CHAPTER 484: CHAPTER 442: FIRST MEETING_2

Having watched too many spy movies, he was deeply impressed by the exchange of penicillin for large yellow croakers and small yellow croakers.

In the future, the pharmaceutical industry might just be Aiven’s most lucrative business, making money even faster than piracy.

Just so happens that Taylor, an official wizard with a medical background, joined his ranks. Most of the time, he only needed to provide the ideas, and this experienced and hands-on medical doctor could turn them into reality.

Especially after acquiring some knowledge from the "Poison Plague School" from the seized magic bag, the production technology being designed, like the [Super Engineering Bacteria], could even surpass modern pharmaceutical industries...

However, these matters aren’t suitable to discuss with others, so Aiven merely smiled slightly at Nekado’s compliments:

"It’s my duty, I wouldn’t dare let down Her Majesty the Queen’s trust."

As rare acquaintances, the two chatted for a while longer, and the banquet officially began.

As the host, Marquis Yuanfan, dressed in formal attire, walked to the center of the luxurious hall to address the guests:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Orange Leaf Castle..."

In fact, the theme of today’s banquet was to celebrate overcoming the recent plague attack and to mark the official launch of the Mercury United Trading Company.

Although Aiven was a major shareholder alongside the Marquis, due to his numerous roles, it wasn’t suitable for him to directly stand in the spotlight, so Marquis Yuanfan represented him in full.

Even so, after the Marquis’s speech, guests turned their attention towards Aiven.

Although there’s no saying like "good warriors have no glorious achievements" in this world, the concept is universal. Preventing a major crisis from occurring in the first place is far superior compared to turning the tide when things have already spiraled out of control.

As Far Sails Territory, the Kingdom’s extension into the Golden Sea, what sort of tragedies were happening along this coastal area? How could those in the upper echelons of the territory not be aware?

So, as the banquet officially began, there was a trend of Aiven becoming the center of attention. That many guests who knew their status wasn’t enough didn’t approach only made this more apparent.

What surprised Aiven even more was that most of those crowding around him were young women from various families.

"General, could you tell us about your stories at sea?"

"General, the opening dance later is Ravel’s ’Bolero’. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a dance?"

"General..."

Their intentions were crystal clear. Faced with such a scene, even a general accustomed to the battlefield was momentarily at a loss.

Until... another young lady who seemed to gather all the brilliance of the banquet arrived.

Tap.. tap.. tap..

A girl dressed in an elegant ice-blue evening gown, wearing crystal high heels, lifted her skirt slightly as she descended the stairs from the second floor of the banquet hall. Radiantly beautiful, she seemed like a water nymph descended upon the world or the cool moonlight from the sky, unattainable yet mesmerizing.

Her appearance silenced the bustling banquet hall for a brief moment.

As the Marquis’s only daughter, Olivia was naturally present. However, amidst the eager anticipation of countless noble youths, the Marquis family’s darling headed straight towards Aiven.

The group of young women surrounding Aiven sensibly dispersed, leaving space for the two of them.

Among the young guests, regardless of gender, it was evident they paled in comparison to the two of them.

Aiven saw the unexpectedly understated beauty, completely different from Miss Moonstone in the Spirit Realm. She felt like a gentle cloud drifting towards him; she curtsied elegantly and introduced herself with slightly upturned lips due to her height:

"Nice to meet you, General, I’m Olivia Amor."

"Nice to meet you, I’m Aiven Galliot, hello Miss Olivia!"

Even though he had prepared himself mentally before attending the banquet, Aiven’s heartbeat still quickened slightly.

"I toast to you, thank you for all you’ve done for the people of Far Sails Territory."

Holding a glass of white wine, her slender hand gripped the stem, fingers straightened, showcasing the beautiful curve of her hand.

Clink!

The two glasses clinked, producing a crisp sound.

Feeling Olivia’s faint fragrance for the first time in the Material World, Aiven’s throat went slightly dry, and he downed his drink in one go.

For courtesy’s sake, Olivia couldn’t avoid coming, but their conversation remained within the bounds of normal social etiquette. She was keenly aware of how perceptive Aiven was; the more one says, the more mistakes one might make.

Before she fully uncovered the secrets, she had no plans of revealing her identity.

Thus, the girl floated over like a beautiful cloud, lingered not among humans, then gently returned to the skies.

After she left, the noise in the banquet hall seemed to rise a few pitches.

Watching her retreating figure, Aiven was lost in thought.

"Miss Moonstone’s" sharper chin indicated a strong personality, assertive with a robust self-esteem, while the real Olivia’s features were much softer. Could this be the so-called soft on the outside, strong on the inside?

If she managed to obscure her appearance in the Spirit Realm, how could she leave such a flaw? Without other clues, Aiven couldn’t have connected them as the same person.

’As for me having the same appearance in both the Spirit Realm and the Material World, is it because I’m consistently excellent, inside and out?’

After Olivia left, Milan brought Suya in her elegant evening gown over to Aiven’s side. He looked at his profile strangely and asked:

"Is it hot in the banquet hall? Why is your face so red?"

Theoretical veteran drivers are all paper tigers, strong only in debate, yet falter in reality. As soon as Olivia left, he was barely holding it together.

Aiven glanced at him, tugging at the corners of his mouth:

"Chipper! Also, could you wipe the lipstick off your chin first?"

"What?"

Before they could start bickering, Aiven noticed the gentle and beautiful Marchioness Nymph quietly approached, and quickly fell silent.

"It’s General’s first time attending a social banquet at Orange Leaf Castle, and everyone is paying much attention to you. Don’t feel out of place here; treat it as your own home."

"Thank you for your concern, Madame! Everyone is very welcoming."

"By the way, out of all those lovely young ladies just now, was there a type you fancy? I’m a matchmaker renowned far and wide..."

The Marchioness’s emerald eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Uh..."

When Aiven truly understood her intention...

A feeling akin to facing an enthusiastic neighborhood aunt enveloped him. Although her looks and figure far surpassed those of an aunt, Aiven was equally defenseless against her.

Soon, a barrage of questions followed: family background, hobbies, dating history... and most critically, she even asked about annual income!

And somehow, Aiven honestly answered all her questions in a daze.

In the end, watching her depart, her beautiful eyes seemed to gleam slightly, sending a chill down Aiven’s spine, feeling that something unfortunate might be looming.