Chapter 627: He Palace Evening Banquet

A moment later, the castle arrived.

Lei En sat in the carriage, his gaze passing through the wooden panel toward the front.

Fubei Deng Castle spanned more than two square kilometers, its overall layout roughly rectangular; the twenty‑meter‑high walls could accommodate six warhorses running side by side, and a tower stood every hundred meters. The magical runes on the walls glowed faintly in the night, forming a massive protective formation.

Beneath the walls, water over ten meters deep surrounded the base, making it easy to defend and hard to assault.

As far as the eye could see, Rike Guard units stood watch, patrol squads marching back and forth atop the walls, leaving no blind spot.

The carriage halted before the gate; after some negotiation it was allowed through, crossing the hanging bridge into the tall, spacious gate.

The view opened up, revealing a massive plaza.

The plaza, capable of holding hundreds of thousands, was paved entirely with white magical alloy; a shining silver avenue ran through its center, leading straight to the grand palace opposite.

This is Rike Palace!

In front of the palace rose tier after tier of white stone steps, numbering several hundred, like a mountain climb; at the summit they formed a broad platform supported by round stone columns that required five or six people to embrace, each column adorned with exquisite paintings, together bearing the heavy palace dome, its solemn majesty confronting the viewer.

The carriage traveled a short distance along the avenue in the plaza, then turned left.

Both sides of the plaza featured building complexes, though none as magnificent as Rike Palace. Passing through several high‑wall corridors, the carriage entered a beautiful grand garden, where shade‑giving trees lined the paths and fresh blossoms bloomed everywhere, an overwhelming beauty.

One third of the garden's area was a small lake, its surface sprouting countless lotus flowers, like a green carpet.

It was late autumn, yet many lotus were still in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air.

Emperor Ai Er Fa's eldest son, the second emperor of the Empire, was especially fond of lotus, so he ordered a man to excavate an artificial lake within Fubei Deng Castle solely for cultivating lotus.

The building complex by the lake served as the emperor's leisure and flower‑viewing venue.

Thus the He Palace received its name.

Over a thousand years ago the royal house was extinguished, imperial authority fell into the hands of the Supreme Council, Rike Palace was sealed, and the Empire's administrative power was entrusted to the Consul. This He Palace, situated in the southwest corner of Fubei Deng Castle, became the Consul's residence for daily work and living.

The entire He Palace occupied only one‑fifth of Fubei Deng Castle's total area; aside from the patrolling Guard Palace, no one was permitted to enter the other sections.

Rike Palace was even more strictly off‑limits to the Consul.

More than three hundred years ago, a Consul, after becoming drunk—whether due to overthinking or drunken madness—wandered out of He Palace, roamed the castle, ignored the Guard's warnings, and entered Rike Palace for a tour. Reported to the Supreme Council, he was dismissed overnight and became a laughingstock of the entire Empire.

The carriage continued moving within He Palace, while Lei En's mind drifted elsewhere.

He Palace was more than a temporary residence; it included dozens of fully equipped office buildings. Though it occupied less than twenty percent of the entire castle and a third was taken by the lotus lake, it was still larger than most castles in the Empire, far surpassing even the Glamorgan estate.

After passing through successive Guard defenses, the carriage finally stopped before a five‑story welcome hall.

The entire building was brightly lit, each expensive crystal lamp dispelling darkness; the nearby lake surface was clearly visible, allowing lotus viewing at night.

Lei En saw Consul Ge Nie Wu Si*Qi Ke Luo from the carriage.

Ge Nie Wu Si wore casual attire, his tall, sturdy frame upright and strong, a sword at his waist, looking heroic, surrounded by admirers. He was unaware that Lei En was observing him through the carriage; his gaze fell on the Extreme Warrior beside the carriage, and despite his concealment, surprise and gravity showed in his eyes.

Before departure, Lei En purchased a batch of three‑ring "Lianxi Technique" talismans, giving them to the two squads of Extreme Warriors accompanying him, to mask their legendary aura.

Ordinary people cannot see through the Lianxi Technique, but as a Holy Sword Demon Swordsman, Ge Nie Wu Si saw through it at a glance.

All twelve Extreme Warriors were legends!

Legends are not roadside weeds; each is precious. Even if not a spellcaster, an ordinary legendary transcendent holds pride and is hard to recruit. The Rike Guard, as the Empire's elite transcendent corps, has only a little over thirty legends, granting them high privileges and authority, yet still worrying about their loyalty—any slight discontent may cause them to leave.

These barbarian warriors, encased in heavy armor, wielded massive soul spears, their strength formidable; it was clear they were not ordinary legends, yet they agreed to guard Lei En—on what grounds?

Ge Nie Wu Si could not understand.

At that moment he saw Lei En alight from the carriage, immediately averted his gaze, and greeted warmly: "Speaker Lei En, you've had a hard journey. Welcome to He Palace."

"Consul," Lei En replied with a smile, "good evening."

"Alright, alright…"

Ge Nie Wu Si was delighted, stepped forward and patted Lei En's shoulder, then turned to the assembled crowd with a smile: "Everyone, this is the Earl of Glamorgan you have long admired, the Speaker of Weizelan, the Empire's youngest hero."

"Pleased to meet Speaker Lei En."

"Lord Earl."

"Salutations, Duke Augustus."

Everyone present was a high‑ranking noble, each bowing to Lei En with varied expressions; Lei En nodded in return, displaying a personable demeanor.

"Consul, won't you introduce me?" Lei En said with a smile.

"Very well." Ge Nie Wu Si immediately pointed to an elderly man with silver hair yet vigorous spirit, "This is my Minister of Military and Civil Affairs, Viscount Luo Sai La*Li De Suomu."

The Soul Eye discerned that Luo Sai La is a Mid-stage Wizard legend, specializing in elemental mastery.

It was surprising that the Minister overseeing the Empire's four great armies and three great knight orders was a Wizard.

"Viscount Li De Suomu," Lei En greeted.

"Pleased to meet Speaker Lei En," Luo Sai La replied with measured respect.

"This is my Finance Minister, Ms. Ai Xi Lei," Ge Nie Wu Si introduced a second person—a beautiful woman appearing just over thirty, slender and graceful, dark‑red hair coiled atop her head, wearing an elegant embroidered gown that combined mature allure with youthful vigor, exuding extraordinary charm.

Eighteenth‑level Disaster Mage!

Lei En immediately thought of the female sorceress from the Alatusa Academy; unsurprisingly, this Finance Minister must hail from there. They are always drawn to power, using beauty and strength as capital to enter the power core and gain influence.

Her abilities likely extend beyond the bedroom, or else Ge Nie Wu Si would not entrust her with the Empire's finances.

"Pleased to meet Ms. Ai Xi Lei."

Lei En stepped forward, bowed, and placed an empty kiss in the air toward the pale back of the sorceress's hand.

Ai Xi Lei withdrew her hand, covered her mouth with a light laugh, boldly surveyed Lei En's face, and said, "Lord Earl truly is as handsome as the rumors claim."

"Thank you for the compliment, madam," Lei En said modestly, nodding.

"Lei En is young and accomplished; the entire Empire cannot find a man with a brighter future," Ge Nie Wu Si joked, "Ai Xi Lei, if you can win Lei En over, you'll never have to worry again."

The men beside them all laughed.

"I don't possess such skill; Lord Earl probably won't favor me," Ai Xi Lei said, though her eyes kept flickering over Lei En, clearly insincere.

Lei En was now unnerved, with no mood to flirt with other women.

So he pretended not to understand romance.

Ge Nie Wu Si immediately sensed his attitude, so he turned to introduce the other two. One was his chief of staff, the He Palace's head steward, Baron Du Bositan, and the last was the Rike Guard commander named Haisketo, whose more than two‑meter height gave an overwhelming sense of oppression, like a barbarian.

Lei En gave Haisketo a lingering glance.

The Soul Eye could not pierce him, indicating he was a Saint Rank transcendent; Lei En sensed a familiar aura on him—a dragon rider with a true dragon body!

Ge Nie Wu Si explained that Haisketo possessed an elder black dragon, and his own transcendent vocation was that of a black knight who wielded shadow power; he had risen to Saint Rank decades ago and was still Level 20.

With his great strength, Haisketo firmly controlled the Rike Guard.

It seemed that sensing Lei En's true dragon body aura, the fellow dragon rider caused the usually stern Haisketo to, unusually, show goodwill toward Lei En.

After the introductions, Ge Nie Wu Si invited Lei En inside and led him up to the banquet hall on the fifth floor.

The view here was open, allowing a sight of the entire Lotus Lake.

The spacious hall held only a single table and no other guests, making Lei En realize that tonight was merely a small private dinner.

The He Palace servants streamed in fine wine and delicacies, quickly filling the table.

Ge Nie Wu Si's demeanor was relaxed; he occasionally told jokes or shared anecdotes from his centuries‑long life, showing no Consul's airs, and the atmosphere at the table was light and lively.

Lei En echoed his words, and the mood was harmonious.

He knew exactly what Ge Nie Wu Si intended to convey; the three ministers, the chief of staff, and the guard commander present were his absolute confidants, trustworthy.

Ge Nie Wu Si displayed his inner circle on the first day to show sincerity and to hope for Lei En's full support.

These were all senior ministers, high‑ranking and influential, who had navigated the Empire's political arena for many years; when, a decade or so later, Ge Nie Wu Si abdicated, whether Lei En sought to vie for the Consul's seat or succeeded in ascending, these people would be reliable allies.

Lei En understood tacitly and accepted Ge Nie Wu Si's goodwill.

Everyone present was intelligent, sensed Ge Nie Wu Si's stance, went along with it, and, intentionally or not, grew closer to Lei En, establishing rapport in advance.

The two sides clicked instantly, and host and guest rejoiced together.

After a dinner lasting a little over two hours, Lei En had already begun to blend into this small circle of power; the Soul Eye accurately grasped each person's character and preferences, easily winning their favor.

Moreover, Lei En also sensed the varying closeness among these people.

For example, Ge Nie Wu Si trusted his chief of staff, Baron Du Bositan the most, while the others were slightly less trusted; Military Minister Luosela and Finance Minister Aixilei, both spellcasters who worship the God of Magic, could discuss magical knowledge, so their relationship was relatively close, though not romantic.

The relationship between Aixilei and Ge Nie Wu Si was also pure.

Interior Minister Anbur and Chief of Staff Du Bositan appeared amicable on the surface, but privately harbored grudges, eyeing each other with hostility, yet dared not show it.

The Rike Guard commander Haisketo was interested in Aixilei; he was not as loyal to Ge Nie Wu Si, resembling more a partnership.

Each time Aixilei looked at him, her emotions fluctuated sharply, leaving his intentions unclear.

With wine and food plentiful, everyone moved to the spacious balcony to admire the lotuses.

Lei En noticed Ge Nie Wu Si's gaze; most of the time it was not on the lotuses, but occasionally it swept over the lake toward the distant majestic Rike Palace.

The Soul Eye also saw that Ge Nie Wu Si's mood was complicated.

Longing, desire, and resentment.

He could not help but sigh inwardly; human ambition truly knows no bounds—Ge Nie Wu Si sitting on the Consul's seat was a position countless coveted, yet it was not enough; he yearned to climb higher.

The Consul's authority came from the Supreme Council; governing such a vast Empire, his daily power even surpassed that of Holy Soul Wizards who dealt with mundane affairs.

The only one whose power could exceed the Consul's was the Emperor!

However, that was almost impossible.

The Supreme Council was like an infinitely heavy mountain constantly bearing down on the Consul's head, preventing anyone from crossing the line.

The Rike Palace, close yet unattainable.

Not to mention overthrowing the Supreme Council; even hinting at such a thought would bring catastrophic ruin upon Ge Nie Wu Si.

It seemed he sensed Lei En's stare; Ge Nie Wu Si suddenly sighed, "Alas…"

"Why do you sigh, Consul?" Lei En asked.

Everyone's attention turned toward them.

Ge Nie Wu Si looked around, swayed slightly by wine, and shook his head, "There are no outsiders here; nothing to hide, and I'm not afraid of your jokes if I speak out." He then turned toward the Rike Palace, "At my level, who could be without ambition? I've heard that within the Rike Palace lies a Golden Throne…"

The chief of staff Du Bositan hurriedly interjected, "Sir, choose your words carefully."

Military Minister Luosela swiftly cast a Soundproof Force Field.

The others looked uncertainly toward the floating city in the western sky, fearing that perhaps Elder Naise was now casting a spell, listening or watching the situation here.

Lei En's expression also shifted slightly.

This kind of talk is best kept inside; if spoken, bad luck could spread it, and Ge Nie Wu Si might not even finish his term, let alone be re‑elected.

Ge Nie Wu Si's drunkenness cleared instantly; startled by himself, he repeatedly said, "Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue."

"No problem." Lei En waved his hand.

He seized the moment while the Soundproof Force Field persisted, changed the subject, and asked, "Consul, have the other members of the oversight committee arrived? Do we know which Holy Soul Wizards were sent, when they officially began work, and the audit of Elder Naise's floating city accounts?"

(End of chapter)