Chapter 760: What a Small Circle

*I thought she would contemptuously say that she doesn't like immature

and incapable men, hinting that she isn't impressed with ordinary

people. Who knew she can't even be bothered to answer this question...

Heh, this sense of superiority will easily lead to a loss of control for

subsequent advancements...* Klein couldn't help but lampoon

inwardly.

From what he knew, Beyonders were only humans who had additional powers.

It was equivalent to having plenty of money or status. In fact, they

were still considered human and had no way of escaping human society.

Only by reaching Sequence 4 would one experience a qualitative change.

*Furthermore, most demigods continue being active in human society. Even

the Sequence 1 Snake of Fate Will Auceptin is being an obedient unborn

fetus... Perhaps only at the level of Blasphemer Amon and the others

will they be able to view the real world as a "god"...* Klein's

mind whirred as he said, "I'm sorry. I was once a merchant who often

spent time in the Northern Continent and Southern Continent, and I have

had little experience with a ball. Heh heh, I mean, this type of ball."

"It's fine," Hazel replied calmly as though she didn't care about the

topic he had just raised.

If it were anyone else, they would've been at a loss for a conversation

with this arrogant lady. All they could do was focus on the dance, but

Klein was considered quite a knowledgeable and experienced person at

this point. He knew quite a bit of the different Beyonders in the

mysterious world, so with his apology, he said with a smile, "This is a

challenge that isn't simpler than the sea. It similarly has beautiful

scenery but hides countless difficulties. Of course, the sea also has

stories of all kinds of treasures. Some of them are clearly fake, but

others sound rather realistic but are impossible to verify. It's just

like Death's Key that's ranked first amongst them."

"Death's Key?" Hazel looked up at Mr. Dwayne Dantès who was a lot taller

than her.

*Indeed, a Beyonder with a strong sense of superiority would often have

their interest piqued when it's something that involves

mystery...* Klein chuckled inwardly and he nodded gently.

"Yes, it's rumored to be hidden somewhere in the Berserk Sea..."

He used the legends he had heard back when he was aboard the White

Agate, as he added more of the details he had heard during his career as

an adventurer.

During this process, he couldn't avoid mentioning the Four Kings and the

Seven Pirate Admirals.

Hazel was clearly interested in these as she responded to Klein in a

rare instance. She would even occasionally ask other questions, making

the dance between them less awkward. Without realizing it, their dance

came to an end.

Klein skillfully ended the topic and switched to asking, "Do you plan on

returning to where you were, or do you plan on heading over to get some

food?"

After a dance, the gentleman had to abide by the lady's wishes and send

her to where she wished to go. It didn't have to be where she originally

stood.

Hazel opened her mouth as though she wished to ask further, but she

ultimately didn't speak further. She nodded her head in a reserved

manner, "Where I was."

*Hehe, she clearly misses the stories at sea... She's just a big brat.

As long as you grasp her temper and find what interests her, she's

actually not difficult to interact with...* Klein held back his

smile as he sent Hazel back to the periphery of the dance floor where

she previously stood.

As for him, he acted casual as he walked to the long table that had all

kinds of food placed on it. He picked up a plate and began to scoop a

serving of pan-friend Dragon-Bone Fish, and he matched it with some

sliced black pepper steak.

*Compared to the dance and entertaining others, food is the true essence

of a gathering...* As Klein thought, he worked hard at trying to

make his appearance while eating appear elegant enough.

At this moment, he saw Ma'am Mary walk over and fork a piece of foie

gras soaked in red wine onto her plate.

When Klein saw her glance at him, he politely smiled with a nod as a

response.

"How may I address you? I haven't met you before at the balls and

banquets hosted by Member of Parliament Macht." Perhaps it was because

of Dwayne Dantès's gray sideburns and deep blue eyes that were very

charming, the ordinary-looking Ma'am Mary with slightly high cheekbones

took the initiative to ask.

Klein laughed and replied, "I'm a merchant who just returned from Desi

Bay, Dwayne Dantès. I live on this street.

"Ma'am, do I have the honor of knowing your name?"

Mary nodded in thought, and she roughly understood this man to be a

merchant who was trying hard to enter high society, just like she was

previously.

She said with a smile, "Mary Schott, Coim Company's executive director."

She didn't mention that she was the biggest shareholder of the Coim

Company, or mention that she was a member of the National Atmospheric

Pollution Council. This was a Loen-styled euphemism.

*Mary Schott. She has taken up her original last name? Right, she has

already divorced...* Klein silently thought to himself and said

with a smile, "I know of this company. Its main business is in

anthracite and high-quality coal. It has expanded rapidly in the past

few months. Heh heh, to be frank, I have the intention of investing in

it, but I don't seem capable of competing with the rest."

After the atmospheric bills were passed, there was a drastic increase in

the demand of anthracite and high-quality coal. Coim Company managed to

develop itself in ways that exceeded its past efforts. Its overall

valuation had already exceeded 250,000 pounds. Klein wasn't shooting his

mouth when talking about investing, but that he believed that this

industry would become even more important in the coming years until

humanity found a resource to replace it.

Mary had always been very proud of the National Atmospheric Pollution

report she pushed for, as well as the development of the Coim Company,

so she couldn't help but smile when she heard that.

"This is because people are beginning to pay attention to the

environment that they are living in."

Having said that, she gently sighed and said, "As it gets better,

trouble also increases as a result."

Having "just" acquainted himself, Klein didn't ask about the trouble.

With his prior acquaintance with Ma'am Mary, he easily found a topic of

interest and had a good conversation with her.

*Heh heh, her attitude towards Sherlock Moriarty and Dwayne Dantès is

very different... Despite being someone she knows, just a change in

looks and identity will be given a brand new form of treatment without

any problems arising. This feeling is truly magical...* As they

chatted, Klein felt wistful as he felt that the additional Faceless

potion he had consumed was quickly digesting.

After a few minutes, a handsome man with bright blond hair walked over

with a cup of red wine. He smiled at Ma'am Mary and said, "Mary, what

are you talking about?"

"Hibbert, this is Mr. Dwayne Dantès from Desi. His experiences at sea

and West Balam are truly interesting," Mary immediately introduced the

two. "Dwayne, this is Mr. Hibbert Hall, the eldest son of the Earl of

East Chester. Heh heh, we should be calling him Lord, but he prefers

people to address him as Mr. Chief Secretary. He's the chief secretary

of the National Atmospheric Pollution Council."

*I've heard you mention him before. Of course, that was when the

identity, Sherlock Moriarty, was still active... The Earl of East

Chester is a major noble in the nation. He's considered the top brass

when it comes to high society...* Klein politely bowed without

appearing overly low.

"Please permit me to convey my thanks as an ordinary citizen. The work

of the National Atmospheric Pollution Council has allowed us to live in

better living environments."

Hibbert Hall was rather pleased with such sincere gratitude, so he

smiled in reply.

"This is all thanks to the hard work all of us have put in."

By the side, Mary said with a smile, "Dwayne, don't mention such matters

again. You will make Hibbert arrogant. No, I was just joking. He's more

humble than all the noble children I know. He should be having a

vacation in the East Chester County's fief at this time and spending his

time hunting with his friends, but he immediately returned after I sent

him a telegram informing him that I was invited to this ball by Member

of Parliament Macht."

"It's not only for this ball. There are many things that require my

attention. My father, Earl Hall, would also frequently commute between

Backlund and our fief before June," Hibbert seriously explained.

A gentleman who places great importance on his social image...

Klein made a preliminary judgment.

When Mary heard that, she asked in passing, "Is there anything still

keeping you back? When are you leaving Backlund?"

"Most of my work has already been completed. There's only one matter

left. Heh heh, my sister, Audrey, is very interested in the Backlund

Bike Company's 10% shares. She hired a specialized team to help her in

the negotiations, and I'm responsible for overseeing the matter,"

Hibbert said without much thought.

*Backlund Bike Company's 10% shares? What a coincidence... I have to say

that the circle of high-society is quite small after all...*

Klein sighed inwardly as he deliberately mentioned, "I also found a team

to attempt to purchase the 10% shares, but I only managed to offer up to

9,000 pounds. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to compete with the other

competitors and could only give up."

Hibbert glanced at him with a look of surprise.

"You have good taste."

He didn't mention how much his side's bid was, to prevent his competitor

from participating again.

9,000 pounds... Mary silently muttered, realizing she had

underestimated Dwayne Dantès's wealth.

At this moment, the music for the third dance sounded. Hibbert Hall

turned to Mary and said, "May I have the pleasure of a dance with you?"

"That's what I've been waiting for." Mary immediately extended her hand.

This made Klein unable to exchange name cards with them; however, he

wasn't in a rush, because it was still some time before the ball ended.

After getting another plate of food, he enjoyed it while looking at the

dance floor, admiring the madams' and ladies' dancing.

During this process, he noticed that Member of Parliament Macht and

Ma'am Riana were mingling with different guests from time to time,

having happy conversations with them and even dancing with them.

*According to Walter, after confirming the guest list, the hosts need to

seriously conclude every guest's preference and background, so as to

tailor a different topic of conversation or jokes for them. This is to

make everyone feel as though they are being treated uniquely...

Socializing in high society sure is troublesome... Heh heh, this might

be why Loenese gentlemen tend to have receding hairlines...*

Klein lampooned as he sighed in reflection.

He retracted his gaze and looked at his cleared plate. He seriously

considered if he should invite another lady or madam to a dance, or if

he should eat a little more.

At this moment, he caught Hazel Macht's figure through the corner of his

eye. She was heading for the third story with hurried footsteps.