This is quite interesting, Laine thought. Whenever Teresa attended a banquet, she was always eager to prove herself, while Veronica remained more silent. Yet, after the banquet, Veronica always gained more. Thinking about this, he suddenly understood Teresa's series of behaviors during the journey because having a witch with no background who surpassed her in many aspects exerted considerable pressure on Teresa, enough to change her conduct and style.
The two exchanged the current intelligence.
"I have some very important information to tell you, Laine. On Belte's path of defection, he seems to have converted." The Demon Hunter Vice President's voice was very hoarse: "We all know that during his defection, Belte was a follower of the Master of Plagues."
"But from the indications I received, Belte seems to have converted. He has turned to believe in the Blood God. I don't know why he switched faiths, but this could be good news for us... or bad news."
"This is good news!" Laine stroked his chin: "This means Belte has incurred the Master of Plagues' dislike, at least one faction won't be supporting him." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel~fire~net
Yes, the Chaos Four Gods are not as united as many people think. On the contrary, the internal strife and wars among them are endless. Their invasions of the Prime Material World are more like their fun and a small appetizer outside of their main meal.
In the Chaos Space of the Subspace, the demons belonging to the Four Gods engage in eternal blood wars. The Four Gods disdain each other, investing all their forces into bloody battles over any land or petty excuse. Since demons never truly die, the blood war never ends.
Only in extremely rare circumstances do the Chaos Four Gods temporarily agree to send a small part of their forces to invade the Prime Material World, such as the birth of a Chaos Eternal God Chosen, or when one's father attempts to root out the source of Chaos energy through the propagation of science and enlightenment in the Main Material Universe. Even so, the Chaos Four Gods remain primarily focused on internal strife within the Chaos Realm.
(Even in such circumstances, intelligent creatures in this world must fight with all their might to have a sliver of hope.)
Jacob drank and ate heartily. This Demon Hunter Vice President hails from the northernmost part of the Continent, the Kislev Kingdom, almost bordering the Chaos Wasteland. Every Chaos Invasion hits this country first. Yet, time and again, they rebuild their homeland, still united under the Bear God Erson's banner, fighting Chaos relentlessly.
"I inquired with the Lady, and She told me Belte is in Marinburg, in the area of Marinburg closest to Chaos." Laine frowned. The Lake Fairy's prophecy was indeed useful, though a bit vague. Laine still planned to consult the Demon Hunting Master. Jacob, being over a hundred years old, had far more experience than he did.
The Demon Hunting Master wiped his mouth, splattering broth everywhere. Many noble ladies instinctively raised their skirts, but Laine remained unmoved, signaling Jacob to continue.
"Indeed, as you say, Belte should still be in Marinburg because our information also indicates he remains there." Jacob's age showed as he spoke; to the point where occasionally, food would spill from the corners of his mouth. "A Demon Hunter used visceral divination to determine his location, but that Demon Hunter paid a high price for it."
Divination and prophecy require equivalent sacrifices, especially when it comes to prophesying Chaos creatures, which is extremely dangerous. Many Prophets and Diviners easily burn their eyes blind or succumb to Chaos Corruption during the process.
"As it stands, three locations are most suspicious. First is the Gladiatorial Arena; it's enormous and known for having anything and everything. Vast numbers of gladiators and various exotic creatures linger there, especially as Belte is a follower of the Blood God, so hiding in the Arena wouldn't be surprising." The Demon Hunting Master gave a few coughs and mentioned the first possible place.
"Second, Marinburg is densely populated and extremely crowded, but the city is crisscrossed with countless underground tunnels and hidden passages connecting to the outside. It is said that even large residential areas and dark elves inhabit these underground tunnels. Belte could also be hiding there."
"And finally... there's something off about that woman." Jacob looked up, and Laine followed his gaze to Aesthetic Society's President Agneda, who was joyously conversing with several Great Nobles.
"Here's the plan; I'll investigate the Gladiatorial Arena and the Aesthetic Society with Veronica. The issue of the underground tunnels is up to you, Vice President Jacob." Laine thought about the division of labor. His status was better suited for maneuvering in high society, while the Demon Hunters were more apt for dealing with commoners and guilds.
"Alright, I'll search with my boys to track down Belte's whereabouts." Jacob hesitated for a moment, then quietly added, "We need to move faster, Laine. I know the war has tied you down, but... it seems some other Demon Hunting Masters have also started acting strangely..."
"I understand." Laine sensed that an ever-darkening shadow was pressing closer to this Continent.
Jacob left. Such grand banquets never welcome Demon Hunters reeking of blood. Laine sat in the corner contemplating, only to be interrupted soon by an unexpected guest: "Oh! Mr. Laine! How lucky to see you here!"
It was Oliver, the merchant who had traveled with them before!
This merchant from the Empire was bejeweled, wearing as many adornments as possible. His sparkling appearance made Veronica purse her lips and chuckle.
"Haha~ Hello, Mr. Oliver, did everything go smoothly?" Laine smiled.
"Smooth? What smooth? I lost my goods, and the escorts died. But at least I saved my own skin, hahaha!" Oliver showed off his Magic Ring and his big belly: "And who might this be?"
"I am Veronica Bernadotte from the Jialan Council. I am Laine's partner. Hello, Mr. Oliver, this is my apprentice." Recognizing Laine's old acquaintance, Veronica smiled sweetly, exuding her bright charm.
"Oh! Hello, hello!" Oliver wondered why there was someone new beside Laine.
But this witch was nothing like the haughty female sorcerer before. Instead, she was charming and courteous, her demeanor respectful and her appearance overwhelmingly sweet, instantly winning goodwill.
Oliver thus sat down and chatted with Laine for a while. Considering Laine's newfound prominence, Oliver saw countless benefits from an association with him. Oliver was a major merchant in Nord, but just a small fry in Marinburg. His invitation to this banquet was due to the Duke of Marinburg learning of his prior acquaintance with Laine. Hence, he was specially invited.
Throughout this exchange, Veronica remained silent, merely holding onto Laine's arm with a smile. Oliver thought she was probably just a pretty vase, a casual bed partner Laine had picked.
Thinking so, Oliver's tone and demeanor became somewhat contemptuous toward the woman. Noticing such, the female apprentice scowled at Oliver.
"By the way, Mr. Laine, earlier you met President Agneda. How was she? Truly a beauty, right? She's known as the 'Marinburg Rose,' the 'Flower of the Empire'!" The conversation soon veered into a peculiar direction as Oliver teased Laine: "That's an invitation from Agneda Krausner; it's worth its weight in gold. How could you not accept?"
"Why must I accept?" Laine lifted his wine glass. The red liquid swirled within the goblet with his movements: "I have my partner, and I'm not interested in such revelry."
"Oh, come on! No harm in trying! Mr. Laine, just say it—how is President Agneda's beauty? Rational, neutral, objective~" Oliver was exasperated by Laine's lack of tact. In his view, accepting Agneda's invitation to attend the Aesthetic Society's banquet was a sure-win transaction. He couldn't comprehend why Laine would refuse.
"I admit President Agneda is the most beautiful woman I've ever met, bar none... Ugh!" As Laine spoke coolly, a searing pain suddenly radiated from his chest with the Holy Grail Engraving.
Accompanied by an annoyed voice resonating in Laine's mind: "Laine, my champion, I'm giving you one more chance."