I've Become the King of Villains in the Game-Chapter 464 - 325: Charity Dinner

Chapter 464: Chapter 325: Charity Dinner

Two evenings later.

Chen Lun was in front of the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, examining his attire.

In the mirror, the extremely handsome young man wore a high-grade black velvet evening dress, a brand new top hat, a white lining, a red bow tie, leather gloves—one black, one brown, shiny leather shoes… Chen Lun leaned on a silver cane, straightened his hat, and nodded with satisfaction.

“Hmm, I feel I might be a tad too handsome right now… Too bad you can’t see, Floey, otherwise you’d surely be enchanted.”

He said jokingly.

Floey, standing quietly behind him, covered her mouth with a small hand and chuckled softly.

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“Even though I can’t see, I agree with your opinion,” she said softly with a blush on her face.

Chen Lun turned around and took a moment to admire Floey’s appearance.

Because she had been informed in advance that she would be attending the charity dinner with him that evening, Floey had specially prepared a gown for the past two days.

She wore a black long dress without joining the trend of inserting a dress hoop beneath it, as she put it, she didn’t like the bloated feeling that came with it.

The dress was covered with multiple layers of petal-like pleats, with fine, shimmering purple gems at the waist and bodice. Over it, she donned a black felt short cloak that Chen Lun had once given her. Her small hands were in black suede gloves, her light golden hair was pinned up for the first time, and she wore a black hat tilted to the side with a purple chrysanthemum adorning it. The overall look was extremely beautiful.

And it matched perfectly with Chen Lun’s attire.

“It’s almost time, let’s set off,” Chen Lun said softly, silently admiring Floey’s appearance.

Floey seemed to sense his appreciative gaze, pleased inside, she gave a hum of agreement and took the initiative to step forward and hook her arm into Chen Lun’s.

*

*

*

The two took a carriage driven by Golov to a central auction venue in the city.

This place had been originally owned by the Harrington Family and had been arranged to be the site for this evening’s charity dinner. Numerous carriages were parked outside the bronze-colored Great Gate, beside the railing, and more than a dozen neatly-dressed attendants in uniform red vests were busy arranging and receiving guests.

Many nobles and merchants from Peacock City attended the event that evening. It could be said to be due to the strong influence of both the Harrington and Simon Families, as well as the attractive preferential policies offered by the Parliament.

In any case, these important figures all showed face by being present.

Chen Lun, taking Floey with him, entered leisurely. As soon as they stepped through the Great Gate, they saw Mr. Hoyle and Miss Tracey personally welcoming the guests at the side of the corridor. The guests who had arrived earlier were surprised by the warmth of their reception, and some were even flattered by it, as this was an encounter with the most powerful figures of Peacock City’s ruling families.

But what all the guests did not know was that Hoyle and Tracey were truly waiting for the young gentleman who had just arrived.

“Welcome, Mr. Jack,” they greeted Chen Lun and Floey warmly, shaking hands with them. Then Mr. Hoyle, leading the way, guided Chen Lun and his companion inside.

He also whispered a reminder:

“Tonight’s charity dinner is highly regarded by the upper echelons. Not only are there seven or eight members of Parliament present, but the Shelter, Madman School, and Hailing Group have also sent people.”

Chen Lun’s eyes sharpened.

‘The Shelter and the Righteous God Church are here too… It seems the living conditions of the lower-class citizens have deteriorated so much that even the official transcendent powers cannot remain idle.’

He and Floey were led to a private luxury box on the second floor, from where they could see the auction stage below through a one-way floor-to-ceiling window, and the sound was transmitted into the box by a sound system set into the ceiling.

By now, many guests had already arrived and taken their seats. Young, attractive waitresses carried trays roving between the round tables, setting down fine food and red wine. They received “tips” from these significant figures, which although called tips, were definitely many times their usual weekly salary. This prompted the waitresses to invest even more enthusiasm into their jobs and turn a blind eye to some of the more offensive gestures from certain guests.

After delivering Chen Lun and Floey to the box, Hoyle and Tracey exchanged a few words and then excused themselves to leave.

Now, only Chen Lun and Floey were left in the box.

Chen Lun invited Floey to sit and rest on the couch, and like a true gentleman, poured her a glass of red wine.

“Please, my beautiful lady,” he said as he swirled the wine in the glass and then handed it to Floey.

She accepted it with a smile, her pleasant voice chiming in:

“Thank you, sir.”

Chen Lun poured himself a glass of red wine as well. Although he didn’t fancy drinking, he didn’t want to spoil the mood and clinked glasses lightly with Floey.

Clink.

The two took a sip and smiled at each other.

Before long, the charity dinner began. Hoyle and Tracey had invited an experienced host to start the auction of collectibles and personal items donated by the nobility and merchants.

As this was a charity auction, the items did not have high value, but the nobles and merchants still made bids to show their support. In a sense, it was also a way for them to foster relationships within their social circle.

For example, the first auction item, an ivory cosmetic box belonging to a certain noble lady, had an actual value of only a few dozen Gold Pounds, but another rich merchant would bid hundreds of Gold Pounds for it, stating that his wife greatly admired this noble lady and appreciated her taste.

Through such a minor affair, a connection was formed between the nobility and the merchant.

Chen Lun didn’t devote much energy to these auction items, he didn’t even want to give them a glance… He was willing to come this time for two reasons, the first was to give face to Hoyle and Tracey, and the second was to plan to donate a modest sum of Gold Pounds.

Although he was a transmigrator, a Transcendent, he still harbored a trace of sympathy for the miserable commoners of this world. He would not undertake saintly actions that damaged his own interests, yet he was willing to help out as much as he could within his capabilities.

That was Chen Lun’s bottom line, and the humanity he adhered to.

At this moment.

Chen Lun slightly curled his hand, and his index finger detached on its own, transforming into a small snake the size of an earthworm, which slithered out of the box.

Noticing Floey’s slightly puzzled expression, he explained with a smile:

“In the next box is a large suite where people from the Shelter and two factions of the Righteous God Church are gathered…”

Floey nodded in understanding.

Chen Lun planned to eavesdrop, to find out what the intentions of the official people were.

After the little snake made its way into the adjacent box through the gap under the door, it quickly hid beneath a serving cart at the entrance. Through Five Senses Perception, Chen Lun shared the snake’s sensory experience and saw the scene inside clearly.

In the lavishly decorated large box, around an expensive and exquisite coffee table, sat three oblong sofas. The Shelter sent four people, led by a tall, thin middle-aged man, who was the team leader, Amos, and his three subordinates, one a deputy leader and two senior Investigators.

Madman School numbered only three, two men and one woman, all looking quite old with half-white hair and wearing light blue robes, exuding an intense scholarly air. They sat in silence, eyes closed, meditating.

The Hailing Group brought five people, all dressed in dark green sleeveless uniforms with a pendant of a closed eye hanging on their chests.

“It’s a pleasure to see the Hailing Group participating in such an event, Mobius,” said Amos, the leader of the Shelter, raising his glass.

Mobius, the middle-aged brutish man referred to as Mobius, the Chief Priest of the Hailing Group, equivalent to the Bishop of the other churches, responded with a hearty laugh and a returned toast.

“That’s nothing, for we have just arrived and such gatherings allow us to get a preliminary understanding of the situation in Peacock City.”

The two exchanged a few words about the charity dinner, and throughout the whole process, the three members of the Madman School remained silent.

At this point, Amos, the leader of the Shelter, hesitated for a moment before tentatively broaching another subject:

“Um, it may be a bit abrupt, but may I ask the Hailing Group if they can melt the ice layer in the eastern harbor? That way, the port could resume operations and the plight of Peacock City would be solved.”

“Ha ha ha…”

Mobius burst into laughter, emptying his drink in one gulp.

“When we took over from the History and Ritual Association and were dispatched to take charge of Peacock City, it was the higher authorities of the Empire who had decided this… because this is a harbor city, isn’t it? Handling this domain is what our Hailing Group does best.”

Amos’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

The other people of the Shelter also showed smiles on their faces.

But Mobius suddenly sighed heavily, with a troubled expression:

“However, the extent of the ice layer is a bit beyond my expectations… I need some time to report this matter and get support from the higher-ups.”

“This…”

Amos frowned.

If this dragged on, the situation in Peacock City would only worsen. He had every reason to believe that the Hailing Group had the capability to solve the port’s ice problem but simply chose not to act.

Perhaps the cost was too great, and weighing the pros and cons, they opted to stand by and watch.

Amos was led to this conclusion because the Righteous God Churches of today had largely lost their ancient creeds, disregarded the Oath of the Seven Gods, and became extremely selfish.

Otherwise, why had the turmoil initiated by the Red Apple Church not been resolved yet?

It was all because these Righteous God Churches were all talk no action, impressive with words at the High Council meeting, appearing righteous, but when it came to exerting efforts to suppress trouble, their responses were lacking, showing a bystander’s behavior.

“Their energy is all spent on the Righteous God Church elections now…” said a female elder from the Madman School at the moment.

“The Seven Righteous God Churches, those mad folks from the Red Apple being kicked out of their seats, the number of eyes coveting that vacant spot…”

Amos suddenly saw the light.

The other three Shelter members exchanged glances.

The five of the Hailing Group, after hearing this, showed no response, and Mobius, their leader, simply laughed.

But Amos had already believed the words of the Madman School.

Chen Lun, separated by a soundproof wall, suddenly raised an eyebrow as if he had thought of something.

‘The Righteous God Church elections… Did that event also come earlier?’

He quickly associated this with a very important major event and fell into deep thought.