Chapter 171: Wedding-Crasher(1)

Luke raises his gaze to the ceiling of the room he is in. He is currently staying at the Schwarz residence. After agreeing to attend the wedding tomorrow, he and the others spend the night here to rest and prepare. Luke sat on the bed, rubbing his hands together with his face. He really just wants to go home.

"Dad, good morning."

Luke noticed Snow and Nash waking up and rubbing their eyes as he looked over the side of the bed. Luke simply sighed and patted their head.

"You two should eat downstairs."

Snow nodded as she understood but then soon looked at Luke with curiosity.

"What about you dad? What are you going to do?"

"Me? Hmm, I'll just take a quick look around because I need to get ready for tomorrow."

Nash then looked excitedly at Luke.

"I'll go with you!"

"You don't really have to; I'd rather have you stay here with Snow for a bit. I'm not going anywhere dangerous, so there's no need to worry about me."

Snow and Nash exchanged a few glances before returning their gaze to Luke. Luke simply averted his gaze and sighed.

"I told you I'd be fine. There's no need for you to accompany me. You guys go have a good time here."

Nash sighed and crossed his paws.

"There's no fun without Dad."

Snow agreed with a nod.

"True, it is more fun being with dad."

Luke sighed as he listened to the children's conversation.

"All right, you can follow me. However, you must first eat."

The eyes of Snow and Nash twinkled. They both obediently nodded and immediately jumped out of bed. Luke just sighed and followed them, but he came to a halt when he heard a beeping noise coming from his pocket. Luke took it out and looked at who it is.

Beep, beep.

"Ah, just in time. Can you connect it, Nash?"

Nash nodded vigorously.

"Of course!"

Nash then connected the device by waving his fluffy paws in the air. As soon as the device connected, Lance's face could then be seen. Luke just sighed at him.

"And what could be the matter with you calling me so early in the morning?"

Lance simply sighed as he stared blankly at Luke's obviously plastic smile.

• I just want to talk to you about a few things. I'm sure you're not sleepy anymore, and you won't fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, right?

Luke scratched his head as he avoided Lance's piercing stare. Lance must be irritated about the time Luke slept on him after Lance told him to wait on the pirate ship. Luke just nodded, as if he realized he couldn't get out of this one.

"All right, great timing. I was about to go outside and take a walk."

Lance's brow furrowed.

• Take a walk? What do you think this is? A picnic?

"Your highness, you'll understand soon."

• Haa, you are planning to do something again, are you?

Luke pretended to be surprised in response to Lance's question, which irritated Lance even more.

"Whaaaat? No way, psh, me? Planning something? How could I?!"

• Enough with the nonsense; tell me what it is.

Luke then cockily smiled at Lance's impatient expression.

"Don't be hasty, let me go down first."

As Luke went out of his room and went downstairs, Luke heard Lance's loud sigh of frustration. Luke smirked slightly at this reaction but quickly focused when he saw Klein and the others greeting him downstairs. They are all seated at the dining room table. Luke then hid the device and walked over to the rest. Klein initially noticed Luke and invited him to join them at the table.

"Luke, come and take a seat. You should eat something."

Luke and the others immediately turned their heads when they heard Luke's name. Luke simply stared at the stares he was receiving before raising his hand in apology.

"I'm sorry, but I am on a call with someone. I think I will just eat something outside."

Miya looked at Luke, who was slowly approaching the door, with a slightly surprised expression.

"Oh... Okay, you must be very busy."

Luke gave Miya an innocent smile.

"Thank you for your understanding. By the way, I really like your hair; it's very well done."

Miya blushed slightly as she was flattered by Luke's compliment on her hair. She then smiled back and waved at Luke who is walking out the door.

"Take care on your way!"

Klein and the others stared in disbelief as Miya slowly fixed her hair. They can't believe how easy it is to flatter girls like Miya. Klein sighed and muttered something under his breath.

"H-hmph, he is just a pretty boy, that's all. I am way handsome..."

"Are you envious, Dad?"

Klein flinched and turned to face Lizzie, who was smiling slyly at him. Klein simply avoided her gaze and spoke nervously.

"I am not envious."

"Dad, I think mom will like you more if you stop dressing like an old-school mechanic."

Klein came to a halt. He completely stopped in his position as if his soul just left his body. His daughter's words were too real that it hurts. Liam simply looked at this and patted Klein on the back.

"I think you're fine the way you are, sir."

"T-thank you... Liam."

Erdene simply sighed and ate the food on his plate. Snow and Nash, who is eating next to him, did the same. Erdene asked the two children a question while they were eating.

"Why aren't you coming with that brat?"

Snow chewed her food before responding.

"After we finish eating, we'll go after him."

Nash nodded and spoke with a full mouth.

"Yeah! And beshides, he ish talking with fafa right now!"

Erdene frowned and wiped Nash's lips.

"Swallow your food first before talking."

Nash nodded and quickly chewed and gulped his food.

"Okay!"

"Haa."

--------

"Anyways Your Highness, why did you call me?"

While speaking with Lance on the screen, Luke looked around the streets of the marketplace. Instead of responding, Lance asked him a question.

• What are you up to this time?

"Do you really need to know that badly?"

• No, it's just that I think I might have an idea about what it is.

Luke came to a halt and looked at Lance, who was smirking at him on the screen.

"Wait a minute, you know?"

• You can make a guess.

Luke frowned at Lance who is chuckling at the screen. Luke simply rolled his eyes and continued walking.

"No seriously, do you know?"

• I had an idea, but I'm not sure what you're going to do.

Luke sighed and frowned.

"So you know why I am strolling in the streets for?"

• No, I do not.

"Haa..."

Grr

Luke came to a halt and looked down at his stomach. Ah yes, because he did not eat anything properly since yesterday, his stomach is now roaring for attention.

• You fool; you should've eaten instead of smooth-talking earlier.

"Then do you want me to talk to you while eating in front of your face?"

• Never mind, that feels annoying even if I am just imagining it.

"Don't call me a fool then."

• Simply go eat at a nearby food stall or something.

"..."

Lance narrowed his gaze at Luke, who had gone deafeningly silent.

• What's the problem? Why are you quiet?

"I didn't bring any money with me."

• You fucking idiot. You get so much money from me, but you can't even bring enough money to buy something from a stall? Are you kidding me?

"I forgot to bring the money back to the house, okay?"

• Haa, then can you walk back?

"I can't I already walked too far."

• Just say you are lazy to go back.

"Yeah, I am."

Lance sighed deeply and brushed his palms across his face. He regrets calling Luke so early in the morning; it ruins his morning mood.

• Where are you right now? Is there a particular landmark near you?

"Hmm? Why did you ask?"

• Just answer it.

Luke frowned at Lance but eventually looked around. Luke then fixed his gaze on a particular structure in front of him. He was so preoccupied with talking to Lance that he didn't notice he had arrived at his destination.

"The Cathedral."

• The Cathedral? Do you mean the well-known ancient Cathedral on the Eastern continent?

Luke just nodded and stared at the enormity of the cathedral in front of him. The scale is enormous. It felt like it is high enough to reach the skies and cover the sun. The walls and designs of the cathedral appear antique and well-preserved. This structure reminds him of the Ancient Magic Tower on the Western Continent in some ways.

'So this is where the Grand Duke will hold his wedding. This structure is larger than Lance's palace, where Noah and Finesse were married.'

Luke began to look around and noticed a couple of men and knights patrolling and making preparations nearby. They appeared to be working for the Grand Duke and are now preparing for the wedding, which will take place tomorrow.

"Where are you looking?"

Luke flinched when he heard someone talking near his ear. Luke then turned his head to the side and noticed Lance's face staring at him. Lance has lowered his body to match Luke's height and moved his head closer to his ears to appear to be whispering. Luke blinked briefly before stepping away from Lance's face.

"Your highness, you are too close."

"Unbelievable, I went to the trouble of locating your coordinates, and this is what I get."

"You should've warned me first, you almost gave me a heart attack."

Lance just frowned and scratched his head. He is now wearing his disguise, which explains why his hair and eyes are brown. He also wears a brown robe to cover his extravagant clothing beneath. He appears to be in such a hurry that he did not have time to change his clothes.

"Anyways, aren't you hungry? Let's go get something to eat at a nearby food stall and talk."

Luke just stood there staring at Lance as he walked away, but he soon followed. He can't possibly refuse free food.

Luke and Lance then came across a small stand that sells roasted chicken. Lance then placed an order for two chickens for each of them. He then gave Luke the other and then started to walk while looking around. Lance continues to speak while holding his chicken.

"This place is stranger than I imagined. The style here is entirely different from that of the Western continent."

Before responding, Luke chewed on his chicken.

"I was about to tell you about it. I thought it would be a good idea to show you around so you could get some ideas for your kingdom."

"However, it's strange; why didn't they share or trade these ways of life with us? They've only ever traded crops and spices with us."

"They said it might be because of how the Western Continent is filled with wars and violence right now. Maybe that scared them."

Lance was deafeningly quiet for a few seconds before speaking.

"I don't think it's that simple. There could be another reason besides that."

Luke cast a glance at Lance, who was looking around keenly. He must be really thinking hard about the reason. Luke simply sighed and nudged Lance's arm to draw his attention.

"Your chicken is going to get cold, so eat it. Just think about the reason when you go back."

Lance simply sighed and bit into his chicken. Lance then soon frowned as if he had just eaten something disgusting. Luke looked at this with confusion.

"What's the matter? Does your chicken taste weird? "

"...No."

"Then?"

"Don't you think what we're doing feels like we're on a date?"

Luke froze in place and quickly formed a disgusted expression. He looks like he will spit the chicken he is chewing any minute now.

"Where do you get such ideas from?"

"I've read about dating before, and what we're doing meets the requirements."

"...You've read about dating? Are you that lonely?"

"Be careful what you say; I've never been on a date before, and I believe this is my first."

"To be honest, me too. However, I refuse to think of this as a date. Consider this to be some quality brotherly bonding time."

"Yeah, I think that's a better idea. Anyways, what are you planning? "

"Because Marcel is like your close assistant, I'm sure you already know this. His sister is getting married tomorrow."

"I knew it. What you're doing has something to do with the wedding. Yes, Marcel did tell me about it a long time ago. It was really shocking to hear about it. Sadly, though, Marcel can't attend."

Luke turned to face Lance, who was standing beside him. Luke then concluded that Lance has no idea who Marcel's sister is. It's easy to guess who she is, but impossible to imagine. The idea of two members of the same family running both the Western and Eastern Underworlds seems absurd and overpowering.

"Well, that is too bad."

"Are you planning on attending the wedding?"

"Yeah, I was invited."

"I knew it. But why are you standing here when the wedding is tomorrow?"

"I am here to memorize the streets and corners."

"...And why?"

Luke smiled slyly at Lance, and Lance returned his smile with an uneasy look.

"Would you like to know? Your highness?"

"It better not be something big."

"Oh, it's quite large."

"You son of a bitch. Isn't wreaking havoc on the Western Continent enough for you? "

"Your highness, the situation compelled me to do so, and I didn't want to do any of this in the first place."

"At this point, you're just making excuses."

"No, I'm not."

"Just eat your damn chicken, I'm tired of you."

Luke and Lance then fell silent and walked around, eating their chicken. It was all very peaceful until Luke broke the silence and spoke to Lance.

"How are things back there?"

"That's a good question; it's a complete mess. Even if we have the three kingdoms on our side now, the Dark Eye is still unaware, and it is possible that we will have our final showdown with the Regle Alliance before they announce that they have fully turned their backs on the Dark Eye."

"Hmm I see, I see. Where do you think they will strike next?"

"That is the question I am letting Marcel handle right now. It is dangerous to guess the exact location because there are so many potential targets."

"Ah, I see. By the way, why did you come here?"

Lance looked at Luke with confusion.

"What exactly do you mean?" I'm here to buy you food because your stupid brain forgot to bring your money."

"...No, are there any other reasons?"

"Hmm, the empire is behaving strangely right now."

"Strangely? In what way?"

"Our men discovered strange activities all over the empire- but, because the strange movements were so minor, we're still not sure what their goal is."

"Ugh, holy mother of god..."

Lance looked at Luke, who sighed in frustration. He then noticed Luke's tense expression. Luke just frowned deeply, ignoring Lance's stares. He has so many things to do all at once that his brain is hurting. This had better be the last time he feels like this, or he'll go on a rampage.

"Now that you have your chicken, I'm going back to the office; I still have a mountain of work to do."

Luke simply nodded in response to Lance's words and let him teleport away. When Lance fully disappeared, Luke just sighed deeply.

"Ah! We're late!"

Luke looked to the side and saw Snow and Nash walking towards him together with Liam behind them. Luke just stared at them as they approached him. Snow then expressed her disappointment.

"We just felt Papa's presence earlier, but he's gone now."

Luke could then feel his shoulders carrying weight and then heard Nash speaking.

"We arrived too late! Bummer!"

While the kids were disappointed by their late arrival, Liam begins to speak while looking around.

"By the way, what are you doing here, brother?"

Luke simply sighed and looked around.

"I'm memorizing the routes. Liam, I need your assistance with this."

"Ah? Sure, no worries. What are we doing this for?"

Nash's ears twitched and he looked excitedly at Luke.

"Are we going to do something again? Dad?"

Luke simply sighed.

"Well, you can say that. I need your assistance with this."

Snow then speaks with a smile on her face.

"We are always willing to assist you, Dad. Just let us know what we need to do."

"Thanks, now here's the plan..."

Liam, Nash, and Snow then began to concentrate on what Luke was going to say. Luke appears to be very serious about this, which implies that their plan is quite large and requires complete concentration.