Chapter 173: VictimThe grand chandelier in the banquet hall, reminiscent of something one might find in a detective novel, looked both dazzling and unsettling.


    The brown-patterned fur carpet gently cushioned the feet, while the subtle lights on the walls made one forget it was currently evening.


    Circr tables were reserved for the ambassadors from various countries.


    There were representatives from the Griffin Kingdom, the Jerman Kingdom, the Duchy of Valestan, which was located quite far from the rk Republic, and even from the declining Han Empire in the east.


    With many countries attending the banquet, this alone was a testament to Griffin Kingdom’s influence.


    The Jerman Kingdom might have just been across the desert, but the Griffin Kingdom also managed to invite a small country like the Duchy of Valestan and the now poorly regarded Han Empire.


    Lavish dishes adorned each table, which were particrly abundant in a variety of meat, reflecting Magan''s preferences.


    Naturally, not everyone could enter the banquet hall. Among the Norseweden party, only the three siblings of the Verdi Household were present.


    The three of them upied a table while Princess Eleanor, Saintess Lucia, and Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren sat at another table meant for the Griffin Kingdom.


    "<em>Sigh</em>."As soon as they sat down, Deia gently pushed aside the champagne in front of her and requested water.


    Although alcohol, which was the Republic''s specialty hard liquor, was hard toe by in the Kingdom, she couldn''t afford to be drunk in such tense circumstances.


    Deus also felt like drinking, but held himself back for now. Only Darius had taken a sip out of courtesy.


    "Anyway, there are a lot of important figures gathered here, aren''t there?"


    Even at a nce, Darius, who was a martial artist, could already discern that many strong people were present.


    For instance, there was the rk Republic''s Superhuman Oskov, who was confidently guarding the entrance.


    "The Protector of the Duchy of Valestan, Tom. I''ve heard he''s as big as a bear, and now that I’m seeing him in person, he certainly lives up to that reputation."


    The man called Tom from the Duchy of Valestan upied two chairs since one was insufficient for him. He had already started drinking from the bottle.


    Even the hard liquor seemed like just a soft drink to him.


    “Given that the heir to the Duchy is present, he''s probably here to protect him in case of any unforeseen circumstances, right?”


    With her chin resting on her hand, Deia nced toward the Duchy of Valestan. Among the people gathered in the banquet, the young man who was heir to the Duchy, although appearing calm, was discreetly keeping an eye on things despite having the smallest stature among those summoned.


    "And the old man who was once known as the War God of the Han Empire, Han So, is also here."


    "With the empire in a critical situation, they couldn''t afford to sendkey figures. Being the War God, he certainly lives up to his reputation. However, since he’s an old man now and is supposedly about to retire soon, it seems he has nothing else to do, so that’s why he’s attending."


    "...Do you have to interject my thoughts with yourmentary every single time?"


    Darius was excited about meeting great martial artists, but Deia, who responded with her own political perspective on the situation, only shrugged her shoulders.


    Despite the Duchy of Valestan and the Han Empire sharing a border, their tables were ced at opposite ends due to their strained rtionship.


    Perhaps the reason why they attended the banquet was because they were observing each other.


    “Most importantly, the Jerman Kingdom has used quite a bit of resources on us."


    The Jerman Kingdom, located beyond the Marias Great Forest across the Sahar Desert, had attempted to use the Marias tribe as a foothold tounch an invasion on the Griffin Kingdom.


    While others might not know, Deus and Aria were already aware that they would soon mobilize a massive army towards the Griffin Kingdom in a few years.


    That event would mark the beginning of a bloodbath across the continent once again.


    "The Phantom Beast of the Desert, Jordia."


    Copper-colored skin and ripped muscles—despite wearing banquet attire, he carried a khopesh, a sword with a de curved like an axe, on his waist.


    "It seems like all the big shots are gathered here. Will there really be no sparring or something like that?"


    As Darius sniffed and murmured, Deia clicked her tongue in annoyance.


    "What''s the point if you''re only going to end up getting stepped on?”


    "W-what are you talking about? I''m also a renowned martial artist, the Giant of Norseweden!"


    "Oh, is that why you got sted by that Doberman bastard alone?"


    "I-it’s because that bastard had explosives...!"


    "Forget it. Since we have Sir Tyren present here, we won''t fall behind in terms of strength."


    "..."


    Actually, they weren''t merely at the level of ''not falling behind''. In fact, the imposing presence of Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren was looming ominously, to the point that others were wary of being around him.


    He exuded a fighting spirit such that any hint of nonsense or insulting remarks would immediately be met with consequences.


    "Would you like to smoke one?"


    At that moment, a maid approached with something on a silver tray. Even before properly identifying it, Deus'' eyes had widened all of a sudden.


    "<em>Sniff! Sniff!</em>"


    It was a familiar reaction that they had already seen before.


    Feeling suspicious, Deus inspected the silver tray the maid had extended. On the tray were cigarettes thicker than fingers, all lined up neatly.


    <em>These are not ordinary cigarettes</em>.


    They were drugs.


    Due to the rk Republic openly producing drugs, theirws regarding such matters were inherently different from those of other countries.


    While Darius declined, Deus couldn''t resist and almost let saliva dribble from his mouth.


    "I-I’m good."


    He resisted by forcibly turning his head. It was amendable disy of willpower.


    "Give me one."


    Deia, who had been absentmindedly staring at the cigarettes, took one and tucked it into her pocket.


    She had no intention of smoking it, but she grabbed one in case of emergencies.


    "You..."


    "They’re crazy bastards who are handing out drugs to important guests. We should check what they''ve given, right?"


    "But..."


    Just as Darius was about to speak, unable to hold himself back, Magan and his secretary walked onto the stage in the banquet hall.


    The sight of Magan, who was staggering as he walked while holding a microphone, was so unsightly that it prompted some small chuckles from a few tables.


    However, those who knew of his true identity didn’t even lift the corner of their lips.


    Because, in the end, they felt like each of these actions only served to deliberately emphasize that he was trying so hard to appear insignificant.


    "To all of you attending tonight''s banquet, wee to our esteemed country. As you may know, I am Magan Tolles, the President of the rk Republic."


    It was a brief self-introduction.


    Following that, he uttered clichéd greetings and poured out insincere words, devoid of any genuinemitment to working together for the future and peace of the continent.


    Deia gazed down at the empty ss that she had deliberately ced to allow her to observe other tables.


    <em>The Jerman Kingdom seems uninterested at all. The Han Empire is feigning friendliness, and the Valestan heir is...</em>


    Through the reflection in the ss, Deia saw that Valestan’s young heir was wiping away tears.


    While she had heard that a demon''s whispers often gave humans false emotions, she doubted anyone here would be swayed by Magan''s cunning tongue.


    <em>If he’s acting, then it’s truly remarkable.</em>


    But no matter how you looked at it, it didn''t seem fake. Tom, who hade to escort him, was even patting his shoulder to get him back to his senses.


    "Now! Ladies and gentlemen! You are all esteemed individuals burdened with great responsibilities. However, let us release all of those burdens tonight!"


    The corner of Magan’s lips stretched unnaturally long.


    "Please, enjoy your dinner."


    <em>BOOOM!</em>


    It was a deafening explosion.


    The unstable chandelier fell, engulfing the area in ck smoke. The dust was carried by a strong wind.


    The entrance wall of the banquet hall copsed like a tsunami, burying one side of the hall under rubble.


    Superhuman Oskov, who was guarding the door along with numerous servants of the Republic, were buried under the pile of stones as dark blood seeped out from between the rubble.


    "Lower your head!"


    Deia urgently protected Deus. After pushing the startled and trembling man under the table, she locked eyes with Darius.


    "I''ll cover you. Assess the situation."


    "Got it."


    Darius hurriedly nced towards Eleanor''s table.


    Fortunately, the protective spell from Tyren''s robe extended to both the Princess and the Saintess, shielding them simultaneously.


    "Are you okay there?!"


    Due to the smoke and dust, Eleanor was unable to see the table next to hers clearly, so she had to inquire about their situation.


    "We''re fine, Your Highness! The Verdi siblings are all safe!"


    Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief at Darius'' reassuring shout.


    While no one was sure of the situation on the other side, it was evident that they were trapped in the banquet hall.


    It must have been a confusing situation for everyone.


    The lights in the banquet hall had already gone out, and amidst the explosions and smoke which erupted from an unknown source, it was Saintess Lucia who reached out to everyone first.


    "Everyone, please stay calm."


    A white sphere emanated from her palm, flying towards the spot where the chandelier used to be. And despite the dust and smoke permeating the area, its light remained pure, refusing any impurities.


    Soon, the lightposed of Holy Power illuminated the entire banquet hall.


    "Ah."


    "That''s the Saintess."


    "Is that Holy Power?"


    Naturally, there were no casualties at any table.


    With many renowned martial artists in the continent present, such a surprise attack was out of the question.


    Deia''s and Eleanor''s gaze simultaneously shifted towards where Magan was.


    "Crazy bastard."


    "Could he not contain his instincts, huh? What a fool. "


    They were about to rebuke Magan for daring to pull such a stunt in front of so many envoys from various countries, and even dere that the diplomatic image of the rk Republic was utterly ruined. However…


    "Huh?"


    No voices came out.


    No, they couldn’t even properly understand the situation itself.


    Because while everyone seemed unharmed, there was one sole victim from this attack.


    His internal organs were clearly visible because a sword had pierced the nape of his neck, making a long downward stroke.


    His blood sttered far around the area.


    His breath was already cut short.


    His lifeless eyes turned upward.


    And his body crumpled like a deted balloon.


    Therey the corpse of Demon Lord Magan.