Read Novel Full Chapter 678: Banquet [1]
Chapter 678: Banquet [1]
After getting the map, Michael did not linger.
He stepped out of the bustling streets, passed through the wide gates, and soon left the Federation settlement behind.
The moment he crossed a certain distance, the noise faded, replaced once more by the quiet, biting cold of Hell’s frozen plains.
Michael continued walking until the settlement walls were only a distant, dark outline behind him.
Only then did he stop.
He reached into his storage space and brought out the projection crystal.
The moment his mana touched it, faint runes pulsed to life.
A three layered light panel unfolded upward, rendering a floating map in crisp detail.
"First floor," Michael said quietly.
The projection shifted instantly.
A vast terrain appeared before him in translucent glowing lines.
Mountains, plains, frozen lakes, danger zones, demon nests, and racial territories—all marked with hovering symbols.
Michael studied it carefully.
"So the federation base is here..." he murmured, tracing his finger lightly through the air.
He dragged his finger outward.
More markers appeared as the projection zoomed out.
Small clustered icons in different colors and shapes.
Michael’s eyes narrowed at a few particular ones.
"Racial settlements," he muttered.
"So it was not just the Federation."
For the first floor of Hell, there were more settlements than he had expected.
But when he thought about it, it made sense.
Aurora was a relatively new power in the universe. If even they could afford to plant a foothold in Hell, what of the ancient races that had existed long before them.
"Of course they would be here," Michael thought.
Resources, rare materials, unique environments.
Every serious faction would want a share.
His gaze moved across the projection again.
Though he was interested in the other races, they were not what he came to Hell for. In any case, he could always see them later. Right now, his goals were simple. Everything else could wait.
Michael’s eyes returned to the demon locations marked on the map.
The first floor of Hell was wide. Shockingly wide.
So wide that, if he compared it to his home realm, it probably did not lose to half its size.
Even with the presence of various races establishing settlements, outposts, and small cities, the land itself was vast enough that demons still had more than enough space to survive and multiply.
Of course, the presence of these races came with one benefit.
"There are fewer strong demons here," Michael murmured.
To complete the academy’s evaluation task, what Michael truly needed lay on the fifth floor. The assignment was only one goal, though. Michael had another that mattered just as much, if not more.
Filling his contract slots.
And hell just happened to lack anything but bodies.
Michael zoomed the projection out again, eyes sharpening.
"Lower ranked demons of many kinds exist here," he whispered.
The map confirmed it.
Several regions were marked with striped red circles—densely populated but not too dangerous.
Perfect.
Michael tagged one of the clusters on the map, a region on the northern plains.
According to the map, that area held mixed species of Level 1 to 2 demons.
"I’ll check this spot first."
He closed the projection crystal, letting the floating image fade into nothingness.
Michael started walking and vanished into the frozen plains to begin the hunt.
Like this, several hours passed.
Far away, in the Land of Origin—specifically the capital of the Lionheart Kingdom—the sun had already begun to set, dyeing the entire city in shades of amber and crimson.
Tonight, Michael and Arianne Evermoon were to attend the royal family’s banquet.
Right now, Michael stood in front of a tall mirror, quietly looking at his reflection.
This time, he was not dressed in his usual black robes or travel attire.
Instead, he wore a suit.
A perfectly tailored black suit with subtle silver embroidery along the cuffs, paired with a crisp white shirt and a dark vest that fit him like it had been sculpted onto his body.
His long hair was tied neatly behind his head, giving him a composed, dignified look.
Outside his door, he faintly sensed Arianne’s presence drawing closer, accompanied by the soft chime of jewelry.
Michael adjusted the suit collar one last time.
"Should I start dressing formal?"
Unable to even deny his beauty this time, the slightly vain Michael couldn’t help but ponder on some certain things.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
Michael already knew who it was.
"Princess, you may enter," he said calmly.
The door opened with a quiet click.
Arianne stepped inside.
And the first thing she did was freeze.
Her eyes widened.
Her lips parted.
Her breath hitched for a fraction of a second as she stared at him in the suit.
"Sir Mic..." she whispered, almost dazed. "You look... incredible."
The praise hit him directly in the ego.
Inwardly, he was very satisfied.
He straightened his posture just a little—nothing too obvious—but enough that the fabric of the suit settled more perfectly against his frame.
"Thank you," Michael said, allowing a small, controlled smile to form. "But you..."
His gaze swept over her.
Her hair was braided with silver threads, cascading like a waterfall over her shoulder. A slim, elegant dress hugged her figure, shimmering faintly when she moved, and a soft, warm fragrance wrapped around her like a quiet halo.
Michael used a line he remembered from a movie in his old life.
"You look like you stepped out of a painting," he said softly.
Arianne blinked, caught off guard by the straightforward compliment. Color rose to her cheeks as she smoothed her dress instinctively.
"...You look really, really good," she muttered again, almost under her breath, as if trying to regain her composure.
Michael nodded, appreciating her appearance without hiding it.
"You did well," he said. "Your outfit suits you perfectly."
Arianne’s eyes brightened—just a bit too visibly, but she tried to hide it behind a composed smile.
"Shall we go?" she asked.
Michael offered his arm.
"We should."
Arianne placed her hand lightly on his arm, and together they stepped toward the door.