Chapter 2071: Yellow, not Amber

Gradually, the banquet hall filled with more and more people. Many of them were from the Twelve Branches – regular members and elders.

The Stars and the leaders who had decided to visit the Radiant Branch this time arrived later.

Ironically, the elders and regular members were doing their utmost to show that they were part of the Twelve Branches. They paid close attention to their outfits, watched their manners, and behaved like members of high society.

Sure, they had every right to do so, but the Stars and the family heads were often quite different.

Erik and Lagred were far from Kogen’s level, but if necessary, they could act like barbarians or even bloodthirsty beasts.

The heads of the Twelve Branches, all of them, were powerful warriors who had fought in countless battles.

Except for rare cases such as the assassination of the family head of the Noukx Family, family heads remained at the top for hundreds of years. They were always the core of the family, while the elders and Phantoms of their families constantly changed, not to mention the regular members.

Lagred was a member of the Rouzet Family. Without him, the Rouzet Family would change forever, and the same was true for other families. Even Kogen, who had only recently become the head of his family, was the mainstay of his family, commanding both fear and respect for the Noukx Family.

Thus, while elders and ordinary nobles from afar watched Adam with wariness, Erik and Lagred smirked slyly, and even Kogen felt a sense of curiosity. He could see that Adam had decided to pull his trick on Baren.

“Do you just want to shake my hand, or is there some hidden meaning to this?” Baren asked in a calm voice.

“I just want to find out something.”

That wasn’t an answer to Baren’s question, but he had already made up his mind.

Baren stepped forward and gripped Adam’s hand firmly.

Unlike Kogen, Baren had no intention of restraining his aura in such a way that only Adam could sense it.

The pink flame with a purple hue burst forth in a tall pillar, casting a bright light across the banquet hall. The waiters froze, unable to take a single step.

A shiver ran down Adam’s spine, not as terrifying as the one from Kogen, but still quite powerful.

Strangely enough, this only brought a smile to Adam’s face, for he had confirmed his suspicion.

He could clearly see the silhouette lurking within Baren’s aura, and the Silver Weaver answered his call.

“And? How close are you to becoming a Second-Rank Phantom? I didn’t think I’d have to worry about competition, but it would be a shame if you did it even one day before me.”

Baren’s calm expression cracked as he flashed a slight smile.

“So that’s what this is all about. I’m sorry, Adam, but no matter how close you are, you’re still far ahead of me. I need to take just one tiny step, and then the Grand Barrier will be shattered.”

Adam looked at Osana, then at Lagred.

“So the Rouzet Family’s position will become stronger?”

“No.”

Baren replied immediately.

“I’ll act on my own. My family will manage just fine without my help. I have my own goals.”

Lagred showed no reaction to this. It seemed as though it didn’t matter to him whether Baren remained with the Rouzet Family or not.

But it was important to the elders, who wanted to use the strength of others to elevate their own standing.

Everyone wanted to be on the level of the Alderran Family. Their elders were no different from the others, except that they were rightfully able to look down on everyone else.

Tap.

With a gentle motion, Adam let go of Baren’s hand.

“Hmm?” Baren was confused. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Adam smiled.

“No. I realized I’d be the first.”

Step. Step. Step.

Before Baren could answer, new footsteps sounded from the side.

There were three figures, and Adam was familiar with each of them, with some, even too well.

On the left was an old man with long gray hair tied back in a bun and calm green eyes. To the right was a middle-aged man with a powerful chest, a thick beard, and short black hair, while in the center was a girl with light hair and blue eyes. Unlike the two men, she looked young, even though her true age was easily over 750 years.

They were Andreas, Douglas, and Farla.

“They’re here.” Skara gulped. “Three officers from the Gamma Division at once. I expected that, as usual, only their representative and a few captains would come.”

Erik touched his chin.

“Well, Farla promised Adam she’d visit this Radiant Branch. I suppose that when Douglas and Andreas found out about it, they couldn’t resist their curiosity and joined her.”

He glared at Adam.

“After all, it was Douglas who sent Adam to the Twilight Palace. His stay there ended in a fight in the Alderran family courtyard while he was battling Reinz Alderran.”

Baren narrowed his eyes.

“You know quite a lot about this.”

“Of course!” Erik waved his hand. “I rescued Adam from there. Otherwise, he would’ve been in big trouble. Also, I won a large sum of money that day by betting on Adam’s victory, so I was in a good mood.”

Soon enough, Farla, Douglas, and Andreas joined them.

Andreas placed his hand on his chest.

“Hello, Adam. I hope you’re not mad at me anymore.”

Douglas, in turn, gave a thumbs-up with a broad smile.

“Good job, boy. I knew you could do it the first time I saw you!”

Farla gave him only a calm nod.

“We’ve met again. Just as promised.”

Suddenly, a deep growl rang out from the side.

“RHOOOOOAAAAA!!!”

More than half the room turned around just to see yet another guest who had arrived at Radiant Branch.

It was a tall woman with spiky hair and… a half-empty bottle of wine in her hand. She was still drinking even now.

There was only one reason the guards had let her in: her yellow eyes and yellow hair, not amber, but yellow.

“Oh… Here she is.” Farla blinked. “Soon there won’t be a drop of alcohol left here. Anyone who wants to try the wine should do so now.”

“Hmm? Who is that?” Adam tilted his head.

Farla remained unperturbed.

“That’s Joarxa Pereit, the Head of the Peret Family and the worst alcoholic I’ve ever seen.”