Chapter 203: The Invitation Of Royalty
"What... just happened out there?" Violet finally asked, her voice hushed but edged with tension. "That demon—it didn’t even seem interested in fighting us, it just... stopped."
Eros halted mid-step. For a brief moment, he said nothing. Then, in one slow motion, he reached up and removed his mask.
The soft light revealed a face that neither Violet nor Alexis expected. Eros looked like a man in his prime forties, with low-shaved beards that traced his strong jawline. His hair was streaked faintly with silver, and his eyes—those piercing, unwavering eyes—glimmered with calm intelligence and something dangerous underneath.
Alexis felt her heartbeat stumble, a faint warmth blooming across her cheeks before she caught herself. Violet noticed it and scowled, stepping forward as if to cover it.
"So what," she said sharply. "You’re a bit good-looking. Tell me, what just happened out there with the demon?"
Eros’s gaze shifted to her, cool and unreadable. "We have been invited."
Then his eyes turned toward a corridor to their right. "Or is that not so?"
A deep, cultured voice answered from the shadows. "Very peculiar observation skills, Baron Eros."
’Baron?’ Both Alexis and Violet thought to themselves.
As heirs to Grand dukes, a Baron was far below their station. In fact, such a person was one that did not deserve to ever set eyes on them. At least, that was the way it was supposed to be.
From the corridor emerged a tall man dressed in a refined butler’s uniform, his posture impeccable, a single monocle glinting under the chandelier’s glow. Though his face was composed and his aura calm, there was something profoundly wrong about him—something too perfect, too deliberate.
"You were able to sense my presence," he said with mild amusement. "Hmm... my master’s praise of you was not without leverage. I am known as Butler Pa. Please, this way. My master is waiting for you."
But before anyone could move, Violet unsheathed her blade, pointing it at him. "Wait. All of you. Which master? What is going on here? Neither I nor Alexis will take a single step until I know what’s happening."
She pushed Alexis slightly behind her, ready to fight—
—but then, in an instant, Butler Pa turned— releasing a fraction of his aura.
The air shattered.
A crushing, invisible weight descended upon them like the wrath of a god. Violet gasped as every bone and muscle in her body screamed. Her sword trembled, then clanged helplessly to the ground as her knees buckled. It was like death itself was staring her in the eyes.
And then—
The pressure vanished.
Eros stood before her, an unseen force radiating from him that cracked through the butler’s aura like thunder. "Is that how your master treats his guests?" His voice was low but sharp, carrying enough presence to silence even the oppressive walls around them.
*Alpha’s Presence*
A moment of stillness. Then Butler Pa bowed deeply. "My apologies. I may have... overstepped."
Eros extended a hand toward Violet, but she slapped it aside and rose on her own, breathing hard. "I’m not going to thank you," she muttered.
He didn’t reply.
They followed the butler through another long hall until they entered a vast chamber. At its center stood a round table of obsidian and white jade. Seated there were a few familiar figures—Sir William, Monk Jan, Lady Christiana—and one other person neither Violet nor Alexis recognized.
But Eros did. Even without her mask, her form, imprintable body shape, and the way she sat with effortless authority gave her away immediately. The woman from the Grand Order Eros had faced before. The one known only as Viscount.
After their skirmish in the last time. She had been pursued by the royal guards and found herself escaping to the snake forest.
At the end of the day, she made it into the dungeon when it first opened.
While others died in the dungeon, the didn’t. Why was that?
One look at her and it was clear that she had been living in this castle all this time.
Eros knew what this meant. Just as he suspected, this gathering, was no mere coincidence.
This was the reason that he was able to just walk up to the demon and touch it.
For others, it was trouble. But the demon was most likely already given instructions to allow Eros, Alexis and Violet into the castle.
Why?
Because this entire dungeon raid was in fact not a raid, but rather, an invitation.
This much was clear. Eros was sure that the demon must have made things easy for the others to enter too.
Eros smirked and gave Viscount a subtle knowing wink. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
But before she could say a word—
Monk Jan spoke up, "it would seem like the Baron from the Viscount’s party made it. Amithaba" even though he said those words, he still gave Eros a venomous look.
Eros knew why. Back then in the party, Dan, his grandson, had greatly embarrassed this son of an earl.
Back then, Eros thought that he was just a monk with a bit of daddy issues.
Right now, Eros could tell that it was a part of his strength.
This Monk Jan was no ordinary person. He made a mental note to watch out for him.
Meanwhile, Sir William still gave me a cultured bow of the head.
There was something about this man that Eros naturally agreed with.
At such a time, it happened.
A smooth voice descended from above.
"Finally," it said, echoing across the hall from a balcony high above. "All the representatives have appeared. The Grand Duke families, the Monastery, the Grand Order, and of course... the Snake Forest. Welcome."
Sir William’s brows furrowed. "And who are you?"
The figure stepped into the light—young, regal, and draped in royal silks of deep crimson and silver.
"Oh," the man said with a faint smile. "I haven’t introduced myself. I am the Third Prince of the Almace kingdom... and the master of this dungeon."