Chapter 72: The Party (Castle Bonus)

"I was just about to come out and greet the guests," Drake replied.

"Good. Everyone’s been waiting for you, Dad." Victoria said as she sighed.

Tonight, Victoria looked incredibly beautiful in a stunning purple gown that hugged her hourglass figure perfectly.

The tight fabric emphasized her large breasts, slender waist, and wide hips. Its low neckline revealed a generous amount of cleavage, while a slit along her thigh showed off her long, smooth legs.

With her long dark hair tied in a high ponytail and her beautiful violet eyes, she looked incredibly sexy. It was hard to believe that this gorgeous woman was actually a university professor.

The two headed downstairs together, and the conversations in the grand hall gradually quieted as the guests noticed Drake’s arrival.

Among the first people he recognized was Lilia Morgan, who was enjoying a glass of wine while speaking with Arnold Hyperion. Albert stood nearby, while Richard, Lilly, and Lyris were close enough to follow their conversation.

’The Hyperions and the Morgans. Good, everyone’s here.’

The Sterlings occupied another table. Their trade in Spirit Beasts had made them important business partners to several influential families and organizations throughout the Federation.

Damian was seated with them, although his attention had already wandered toward Richard.

General William Blackwood stood among several military officers, while Serina was nearby, chatting animatedly with Lucas and Jasmine Ashford.

The Griffins had also arrived. Their heat-resistant materials were widely used in training facilities and Awakener equipment, and Peter’s bright orange hair made their table particularly easy to recognize.

Not far from them sat the Bellamys, whose freight network transported Gate materials between cities.

As Drake approached the guests, an elderly researcher came forward to greet him.

"Drake! It’s wonderful to see you walking around again. Some of us were beginning to fear the worst."

"You should’ve called me, then. I could’ve disappointed you much sooner."

The researcher laughed and shook his hand, clearly relieved to see his old acquaintance in good health.

Drake had once led dangerous Gate expeditions that brought back rare specimens and aritfacts for scientific research. The handling procedures developed by his teams were still used in laboratories and military research facilities across the Federation.

Although he had retired from directing those projects years ago, his influence remained considerable. Many of the researchers and influential figures attending tonight’s banquet had benefited from his work.

After exchanging a few more words, Drake joined the governor of New Arcadia City.

Meanwhile, Victoria gathered her students near one of the tables.

"Well, would you look at that? Most of you can arrive on time when there’s free food involved."

"We were afraid you’d make us train if we arrived late," Lucas replied.

"I hadn’t considered that, but thank you for the wonderful suggestion." Victoria smiled.

Jasmine immediately turned toward her brother.

"Can you keep your mouth shut for once?"

"What did I do?!"

"You just gave her another excuse to torture us!"

Victoria chuckled at their argument before turning toward Lilly.

"By the way, has Nero Martinez arrived yet?"

"No. We called him several times, but he wasn’t answering."

"He wasn’t answering?" Serina asked, suddenly interested.

Lucas and Jasmine also seemed concerned, although Lilly quickly reassured them.

"He finally sent a message saying he’s on his way. Mom’s still irritated with him, though, so I doubt he’s getting away with this."

"That’s a shame," Serina remarked with a playful smile. "I was looking forward to seeing Mr. Savior in formal clothes."

Lilly glanced at her but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Peter was becoming impatient.

"Professor, when is the banquet starting? Even the governor is here, so who else are we waiting for?"

"I have no idea. Every time someone asks my father, he tells them to wait a little longer."

"Is someone important coming?"

"Considering the people already here, I’d certainly like to know who could be keeping everyone waiting."

Before they could discuss it further, a servant approached Peter and informed him that his family wanted him.

Damian also excused himself after receiving a signal from his father at the Sterling table.

Across the hall, one of the staff members approached Drake to ask whether they should begin the banquet.

However, the old man merely glanced toward the entrance.

"Not yet. Give it a little longer."

His answer only made the guests more curious.

Almost every major family in New Arcadia City had already arrived, including the governor himself.

Who could possibly be important enough to keep all of them waiting?

Just then, the handles of the grand entrance began to turn.

The heavy doors slowly opened, attracting the attention of the nearby guests before the rest of the hall gradually fell silent.

Victoria stopped speaking, while even the governor turned toward the entrance.

A young man stepped into the hall, accompanied by a little girl holding his hand.

It was Nero Martinez.

Dressed in a perfectly fitted dark suit, Nero looked completely different from the young man many of them remembered.

His tall figure, handsome features, and long dark hair gave him a striking appearance that immediately drew attention.

Beside him stood Mira Smith, wearing an elegant pale blue dress with a silver ribbon around her waist.

Despite her young age, she walked with surprising grace, holding Nero’s hand as they entered.

On their way here, Mira had watched a video about proper etiquette at formal gatherings and copied the woman’s movements almost perfectly.

Even Nero hadn’t expected her to learn so quickly. But it made sense, she was a high human.

Now, under the bright lights of the entrance, the two attracted the attention of nearly everyone in the hall.

Lucas was among the first to recognize his friend.

"Wait, isn’t that Nero?"

Jasmine nodded, although her attention was already on the little girl accompanying him.

"Who is that girl? I’ve never seen her before."

Lilly seemed equally confused, while Serina watched the pair with an amused smile.

However, before anyone could approach them, Old Man Drake suddenly rose from his seat.

The governor was in the middle of speaking to him, but Drake excused himself and headed directly toward the entrance.

Seeing this, several guests exchanged surprised glances.