Chapter 142

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Episode 32 - Party [2]

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Once inside the hall where the party would be held, I used my senses, sharpening my hearing, to find Clana.

It didn’t take long; I immediately managed to locate her after hearing the beat of her heart, along with other characteristics that allow me to distinguish people.

And it seemed she had chosen a table very far away, all the way on the other side of the enormous hall.

I didn’t hesitate and started walking in her direction, but...

"Wow, this place is very beautiful, don’t you think, dear?"

But the problem was that this damn Witch was following me.

’You have to be kidding, right?’

A clear irritation began to rise within me.

"Won’t you sit somewhere closer to where the Sorcerer King will be?"

At my question, the damn Witch tilted her head while maintaining an innocent smile.

"Ah, that. It doesn’t matter anyway. I have very good eyesight, so I’ll sit with you."

"Ah, ha, ha, that would be a great honor."

"Heh, heh, you’re welcome, dear. We can spend the whole party together."

’Ugh, damn it, I swear I’ll beat her up when I have the time.’

With that firm promise, I resumed walking.

Behind me, the damn Witch wouldn’t stop talking, and my frustration certainly began to grow.

But in the end, I couldn’t shake her off.

She looked around even while speaking to me, despite knowing I was ignoring her.

I didn’t know whether she was aware of my obvious irritation at her presence, but in any case...

’What does it matter whether she knows or not?’

I walked while weaving around people and finally reached the long table where Clana was sitting.

She was looking around, still unaware of my presence and the damn Witch’s.

I took a seat directly across from Clana, and the damn Witch sat beside me.

"Wow, dear, look at these dishes. Don’t they look appetizing?"

"Ha, ha, they certainly do."

"..."

I responded to the damn Witch’s words while focusing on Clana.

Her emotion shifted to confusion; it seemed she had noticed my obvious annoyance with the damn Witch.

’Learn how to read people, Clana, you damn bitch.’

Unaware of my thoughts, the damn Witch picked up her utensils and began devouring a large steak.

I didn’t know what kind of meat it was; it was quite large and radiated Power of Chaos.

Then I noticed the same meat in front of me.

’If I eat this, it’ll damage my body.’

Since I didn’t have a trait related to detoxifying the body or one related to regeneration.

Eating the meat of some Demonic Beast would only destroy everything inside me.

Fortunately, there were more dishes and several trays holding normal food that didn’t come from monsters.

It seemed Clana was also checking the food at each table.

"Mhm, you don’t want to eat that meat, dear."

The damn Witch looked at me in confusion, then looked at the meat in front of me and started drooling.

"..."

"I-I’m not very fond of Demonic Beast meat."

"Then you don’t mind if I eat it, right?"

I shook my head; actually, this was better.

"I don’t mind."

"Thank you, dear."

The damn Witch pulled the plate toward herself and began devouring the meat, cutting off small pieces and bringing them to her mouth.

A wide smile appeared on her face every time she ate the meat.

’You’re so lucky.’

I’m aware of how delicious Demonic Beast meat can be once it has been detoxified and cleaned.

It was like swimming in a paradise of flavors that, no matter who you are or how demanding your tastes may be.

Would eventually make you addicted to eating it every day.

I picked up a few things and placed them on my plate; most were seafood and a few small pieces of meat.

Aside from sandwiches, according to my memories, it seemed I liked seafood and different kinds of meat that came from the sea.

And this world mostly has monsters; among them, some are very delicious.

The Academy doesn’t serve this kind of food, so this was an opportunity to try some new things.

Shortly afterward, I began savoring each of the dishes I had taken.

I also noticed there was champagne. I picked up a glass and poured myself some, then took a sip.

’Thanks to my senses, the flavors are much stronger; huh, I can even distinguish every single one of them.’

Naturally, my senses are not limited to common senses such as the five senses or the sixth sense.

Anything that can be considered a sense is covered by my trait at a level beyond what any other Trait could enhance.

"It seems you like seafood, dear."

The damn Witch said as she watched me eat.

By the way, I had changed my mask. According to the description the seller gave me.

The mask only had eye openings, was black in color, and had a small white sword symbol beneath the left eye.

Every now and then, I lifted my mask just enough and brought the food to my mouth.

I looked at the shitty Witch and said:

"This is one of the few times I get to eat this. The Imperial Capital is located in the center of the Continent, so it’s difficult to find food that comes from the sea."

"Indeed, the sea is very far away. It must take several months for it to reach the Imperial Capital, correct?"

"That’s right, which is why I’m making the most of this opportunity."

Meanwhile, I noticed that Clana was watching us—or, more specifically, probing us while openly pretending not to.

I turned my attention to her and asked:

"Do you need something, miss?"

Since she was wearing an ordinary mask without any magical effects, her golden hair and eyes, along with her feminine figure, were very noticeable.

’She attracts a lot of attention.’

In a sense, that was a good thing because it made her easier to recognize, but at the same time, it was very bad for the exact same reason.

Clana flinched slightly, refocused on her food, and said:

"It’s nothing. Since you were talking about the Imperial Capital, I became curious about your conversation."

I nodded as if I understood something.

The shitty Witch looked at Clana and said:

"Mhm, it seems you don’t live in the Imperial Capital, dear. You’re curious."

Clana nodded, and I noticed a feeling of satisfaction appear.

It seems she achieved her goal, whatever it was.

"No, I don’t live in the Imperial Capital. I’m currently staying in the border city of Margrave Clanston."

"My, that’s very far away."

I think I know what Clana is trying to do, and as if to confirm it, she asked:

"By any chance, are you the Witch of Depravity?"

"Oh, yes, dear. You recognized me immediately."

The shitty Witch looked at me as if saying, "Learn from her." A vein bulged on my forehead as I ignored her.

Clana nodded, and her emotions shifted in various ways.

"Could you tell me about yourself? I understand that you’re very famous in the Central Region of the continent."

The Central Region encompassed all the areas surrounding the Imperial Capital: cities, kingdoms, and towns.

The Holy Continent was divided into five regions: north, south, east, and west, in addition to the Central Region.

The entire Central Region was surrounded by a mountain range known as the Inner Frontier Region.

And the border city Clana mentioned was located in the Outer Frontier Region.

They were also known as the two lines of defense.

"Ha, ha, it seems someone is curious about me. Well, that’s fine."

The Shitty Witch took a sip from her glass and continued.

"I currently operate in the lower district of the Imperial Capital. It’s more discreet, and the imperial guards, being a bunch of incompetents, don’t even inspect those areas."

"Mhm, yes, they do seem incompetent."

"Don’t they?"

However, the emotion Clana felt was frustration, annoyance, and disappointment.

I understood her emotions. It was the Imperial Family that was truly incompetent and failed to do its job for the welfare and security of the empire.

"Since you operate in that area, perhaps when I visit the Imperial City, you could help me as a guide. I’ll pay you or give you something that interests you, of course."

The Shitty Witch waved her hand dismissively. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"There’s no need for that, dear, although now that I look at you, you’re not a villain."

Clana was surprised for a second before regaining her composure and replying.

"Well, I have some talent as an Awakened, but eventually I’ll become a villain. I have enough Cube of Chaos to advance to Class 7."

The Shitty Witch’s eyes sharpened, and greed appeared in her emotions.

"Ah, I see. Then I look forward to welcoming you soon, dear."

She seemed eager to snatch away the supposed Cube of Chaos that Clana possessed.

But then, after listening to their conversation without saying anything, I remembered something and asked:

"If you’re an Awakened, then I assume you’re someone important or famous. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here as an Awakened."

At my words, the Damn Witch realized it as well.

"Oh, right. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of you. You should already know this, but I’m an important member of the Abraham Clan’s intelligence department, so I have access to a vast amount of information."

My question was meant to find out whether she had truly been invited to Black City or had stolen a Special Card.

Clana didn’t answer immediately, as if she were thinking about what to say. Shortly afterward, Clana said:

"Well, I’m not famous or anything like that, but I swear I was genuinely invited."

"...!"

’Impossible...’

From Clana’s emotions, I knew she wasn’t lying.

Everything Clana said was the absolute truth.