Chapter 199: Punishment and Ball
When Master Kemp on the side gently touched Master Tata, the focused dark goblin master suddenly woke up. He then noticed Isabella’s calls and said to Shea, “I need a superb moonlight stone. If you can find it for me, I am willing to help you make three magic items no less than excellent grade.” Although the superb moonlight stone was a very rare material, Master Tata’s magic accessories were the best grade in the Demon Realm. Furthermore, the promised magic items were guaranteed to be at least excellent grade; it was definitely worth it.
Accessories were different from weapons or armors. Due to its flexibility in volume, its magical properties could be made good use of. Chen Rui had seen many of Christina’s magical tools. All of which were quite amazing.
Shea frowned. “According to the ancient records, the moonlight stone appeared several times in Dark Moon hundreds of years ago, and there was a superb one among them. However, there has been no news over the years. How about this, can the master stay in Dark Moon for while? I will immediately send someone to look for relevant news.” “Up to seven days.” Tata thought for a while. After speaking this sentence, he continued to play with the crystal and did not pay attention to anyone.
Superb moonlight stone? Chen Rui thought of Glorfin’s infiltration into the underground world was to absorb the power of moonlight stone to ease the backlash of the “God-Eating Mask”. The earth elemental Doug, who was sacrificed, once said that the underground below Mountain Xilang was a huge treasure chest. In addition to the main veins of high-quality iron ore, there were also rare mineral deposits such as moonlight stone, dark star iron, and bloodline silver. The location of the moonlight stone deposit was in the Earth Realm area.
If they wanted to get three magic items made by Master Tata, it seemed that they must take a trip to Earth Realm. However, it seemed that Isabella’s group was preparing to stay in Dark Moon. As the most important sheriff, he most probably could not leave. Moreover, including travel time in the underground world and mining time, seven days was likely to be insufficient.
Isabella said calmly, “Well, Princess Royal Highness, we can start to discuss the main topic. The Royal King attaches great importance to the emergence of the Beelzebub Royal Family. The fragment of the “God-Eating Mask” was lost in the hands of Princess Royal Highness, you cannot absolve yourself of the blame. As you know, I have to deal with a lot of matters in the Imperial City and I can’t stay in the Dark Moon for too long. Let’s just follow Master Tata’s time of seven days. Within seven days, I hope Princess Royal Highness can give me a satisfactory answer that I can tell the Regent King.” Coldness gleamed in Shea’s eyes. She said coldly, “Lady Isabella, are you here to assist in the investigation? Or are you going to accuse me? If you are here to assist in the investigation, I am very willing to cooperate with you. If you are here to condemn me, as the financial advisor, you are not qualified.” Isabella didn’t care about the contempt in Shea’s questioning and shook her head. “Your Royal Highness is not only the lord but also part of a royal family. You should know what does the recovery of the “God-Eating Mask” mean, and what the surname Beelzebub means to the Dark Moon and the Fallen Angel Empire. Your Royal Highness not only lost the fragment of the “God-Eating Mask”, but you also could not find the whereabouts of the Beelzebub Royal Family. Don’t you deserve to be punished? Due to unforeseen circumstances and Princess Shea being a member of the royal family, it’s just a symbolic punishment… If Royal Highness cannot give me a satisfactory answer within seven days, then from the next quarter of the year, Red Spirit Estate’s food funding for Dark Moon will be halved.”
As soon as this sentence came out, the face of everyone present in the Dark Moon changed. They began to whisper. Dark Moon’s land was barren, and it was difficult to grow food. For thousands of years, food shortage had been an unsolvable disease. Even in the Dark Moon’s most prosperous times, its food source still relied on “import”.
Red Spirit Estate was aware of this, so in the name of “funding”, they firmly held the lifeline of Dark Moon. Now Prince Obsidian cut off half of the food support with just one sentence, then Dark Moon’s nerve-wracking food problem would become more prominent, and it was likely that there would be a large-scale famine. This cruel sanction was also called a “symbolic” punishment?
Shea stood up slowly. Anger was burning in her cold eyes. Even the arrogant Sergey felt the terrible cold from Shea and did not dare to move.
Just as the atmosphere was deadlocked, an inopportune voice sounded. “Lady… just asking, if Princess Royal Highness can give a satisfactory answer in seven days, food funding will not be decreased?” The one speaking was Chen Rui who stood up. When Shea heard Chen Rui’s voice, the chill she was releasing immediately stopped. Isabella’s eyes moved slightly. She looked at the weak human sheriff with interest. “Sheriff, please listen to my suggestion in good faith. You should go back and learn some etiquette. Your current wording and speech are very presumptuous to a beautiful lady. However, I can answer your question; yes.”
“I’m sorry for my rudeness. I just took office, and I don’t know anything.” Chen Rui continued to scratch his head without any manners. “Then according to Lady’s words, if Princess Royal Highness accepts the punishment, we don’t have to care about the Beezelbub matter?”
“Hold on!” The Old Ford of the Saiful Family stood up and said coldly, “Chen Rui, you’re an outsider. You don’t even understand the importance of food to the Dark Moon! If a big famine happens to the people, can you take this responsibility?” Chen Rui didn’t speak in a good tone to Old Ford either. “Sir Ford is old now. You seems to have become more forgetful. Didn’t Joseph say this at the meeting? After he is re-appointed as the finance officer, he will increase food aid by 30%, so there is 80%. And with the food purchased from the Dark Shadow Empire, it is almost enough!” “Shut up!” Shea glanced back at Chen Rui, seemingly reprimanding him for revealing important news, but her gaze became steadfast. “Since this is the case, the full authority of the Beelzebub matter will be given these few Imperial City special agents. I trust the Royal Highness Regent King’s decision. You will certainly eliminate the greatest hidden danger of the empire. As you can see, Dark Moon’s affairs are very busy; I can’t host you for too long. Then seven days later, I will wait for your answer, Lady Isabella. If you can’t give me a satisfactory answer, then I have the right to demand the withdrawal of the so-called symbolic punishment!” Every Dark Moon citizen calmed down, all showing a “so that’s how it is” expression. Only the Old Ford who had “quarrelled” with Chen Rui expressed dissatisfaction, but he actually admired the quick wit of the sheriff who had saved his son’s life. Even if Joseph took out 30% more, the total amount of food was actually less than 80%. As for buying food from the Dark Shadow Empire, it was completely fake.
However, the Saiful Family had achieved great success in meat cultivation over the years. As for Shea’s food plan… Old Ford knew part of it. Dark Moon’s current food should be unprecedentedly abundant, so they were not afraid of such a sanction of the Imperial City. However, these were “secret weapons” that couldn’t be revealed for the time being.
Chen Rui’s reckless intervention not only calmed the hearts of the people, but he also enabled Princess Royal to take the initiative instead.
Isabella’s emerald eyes glanced over Chen Rui, who was hiding behind Shea. She was secretly surprised. She had effectively attacked Dark Moon’s morale, dropping a heavy burden on Shea, but who knew this sheriff who understood nothing would tell such a gag shamelessly. Shea seized the opportunity to give her a dose of her own medicine and smashed the burden back.
“Then, I want to forgo my manners and ‘question’ Princess Royal.” Isabella stood up. When everyone thought she was about to deliver an offensive speech, a charming smile suddenly appeared. “I’ve heard of the Dark Moon hospitality. Why is it that we’ve been here for so long, but the welcome ball hasn’t been prepared yet?”
This sentence eased the atmosphere at once. Everyone smiled. Chen Rui secretly said that this woman was clever. She could use one joke to change the topic and start another round without anyone knowing.
Shea also seemed to have forgotten the tit-for-tat just now. She politely discussed the dinner and ball.
After the dinner, it was a routine welcome ball. Athena seemed to have further insights on her powers in the past two days, so she locked herself off in the lower level of the arena. The guards were handed to Arux to train, so she did not attend the ball tonight.
Unlike the last Master’s Challenge, although Chen Rui was still a powerless human, he was no longer the invisible person in the corner. Several women invited him to dance, the reason was of course due to his sheriff’s identity. Unfortunately, Chen Rui was uninterested in this kind of activity, so he politely declined.
A Demon Realm ball had much fewer rules than a human ball; it was very casual. Chen Rui slowly moved to an inconspicuous corner and picked up a glass of red fruit wine, waiting for this tedious activity to end earlier. The most popular one at the ball was Isabella. She had changed into a black evening dress. Her elegant temperament exuded an attractive charm. After dancing with Sergey, her butterfly-like dancing posture attracted the attention of most people. People kept inviting her for a dance.
Shea was the complete opposite. It could be said that no one paid attention to her. In fact, Shea’s beauty was not inferior to Isabella, but everyone knew that she never accepted anyone’s invitation, so no one wanted to get rebuffed.
“Hmph! Coquettish woman!” Alice’s dissatisfied voice sounded beside Chen Rui. It turned out that the little loli had been paying attention to Chen Rui. She finally got away from her sister and came to Chen Rui’s side as she wished. There was also a glass of wine in her hand that she had taken secretly.
“Alice.” Chen Rui snatched the glass from the little loli. “You can’t drink alcohol.”
Alice glared at him. “Hmph…”
This loli suddenly thought of something. Her expression changed as if she was looking at a dumbass, and her bright eyes were gleaming with shining light. She said nicely, “Brother, I will listen to what you say, can you dance with me?”
Chen Rui quickly shook his head. “I’ve never danced before; I really don’t know how to dance.”
His previous life didn’t count. He really never danced after rebirth, and this court dance was very complicated. He really didn’t know how to.
“Never danced before?” The little loli’s eyes brightened. She got closer and whispered, “Then, give brother’s first time to Alice!”
“Pfft.” Chen Rui spurted out a mouthful of wine. This vocabulary is too ambiguous!
Alice screamed, looking at the red wine splashed on her dress. She felt so aggrieved that she was about to cry. “This is my favorite evening dress!”
“I’m sorry.” Chen Rui put the glass down in a hurry. As expected, Alice’s yellow dress had a large red spot on it, which couldn’t be wiped off no matter how he wiped.
Ten minutes later, the little loli who pretended to cry won. Chen Rui knew he was wrong and surrendered, forcing himself to appear on the dance floor.
Demon Realm’s court dance was similar to the 15th century European court dance in pairs. There were no cuddling moves, but it was cumbersome. It had a lot of rules. Chen Rui exchanged positions several times, feeling flustered. At this time, Isabella and Sergey were on their second dance already.
Sergey was obviously proficient in this, skillfully changing movements and dance steps. His graceful posture and handsome appearance attracted the attention of many surrounding demon women. Of course, the most attractive one was still the glamorous Isabella. Together, they were a perfect match; they were definitely the focus of the whole ball.
In contrast, Chen Rui and Alice on the side became the contrast. Initially, Alice danced well, but because she had to cooperate and guide Chen Rui, so she looked awkward. However, the little loli was not angry. She kept teaching him patiently.
Chen Rui accidentally bumped the person behind him while changing positions and quickly apologized. He could not keep up with the subsequent movements. Sergey noticed it and deliberately pulled Isabella closer to him, laughing scornfully. “Bumpkin, move aside. The dance floor is not the place for scum like you.”
Before Chen Rui could speak, Alice had already said angrily, “Nuisance! It’s none of your business!”
“The princess of the Dark Moon is no better than him. She can’t even dance properly.” Sergey looked at Alice dismissively and suddenly added maliciously, “It’s due to a lack of discipline from an early age right.”
Alice’s father, Crown Prince Grimm died early. This touched the little loli’s injury. Her eyes suddenly turned red, and she tightly squeezed the hand holding Chen Rui’s.
Isabella raised her indigo eyebrows slightly and looked at Sergey lightly without being obvious. Seeing the little loli’s sad look, Chen Rui was angry at Sergey’s despicableness. He immediately answered back sarcastically, “No wonder the Rus family has always been inferior to the Wales Family. Turns out they only know how to bully girls.”
“What did you say!” Sergey’s father, Doren Rus, had always been ranked below Athena’s father, General George. He was known as the second general. Sergey was most particular about others saying this. He suddenly became furious. His eyes were gleaming with murderous intent.
“Now you want to start attacking me as a powerless human?” Chen Rui was not scared at all. “Don’t forget, this is a dance floor. Please leave if you don’t want to dance.”
“A bumpkin like you deserves to say the word ‘dance’?” Sergey showed a ruthless look. He had an idea and stopped dancing. He let out his strength and said loudly, “Everyone, please pause!”
The crowd stopped immediately and the sound of the orchestra also stopped.
“The Honorable Sheriff said just now that he would like to show me a true court dance in pairs. I am looking forward to it,” Sergey said, pointing to Chen Rui. “Let’s all watch the beautiful dance of the Honorable Sheriff and the Royal Highness little princess of the Dark Moon.”
There was an uproar in the crowd. Everyone had seen Chen Rui’s level before, so they presumed that Sergey did so intentionally. Isabella maintained her smile, neither stopping nor encouraging. Sergey’s method was a bit despicable, but it was also good to use this opportunity to humiliate the Dark Moon.
How would Chen Rui counter this humiliation this time?