Above the mage

Chapter 744 Family Banquet

The environment of the Shadowy Forest was an excellent advantage for Raymond.

But for Herbert, who is skilled at stealth, the terrain is also advantageous, allowing him to blend more perfectly into the dim environment.

Not only can it not be visually detected, but it can also shield its own magical fluctuations, making it difficult to perceive.

Even though Raymond possessed the blood of a grey elf and had a magical perception far beyond that of ordinary people, it was still difficult for him to catch a trace.

Herbert, lurking in the shadows of the Shadowy Forest, like a hunter in the night, stealthily approached Raymond and the Valzhu mage time and time again, launching surprise attacks.

He single-handedly managed to hold off two fourth-ring mages, creating an excellent opportunity for Conrad to attack from afar.

Conrad, on the other hand, used magic to shape a thunder bow.

The bowstring is woven from pure lightning magic, and every time the bow is drawn, crackling lightning crackles around it.

He continuously gathered magic power and shot out sharp lightning arrows, which landed precisely next to Raymond and the mage Valzhu.

It was both a long-range harassment and a continuous pressure; the two worked together seamlessly, one from afar and the other up close, one stealthy and the other offensive.

The battle was particularly exciting, with both sides fighting fiercely for more than ten minutes.

In the end, the Valzhu mage of the Rock City-State was momentarily careless due to excessive depletion of his magical power, and Conrad seized the opportunity to exploit his weakness.

A lightning arrow shot through the air, precisely piercing his protective spell.

The mage's magic instantly became disordered, rendering him unable to fight any longer, and he was eliminated by the referee mage.

With one player lost in a two-on-one battle, the outcome is already decided.

Even though Raymond was powerful and skilled in both nature and illusion magic, he was still no match for two opponents.

Faced with Herbert's close-range control and Conrad's long-range suppression, there was no chance of a comeback.

He managed to hold on for two or three minutes before being eliminated by Herbert.

This round looked quite conventional. Conrad, who is known as a versatile weapon shaper, only showed the Thunder Bow form from beginning to end and did not reveal any more of his trump cards.

However, Gaode activated Mandora's Eye throughout the process, quickly building a model of Conrad in his mind and keenly capturing some subtle details.

Most notably, Conrad is relatively weak against Raymond's illusion magic.

Each time he was affected by an illusion, his magical power would fluctuate strongly, and the tremors in his mind would be hard to conceal.

Clearly, mental strength is his relative weakness.

Immediately afterwards, the third round of the all-out battle began.

This game was almost a one-sided victory.

As a substitute for the Holy Empire, Bai Nord defeated two fourth-circle mages from the Rock City-State single-handedly after entering the arena.

After Raymond entered the arena, Whitenor immediately conceded defeat and left the arena, citing depleted mana, and Herbert took his place.

After Herbert came on, he and Raymond engaged in another fierce battle, and the two were still evenly matched.

But in the end, Herbert used the Shadow Cloak ability he showed in the first capture-the-flag game to deliver the decisive blow.

It is obvious that in this short period of time, the Rock City-State has not found an effective way to break Shadow Cloak.

As for the last remaining third-ring mage in Rock City, his strength was far inferior to Herbert's.

He was easily defeated after only a short time on the field, merely experiencing the atmosphere of a major competition.

With that, all three matches have concluded.

The Holy Empire swept aside the Rock City-State with a clean 3-0 score, securing its first semi-final spot and continuing its undefeated record in this year's Unparalleled Magic Fighting Tournament.

However, after watching the match, the members of the Plantagenet Dynasty were somewhat disappointed.

They felt that the match, while seemingly flashy, did not actually reveal much valuable information.

Ultimately, while the Rock City-State's strength on paper is decent, apart from Captain Raymond, the actual combat power of the other two fourth-circle mages is ultimately insufficient.

Even Bai Nord, a substitute player from the Holy Empire, was able to achieve a double victory.

Even Fritz frowned slightly, clearly sharing the same view.

While the Rock City-State had its highlights, the overall gap in strength was undeniable, making their battles unlikely to offer much inspiration.

However, Gaode did not hide its discovery.

He immediately shared the secret information he had captured through Mandora's Eye with everyone.

After hearing the details provided by Gaode Maps, the team members began to think about how to use this information while marveling at it.

Amazed by Gaode's insightful abilities.

While watching the game, Gaode Maps was able to capture so many things that they hadn't noticed.

After the match, Gao De and Liu Ying left the Dragon Ridge Arena together through the player tunnel.

As soon as I left the Dragonspine Arena, I saw Marcus waiting there.

This time, however, Marcus did not immediately turn around and lead her away after receiving Liu Ying.

Instead, he stepped forward, bowed slightly to Gao De, and extended an unexpected invitation: "Master Gao De, the Grand Duke has prepared a simple luncheon at his residence today and would like to invite you to attend. We hope you will do us the honor of attending."

"The Grand Duke said that you saved Princess Liuying's life before, and he has never been able to thank you in person. Today, he has some free time and would like to express his gratitude to you personally."

An invitation from Grand Duke Wang Mian?

Gao De was somewhat surprised and subconsciously turned his head to look at Liu Ying beside him with a questioning gaze.

Liu Ying's eyes widened, her clear eyes filled with "innocence".

She was unaware of it either.

However, beneath her innocent gaze lay a hint of expectation as she looked at Gao De with sparkling eyes.

Clearly, the girl wanted Gaode to "get to know" her father.

Faced with Liu Ying's expectations, Gaode said he had no solution.

He thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Since it is the Duke's invitation, then I will take my leave. Let's go."

Grand Duke Wang Mian specially hosted the banquet, but he didn't think it was just to thank him in person.

But what other reasons might lie behind this can only be found out upon attending the banquet.

After all, it's not easy to guess what these kinds of people are thinking.

Since it was a banquet, the venue was naturally set up in Wang Mian's inner court.

As the highest-ranking nobles of the Plantagenet dynasty, they should, in principle, have a grand banquet, even if it is just a simple one.

But to Gao De's surprise, the luncheon was far more low-key than he had imagined.

It was more like a regular family dinner than a banquet.

Led by Marcus, God and Liu Ying arrived at the restaurant where Grand Duke Wang Mian and his family usually dined, rather than the magnificent banquet hall.

The restaurant was decorated in a very elegant manner, with a potted plant that Lady Wang Mian liked in the corner, emitting a faint fragrance.

The dining table was covered with a snow-white linen tablecloth and set with exquisite silver cutlery; everything appeared simple yet exuded a noble style.

Before Gao De and Liu Ying arrived, Grand Duke Wang Mian and his wife were already waiting in the lounge next to the restaurant.

According to the aristocratic banquet etiquette of the Plantagenet dynasty, waiting for guests in the lounge in advance is a sign of respect.

Given the status of Grand Duke Wang Mian and his wife, the fact that they treated a "flat-headed" monk like Gao De with such courtesy suggests that, regardless of their specific intentions, they at least showed him considerable respect.

in the lounge.

Grand Duke Wang Mian sat on a chair covered with dark velvet, his expression calm, his brows slightly furrowed.

He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was constantly thinking about everything related to Gaode.

He was dressed in a deep purple aristocratic robe, and his long-standing authority inspired awe without him needing to deliberately display it.

Even just sitting still, there is an invisible sense of pressure.

Lady Wang Mian sat on a velvet sofa, wearing a light blue embroidered long dress.

"Marcus should be bringing them back soon," Lady Wang Mian said to Grand Duke Wang Mian, with a hint of caution, "Don't frighten them."

Grand Duke Wang Mian slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting thought crossing his face, and nodded faintly: "I know what I'm doing."

Just then, Marcus's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Prince Liuying, and Master Gaode have arrived."

Grand Duke Wang Mian slowly stood up, gently straightening his robes. Lady Wang Mian also rose, a gentle smile on her face, and the two walked together to the door of the lounge.

The host personally greets the guests at the entrance of the lounge, which is a basic sign of respect.

"Greetings, Grand Duke and Lady Wang Mian." Upon seeing Grand Duke Wang Mian and Lady Wang Mian, Gao De bowed slightly and greeted them.

"Don't be so polite, let's go to the restaurant first, it's time." Madam Wang Mian said softly.

With the arrival of Gao De and Liu Ying, the banquet was about to begin.

Everyone went to the restaurant and took their seats.

The seating arrangement was also carefully chosen.

Grand Duke Wang Mian sat in the main seat, with his wife, Lady Wang Mian, sitting to his left, and Liu Ying sitting next to her mother.

Gaode was positioned opposite Liuying.

This position not only facilitates conversation with others but also allows Grand Duke Wang Mian to observe his every move at any time.

They had just sat down when the restaurant door was pushed open, and a tall, imposing figure walked in.

He was tall and handsome.

It was Richard, Liu Ying's older brother.

"Sorry, something came up and I'm a little late."

Richard's arrival startled Gao De slightly.

He hadn't expected that even Richard would attend the luncheon.

This commotion by the entire Wang Mian family, this banquet, though seemingly simple, was actually of extremely high standard.

As Richard took his seat, Lady Wang nodded to the servants, signaling to begin serving the dishes.

Gaode, on the other hand, quietly observed the situation.

He had already met Lady Wang Mian and Richard before, but this was the first time he had met the legendary Grand Duke Wang Mian, Gao De.

Although he looked dignified, he seemed to act as if he were a kind and gentle person.

At this moment, the waiters carried trays and entered the restaurant in an orderly manner to serve the dishes.

Although it was a low-key affair, it was still very formal as a banquet, with the order and presentation of the dishes strictly following the rules of the classical nobility of the Plantagenet dynasty.

First, an appetizer soup is served, and it is brought to the guests by a servant in a gentle manner, while remaining silent so as not to disturb the conversation.

After the servants finished serving the appetizer soup and retreated to the sides of the restaurant to wait for orders, Grand Duke Wang Mian picked up the soup bowl in front of him and took a small sip.

He then looked at Gao De and spoke in a calm tone, breaking the silence at the table: "Master Gao De, I already know about what happened between you and Liu Ying in the Desolate Soul Realm. Thanks to you, Liu Ying was able to return safely."

"If it weren't for you, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"I was busy with important matters some time ago and was unable to thank you in person. Now that I have finally found the time, I would like to invite you to this banquet to express my gratitude. I hope you will not mind my neglect."

Gao De quickly put down his soup spoon and said sincerely, "You flatter me, I really don't deserve such praise."

Grand Duke Wang Mian nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Gao De.

He changed the subject, seemingly casually asking, "Looking at the power rankings for this year's Unparalleled Magic Fighting Tournament, you're still ranked third?"

"It is truly remarkable that someone so young can possess such combat prowess and stand out in a competition teeming with top competitors."

Gao De slowly said, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. The current ranking is only temporary. Many experts from the Holy Empire and Linhai City have not yet gone all out in order to preserve their strength."

"After today's elimination round, once the power rankings are updated, I'm about to fall out of the top five." Gao De neither exaggerated his strength nor deliberately belittled himself; his tone was calm.

Grand Duke Wang Mian gave Gao De a deep look, then glanced at Liu Ying, who remained silent as if it were none of his business.

How could he not sense the unusual feelings that Liu Ying held for Gao De?

Putting everything else aside, the way she would glance at Gao De from time to time when she asked him questions, like a tender bud in spring, made Grand Duke Wang Mian feel uneasy.

As a father, Grand Duke Wang Mian's first reaction was naturally resistance and wariness.

This is an instinct ingrained in their bones, a father's protective instinct.

Liu Ying was his precious daughter, the one he owed the most to and loved the most.

Gao De, on the other hand, comes from an ordinary background, has no powerful family background, and is somewhat "of unknown origin." He is currently only a third-ring mage.

Despite his exceptional talent, he is still worlds apart from Liu Ying.

But after this instinctive resistance and wariness comes careful consideration.

On the one hand, he was not the kind of domineering, autocratic, or autocratic father.

He was unwilling to interfere with his daughter's ideas, and even less did he want to create a rift between himself and Liu Ying because of his obstruction.

On the other hand, he knew better than anyone else that Liu Ying's constitution was special.

For so many years, Liu Ying has been unable to establish close relationships with others. She can only occasionally communicate with the outside world by wearing the robe of the Light-Concealing Dharma. Now she has finally met an "alternative" like Gao De.

If he forcefully obstructs her, will Liu Ying ever encounter another Gao De?

It was precisely because of these considerations that Grand Duke Wang Mian's attitude was actually more inclined towards neutrality.

He did not firmly oppose Liu Ying's approach to Gao De, nor did he readily acknowledge the friendship between the two.

He simply followed his long-standing work habits and sent people to thoroughly investigate everything about Gaode.

Given his status and position, gathering information about someone would be incredibly easy for him.

His background, upbringing, mage talent, combat system, and even his performance in the mage duel tournament were all presented to him in detail.

However, this extremely detailed intelligence caused Grand Duke Wang Mian to frown repeatedly, and the contradiction in his heart deepened.

The intelligence clearly shows that Gaode came from a humble background and was an orphan.

Even more surprisingly, he was not a commoner from the Plantagenet dynasty, but rather came from a remote and weak duchy.

That principality has long since been destroyed and is now a province of the Holy Empire.

Yet, this grassroots mage managed to advance to the first level early on, given the environment and resources of the Principality of Xinen.

After a long journey to the Golden Flower Dynasty and joining the Sea Sentinels, he fully demonstrated his powerful talent and abilities.

In just a few years, he rose from an insignificant first-ring mage to a third-ring mage.

They can even defeat a fourth-ring mage head-on with their third-ring mage level.

This speed of advancement and level of combat power are rare talents among the young mages of the entire Golden Flower Dynasty.

However, there are many ambiguities and contradictions within it that have remained unresolved.

Gaode's exceptional talent is undeniable.

But the most obvious contradiction is that, with such a cultivation speed far exceeding that of ordinary people, he still possesses such a rich system of spells.

For an ordinary mage, it is already difficult enough to specialize in one type of magic.

Even with exceptional talent, it's difficult to maintain multiple abilities while rapidly advancing in one's career.

There must be some secret hidden within.

Grand Duke Wang Mian's gaze fell on Gao De once again.

The scrutiny in his eyes grew increasingly profound.

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