"Wuwuwuwu, where did you guys go? Why did you lock me in that dark, tiny little box for so many days! In there I felt like I couldn't sense time. It was filled with despair and loneliness. You're really too mean. Sure, maybe I talk a bit more, but I'm not as noisy as other magical creatures. How could you do this? I could feel that these past few days, you've been far away from me. The dragons suddenly started changing their habits—is that related to you guys too? I knew it, I knew it. The feelings have faded, right? Betty is one thing, but you guys..."

The moment Betty summoned Book out, he started talking endlessly.

Like he'd been suffocated, he kept expressing the depression and despair in his 'heart' these past few days, as if he'd experienced a hellish life.

It was a performance worthy of tragic theater—if they hadn't seen him using the Magic Net to brag online every day.

Ren originally figured that after being locked in the black room for so long, letting him vent and complain wasn't a big deal. But this guy was really getting more and more excessive, and he couldn't stop at all.

Finally, Ren spoke up to interrupt him. "I've already seen you chatting with people online. At most you were in a black room surfing the net for a few days. When things get busy, I'll tie Betty there to listen to your complaints."

"Really?!"

Book said something unprecedentedly decisive. Since Ren had known this guy, in all this time, this was the first time he'd heard such a concise statement.

"Of course." After a slight pause, Ren was very certain.

"What's the task?"

"A new feature, a feature update. Don't worry, it's not very complicated." Ren quickly explained.

At the same time.

The mortal realm.

Gray Fort Empire, imperial capital.

In a noble mansion, carriages from almost all the new noble groups near the Gray Fort Empire's capital had gradually gathered.

Gentle, cheerful music continuously played throughout the mansion. Whether it was an illusion or not, the musicians here seemed much more skilled than usual. Following the sound and moving forward, you'd soon discover a spacious banquet hall, brightly lit and resplendent.

Inside the banquet hall, nobles who'd already arrived were holding a new type of transparent cup, tasting the quality wine and various fruit pastries the host had prepared for them.

Honey, incredibly rare—so rare that some lords would fight over it—was treated like a free condiment here that every guest could use at will, unlimited supply. Just this point alone was enough to make anyone feel intoxicated by the extravagance.

Some invited small and medium nobles carefully used their Magic Net Rings to photograph the beautiful moments in this banquet hall. This would be their capital for showing off, and also some kind of 'enhancement' to their status.

The wireless transmission device, which had just been removed from the 'contraband' list in the Gray Fort Empire, had already covered the entire mansion. Even in the most remote rooms, you could normally use the Magic Net's pictures, videos, and many other features.

After nobles finished taking commemorative photos, they gathered in twos and threes. Like those top nobles who weren't very interested in the wine, pastries, and banquet hall, they started discussing the purpose of this banquet...

The host here was one of the empire's hottest new nobles in recent years. It seemed like with every event that happened in the Gray Fort Empire, every trend, he could precisely catch it. Even quite a few people thought that this person might actually be an agent for that person in the palace.

"What do you think is Mr. Al Thompson's purpose for inviting almost all the surrounding new nobles this time?"

In the banquet hall, a young noble wearing traditional clothing discussed quietly with his companions. "Could he also be trying to learn from those guys in the Kingdom of Dawn, implementing shareholding reforms, inviting everyone to participate in his business?"

"That shouldn't be possible, right? Wireless transmission equipment in our Gray Fort Empire is basically a monopoly business. His factory's production quality and quantity can basically satisfy the market. He shouldn't need to invite us, right? Wouldn't that be giving us free money?"

A nearby companion responded: "I think there might be some new idea that needs everyone. Or maybe it's simply showing off his achievements? Letting all these new nobles know that in this era, new nobles can also crush old nobles?"

With the last war's turmoil, the Gray Fort Empire's nobles suffered heavy losses. Large amounts of old noble lands were taken back by the Gray Fort Emperor. The fundamental contradiction between new and old nobles was alleviated, but there were still contradictions. Years of accumulated 'hatred' made some people overthink things.

Hearing this noble's speculation, quite a few people expressed agreement. But soon another noble denied it: "Mr. Al Thompson is called 'Tricky Coin' and has the empire's strongest business acumen. I believe every major move he makes must be business-related. It absolutely couldn't be that shallow..."

This noble's voice hadn't fallen when the music in the distance suddenly changed. At the entrance to the hall, a new type of magic conductor machine automatically operated, slowly opening that heavy and gorgeous door...

Usually this was the work of the butler or servants, but in 'Tricky Coin' Al Thompson's mansion, it had been converted to magic conductor machinery first.

Some astute nobles had already detected a different meaning.

What happened next completely verified this.

'Tricky Coin' Al Thompson wore a well-tailored dark tailcoat with exquisite embroidery that flickered in the light, a white shirt paired with a black bow tie, appearing both dignified and elegant...

And his wife wore a flowing, radiant long gown, the hem lightly trailing on the ground. The dress was covered in delicate lace and complex pleats. Her waist was perfectly outlined, like a flower blooming at dawn, brilliant and dazzling.

Under the gorgeous long gown, she'd cleverly paired it with semi-transparent thin stockings that clung to her skin, not only showing off the hostess's slender leg lines but also adding a bit of hazy and mysterious beauty...

The nobles at the scene were almost instantly attracted by these two people's clothing. This was... the new-style clothing that had appeared on the Magic Net?

But this clothing, compared to what could be seen on the Magic Net, seemed more noble and elegant, though clearly different from traditional clothing.

Why was 'Tricky Coin' Al Thompson wearing new-style clothing?

Could it be that new-style clothing was the real purpose of this banquet?

Quite a few nobles at the scene couldn't help thinking this.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.