Chapter 364: Celebration...Or Not

Just like many people's predictions, there was no one who attacked them during the purification. And Jonathan finally removed the soil from the lake, allowing the lake to become one again.

After that, he tested them one last time to make sure they didn't leave any poison behind.

As soon as they had completed the work, they immediately wrapped up and returned to the city to bring the joyous news.

"There was no ambush...I guess we'll hear a lot of things from Captain Clara after this." Stella scratched the back of her head, thinking how awful it would be when their captain finally regrouped with them.

Paul nodded. "Either way, it's good that no one is hurt. That's the most important. All kinds of punishment and lectures are better than having one of you crippled or dead. So, that's all I care."

The group nodded their heads in agreement.

Unbeknownst to them, Noel had known another secret, which the Water Lord whispered to him a few days ago. He was still pondering about it since it was a crucial factor in their plan.

At the same time, he couldn't say anything about this to this squad. At the very least, it was better if they didn't suspect anything to make it even more believable.

'Still, to think the Valley Master asked me like that... Even now, I still couldn't understand the depth of the Valley Master. His ability is way beyond me, considering he can make a plan of that level.

'Now that I think about it, it seems that my plan has been a little too straightforward. All I do is use my abilities to overcome any challenge. I have never tried to lower the enemy's guard, pull them in, and execute them.

'I should have thought about this already... I should become shrewd. Even my father could manipulate his own execution, so it's clear that if I want to meet my father, I should be as shrewd as him or even more.

'Instead of searching for him, I might be able to trick him into coming out to meet me by himself.'

Noel furrowed his eyebrows, realizing something important. He was a former noble and if all the prestigious noble families saw the current him, he would surely become one of the top candidates for political marriages.

He looked like he was as talented as Anna since he was a Spirit Wielder. He also had the Ardagan Family, the richest family in the kingdom, on his back. And he was a genius who could think of a plan to handle all his problems.

However, the politics were harsher than that. In this political battle, they had to scheme against each other. If they didn't constantly outsmart the others, they would be devoured.

And Noel lacked that shrewdness to outsmart those people. He realized it after meeting the Valley Master.

He clenched his fists and muttered inwardly, "That's right. I'll admit my defeat for today. However, the next time I meet the Valley Master, I'm going to outsmart him."

No one was aware of Noel's thoughts because he maintained his poker face all the time.

As soon as they reached the city, they washed their bodies and wore formal clothes.

"Welcome." The butler smiled, accepting them. "Please follow me. The Valley Master is waiting for you in the dining room."

They nodded and followed the butler to the dining room, finding a long table that could fit a total of twenty people.

When they came in, the Valley Master approached them with a huge smile. "Thank you for helping my city."

"We were just doing our job." Paul humbly nodded.

"Haha, for you it was just a normal job, but for us, it was life-saving. Do you know how much it would affect the city if the problem wasn't fixed within a short period of time? And even if you could drain it, we would have a problem in getting the water."

"If that's the case, you should thank Noel. After all, he's the one doing all the job."

"That's right. I should be thanking him." The Valley Master nodded with a serious expression before moving to Noel. "Thank you very much, Young Man. If not for you coming to this city, there would be many problems coming."

"No, no. I just happen to have this ability, so I believe I should use it properly."

"Haha, you're very humble. Even I, who was known as the Water Lord, didn't have the purification ability. It was truly a good ability, you know." The Valley Master patted his shoulder before gently dragging him. "Let's go. Sit next to me. I'd like to personally thank you again."

Noel made a weird smile because he was forced to sit next to the Valley Master. And Paul was in the same position as him, just in the opposite direction.

It was clear that the biggest contribution to this mission was Noel.

"Haha, please serve the meal." The Valley Master smiled, asking the butler and the maid to bring out their food.

One by one, the table was filled with food. Last but not least, they poured out wine to drink.

"This is my wine collection, a thirty years old wine called Regel D. Blue. Try it." The Valley Master smiled while holding his cup, slightly spinning the glasses. He moved his nose next to the glasses, smelling the sweet aroma.

*Cough!*

The Valley Master coughed twice after smelling it as if it was a bit too strong. "Excuse me. Haha, as expected, the aroma is quite good."

Noel looked at his own glass with a troubled expression.

"What's wrong, Young Man?"

"Actually, I don't like to get drunk." Noel smiled awkwardly. "It's not because I don't have resistance, but because of my oath."

"I see. That's easy." The Valley Master raised his hand and the wine from Noel's glass suddenly floated in the air and spun a few times before falling back into his glass.

Everyone was staring at the wine, thinking it was a performance.

"I have evaporated the alcohol content. You shouldn't get drunk because of it... In fact, it'll taste like grape juice."

"Haha." Noel felt a bit embarrassed but nodded. "Thank you."

"And now... cheers." The Valley Master raised his glass.

The rest also did the same. "Cheers."

They drank the sweet wine with a smile on their face. Unfortunately for them, their smiles would soon disappear when the Valley Master suddenly coughed abruptly while pressing his chest.

"Gah... Gah..." The Valley Master gritted his teeth while grasping his heart. "This is..."

Before he could say anything, the Valley Master fell to the ground, unconscious.