Chapter 113: The Fierce Demon

After leaving the punk mechs, Helen and Kate linked arms with Louis and wandered further inside. The three soon arrived at the far end of the hall, where the vintage car exhibition was held.

The attendants here were mostly beautiful fox and dragon ladies, along with a few small Yordle engineers holding megaphones, standing by large crates to promote and explain the old cars.

These vintage cars were priced starting at £285, targeted towards the wealthy middle class and affluent citizens. Encouraged by the charming fox ladies, some customers would often pay on the spot to reserve a vehicle.

The more expensive models ranged from several thousand to tens of thousands of pounds—one car could be worth as much as several houses.

Those interested in such cars were predominantly high nobility. True aristocrats like Count Crowley or Miss Kate Crowley, who belonged to noble families, certainly weren’t short of several houses. Their small towns alone numbered in the thousands. Houses were counted in thousands.

Yet, a luxury car was not necessarily as valuable as a purebred horse from their stables.

Therefore, many gentlemen and noble ladies gathered here. Some of the less knowledgeable noblewomen even asked how many horses were needed to pull these cars, clearly not understanding what these machines were, but hoping to join the trend by purchasing one to display.

Louis was soon drawn to a particular car—a showpiece of the exhibition, sharing the same model as Count Crowley’s. The front hood bore a large archangel figure, but this one was black with a white roof.

Many young noble heirs were inquiring with the attendants, seemingly hoping to reserve one. Yet the queue extended for years, and although nobles smiled pleasantly upon hearing the prices, inwardly they were taken aback.

Kate encountered some acquaintances here—all noble ladies and young noblewomen—indicating that Kate’s social connections within aristocratic circles were extensive and she was quite well-known—a true star among the nobility.

When many gentlemen and ladies learned that Helen was the cousin of Osiris and a princess from a certain duchy, their eyes lit up. Though none had heard of the Erinda Duchy of France, Helen’s extraordinary beauty, along with her jewelry and noble bearing, clearly marked her as a princess from a significant realm.

Several gentlemen attempted to perform the traditional hand-kissing greeting to Kate and Helen, introducing themselves. Helen was a bit confused—wizards didn’t follow such customs. Before any lips could touch, Louis frowned and pulled her arm away.

“What’s this nonsense? A grown man with rouge on his face, trying to do a hand-kissing greeting? Pfft!” Louis muttered, rolling his eyes while wiping his hands on his pockets. Shy Helen instinctively clung to his arm.

Only then did the assembled nobles notice the tall “bodyguard” beside the two ladies.

Kate couldn’t help but smile and introduced him, “This is my distant cousin, Louis. He’s from abroad, where customs differ from ours. He currently teaches at the Icon Tree Academy and works alongside Her Highness Osiris. Oh, and he’s an enthusiast of magic…”

The gentlemen and ladies responded with reserved smiles, nodding politely, and Louis acknowledged them in return.

Yet, after discreetly scrutinizing the man in his early twenties, many in their hearts began to speculate.

“This must be one of Kate’s family’s arranged future marriage cousins. He doesn’t quite fit as a priest or mage. He looks more like a knight.”

“Probably someone from Her Highness Helen’s or Osiris’s circle.”

“Otherwise, why would a mere priest be so close to Princess Helen?”

“I saw Kate link arms with him earlier. Plus, no surname was given—he’s likely a commoner.”

“Maybe Osiris’s knight. He does look decent. Perhaps the count intends a marriage alliance. A powerless son-in-law might be more obedient.”

Some gentlemen felt a twinge of envy, while the noble ladies fanned themselves demurely, smiling as they appraised the handsome young knight.

The crowd did not dwell on Louis further. Kate took the opportunity to mention that the princess would return to her country tomorrow. The noble ladies were excited, eager to stir up some social excitement. Becoming friends with the princess would be a valuable asset in future social circles.

A few even fanned themselves, promising to host a salon or gathering to celebrate. But when Kate suggested inviting their fathers, many quickly changed the subject—given the uncertain political situation, except for those deeply involved in mutual interests, families were reluctant to entangle themselves further.

Moreover, though Count Crowley had once been illustrious, he had long neglected affairs and was now burdened by the Seventh Fleet’s troubles. Whether he could regain strength remained to be seen.

Thus, these noble ladies, heirs, and minor noble vassals claimed to attend the banquet in support, but were in fact probing the waters.

Louis, uninterested in these cheerleaders, noticed the small Yordles gathering around an attendant, asking questions. Smiling, he beckoned a dragon lady over and inquired about the vintage car resembling a “phantom.”

The nearby gentlemen sneered silently, “You’re shameless, living off women like that.”

The Yordles’ eyes sparkled as they secretly gave thumbs-up, wondering which “bowl” their leader planned to dine from today.

Before Louis could ask more, the steward suddenly gestured to nearby staff, hurriedly leading them to the rear entrance of the exhibition hall and opening a large door usually kept closed.

Then, over thirty black vintage cars with slicked-back hoods slowly drove in, causing gasps among the gentlemen and noble ladies.

“Baron Angus, now we have the goods—everyone in Britania City who claimed to want a phantom this year can have one,” a gentleman teased a previously pretentious noble.

It was the first time anyone had seen so many phantoms together.

“Don’t speak recklessly, Benjamin,” Angus wiped cold sweat with a handkerchief. “Didn’t you see who’s inside those cars?”

Many noticed the issue. The staff frantically waved flags to guide the cars to distant parking spaces, but the vehicles ignored all signals, driving straight into the exhibition area. Some obstructing cars were even pushed aside.

Nobles and wealthy onlookers seeing the occupants inside the cars quickly stepped aside, wary of provoking these thugs.

Soon, groups of tall, burly men emerged from the cars—humans, dragons, and even foxes. They began clearing the area. These men wore top hats and padded tailcoats, dressed like gentlemen or businessmen. Yet, their shirts bore glaring gun holsters, each carrying revolvers.

Strangely, upon seeing them, the event’s detective officers bowed and nodded respectfully, assisting with maintaining order.

Shortly thereafter, a colossal vehicle resembling a bulldozer rolled in. This behemoth had six wheels—the smallest at the front taller than a man, the rear wheels over two meters high.

Its flat front bore no canopy but sported a large and a small smokestack, belching exhaust noisily, clanking and rattling like a train. It could seat over a dozen people.

The driver, a towering dragon over three and a half meters tall, if standing, would dwarf an average man’s waist height. His forearms were thicker than a normal person’s waist. This draconic figure was somewhat atavistic, with a jutting chin resembling a spade.

Behind him was a massive tail like a hammer.

Seven or eight dragon bodyguards sat behind, each over two or three meters tall, fierce-looking, resembling the driver in appearance.