The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 18

"Finally, a chance to rest," Evelyn said wearily. She had been dancing with Lloyd since the beginning, and now, with a change of music, she finally had a chance to catch her breath.

So far, their infiltration seemed successful. No one had noticed anything unusual about them, and no one had approached them for conversation. Instead, curious glances were cast their way, making Evelyn feel somewhat uneasy.

"Don't worry, they're just curious," Lloyd reassured her timely.

"With such secretive gatherings, who knows how many times they've been held? Even masked guests can sense a familiar atmosphere. And today, with us here, they must be wondering where we came from."

"Do we need to strike up a conversation?"

"No need. The more we talk, the easier it is to expose ourselves."

Lloyd's acting skills were truly impressive. His casual demeanor made it seem as if he had attended many such events before.

His gray-blue eyes scanned the surroundings. In truth, he felt uneasy too. Ever since he saw the colored glass window, a feeling had been rising within him. That architecture belonged in a church, yet here it was, in this eerie underground setting, as if behind that glass lay the gates to hell.

"Evelyn, have you seen any guards?" Lloyd suddenly asked.

"Guards?" The girl looked around, everything bathed in the sea of joy. There were no guards in sight.

"Yes, we didn't encounter any guards after the beginning of our journey."

Lloyd's expression was unusually serious as he sat in his seat. Everything seemed normal, like any other ball. But he suddenly noticed something. Servants were moving through the crowd, carrying trays filled with coins and gold.

The trading had begun, or rather, it had started as soon as they entered. Lloyd had expected some formal speeches followed by a grand exit with a group of beautiful women. But now, the traded goods were being passed around among the guests like drinks at a bar.

Damn it, Sabo might not show up after all.

Everything tonight was a perfect script, and Lloyd had calculated everything, except for this.

Just as Lloyd was feeling troubled, a servant approached with a tray of slaughterer's coins and gold jewelry. Lloyd pretended to be familiar with the situation and was about to offer the last few slaughterer's coins he had when the servant spoke up.

"Sir, someone invites you."

The servant wore a mask, and his voice was cold, unsettling Lloyd under the circumstances.

"Invite me?" Lloyd asked again, and the servant stepped aside. On the platform behind him, a man wearing a bull mask waved at Lloyd.

"Evelyn, prepare your weapon. We've been exposed," Lloyd stood up and whispered to Evelyn as he made his way forward.

The girl's expression relaxed a bit, her hand gently resting on her thigh. A thin layer of fabric was all that separated her from the cold weapon.

"What are you going to do?" The girl asked quietly, and Lloyd picked up his pocket watch. It was 1 a.m. now.

"I'll attend the appointment. There's no escaping it anymore."

With that, Lloyd took Evelyn's hand and strode forward.

...

They were at the highest point of the hall, just beneath the colored glass window. When Lloyd had looked at the platform from below, he remembered seeing many people there. But when he arrived, there was only the man in the bull mask waving at him and a servant standing far away.