The journey with the Empress's entourage was faster than Richard expected.

They entered the capital not long after, though the Empress, of course, did not go to the royal palace.

"Do you wish to come to the banquet, or get off here?" the Empress asked Richard.

"Your Majesty, I'll get off here," Richard replied.

The Empress nodded, then ordered her maids to halt for a moment, giving Richard the chance to step down from the carriage.

Richard quickly disembarked and ran toward his inn.

He had been out since morning, leaving Athena behind at the inn.

When he arrived, he found the mare fast asleep.

"Athena!" Richard called, waking her, and Athena immediately stood up.

After that, Richard quickly wrote a letter for the Spirit Queen of Fire.

"Deliver this to the Spirit Queen of Fire. You must hand it to her as soon as possible," Richard said, placing the letter before the mare's mouth. She accepted it and nodded before soaring swiftly into the air.

Fiuuuh!

Richard exhaled in relief and sat down on his bed.

DING!

(Your Heavenly Water Points have increased from 26 to 39 Points!)

Incomplete Heavenly Water (39 Points)

Suddenly, a notification from the System appeared — more points for the Heavenly Water.

Apparently, the System intended to focus on perfecting his Heavenly Water.

Naturally, Richard was greatly anticipating it.

It was the most impressive external power he knew.

For now, he stayed in his room, waiting for the Spirit Queen of Fire.

Time passed, and in Aldric's cabin, the Spirit Queen of Fire remained alone just like yesterday.

She looked even more dissatisfied after having to do things for Richard the day before.

How noble was her status? Since birth, it had always been she who commanded others — never the other way around.

Her heart was filled with complaint, and when she saw Athena coming again, the Spirit Queen of Fire's eyes widened in disbelief.

Surprised, of course.

She wondered what that boy wanted this time.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Athena arrived before her, handing over Richard's letter.

The Spirit Queen of Fire read it, her brows furrowing.

After understanding its contents, she said nothing, grabbed Athena's leg, and stepped into the air.

She moved through space and time, traveling toward the capital.

In Richard's room — not long after she began her journey — he was startled.

The space before him suddenly cracked like shattering glass.

A graceful, beautiful figure with straight crimson hair stepped out of the rift, pulling her horse along.

Unfortunately, her beauty was overshadowed by her grim expression.

So fast, Richard thought.

It was only around the time he had estimated Athena would just be reaching Purple Rose Village.

The Spirit Queen of Fire stared at Richard without blinking, but remained silent.

"Queen, come in," Richard said, opening the door to the Dragon Hall.

The Spirit Queen of Fire was slightly surprised upon seeing it and, naturally, cautious. Still, this was Richard's command — one she could not disobey — so she was forced to enter.

As the owner of the Dragon Hall, Richard could see everything the Spirit Queen of Fire did even from outside.

The woman appeared captivated by the place she found herself in.

"Athena, let's go!" Richard said, climbing onto Athena's back.

With the Spirit Queen of Fire by his side, the last thing Richard feared now was trouble itself.

By this time, the banquet should still be ongoing — perhaps even just beginning.

From what the Empress had told him, it wasn't held in the palace but rather in an open hall near the coliseum.

When he arrived near the coliseum, Richard immediately recognized the open hall.

It was a wide area without walls, only several pillars supporting a large dome-shaped roof.

In the center stood a small stage where a group of beautiful women danced.

The hall was filled with nobles chatting and drinking wine.

The tournament participants could also be seen, the most striking of whom was Gray, together with his lover, Laura.

Many beautiful women greeted him, making Laura visibly nervous and uneasy.

However, Gray seemed somewhat drunk, smiling brightly whenever a woman greeted him.

Richard also saw the Empress gathered with several influential noblewomen.

The King was elsewhere, though it was clear the Empress deliberately kept her distance from him.

Of course, the banquet was also meant to celebrate the awarding of the first-place prize.

Luca, as the tournament champion, stood alone by a small pond, guarded by several escorts who prevented anyone from approaching.

The atmosphere was just as Richard imagined, though it seemed the special guest — the Lord of Crimson Veil — had yet to arrive.

Richard also didn't see Prince Charles.

But he did see Lilith, who appeared to have just arrived as well, clearly in an excellent mood.

Her bright golden hair shimmered under the night lights, naturally drawing everyone's attention. She looked stunning in a tight, light-blue gown that barely concealed the alluring curves of her body.

It was hard for any man not to smile upon seeing her.

Naturally, Lilith immediately spotted Richard atop his horse.

She walked toward him, forcing the crowd blocking his path to part.

"Why are you still here, boy?" she asked. "If you feel lonely, come with me."

When it became clear who she was speaking to, the surrounding crowd erupted in whispers.

"That's him — Richard, the prodigy boy!"

"Isn't he and Princess Lilith engaged? Even the King didn't deny it, and many officials have spread the news."

"That's true, but look at their age difference! Though age doesn't matter much, Richard's still a child — romance between them seems impossible for now. Even Princess Lilith still calls him boy."

"I'd say there's still a chance to win the princess's heart. If she falls in love, she could easily cancel that ridiculous engagement."

"Hahaha..."

"..."

Richard realized that many people were unhappy about their engagement.

However, he was far too lazy to care.

He dismounted his horse and walked toward Lilith.

"Since Her Highness has invited me, I shall accompany Her Highness," Richard said in an elegant tone.

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