Do you all know the future?

Chapter 82 The Succubus from Ishtar

"It's my pleasure!"

Diane glanced at Isabella, wanting to ask for her opinion, and only agreed when Isabella nodded and smiled.

Diane never understood what was wrong with people who brought close female companions to banquets and then went off to flirt with other girls instead of acquaintances. It made their female companions seem like wooden figures or NPCs, with fixed feelings for them, no matter what they did, nothing would happen.

"Then it's settled, Her Majesty the Queen is coming!"

Eve held up her folding fan to cover her full lips, chuckling happily. Although she hadn't become the son-in-law, she didn't want to close the door. What if Diane and the Queen didn't end up together?

Following Eve's gaze, the queen, dressed in her finest attire, stepped through the door. In the spacious St. Oak Hall, the light of the magic lamps disappeared, and the space became dark.

The sudden darkness startled Diane, who clung tightly to Isabella's arm. However, the environment wasn't frightening, as the darkness enhanced her sense of smell, filling the air with a unique blend of incense and pine resin that soothed and captivated her.

A beam of light appeared in the darkness, followed by several soft, warm beams that flickered everywhere, before finally focusing on the doorway.

The bustling sounds fell silent in the darkness. The richly dressed nobles and glamorous ladies held their breath, their gazes all fixed on the doorway leading to the platinum throne at the far end of the hall.

The servants rushed in through the lion-carved gate, and a figure, bathed in the spotlight, became the protagonist of the stage and slowly entered.

The queen, dressed in her finest attire, was captivating. She wore a silver-white court dress, the hem of which was decorated with fine gold threads to create a layered effect. As she walked, the dress rippled like water, almost touching the ground but not quite, resembling the movement of water.

Beneath the most striking olive leaf crown was her thick, smooth, snow-white hair, simply styled in a loose, elegant updo to accommodate the crown, with gleaming blue gemstones embedded within.

Under the lamplight, her white hair seemed to be covered with the frost and snow of the far north ice plains, radiating a holy radiance that was otherworldly. It was the power of the law that made her look extraordinary.

Her face was as beautiful as a work of art sculpted from ice and snow, with delicate and austere lines, and skin so white it was almost transparent, an effect brought about by the Zhenbing bloodline. Her eyes—clear blue like a high mountain ice lake, deep and calm, devouring all negative emotions without stirring up any waves.

Others didn't notice anything different; the Queen remained noble and beautiful. However, Diana, the one who started it all, felt that Her Majesty had gained a touch of mature womanly charm, a gentleness amidst her aloofness.

The nobles inside were unaware that the beautiful, noble, and majestic queen had been bypassed by Diane in order to avoid becoming a weapon.

The Queen walked on the carpet, her gaze not falling on any specific person, but seemingly taking in the entire scene of the hall, noticing that Diane was trying her best not to show any other expression.

She possessed an innate, aloof majesty, and her spiritual chill inspired awe in this angel queen.

The Queen walked with a composed gait, followed by several high-ranking court ladies carrying ceremonial trays. Each step of her high heels on the carpet produced a soft tinkling sound in the silence, drawing all attention to her.

In the darkness, the nobles in the hall bowed with their hands on their chests, silently expressing their submission to the Queen of Tudor.

"Let Qiao Aoqing in!"

The Queen took her seat on the throne amidst the attention of the crowd. The darkness was dispelled, and the magic lamps illuminated the entire banquet hall. Only then did the silence seem to be lifted, and everyone began to discuss the matter.

The steady, rhythmic footsteps echoed again at the entrance to the hall, drawing everyone's attention once more.

Wearing a brand-new deep purple velvet suit with the family crest embroidered in gold thread on the chest, Qiao straightened his back and tightened his jaw slightly, trying to maintain his composure, but his slightly trembling fingertips and slightly rapid breathing still betrayed his nervous state of mind.

After all, he was going to become a new nobleman in this country. He was going to escape his hometown and integrate into a new environment. These were the people he would need to meet in the future. He didn't want to mess up the investiture ceremony. Nobles also care about their reputation. He ignored the discussions of the crowd and resolutely came to the Queen and knelt down on one knee.

Upon his arrival, the Queen on the throne slowly rose from her seat. Her voice remained clear and calm, devoid of much personal emotional fluctuation, each word clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

"The nobleman from Istaya, Joo Romeson, contributed the Holy Lance Valentin, once the weapon of Her Majesty Queen Greta, as proof of his loyalty and dedication to the Empire."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; even breathing seemed to become cautious. As if afraid the people wouldn't understand, the Queen made a point of reminding them that it was Queen Greta's weapon. And which of the nobles hadn't heard of Queen Greta's legend of slaying a god?

The nobles who had not yet received the news all showed surprise in their eyes. Why would they hand over such a strategic weapon to the empire instead of keeping it for themselves?

How foolish!

Some nobles remained silent, seemingly understanding Joao's choice. The environment of Ishtar was no longer suitable for human development. The Holy Lance couldn't be protected by a single angel; even a demigod couldn't safeguard it.

The Queen took the ordinary knight's lance handed to her by the maid, raised it high and infused it with magic, and the lance burst forth with dazzling light!

The power of holiness brings warmth to people, but it also makes nobles who practice dark magic and shadow-based creatures feel uncomfortable, such as Isabella.

"This gun is a well-known and powerful weapon, and it has even participated in the great feat of killing gods. Its holy name is known throughout the spiritual realm and the material world. Its contributions far exceed those of ordinary merits."

The Queen's characterization of merit was an invaluable treasure, and her words made Joao tremble, because there was no way back. If this matter were to be reported back to Ishtar, he wouldn't need to go back; going back would mean being hanged as a traitor.

It was he who personally offered the holy lance, and Her Majesty the Queen declared it in such a solemn occasion, cutting off all his escape routes. He could not make excuses or try to save the country through indirect means.

The Queen took the longsword from a maidservant and gently placed it on Joao's shoulder, beginning the investiture ceremony.

"In view of your outstanding achievements, you deserve special honors. In the name of the Empress of the Empire, I have decided to promote you, Joo Romeson, to the rank of Marquis of the Empire, with the territory of the former royal family's direct domain, Zolog, and the title of Minister of the Royal Navy!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire St. Oak Hall seemed to freeze for a moment, before erupting in a low, unified response as the nobles clapped to celebrate the new Minister of the Navy's inauguration.

Qiao Ao could almost feel countless burning gazes behind him, a mixture of envy, jealousy, awe... but he remained calm because it was an equal exchange.

The Holy Lance may not be as powerful as the legends say, but it is still the Holy Lance. It is a divine weapon, a divine weapon that has slain gods. It also has a sense of loss, having abandoned everything in Ishtar.

"Your subject, Joao Romeson... thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! I swear to serve Your Majesty and the Empire to the death, even at the cost of my life!"

Outwardly excited but inwardly calm, Jon, kneeling on one knee, lowered his head and accepted the Queen's reward, a prize he deserved.

Verbal loyalty is the cheapest thing; Ishtar can say it, and so can the Tudors.

"Accept the document, Qiao Aoqing..."

The Queen placed the ceremonial sword back on the tray and took the documents of transfer of territory and appointment of ministers from another tray, handing them to Joo, who had stood up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Joao took the thin document, feeling its immense weight. This was what the Holy Lance had brought him: the Empire's protection and resources.

"No need to thank me, this is a reward for your loyalty. There will be a ball later. Today is a special day for Lord Qiao. I have specially invited the most distinguished nobles of the Empire to attend. At the ball, Lord Qiao can get to know the nobles of our Dudor. They may be your colleagues or your future friends."

The Queen's gaze swept over the nobles present, lingering briefly on Diane before instructing Joao to adapt to his new environment and quickly settle into the Tudor nobility's mindset. "Yes, sir!"

"It's not an order, and there's no need to be so serious. Relax, the ball is for people to relax!"

The Queen waved her hand, and the servants began to tidy up the hall. The musicians who had been hidden in the shadows on both sides of the hall immediately began to play melodious and cheerful tunes.

Similar to the waltz-like string ensemble Diane played in her past life, the gentle music quickly filled the entire space, dispelling the solemnity of the newly conferred titles, and a smile appeared on the Queen's usually cool face.

The giant crystal chandelier at the top of the hall seemed to be imbued with magic at the same time, its light casting a warm glow on the cold marble floor.

The waiters were well-trained, separating the ballroom and lounge areas with long tables, and silently moving through the crowd with silver trays filled with fruit wine and delicate pastries.

The nobles relaxed completely. They began to gather in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their faces bearing relaxed social smiles.

The conversation naturally turned to the recently concluded investiture ceremony—the newly crowned Marquis of Romeson—and the legendary Holy Lance Valencia.

"Queen Greta's Holy Lance, a legendary strategic weapon with the power to slay gods, how could it be brought out like this...?"

An elderly count, dressed in a deep purple velvet suit, held a wine glass and sighed to his companion, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards João in the room.

"Ishtar is truly rotten. They even managed to lose something like this. Once it's in Tudor, there's no way they can get it back unless Ishtar produces another Queen Greta!"

Another middle-aged man who looked like an official chimed in, his tone tinged with envy while simultaneously mocking Ishtar's situation.

"With even angel-level powerhouses gone, it's not much different from hell on earth, huh."

At that moment, after the Queen went to the rest area, João, as the absolute focus of attention, found himself almost immediately surrounded by nobles from various political factions, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles as they extended their hands and uttered pre-prepared congratulatory remarks.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency! It must have been difficult to bring the Holy Lance into Tudor."

“Marquis Romeson, I am the Navy’s procurement officer. It’s a pleasure to meet you…”

"It is truly an honor to witness the Sacred Spear of Slaying Gods and your advancement!"

The attention he received made him feel good, but he soon realized that people's eyes were no longer on him.

The people who wanted to curry favor with the emperor were still there, but the onlookers had moved to the ballroom, because the queen, the bellwether of the banquet, was watching the dance floor.

The Queen was in a slightly elevated resting area separated by curtains and greenery, where comfortable velvet sofas and delicate little round tables were placed.

She did not sit down, but stood there, holding a glass that seemed to be filled with water, her gaze calmly fixed on the center of the dance floor.

There, Diane and Lady Eve danced gracefully, their height difference was hard to bear. The dance they learned from the head maid already took into account the height difference, but Lady Eve was just too big.

It was like watching the two of them dance, their movements twisting and turning in perfect harmony. She thought to herself how quickly Diane had acted, and how Eve was doing this. Eve wasn't looking for a son-in-law for her daughter; she was clearly looking for a lover for herself. Why didn't Isabella stop her? What if Diane got kidnapped?
"Who is that gentleman?"

Noticing that everyone's eyes were on Diane, Jo looked at her hair and appearance and thought she didn't look like a native of Tudor at all.

“He is a fellow townsman of Marquis Joao, a nobleman from Ishtar, and may be our future Marquis Sarella. Since you are both from Ishtar, you may have something in common!”

The nobleman next to her answered based on the information Diane had made public.

"A nobleman from Ishtar? I don't recognize him. What did he contribute to become a marquis?"

Upon hearing the name Ishtar, Joao perked up and carefully observed Diane, finding no match for any noble he had ever seen, whether high-ranking or low-ranking.

"..."

No one answered his question, and the scene fell into an awkward silence. To be honest, did the outsider steal the local beauty?

Did I ask something I shouldn't have?

Seeing the unpleasant expressions on everyone's faces and their silence, Qiao Ao assumed that they had violated some taboo.

“There’s nothing difficult to answer, Marquis João. Do you know Duke Stuart?”

The last, older nobleman explained.

"I know, the former Imperial Navy Minister died in a demon attack. What happened?"

When João first arrived in Tudor, he didn't understand much and only knew a part of the information. That's where the banquet came in, to exchange information with each other.

"His widow is Marquis Sarella, one of the three beauties of Tudor, a powerful angel with unparalleled beauty!"

"Wait, does that mean..."

Qiao Ao wasn't stupid; he immediately understood after being reminded.

"That's the idea. It was Mrs. Stuart who brought him here today, and the woman you see dancing with is not Mrs. Stuart, but another widowed lady, Mrs. Eve, one of the three beauties of Landoo, and a priestess of the Church of Prophecy."

"Isn't this Mrs. Stuart?"

Qiao looked at the two people on the dance floor, one big and one small. The snake tail had been replaced with legs that were shorter, but they were still quite large. You could tell at a glance that they were very intimate.

"Mrs. Stuart is there, along with a member of royal blood, and the deputy director of the Bureau of Investigation is involved."

"What...what gives him the right?"

"We can't understand it either. As soon as they awakened their spirituality, these women rushed at them as if they were possessed."

The nobles all wore expressions of frustration; they couldn't understand it, they really couldn't understand it.

"Because it makes no sense, people secretly call him the succubus of Ishtar and suspect that he might be a succubus in human skin."

"If Marquis Joao has a beautiful wife, and if she does not want to steal the spirituality of the full elemental affinity, then please ask her to stay away."

(End of this chapter)