"Remember," Lady Allen finally exhorted, "no matter what happens, keep your rationality and judgment; that is your greatest weapon."
After the communication ended, he sat alone in the study, dazing for a long time.
"Indeed, every gift holds its price..."
Perhaps, when Lady Allen taught him "Star Eater’s Ravings," she had already gotten something from Cassandra...
Ron shook his head, unable to stop the chill seeping from his heart, making him unwilling to think further.
......
At seven fifty in the evening, a magnificent floating carriage gently descended before Ron’s residence.
The design of the carriage was extremely exquisite, with the body made of some living metal that changes colors autonomously, its surface flowing like aurora.
The four "steeds" pulling the carriage were not ordinary magical creatures but pure energy-formed shadow horses.
Their hooves never touched the ground, and their entire bodies emitted soft starlight.
The driver was a middle-aged man dressed in formal attire, with his left eye replaced by some glowing crystal, and his right hand completely mechanized.
Upon seeing Ron, he respectfully bowed.
"Wizard Ralph, the Tower Master is waiting for you at the Starlight Courtyard."
Ron nodded in acknowledgment and stepped onto this evidently extraordinary mode of transportation.
The interior space of the carriage was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside, clearly employing space expansion technology.
The seats were made of some living material that automatically adjusted according to the passenger’s physique, offering an unusually comfortable touch.
The most impressive feature was the carriage’s "ceiling," a large transparent crystal through which the stars in the night sky were clearly visible.
But Ron soon discovered that the arrangement of these stars did not match the real sky, instead forming some special geometric pattern.
"This is the ’Star Map Navigation System,’" the driver noticed Ron’s gaze and took the initiative to explain:
"It can show the direction and distance to the destination; it’s one of the technologies the Tower Master brought back from the Otherworld."
The carriage smoothly traversed the Central Lands’ night sky, the city below gleaming like diamonds embedded in black velvet.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Starlight Courtyard, located at the highest point of Sky City.
The opulence of this structure far exceeded Ron’s imagination.
The entire courtyard seemed like a heavenly domain cut from the starry sky, with countless tiny light spots slowly rotating in the air, forming a three-dimensional star map.
The main building was constructed with living starlight crystal.
This material appeared as ordinary semi-transparent crystal during the day, but at night, it emitted a soft silver glow, as if solidifying moonlight into entity.
The building’s exterior blended various civilizations’ architectural styles:
The foundation structure followed traditional wizard tower design, but incorporated numerous Otherworld elements.
The spire’s top housed a slowly rotating energy sphere, exuding star-like brilliance;
The exterior walls were engraved with conquest commemoration inscriptions in various Otherworld texts;
The courtyard was planted with exotic flora from different dimensions, some emitting melodious tunes, while others changed color based on the observer’s emotions.
"Welcome to the Starlight Courtyard."
A gentle voice sounded from behind Ron, turning to see an elderly man in a butler’s uniform.
This butler appeared around sixty, with translucent hands revealing complex energy circuits within.
"I am the butler here, Sebastian. The Tower Master awaits in the dining hall; please follow me."
The butler led Ron down a corridor with glowing carpet.
On both sides of the corridor were various Otherworld art pieces and spoils of conquest:
There was a ’Memory Mirror’ that automatically played conquest scenes, wherein Ron saw Cassandra commanding troops to conquer Otherworld cities;
A crystal ball holding ’Essence of Thought,’ flickering with the last thoughts of the conquered;
And some abstract sculptures he could not comprehend, seemingly challenging the observer’s cognitive limits, merely watching them induced slight dizziness.
"These are the Tower Master’s collections," Sebastian noticed Ron’s gaze:
"Each represents the essence of a conquered civilization. The Tower Master believes that transforming the enemy’s wisdom into decorations is the best commemoration of victory."
Ron silently noted this detail, gaining deeper insight into Cassandra’s character.
Only four chairs surrounded the dining table, clearly arranged for a small, intimate gathering.
When Ron entered the dining hall, Cassandra was already waiting.
Compared to her formal daytime appearance, she now showed a completely different side.
She wore a light purple silk gown, so thin it resembled night mist.
Her curves subtly teased beneath the loose dress, exuding the unique allure of a mature woman.
Her long black hair casually draped over her shoulders, lacking the daytime’s authoritative bun.
The most striking was her gaze.
Now her violet eyes were gentle and approachable, devoid of the daytime conqueror’s coldness.
"Ron, welcome to my home."
Cassandra rose to greet him:
"Please sit; tonight is a private gathering, there’s no need for formal etiquette."
Eve sat on one side of the table, dressed in a light blue dress, appearing more subdued than usual.
Upon seeing Ron, she nodded in relief.
Uther’s void remains projection settled on the fourth chair as Ron appeared.
"It seems our guests are all here," Cassandra’s voice carried a gentle smile:
"Then, let’s begin this delightful dinner."