vrcanaries Chapter 112 Infiltrating the Banquet
Chapter 112 Infiltrating the Banquet
A large group of staff members had gathered in the luxurious hall where the Blake family banquet was about to be held.
The hall was filled with the sounds of conversation and tense whispers. They were about to be checked and assigned tasks for this grand event.
The chief butler stood at the front of the crowd, a burly man exuding an aura of authority. His monocle gleamed, and a white mustache drooped from the corner of his mouth. His eyes, cold and arrogant, surveyed the assembled crowd.
Although everyone here was carefully selected from well-known institutions in the industry, he was still incredibly proud to be the butler of one of the world's most powerful families.
"Cough cough!"
He cleared his throat, and the noise gradually subsided.
“Listen up, everyone,” the head butler began, his voice firm and authoritative. “This is an important occasion for the Black family, and your conduct must be impeccable. Any lapses in service or etiquette will not be tolerated.”
His words sounded mild, but his gaze and the expressions of the guards around him clearly indicated the consequences. The phrase "not tolerable" meant the end of someone's life.
“This is so nerve-wracking,” one staff member whispered to a colleague. “I hope I don’t mess this up.”
“Me too,” the colleague replied, nervously fiddling with the hem of her apron. “I’ve heard the Black family is particularly ruthless about any mistake.”
Amidst the whispers, the butler sternly surveyed the gathered staff, emphasizing the seriousness of his words. "First, we will inspect the spatial storage artifacts. Hand over any such items immediately for inspection. Any unauthorized items discovered will be dealt with according to the law."
Although spatial storage artifacts are somewhat expensive, the staff here can afford even the lowest-level similar items, as their convenience makes them worth the price. However, even the smallest storage device may contain dangerous tools, something the powerful must always guard against.
The staff exchanged tense glances and began to remove their spatial storage artifacts, placing them on the designated inspection table.
Nearby, another staff member nervously stared at the inspection table. "Hopefully they won't find anything wrong with my spatial storage artifact."
“They are very strict about these things,” another staff member replied, his face showing concern.
As the staff lined up and their spatial storage artifacts were inspected one by one, the chief butler's gaze never left them.
“After the inspection, you will be assigned your respective tasks. Your main responsibilities are serving, guiding guests, and maintaining order on site. Make sure you perform these tasks at your best,” the head butler continued.
As the inspection proceeded, the staff awaited their task assignments, a tense atmosphere filling the hall. This moment could change their lives, and it was something they didn't want to mess up.
After all, whenever there are so many people gathered, there will always be some who stand out.
Beside the inspection table, a stern-faced inspector was carefully examining the magical artifacts. "You, is this all you have?" His gaze fell on a young man with no obvious distinguishing features.
He had black hair and brown eyes, and a slightly thin build. His clothes were clean and tidy, ironed to perfection, with nothing to criticize.
The young man hesitated for a moment, then nodded nervously. "Yes...yes, sir. There's only one small magical artifact for carrying items."
The inspector was a seasoned veteran of these kinds of cases; he knew many self-proclaimed clever individuals would bring their own spatial artifacts to steal from the banquet hall. After all, even the smallest decoration could fetch a good price there.
The inspector seemed unconvinced. He narrowed his eyes, his suspicion deepening. "Your ID card."
The young man hurriedly pulled his ID card from his pocket and handed it over. The inspector examined it carefully, then looked up at the nervous young man.
“Leonard Blackwood…waiter. Hmm,” the inspector said in a low voice, looking at Leonard suspiciously. “Don’t think you can steal just because you’re a waiter.”
It wasn't that the inspector was biased against the young man. He was actually using Leonard to set an example for everyone present and to demonstrate his authority to everyone in the room.
The monocle in his left eye was a magical artifact, analyzing the young man's facial features and displaying his name. It checked whether the man's identity matched the information in the database.
'match.'
Although he has confirmed the young man's information, he still needs to continue his performance.
He seemed unconvinced and gestured to the guards beside him. "Search him thoroughly. We can't afford any theft at this banquet."
Two guards approached Leonard and began a thorough search. They held a small magical artifact in their hands and used it to scan Leonard's entire body.
Ding!
"There's nothing there, sir."
The guard looked at the small, stick-like magical artifact in his hand and spoke. For some reason, the inspector's gaze lingered on the bracelet on his wrist.
What is this bracelet?
Since bracelets are usually a type of spatial artifact, this is a normal question. But he sensed that this bracelet was not ordinary; its black appearance and silver embellishments gave it a unique look.
"Ah... this... it's nothing, just a family heirloom," the young man replied, his voice trailing off at the end. He seemed nostalgic, a slight smile playing on his lips.
A flicker of sympathy crossed the inspector's eyes when the family heirloom was mentioned. Sometimes, even the strongest people have a soft side when it comes to family. "The family heirloom?" he asked, his tone less stern.
Leonard nodded, his gaze falling on the bracelet. "Yes, sir. This was given to me by my mother before she... passed away." His voice trembled slightly, and a trace of sadness filled his eyes.
The guards sensed the weight of this emotion, exchanged glances, and then looked at the inspector. They all knew that sometimes these searches could become very private and sensitive.
'What a bright and cheerful young man!'
He thought of his younger self and recalled how he felt back then. A pang of sympathy welled up within him. Since the bracelet hadn't triggered any warnings from the search artifact, he knew he didn't need to be overly cautious.
The inspector took a moment to assess the situation. He was strict about security, but also had a compassionate side. “I understand the emotional value of family heirlooms,” he said, softening his tone at the end. “Looks like you’re all right. Get back to work, Mr. Blackwood.”
Leonard visibly relaxed and nodded gratefully. "Thank you, sir. Thank you for your understanding."
As Leonard left, the inspector couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Sometimes, performing security duties means finding a balance between rules and compassion. He continued his inspection, his gaze softening as he understood that even a small object could carry profound emotions.
However, no one noticed the fleeting change in expression on the young man's face as he left.
......
As night fell, the Black family's luxurious banquet hall was brightly lit and filled with an atmosphere of extravagance.
Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting shimmering light that illuminated the entire hall. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and anticipation for this grand event.
The lobby was only filled with busy staff and guests chatting.
Guests began to arrive one after another, dressed in their finest attire.
The head butler, Reginald, stood at the entrance, exuding composure and elegance. He greeted each guest with a warm smile as they approached.
“Good evening, sir/madam,” he would say, extending his hand in a warm welcome. “We are honored to have you here tonight. Your presence adds to the charm of this gathering.”
"Thank you."
May I see your invitation?
Even in the early days of governance, the same process existed. If someone wasn't a well-known figure in high-level social circles, they needed to present an invitation. It was a demonstration of authority and recognition.
“Good evening, Lord Harrington. Your presence makes our banquet even more dignified,” Reginald greeted a distinguished guest and shook his hand.
“Hello, Reginald. It is my pleasure,” Lord Harrington replied gracefully.
People like Lord Harrington were already well-known to the Black family's chief butler, which also reflected the class difference.
Even these small actions are actually conveying messages to onlookers.
In this way, guests were welcomed one by one, either recognized directly or subjected to a polite greeting while undergoing an identity check.
They came from diverse backgrounds, including members of aristocratic families and respected celebrities, and they were all invited to the Black family's banquet.
boom!
Just then, the grand doors of the banquet hall opened, and a group of distinguished figures strode in, drawing everyone's attention...