Mystery: The Ultimate Tarot

Chapter 57 The Engagement Banquet of a Fallen Nobleman

(It's confirmed that it will be available for purchase on the 1st of next month. There will be three chapters today and tomorrow. I'm asking for your first subscription in advance!)

The eminent monk Huiyuan of Wanfo Temple then said, "This humble monk still has some worldly affairs to attend to. Please make yourself at home, benefactor."

Raphael could hardly believe his ears: "You...you mean I can leave?"

Huiyuan smiled and said, "Our karmic connection is not yet over, and we will meet again in the future."

Raphael's lips twitched: "Our fate isn't over yet?" If a young girl said that to me, I'd be quite happy.

Although he was internally complaining, he outwardly said sincerely, "Thank you for saving me, Master."

Huiyuan maintained his smile, and with a breath, his figure suddenly faded and disappeared, his voice echoing through the woods: "Please remember, benefactor, when encountering water, find the middle way."

Although Raphael didn't quite understand what the other person meant, he kept Huiyuan's words in mind and quickly left the forest to prevent the Holy Maiden of the Luo Cult from returning.

In the days that followed, Raphael remained cautious, treating himself as if he were on the run, constantly changing his means of transportation and the direction he was heading.

It's unclear whether Yan Ruobing's bad luck still lingers, or if Raphael has been blessed with good fortune. In any case, neither the Luo Cult nor the Dark Lodge could find Raphael.

Raphael then entered a city, intending to stay in a crowded place for a while before traveling around to see what the world was like.

……

The Northern Continent, Rune, Backlund.

Raphael, smoking a cigarette and with his legs crossed, looked at Calvin Thomas and his fiancée Estella on the inner side of the hall and suddenly gave a disdainful smile.

Previously, Calvin had extended a warm invitation to Raphael to attend his engagement ceremony and solemnly told Raphael that he could meet many nobles at the banquet.

Raphael also wanted to see what the nobles of the Extraordinary World were really like. Were most of them as elegant as Audrey? Or were most of them as pretentious as Calvin?

When he arrived, he discovered that the banquet should actually be called a "Fallen Aristocracy" gathering.

Although he didn't know much about the nobility, he could tell from their expressions that they were all having a hard time.

But they still had to maintain appearances, pretending that "I'm fine" and "my family is fine," and even borrowing money to maintain their aristocratic lifestyle.

The bride and groom were even more interesting. Calvin sat there yawning and looking listless. If you looked closely, you could see a woman's underwear in his shirt pocket, which meant he had gone to the brothel to "inspect the work" again last night.

Raphael was so certain because recently, upscale brothels in Backlund had been playing a game where customers would tear off the prostitutes' underwear.

Customers can take the torn-off underwear with them, and some regulars will even take out the underwear to exchange experiences and techniques, as well as the prostitutes' reactions.

Meanwhile, Calvin's fiancée, Estella, was flirting with a young man in his late twenties. At the beginning of the banquet, Raphael had heard from someone that the young man was Estella's family lawyer, so it seemed that the two of them had some history.

When Raphael looked at Calvin again, he felt that the hat Calvin was wearing was becoming more and more like the color of the grassland.

Meanwhile, the two men's fathers, a down-on-his-luck viscount and a wealthy merchant, were chatting merrily.

Viscount Thomas will receive a large fortune and be able to continue his extravagant lifestyle for some time, while the wealthy merchant will gain a promotion, and his grandson will become a true nobleman, which will give their family more political influence.

After the banquet had been going on for some time, Caven's father, Viscount Thomas, announced that Caven and his fiancée's wedding would take place in a week.

Raphael thought to himself: It seems that Calvin's family is in a hurry for money!

Otherwise, the process of marriage for nobles would be very lengthy.

From initial interest to mutual assessment and finally to the holding of a ceremony, it generally takes several years.

The fact that Calvin's engagement and wedding were only a week apart would certainly make him a laughing stock in the circles of these impoverished nobles.

But Calvin's father did it anyway, clearly no longer caring about the dignity of the nobility.

As the banquet progressed into its later stages, everyone began to chat and mingle.

At this point, Calvin invited Raphael to the terrace for a private chat. After some casual conversation, Calvin quietly asked Raphael, "You're a well-informed gentleman; I'm sure you know a few doctors who specialize in treating sexually transmitted diseases."

Raphael glanced at the black spot on Calvin's neck: "I'll look into it for you."

He then realized that Calvin had invited him to the banquet for this very reason.

This made Raphael sneer. In fact, they could have discussed this matter during their last meeting, but the nobles had a habit of doing things little by little, like squeezing toothpaste, to show their composure.

Calvin shrugged and said, "I know what you really think, but it's not me going to see a doctor, it's a beautiful and charming lady."

"Yes, she is only 12 years old this year, but unfortunately she has contracted this disease."

Raphael chuckled: Damn it, wasn't it you who infected her?

Calvin continued, seemingly oblivious to his own thoughts, "You should know that at this age, that feeling of being tightly wrapped up is truly unforgettable, so I don't want her to..."

He raised his hand, thought for a moment, and then found a suitable adjective: "...it broke."

Raphael said again, "I'll inquire about it for you."

After the banquet, Raphael instructed his subordinates to inquire about the matter.

Raphael, meanwhile, began preparing to digest the werewolf's potion.

……

The streets of Backlund were shrouded in mist in the early morning.

Police officer Moen was waving his baton, chasing away homeless people on the roadside. Amidst loud cursing, Moen warned the homeless that the street was a public place, not a place for them to sleep, and told them to get out of his jurisdiction.

The homeless people, who had just rested for a while, continued to wander the streets with blank, lifeless eyes, like living corpses.

Moen continued his tirade. He had lost money gambling the night before and was feeling very upset. Now he could finally vent his frustration by beating and yelling at these homeless people.

Amidst the shouts and curses, cries of alarm came from the fog ahead.

At first, Moen didn't pay any attention, until he saw a tall figure emerge from the mist. The figure had a thick layer of short fur, a wolf's head, and bared its teeth at Moen.

Moen's mouth dropped open: "Wind...storm above, this is...this is a werewolf?"