Chapter 2

The scorching heat after the onset of summer made people listless, but at this time, Ailu received a good rest. Her parents received an invitation from the Marquis of Malai in the small town of Gerlan to attend a birthday banquet. For the nobility, every gathering not only increased their social connections but might also bring about some form of mutual benefit. Since receiving the letter from her parents, Ailu had already started thinking about what style of dress to wear for the banquet, as the young master she secretly loved, Xil, might also be present.

As the eldest son of the Marquis of Delavoy, Xil had shown his intelligence and quick wit from a young age. He was not only outstanding in literature but also excelled in swordsmanship. Since Ailu's family's territory bordered the Delavoy family's territory, her parents and the Marquis of Delavoy had frequent interactions. It was during these times that Ailu first came into contact with the handsome and excellent Xil.

The feelings hidden in Ailu's heart began to sprout and grow, but before she could confess, Xil had already passed the examination to enter the prestigious college of Chabrol Province, and he might even have the opportunity to further his studies at the royal central college. Ailu, who was slightly less intelligent, could only enter the Pablo Dina College after failing the examination for the Chabrol Province college.

The main reason Ailu studied swordsmanship was to attract Xil's attention when they met. Over the past few months, Ailu had been diligently following the young instructor's teachings, sometimes even increasing her training load. Ailu felt that her swordsmanship had made significant progress. At least, when sparring with the skilled Sand, she could now last more than ten moves, whereas three months ago, she would have been disarmed in one move.

The mystery surrounding the young instructor had diminished with prolonged contact. Since she had become accustomed to his presence, she no longer found him mysterious.

Pablo Dina College had four days off each month, and if a student needed to take leave for personal reasons, they had to obtain approval from their teacher. The day of the banquet happened to be a rest day, so Ailu did not have to worry about her leave being denied. Her parents' carriage would also come to pick her up. Besides thanking the college's dean and teachers, they would also take Ailu to the banquet.

The anticipated day arrived before she knew it. After visiting their daughter, Ailu's parents began to thank the college's dean and teachers. However, the powerful young instructor that Ailu had often mentioned was nowhere to be found. According to the dean, he had left the college on business and would return the next day.

During a casual chat with her daughter, Sir Kamman became interested when he heard Ailu frequently mention the young instructor. Anyone who could earn such high praise from his daughter must be an outstanding talent. As a noble, Sir Kamman had the habit of forming alliances, and he decided to try to befriend the young instructor, despite the significant class difference. Sir Kamman was known for his social skills in Chabrol Province, which was why he had achieved his current success.

Unfortunately, the young instructor's absence was a disappointment, and the Kamman family's thoughts soon turned to the topic of the Marquis of Malai's birthday banquet. Ailu was delighted to learn that Xil would also be attending, and she began to dress up with great anticipation, much to her mother's amusement. As a mother, she understood her daughter's feelings.

The small town of Gerlan was named after Gerlan Mountain and was considered a prosperous town in Chabrol Province. Gerlan was an important timber export center in Chabrol Province, especially for the famous black rock wood, which had become a highly sought-after material for furniture among the nobility, with its price soaring to astonishing levels. Otherwise, how could Gerlan, which lacked farmland and mineral resources, have become so wealthy?

The Marquis of Malai's territory included the area around Gerlan Mountain, where black rock wood was produced. As a result, the Marquis of Malai's name had become well-known due to the popularity of black rock wood. He occasionally interacted with dukes, which sparked much discussion. The birthday banquet he hosted would undoubtedly be a grand affair.

Receiving an invitation from the Marquis of Malai also indirectly reflected Sir Kamman's current reputation. Otherwise, an obscure baron would not have received such a prestigious invitation. As the carriage approached Gerlan, Sir Kamman began to consider how to socialize with the nobles at the banquet and how to further develop his territory's reputation.

The Marquis of Malai's residence was not within Gerlan town. Despite his wealth from black rock wood, the Marquis of Malai had not invested in the town's development, which was why Gerlan was still called a small town.

Near Gerlan, there was a rare piece of suitable farmland that the Marquis of Malai had purchased and developed into a grand castle and estate. Loyal knights lived and guarded the outer perimeter of the estate, forming a protective circle. The scale and grandeur of the castle and estate left the Kamman family in awe.

"I never imagined that the Marquis of Malai was so wealthy. Just the scale of this place must have cost a fortune in gold." Sir Kamman's exclamation was echoed by Ailu and her mother. Ailu had previously thought that the castle and estate of the young master Xil's family were already grand, but the Marquis of Malai's residence was even more impressive.

"If the Marquis of Malai had invested the funds in developing Gerlan, the town might have changed even more. Why doesn't the Marquis invest in the town?" Ailu asked her father, looking at the contrast between the Marquis's residence and the modest town.

"That's a question for the Marquis. Gerlan is famous for black rock wood, but once the wood is depleted, the town will decline. Even if it were developed, it might all be for nothing. Perhaps the Marquis considered this and decided to build his comfortable and luxurious castle and estate instead."

"But once the black rock wood is depleted, how will the Marquis maintain the castle, estate, and knights? What will happen then?"

Sir Kamman chuckled and patted Ailu's head. "What you think, the Marquis has also considered. Don't underestimate anyone's intelligence. As your father, I'll tell you that the popularity of black rock wood was rumored to have been driven by the Marquis. Remember, don't easily judge others based on your own perceptions."

Ailu nodded thoughtfully.

...

The grandeur of the banquet exceeded the Kamman family's expectations, and perhaps everyone present was surprised. The banquet spread out in the estate in front of the castle.

The moonlight and magical lanterns suspended by ropes illuminated the scene. After congratulating the Marquis of Malai on his birthday, the nobles began to engage in conversations. Ailu had been searching for Xil before the banquet started. When she confirmed his location nearby, she felt relieved, but then became nervous about how to converse with him.

However, this problem did not trouble her for long. Soon after the banquet began, Xil and his father, the Marquis of Delavoy, approached. While Sir Kamman and the Marquis of Delavoy conversed, Xil raised his glass, smiled, and nodded to Ailu, indicating that they should chat.

Ailu felt as if countless little rabbits were running in her heart. Nervously, she left with Xil, with her parents' approval.

Xil seemed more mature and composed. As they chatted about recent events, Ailu relaxed. The conversation, led by Xil, turned to the main guest of the evening, the Marquis of Malai.

"Receiving my father's letter and taking leave to attend this banquet was indeed surprising. I didn't understand why a marquis would warrant such attention from my father. Now, it seems the Marquis of Malai is not as simple as he appears," Xil said, looking at the Marquis, who was smiling and conversing at a distant table.

"Yes, my father also told me that the Marquis of Malai is not as simple as he seems," Ailu agreed, still puzzled as to why the Marquis of Malai deserved such attention from Xil and her father.

"Ailu, you are growing up. You need to understand the direction of your future life. In your growth, there are different people worth your attention and learning from. Only by doing so can you continuously strengthen and enrich yourself."

Listening to Xil's words, Ailu thought about how she had indeed grown up and was now of marriageable age. Could it be that Xil had feelings for her, which was why he said those words? Ailu's thoughts were almost entirely influenced by her emotions.

"Hmm? Ailu, are you listening to me?" Xil asked, noticing her distracted and slightly blushing face.

"No, no, we were talking about the Marquis of Malai. Tell me, what makes him worth your attention and learning from?" Ailu quickly turned her head toward the Marquis of Malai, feeling as if her secret had been exposed.

At that moment, Ailu, with her keen eyesight, saw a shocking scene.

A servant pouring wine at the Marquis of Malai's table suddenly drew a short sword from somewhere and slashed. A silver arc of light flashed, and the Marquis of Malai's head flew into the air, his neck spurting blood like a fountain.

Ailu's first reaction was to scream!

The banquet scene immediately descended into chaos. Everyone was terrified and ran in all directions. Xil immediately protected the frightened Ailu, comforting her. In Xil's eyes, the assassin who had killed the Marquis of Malai had already disappeared.

Ailu, shaken and trembling, leaned against Xil. When the Marquis of Malai was beheaded, her first scream seemed to catch the assassin's attention. Before the assassin left, they had a brief moment of eye contact. The cold, merciless eyes seemed to pierce her soul, causing her constant fear and unease.

The illusion of death lingered in her mind. It was the first time in her life that she felt such inner terror, as if a devil was tormenting her soul.

The grand birthday banquet of the Marquis of Malai ended in a mysterious assassination, marking the beginning of his memorial day.

---

---

---

---

---