The air itself felt louder, rougher, and richer than before in this new settlement.

This was a place where money, information, power, and crime likely touched hands every single day.

Randy stretched both arms while walking forward lazily.

"Welcome to Fifty, where everyone smiles while planning theft." He announced.

Several guards nearby pretended not to hear him at all.

The Mantis warden soon approached with a disciplined escort.

He stood tall and severe, his green exoskeleton polished clean, while his bladed forearms were folded neatly behind him like noble hands.

"Warden Randy, your party has arrived on schedule as expected." The Mantis said calmly.

"I dislike schedules and punctuality equally." Randy replied.

"Yes, everyone already knows that truth well." The Mantis answered.

The Mantis then looked over the gathered young lords carefully.

"The event hall is nearly prepared, and guests from multiple settlements and races have already assembled inside. Please proceed with your escorts now." He declared.

They were led through major avenues toward the central venue.

Neil observed everything carefully while walking through the crowded city.

A group of horned nobles passed nearby in decorated armor with gemstones set into their shoulder plates.

Blue-skinned traders argued loudly over crates containing glowing minerals. Short muscular engineers pushed a smoking machine while cursing at each other continuously.

Elegant women with silver tails rode enclosed platforms guarded by armed escorts carrying expensive weapons.

There were beastkin mercenaries, robed scholars, masked killers pretending to be merchants, and wealthy heirs pretending to be warriors.

The deeper they went into the district, the denser the crowd became.

Eventually the event venue came into view before them.

It was a colossal circular structure built from layered black stone and shining metal supports, with banners hanging from multiple levels and streams of guests entering through several grand gates.

The area outside alone overflowed with people and movement.

Inside, the scale became even clearer than before.

Massive halls connected to central chambers, private balconies overlooked the main floor, guards lined walls in disciplined rows, servants moved carrying trays and documents, and powerful presences could be sensed almost everywhere.

Wardens from different settlements spoke in measured groups with hidden caution.

Young heirs compared one another silently through posture and aura.

Traders watched everyone like hungry birds waiting for weakness.

Neil followed calmly while observing everything, until a nearby conversation unexpectedly caught his attention.

Two men standing beside a column were speaking in hushed but eager voices.

"I heard another strange murder happened recently somewhere nearby." One man said quietly.

"At one of those same places linked to earlier deaths?" The other asked.

"That is what several people are whispering today." The first replied.

Neil only half listened at first, but the next words sharpened his attention immediately.

"The old woman from that market district was found dead, and the restaurant near the lower road where trouble happened also had bodies discovered later." The man continued.

Neil’s heartbeat quickened once inside his chest.

He had been to both places recently.

He kept walking naturally while listening more carefully.

"They say every incident happened shortly after some unknown person had visited first." The second man whispered.

"And no footage exists from cameras there?" The first asked.

"That is the strangest part because recordings were damaged or erased each time somehow." The second replied.

Neil’s face remained calm, but his thoughts sharpened instantly.

’Nemo, cross-check all mentioned locations with my movement history from recent days.’ He ordered internally.

"Yes master, searching now and comparing travel records." Nemo replied.

He continued walking with steady steps beside the others.

Several moments later Nemo answered again.

"Master, current overlap is complete with all locations mentioned so far. Each discussed place matches somewhere you visited recently, and timing estimates suggest deaths occurred after your departure." She reported.

Neil’s heartbeat rose again, though his expression did not change outwardly.

The old woman he had helped.

The restaurant where those two men wanted to scam him.

Other places he had casually visited without thought.

All connected somehow.

And every camera destroyed afterward.

He kept walking into the great event hall surrounded by noise, wealth, and powerful people, yet the city around him suddenly felt colder than before.

Neil knew it was better to not draw too much attention to himself right now, especially after finding out about all the murders.

He looked around and saw one empty corner, that would be the best position while he waits for his teacher.

’There are many powerful people here, if a fight really breaks out, even escaping will be impossible.’ Neil thought as he started walking towards the corner.

There were seats placed at various parts of the large hall, Neil hadn’t seen so many different races before.

And quite a lot of geniuses of different races had arrived here.

"What’s wrong?" Just then Randy’s voice sounded from beside him.

"Oh uh, it’s nothing, I just thought I will sit here, I don’t like crowds." Neil replied, pausing for a moment as he glanced back.

"I see, but you are ready to fight a battle or two right? I wanted to challenge a few sons of bitches, they always flaunt their disciples and children around, I need to show them the middle finger!" Randy said, as if he was sure Neil will win.

"Ok I will." Neil nodded, but he added: "As long as it’s not someone in the 4th Origin, I can fight them."

"That is fine, you just need to fight against the younger generation, hmm two-year lords actually but none of them should be your equal." Randy said, then he looked around and went to boast to others.

Neil shook his head and took a seat, away from the crowd, he also wasn’t yet sure how to steal that treasure.

’Nemo, ask teacher when she will be here.’ Neil picked a glass of wine from the table and took a sip.

Though it was impossible for him to get drunk.

"There is no reply master." Nemo replied after a minute.

More and more lords, their subjects and maybe their families were pouring into the enormous hall, this really was a big event.

’Nemo, there is no problem with the domain, right?’ he asked, Neil was still feeling restless about the domain.

"Yes, master, no problem there. Many officers are specially assigned to guard it." Nemo replied.

Just then louder conversations broke out into the large hall, the crowd shifted and everyone seemed extra excited.

Neil glanced over, curious about the change but there were too many people so he couldn’t see anything clearly.

He tilted the glass, making the wine dance inside but just then a familiar but completely new sort of fragrance engulfed his senses.

Neil looked up and saw a beautiful and mature woman with a faint smile on her lips, looking right at him.

"Tea-" Neil stood up suddenly in surprise, it was the first time that he was seeing her properly.

The time in the prison didn’t count.

It was just like in the clash realm but the feeling of reality made this first meeting much more meaningful.

She looked so beautiful and seductive, the snake queen.

"Hello Neil," but she interrupted him, her melodious voice was so sweet, the gaze of most people were now focused on her.

People began to question how this guy knew the Queen, most feeling jealous.

’Right, it would be better to not expose our relation, or I might get more enemies.’ Neil paused, aware that she was doing it for him.

Calming his emotions, he nodded and replied: "Hello there, Queen Cynthia, it is a pleasure meeting you. You look far more beautiful than the images I have seen."

"Hehe I have seen that video of yours, and that move of yours was very powerful." The two were talking like strangers, though it felt so funny.

"Ah so they are strangers, looks like he caught her attention by that video, oh wait, it’s Neil Yates?!! How lucky!"

"But did she just smile? No way, I must have imagined it, yeah."

Only now did people begin to recognize him.

"Didn’t he die after offending that 4th Origin Shen? I heard Shen even had people in ECO."

"You fool, the opposite happened, it is Shen that died. Though it was that pig Warden who did it, haha all because of his son who was playing a prank, this guy surely is lucky though."

Neil and Cynthia ignored the various conversations of the people, they just wanted to be alone right now.

But that will have to wait.

"So you are finally here Queen Cynthia!" Suddenly a loud voice sounded and the wolf prince Caleb walked closer.

He had been waiting for her to appear for several days now, normally Cynthia doesn’t come to such events.

So he was going to leave soon after having a talk with some people but after hearing about her how can he leave?

Though Caleb was curious, what made her come here this time? Did she bring some genius along?

Cynthia frowned, she was earlier internally debating if Neil’s status as her student would help him or put him in danger so without discussing with him, she didn’t say anything out loud.

While also wondering about their heist and how to spend some time together.

But now this annoying bug had popped up, with his jealous and simp personality she was sure he might cause trouble for Neil.

"Haa Caleb, you are right on time, I have something important to tell you." Cynthia said, her words made Caleb’s heartbeat go faster.

Was it finally the time? Has she finally realized his love for her?

He couldn’t wait to hear her, and finally make her his-

"But who is this?" he asked, looking at Neil with narrowed eyes.

❖❖❖

Thanks for reading...