Chapter 976: Alternate Timeline: The Engagement Ceremony (4)

"Before everyone proceeds toward dining, I would like to use this opportunity to announce something."

Instantly, curiosity spread throughout the hall.

Even Arceus blinked in surprise.

Naturally, everyone remembered that the invitation mentioned a special announcement. But nobody knew what exactly to expect.

Different thoughts immediately surfaced in the guests’ minds.

Was Kiara planning to reveal the wedding date?

Would she announce some major political alliance?

Perhaps information regarding the Seed of Fire?

Or maybe another terrifying weapon?

Some even entertained ridiculous ideas briefly.

The atmosphere tightened quietly with anticipation.

Then Kiara finally spoke.

"Two weeks from now, on Monday morning, I will organize an expo..." She paused briefly before correcting herself casually, "a weapon exhibition here at this very venue."

The guests immediately straightened slightly.

"People from other kingdoms will also be invited," Kiara continued calmly. "The weapons introduced during this event will be entirely unique and unavailable for public sale."

Silence deepened.

Every person present listened carefully.

Kiara’s voice remained steady.

"I cannot reveal specific details yet. However..." her gaze swept slowly across the crowd, "one of those weapons will possess enough destructive power to go against even groups of Seven-Star Rank experts from several kilometers away."

The moment those words fell, the atmosphere changed completely.

Several guests nearly stopped breathing.

Others felt coldness crawl across their spines.

Even Emperor Alexander’s eyes sharpened visibly.

Destroy Seven-star rank experts... from kilometers away?

What are Seven-star rank experts?

They are Exalts, individuals powerful enough to be treated with respect at any part of this world. Yet, Kiara is claiming that even groups of them can be defeated?

What kind of terrifying weapon was that?

Kiara continued before anyone could interrupt.

"However, my manufacturer does not wish such weapons to fall recklessly into the hands of anyone willing to pay. Power without restraint is like giving wildfire to children."

Her voice carried unusual seriousness now.

"Therefore, an auction will be conducted for temporary purchasing rights depending on the weapon category. During that period, those weapons will not be sold to anyone else."

Then, finally, she concluded calmly.

"Those interested may attend the exhibition personally on the day of the expo."

Silence followed immediately afterward.

Heavy silence.

The kind born when people heard something so shocking that their minds temporarily failed to process it properly.

And deep within that silence, greed, fear, ambition, and calculation quietly began awakening inside countless hearts.

"She really is a weapon seller to the bone," Magnus Phoenix remarked with a faint laugh while shaking his head slowly after hearing Kiara’s announcement. "Even during an engagement ceremony, she still finds ways to conduct business."

Some guests quietly disapproved of Kiara’s approach, believing such matters should remain separate from celebrations, while others were completely captivated by the mention of weapons powerful enough to erase Seven-star Rank experts from kilometers away. Because in this world, strength itself was the greatest temptation, and people pursued power the same way starving travelers chased water inside deserts.

Emperor Alexander belonged firmly to the second group.

After all, he already possessed an agreement with Kiara regarding three attack helicopters, but now another opportunity had suddenly appeared before him, one capable of strengthening the Imperial Army even further, and although the Emperor outwardly maintained calm dignity, his thoughts were already moving rapidly beneath the surface like hidden currents beneath still water.

Fortunately for him, he believed competition for such weapons would remain limited.

At least...

That was what he thought for now.

Soon afterward, the guests gradually moved toward the dining section where large tables had already been prepared beneath rows of warm lanterns whose golden light flickered softly across silver utensils, crystal cups, and steaming dishes releasing rich aromas into the air.

Noah and the butler robots began serving food personally.

Most guests had already visited the Nexus Weapon Store before, so they naturally recognized the humanoid machines immediately, though today, instead of demonstrating weapons or handling transactions, the robots moved gracefully between tables like highly trained royal servants, carrying trays with flawless coordination while the soft clinking of plates and utensils echoed throughout the hall.

Noah herself looked visibly exhausted. It’s not the kind of physical exhaustion, but a kind of mental exhaustion.

"Dear," Kiara said calmly once nearly everyone had settled into their seats, "shall we eat?"

"Eh?" Arceus was taken aback by the sudden change of her address. "Ah, yes. Let’s... Let’s eat..."

As he stiffly walked forward, Kiara couldn’t help but chuckle, staring at his back. "He is cute, sometimes..."

She hastened her footsteps and joined him by his side.

The two had just started walking toward an empty table when Emperor Alexander suddenly called out.

"Kiara. Arceus."

Both of them turned around.

Dozens of nearby guests also instinctively shifted their attention toward the Emperor.

Alexander Phoenix gestured toward the imperial table calmly.

"Join us."

The invitation immediately caused subtle reactions among the guests.

Normally, the engaged couple would dine beside the bride’s family as she was the one who hosted this event, but Kiara technically stood alone without relatives present, while Wester Silver clearly showed no intention whatsoever of inviting either his son or future daughter-in-law to his own table.

Thus, the Emperor’s invitation carried symbolic meaning.

At first, Kiara refused politely.

However, Alexander simply smiled and replied warmly. "Every citizen of the Phoenix Empire is family beneath the same sky."

Those words almost made Kiara grimace internally.

Family?

If she truly viewed the imperial family as relatives, she probably would not even remain seated at the same table comfortably.

Fortunately, she never viewed them that way.

To her, they were merely powerful guests.

Valuable connections.

And people who had just gifted her expensive treasures.

With that mindset, dining beside them became far easier.

Meanwhile, Callista Frost and Serestia Phoenix secretly appeared delighted seeing Kiara forced into following normal customs through sheer coincidence, whereas Wester Silver’s mood only worsened further while watching the scene unfold.

The food itself was extraordinary.

Even simple desserts tasted refined enough to rival palace cuisine.

Yet inside Wester’s mouth, every bite felt strangely bitter.

The sourness came not from the dishes...

But from humiliation.

Alongside local cuisine, Kiara also introduced several Western dishes originating from her previous world directly to Emperor Alexander and the imperial table, while Zion and Noah simultaneously guided other guests through those unfamiliar meals throughout the venue.

Some nobles reacted with confusion toward the strange flavors.

Others became fascinated instantly.

Noah carefully moved from table to table afterward, politely collecting opinions regarding the foreign dishes exactly the way high-end restaurant managers approached wealthy customers when testing new menus.

Several guests even laughed softly at the oddly professional atmosphere. Some found it amusing, while some found it a bit low-class. Regardless, they kept their opinions to themselves about Noah and Zion’s behavior.

Roughly an hour later, the imperial family, Kiara, and Arceus had already finished dining, though many other guests still remained seated leisurely enjoying conversations and desserts, because unlike weddings, engagement ceremonies carried far fewer formal restrictions regarding departure times.

Soon afterward, Emperor Alexander and the imperial family prepared to leave.

Far above the compound, the giant stingray beast still hovered silently among the clouds several hundred meters overhead like a floating island awaiting its master’s command.

General Calden departed alongside the imperial family.

However, Xander Cross remained behind for reasons unknown.

At first, the atmosphere remained peaceful.

Comfortable.

Guests continued eating.

Soft conversations drifted between tables.

Lantern flames flickered gently.

Then suddenly...

The moment the gigantic stingray disappeared beyond the horizon entirely, Wester Silver abruptly rose from his seat.

*Creaaaak*

The sound of the chair scraping harshly against the ground instantly cut through the hall.

Several nearby guests looked toward him instinctively.

And before anyone could react further, Wester spoke coldly toward the three armored men standing silently behind him.

"What are you waiting for?" he barked sharply. "Kill her and capture him."

For one heartbeat...

There was silence.

Absolute silence filled the place.

Even the sounds of utensils stopped.

Xander Cross froze completely in shock.

"What?"

The stunned reaction escaped several mouths simultaneously throughout the hall.

Arceus’ face turned pale instantly. "Father?"

Selene Ash’s eyes widened in horror.

Meanwhile, across the venue, Kiara heard every word clearly.

And strangely enough...

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"It’s finally time," she murmured softly. "I was waiting for them so long. Since he didn’t care about my last warning, then, I guess it is time for me to make my move..."

Without wasting another second, she immediately activated her bloodline skill.

"Absolute Freezing, Activate."