Chapter 65: Proposal

With the invitation letter in hand, Karl taps on his watch and calls Ian. It rings for some time. "Were you sleeping?" Karl asks.

"Not yet. Did something happen?"

"Well, I got an invitation." Karl then tells Ian about the invitation and the bounty placed on him by the Dandelion family.

"Those rascals! Don't worry. No one would be able harm you, I swear it on my family's name." Karl notices Ian's anger.

"Thanks. But the question is do I have to attend the party?" Ian turns silent for a moment before answering.

"Yes, you should definitely attend. According to a reliable source, it has been leaked that the third phase would be a group phase. That is why you should attend and try to befriend few strong individuals to form a group. But be prepared to get biased criticism from the lower ranking knights and whatever happens, don't accept any duels or friendly spars. These people are known to play dirty." Ian advices.

"Okay. I gotta go now." Karl hangs up and glances at the clock on his watch. 'An hour left before the party, I should take shower.'

An hour and a half later, Karl hears a knock on his main door. He opens it to see Serena in beautiful long skirt which has glitters on the end. Her upper front area is covered with a blouse with her belly and back exposed. She looks very beautiful.

"Why aren't you dressed?" That was her first reaction after seeing Karl in the same armour as the morning.

"I am?"

"Ugh! You are wearing this to the party?" Serena says with a frowned expression.

"What's wrong with this?" Karl asks in genuine curiosity. From his modern perspective a medieval armour is more than enough for a party and as a man he would rather wear this than a suit.

"Whatever, just don't stand close to me." Serena turns around and leaves. Karl quickly follows her. Both of them stand in front of the elevator, waiting in silence.

"This dress. It suits on you." Karl expresses his thoughts.

But Serena doesn't seem to care about his opinion.

TING! The elevator comes and both of them step inside. Serena presses the 37th floor button. The silence between these two is really loud. The elevator slowly goes up.

"Listen, I do not why but Dandelion family is targeting you. Therefore, try to avoid having any type of contact with a person named Gea. Do you understand?"

Karl nods silently.

TING!

The elevator door opens to a large lobby that has been decorated in a fantasy luxurious castle. Many people are walking around in elegant manner, even the way everyone is walking leaves a dignified feeling. The unique fragrance in the air has a rich aroma which screams luxury. Everything feels like it just came out of a mediaeval fantasy book.

"Is this what they call a ball?" Karl speaks his thoughts out aloud.

"Try not to get killed." Serena whispers before going to a girls only group.

Karl glances around and sees everyone wearing pretty dresses and bright suits. He clearly looks out of place in armour. Ignoring the glances of other people, Karl moves to a table which is giving out some kind of drink. He grabs the glass which is full of water-like liquid.

'Vodka?'

Just as Karl is about take a sip of the drink, someone touches his back. "Hey, can I get 3 glasses of Fel on that table?" A skinny guy wearing a yellow suit asks.

"I don't work here." Karl answers.

"Oh! I am sorry. You must be private guard of someone. Please don't mind me." The guy turns away and leaves.

Karl sighs heavily and walks to a less crowded corner of the room. He leans against the wall and takes the sip of the drink. 'What am I even doing here? In middle of these spoiled kids. Ugh, too sweet.'

In the distance, many boys are attempting to strike a conversation with Serena by showing their wealth and connections. But all of their boasts and promises are in vain because of the other girls around Serena.

"Don't bother keeping an eye on that fraud." Karl glances at his side and sees a short browned hair boy drinking the same drink as himself. He is the only person in the entire room who has the same height as Karl.

'Judging from his clothes, he seems to have a significant background. Should I try to recruit him?'

"She only responds when the person talking is high valued for her." The boy advices.

"Looks like you know her quite a bit."

"Yeah." Karl takes another sip.

"You have a peculiar taste in clothing, I see." The boy says a he takes a look at Karl's armour.

"You could say that." Karl notices that the kid's eyes are fixed on Serena. "Do you like her or something?"

"That wench? Never!" The kid stomps his feet in anger. "She is just whore who loves money and nothing else."

"Whoa! Take it easy." Karl pats the kid's back.

"She- She broke my engagement."

Karl's hand suddenly freezes. "Engagement?"

"Yes, she was my ex-fiancée. But few months ago, she broke her engagement with me. With the reason being, that I am not smart enough for her."

'Damn. Kid's on his redemption arc.' Karl quickly raises his own thumb in his mind.

'Go, kid. I support you.'

The kid wipes his tears with a handkerchief. "You look like smart man. What do you say? Want to work under me?" Karl raises his eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"For the third phase. Join my team."

With Ian words repeats in Karl's mind, he thinks for a second before answering. "Then, I take the offer."

"Smart people like us know how to make smart decision." Karl gives an awkward smile while reconsidering his decision. "By the way, what is your name?" The kid asks.

"Leonard Avaritia."

"Good name. It suits your smart personality. My name is Gea Dandelion." Gea waits for Karl compliment his own name too but instead Karl takes step back.

'Shit. Shit. Was it a trap?' He glances around to spot anything abnormal. Majority of people are talking, few people engaging in a friendly spars and among those many are glancing in Karl's direction.

"Is something wrong?" Gea asks in concern.

'No. I am thinking too much. This guy is too dumb.'

 "Aha! I know! You are worried those people who are glancing at you because of your crest." Gea points at the Phirsecot's family crest.

"Don't fear. As a member of Dandelion family, to honour the Phirsecots service all these years, I vow to protect you."

A big question appears on Karl's head before quickly dissipating. "Thank you. Allow this inferior one to call you senior brother. No. Smart senior brother."

"Hmm. Hmm." Gea smirks in confidence at Karl's empty words.

'He is really dumb.'

Suddenly Karl left hand starts to get a burning sensation. He slowly move his hand back before talking. "Smart senior brother, I have a question."

"Ask right away."

"Did any of the judges attend this party?" The burning sensation intensifies.

"Why would they? This is just a unofficial party between participants."

"O-Okay. I have to be somewhere urgently. Then, I go."

Seeing both of Karl's hands on his back, Gea guesses. "Nature's call?"

Behind Gea, Karl spots a pair of red eyes staring at him. "Must be tough. Don't hold it in."

Without answering, Karl walks way in a hurry. He hurries towards the elevator, he only calms down after getting inside.

TING!

Just the door are about close, it opens again. "We meet again." The female vampire says calmly.

She is wearing an elegant black dress which has gothic vibe to it. Her pale face shines even brighter in the dress. Every man in existence would look always back at her for a second glance. Karl clearly remembers the vampire woman who almost killed him for a piece of metal.

He leans and tries to look behind her. "Looking for Yelm? Unfortunately, he is not here." The monsterours appearance of Yelm flashes in Karl's mind. "By the way, the person you were just talking to, is he your teammate for third phase?"

"Why do you care? And if you are here for the sword leave it. I am never going to give it to you."

The vampire's slit pupil dilates as Karl glares at her. "Today, I am not here for the blade but for you." She puts her finger against Karl's chest. Her curvy figure looking extremely seductive to Karl.

"I won't become your slave!" Karl shouts as his summons the talwar.

"Slave?" The female vampire cutely sways her head in confusion.

"Oh! It must be different in humans."

The vampyer quickly kneels down on one foot and extends her hand forward. From this Karl can clearly see the mesmerizing peaks of that woman. The female vampyer slowly brings her other arm to her own chest.

"Leonard! Become my husband!"