Chapter 721: True Demonlord [52] (2/2)
”Shut up and listen. I'm explaining the ploy at hand. If the caster isn't found, someone will be assassinated, and the whole building will explode – without anyone left to blame, the Empire falls into total anarchy, the imperial family is ruined and significant people eradicated. The culprit is among the guests.”
”We're doomed if we can't find the caster…”
”Why worry when I'm here. The spell has already been altered to set off fireworks instead of destroying the building. The user doesn't know of the development, using magic to fight me is a bad idea; very bad. Don't let your guard down, if they could alter my senses to sneak inside, there's no telling what could befall. Increase the guard detail, have the mage squad ready to move. I'll tend to our guests,” the steps distantly reverberated around the surveillance room, ”-master, I'm sorry.”
”Why are you apologizing?”
”Today was meant to be a private gathering of friends thee made. Turns out, the party has become a hassle as opposed to a place of enjoyment, I've failed. My master should be enjoying his last day in Alphia in wine, not playing detective…”
”Whatever,” he winked, ”-this is perfect, couldn't have asked for a better game. The stakes are high – the fun's only begun, finding the culprit is going to be fun.”
During the conversation, Lady Shino Gaso of the Gaso group arrived in the company of Lord Dorino and Rowley Aldis Patek. In addition, were famous movie stars, noble lords, and workers for Stiol.
The clock struck 18:00, many gathered on the ground floor, drinks and snacks went to and fro, the guests took to gambling instantly. ”Might I have your attention,” thundered from where the orchestra played, the lovely figures in suit and dresses turn with a drink in hand, ”-my lord wishes to say a few words,” said Midne bearing a lovely braided hair, an outfit to make one's heart shudder. He walked and grabbed the microphone, ”-good evening, everyone, my name's Igna Haggard, Viscount of Glenda, and son of the Duchess of Rotherham. Tonight's party is to celebrate the reopening of Von. Aside from the drinks and games, an auction will be hosted later into the night. Jean Frank, Calious Bagard, and Julia Dahli have sent their pieces to be auctioned,” mention of the names held the crowd in excitement, ”-honestly speaking, tonight was supposed to be a small gathering,” the remark returned favorable chuckles, ”-please enjoy my humble hospitality, the restaurant on the second floor will be working the whole night. Enough talk, please enjoy yourselves,” applauds soon drowned into the sound of music.
”Good speech,” said Midne.
”Well thank you,” down to the floor, ”-here come's the horde of opportunists.”
”Excuse me, what you say?” without a word, many figures swarmed the man for conversation.
”Done,” sweat on the brow, blood on the hands, ”-I've handled my quota,” went across the channel.
”Good job, Kul. Asmodeus, Mammon, what about your end?”
”Weaklings,” returned they, ”-did they really thing such weak weapons would work against us, demons?”
”Don't let up,” gritted Éclair, ”-the barrier's picked up an object to the north, can you reach it, Kul?”
”NO!”
Hand to the ceiling, ”-lord Igna, why art thou holding up thy arm?” *Death Element: Qilver,* a black pentagram materialized from which the bodiless screech of a banshee darted to destroy the projectile.
”-my apologies,” he said, ”-my arm's grown rather numb. Needed to stretch a little.”
'I used my element, why's no one reacting. Where are you, spellcaster, I've laid the bait, you going to take it or not?'
*Poof,* ”-cough, cough, cough,”
”KUL, YOU OK?”
”Don't yell,” nose into her elbow shielded the smoke, ”-the projectile's been destroyed.”
”How?” fired Mammon.
”Master,” she exhaled, ”-he used magic to counter the spell without even looking. I tell you, the more time we spend, the stronger he gets, I can't even.”
”Should be enough for the time being. Return and change, attend the party for a while, I'll take control of the guard units.”
”Understood,” the trio gathered on the roof.
”Bloody,” she complained, ”-my dress's ruined, I'm sad.”
”You don't look it,” added Asmodeus.
”She's correct, the blood and sweat isn't a nice feeling when tis flung onto an expensive suit.”
”We had to; the mercenaries were blatantly trying to storm the area. We showed 'em who's boss.”
Forty-five minutes blinked, the various tables were filled with players – a steady stream of liquor had many of the stars and nobles plastered. ”Someone's having a rough night.”
”Hondo?” sat on the bar, ”-what are you doing here?”
”Came on Vermillion's orders, the new alliance has me by the balls.”
”Coming from an angel, the words don't match the persona.”
”Oh shut it,” he downed a drink, ”-that is that, and this is this, I'm a hitman, don't forget. Anyway, nice party,” he shuffled closer, ”-the guard detail's very strong, the presence is overwhelming. The night is young, keep an eye out, and don't worry, I haven't forgotten the promise. Take care,” he stood and left.
'What a weirdo,' spun to the game area, '-Mammon and Asmodeus are playing them like kids,' he sipped, '-all the money, wasted… we might make back what was spent.'
”Seems the opportunists have left.”
”Runo,” a gesture to the barkeeper, ”-have a seat, walking around in those heels must be tiring.”
”Sore feet are part of the job,” she sat, ”-not even an hour has passed and everyone's dropped their guard. So many high-ranking figures; the perfect time to make connections,” back to the counter, ”-thank you,” said she to the barkeeper.
”What of the superstar, Romeo?”
”The lecherous creep,” her shoulder rose in disgust, ”-with the other A-list celebrities, they've hogged the private lounge. Drugs and women, the damned police chief is here, and they don't even care.”
”Let them,” he grinned, ”-Runo, if thy agency grows hard to bear, give me a call, my cousin's in charge of Apexi, we might not be as famous – the priority is always, idols first, business second.”
”Thank you for the offer,” returned a genuine smile, ”-I'll consider it, goodbye,” she leaned in, gave a quick peck on the cheeks, then scurried into the crowd.
'Strange lass,' a cigar lit.