Witch Monastery

Hawthorne responded with a smile, and did not reject his enthusiasm. The two showed their IDs to the guards at the door, and walked side by side into the huge stepped conference room. At this time, most of the nobles attending the meeting had already taken their seats. Some people were surprised to see the two of them walking side by side, while some people looked intriguing.

Hawthorne didn't mind it and looked for the seat with his name tag. Then he found that he and Bernard were next to each other.

"What a coincidence," said Bernard, smiling. "We're together."

Hawthorne thought that this was too obvious, but even though he complained in his heart, he did not reject Bernard's kindness. He had no relatives in this parliament now, so it was not a bad thing to have another enthusiastic friend who came up to him.

The bell on the wall rang, announcing the start time of the meeting. The nobles who were talking in low voices quickly quieted down, and a white-haired elderly man wearing an extremely traditional red noble robe embroidered with huge golden patterns and leaning on a cane walked up to the podium in the front and began to preside over the meeting.

"The number of people attending this meeting accounts for more than two-thirds of the total number of people. The procedures are legal and the meeting is valid." He went through the process seriously, using

He used the same tongue-twisting sound as Arnold, "Well, let's start this meeting with the first item, which is the proposal put forward by the City Hall's Interior Department to expand the size of the civil service..."

He began to introduce the lengthy background behind this proposal, which was nothing more than that the city hall failed to respond promptly and effectively to the disaster of the Abyss Lord's invasion last year because the civil service was too small and seriously understaffed...

Hawthorne listened quietly, and at this time, Bernard leaned close to his ear and whispered to him: "The civil servants are never short of staff, and they always want to recruit more and expand their scale."

"The city lord has actually been trying to reduce the size of the civil service because the current fiscal expenditure is too high, but it has had little effect. The civil servants always find ways to evade her and look for every opportunity to expand the recruitment."

Hawthorne nodded slightly, as if thinking: "Then what should I vote for later?"

He thought Bernard would say, "It doesn't matter. We don't have the power to agree or disagree, and it won't affect the situation." But this man said something else: "Of course we will vote against it. We stand on the side of the city lord and must do our best to support all her actions!"

Hawthorne smiled softly: "Okay, I understand, I'll vote for this later!"

Bernard's face lit up. Seeing that Hawthorne accepted his suggestion so easily, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this person is not very difficult to get along with.

In this way, the subsequent plans should go very smoothly...

Bernard thought so and felt full of confidence in himself.

Naturally, his purpose in contacting Hawthorne so actively and eagerly today was not simple.

He came with a mission.

His father once went to the Mithril Palace with Madam Casalant to question Leila Silverhand why she gave Hawthorne such a high title. But after seeing Leila's firm attitude, although he still agreed to smear Hawthorne with Casalant on the surface, he secretly changed his mind in his heart.

Since the city lord publicly supports him so much, then why should I go against him?

Since things are set in stone now, wouldn't it be better to win them over?

With this in mind, he began to study Hawthorne's information and consider strategies to win him over. It was impossible to marry his daughter to him, as the Amkasla family had already taken the initiative. It was estimated that his daughters could not compete with a powerful paladin.

Then he had no choice but to let his sons who were good at socializing take the initiative to make friends with him and make him feel respected while other nobles still looked down on him.

This is a friendship that cannot be bought with any amount of money, so Bernard, who fully understood the importance of this task, generously took it on.

Now it seems that the plan is going very smoothly. So what he needs to do next is to continue to maintain and build a good relationship with him!

Bernard was very excited, but he remained restrained. While listening to the speeches of the congressmen, which were either serious or casual, he talked in a low voice with Hawthorne, chatting about some interesting topics. Once Hawthorne showed no interest, he would immediately change the topic.

Thus, the morning passed quickly. Everyone filled in their own choices on the ballot paper filled with various proposals in front of them, and signed their names behind each choice.

Afterwards, a special statistician came and collected the tickets into a red box. After everyone's tickets were collected, the meeting was officially declared over and the participants began to leave in an orderly manner.

Hawthorne was no exception. He walked out with Bernard. When they reached the door, they were about to say goodbye. At this moment, the young man suddenly asked, "Mr. Hawthorne, do you have time in the next few days?"

Hawthorne turned his head and looked at him: "Of course, what's the matter?"

Bernard looked at him expectantly. "It's like this. Later, we, uh, the children of hereditary nobles who are about my age, will have a party in the Muse District. It will be hosted by the Casarant family. Many art troupes, both their own and folk, will come to perform."

"This is a great opportunity to make friends, would you like to come along?"

Hawthorne's expression changed when he heard this: "Casalante family? You have a good relationship with them?"

Bernard's expression also changed. "Ah... This is actually not that good. But, in case we can help each other in the future, you see, we are all nobles who have lived here for generations, and it's not good to make the relationship too awkward."

As he said this, his eyes slightly dimmed, and he continued, "Speaking of this, Mr. Hawthorne, I have something else to tell you. You can attend this party without worry, because many family members, like me, will go. The Casarant family will definitely not dare to use any conspiracy or trickery, which will offend everyone at the same time."

"But you must be careful in the future. The people in their family...seem to be very dissatisfied with your being awarded such a high title."

"So, if their people find you alone, you must be careful and don't let them harm you!"

Hawthorne thought to himself that it was not because I was given such a high title, but because I wiped out their family's Black Glove, the Sannasa Guild, that they hated me so much.

As for complaining that the title I was given was too high?

What a joke! Look at the place where Leila Silverhand sealed me. They don’t think so!

He laughed in his heart, but Bernard's kindness

He naturally understood, nodded, and said, "Thanks for the reminder, I understand."

After thinking for a while, he continued, "When exactly is the party?"

Bernard's eyes lit up. "You agreed? Actually, it won't be long. It will be in a week. Okay, I'll tell them. Then I'll definitely give you a surprise!"

Chapter 489 Dinner for Noble Children

Hawthorne smiled and nodded, and after saying this, the two finally separated. Because just now, he couldn't help but have a new idea: before, the dance troupe that Lan Long gave me seemed to have been living a very difficult life, and could only barely support themselves, with very meager profits.

Then, can we take this opportunity to let them participate in this performance? We don't expect to make much profit, but at least they can support themselves from now on?

As soon as he thought of this, he made up his mind.

Let them go, and as for the results, it depends on their own abilities!

With this in mind, he boarded the carriage he hired and ordered, "Go to the Muse area!"

The driver whipped the horse and the carriage rumbled towards the other direction of the city.

Half an hour later, Hawthorne arrived at the dance troupe's residence. The communication with the dancers was very smooth. The leader of the dance troupe had already noticed the advertisement issued by the Casalante family's theater, but was a little hesitant because he was afraid of the Casalante family's bad reputation.

In the past few years, many originally excellent folk art groups were targeted by them because of their excellent skills, and then suppressed by them in various ways. In the end, they had to surrender and become their puppets, or even playthings of many nobles.

The leader of the dance troupe also had similar concerns, so he was a little hesitant, fearing that his girls would make the same mistakes.

But when Hawthorne came over and talked to them, the fear in the girls' hearts was immediately swept away. What are they afraid of? Their current backer is Count Hawthorne, the most popular person in Libel Port. Why should they be afraid of being bullied by her Casalante family?

Therefore, after the two sides communicated with each other, everyone in the dance troupe readily agreed and planned that their leader would contact the other party next, hoping to get a chance to perform on the stage used for entertainment by the children of the powerful and wealthy.

If this was successful and they became famous, they would be a well-known art troupe in the entire Port of Liber and would have no problem making a living.

Thinking of such a future, the dancers in the troupe couldn't help but feel their hearts boiling with emotion, and their eyes turned towards Hawthorne with increasing passion.

Since the acquisition, the two parties have actually only met twice, but in these two times, the first time was to increase their share, and the second time was to give them the opportunity to move to the next level. How could they not be excited?

But Hawthorne himself felt that although these girls were only ordinary civilians in terms of fighting power, the way they looked at him was as if they wanted to eat him. Their faces were red, their eyes were fierce, and they swallowed saliva frantically, which made him shudder.

Obviously the other party is the weak one, and he is the strong one...

But in short, after explaining the situation and encouraging them to join the party, Hawthorne turned and fled, like a weak child fleeing from a forest surrounded by beasts, until he got back into the carriage and felt that he was back in a safe place.

Afterwards, he hurried back to the monastery, returned to his daily life, and waited for the party to begin...

In a high-end restaurant in the Mithril District, a tall, hook-nosed and sinister man who looked less than thirty years old strode into the restaurant.

His name is Amrik Casalant, the second son of Madam Casalant. He is shrewd in calculating interests and is good at socializing. He is proficient in communicating with all kinds of people and has friends everywhere in the aristocratic circle.

At this moment, he aimed at a dining table by the window, where two aristocratic men, one tall and thin, the other short and fat, both of whom came from distinguished families, were having dinner together.

Amlik walked over quickly and sat down next to them, then continued, "Hans, William, I heard that you two are not planning to come to my party? What's going on? Do you have other plans?"

The tall noble man swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "Why did you come to us just for this? I don't have any reason, I'm just a little tired. I won't go this time, but I will definitely come next time."

Another short and fat noble also nodded, looking uninterested. Of course, Amlik would not agree to this. Just kidding, he had received an order from his mother that something big was going to happen that night, and the more people who attended, the better, so he had to let all these people go.

Therefore, he showed a dissatisfied look: "You made me very embarrassed, and I had arranged a lot of activities that night. Many folk art troupes and our own troupes came. The girls finally agreed, just this time..."

As he spoke, he raised his eyebrows twice, the implication of which was self-evident.

Suddenly, the two noble children showed expressions of sudden enlightenment: "Oh... I understand, that's how it is."

Among them, the little fat guy's eyes lit up: "So this time, is it that...that bird you collected, that dance troupe?"

Amlik was immediately filled with disgust, but still had a warm smile on his face: "You mean, towards the peacock?"

The young man slapped his thigh, and the fat on his face and legs trembled: "Yes, it's them! Will they come that night too?

"

There was a greedy gleam in his light blue eyes, and lust could not be concealed on his greasy face.

Amlik's disgust in his heart became even stronger, but in order to lure him into the trap, he nodded firmly: "Of course, people like them are born to serve us, aren't they?"

Suddenly, the little fat man laughed: "Well, then I won't be polite. William, are you coming too?"

The tall and thin man smiled bitterly and nodded helplessly: "Okay, then... I'll go with you, and we'll see you that night."

He is a homosexual who likes men. This is not uncommon in the aristocratic circle. They have nothing to do every day, and their resources are inexhaustible. After decades of playing like this, when they get tired of playing, they will start new attempts, and the ways of playing are becoming more and more twisted and scary.

Of course, he had many like-minded people, but at such banquets, when his friends were abusing those lovely girls, he was standing by with the male artists, having sex with them, which made him seem a little out of place.

However, he was also afraid that he would become too alienated from other people in the aristocratic circle, so at worst he could just find a private room to spend the night.

Having made up his mind, he had no choice but to agree.

OK, all done.

Amlik thought to himself and nodded: "Okay, then we'll see you on that day!"

Having said this, he sneered in his heart.

Haha, a group of guys who are blinded by lust.

Just wait, when that day comes, your ugly appearance will be exposed and will disgrace the gods in heaven and many angels; and the pleased Lord Asmodeus will grant us supreme power!

Chapter 490: Casalante Banquet

In the Mithril District, at Casalant's home, Regolas stretched out his dark red palm and spread it out. A palm-sized brass disc lay quietly in the palm of his hand, with a series of mysterious patterns engraved on it in extremely fine detail.

In front of him, Madam Casalante looked at the disc with a confused look. Her eyes gradually became confused, and she couldn't help but reach out her hand, wanting to wear it on herself.

Regolas immediately grasped the disc again. His sight was cut off, and Madam Casalante immediately regained consciousness. She looked at him and asked in astonishment, "Is there magic on it?"

Regolas nodded. "Yes, it has two functions. The first is that it makes people want to wear it uncontrollably. The second is that it allows my Lord to appreciate the scene through the vision of the person wearing it."

"So at that time, my Lord will be able to see the indulgence and corruption of the bloodline of the gods today. This will become his capital to mock the gods of Mount Heaven, and we will get the rewards we deserve."

Madam Casalant instinctively felt that there was something wrong, but she didn't know magic, so she couldn't tell. She hesitated for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Will no nobles be harmed by this?"

Rigolas immediately showed a shocked expression: "How can you think like that? How could I do that! We have finally reversed your family's reputation. If something harmful really happens, everything we have done before will soon be wasted!"

"We still have to cooperate here for a long time. Why do you think I am a fool who digs his own grave?"

Seeing him so excited, Madam Casalant reluctantly put her heart back into her stomach: "Then I feel relieved!"

After that, she said goodbye and turned to leave. Looking at her plump back, Regolas's mouth curled up, revealing a sinister smile.

Haha, goodbye.

……

On the day of the party.

Hawthorne took a carriage and arrived at the Muse District on time. This district is mainly based on news, art, sports and other entertainment industries, so the shapes of various buildings are also quite artistic.

For example, there is a stadium shaped like a bird's nest, an opera house that looks like stacked shells, a casino that looks like several stacked dice, and so on.

In comparison, the Time Group's skyscraper seems a bit old-fashioned and unremarkable.

The theater Hawthorne was going to this time was the Casalante Theater, which looked like a stack of shells. Bernard's carriage had already arrived here, and when he stopped, the man immediately jumped out of the carriage and walked in side by side with him, chatting.

Here, he also met many other young nobles who came to play, and each of them greeted him with a smile. Bernard was also very enthusiastic in introducing each person's family, the glory of their ancestors, and so on.

Hawthorne simply couldn't remember these long names and complicated honors, but that didn't stop him from smiling throughout and making appropriate compliments to make the other person feel very respected.

Until he met Amrik Casarant, who was there to welcome the visitors.

Seeing him coming, Hawthorne could clearly notice that Amlick's face changed rapidly. But soon, he also praised Hawthorne, greeted him with a smile, and then warmly welcomed him and Bernard into the VIP seat.

Even after Amlik left, Hawthorne still had a bad look on his face. Both sides knew that they were enemies of each other, so naturally they would not greet each other with a friendly face.

“Don’t worry.” After sitting down, Bernard seemed to think that he was still worried about this guy, so he advised, “He held this party and invited so many people to come. His original intention was to get closer to us and improve his reputation in the aristocratic circle.”

"and so

Even if he doesn't like you, he won't dare to do anything to offend you. After all, everyone is watching, and it will only lower his reputation. "Bernard said, laughing to himself, "You still have to be careful of him in the future, but tonight, enjoy yourself!"

Hawthorne nodded and said, "We will drink from the golden cup together, but we will not spare each other with swords." He understood.

Moreover, the Casalant family should not be in a hurry to deal with him. Although he destroyed Shannasa's lair, these guys must have thought that Shannasa was dead, and they didn't know that he not only subdued Shannasa, but also deduced that they were in collusion with the demon Regolas.

The Casarants probably thought that they were in the dark and Hawthorne was in the light, so Hawthorne's threats were not urgent. They certainly didn't know that Hawthorne had already seen all their underwear.

What's more, in peacetime, even if nobles were mortal enemies, they still had to drink together in peace at the table. No one would pull out a knife and stab someone to death during a banquet.