The banquet hall, which had been somewhat lively, was now steeped in silence.
There were glances exchanged and expressions changing among those with vested interests, as well as many who sensed something significant was about to happen and keenly observed the shifts in others’ demeanors.
Avena, standing behind Forte, remained expressionless, but Ciel could tell from Avena’s tightly clenched right hand gripping her skirt that Avena was also very nervous at the moment.
Avena probably hadn’t expected Forte’s sudden visit to be for something .
“Specific detailed information will still require the conclusion of the parliamentary debate. If you have any questions, you are welcome to come to me for discussion…”
Forte smiled and lowered his head, saying, “Well, then, I won’t disturb everyone’s enjoyment of the evening.”
Forte turned back, smiled and nodded slightly at Avena as a gesture of apology. Then, he took Mond and Lafayette with him and directly left the banquet.
After Forte’s carriage left, the solemn atmosphere in the banquet hall still hadn’t dissipated.
Many high-ranking church officials had already gone to greet Avena and left the venue early. Some managers from other organizations also hastily said their goodbyes and left—they needed to report this change to their organizations.
Moreover, she also wanted to see Ciel’s reaction to this news. At this moment, Lucy was looking around, seemingly searching for Ciel.
Ciel closed the window and walked towards the door. As she passed Percy, she said, “Please excuse me for a moment.”
“It’s quite alright. Please go ahead.”
Percy naturally understood what Forte’s words meant. She wasn’t in a hurry either.
Percy’s main reason for accepting the invitation was to see Tara—she hadn’t had any information about Tara for a long time. Seeing Tara in person was already fulfilling her purpose for this trip.
Ciel walked out of the room, and Tara followed closely behind Ciel. After walking downstairs, they headed towards the back garden.
At this moment, more than half of the people at the banquet had already left. Those remaining were basically nobles who had connections with the Divine Advent Church, and people who were relatively close to Ciel, Avena, or Lucy. Most of them were their own people.
Ciel walked towards Avena. Avena was still busy dealing with other transcendents who were bidding her farewell and leaving—after all, this was Avena’s banquet, and she was the host.
Avena’s mood was complex now. Originally, so many transcendents attending would have made her well-known in Ansu City’s transcendent circles and allowed her to hold her head high in front of her family.
But Forte’s disruption had basically ruined this banquet. In the future, when people discussed this grand gathering of so many transcendents, what they would remember would not be Avena’s connections, but Forte’s declaration.
Avena could do nothing about this. She could only swallow this feeling herself.
Only after there were no more people gathered around her did Avena softly lower her head and sigh.
At that moment, a red-haired figure walked up to her.
Ciel looked at Avena, who seemed a little disheartened, and asked softly, “Are you alright?”
Avena looked up at Ciel and gave a somewhat strained smile. “I didn’t expect Your Excellency Forte to come for this.”
Lucy, seeing Ciel enter, also quietly approached from behind. She had also heard what Avena said and spoke from the side:
“No need to worry too much, Miss Avena… Forte saying these things in an informal setting is just a warning. This department cannot truly be established.”
“Of course, this will not affect you, Miss Avena.”
Avena gently shook her head and said nothing.
She naturally knew all this. Moreover, this was a tactic Forte often used in negotiations.
First, he would state an event that was absolutely impossible but within his capabilities to exert extreme pressure on the target. Finally, he would force the other side to make significant concessions to achieve half or even more of the effect of the original event.
This was an overt scheme, but others were helpless—ultimately because Forte truly had the ability to do it.
Those who had returned to their churches were likely thinking about how to compromise to prevent this issue from being approved in Parliament.
They also wanted to control Parliament. This was a simple matter for both the Church of the God of Order and the Church of the Savior Goddess. However, the majority of seats in Parliament were controlled by the Roswell family, and the Roswell family was a family caught between the Church of the God of Order and the royal family.
If they had to say which side the Roswell family would favor, they would definitely lean towards the royal family.
They knew the difference between one full meal and a steady supply of food.
Perhaps this was also why Forte chose to say this at a banquet hosted by a member of the Roswell family. It was a reminder to others not to even think about getting any support from the Roswell family.
Other small denominations naturally had no choice. This matter primarily concerned the two major churches in Ansu City.
What needed to be clarified now was… what exactly did Forte want?
What was the purpose of him doing this?
Ciel lowered her eyebrows in thought. In her heart, she already had the answer.