Pirate Kingship-Chapter 662 - 461: The Number 1 Beauty, The Return of the Death God (Vote Please)

The Earl's Party's lack of courtesy was expected, and no one in the Royalist Party paid it any mind.

Rather, when a portion of the Earl's Party left early with darkened expressions, many younger members of the Royalist Party laughed as if they had won a great victory, viewing it as a sign of their political enemy's retreat and another resounding triumph for their own party.

All this was thanks to Saint Byron, the Sea Hunter, Count of Torrentfort.

Many, including King Edward IV and his wife, looked at Byron with particular eagerness.

The label "confidant" had been firmly welded to his name.

All remnants of the Lancaster Party have been destroyed by his hand, and now, this sharp sword will clear the Earl's Party for me and pry open the gates to eternal life!

King Edward IV, wearing the Sun Crown, took the arm of the stunningly beautiful Queen Elizabeth beside him. He announced to the crowd that the ball was starting and, smiling, invited Byron, saying, "Lord Tudor, please bring your dance partner and join us for the opening dance. Today, you are the star of the ball."

The self-satisfied Edward IV firmly believed the Earl's Party was merely a group of grasshoppers that wouldn't be leaping for much longer, posing no impediment to their continued music and dancing.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Byron readily accepted the invitation, leading his tall, strikingly beautiful sister, who shimmered like the silver moon, onto the dance floor.

The dance was led by Their Majesties the King and Queen, who then invited various nobles closely affiliated with the Kingdom to join the group dance. This type of social ball also carried political significance; those not invited were seen as having lost influence with the King—an ominous sign.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, as a clergyman of the Traditional Faction, had to maintain his public image, at least outwardly. Like many from the Earl's Party, he was not suited for the upcoming dances and thus left early.

Byron held his sister's small hand in one of his, while his other arm encircled her slender yet strong waist. As they spun in the dance, he admired the girl's unique beauty at close range, not forgetting to activate his Divine Sight to monitor his surroundings.

Since stepping into Ganquan Palace, the Decryption Rate of 'Hidden: The Death Stranding Incident Amidst the Two-Party Rivalry, Historical Influence 28' had risen to 59%.

Although he wanted to stay in the VIP seat to watch the drama unfold, he did not neglect his own safety.

If someone wanted to exploit 'Death Stranding' to do something, Ganquan Palace is the perfect venue. With the Royalist Party's upper echelon gathered, a randomly thrown brick could hit several Barons or Viscounts. The Kingmaker, Warwick, is now the prime suspect. The Earl's Party withdrawing early might not be out of rage but to escape the impending disaster! They've probably seen me eliminate all Lancaster Remnants and the 'Blue Dragon King,' leaving no external enemies to vie for power. They're ready to tear off all pretense, abandoning their game of contained conflict. I originally just wanted to 'sacrifice the entire family' to forge the golden image of York's Great Loyalist. This turn of events is an unexpected boon. Quickly, no dawdling, fast-forward to... a family should be whole and complete!

Byron's Divine Sight scanned the room, eventually resting on the King and Queen, who were full of tender affection, their eyes nearly melting into one another.

Especially the beautiful Queen: her radiant golden hair was held by a platinum and diamond crown, her skin was pale and flawless, and her slightly upturned lips were more delicate than rose petals.

Her emerald eyes, deep as a dragon's, were particularly entrancing, almost inevitably drawing one in.

Even as the mother of ten children (two from her previous husband and eight with Edward IV), she still dazzled with beauty, rightfully deserving the title of 'The First Beauty of the Channel Islands.'

Today, Byron finally witnessed firsthand the special effect of this title:

"Helen's Fateful Symphony.

In a world order dominated by men, the rule-breaking charm of First Beauties is itself a source of turmoil.

One of the sparks that triggered the schism between the Royalist Party and the Earl's Party was King Edward IV's unilateral decision to marry the beautiful widow Elizabeth, instead of the Iris Princess whom the 'Kingmaker,' Warwick, had arranged for him.

Therefore, while Queen Elizabeth gained an otherworldly beauty capable of captivating any man, she also had to depend on a powerful male figure.

When she loses this man, or when his martial prowess is no longer sufficient to deter other males, another 'Trojan War' will undoubtedly erupt to seize this 'Helen'."

Innate Calamitous Beauty's Sacred Body? This title effect truly has an ancient heritage. Fighting over women is the greatest romance for heroes; it's said even the gods can't resist joining in.

Byron himself had absolutely no interest in becoming a stepfather or godfather to anyone, let alone ten at once.

Even that Regent King, infamous for his obsession with his imperial sister-in-law, couldn't maintain control and was posthumously exhumed and flogged by his own nephew. Anyone who dared to follow his example truly had a death wish.

However, Byron was immensely interested in becoming a "Widow Maker."

King Edward IV's crown bore not only "The Emperor's New Clothes" but also a Third-Level Relic: "Joy Without Worry."

"Conceptual Sacred Relic.

Effect: Grand Contraception Spell.

Designated for use on oneself, others, or a specific item; takes effect immediately upon wearing the item.

Ultra-thin and imperceptible; regardless of one's Class or keenness of senses, its presence is entirely undetectable.

Enjoy a one-tap deactivation service, achieving contraception on a conceptual level, while also preventing diseases and bacteria. Worry-free and uninhibited, it allows the wearer to gallop freely.

Mandate of Heaven: Safety first, no 'fowl' play!"

"The Emperor's New Clothes" meant wearing nothing yet believing one was clothed; "Joy Without Worry" meant being equipped with it yet believing one was not.

From the frequency of fathering at least one child per year, one could gauge the depth of Edward IV's obsession with Elizabeth, The First Beauty of the Channel Islands.

Once the Queen could no longer conceive, a life of daily revelry was entirely foreseeable.

Coincidentally, the first act of any fatuous ruler in history was often debauchery and tyranny!

Although, I have no right to comment on this matter. But... I have a strong constitution! If anyone dared to emulate my 'one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, no rest for a single day' routine, there would only be one outcome for them: 'Just wait for death!' It's always the ox that's worked to death, never the field that's plowed to ruin.

"The Emperor's New Clothes," "Joy Without Worry," and "Helen's Fateful Symphony," in addition to the still-active "Nation-Destroying Nail" and the entry "Heartfelt Trouble."

Byron eagerly anticipated what marvelous chemical reaction all these elements combined would ultimately produce. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

At the very least, it should result in a lake of wine and a forest of meat, right?

Still, at least our respected Queen Elizabeth can finally get some rest and not have to endure birthing one or two children a year. I, Saint Byron, truly am a great man.

He silently gave himself thirty-two thumbs-up for his kind actions.

After the opening dance with his sister, he led her away from the dance floor to a long table laden with various delicacies.

During this time, not a single tactless young noble dared to approach Catherine and invite her to dance.

The attending guests, whether outstanding or not, at least possessed the intelligence to know who they could afford to provoke and who they could not. This also deprived Byron of an opportunity to play the 'smirking dragon king revealing his power' trope from a classic storyline.

"Sister, eat quickly! Fill your stomach now. If you don't eat, you might not get another chance later," he urged.

"Mm, you eat too. I just heard them say Ganquan Palace hired a Third Order 'Gourmet' chef from Iris. He's much better than the crew our great uncle used to employ. Just thinking about that 'Stargazing' dish they presented like a treasure makes my stomach ache."

The lengthy investiture ceremony, followed by the final presentation of treasures, had long pushed the time past noon, and the siblings' stomachs were growling with hunger.

The long table displayed bison tenderloin with foie gras in oil, a seafood platter with caviar, creamy chicken puff pastries, large, fragrant tomahawk steaks, and cheese-baked lobster infused with garlic and creamy aromas. The spread was dazzling and clearly far superior to that of the Lancaster Dynasty era.

Just as the two were feasting heartily, Byron happened to look up and noticed, at another table not far away, two guests also eating greedily—it was none other than the Nemesis of Sin, Sherlock, and his assistant, the Raven Doctor, John Watson, whom he had encountered a few days prior.

Their titles and positions were not high, yet they too had been invited to the banquet by the Court Ceremonial Officer, which was truly strange.

The two men weren't using this opportunity to ask young noble ladies or madams to dance, attempting to marry a rich woman and cut short their struggles by thirty years. Instead, they were quietly holed up in a corner, silently stuffing their faces.

Mr. Sherlock, the Nemesis of Sin, seemed to have a premonition and was eating with particular urgency. "John, eat quickly, eat quickly! Free food is the best food, and the court chefs' skills are truly excellent."

The doctor beside him chimed in, "Sherlock, you're right. When you encounter delicious food, you should indeed eat more. Who says Hightins is a culinary wasteland? We have plenty of delicious food here too, like Iris cuisine, Peridot cuisine, Rhine cuisine, Castilian cuisine—they're all very good. Those 'Gourmets' who slander us all day are simply defaming us!"

Hearing his friend's astute remark, Sherlock shook his head. That's not what I mean. I'm saying, under normal circumstances, when would we ever get a chance for a free feast like this? If the Court Ceremonial Officer didn't make a mistake, then it must be...

The two men looked at each other and exclaimed in unison, "There's definitely something fishy here!"

They nodded forcefully, then together... continued to silently stuff their faces. They knew their time was running short.

Seeing the two of them, half of the anxiety in Byron's heart subsided.

On this joyous day, even if Edward IV disapproved of this 'funeral' the Royalist Party was about to host for itself, it was already too late.

He quickly instructed Catherine beside him, "Sister, don't leave my side later."

"Alright."

No sooner had the two finished speaking, the Death God visited once again.

In the sky, already pouring with torrential rain, a patch of pitch-black storm clouds suddenly drifted over. Through the dim celestial light, one could faintly make out the reflection of a large coral reef cluster among the clouds, along with the shadows of various eerie schools of fish swimming within. The blue-black ocean gently stirred, casting a shimmering aquatic light upon the ground. It seemed as if the deep sea had projected its reflection onto the land. This was another characteristic symbol of gradually entering the Intertidal Zone and being slowly submerged by the deep sea: Coral Clouds.

"AAAAHH—!"

A sudden series of horrific screams shattered the banquet's dance music.

Just as people were filled with alarm and uncertainty, the elite guards stationed outside the banquet hall were attacked. Without firing a single shot, they turned into skeletons one by one under the assault of an invisible enemy, collapsing to the ground.

Then, the main doors were violently blasted open.

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!...

Countless terrifying, bloody handprints surged into the banquet hall from the doorway like a tidal wave.