The Troubled Introvert in the Party (1)

On the night of the party, Elk City's University, many invited influential officials, conglomerates, and even nobility from the Alvarez Empire gathered to celebrate the city's 100th anniversary.

A beautiful girl with a curvy body dressed in a red gown walked gracefully among the crowd.

"Hey, that's Lady Alice from the Layton family."

"Amazing, she's truly a beauty."

"The Layton family?"

"You don't know? They own the Mercedes Organization that is worth 300 billion kryptons."

"That's crazy! A multi-billionaire is here!"

An elegant elderly with silverware glasses welcomed the invited Alice. He smiled gently with a look of appreciation.

"I am Marion Shepilov Barry. You may call me just Marion, and I am the Mayor of Elk City. It is an honor to meet an esteemed guest such as Lady Alice."

"Huhu... Mayor Marion, I am grateful for your invitation to the party."

She smiled with peerless beauty while her eyes looked around the crowd.

'He is not here?'

"The Archduke has arrived!"

The guard yelled with a look of reverence to the figure, and the double door opened, revealing the distinguished figure of the Archduke.

Everyone glanced at the legendary Archduke with interest and awe.

The nobles of the Alvarez Empire and the Mayor approached and greeted the Archduke with respect.

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"Lord Sigmund, how has your son been doing?"

"Lord Harry, he hasn't neglected his training after the rigorous punishment you have given him. I am grateful."

"Hahahaha! Surely you jest. Your words of gratitude are unnecessary. The training of the Crimson Army is only for the elites. I know he doesn't want to be left behind by his peers."

"Lord Harry, how has your vacation been? If you want a hot spring. I can introduce you to a wonderful attraction in Elk City. I promise you won't be disappointed."

"Well, personally speaking, my vacation has been quite enjoyable. It is a pity my nieces aren't joining me. But it would be a pleasure to experience the unique attractions of Elk City, Lord Harriot. Let us have a drink after this."

"It is an honor, Lord Harry."

Most of the higher-ranking nobles were familiar with Archduke Harry as he attended many parties in the Empire.

Alice approached the Archduke with a gleeful smile.

"Hello, Uncle Harry."

"Oh! Little Alice, you've grown since I last saw you."

"Hahaha. Uncle, your hair is turning white. Of course, I've grown up."

"Hm. You're definitely at a marriageable age, Alice. Have you already found a lover?"

"Uncle! What are you saying?!"

Alice thought of the handsome young man she met at the firearm building. Whenever she thought of him, her face would turn beet red.

"It seems our little Alice is hiding a secret."

Harry narrowed his eyes with a knowing look while the nobles started laughing.

"Is that true? Who could be the lucky boy?"

"He must be an extraordinary man to be well-liked by Lady Alice."

"Ugh!"

Alice covered her face in embarrassment while frozen after hearing the announcement from the guard.

"Vince Schneider has arrived!"

The silent footsteps of a handsome young man were a sight to behold.

The ladies were frozen stiff by the law of attraction from Vince's enigmatic aura and charm.

"Who could that gentleman be?"

"The Schneider family? It is a famous household in the north of the Country of Perlouche. Although, their influence isn't comparable to the Royal family. Their net worth is up to 100 billion kryptons."

"No, it isn't just their net worth. Their private army and the Genesis Research Corporation are highly influential. The Schneider family has produced numerous genius scientists, strong generals, and astounding entrepreneurs."

"He is the successor of the Schneider family, Vince Schneider."

The northern people and individuals from the Country of Perlouche who had high positions in their respective careers gave a lecture about Vince and the Schneider family with delighted expressions.

'Damn, I shouldn't have come here. I hate public places where you are the main spotlight.'

'If it wasn't because of that stupid system issuing a short side quest with twenty points in reward. I wouldn't have bothered to come here.'

Vince continued to walk toward the crowd with an emotionless face.

'Are my legs alright? I am walking naturally, right?! I am going to die if I don't keep my stature!'

The ladies wanted to get close to him, but his aura of being a powerful introvert pushed away all disasters that would ruin his mental state.

But there was one girl who didn't care about that. Like a challenger to the deep, she approached Vince with a blushing face.

'Holy sh*t. Someone is getting close to me! Ahhh! Get away, get away!'

I ignored the approaching girl. I was hoping she wouldn't bother me, but her familiar voice stopped me in my steps.

"Hello, Vince."

I turned my head to her beautiful face with a baffled expression.

'Wait, why is she..? Aren't people with high positions only allowed to go here?'

"Alice? What are you doing here?"

I narrowed my eyes with a troubled expression.

I was planning on greeting the Mayor first before heading to the bathroom as an excuse, so I could wait inside until the fireworks event, which was a perfect time to run away without anyone noticing.

"Of course. I am the representative of the Layton family."

"Is he the one, Alice?"

Vince turned his head toward Harry with the same apathetic look.

'Archduke Harry?'

Harry was a 6'6 feet tall man who was a towering giant with a formidable aura.

Harry was looking at Vince with an observant expression, but from Vince's perspective, he looked like he was giving a death stare.

'Are they related or something?! Dammit! I knew beautiful women were a bad omen!'

'Lord God of the Almighty...'

From Vince's first impression of Harry, he looked like a giant that could snap him like a twig and use his bones as a toothpick!

"Uncle! No, we just met yesterday. We're just friends! For now..."

She covered her face again with a blush.

'It's over. My life will soon be forfeit...'

Vince inwardly sighed with the acceptance that his going to die first before the zombie apocalypse.

'I'll get kidnapped, tortured in many ways, thrown to the underworld tournament to be used as a scapegoat in an opening show before being sent to an incinerator or meat grinder for a finishing blow.'

Just when Harry was about to say something to the deadpan Vince. The Mayor got up to the stage and presented with a musical ensemble.

"Ahem!"

The Mayor tested the mic turning everyone's attention to him.

'Nice one, Mayor!'

"Everyone, I thank you all for joining tonight's event. Elk City has only been here for one century but stood as the most productive city in the Alvarez Empire. The 100th year is the starting point for a magnific development for Elk City. The people of Elk City will welcome everyone here as their benefactors for being the pillars of the new age. At the end of next year, the people of Elk City will be reborn into a more peaceful state!"

'Huh? Reborn into a more peaceful state?'

I furrowed my eyebrows at the smiling Mayor with a doubtful look.

'Why do I feel eerieness from his last words? I knew what was going to happen next year. The thought of someone being happy about the 100 thousand slaughter somewhat gave me a disturbing feeling.'

'I didn't have proof that he was a part of the Trinity Organization. But I should put him on the wanted list for suspicion.'

"Enjoy the event. Dance and feast to your hearts' final content."

The music harmonized with the environment, and everyone started to join the dance court.

They also enjoyed the unique cuisines of Elk City, with natural honey used on most desserts.

I was about to approach the Mayor with thoughts of running away, but Alice didn't allow that. She grabbed my left arm with the face of 'you're not running away from me.'

I felt a squishy soft, and smooth sensation from her chest. She forcefully led me to the dancing groups of people.

'Huh?'

What is this weird feeling? I felt my face getting hot all of a sudden.

Alice secretly glanced at Vince with a strange look.

'Was he hiding his expression all along? His showing it this time. Hehehe. Take that as payback for what you did to me. Hmph!'

"Where are you taking me?"

Vince didn't dare to look at Harry or the other influential men because he might start his execution date early on.

"To the court dance."

"I don't know how to dance..."

"I'll teach you!"

Alice was feeling excited at this moment. She has never felt this experience in her life.

'Alice...'

Harry stared at the scene with a happy yet sad look.

'Alice has always been busy with the family's succession rights with no time for her private matters. After she succeeded as the next successor to the Layton family, no children at her age approached her because of her position.'

'But it seems she already found someone.'

'This Schneider child is strange. Why do I sense a faint aura of a spirit essence weapon? It is unheard of for anyone his age to possess a Hyperion Weapon. It takes a lot of essence energy and willpower to make it subordinate to you.'

'Although I have retired and no longer possessed any essence powers after the battle of the Behemoth War. I can still feel a faint power of semblance from him. It is weak in presence, but it is waiting for an awakening at the right time.

'Child of Tiara, I wonder what path you will choose? I only hope for a good ending for you and Alice.'

He remembered a happy memory of a couple. The brown-haired girl had emerald eyes, and the yellow-eyed boy had blonde hair.

They argued over who was more powerful, and a couple of other figures laughed at them for their childish behaviors.

"He truly resembles his mother and father."

He stared at the troubled Vince and the happy-goer Alice. He felt nostalgic looking at the two of them.

'Tiara… Theodore.., I wonder why this world is full of such tragedies? The only thing I have left in this world are regrets of being unable to do anything. But the next generation won't make the same mistake as we had.'

'I'll support the two of you when the time comes.'

Harry nodded with closed eyes.

Little did Vince know, the Archduke was already supporting the two of them without a single clue.