Sophia Einhorn

"Princess Feysac?"

Audrey then feigned curiosity.

The Feysac Empire is located in the cold northernmost part of the continent. It has a large territory, bordering Intis to the west and the Loen Kingdom Intis the east. This country worships military might and has only one faith—the God of Combat. Due to territorial disputes and other issues, the country and Loen are constantly in friction in politics, military affairs, and economics.

In the Loen people, it is generally believed that although Intis is unrestrained and unruly, it is at least a civilized country; while the Feysac to the north are rude and barbaric, and are completely uncivilized.

Unexpectedly, under these circumstances, a princess from Feysac actually visited.

"That's right."

Glaint laughed, "Audrey, do you remember our dispute with Feysac over interests in East Balam six months ago?"

Yes, that's true.

Audrey recalled seeing similar information in the newspaper and hearing it from her father and brother's conversations.

Due to competition for markets for dumping goods and sources of raw materials, the two nations of Loen and Feysac engaged in a long and low-intensity military skirmish in East Balam on the Southern Continent. Although it did not escalate into war, the atmosphere was far from harmonious.

So, was that dispute resolved?

She asked:

"It's almost resolved, all thanks to our valiant 'Disciplinary Paladin Order'."

Her other mystical friend, Murray, puffed out his chest with pride. "You've been confined all this time, so you probably don't know. They fought fiercely in the recent military clashes, defeating the Feysac 'Twilight Army,' which outnumbered them several times over, forcing Feysac back to the negotiating table... Indeed, for these Barbarian, only fists understand the truth."

"Were our casualties high?"

Audrey asked with concern.

"It's regrettable that dozens of brave Warrior lost their lives in the battle," Murray shook his head. "Such sacrifices are truly heartbreaking, but to be honest, the number is acceptable. The casualties among the auxiliary forces, however, were considerable..."

To put it bluntly, it was a battle between two major powers, using their colonies as a chessboard, for control of their interests. As for the lives of the local people, they naturally didn't care.

Luther sneered inwardly from the shadows.

I have a feeling that this kind of thing has happened frequently in the history of my past life.

"That's why Princess Feysac came to visit?"

Audrey understood.

"That's right."

Murray nodded. "Feysac sent a delegation to Backlund, ostensibly to say that the princess wanted to come to Backlund to attend the winter festival. In reality, it was the Feysac people came to negotiate."

To put it bluntly, they're just using the princess as a pretext to save face for themselves.

Since a Royal Family had been sent by Feysac, and in accordance with the principle of equality, Loen needed someone of equal status to entertain him. So the princes readily accepted the task, and naturally invited him to the banquet that evening.

After hearing the reason, Audrey gradually became happier.

That's great! With a foreign princess around, those "respected" princes will probably cause me less trouble.

Although she was mentally prepared, Audrey was still taken aback when she met the foreign princess.

The young woman had vibrant red hair and wore a dress distinctly in the Feysac style—a long robe with wide sleeves, the silk brocade fabric exquisitely outlining her curves. The dress was adorned with intricate gold and silver embroidery, which complemented her red hair, making her appear both noble and beautiful.

Surrounded by two princes of the Loen Kingdom, she gracefully entered the ballroom, tilting her head slightly and meeting the gazes of the crowd with a touch of haughtiness and heroism. This style, so different from that of the Loen, instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"It's a pity Cons isn't here."

"He has a particular fondness for elegant ladies," Glaint whispered.

He was referring to Kance Leerhsen, a friend of theirs who worked for MI9. MI9 seemed to be very busy these past few days; Cons was constantly on the go and had no time to attend the dinner.

Behind Audrey, at the feet of the barely noticeable girl, Luther, shrouded in shadow, also showed a look of surprise. He wasn't amazed by her appearance, but rather because he recognized this so-called Princess Feysac.

The other person was none other than Sophia, the red-haired girl who had fought him for the Difference Engine Manuscript that night!

She's actually a princess!

Although Luther was unusual, she seemed acceptable. Too many issues had already been revealed about her: the endless stream of Beyonder Item, her distinct Feysac accent, and her air of authority—all highlighting her uniqueness.

However, it's astonishing that someone of such high status would actually try to steal the manuscript himself in an attempt to gain a promotion...

"His Highness King Govington II, His Highness Prince Edessak, accompanied by members of the Feysac Royal Family, including Princess Sophia Einhorn, are present!"

After a complex and tedious Ritual, the master of ceremonies loudly announced the arrival of the Royal Family.

Everyone bowed in unison.

"Cecilia, you are free to move around now."

After Audrey got up, she whispered to her guard.

"Don't you need my protection anymore?"

"As a matter of protocol, I need to greet the Royal Family, which may take a long time."

Although reluctant, Audrey maintained her elegant smile. "You all work so hard accompanying me everywhere. It's a rare occasion for you to attend a banquet like this, so please enjoy yourself."

Moreover, she felt that given the current atmosphere of the banquet, no one from the Psychology Alchemists would come to test her.

"OK."

After thinking it over, the hooded girl agreed and turned to walk to the long table where food was laid out: fried fish, tender roasted steak, various salads, desserts... a dazzling array of dishes.

"Brother, what would you like to eat?"

Luther, hidden in the shadows, heard her say to herself.

"Dixi Roast Meat, and cream bread."

Luther answered in a low voice.

Musicians were playing melodious tunes on one side of the hall, easily drowning out the conversations. People chatted and danced to the music, and no one noticed the strange thing happening at the corner of the long table. Several large pieces of roast meat were picked up by a hooded girl, and just as they were about to land on the plate, the tongs loosened, and the roast meat fell with a thud into the shadow beneath her.

That shadow, like a swamp, silently swallowed all kinds of food.

The Royal Family chef's skills are indeed quite impressive.

In the shadows, Luther savored the food his sister offered him.

In the center of the hall, the Royal Family members were receiving greetings from numerous nobles. He paid no further attention to the red-haired princess Sophia. Although he had had a brief encounter with her, that relationship was severed after the manuscript's profits were divided.

Miss Audrey is right. Since we've come all this way, let's make the most of it.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

The world silently dimmed.