Chapter 420: Banquet started After Ethan turned his back on the mysterious demon, he didn’t feel fear. Instead, he felt a strange sense of anticipation. He knew that by opening his business and holding such a massive auction, he had painted a target on his back. But he was sure this demon wouldn’t attack him in public. Doing so would blow his cover as a mere traveler and alert the other Source Authority beings in the city. But the strike would come, and Ethan would welcome it. He didn’t want to stir up problems. But if a problem wanted to mess with him, he wouldn’t be polite at all. As Ethan walked away, the demon behind him vanished into thin air, leaving only a cold breeze. "A demon dared to be arrogant in front of me?" a voice whispered into the void, followed by a dark chuckle. "I’d like to see what kind of bloodline gives him such courage. Perhaps his heart will taste better than his words." Ethan moved through the city with a quiet focus. He spent the next few hours visiting various shops. He wanted to expand his vision. Although his Authority of Creation allowed him to make anything, he needed to visualize the objects perfectly to bring out their true potential. He wanted to gather all the knowledge of this world so he could create things, evolve them, and make a fortune from his inventions. He eventually entered a high-end weapon shop. The walls were lined with shimmering blades and heavy armor. Ethan scanned the displays. Most were common. Swords that could cut through mountains, spears that never missed, and bows that shot arrows of pure light. However, in a dusty corner, he saw a row of strange instruments. They looked like harps and flutes, but they were made of heavy, enchanted metals. "What are these?" Ethan asked the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was an old Ice Dragon with scales as white as snow. The man looked up, his eyes tired. "Those are sound weapons. They produce shockwaves according to the strength and rhythm of the user." "The sound can be as gentle as a lullaby or as destructive as a cacophony of doom. They are effective up to the Genesis realm." Ethan picked up a small silver tuning fork. He felt the vibrations. An idea began to form in his mind. A sound weapon, but better. He imagined an instrument at the Eternal level, a Lament of the Void. It wouldn’t just make noise. It would be able to erase timelines and delete an enemy’s existence from parallel worlds simultaneously. He visited a few more shops, taking mental notes on design, power structures, and the materials used by the local craftsmen. By the time the moons began to rise, his mind was buzzing with new blueprints. It was time well spent. As night fell, Ethan began walking toward the central Royal Castle. The streets were packed with people heading toward the banquet. The Ice Dragon royal court wanted to form a good relationship with Rose, and Melida had agreed to the event. They were all likely expecting Ethan to show up as well. Inside the castle, the atmosphere was busy. In a private suite, a group of humans gathered around Rose. "Sis, Mr. Hunt changed our life in just one night. We should thank him, right?" Zara asked, checking her reflection in a mirror made of enchanted ice. Next to them sat a group of people who looked confused but happy. There was Elizabeth, Rose’s mother. Anna and Elina, Ethan’s two mothers. His sister Erina. His fathers Albert and Jack. And the grandfathers. They were all there, dressed in fine silks they hadn’t worn in years. But none of them remembered Ethan’s name. To them, he was just the "Mr. Hunt" who owned the mysterious tower. "Ethan Hunt, huh? We are also Hunts. It’s such a coincidence, isn’t it?" Jack laughed, clinking a glass with Albert. They didn’t know exactly how they were related to each other. But a strange instinct told them they were family. "Tell me, daughter," Elizabeth asked Rose in a teasing tone. "Is he really that good of a person? You seem less cold when people mention him." Rose looked away, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I don’t know. He is better than the dragons, at least. But as long as I don’t regain my memories, I won’t let any man get too close." "Do you think he will come tonight?" Erina asked eagerly. "I want to meet the person who gave Zara that amazing card!" Zara nodded proudly. "Oh, he’ll come.I am sure of it. I’ll introduce you! Maybe he’ll give you a card too." "I get a 90% discount on everything! It’s so cool." The family laughed together. For a long time, they had been treated like slaves because they were "low-grade" humans. They were mostly 4th or 5th-dimensional beings, considered the lowest of the low in a world of dragons. They had only survived because of Rose’s talent, but they had lived in fear. Tonight, they felt human again. A knock came at the door. "My lady, the guests are arriving. It is time." Rose led her family into the banquet hall. Melida was waiting for them at the entrance. "My child, you look fantastic," Melida said with a warm smile. She looked at the group of humans behind Rose with a bit of disdain, but she hid it quickly. "Let’s go. I will make sure no man dares to bother you tonight." The banquet was held in a massive, open-air field within the castle walls. It was beautiful. It was lit by floating crystals and decorated with ice sculptures that never melted. As Rose entered, a hush fell over the crowd. She looked like a celestial maiden. Her cold aura and white gown gave her the vibe of a true queen. "She really is a disaster-class beauty," one dragon noble whispered to his friend. Right now, Rose’s status was at its peak. She was the Leading Saintess, the leader of the younger generation of the entire Ice Dragon race. Young noble dragons from all over, Fire, Lightning, and Poison race watched her with hungry eyes. However, Melida waved her hand. A shimmering blue barrier formed around Rose and her family. "No males are permitted to approach the Saintess or her kin," Melida announced coldly. Her voice carried the weight of an Eternal Sovereign, silencing any complaints. The banquet went on. People ate, danced, and whispered. Many tried to find a way through the barrier, but they all failed. Then, Prince Trian arrived. When he saw the barrier, he actually smiled. He thought Melida was protecting Rose for him. He walked up to the edge of the blue light, looking confident. "Congratulations, Rose!" he called out. "Lady Melida, please let me in so I can celebrate with my fiancée." Melida looked at him with an expression of pure boredom. "Sorry, Prince Trian. You are not permitted to go near her." Trian’s smile vanished. "What? Ms. Melida, she is my fiancée! How dare you block me?" "Rose is not interested in you," Melida replied flatly. "And she was never your fiancée. The arrangement is canceled." Trian’s face turned purple with rage. His protector, the Fire Dragon Sovereign, stepped forward. "Well played, Melida. But is it worth antagonizing the Fire Dragon Royal Family just for the hope of a friendship with that Demon?" Melida didn’t even flinch. "That is none of your business. Go and eat." Trian was about to explode when he noticed something. A man wearing a simple dark hoodie was walking calmly through the crowd. He wasn’t a dragon, and he didn’t look like a noble. To everyone’s horror and surprise, the man didn’t stop at the barrier. He didn’t even slow down. He stepped right through the blue light as if it were nothing more than a curtain. He walked right up to Rose, who was standing with her family. He pushed back his hood. A face was revealed that made the surrounding dragon nobles look like peasants. "Congratulations, Lady Rose," Ethan said with a charming smile. The entire field went silent. Trian screamed in fury. But Ethan didn’t even turn his head. He was looking only at Rose and his family. He was seeing them after very very long time.