Chapter 189: Night of the Banquet

Martin scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat troubled, "It's not exactly a private matter. My relationship with my stepmother... isn't very good."

"Has she ever given you any gifts?"

"Gifts? Come on, Captain. I'd be thanking the heavens if she didn't kick me out of the house."

'Oh, so their relationship really isn't great.'

Leon's mind stirred slightly, "Then have you ever given her any gifts? Like... clothes, bags... or perhaps, jewelry?"

"No," Martin's answer was firm and without hesitation.

Leon pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully, "Alright. Then... I have no further questions. Just one more thing I need you to cooperate with."

"Captain, go ahead."

"At tonight's banquet, Rebecca will stick with you the entire time. Former teammates catching up at a party shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Captain, are you having Rebecca watch me…?", Martin was sharp.

"No, no, little Martin," Rebecca pressed the barrel of her gun against Martin's lower back, "This is much more thrilling than mere surveillance."

Martin tensed slightly, nodding with a faint sweat breaking out on his forehead and nose.

But Leon understood.

This wasn't about whether Martin was the mole or not, anyone would be sweating bullets with a crazy girl pointing a gun at their kidney.

Now that everything was in place, as long as nothing unexpected happened... tonight, everything would be over.

———

That evening, Leon disguised himself and entered the banquet hotel with Victor.

As usual, the master kept watch outside. At the first sign of trouble, he'd launch a signal flare, and then the entire group, composed of the old, weak, and crippled, would make a rapid escape.

Leon's approach to handling the two mole candidates was very straightforward and clear: the classic "man-to-man" surveillance tactic.

He kept an eye on Victor, while Rebecca tailed Martin.

This way, no matter who the mole was or what kind of schemes they were planning, Leon and his team could react immediately.

Martin had previously played the role of a support mage in the squad, meaning his close-combat ability was weak. Rebecca could handle keeping tabs on him just fine.

As for Victor, the eternal second place being watched by the eternal champion, there was no way he could stir up any trouble.

"Hm? Where did Rebecca go?", Victor noticed the girl wasn't following Leon and asked.

Leon had both hands stuffed into the pockets of his suit, a suit bought using Rebecca's salary, which she had firmly noted in her mental ledger. The master's pension fund was already in the negatives, he replied indifferently, "She said she had a way to approach Martin but couldn't take me with her because it would draw too much attention."

Victor frowned slightly, "If she has a way to find Martin, then she could've just come here by herself. Was there really a need for us to risk getting discovered?"

In response to Victor's doubt, Leon's tone remained calm, "Victor, I won't let any of you out of my sight."

"...Alright, I was thinking too simply."

Leon didn't continue the topic. He and Victor stood in a corner of the hall, silently observing the increasingly lively banquet.

"Haven't seen Martin in three years. Wonder how much that brat has changed," Leon said quietly.

As he spoke, he snuck a glance at Victor.

The weathered bar singer's eyes flickered ever so slightly, a movement subtle enough that only Leon's sharp senses could catch it.

"The last time I saw him was a long time ago too," Victor said.

"Seems like you two haven't been in contact."

Victor shook his head with a bitter smile, "After you left, the team fell apart. Everyone went their own way. We're not the same people anymore."

Leon didn't comment on Victor's thoughts regarding their former teammates.

.

.

.

At 8 PM, the banquet began.

Tonight's birthday girl made her grand entrance, descending gracefully from the second floor.

Martin's stepmother was a woman his father had married after his first wife passed away. She was in her thirties now, still full of charm, a classic beauty.

She wore a black evening gown with her hair elegantly pinned up. As soon as she appeared, she drew the attention of all the gathered family and friends.

The outfit was classic formal attire. A long gown and an updo signified a woman's respect for the occasion.

But if Leon had to comment, well, she simply couldn't compare to a certain silver dragon.

If Rossweise was a blooming flower, then this so-called beauty wasn't even worthy of being the leaves beneath her. The difference in aura and elegance was just too vast.

Too bad he couldn't drag his dragon wife out here to let these people witness true beauty.

'Next time. Definitely next time.'

"Decked out in luxury brands, huh? Martin's family must be filthy rich," Victor commented with a slight sigh.

"Is that so…"

"Yeah, that dress was custom-made from a famous boutique, one of the most well-known in the entire empire. As for the necklace and rings, well, you don't even need me to say it. Just look at the size of those gems."

Victor spoke effortlessly.

'He has always had an eye for delicate trinkets, just like that guitar pick of his', Leon thought.

"But the most notable thing is… that hairpin," Victor added.

"Hairpin?"

"Yeah."

Leon shrugged, "How expensive can a hairpin be?"

Victor shook his head, "That's no ordinary hairpin. It's made from the ivory of an S-class danger beast, the Polar Mammoth."

"The Polar Mammoth… that does sound like a rare species."

"Indeed. A long time ago, people discovered that Polar Mammoth ivory had excellent plasticity, making it a prime material for luxury goods. Rarity drives up value."

Victor explained, "But since it's an S-class danger beast, hunting a single one requires a great deal of manpower and resources. That's why ivory-made accessories are priced far higher than regular luxury items."

"Oh~ I see," Leon feigned mild interest.

Victor glanced at him, then continued, "Later on, smiths discovered that mammoth ivory wasn't just good for crafting, it also had an exceptional affinity for magic. When enchanted, it could be used as a weapon, possessing immense piercing and destructive power."

At these words, Victor looked at Leon again.

This time, Leon's expression turned a bit more serious, "So, when enchanted, it can be used as a weapon…"

"Exactly."

Victor nodded, "And I heard that hairpin was actually a gift from Martin to his stepmother."

Leon slowly turned to Victor, "But I heard Martin and his stepmother don't get along. Would he really give her such an expensive gift?"

Victor paused for a moment, his expression remaining unreadable, "Maybe he's trying to win her favor."

"Is that so? Well, alright then."

———

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the hotel, Martin and Rebecca stood side by side.

"Victor's changed a lot," Martin remarked.

"Well, not everyone is like you, the pampered son of a minister, enjoying a life where everything is handed to them on a silver platter," Rebecca patted his shoulder.

Martin gave a bitter smile, "If I could, I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat, Rebecca."

"Trade? No, no, no. I'd be afraid I wouldn't be able to stop myself from putting a bullet in your sharp-tongued stepmother's head."

Rebecca paused, then asked, "Why did you go back to your old ways after the captain left?"

Martin shrugged, lowering his head, "People need a guiding star. When that star is gone, they're like a horse that's lost its direction. After the captain's accident, I didn't even know who I should aim to surpass anymore."

"Little Martin, you have to learn to grow up."

"Why does it sound so weird when you say that…? You're only a year older than me, right?"

"One year is still older! Got a problem with that?"

Martin chuckled, not bothering to argue with her.

The banquet continued.

By 10 PM, the birthday girl and her guests were all slightly tipsy.

Martin's father had been busy with socializing the entire time.

After all, as a royal, every banquet was an opportunity to expand connections and resources. Not even his beloved wife's birthday was an exception.

No one paid attention to Martin, the one who had actually organized the banquet.

Rebecca glanced toward a corner of the hall.

She saw Leon adjusting his flamboyant silver tie.

That was the signal: Retreat is clear.

Rebecca understood instantly.

What she didn't understand was why the captain had chosen such an ostentatious color.

She knew he liked silver, but he had never cared about his outward appearance before.

Then she remembered where the captain had spent the past three years.

'Ah. Now it all makes sense.'

"Heh! A married man with hidden vanity," Rebecca delivered the most fitting judgment.

"What?"

"Nothing. Let's move. The captain gave the signal."

"Got it."

Rebecca led Martin out through the hotel's back door.

Leon and Victor followed closely behind.

In the alley behind the hotel, Tiger was already waiting with a prepared carriage.

Two groups entered one after another. Leon tapped the wooden partition of the carriage, and Tiger, understanding immediately, cracked the whip. The horses galloped into the night.

Inside the swaying carriage, Victor and Martin sat facing each other.

An awkward silence filled the air.

After all, the reason Leon had gathered them here was to find the mole.

They both knew this.

But right now, the best move was to act innocent.

A true werewolf never strikes before the decisive moment.

The carriage sped through the city.

Two hours later, they arrived at the imperial slums.

Everyone disembarked.

Tiger leaned against the carriage, lighting a cheap cigarette, "Go on, kid. No one's gonna interfere with your business tonight."

"Thanks, Master."

Tiger took a deep drag and exhaled slowly.

Leon turned, leading Rebecca and the others into an old, dilapidated house.

Tension filled the air.

No matter who the mole was, Leon had clearly planned to end this tonight.

In the center of the room sat an old dining table.

The four of them stood around it, each occupying one side.

Leon faced Rebecca.

Victor faced Martin.

Soon, the truth would come to light.

No one spoke.

The four exchanged glances, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Finally, Leon spoke first—

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