Chapter 56: The Invitation

A few days went by and the mercenary city remained relatively peaceful. Since the news about the war wasn't spread across the general public, the lower-class elves went about their days as usual. Only a select few like merchants and mercenaries were aware of the impending doom looming above their heads.

These individuals either fled the settlement in hopes of seeking refuge in a city or stayed behind, preparing themselves for the fate that was to come.

…

During these few days, Zaos meticulously studied information about the dark tribe. He made sure to memorize all the important landmarks while also studying the history and situation surrounding them. He planned to locate an optimum escape route in case he was forced to abandon his identity.

On this day, Zaos engrossed himself with his reading as usual. He sat in his study contemplating the contents of the book in his hands when a knock on the door drew his attention.

"What is it?" He asked. His eyes were still glued to the pages of the book.

"My lord, I have a letter addressed to you," A slightly cold female voice announced from behind the door.

A look of puzzlement surfaced on Zaos' face as he set down the book in his hands.

"Who's it from?" He asked in confusion.

"It is from the Venom Panther. The messenger said it was an invitation letter," The female voice spoke once more.

[An invitation? For what?] Zaos frowned.

"Bring it inside," He said after some thought.

"Understood," The voice replied. Almost immediately, the door to the study swung open revealing the figure of a wind elf dressed in a Victorian-style black and white maid outfit.

The maid walked to the desk Zaos sat before and gently placed the letter on it.

"Did the messenger say anything else?" Zaos asked as he watched the maid, Meira retreat a few steps.

"No. He only stated the purpose of the letter before swiftly departing," Meira responded while shaking her head.

"I see. You may leave," Zaos dismissed the maid.

Meira curtsied before exiting the room.

Zaos picked up the letter, tore up the envelope encasing it, and read its contents.

The letter expressed Venom Panther's willingness to accept Zaos' offer, detailing the need for a superior power ruling over the settlement during these war times. He then proceeded to invite Zaos to his residence as a sign of hospitality…

After reading through the letter, a smile formed on Zaos' lips as he thought to himself.

[This is most likely a trap. Yet I'm curious about the arrangements he has made…] Zaos' grin widened.

Although the trap looked simple, it was created based on Venom Panther's understanding of Zaos' character. He believed him to be a rash individual who was overly confident in his abilities, so even if he detected any abnormalities with the invitation, he would still honor it.

He was right, as at the next second, Zaos rose from his seat, heading to the location described in the letter.

As someone with the ability to flee at any time, Zaos wasn't worried about being concerned, on the contrary, he was excited since it meant he could explore the extent of his abilities.

He swiftly exited his mansion, informing the maids of his departure. Once outside, he traversed through the black market and into the district known as the thieves' quarters.

Making his way out of it, he navigated the streets of the settlement and arrived at the gates situated on the northern wall.

The guards at the gates didn't halt his progression, simply letting him through once he got there.

He traveled for a few hundred meters in the northern direction, before coming across a secluded hilly region.

[Should be around here… ] Zaos searched around the area, and sure enough, he spotted a luxurious mansion tucked away in the little valley formed by the hills.

He hastened his steps towards it, and in a few seconds, he stood right before the beige-colored mansion.

On his way here, Zaos hadn't come across any elves yet his superior senses noted the presence of a few individuals lurking around the residence.

Zaos thought nothing of this arrangement and simply pulled the string attached to the doorbell.

After the chimes of the little bell subsided, hurried footsteps drew closer to the door before it was promptly pushed open.

"Scourge, you have arrived," Venom Panther appeared behind the door. His countenance portrayed surprise.

The time set for the meeting was nighttime, yet Zaos had arrived a few hours too early.

Zaos smiled and responded, "I was free, no use waiting any further,"

Venom Panther forced a smile at Zaos' words. He stepped aside, gesturing for the former to enter.

Zaos obliged, walking into the mansion without reservations.

The hall beyond the door was grand and spacious. It boasted marble flooring, savage beast heads hung on the walls, and a few paintings depicting serene environments.

Zaos marveled at the scene as he praised.

"You have good taste," He said sincerely. The only place he had been to that had better decorations was the grand hall of the central tower in his Rogue's division.

Venom Panther smiled as he responded, "It took me a while to collect all of them..." At this point, his expression turned odd as if he had recalled something, but he quickly regained his composure, concealing the shift in his demeanor.

Yet, his actions were sensed by Zaos due to his superior awareness.

[Does he worry that his collections will be destroyed?] Zaos made a quick guess.

"Let's head upstairs," Venom Panther said as he quickened his pace.

Zaos didn't object, he simply followed behind the former. His excitement for the potential battle surged.

They journeyed up the stairs and through the hallway quickly, arriving at a spacious living room.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Venom Panther asked with a smile.

Zaos contemplated briefly before nodding his head, "I'll have some wine," He said.

"Coincidentally, I recently acquired some premium wine from a trip I made earlier. Give me a moment, I will go get it?" Venom Panther hurriedly departed from the room.

In a few minutes, he returned with a wine bottle and glass in hand.

"You have no servants?" Zaos asked carelessly.

"I do, however, I can't let my servants host you, can I?" Venom Panther gave a stiff smile. He set the wine bottle and glass on the table and proceeded to pour Zaos a shot.

"Haha! Good point!" Zaos laughed nonchalantly.

Once Venom Panther finished filling the glass, he offered it to Zaos in the most polite gesture he could muster.

Zaos grabbed the glass and downed its contents. He didn't use his elemental weave on it as he wanted to know if the drink was spiked.

[Only by experiencing the symptoms can I effectively pretend to be affected. I can always negate the poison anyways…] Zaos smirked to himself.