Could he have randomly picked an inn and somehow chosen a Beyonder-owned establishment?
Though surprised, Wood hid it well. He quickly shifted his gaze from the girl's face and began examining the woman seated at the head of the table.
She was beautiful and languid, holding a glass filled with red liquid. She did not look like the Presider of a Hidden Gathering at all.
"However, from the reverence some people occasionally showed when looking at her, it could be judged that this lady was either of high status or very powerful... Could she be a core member of the Abraham Family?
"Still, the person in charge previously said that the gathering I was attending was not particularly high-end, so this Presider was probably at most Mid-Sequence..."
As Wood secretly speculated, attendees entered the hidden palace one after another. Some had disguised themselves, while others openly showed their original appearances, and they took their seats around the long table.
According to the introduction given by the person in charge that afternoon, not everyone who came here was a Beyonder. There were also representatives of minor factions, wealthy young people who wanted to become Beyonders, and mysticism enthusiasts.
In the quiet atmosphere, time passed rather slowly. After roughly seven or eight minutes, when even the seat between Wood and the girl who looked almost identical to the innkeeper's daughter had been occupied, the languid woman at the head of the table finally adjusted her posture, swirled the glass in her hand, and chuckled.
"Let us begin."
"Yes, Your Excellency Magician." More than ten of the twenty-odd people present immediately rose to their feet and bowed respectfully.
The other ten, including Wood, wore baffled expressions before awkwardly standing and bowing as well.
"I told you before, there is no need to be