In any case, no matter what else happened at Schluch Lake, Xia De had already returned with the Witches to the lounge on the third floor of the manor house. It was almost eleven o'clock at night, but the atmosphere of the banquet was growing livelier. Most of the people here would probably not leave until after midnight, so there was still a long time left tonight.
After settling onto the sofa, Xia De let out a long sigh, slumping onto the sofa as if his body had gone limp. He looked up at the crystal chandelier in the center of the room, a contented expression on his face. But then his face was covered by a shadow; it was Mia's small head blocking his face. The cat seemed to be observing Xia De's expression.
The gains from the battle at Schluch Lake were not only the Ling Rune of 【Thunder】 and the further evolution of "Raglai's Leap," but more importantly, the divinity. Divinity was the fundamental reason why Outsider could live peacefully. This drop of divinity, whether used for the Four Ring advancement to PentaCircle or for burning divinity to incarnate as a god, was the confidence Xia De needed to walk freely in this world.
Tifa and the maids were busy preparing fresh tea and pastries, and the two Great Witches also took their seats. Xia De and Tifa's experiences had already been clarified on the way back, and the Witches thus learned about the relationship between the crucial material for the fourth Chosen One's Selected One Ritual, the 【wise man's stone】, and the so-called Keeper.
"The Trial of Vinners: Find the invisible 'person' in the Tobesk area."
As Xia De spoke, he reached out with both hands to hug the curious cat, then sat up straight again:
"The epic of the fourth Chosen One has finally begun. An invisible person, what does that refer to?"
"Since it's a trial of some kind, it probably won't be without clues for months. There must be quite a few Ring Sorcerer who heard the trial content tonight, and the interesting thing is—"
The Duchess looked at Xia De:
"The Chosen One must have appeared here tonight. Perhaps he or she landed on the island, or perhaps he or she merely appeared in the banquet hall. My maids and Sylvia's maids are all on the third floor, and since they could hear it, the Ring Sorcerer in the courtyard, garden, and on the first and second floors should also be able to hear it. The question now is, which faction does this Chosen One belong to?"
High-Ring Sorcerer from the Church had already arrived from the city, but they did not check the identities of all guests at the banquet. Instead, they sealed off Schluch Lake for investigation. However, it was clear that after this banquet, both the Church and the Witches would conduct detailed identity checks on all guests who appeared at Lakeview Manor. Given the large number of people and the fact that the Chosen One could not be found through divination, this would likely be a massive undertaking.
But at least it was a direction for investigation.
The ball had started when Xia De was playing rhode cards. Xia De still remembered promising the Writer that he would dance with her, so he soon bid farewell to the two Witches, planning to go downstairs and look around. Of course, he left Mia behind, as it was impossible to dance while holding a cat, and he also worried that something else might happen later, so it was safest to have the Witches look after her.
After Xia De left, Lady Jia Lin Na, holding the reluctant cat, smiled and glanced at Tifa standing behind her:
"Change into a gown and go dance with Xia De downstairs."
"Miss..."
Tifa seemed a little flustered.
"Don't look like that. Am I someone who is very strict with you?"
She urged with a wave of her hand, and only then did Tifa prepare to change her clothes.
"Lady Jia Lin Na, you are truly generous."
The young Great Witch sitting opposite her said, and a smile appeared on the Duchess's exquisite face:
"Tifa is mine, and Xia De is mine. What generosity is this?"
She paused intentionally, then said softly:
"I wouldn't be so generous to others."
She looked at Lady Sylvia, who seemed not to have understood this "warning":
"Before coming to Tobesk, I always thought that in your relationship, Hamilton was benefiting from you. From tonight's perspective, Mr. Hamilton seems to be the helper."
"You have indeed discovered a part of the truth. Xia De defines our relationship as cooperation, but sometimes I feel like I owe him. It truly is a strange relationship."
Lady Jia Lin Na said. She knew Lady Sylvia was curious about many things, but she was quite willing to watch this highly curious Witch be curious on her own:
"Tonight's events must be reported to the Council as soon as possible. It seems we will also be busy this winter."
When Xia De, who had returned downstairs, saw Dorothy again, Leia was not by her side. Since they had agreed beforehand to dance, Xia De easily found her.
The Golden-haired girl had already been waiting for Xia De. Seeing Xia De approach, she eagerly took his hand, and then they walked together towards the dancing crowd.
After repeated ballroom experiences, Xia De, though not yet a master of dancing, at least no longer accidentally stepped on the girls' feet. After he finished dancing with Dorothy, Dorothy even praised Xia De's improved dancing skills. Before she could further inquire about Xia De's training methods, Xia De took out the small, round gilded box he had kept in his pocket all night. Opening it, he revealed the heart-shaped ruby inside:
"Dorothy, this is for you."
He offered the gem, and this time Dorothy accepted it with a touch of reserve.
"Knight, this gem is truly pretty, and it suits Lady Louisa very well."
Leia's voice came from the side. The princess, wearing a silver tiara, smiled and walked over with her maid.
Xia De feigned adjusting his collar, then extended his hand:
"Your Highness, may I have the honor of inviting you to the next dance?"
There were many people around, and everyone could hear Xia De's voice.
"Yes, of course. I just hope Grand Aunt Jialinna won't blame me."
Leia said, tilting her neck, and her hand, adorned with a white lace glove, rested on Xia De's hand.
After Leia, Xia De saw Tifa approaching, dressed in a blue gown and black high heels. Xia De rarely saw Tifa in a gown. She seemed a little shy, not speaking even when she reached Xia De, so Xia De once again took the initiative to invite her.
However, after dancing that lively dance with Tifa, the reminder about proving his charm still did not appear in his ear.
As the banquet approached deep night, Xia De, who had been somewhat anxious before the banquet began, at this moment felt that he had let go of that obsession.
Of course, this was also related to his successful acquisition of a drop of divinity.
Since his plan had fallen through, and dancing with pretty girls at the ball proved nothing, Xia De allowed himself to temporarily forget the so-called task and focus on enjoying the remaining time of this grand wedding ceremony.
After dancing with Tifa, Leia was called away by her sister, Liana Barov, who was married to Marquis Barov, while Dorothy, seeing Doctor Schneider, temporarily went to talk to him.
Xia De took Tifa back into the courtyard, and somehow they ended up in the shadow of the hedge, embracing and kissing.
However, Tifa did not stay by Xia De's side for too long. After the long kiss ended, she kissed Xia De's cheek again, then returned to the manor house, hands behind her back and in good spirits.
"How lively it is..."
Everyone had temporarily left his side, even Mia was not here for the moment. Xia De stood alone in the courtyard, looking at the tents illuminated by gas lamps and the people, dressed in their finest, moving among them, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Whoosh~
Suddenly, a sound came from overhead, followed by a burst of 'bang~'.
Xia De looked up and saw beams of light flying into the night sky, then exploding into fireworks. The fireworks illuminated his face, and Xia De let out a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted:
"Although I don't plan to go back, somehow, I feel a little homesick now."
【At least from this banquet, you have no regrets.】
"She" said softly in Xia De's ear:
【Many years from now, when you recall this night spent at Lakeview Manor, you will have gained more than you think.】
"Yes, this is truly the most beautiful memory. Since you are comforting me, does that count as comforting myself?"
Xia De asked in his mind, looking up, the light of the fireworks illuminating his eyes:
"But there are still regrets."
【You couldn't prove wisdom and charm?】
"Of course not."
Xia De said softly in his mind:
"Divinity is a transcendent power; the acquisition of any drop of divinity is related to destiny and cannot be forced. My regret is that there is someone I wanted to dance with, but who cannot dance with me at this moment."
He looked towards the moon in the starry sky, his hands nervously clasped behind his back.
A chuckle sounded in his ear. "She" did not answer immediately, but Xia De knew that "she" was watching the fireworks explode in the night sky with him.
Beams of light shot into the sky, and the fireworks exploding under the starry sky were so dazzling. The noisy sounds in the banquet courtyard and the faint music from inside the manor house were so loud in the deep night.
Although Xia De did not like to drink, at this moment he wanted to raise a glass and quietly watch the fireworks under the starry sky with "her":
"Many years from now, when I recall this night, I should feel very emotional."
He turned to return to the manor house, but as he stepped through the entrance, he suddenly felt the wind blow something cold onto his ear. Xia De froze abruptly, then heard the people in the manor courtyard excitedly saying something.
"This is..."
Turning around, he quickly took two steps back into the courtyard. With his back to the brightly lit manor, Xia De looked up at the deep sky, then opened his empty left hand. A small, crystal-clear snowflake, from the darkness, landed on Xia De's blood-stained palm, then quietly melted away.
A surprised smile appeared on his lips. He looked up ahead; in just a few minutes, tiny snowflakes, like sugar grains, were already falling profusely.
"Oh, it's snowing!"
sixth epoch, common era 1853, Tobesk's first snow quietly arrived on the Tuesday night of the nineteenth day of the frost descent month.
---Author's Note---
PS: I feel like these chapters would generate a lot of discussion, but chapter comments are unavailable, which is a shame.
