"A princess from Feysac?"
Audrey showed a curious expression at the appropriate moment.
The Feysac Empire was located in the coldest northern part of the continent, with a fairly large territory.
It bordered Intis in the western region and the Kingdom of Loen in the eastern region.
This nation worshipped martial strength and had only one faith: the God of Combat.
Due to territorial disputes and other issues, that country had continuous friction with Loen politically, militarily, and economically.
Among the common people of Loen, it was generally felt that although Intis was unrestrained and improper, at least it was still a civilized country.
The Feysac to the north, however, was crude and barbaric, completely uncivilized people.
Unexpectedly, under such circumstances, a Feysac princess was actually visiting.
"That's right."
Glaint smiled.
"Audrey, do you remember six months ago, our dispute with Feysac over interests in East Balam?"
"I do recall something like that."
Audrey thought for a moment, remembering seeing similar information in the newspapers and hearing it from her father and brother's conversations.
Due to competition over dumping markets for goods and sources of raw materials, the two nations of Loen and Feysac had engaged in prolonged, low-intensity military friction in East Balam on the Southern Continent.
Although it didn't escalate to full war, the atmosphere couldn't be called harmonious either.
"So, has that dispute been resolved?"
She asked.
"More or less resolved. We have our valiant 'Punishers Knights' to thank for that."
Her other occultism friend, Murray, puffed out his chest with pride. "You've been grounded during this time, so you might not know.
They fought tenaciously in recent military friction, defeating several times their number of Feysac's 'Twilight of the Gods' army, forcing Feysac back to the negotiating table...
Sure enough, for these barbarians, only fists are the one language they understand."
"Were our military casualties heavy?"
Audrey asked with concern.
"Regrettably, dozens of brave warriors gave their lives heroically in battle," Murray shook his head.
"Such sacrifice is truly saddening, but to be honest, that number is still acceptable.
The servant army's casualties were quite substantial though..."
In other words, two great powers used the colonies as their chessboard for a battle over interests.
As for the lives of the local people, they naturally wouldn't care about those.
In the shadows, Silas sneered inwardly.
He felt like he'd seen this sort of thing countless times in his previous life's history.
"So that's why the Feysac princess is visiting?"
Audrey understood.
"Exactly."
Murray nodded.
"Feysac dispatched a delegation to Backlund. The public pretext is that the princess wants to come to Backlund to appreciate the Winter Festival.
In reality, the Feysac people have come to negotiate."
Simply put, using the princess as a cover to save some face for themselves.
Since Feysac had sent a member of their royal family, following the principle of equivalence, Loen also needed someone of equal status to receive them.
Thus, several princes naturally took on this task. Tonight's banquet also naturally extended an invitation for them to attend.
After hearing the explanation, Audrey gradually became happier.
Excellent. With a foreign princess here, perhaps those "esteemed" princes won't bother me as much...
Although she was mentally prepared, when Audrey saw the foreign princess, she still couldn't help but be startled.
The girl had striking red hair. The dress she wore had obvious Feysac characteristics: long robes with wide sleeves, the silk and brocade dress finely outlining her body's curves.
The dress was decorated with intricate gold and silver embroidery that complemented her red hair, making her appear noble and beautiful.
Flanked by two Loen princes, she walked gracefully into the ballroom scene, head slightly raised, meeting everyone's gaze with a touch of pride and heroic spirit.
This completely different style from Loen instantly attracted everyone's attention.
"Too bad Kons isn't here."
Glaint said quietly. "He has quite a preference for ladies with noble bearing."
He was referring to Kons Lierson, also their friend, who worked for MI9. MI9 seemed to have a lot going on these past few days.
Kons was so busy running around constantly that he had no time to attend the banquet.
And behind Audrey, beneath that girl with the thin sense of presence, Silas in the shadows also revealed a surprised expression.
It wasn't that he was dazzled by her appearance, but rather because he recognized this so-called Feysac princess.
She was none other than the red-haired girl who had competed with him for the second-generation difference engine manuscript that night: Sophia!
She's actually a princess!
Although Silas was astonished, he felt he could accept it.
Because she had already exposed too many issues: her endless extraordinary items, obvious Feysac accent, bearing of a superior, all proclaimed her special status.
It was just that such a person of noble status would still personally steal manuscripts and attempt to advance...
"His Highness Prince Govington II, His Highness Prince Edessak, accompanied by a member of the Feysac royal family, Her Highness Princess Sophia Einhorn!"
After a complex and tedious ceremonial process, the master of ceremonies loudly announced the arrival of royalty.
Everyone bowed simultaneously.
"Cecilia, you may move about freely."
After rising, Audrey said quietly to her bodyguard.
"You don't need my protection anymore?"
"As a matter of etiquette, I need to go greet the royalty, which may take quite a long time."
Although unwilling in her heart, Audrey still maintained an elegant smile.
"You usually work hard accompanying me everywhere. It's rare to come to this kind of banquet, so just enjoy yourself a bit."
Moreover, she felt that under the current banquet atmosphere, people from the Psychology Alchemists Council probably wouldn't come over to test her.
"Alright."
The hooded girl thought it over and agreed, turning to walk toward the long table displaying food.
Pan-fried fish, tender roast beef, various salads, desserts... all kinds of food were overwhelming.
"Brother, what would you like to eat?"
Silas, hidden in the shadows, heard her say to him.
"Dixie roast meat, and cream bread."
Silas also replied in a low voice.
Musicians were playing melodious tunes on one side of the hall. Their conversational voices were easily covered. People conversed and danced to the music.
No one noticed that something strange was happening in the corner by the long table.
Several large chunks of roast meat were picked up by a hooded girl, and just as they were about to fall onto her plate, the tongs gently released, and the roast meat dropped with a plop into the shadow beneath her.
That shadow seemed like a swamp, silently swallowing various foods.
The royal chefs' skills are indeed not bad...
In the shadows, Silas tasted his sister's offerings.
In the center of the hall, those royal members were receiving greetings from numerous nobles.
He no longer paid attention to that red-haired Princess Sophia.
Although they'd had a bit of interaction, after splitting the manuscript earnings, that relationship was already settled.
Miss Audrey is right. It's rare to come to a place like this, so I should enjoy it properly.
"Buzz..."
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
The world silently grew dimmer.