Free Web NovelChapter 408: Chapter 32: Master of Greedy Banquet: Yanimu, Part 2
The loose, voluminous, dark-toned dress was uniquely tailored, covering her upper body yet brazenly revealing her collarbones, waistline, and the delicate skin of her thighs. The material of the wide, bell-shaped sleeves seemed to be something not of the Mortal World; living stars swam across the fabric, weaving and intersecting to sketch out a scene as beautiful and ephemeral as a dream.
Black, gold-trimmed long boots snugly encased her calves and delicate feet. The maiden’s skin, as smooth as porcelain, was dazzlingly fair, creating a stark contrast with her dark-toned dress.
Her pink eyes glowed faintly, emitting a soul-stealing, bewitching luster. The maiden’s beauty was beyond description... It couldn’t be defined by simple terms like beautiful or ugly; words like "pure," "seductive," "dashing," or "cute" all seemed too pale in comparison.
It was pure captivation, pure nobility, and nothing more. Any mortal who looked upon her face would find themselves helplessly drawn in, their souls seemingly sucked into an inescapable vortex, lost in a stupor and ready to do her bidding.
The Great Demon nodded gently in response to her attendants’ greetings and walked over to a Scholar in an Astrologer’s robe. She sighed and said:
"I’ve told you many times. My name is Anise. Anise Thousand Lake."
The Demon who called herself Anise tapped the man’s shoulder with a slender finger from her fingerless-gloved hand and smiled faintly.
"There won’t be a next time, you hear? Otherwise, I might just get angry."
"Y-Yes... Yes!"
The Mage stammered, his body trembling like a leaf as he hastily bowed his head.
"Mmmhmm, good boy. Don’t be so scared. Am I really that terrifying? I’m not, right?"
Anise touched the tips of her index fingers and thumbs together to form a diamond shape, tilting her head with a small smile.
"I just came back from a fierce battle, you know. I fought off those annoying old friends. I was trying my best to protect you all."
"Yes! We shall never forget your grace and protection! We swear to follow you until death!"
All of the attendants, from those trimming the gardens to the Military Officers following behind Anise, fell to their knees and solemnly swore their loyalty:
"You alone are our salvation in the Mortal World, our sovereign! The Royal Court was always meant to be under Lady Anise’s rule!"
Strictly speaking, the attendants’ praise for Anise was not just empty flattery; it was based on facts.
It was true that the Demons’ domination over the Land of Thousand Lakes was easily accomplished, thanks to the local faith in the Divine Ancestor. No matter how bizarre a Demon was, they could always gather a group of believers. It was, for all intents and purposes, a thorough brainwashing.
However, the majority of people still did not submit to the Demons. But these mortals had best keep their dissatisfaction and dissent to themselves, otherwise the Celestial God’s Shadows wouldn’t coddle them. When it was time for a massacre, they would carry it out without hesitation.
Who ever said only Chaos killed people?
Yet the Master of Greedy Banquet’s process of bringing Serralis and other areas under her control had been extremely peaceful. Generally, when a Demon took control of a City in the Lake, the casualties from the various upheavals would amount to ten or twenty percent of the population.
The number of casualties Anise caused when she took Serralis was zero.
That’s right, zero. Not a single person was harmed during the turmoil of the Demon’s escape.
Because she was good!
Wherever the Great Demon went, be they Elves or humans, all mortals bowed their heads in submission, prostrating themselves at the feet of this Celestial God’s Shadow who was closest to Emperor Qianlu. There were differences among Demons, after all, and Anise was clearly the Demon most easily accepted by mortals—especially after the Master of Greedy Banquet had brazenly revealed the truth.
’The Divine Ancestor’s daughter? Isn’t she the Divine Ancestor’s legitimate heir? How could the mere King of Wind Law from the Mortal World possibly compare?’
’What? The Celestial God’s Shadow is the Divine Ancestor’s filth, his antithesis? I’m not listening, I’m not listening, I’m not listening!’
Besides, there was nothing wrong with Anise’s rule. Every Demon would manifest their own extreme desires upon their domain. Compared to Heaven-Defying proclivities like impalement, immolation, slaughter, or consumption... Anise’s preferences could be said to be completely harmless, utterly normal.
"Ha. Praise me more. I like it."
Anise clasped her hands behind her back, smiling with her eyes closed.
Then, she continued forward with light, almost dance-like steps. The wide cuffs of her sleeves and the hem of her dress swayed in the wind.
"Keep up the good work. Those old friends on the border probably won’t be making a move for a long time. For now, let’s drink and make merry at the banquet. I also need to wait for some guests to arrive... if they actually decide to come."
"Well, it doesn’t matter if they don’t show up. Let us indulge in this bliss! Everyone, relax your bodies and minds. My grand banquet welcomes any friend willing to join. Within my domain, no one can forbid any living being from enjoying themselves and drinking their fill!"
Anise arrived at the court of Serralis. Between the beautiful gardens and exquisite halls, countless attendants had already finished laying out the decorations. In a golden great hall, so luxurious it seemed like a fairytale Illusion Realm, mortals from all over Serralis had already gathered.
Among them were former Elf Nobility, guards and maids, as well as artisans, farmers, and Scholars who could never have dreamed of setting foot here in their entire lives. There were even prisoners and Foreigners.
People from all walks of life were gathered together.
But at this moment, they were all equals. They all shared a single identity.
Followers of Anise. Her believers. Her retainers.
"Lady Anise!"
"My Master!"
"Your Excellency!"
Seeing the maiden with long, silver-purple hair ascend to the dais on the second floor, the crowd erupted in fanatical cheers.
Anise looked down at the crowd below, raised the tall glass of crimson wine in her hand, and said with a smile:
"My loyal servants! I’ve kept you waiting. We spent far too long preparing this banquet, but fortunately, it was all worth it. Let us enjoy this moment! Let the music play, let us drink, let us dance!"
"This is the grace I bestow upon all beings of the Mortal World! Show me your joy!"
As the Demon Maiden’s voice fell, she took the lead and drained her glass of red wine in a single gulp. The crimson liquid spilled from the corner of her mouth, trickling down her fair neck.
"Praise be to our master!"
Amidst a chorus of praise, the orchestra struck up a beautiful and passionate melody. The thousand people in the golden hall began to drink deeply and invite partners to dance.
The banquet, wrapped in fine delicacies, intoxicating fragrances, and gentle songs, exuded an air of extreme extravagance and ostentation from the inside out.
Such garish splendor was precisely what the Master of Greedy Banquet cherished most.
Wandering through the court filled with melodious music, Anise began a twirling solo dance. She was completely intoxicated by the banquet’s atmosphere, her hands moving rhythmically like a conductor leading a symphony, as if the entire banquet were her orchestra.
And in fact, it was true. The Demon Maiden went outside the great hall and stood on the edge of the High Court. From there, she could see the entire City in the Lake, covered by magnificent palaces and the Maple Forest, all immersed in celebration. Anise’s grand banquet was not limited to just one palace; with the resources of the City in the Lake, it was not difficult to hold a free, city-wide feast, and these feasts had to be held often.
Anise closed her eyes and stepped one foot over the edge, feeling the joy of the people from the highest point in the city. She felt an immense sense of nostalgia.
As an Enchanter, her very survival depended on drawing sustenance and power from the joy of living beings.
Just then, an attendant hurried up behind the Master of Greedy Banquet and reported:
"My Master, we’ve received a report. There’s a group claiming to be your guests..."
"Ah, I know. I have already heard them..."
Anise interrupted, slowly opening her eyes. Her pink irises radiated an eternal, unfading, and captivating light.
"Bring our friends in. Even if they are not my retainers, as long as they come with the friendly intention of joining our gathering, I don’t mind sharing my joy and blessings with them."
