Read Novel Full Chapter 499 499: The Banquet [1/3]
Chapter 499 499: The Banquet [1/3]
Gabriel slid the invitation card into his coat and searched the unconscious man one more time to make sure he had not missed anything useful. Once he was done, he opened his inventory and quickly brought out a clean black tuxedo he had stored earlier. The fabric looked expensive enough to pass under the castle lights, and more importantly, it fit him perfectly.
He changed without wasting time.
The night air was cool against his skin for only a moment before the tuxedo settled over his body. He adjusted the sleeves, fixed the collar, and glanced down at himself once. The clothes were good. Clean. Sharp. Nothing about them would draw attention in a gathering like this.
His bigger problem was his face.
Gabriel's expression turned thoughtful for a second. Even if he entered quietly, there were still a few people inside the castle who might recognize him. Some from the Inter Guild Display Event, or from the Blood Tower event, which had made him famous throughout Stellar City.
Gabriel did not want to deal with any of that tonight. He needed something small, not too obvious, but enough to hide part of his face.
His eyes shifted to the unconscious man.
The man's hat was lying to the side, slightly tilted where it had fallen. Gabriel picked it up, brushed the dust off with one hand, and placed it on his head. The brim lowered his line of sight enough to cast a faint shadow over part of his face.
"It will do," he muttered.
He stepped out from the shadows after that and began climbing the long stone stairs toward the castle entrance. His pace was steady, his posture relaxed, and his face carried the neutral confidence of someone who belonged there.
Guards stood by the entrance in polished armor, their weapons neat at their waists, their eyes moving over each arriving guest. Bright lamps burned beside the doors, filling the area with warm yellow light.
When Gabriel reached them, he brought out the invitation and handed it over without a word.
The guard checked it, glanced at his clothes, then gave a respectful nod.
"General Aston's banquet, sir. This way."
Gabriel said nothing and followed.
The moment he entered, the temperature changed. The cold outside air disappeared behind him, replaced by the warm stillness of the castle interior. The hallway ahead was wide, the floor polished enough to reflect the light from the chandeliers above. Paintings lined the walls. Tall pillars stood at regular intervals. Servants moved quietly from one side to another, some carrying trays, others opening doors for passing guests.
Gabriel walked behind the guard while keeping his eyes open.
They passed through one corridor, then turned into another. At one point, they moved past a side hall with large windows and heavy curtains. Then they took another turn near a staircase and continued down a red carpeted path.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly beneath the shadow of the hat.
The route was not exact, but it matched the rough lines Xman had drawn earlier. The placement of the hallways, the turn near the stairwell, the spacing of the side rooms. It was all close enough that Gabriel's impression of Xman rose again.
"So he really did piece all this together from information he found on the web," Gabriel thought, though his face stayed calm.
The guard ahead of him slowed near a pair of large double doors. Music drifted faintly from the other side, along with the low noise of many people talking at once. Two servants standing by the entrance pushed the doors open at the same time.
The banquet hall was large and bright. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their light reflecting across polished floors and glass cups. Round tables were spread across the hall, each covered with fine cloth and decorated with flowers and silverware. Servants moved in smooth lines between guests. At the far side, a small group of musicians played soft music while some guests danced in a cleared area near the center.
It was a high class gathering in every sense.
Men in expensive suits and uniforms stood with drinks in hand while women in elegant dresses moved through the hall in small groups. Laughter rose now and then, though most people kept their voices controlled. The sound of shoes across the polished floor, quiet talk, glass touching glass, and music from the corner all mixed together into a steady background noise.
Several eyes moved to Gabriel when he entered, but only for a moment.
He was dressed correctly. He carried himself well. No one questioned him. The only thing slightly odd was that his gaze was focused lower than usual, as if avoiding direct eye contact with the others.
The guard led him through the hall and toward one of the side tables that had only a single empty seat left.
"You may sit here, sir," the guard said politely.
Gabriel gave a small nod and sat down without drawing attention to himself. Once the guard left, he adjusted the hat slightly with one hand and let his gaze move across the room.
From this position, he could see a good portion of the hall.
He picked up the glass already placed at the table and took a slow sip while observing the guests, the servants, and the movements around the edges of the room.
Although he did not want to be here, Gabriel was also using this opportunity to observe the nobles of the Valerian Kingdom.
Events like this were the best time to network and form alliances. Unfortunately, right now he was here to steal, not network.
While he was looking around, his gaze suddenly stopped, his pupils widening slightly.
At a distant table across the hall, seated with the same calm posture she always carried, was Scarlet.
"What is she doing here?"
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