At the charity auction, melodious music drifted through the air as elegantly dressed guests walked across expensive carpets, clinking glasses and chatting in low voices.
Wilt stood quietly in a corner, watching it all.
The two main figures at the auction were Earl Corodo and Councilor Maynard. The former represented the Conservative Party, while the latter represented the New Party, and each was surrounded by members of his own faction.
As for why Earl Corodo, who had already decided to betray the Conservative Party, remained so close to it, he said that as long as he had not betrayed it, he was still a member and had to fulfill his obligations as its leader.
Besides, doing so could lull the Conservative Party into a false sense of security, giving him a better chance of success when he betrayed it.
"Sigh..." Wilt sighed inwardly. "I really can't get used to occasions like this. But to digest my Potion, I'll just have to bear with it."
Wilt turned his gaze to one man. He belonged to neither the Conservative Party nor the New Party, but was a wealthy capitalist who had received a knighthood by donating to the kingdom. He was Sir Deville, the owner of the factory where Hailiye had worked before her death.
Wilt quietly activated Spirit Vision. He had long since noticed that what he saw with it was different from what others saw, though he did not know whether it was a result of the Sefirah.
"He's wrapped in black resentment, but there's no darkness between his brows, which means his crimes don't warrant death. There's also a faint golden glow around him. It's very weak, but it's still merit."
"I remember he seems to be known as a philanthropist. This should be the reward for his charitable work."
"Still, if even a philanthropist is like this, the other capitalists really must be pretty awful."
Wilt glanced at the others and saw that most of them, whether from the New Party or the Conservative Party, had black things eroding their spirit bodies.
"Hell is empty, and the devils are among us."
Just then, a voice suddenly came from beside him. "Oh, isn't this Mr. Wilt?"
Wilt turned to see Selena Wood in a black evening gown. Surprise flashed in his eyes. "Miss Selena, what are you doing here?"
"It really is you, Mr. Wilt!" A delighted smile appeared on Selena's face.
"I came with my father to attend tonight's charity event. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Oh, you left in such a hurry last time that I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving my life."
As Selena spoke, she lifted her skirt and gave a slight curtsy.
"Thank you for pulling me out of the Khoy River. Otherwise, I definitely would have drowned."
"Drowned?" Wilt froze for a moment, but then realized something. "It seems the Nighthawks tampered with Selena's memories, making her forget what really happened."
Wilt replied, "You're welcome. It was what I should have done."
Then he asked, pretending to be casual, "By the way, I heard you had an occult teacher named Vincent. Do you know how he's doing now?"
"You're interested in the occult too, Mr. Wilt?" Selena's eyes suddenly lit up, but quickly dimmed again.
"Teacher Vincent disappeared somehow. I can't find any trace of him now."
"Then it looks like the Nighthawks killed him."
Wilt comforted her. "Perhaps your teacher went somewhere far away and left in such a hurry that he didn't have time to say goodbye. Please don't be sad."
But just then, an unfamiliar woman suddenly walked over. "Excuse me, Miss Selena. Although you're having a pleasant conversation, I'd like to borrow Mr. Wilt for a moment."
Selena frowned at the newcomer, then stepped in front of Wilt, apparently unwilling to let him have any contact with her.
"I'm sorry, Madam Sharon, but I must refuse. Mr. Wilt has something important to discuss with me."
Sharon, the Sequence 6 Demoness of Pleasure!
Wilt looked surprised. He had not expected to meet her here.
Seeing what Selena had done, Madam Sharon was not angry. Instead, she smiled and said, "Miss Selena, making decisions for someone else without asking isn't how a lady should behave."
"Whether he agrees or not is for Mr. Wilt to decide."
"Mr. Wilt, would you be so kind as to speak with me alone in the lounge about a matter concerning a junior of mine?"
"I believe there must be some misunderstanding between you."
Wilt fell silent, but soon made a decision.
"What's coming can't be avoided."
The corners of Wilt's mouth lifted slightly in a gentle smile. He took out a monocle and placed it over his right eye, then said in a cheerful tone, "It would be my pleasure!"
"Mr. Wilt, you can't go with her!" Selena hurriedly tried to stop him.
Placate!
Selena instantly calmed down, and Wilt reassured her, "Don't worry, Miss Selena. I'll be back in a moment. There won't be any trouble."
Wilt then followed Sharon to a lounge. He hurried forward and opened the door. "Ladies first. Please, go in!"
"Thank you!" Sharon walked past Wilt and entered the room.
But the moment the door closed, a shortsword suddenly appeared in Wilt's left hand, and he swung it forward.
Clang! The shortsword struck strange, nearly invisible threads resembling spider silk.
Wilt poured his Spirituality into the ring and instantly activated a Spectator Pathway ability: Frenzy!
Sharon's figure suddenly stiffened. Her emotions or mental state were immediately set off, throwing her into chaos and dealing her severe mental damage.
Crack! Sharon vanished, leaving behind a broken black wand.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Seven black flames attacked Wilt from every direction, but that was not all.
Whoosh! A transparent ice-crystal spear, trailing an icy chill, attacked Wilt from the front at the same time.
Hum! Golden light appeared around Wilt. He had borrowed the power of the merit within the Sarira.
"It can only last one minute, but that's enough."
Bang, bang, bang! The Black Flames melted the instant they landed on Wilt's golden light.
Then Wilt abruptly thrust out a hand, grabbed the ice-crystal spear, and hurled it straight at the invisible Sharon.
Psh! The spear instantly pierced Sharon's body.
Bang! Sharon used Mirror Substitution to evade Wilt's attack once again.
But Wilt did not press his advantage. Instead, he used a Spectator Pathway ability to hypnotize her while using a Marauder Pathway ability to make his words more convincing.
"Madam Sharon, the probing is over!"
"Can we have a proper talk now?"