From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 532 The Supreme Hall
Baldur's Gate is a city steeped in history.

This statement is not quite accurate. Rather, before the Baldur's Gate was officially completed, the estuary where the Chossa River flows westward into the Sea of ​​Swords was already a long-standing settlement.

Baldur's Gate is famous because of the pirate captain Baldur's Gate, but after the culture of trade and travel became the mainstream of the city, people preferred to respectfully refer to the city's founder as the adventurer Baldur's Gate.

Baldur's Gate left behind the wealth he had amassed through his voyages in Grey Harbor, greatly contributing to its prosperity. When the city was finally completed, the residents named the city's most magnificent gate Baldur's Gate in commemoration of his contributions, and this name later became the city's codename.

So before it was named Baldur's Gate, the city had many other names used to refer to it, such as Grey Harbor, Old Town, and so on...

The High Hall, where the coronation ceremony of Gotash was held, is a military fortress that has existed since the old town era.

"Its aesthetic value outweighs its defensive capabilities." The evil thought's eyes swept over the various guards in front of the Supreme Hall, and it snorted disdainfully.

“After all, Baldur’s Gate has several walls, and it’s the most important governing site for the Council of Four, so it’s not surprising that it’s been renovated to be more comfortable…” Will said in a low voice, also standing in front of the High Hall.

Ivy and Evil stood not far from them. The four of them had come to attend the coronation ceremony of Gotash, to formally announce their arrival to the Supreme God and the chosen people of Ban.

As the Duke's son Will said, the High Hall was a military fortress that had undergone several renovations. However, it was now no different from the other beautiful houses in the Upper Town, perhaps even more imposing.

Just as clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse, so too does a house need guards to decorate it.

Guards stood at the entrance, and the road was full of patrolling Flame Fist warriors and Steel Guards with the clanging of gears and pistons. The beautiful fortress's high hall was naturally the most magnificent and imposing building in the upper city.

Not to mention that Gotash even hung his own portrait on the door.

“Show-off. All the memories I have tell me are that Gotash is a guy who likes to show off.” Evil thought curled his lip, walked past Shadowheart beside him, and looked at Ivy. “Although he hired a good painter, I still think your portrait would look much better than his, Ivy.”

Evil thoughts reminded Ivy of Lockhart, the flamboyant mage who liked flashy clothes, but in terms of destructive power alone, he was far inferior to Bane's chosen one, Gotash.

"Thank you, but I'll pass." Ivy smiled and shook her head. "The thought of my face being repeatedly trampled on by pedestrians and livestock in puddles because the glue has dried makes me feel really uncomfortable."

Yingxin chuckled softly, and Ivy was certain she was reminded of the Gotash poster in the puddle outside the Livington Doomsday Circus.

After showing the guards Gotash's invitation, the four of them walked through the doors of the High Hall on a red carpet.

The interior space is very spacious. In addition to the main fortress building that stands in the middle, the interior of the fortress is divided into some areas with neatly maintained green plants, where benches and round tables are placed for resting.

Will sighed. “To be honest, I haven’t been here many times… Father always preferred to give orders to the Flame Fist soldiers at Dragon Rock Fortress, but as the High Duke, he did need to come here to handle state affairs. I remember that the High Hall was open to all citizens back then… Apart from the meeting rooms and lounges on the top floor that belonged to the Dukes, any citizen who applied and registered in advance could use the rooms in the High Hall—meeting rooms, banquet halls, and so on.”

“And that museum.” Will looked at a building connected to the fortress walls, with its pointed square towers on both sides and huge glass windows at the entrance, making it look more like a temple or similar building.

"All the dukes and heroes of Baldur's Gate are buried here. My father told me that it is the honor of Baldur's Gate." Looking at the soldiers around the museum, you can tell that no ordinary citizens can come to pay homage to the honor of Baldur's Gate. "There are even relics of Baldur's Gate inside."

"Bodean's relics?" Evil Thoughts' interest was immediately piqued. "Are there any magical items? The kind with immense power and excellent defensive capabilities?"

“Uh… well, that might disappoint you.” Will shrugged, a wicked smile creeping onto his face. “When I was little, I also fantasized about finding a sword that belonged to Bodyan in there. But the reality is, there’s only some junk in front of Bodyan’s statue… or rather, junk with historical value: a nautical logbook with illegible writing due to seawater soaking, an old helmet, fragments of a cloak, a cracked leather scabbard. Oh, and a rusty butter knife.”

Disappointed, the evil thought pouted: "Why does it seem like a mind-stealer?"

"what?"

“I mean the monarch,” the evil thought explained. “He has a collection of things he used when he was still human in the Shield Knights’ secret base, including a cutlery set that is missing only the butter knife.”

After rounding the corner of the red carpet, the history museum was already left behind by the four of them.

Visitors holding invitations must walk along a red carpet into the main building of the High Hall, a rather large space. According to Will, this is the Baldur's Gate Tribunal, where the four dukes take turns serving as judges.

The judge's bench had been removed and replaced with a carved wooden throne, painted with gleaming gold lacquer.

The benches facing the court were also moved to the sides, clearing the way for the red carpet-covered aisle in the middle. Once the coronation ceremony began, the sides of the red carpet would be filled with nobles who came to witness how Gotash walked this path to the highest power at Baldur's Gate.

However, a lively buffet is currently underway.

The walls of the hall were lined with beautifully decorated plates piled high with various fruits, exquisitely crafted pastries, and champagne towers made of low-alcohol champagne.

The Flame Fist soldiers were responsible for providing services to the nobles. Their armor would normally seem out of place in such a setting, but when their numbers made up half of the hall's total, it all seemed normal.

The hall was filled with Zong Guis, who were all standing around, raising their glasses and chatting. To describe them as dressed in fine clothes would be a stretch; they were practically vying for attention.

Whether they were high-ranking nobles or low-ranking nobles, they all wanted to make an impression on the new supreme ruler of Baldur's Gate.

“Everywhere you look there’s boasting and small talk. The halls of nobles are no different from the taverns in the city.” Yingxin held a glass of pale wine, her gentle smile contrasting sharply with her words. “At least the space is a bit bigger, and it doesn’t smell as bad.”

“Can’t you smell the stench in these people’s souls?” Will gritted his teeth. While Duke Ravengard was suffering, these nobles were busy fawning over Gotash. He had nowhere to vent his anger. “Alright, Monster Hunter Frontier Blade, tell me, what’s the difference between these despicable nobles and demons?” Shadowheart’s silver hair obediently swept over her forehead, revealing a bright and generous face. She took a sip of her drink and continued, “For example, the number of horns and tails? The sulfurous smell all over their bodies? Or the tone of their loud, sinister laughter?”

“You have a very stereotypical view of the devil.” Will glanced at Ivy. “Demons are not made from the same mold; they could very well be hiding among us. For example—torturing the will of one’s companions with witty remarks.”

“Of course I’ll say some encouraging words,” Yingxin glanced at Will coldly, “but not to you.”

“Alright, darling.” Yingxin’s long, strong fingers traced the gold embroidery on Ivy’s chest. “You haven’t said much today, you should at least share your thoughts.”

Yingxin chose a moon-white silk evening gown at Huanyan Boutique Clothing Store. The metallic threads that accentuated her curves extended from the edge of her exposed white back, circled her sharp collarbone, and converged below her chest.

Yingxin's well-developed abs from years of exercise allowed her to squeeze into the waistband of her dress without needing a corset. Ivy could even visually confirm the muscle lines beneath the dress, and the wonderful tactile sensations he had previously felt on her waist had already been faithfully relayed to his brain.

The wide skirt concealed her fair thighs quite well, but that was a reserved facade that only appeared when Yingxin maintained an elegant posture. Once she stepped into her silver-threaded high heels, her long legs, both voluptuous and powerful, would reveal alluring glimpses from the slits on either side of the skirt. But these fantasies were quickly overshadowed by the crystal pendant that dangled from her waist, reflecting iridescent light. It was an accessory crafted by Ivy himself, and because it lacked magic, it hadn't taken him long to create.

“You already shine like the moon in the night sky, why should I use any more fancy words to embellish you?” Ivy clinked glasses with her and swallowed the slightly mild champagne.

It seems Gotash doesn't want any drunkards at his coronation ceremony.

Even standing in a corner of the buffet, Ivy and her three companions continued to attract a lot of attention.

This is not only because of the handsome couple, Aiwei and Yingxin, but also because of the evil thoughts standing right next to them.

Holding a small cake, Xie Nian stood tall and straight, like an unpruned rose, exuding a captivating charm.

Her thick, blood-red short hair contrasted sharply with her almost translucent, fair skin. The fine red scars on her delicate face did not disrupt the overall harmony; instead, they added a touch of wild and dangerous beauty.

The deep, dark green velvet evening gown made her snow-white skin and fiery red hair shine even brighter. In the halo of light shining through the window, her evil thoughts transformed into a blazing flame or flowing molten gold, revealing a vibrant life force.

There are no longer any assassins or Baal's creations here, but a vibrant life challenging a new existence.

The adorable little cake was lazily stuffed into her mouth by her wicked thoughts, then chewed and swallowed by her two rows of neat pearly teeth. Only after the entire cake was completely gone did she suck on her fingers with lingering satisfaction before launching an attack on the next food.

Meanwhile, the pigeon blood ruby ​​ring on her slender finger reflected the midday sun, casting hazy red spots on her fingertip.

All the nobles in the hall were eyeing the four people in the corner, some discreetly, others openly.

But no one went up to talk to them, because through their conversations, they had confirmed that no one knew this group of people, not even their names.

“Will…?” A hesitant voice came from the other side of the hall. It belonged to a plump old man with beads of sweat on his tired face. A large group of respectful nobles stood around him. “Will Ravengard? Is that you?”

“Duke Dillard Porter?” Will stared at the obese old man who was walking briskly towards him, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, and asked uncertainly, “You look so different…”

“You’ve changed even more, little Will! Good heavens! Where have you been all these years? I asked your father, but he wouldn’t say a word!” Duke Dillard Porter had already grabbed Will’s arm and pulled him in front of him to examine him closely. “The last time we met was many years ago, wasn’t it? It was at a party at my house, where you drank too much and vomited all over the garden?”

“This is hardly a pleasant memory…” A hint of embarrassment flashed across Will’s dark face.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you any good memories…” Dillard Porter patted Will’s arm, “but I must say, I’m already very comforted to see that Ravengard is safe and sound…”

Will understood the implication in Dillard's words and asked, "You...have you met my father?"

Dillard Porter's eyes welled up almost immediately, which was admirable, whether as a politician's composure or as a colleague of the Duke of Ravengard.

“I’m too old, Will. And there’s too much going on at Baldur’s Gate… Duke Sterme suffered a stroke and doesn’t have many days of lucidity to begin with, and now he’s been assassinated… Van Sampure is a demon worshipper, a scoundrel who infiltrated the Council of Four; and your father—” Dillard squinted around, trying to lower his voice, “something’s not right. He should be up there now, with Lord Gotash…”

“Then you…” Will had barely begun to speak when Dillard Porter squeezed his arm as hard as he could.

“I’m too old,” Dillard Porter repeated. “Too old to see clearly, too old to have loose teeth. I’m not up to the task anymore…”

“But Gotash…” Will took a breath, but was interrupted again.

“Lord Gotash,” Dillard Porter discreetly shook his head, “He’s not so bad; at least he can provide protection for Baldur’s Gate.”

“The Iron Guardians are—” Will had almost made up his mind to say those words.

But he was interrupted again.

“Will,” Ivy called out from behind him, “introduce him to us.”

Will took a deep breath and nodded under Dillard Porter's expectant gaze.

(End of this chapter)