Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 827 - 154:

Evening, at the Eternal Crown Restaurant.

Guided by the man in a black cloak, the Other Shore finally managed to enter the high-end restaurant renowned for serving only the Imperial Capital's elite. Countless merchants were willing to pay thousands in membership fees for a "ticket" to this restaurant.

The decor was in a regal style, and the restaurant staff were dressed in uniforms typical of grand noble households. In fact, the Other Shore was quite familiar with this type of setting. After getting familiar with Ave, she would frequently visit the Royal Palace for free meals and drinks, even becoming pals with the palace chefs.

There were already a few tables occupied by guests. Compared to their sumptuous attire, the Other Shore's outfit seemed somewhat out of place with the restaurant's ambiance. However, the nobles, who initially cast disdainful glances at her, quickly averted their eyes upon seeing the man in the black cloak by her side.

The inner circle of the Eldest Prince had been with him since childhood, serving both as a mentor and a friend. To the Eldest Prince, he was a presence of both teacher and companion.

They all knew that if the Eldest Prince ascended to the throne in the future, this man would be a candidate for the future Prime Minister of the Empire.

The two of them walked into the reserved private room one after another. Compared to dining, this place was more like an important venue for high-society talks—elegant surroundings with no strangers barging in. A golden-haired girl in the room caught the Other Shore's attention, and she stared dumbfounded when she saw the Other Shore enter.

Realizing her staring was impolite, she said, "Hello, I'm Ilya."

"I've heard about you, the Holy Mage, a member of the Hero Squad."

Ilya nervously tugged at her skirt under the table, unsure of how to respond for a moment.

Of course, she had heard of this red-haired woman's deeds—breaking Fabius Master's leg in public. Such a "brilliant achievement" was hard for anyone to forget. More incomprehensible was the fact that, given the Simpler Clan's retaliatory nature, this red-haired woman was still alive and well enough to be out in public days after the incident.

Since parting ways with Ethan, Ilya had locked herself at home all day. After a period of deep meditation, she finally decided to secretly meet with the Eldest Prince here. Yet, the Eldest Prince had never mentioned this meeting would include an unexpected guest.

With the Imperial Capital's political situation becoming increasingly unstable, this meeting was fraught with risk.

Considering her family's connections, her parents were close to the Simpler Clan. Since childhood, she had been a playmate of the Third Princess. If it were the past, with the Third Princess not intending to vie for the throne, the siblings could live in harmony. However, recent actions by the Third Princess seemed to have roused the Eldest Prince's discontent.

From her family's standpoint, secretly meeting the Eldest Prince was a lose-lose situation.

Moreover, with rumors spreading across the Imperial Capital, many of the Third Princess's and the Simpler Clan's strange behaviors had explanations.

If everything the Third Princess did was a show for the Imperial people, the Simpler Clan was apparently transforming outwardly to support her ascension to the throne, taking a populist path. Ethan and that white-haired woman might have long reached a private agreement with the Third Princess, doing everything to help the Third Princess win this battle for the throne.

It was the most logical explanation Ilya could think of, practically flawless.

And as the Third Princess's childhood friend, she should wholeheartedly support her friend. The fame of the Holy Mage should become an essential aid on the Third Princess's path to the throne. Should the Third Princess inherit the throne, it would greatly benefit her and her entire family.

But…

Somehow, Ilya's intuition still felt Ethan and that white-haired woman were problematic.

If she couldn't approach from her friend or the Simpler Clan, the Eldest Prince might actually be the one most wishing Ethan and the white-haired woman would disappear.

And what about this red-haired woman?

Ilya secretly observed the Other Shore. The fact that she had offended the Simpler Clan yet remained unperturbed suggested she had significant backing. Her red hair inadvertently brought to mind the Imperial Army Commander, as well as the tribe destroyed in war. Could it be that her support actually came from the Eldest Prince?

This would explain why she could so easily disregard Fabius.

The Eldest Prince and the Imperial Army Commander were among the few people the Simpler Clan dared not provoke.

"I wonder… How do I address you?"

Ilya asked softly.

"Me? Red Hair, you can call me that."

This was the stage name the Other Shore recently registered in the Underground Gladiatorial Arena. It sounded straightforward and distinctive, and she inexplicably felt that saying this stage name made her seem even more impressive.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Red Hair."

Ilya naturally knew this was a title.

Perhaps for people like the Other Shore, names and identities never mattered, much like the henchmen working for the Simpler Clan, who had long abandoned their names, each living by the identity of "Skinner."

"Oh."

The Other Shore, without lifting her head, was browsing the menu and casually asked, "What are you choosing as your main course?"

"Eh? Snow Mountain Crab." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"And you?"

Faced with the Other Shore's question, the man in the black cloak was momentarily stunned. He thought, this girl's nerves were so thick! She was seriously ordering food as if nothing was happening. In that respect, she was somewhat similar to the Imperial Army Commander, both unapologetically nonchalant, their transcendent strength allowing their personalities to soar.