“This old guy… is not simple.”

Watching the direction of the Austre Empire delegation’s departure, Violet pondered.

The old man called Xiu seemed to be the leader of this group. He must have realized that Miss Priestess was the core of the team, as he greeted Violet, who had just arrived, instead of Xiao Guang, who was offended. This deduction was based on the subtle changes in the expressions of the people present. No wonder even the so-called “Your Highness” listened obediently.

Perhaps he had already recognized the identities of their group. After all, they were always with the delegation from the Human United Kingdom, mingling with Sigrid, one of the Four Wings. However, about the red-haired guy… had she seen him somewhere?

Because the impression was too faint, Miss Priestess couldn’t recall immediately. At this moment, Leila’s timely inquiry reached her ears.

“Lady Violet, was that person just now… the pervert we encountered on our way to subjugate the Southern Calamity? The one who, in the teahouse, got a beating from Mr. Epunia…”

“Hmm?”

Well, surprisingly, it seemed so.

No wonder he looked familiar. Although the attire was significantly different, the face… especially that arrogant and domineering attitude, was exactly the same. Even those formidable guards from back then seemed to be among this group.

As for the other scoundrels, she didn’t know where they went.

Xiu called him “Your Highness,” and he was wearing the royal family crest. So, this guy was a prince of the Austre Empire? No wonder he was so arrogant, daring to flirt directly when he saw a beautiful girl.

But back then, they should have been traveling alone. Why didn’t they join the delegation for the journey?

There’s another crucial point.

Could this guy not have recognized them?

If he were just a passerby, it would be understandable, but exaggerating a bit, even among them, Edwina is an unparalleled beauty. Even if she changed her clothes and made a slight makeover, would that dim-witted prince have forgotten so quickly the person who had beaten him?

Assuming that the guy’s intelligence wasn’t so astonishingly low, the only explanation would be that he clearly recognized them but intentionally pretended not to, using the seemingly lame excuse from earlier as a pretext for private revenge.

Yes, it was most likely like that. Otherwise, the guards should have reminded him. It seems that this so-called prince, despite his arrogance, wasn’t stupid. But why would he hide what happened before? Didn’t want people to know he got beaten and was embarrassed?

Oh well, why bother with so much? Violet didn’t even know this guy’s name. As long as he didn’t willingly provoke her or cause trouble, Miss Priestess couldn’t care less about someone who had no social interaction with her and posed no threat.

“Dorina, let’s go upstairs.”

“Hurry, let’s go. Really… they pull off such antics right from the start…”

The winged girl who was temporarily helping out waved her hand like shooing away a disaster, and Violet, unconcerned, led her companions into the teleportation array.

The spatial magic array here was of the same type as the one in Fragrant Residence, only larger and more stable. Even a group of over a dozen people like the Austre Empire’s team just now could fit in it effortlessly.

In terms of magical standards in this world, it was indeed a grand design.

After a familiar floating sensation, when they felt solid ground beneath their feet again, Violet and her group found themselves in a corner of a magnificent and vast hall.

Countless bright magical lights shone from all directions, illuminating the space as brilliantly as daylight. There were neatly arranged exquisite foods everywhere—meats, vegetables, fruits, desserts, and beverages.

The melodious music echoed within the hall, not a solo or a duet but an entire orchestra, weaving together elaborate melodies with mixed notes, sometimes melodious and sometimes graceful. The lights flickered and swayed with the music, accompanied by the silent harmonies.

Wearing receptionist uniforms, adorable white-feathered girls carried trays and moved around like elves, delivering freshly cooked food and occasionally providing guidance and assistance to guests of various races.

The number and variety of guests here were indeed rich, almost like a miniature representation of the world map.

Just from what Violet could see at the moment, she recognized humans, half-blood humanoids, winged people, beastmen, lightfolk, demons, snowfolk, tree spirits, and various branches of magical creatures she couldn’t name.

After a quick scan of the surroundings, relying on her excellent eyesight, Miss Priestess easily identified the beastman delegation she had seen before, the Human United Kingdom delegation led by Felina, and even the Austre Empire delegation that had almost clashed with them just now.

“Wow, so many people! Her Majesty is really prestigious; so many countries and races have come to celebrate her birthday.”

Behind her, Rene exclaimed in admiration, and Violet smiled but didn’t say anything.

While the Feathered Emperor did have a significant influence, the exaggerated response this time was largely due to the deliberate spreading of rumors by the Azure Sky Kingdom about the “Abyss.”

The higher the position of the ruling authorities or the stronger, more knowledgeable experts, the more they understood the significance behind the word “Abyss.” It was only natural to give it attention.

“Oh, by the way, Miss Violet, are you interested in meeting the delegation from our… Holy Empire? I think I just saw them.”

“?”

Violet turned around in surprise, meeting Edwina’s eyes that seemed to hold some expectation and eagerness. However, her eyes were clear, seemingly containing only certain profound and pure elements, without any hidden schemes.

Speaking of which, Miss Priestess almost forgot about the silly Holy Knight girl who had been following her for quite some time. Despite not starting the journey together, after helping a few times, for some reason, this foolish Holy Knight always stuck around. In reality, she was a traveler from the Holy Empire.

Moreover, this girl seemed to be the formidable scion of that powerful divine lineage, the so-called heiress of a prestigious family.

“The Holy Empire… I remember that their representative this time is your sister, Frederica Cecilia, the current ‘Judgment Saintess,’ right?”

In fact, Violet learned about this when she secretly eavesdropped on Estini and Edwina’s conversation in the front hall of the Feather Palace. When she arrived, the three of them had just gone in, so Miss Priestess was well aware of what had transpired.

Of course, she couldn’t just say it outright. Conveniently, later on, Edwina learned about the matter, went to the embassy of the Holy Empire to find her sister, and stayed there for a while, giving Violet a “reason” to “understand” the situation.

“Yes, if Miss Violet finds it troublesome, I can also go directly to inform my sister and ask her to come… um, to meet you. Although I haven’t told sister Feifei about many things, she can still sense the changes in my body.”