Chapter 87: Persuasion Through Reason
The Blood Raven faction, as one of the empire’s oldest, had considerable resources. But they were always seeking exceptional talents, especially a young, sixth-rank Necromancer, a rare find.
Gaining her allegiance would be worth an army; thousands of skeletons would be at their command.
This time, Moore had colluded with the Imperial Prosecutor’s Office. Someone had jumped the gun, wanting to seize the initiative.
They had conspired, pressuring the academy, attempting to intervene in the internal conflict within the teaching building and the disappearance of Princess Diana, using this opportunity to force Professor Witch to summon Lena.
Once inside the banquet hall, everything would proceed according to their plan.
But no one had expected the renowned Judge Anderson, a professional skilled in mental attacks, to be killed by two novice girls.
Without this key player, the Blood Raven faction’s confidence wavered, resulting in a tense standoff.
…
Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the banquet hall, undercurrents surged.
Each faction plotted to either recruit Lena or eliminate her…
The purpose of this banquet was Lena’s choice.
But no matter her decision, one side would be dissatisfied. Perhaps only her complete disappearance could quell their ambitions.
“Hey, am I really that ugly?!”
Moore turned to ask someone nearby, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The woman he asked nodded, then quickly shook her head, hiding behind her male companion in fear.
The answer was obvious.
Moore’s face darkened, his usual smile turning into a fake, hypocritical grin, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, its disguise exposed.
“Hmph! A bunch of uncultured swine!”
Moore could only make excuses, continuing to pressure Lena. “I believe one’s appearance is irrelevant to our current conversation. Your choice is crucial, Miss Falmouth. Can you answer my question directly? Everyone wants to know…”
“But looking at ugly things makes me want to die.” Lena filed her nails, her expression bored. “Your Highness is standing so close, it’s affecting my mood. You know, when a beggar and a noble stand together, who do you think feels more uncomfortable?”
Moore’s face turned red with anger. “How dare you call me a beggar?!”
“I didn’t say that, Your Highness, don’t misunderstand.” Lena was subtly regaining control of the conversation, putting away her nail file, a sweet smile on her face. “I was just making an analogy. There are so many people here, how many are your people, and how many are against you… ah, my apologies, I’ve always been blunt.”
The crowd: “…”
Lena had broken the deadlock. Many outsiders were present, mostly summoned by Professor Witch.
The muddy waters were getting murkier.
Lena understood Professor Witch’s intentions: to prevent the banquet from benefiting any single faction, to frustrate Moore while exposing his true nature to everyone.
Once the banquet ended, this farce would be over.
But Moore also understood this. If he couldn’t win Lena over, all his efforts would be wasted. He calmed himself, raising his voice. “Everyone, I have something to say, please listen.”
“Is he trying to use his royal status to scare everyone away?”
Lena didn’t give him the chance, tearing away his facade.
“Who here doesn’t understand Prince Moore’s intentions? The Falmouths are currently leaderless, this is the perfect opportunity to pressure us.”
Lena did have an older brother, but she hadn’t seen him in years.
Moore’s eyes darkened at Lena’s words. “Your brother, Butch, is overseas fighting for the empire’s glory. As the acting head of the family, you should comply with the empire’s will.”
“Can’t I choose the right path?” Lena’s gaze was challenging.
Moore spread his hands, his voice filled with confidence. “Joining the empire is the right path!”
The crowd erupted.
Moore’s words had crossed a line.
Claiming his faction represented the empire’s will, framing recruitment as a service to the empire’s glory, how shameless could he be?
“Stop your bullshit, Moore!”
“Get down! Dare to compete with our ‘Joy of Pleasure’ faction?!”
“Hmph, no matter where Miss Lena chooses to go, I guarantee she won’t join the ‘Blood Ravens.’ Arrogant people will eventually pay for their actions, that’s inevitable!”
“Lena belongs to our ‘Tide’s Assembly’!!”
Everyone was arguing over Lena’s allegiance.
All accusations were now pointed at the clown-faced prince on the stage.
Lena’s ability to manipulate emotions was impressive; a few words had thrown the entire hall into chaos. And after causing the commotion, she didn’t flee, but simply stood there, as if everything was under her control.
“Lena Falmouth, I’ll ask you one last time… do you want to be an enemy of the empire… of the Blood Ravens?!” Moore roared.
He was warning her, resorting to the most foolish tactic in his desperation—threats.
But Lena wasn’t afraid of threats. The crowd’s resentment towards Moore had reached its peak; he had clearly angered everyone.
A fool in a position of power, this world must have made a mistake somewhere.
Lena looked at Moore, as if looking at a dead man.
“Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. The Falmouths have never sided with any faction. We have always served the empire as a neutral family. And as the future head of the Falmouths, I must uphold this principle…”
Moore, refusing to give up, roared, “Your older brother is still in the Devil’s Sea! If he were here, he would definitely agree with me!”
“Really?”
Lena smirked, pointing casually. “If you’re so confident… why don’t you ask him yourself?”
Moore followed her finger, and a dark corner of the banquet hall suddenly distorted, like cracking earth.
Lena’s fingers slowly traced something, a strange sight appearing before everyone’s eyes.
It was a spatial portal, an unactivated teleportation gate.
“You’re…?!” Moore seemed to understand, his legs trembling, his face ashen. “Stop her! Find the one who can activate the portal! We’ll all be dead when Butch arrives! Where’s Anderson!!!”
Lena continued tracing the spell formation Vanessa had given her.
“I told you, if you have any doubts, you can ask my brother yourself. He loves answering questions, persuading through reason… well, with his fists.”
