suddenly called, and Lei En turned his head to see a noble in formal attire holding a glass of red wine walking onto the terrace.

He was not old, appearing just over thirty, with an unremarkable face, no different from most nobles in the hall.

Lei En did not recognize him; using his Soul Eye he took a look and immediately furrowed his brows.

The man was a high‑rank Wizard!

Moreover, he was a rare Shapeshifting Wizard, at seventh level, with seven demon souls in his spirit that could be used for transformation, each possessing three to four Elements, mostly Arcane Elements, and he had mastered over a dozen spells.

Shapeshifting Wizards belong to a branch of the Soul‑Guiding School, allowing demon souls to possess the body and grant casting ability; each time a soul transforms, another possessing demon soul is added, greatly boosting power.

Their core Main Soul is the "Shapeshifting Fiend," which has the "Transformation" Element and can further directly assume the pre‑death form of a demon soul.

This transformed form can manifest the Physical Element, with strength, speed, and defense no weaker than the demon soul's living state; after stacking multiple demon souls, it can even surpass the original power of the demon soul.

In some respects, Shapeshifting Wizards are similar to Combat Wizards.

Both possess strong close‑combat abilities.

The difference is that Combat Wizards cannot shapeshift, but can use all fused demon souls to enhance the human body; Shapeshifting Wizards have stronger casting ability, are more versatile and can adapt to many combat situations, yet after transforming they must focus on one form and cannot cast spells of other demon‑soul shapes, thus being limited.

Seeing Lei En frown, the Shapeshifting Wizard hurriedly introduced himself: "Your Grace, the Earl, I am Pagit, deputy director of the Judicial Bureau of Winter Ting City; please excuse my presumption."

"Pagit?"

Lei En hummed to himself; clearly this was not Pagit himself but an identity usurped by the Shapeshifting Wizard. He did not expose him immediately, and calmly asked, "Does Mr. Pagit have any business?"

Pagit stepped closer and whispered, "I have been asked to convey a message to Your Grace, the Earl."

"What message?"

"I hope the Earl of Glamorgan can see the bigger picture and not go to Mo Du," Pagit said, a faint mocking glint in his eyes.

Sorry, sorry, I couldn't stay up last night; this chapter counts as yesterday's, I'll make it up tonight.

(End of chapter)