Chapter 98: Opening of the Ceremony

Seeing Lei En's puzzled expression, Viola also hesitated a moment.

Actually on the way back, she found it a bit unbelievable, sat down beside him, and a thoughtful look appeared on her beautiful face.

Lei En asked, "Aside from the fifty‑percent split and the fifty thousand Gold Shields as cost, does Title: Duke have any other requests?"

"No," Viola shook her head with absolute certainty.

She recalled carefully and said slowly, "When I first arrived at Wu Shi Ta, I met Title: Duke, showed him the Phonograph, roughly explained its usage and the company's prospects. The Duke immediately set these terms, hesitated not at all, and handed me the Gold Shield on the spot."

As she spoke, a thick stack of gold notes appeared in Viola's hand, each worth one thousand Gold Shields, fifty in total.

The glow of the gold notes shimmered in the room.

It was Lei En's first time seeing so much cash, and his gaze was inevitably drawn to it.

Visually, this stack of gold notes was far less striking than fifty thousand gold coins piled before you, yet anyone who knows its true value can't help glancing at it repeatedly.

Lei En withdrew his gaze, still finding the matter baffling.

The Silver Star Duke had casually given back a portion of the massive wealth delivered to him; could he have been provoked by something?

Viola's expression shifted, "Title: Duke asked who invented the Phonograph. I took the chance to introduce you to the Duke; he even smiled, asked detailed questions about you, and seemed to have a good impression."

"Is that so?" Lei En felt a bit of pressure.

Being noticed by a Holy Soul Wizard isn't a good thing, especially when I'm already interested in the wizard's great‑granddaughter.

It felt just like a son‑in‑law being interrogated at the doorstep.

"I recently destroyed an Abyssal Gate, earning great merit for Longshande; it's natural that the Duke remembers me. During the Divine Birth Festival, I'll even receive a Baron's investiture," Lei En explained.

Viola nodded lightly, without further thought.

She tucked away the gold notes and said, "After the prayer ceremony ends, I'll devote myself fully to founding the company. The remaining fifty‑percent equity will be split half‑and‑half; what do you think?"

"Is that giving me too much?" Lei En asked, surprised.

He had little interest in running a company; in the future, Viola would handle most matters, and he would at most offer some guidance on Phonograph manufacturing, not wanting to waste much time.

Moreover, he hadn't invested any capital, relying only on the first Phonograph and then stepping back, yet demanding twenty‑five percent of the shares, which seemed inappropriate.

Viola worked hard, yet she would only receive a quarter of the profit, which felt unreasonable.

That would also dampen her enthusiasm.

"It's not too much at all; without your invention, this company wouldn't exist," Viola seemed to have decided already. She paused, then added, "Between us, we don't need to draw such a clear line. What's mine is also yours; no matter how much I earn, you'll have a share."

"And with the Phonograph company, I'll likely obtain a Count's fief, which is already the greatest profit."

Viola was brimming with confidence, as if she already saw herself becoming the Winter Thunder Marchioness.

"Alright, I'll follow your plan," Lei En said, seeing her resolute attitude, and nodded in agreement.

He also changed his mind slightly; after the Phonograph company is founded, he'll spend more time helping Viola share some of the burden.

The two discussed briefly and decided to name the company "Silver Star Record Company".

Since they intend to use the Silver Star Duke's prestige to deter rivals, the company's name should be simple and clear, bearing Title: Duke's name.

As for establishing sales channels, producing Phonographs, recording discs, marketing, etc., Viola already had a solid plan, so Lei En need not trouble himself further.

The biggest hurdle was a mechanical factory for Phonograph production; Viola lacked experience and needed to find a mechanic to cooperate.

Lei En immediately thought of Kai Neji.

Kai Neji is a senior mechanic, rich in factory‑opening experience, highly esteemed, and also the vice‑president of the Mechanical Guild. After several encounters, it was clear he is a trustworthy partner; pulling him into the Silver Star Record Company for joint cooperation leaves no better candidate.

However, Lei En only mentioned Kai Neji to Viola, without insisting he must be chosen, merely offering a suggestion.

Everything was still left to Viola's decision.

Unwittingly, the discussion stretched into the late night; they exchanged goodnights and rested separately.

In the following days, Lei En spent his days moving books at the Silver Star Grand Library, and at night returned to discuss the company's plans with Viola.

During that time, he went on a mission with his Demon‑Clearing Squad teammates, but gained little.

Until the day Viola held the prayer ceremony arrived.

Longhaired Lady's ritual is usually held at night; after dinner, she rested briefly at home, and Lei En changed into the black custom suit Viola had prepared for him, waiting in the first‑floor hall.

Soon after, Viola's figure descended the stairs.

She, too, was in full regalia: a splendid sapphire‑blue gown that highlighted her tall, proud figure, lightly made‑up face, pearl earrings, golden hair tied with a red silk ribbon, a white round hat with a fringe of fine veil, her exquisite visage half‑concealed.

Lei En watched Viola descend step by step, like the most beautiful scene in a dream, his gaze unintentionally lingering in awe.

When Viola reached the front, her lace‑gloved hand extended, and he finally came to his senses.

"Cough!"

Lei En took her hand, bowed, and gave the back of her hand a light kiss, sincerely praising, "You're truly beautiful!"

"You're also very handsome."

Viola let out a light laugh, her voice full of joy and sweetness.

As she spoke, she linked arms with Lei En, and under the watch of the maidservant Abigail and the servants, they boarded the car waiting at the gate and drove away from Vige Manor.

The ceremony's venue was the temple inside the Yongge Grand Theatre, located in the Silver Star District, not far away.

In the car, Lei En noticed Viola's tight grip, their ten fingers interlocked for a long time without loosening, and his heartbeat raced faster than usual.

"Are you nervous?" Lei En asked concernedly.

Viola nodded slightly, squeezing his hand even tighter.

Lei En could understand Viola's feelings; this ceremony was far more important to her, involving faith, Divine Technique, love, and the most unforgettable first experience of her life—a day more significant than marriage!

Anyone else would find it hard to stay calm at this moment.

Actually, Lei En himself was also a bit nervous, especially at the thought of facing a deity's gaze, which made his heart flutter.

But as a man, he felt he should show himself now.

He patted Viola's hand, leaned close to her pointed ear, whispered a few light jokes, causing her to giggle, which worked perfectly and quickly eased the tension.

Soon, the Yongge Grand Theatre arrived.

Tonight, a grand opera is being performed in the Grand Theatre; outside the theatre, traffic is bustling, cars and horse‑drawn carriages converge from all directions and park in the theatre's parking lot.

In Ai Lun E Si, opera remains an art form exclusive to the nobility.

Commoners neither appreciate opera nor have leisure; they spend a fortune on tickets to sit in the Grand Theatre for a few hours, watching the incomprehensible, tedious performance on stage.

Lei En has little interest in opera, but for Viola he accompanies her to the reserved box and waits for the performance to begin.

On the way into the theatre, he notices some unusual observations.

These people recognize Viola, seem to know about the evening prayer ceremony, and regardless of gender, cast curious or envious glances at her.

Lei En activates the Voice of All Things for a moment; indeed, they are members of the Art Association, have heard of the prayer ceremony, and gossip behind his back.

At least a dozen people are whispering lowly with their companions.

Some maliciously slander, calling him Viola's kept "pretty boy"; some men express jealous envy, wishing they could take his place; others, women, discuss their own looks and physique, praising Viola's taste in selecting men.

Whether good or bad, malicious or kind, it all tastes sour.

Lei En, while listening to these sour remarks, holds Viola's hand and unabashedly admires her stunning beauty, feeling rather proud.

The feeling is like drinking a huge glass of ice‑cold "fat‑home happy water" in summer—refreshing and exhilarating, self‑evident.

Before the performance begins, people continue to come in to make small talk with Viola.

Those who can attend the Grand Theatre to watch opera are either rich or noble; Viola handles herself gracefully and generously introduces Lei En to them.

Lei En dislikes such social gatherings, but not wanting to embarrass Viola, he forces a smile and interacts with them.

Because of his Soul Eye, he can instantly discern others' emotions.

He knows who holds goodwill toward him, who harbors malice, or who simply greets Viola without much thought.

Among them, a few are Art Association members who deliberately came to witness their own joke; they turn away from the box and start chatting idly.

Lei En merely pretends not to know.

"Viola."

A gentle male voice sounds, and a very tall yet slightly gaunt elderly man walks in.

He has a head of disheveled white hair, an unkempt demeanor, wears black formal attire, a noble crest on his chest, a warm smile, slightly clouded eyes, and a pince‑nose glasses whose lenses are attached to his collar by a thin gold chain, giving the impression of a wise elder.

Lei En feels a bit surprised upon seeing the gentleman.

In Ai Lun E Si, elders are rare; even the transcendent seldom live to a natural death.

In his Soul Eye, the elder is a high‑rank Wizard; his soul, though somewhat waned, remains stable, showing no sign of the Blood Soul Curse. Judging from the Flame of Faith, he is a devotee of the Longhaired Lady, with devotion bordering on fanaticism.

Viola immediately rises and greets, "Good evening, President Haxilin."

Then she introduces Lei En, "Lei En, this is our Art Association president, Count Haxilin."

"Good evening, Count," Lei En replies politely.

He had heard Viola speak of this elder before; his background is far from ordinary.

The Art Association president is only one of Haxilin's titles; he is also a hereditary Count of Longshande, ruling a southern town of over a hundred thousand people. The title is hereditary; Haxilin's ancestor was a student of the Silver Star Duke, a legendary Wizard who died many years ago.

Moreover, Haxilin is the dean of Stuhol College, one of Longshande's three academies.

In Longshande's noble class, he enjoys great prestige, being one of the wealthiest high nobles aside from the ducal families.

Yet Haxilin's pride does not stem from his proximity to a legendary Wizard, nor from his Count and dean titles, but from his lofty reputation in the Empire's literary and artistic circles.

The elder has spent his life on literary creation, producing numerous hugely influential works and dozens of widely circulated poems and prose; he is also an outstanding playwright, proficient in music, painting, and sculpture—a rare artistic polymath, worthy of being called a literary giant.

Although Haxilin is not a legend, he holds considerable weight within the Beauty and Goodness Church.

According to Viola, rumors persist that President Haxilin may be the Longhaired Lady's Divine Chosen; he neither confirms nor denies it, leaving its truth unknown.

"You are Lei En?"

Haxilin looks at Lei En, his pince‑nose glasses framing a gaze full of scrutiny.

After six or seven seconds, he nods and smiles, "A fine young man—good looks, fine build, excellent temperament, steady and resolute, strong enough; otherwise you couldn't have slain so many Demons."

Lei En is instantly left speechless, laughing silently.

This president's words are overly blunt, critiquing him directly as if appraising a piece of art—lacking noble etiquette, and he even knows the true inner story of the last Abyssal Gate.

Haxilin, with an expression showing he doesn't mind the rudeness, adds, "Viola, I was originally worried your judgment was off; now it seems I was overthinking."

Viola, smiling broadly, comes over to slip her arm around Lei En and says, "Thank you, President, for allowing me to hold the prayer ceremony."

"This is the result of your hard work; more than half the priests in the Association have agreed, so I certainly won't oppose," Haxilin sighs, "I wish your ceremony success and the blessing of the gods!"

Before leaving, he suddenly winks at Lei En, teasing, "Lucky young man, do well, don't disappoint Viola, hehe…"

Lei En can't help but internally scoff, "What an uncouth old man."

He turns his head and sees Viola's half‑face flushed, her pointed ears trembling slightly, incredibly alluring. He is about to tease a few more jokes when music erupts onstage, the curtain lifts, and the opera begins.

(End of chapter.)