Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 462 - 424: The Night of Hopelessness

Carnaval, unbridled noise, had become so raucous it neared the brink of a riot. As the sun set, the Night of Frenzy commenced in the Light and Shadow Zone. Crowds surged into the Bloody Rose Bar like marching ant colonies; after stuffing the interior, the revelers began to dance on the streets.

Perched on the second floor of the Bloody Rose Bar, Lyle watched the crowd below that resembled a riot, among which at least thirty percent were Liches. Lyle showed deep concern.

"After they heard about the festival proposed by Beatrice, it was as if they went mad, like a switch controlling their frenzy was flipped. I’m certain this isn’t the mental manipulation of an Evil God, but this kind of revelry is pathological."

Alianna approached Lyle with a glass of wine in her hand.

"When the City of Wandering first began to introduce foreign races, the various city districts weren’t as harmonious as they are now. Thefts and brawls were common, some caused by disputes over interest, others by predispositions and nature. The inevitable chaos threatened the very existence of this open city of wonders. Thus, the Arcanists created a magical artifact, one that could monitor every corner of the city."

"The Arcane Eye."

"With the function of the magic network nodes of the City of Wandering itself, the effect of the Arcane Eye extended throughout the entire city. It’s not just an enhanced surveillance device, but also a suppressor of intrinsic chaos. To put it unpleasantly, it’s an emotional manipulation device. This made the citizens of the City of Wandering subconsciously choose restraint when facing the possibility of physical conflict or brawling, adhering to the order demanded by the Arcanists."

"The suppressive effect of the Rebellion Suppressor wasn’t forceful, and it was minimally effective on inherently chaotic beings like Liches, but crime rates in the City of Wandering did decrease by twenty percent, though that could also be related to the lawsuits filed by the Lich Society."

"The Arcane Eye is also a pager that notifies Arcanists to assemble, receiving the demands of the citizenry and forwarding them to law enforcement."

"But inherent natures should not be suppressed by external forces, especially after discovering that the suppressive effect of the Arcane Eye could lead to mental distortion."

"The release of suppressed chaos is necessary."

"Fortuitously, within the Arcane Eye’s order magic, a crystal of chaos forms each year. The Heart of Condensation has the ability to block the perception and mental interference of the Arcane Eye, giving citizens a chance to vent their emotions for one night." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Hence, the Flying Contest was born. The victor who obtains the Heart of Condensation can turn their area into a lawless zone for the night. None of the laws and rules of the City of Wandering will be enforced; conceptually, this evening, if you were to slaughter everyone before us, it wouldn’t be illegal."

"This is the Night of Chaos, the Night of Freedom, the Night of Darkness."

Noticing Lyle’s grim gaze persist, Alianna sipped from her glass, her tone shifting.

"But that’s all in the far past. The City of Wandering, through prolonged coexistence among the races, has reached a point of mutual acceptance. Inter-racial marriages are common now. The Night of Frenzy isn’t marred by violence anymore, at worst some people just overindulge."

Keeping an eye on the situation below, Lyle accepted the glass marked with Alianna’s lipstick. Demons and humans locked arms and poured drinks for each other, Ghosts and Elves danced together, and Liches amused Kobolds with bones. It was a chaotic yet reassuring scene, but from within the knot of malice in Lyle’s heart, a voice emerged.

"However, the old systems haven’t changed, any dark acts, they’re still permissible tonight, aren’t they?"

The look in Lyle’s eye caused Alianna to pause momentarily. The singer showed a smile, pressed her body against his back, arms sneaking under his pits and crossing over his chest, her lips close to his ear, exhaling the scent of alcohol into his breath. Her palms slid up his arms, guiding the glass towards Lyle’s lips.

"Curiosity isn’t always endearing to ladies, and being detached can cost you many friends and pleasures, Lyle, you should get drunk," Alianna gently patted Lyle’s wrist, an act of primitive comfort, "Lyle, you’re a human, don’t delve too deeply into the darkness, it can make you lose things, things I wouldn’t want you to lose."

Warmth, the heat of the drink as if carrying Alianna’s body warmth, poured down his throat, and a blush climbed onto Lyle’s cheeks. He turned his head and buried his face in Alianna’s black hair.

"I thought you would become my drinking partner."

"We need someone sober to take the lead."

"I’m not certain I’ve done enough research on disguising flesh and blood."

"Andrey’s Blood-Flesh Summoner isn’t just you alone, dear Lyle. This is an attempt."

"An experiment."

"You’re the subject of the experiment."

Alcohol and chaos could forge some beautiful things, but unbridled darkness, too, would burgeon like mold in rotting wood.

Candy was nearly overwhelmed today, with an avalanche of orders emerging ceaselessly, feeling her legs might give way any moment. She yearned for her maturity to come sooner so she could have the ability to fly.

"Still, I’ll get a bit prettier, won’t I? The girlish charm will be stronger." Candy had been mentally prepared for the growth of a Succubus.

"I’m so envious of brother Yino, he looks much more androgynous than I do, both handsome and beautiful. How I wish I could grow up to be like him."

Candy slapped her cheeks, tossing the fatigue from her face.

"Chin up, Candy." Picking up a new glass, Candy moved her legs once more and ran towards the customers outside the bar.

"Brother Yino is sick, you have to hang in there; you gotta be full of energy tonight too!"

Meanwhile, William sat at the bar, watching his industrious little nephew work.

"Does Candy have a heavier workload now?"

"No choice, Yino called in sick, and the other sisters have their own plans tonight, so Candy is all alone." Gulelia stood behind the bar, polishing glasses.

William narrowed his eyes, "You promised me that after the flying competition, we’d have some good times. I don’t think that included bartending at the bar, and remember, you have company," he pointed at himself.

"Of course, dear Mister Mage, that’s under the condition that you win first place and present the Heart of Condensation to me. A Succubus’s work needs compensation, my love. And Candy is already very tired. I’m her sister; I have to look out for her. Fannila is also here, isn’t she? You can talk about something else while I’m working."

When Fannila heard her name, she turned her head, appearing quite reserved, having never been to a late-night party before. She was staring intently at a cocktail burning with blue flames.

"William, aren’t you drinking?" Fannila asked, pointing to the drink Gulelia had placed before him.

"I’m done with alcohol, not drinking it ever again, no one can trick me into it!"

William’s vehement response piqued the Elf’s curiosity, "Why? The cocktails mixed by sister Gulelia taste really good."

William glared fiercely at the female Succubus, "Because once upon a time, when I was drunk, a certain woman swindled me, leaving me with only my underwear; those memories have scarred me emotionally."

Gulelia’s eyebrows twitched, a smirk appeared, and the flame-filled eyes fixed on William.

"Drink up, this time you won’t even keep your underwear."

William looked at those predatory eyes with alarm.

A drink downed in an instant.