Progenitor Vampire: I Have Many Skills!-Chapter 684: Dance Ceremony, a place to show off (1)

"Sigh." Matthew sighed visibly. "I was suspecting that the people invited by these large organizations had something to fulfill or do. It seems my suspicions are real."

"Haha." The owner laughed with some embarrassment. "It’s nothing that will affect your image, young sir. There will be a dance ceremony tonight among the sponsors, and several of them will bring their sponsored guests."

"A dance ceremony? They didn’t mention that before," Matthew said, confused.

"That’s because the sponsors and city leaders organize it; they really don’t want to bother the participants. But in recent times, it has been used for the sponsors to show off their power by bringing those they have sponsored in the tournament."

"A way to show off, or is it for something else?"

"Right now, that’s what it’s for, but initially, sponsored participants were brought in to show off the sponsors’ good judgment. This could have a big impact on those who have managed to invite the top-ranked players."

"I see." Matthew nodded. "And this year, your competitor seems to have invited one of those top-ranked players, right?"

The owner smiled sheepishly when the reason he had come here was revealed.

"I am currently the leading hotelier in White Edge City; they call me Mr. Lennon. But there is also a competitor out there, and I recently heard that he invited someone powerful. He is one of the main sponsors tonight."

Matthew nodded.

’A ceremony... Honestly, it’s tedious,’ he thought.

He hadn’t participated in many ceremonies since he came into this world, precisely because it annoyed him. He was often invited, but he didn’t like seeing the hypocritical faces of a bunch of self-serving people.

He understood that position and power naturally attracted powerful masses, but he had once been betrayed by those who were naturally drawn to his power, which had made him stop caring about establishing relationships of interest like that.

He didn’t need them. He was enough on his own, with his people.

’Should I make an exception this time?’ he thought.

"Young sir, you don’t have to force yourself if you don’t want to go. It’s not necessary to participate, but if you can and have time, I hope you’ll consider it. My competitor has been in the market much longer than I have, with a well-established family that helps him maintain good relationships with local clans and politicians, giving him a big advantage over me. I’d like to be able to beat him in this regard," said the owner.

Matthew stared at him, which made him smile, a little embarrassed. Somehow, he understood what Matthew meant by his stare.

"If you agree to go with me, you would essentially be telling the other sponsors that you have accepted my sponsorship and that you are supporting me. You may not understand the importance of this martial arts tournament to us, but as the most historic in the world, it has a huge impact on merchants like me," he replied.

"I see. Do you receive foreign investment, depending on how things turn out in the tournament?" Matthew asked.

"In a nutshell, yes. When Liam Wagner won the tournament several times in a row, foreign investment increased dramatically, as it raised our prestige as a city. We even received investment from the Wagners at that time, and I benefited greatly from it," he replied.

All that money can be used later to promote the city, attracting tourists who want to hear the stories of those heroes firsthand or follow in their footsteps... This world is full of superstitious people; it’s a recurring theme.

"All right, Mr. Lennon. I’ll go with you," Matthew replied after a moment’s consideration. Since they were helping him these days and charging him very little for the good service he was receiving, he should return the favor.

Mr. Lennon’s eyes lit up. "Haha, very good, young sir!" He was immediately delighted.

"What time is it?"

"In one hour, young sir. It’s a two-hour ceremony, so it won’t affect your sleep," Lennon assured him.

"Okay, I’ll see you here in an hour then." Matthew got up after saying that and went up to his room.

Mr. Lennon also went to get ready.

After an hour, Matthew realized he didn’t have any clothes to wear to such events. Well, he did, but they were all the ones he had worn as Matthew Dietrich or very similar to those. He didn’t prepare any low-quality clothes to attend such events as a traveler, as his plan was only to travel and strengthen his body.

’Well, I guess something casual will do,’ he thought. ’I don’t have time to go shopping anymore.’

He put on loose-fitting black pants, a white shirt, and a black vest over the top. Although these clothes were loose-fitting and designed not to attract attention, his muscles were now large and well-defined, so they fit him more tightly than usual.

Covering his real face was an ultra-realistic mask, the same color as his natural skin, which covered his entire face very well.

He went downstairs when he finished getting ready, which had taken him five minutes, and met Mr. Lennon at the entrance.

"Are you going like that, young sir?" Lennon asked, perplexed.

Matthew didn’t need to look at himself to know why he was asking. These clothes were very casual, not formal wear. But there was nothing he could do. He hadn’t gone shopping.

"They’re nice clothes, don’t you think?" Matthew joked.

Mr. Lennon almost choked. He looked like any other young man you might see on the street a thousand times when you go shopping. It was the most... ordinary outfit he had ever seen.

’The young master either has bad taste in fashion or doesn’t want to attract attention. Although that will attract more attention than if he wore noble clothing, but...’ Lennon couldn’t help but smile.

"I guess so. It looks good," he replied and made way for him to his personal carriage.

It was a black-and-red carriage with his company’s slogan printed on the sides. Four high-quality horses pulled it, while two people drove it.

Inside, it was much more comfortable than Matthew had imagined. When the carriage started moving, the galloping of the horses and the constant bumping over uneven roads did not bother them at all. It was completely silent and comfortable, like a luxury car.