They reached the Mansion quite a long time before the appointed beginning of the party and yet it was already going strong with around sixty women in the back garden. As he entered and noticed them, Shen recognized most of them. They were from different establishments...

Before he adressed this problem, he decided to do something about the Princess and her entourage. First was the entourage and it did not take much convincing from him and those sixty women to get them away. If they could spend an entire afternoon surrounded by dozens of beauties while enjoying food and drinks for free, would they refuse? No. And they did not.

What's more, the Princess did not mind and was rather very in favor in it. For one it gave her guards some rest and in some ways a reward for their work until now and two, most importantly, she was now alone with her new crush. Unfortunately for her, it was not going to last. Shen went straight to find Adeline.

Shen: My Princess, this is our youngest, Adeline. She is also the priestess of our team. Adeline, can you show the Mansion to the Princess?

Adeline: Uh? Uh?!

Princess ???: I thought I would be spending the evening in your company, Sir Shen?

Shen: Of course but I must first prepare some important things for tonight's party as the host. I hope the Princess won't take it wrongly. I do need to give it my best for your satisfaction after all.

As the Princess was tricked and began to blush, Shen took the cue and left her with Adeline. One problem solved. Now, the other ones. He went to meet Tempest, crossing through the army of butlers, maids and hired workers... And found him on his knees begging Atem:

Tempest: Please Atem! I'm begging you! Can't you help me make this party the greatest?!

Atem: I refuse!

Tempest: Come on! Please!

Shen: ... What's happening? And Tempest, explain why the girls are here.

Tempest: Isn't it obvious? We need company for the party to be a success. That aside, help me convince Atem, boss!

Shen: To?

Atem: This mad dog wishes for me to be the gatekeeper!

Tempest: Not you! Just create some shade! Please! Only you can do this!

Atem: No! Go hire some random guards!

Tempest: We invited the strongest, how could mere guards be any useful! Please!

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Shen: Just do it Atem. I managed to get a Princess here and it is very likely that some royal interference will be on its way later on. We can't leave such an opportunity pass by because of hired guards, right?

Atem: You did? Hm...So, we're tricking them with a kidnapping ploy in the end?

Shen: No. She willingly joined along with her personnal knights. It's just that her father isn't quite the kind to wish for this. Supposedly. Anyways, there is a chance that we will get to receive an audience with the King after this. What's more, while he certainly only did this for fun, the fact that all the strongest will come is real. If someone knows something about that, it will be one of those people.

Tempest: Yes! Exactly! So, create some shades to guard the gates!

Atem: Fine! This displeases me but I agree.

Tempest: Oh and give me a bag of that thing too.

Atem: Oh? Would that be alright, Master? To give him that.

Shen: ...Just don't use it before the dessert. I do need to talk with some people.

Tempest: Sweet!

Atem gave a bag filled with some purple powder of questionnable properties to a grinning wolfman who left happy. Atem turned to Shen and asked:

Atem: So, what is the plan?

Shen: Find as much information about it as we can. Force the King to make a move for his daughter. And take care of the one who saw our truth.

Atem: Oh~? Could you let me handle this last one~?

Shen: Don't go too far.

Atem: But of course~

...

???: I don't want to go!

A woman magician was very adamant on not going to the party of the newly promoted trio of A ranks. Even though her party had been lucky enough to receive invitations, she was againt going. On the contrary, the three men of the team were definitely going.

This was going to be where every top player of the kingdom would be reunited and mingle for the first time in who knew how long. Not just connections but maybe even breakthroughs in their knowledge. There were so many possibilities to earn something from going there. And yet this idiot didn't want to and was making a fuss.

For the first time, they were getting mad at her. In the end, they stopped arguing and one of them just grabbed her like a bag as they decided to go.There was no way they would allow her to pass on those opportunities. She was one of them after all. Whatever was making her reluctant was probably not much in front of the benefits.

'???: Please, no! I don't want to see those monsters again! Nooooo!!'

...

There were many with invitations but there were so much more without. What truly brought such a fervent attraction? The display of power. Power is everything and these people were probaby the very strongest. Who wouldn't want to befriend such people? As such, all kinds of people from all walks of life, from peaseants to aristocrats, beggars to nobles, were already trying to find ways to join the party.

The wealthier and more powerful were playing with their contacts or using leverage to take advantage of the 'for two'-rule of the invitations. Those who could not were putting on their best suits, preparing their greatest speech and fantasizing about being able to join.

Of course, there were also many who had to join the party for different reasons. Schemes, conspiracies and much more was afloat. All this was being brought about by the trio consciously for their own goal. They had waited enough and now, they needed to find the answers. This was a reliable way to get things done. Reunite all the influential ones and ask at once.

That being said, all the influential people of the kingdom were not interested in joining in the fun. Two dukes were particulalrly against the idea of going.

There was also a man on a throne who felt anger. It seems a precious good of his had gone there against his orders and he was not going to let it slide.

Soon, the time came and the closed gates would open...