No matter the angle, the gentleman before them possessed a beauty like that of a classical sculpture.
This was Audrey's elder brother, the Earl's eldest son, Hibbert Hall.
"Welcome, Viscount Beldane."
Since the main purpose of this ball was centered around Ebner, Hibbert naturally appeared extremely enthusiastic.
"Hopefully we're not late."
Ebner returned the greeting with a smile and handed over a bottle of red wine.
In Loen high society, when attending a banquet or ball hosted by someone for the first time, one must give the host a small gift. Alcohol was the most popular option—but for a first visit, it had to be a domestic product.
This particular wine Ebner brought was actually a promotional tie-in by his film company. After buying out a small workshop, they began producing wine under "film-themed branding." It was mainly about the label and packaging—the taste barely mattered.
Hibbert glanced at the bottle.
As a young man, he quite liked the fashionable design. Were they not in a formal venue, he would've picked it up to examine it from every angle.
In fact, Ebner had already filed a patent for this bottle design and sold limited editions—each bottle numbered.
Though the production cost was low, the auction price would be anything but.
"Compared to the previous life where bottled water with a pretty label sold for over a thousand, this is nothing," he muttered internally.
Ebner then introduced his two companions.
As for Xio and Fors—Audrey's close friends—Hibbert naturally wasn't unfamiliar with them.
After pretending this was their first meeting, he also beckoned forward a woman with waterfall-like long hair, fair skin, a black veil, and an off-shoulder black evening dress.
This was his companion for the night—Miss Nancy.
Ebner greeted her calmly, stepped forward, bent slightly, and performed a gentleman's air-kiss on her hand.
But in his heart, waves surged violently.
Because this so-called Miss Nancy looked exactly like the "Black Saintess" from Owen's memories!
—When Owen had once controlled the "White Saintess" Katrina, he had her draw portraits of the Demoness Sect's two known angels.
Running into the "Catastrophe Demoness" the moment I step out the door… is this what 'bad luck' means?
Ebner very much wanted to leave immediately, but that would only arouse suspicion.
Though this was Backlund—and the Transformation Belt could instantly restore his strength as the "Death Consul," making him not particularly afraid of a confrontation—if a fight truly erupted, the clash of angel-level powers would annihilate everyone present… including Xio and Fors.
That was absolutely unacceptable.
Moreover—
As his Sequence increased, the world behind the "Pure White Eye" grew ever more connected to reality.
Even without opening it, the "Calamity Seal" hidden within could no longer be perfectly concealed.
It was built upon converging "fate," and in the future, it would likely pull his destiny closer and closer to high-ranking Demonesses and Hunters.
Still, no matter how often it happened, it shouldn't reach the point of encountering one everywhere he went…
These past two days of constantly running into Sequence 2 Demoness, Hunter, and Warrior beings was simply because he was going through a period of bad luck!
At this moment, more guests arrived.
Hibbert excused himself and went with his attendants—and Miss Nancy—to greet them.
As for the bicycle-company shares and the proposed "Academy Awards" venture—those could be discussed once the ball officially began.
Before leaving, Miss Nancy intentionally cast Ebner a glance—one filled with an indescribable, obscure meaning.
Ebner completely ignored it.
With Fors and Xio, he entered the villa.
Inside were glittering crystal chandeliers, a ballroom spacious enough for dozens to dance, and tables laden with exquisite dishes:
Foie gras, pan-fried dragonbone fish, baked lobster…
Olmir wine, Mist Champagne…
Once upon a time, Fors would've been drooling.
But after traveling and "playing roles" with Ebner across nations and tasting countless delicacies, she now found these merely… decent, with superior ingredients—but nothing remarkable.
In truth, the most delicious food still belonged to the "gourmet-specialized servant" of Mr. Fool.
At that moment, her eyes brightened.
A young lady in a beige court-style gown walked toward them.
Blonde hair, blue eyes, exceptionally beautiful.
She wore white silk gloves, delicate emerald earrings, and carried an aura both pure and elegant.
It was none other than Audrey, freshly returned to Backlund.
Seeing Miss Justice, Ebner thought for a moment, then leaned toward Xio and whispered a few words.
Xio looked a bit startled but nodded solemnly.
They soon split up—Fors and Xio went to greet Audrey, then all three entered a lounge.
Meanwhile, Ebner entered the washroom to report the "Black Saintess" discovery to Mr. Fool.
...
Inside the lounge, Audrey first sent the golden-furred big dog Susie to guard the door.
Then she smiled at Xio—who had padded her shoes a whole ten centimeters and was still wearing high heels—and asked:
"Xio, long time no see… Earlier you gestured at me. Is something going on?"
Xio nodded.
After sealing the room with spirituality, she said obscurely:
"I've already requested that gentleman… Let's talk there."
She pointed at the ceiling.
"So it really was you… At first I suspected Princess Vera, but then it didn't add up."
Audrey immediately understood—and also instinctively looked toward Fors.
As far as she knew, Fors probably didn't know that Xio was Judgment.
Xio spread her hands helplessly.
"At this point, hiding it is pointless…
"And she's not actually stupid. Once something strange happens in a minute, how could she not figure it out?"
Fors, meanwhile, looked left and right, completely confused:
"What are you talking about?"
Xio didn't bother explaining.
She found a comfortable spot on the sofa and said:
"You'll know in a moment."
Fors grew even more perplexed.
"Know wh—"
Before she could finish, crimson light flared around her and swallowed her whole.
When her vision returned—
She was already sitting in the ancient palace she had visited hours earlier, on the chair of the "Magician."
Justice and Judgment sat beside her.
Fors might sometimes be lazy with thinking, but as Xio said, she was far from stupid.
She immediately understood the implication of Xio's earlier words.
"Xio… you're Judgment?!"
She stared wide-eyed, full of wounded accusation—How could you hide this from me?!
"You also didn't tell me you're the Magician first, did you?"
Xio asked, completely justified.
"That's because I… because I… ugh, anyway! You were hiding it from me! You were watching me make a fool of myself! You've completely learned bad habits from Ebner!"
Fors looked heartbroken.
Xio rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I was watching for fun.
And I'm not the only one."
Fors frowned.
"Who else?"
Xio's lips curved uncontrollably.
"Take a guess."
Fors's expression stiffened—
"Don't tell me…
Mr. Tower… is actually Ebner?!"
(End of Chapter)