Instigator and Protector of Violence-Chapter 342: Intertwined Stage

The rain continued to fall incessantly.

Eight o’clock in the evening.

Finally, at this point, the rain was just right for Jessie.

Such rain befits such a night.

Meanwhile, in the large manor house of the Eriman Clan, the party music was at its most intense.

In the brightly lit ballroom, noble men and women were dancing vigorously.

On a rainy night, swaying to cheerful music, holding fine wine in hand, with handsome men and beautiful women before them, they could indulge in dreams of the wondrous possibilities to come.

That’s what a summer night in the Royal Capital should rightfully be.

"Get away!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Just when everyone was immersed in joy, a shrill scream shattered the merriment.

A girl of radiant beauty was seen lifting her skirt, glaring in terror and anger, shouting at another person.

Everyone recognized the girl; she was Wendy from the Flam family, the darling of the noble circle, admired for her beauty and upbringing, and from a prominent family.

Many young men were enamored with her.

So as soon as she screamed, several people rushed over.

"Wendy, Wendy, are you alright?"

Everyone seemed anxious.

Upon hearing their voices, Wendy immediately burst into tears.

While crying, she fiercely glared across from her.

Across from her stood a middle-aged man with drunken eyes.

If you only judged by his appearance, you would think he’s incredibly handsome, with an air of nobility.

But if you knew his name, you wouldn’t think so at all.

He was Count Jiakade.

"He... he just tried to drag me into a room!"

"Damn it."

"That bastard!"

The young men were filled with righteous indignation.

Some were already stepping forward, ready to act.

Count Jiakade’s name was only good for scaring commoners; everyone knew his family was on a complete decline.

And yet, he dared to pull such a stunt in such a setting.

But it was actually Jesse who shouldn’t have invited him.

However, no one dared to mention this due to the Eriman Clan’s immense influence.

So, they could only vent their anger on Count Jiakade.

"Flynn, get out before I break your legs, you’re not welcome here!"

"Oh? Young man, whose family are you from, daring to speak to me like this? Do you know my name?"

Count Jiakade seemed even drunker, blearily glaring at the man who challenged him, shouting back.

"Your name? Aren’t you just the most hopeless playboy in the Royal Capital?"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

It seemed Count Jiakade could not maintain his composure. He clumsily drew a silver rapier from his waist, and began to shout provocatively.

"A playboy, am I? Really? Then come and taste this, come on!"

He brandished the rapier with drunken bravado, appearing quite helpless and vulnerable.

This scene was also noticed by the evening’s host, Jessie, along with Jonas.

They didn’t intervene, simply raising their glasses as if watching a farcical performance.

"Not going to stop him?"

Seeing several young men genuinely tempted to test Jiakade’s rapier, Jonas finally spoke.

He was the more experienced one, knowing that although Count Jiakade had a terrible reputation and was a mess in most things, he did have some genuine skills; after all, his family was once renowned for their martial achievements.

If he actually injured a few people, it would be troublesome.

"Do you think this guy might be an assassin in disguise?"

Jessie suddenly posed a very odd question.

"Him?"

Jonas was puzzled, then shook his head.

"No way, this guy looks nothing like Johnny Blackbird."

"Yeah, I just suddenly thought that sneaking in like this would be interesting, but... never mind."

Jessie also laughed, seemingly amused by his own idea.

Indeed, he still couldn’t adapt to life in the Royal Capital, lacking passion and imagination.

It was much better in Kasmo because every day was filled with surprises and unexpected events.

Like there was one time he disguised himself as a slave, silently infiltrating an enemy’s gathering, then, after everyone got drunk, he killed his enemy.

He remembered his enemy drunkenly yelling at him, "Hey, are you that damned brat? Are you? Hahaha, come kill me then!"

Jessie fulfilled his wish.

But thinking about it, Johnny Blackbird probably didn’t have that kind of imagination.

"Escort him to a guest room to rest; he is a noble, after all."

Ultimately, Jessie didn’t have Count Jiakade thrown out, merely had the servants restrain his drunken antics and take him to a guest room.

The party could finally continue smoothly.

Just then, a servant hurried over to Jessie, whispering something to him.

Jessie nodded upon hearing it, saying nothing more.

After the servant left, Jonas at the side asked, "Something happened?"

"I suppose so."

Yet, Jessie’s expression remained relaxed.

"That guy didn’t come here, went to my brother’s place instead..."

"Your brother..."

"Naturally, nothing happened to my brother, of course, it’s my brother."

As a matter of fact, a bullet from out of nowhere almost hit his brother in the face.

Fortunately, his brother had plenty of skilled guards, and was fine.

But they didn’t capture Johnny Blackbird.

"What a pity."

Jessie shook his head.

"Let’s end the party here."

He no longer wanted to play this game; the game was over.

Because the real guest they were expecting would not be coming.

Although tomorrow’s newspaper could have a field day mocking Johnny Blackbird.

He finally missed his mark.

"No, it can’t end yet. I think, let’s keep it going until dawn, shall we?"

Jonas, however, opposed the idea.

"Oh?"

Jessie felt puzzled, then realized Jonas’ intention.

"You’re worried that guy might be pretending? His real target might still be us?"

"That’s one crafty bird."

"Makes sense. So, let the party continue then. Come, let’s find a girl to dance with. Otherwise, this night will be quite dull."

The singing and dancing continued, and the rain still poured.

The night’s revelry endured.

On stage, the play had only reached the second act.

Only those who thought themselves the protagonists would never imagine that their roles weren’t as significant in tonight’s show.

Nine o’clock.

The rain continued washing over the night of the South District, blood, and gunpowder smoke.

While the film crew remained engrossed in shooting the rain-soaked alley gunfight scene.

A man in an obsidian bird-beak mask slowly stepped onto this stage that was never meant for him.

The blackbird spread its wings.