Chapter 136. Banquet (1)
Turning toward the voice, I spotted a petite woman approaching with light steps.
Her small frame and beaming face matched the familiar voice.
“There’s still time before the banquet, but you’re early? It’s great to see you after so long!”
Wearing a sleek black uniform that accentuated her figure, her short hair swayed, revealing a slender neck—a Nemesis knight.
I recalled her name easily.
“Luca.”
“Oh, you remembered? I’m flattered!”
She clapped her hands, smiling. Despite her friendly demeanor, I noticed her sharp gaze and stared back expressionlessly.
From the joint operation in the beast-kin village, she was one of the Nemesis knights involved. I remembered her briefing.
“Asking how you’ve been… doesn’t mean much coming from me, right?”
Grinning as if it were obvious, she leaned on a white table, approaching. I tilted my head, silently questioning.
“Haha, I mean, rumors spread fast. About your nomination mission. You’ve been busy, huh?”
“…”
“So, how’d you do it?”
She stood on tiptoe, whispering with her hand shielding her mouth, gesturing aside.
“Making the Order’s famed Saintess your follower family? Honestly, I’m speechless—in a good way. Everyone’s shocked!”
I sensed piercing gazes and glanced around.
The banquet hall’s murmurs continued.
But some attendees’ eyes were on me. Ignoring their varied stares, I met Luca’s gaze impassively.
She smiled, seemingly enjoying the attention.
“With such a sudden spotlight, the publicity’s no joke. Bigger things are coming your way, no matter what.”
“Bigger things?”
“Of course. Attention brings all sorts. Great for a direct descendant taking missions, right?”
She gave me a sly look.
“Oh, maybe, like the rumors say, your exile was part of a grand plan for the succession race?”
“Rumors?”
“You haven’t heard?”
Luca raised a finger.
“Sudden magic awakening without black magic is impossible… So, you hid your magic, trained in secret exile, and debuted dramatically just before disownment for maximum effect. What do you think?”
“…”
Her wild imagination left me speechless. She burst into laughter, clutching her stomach, teary-eyed.
“Hahaha, just rumors, direct descendant! Sorry if I offended?”
Staring at her unreserved laughter with cold eyes, I tilted my head.
Unless I was dense, her words had a hidden edge. A hint that Nemesis still watched my supposed magic awakening.
Persistent suspicion, as expected.
Feeling the gazes on my back, I accepted it as unavoidable. I’d known Nemesis suspected me.
As predicted, I couldn’t relax at this banquet. Confirming my instincts, I shifted topics in a flat tone.
“Is all of Nemesis here?”
“No. Our missions usually require attendance, but only a few join for duties. Elite Main House knights greeting guests make a good impression.”
Luca shrugged, leaning on the table.
But I caught a glimpse of Nemesis’s formidable reputation in her brief words, nodding silently.
“Let’s head in, Enoch. I’ll guide you. First time at a banquet, so tell me if you need anything. Any discomfort?”
“Discomfort?”
Turning toward the hall, she glanced over her shoulder.
“Well, feeling stifled? Personally, I prefer the casual mess hall with comrades over stuffy banquets. Too rigid, right?”
“Complaining while guiding me?”
“Haha, guess it’s a bit unprofessional.”
Hand on hip, she shot me a sharp, playful smile.
“Anyway, this worked out. I wanted to greet you personally. My gut says we’ll have a long connection.”
“Long connection? Why?”
“Obviously, Nemesis is a key asset for direct descendants.”
Twirling a finger, she grinned.
“You might join us in future joint missions, or gain authority to command us someday.”
Her words sparked a memory.
“From the third rank, you can request limited Nemesis personnel with approval, right?”
“Yes. Though few with follower families actively use us. Our methods are… unique.”
“Methods?”
Puzzled by her cryptic remark, I asked. She just smiled faintly, glancing at me.
“…You’ll find out someday.”
Spotting something, she shouted toward the crowd.
“Oh, Deputy Commander!”
Turning, I saw Teano approaching in her usual uniform, purple hair flowing.
As she moved through the crowd, her black uniform billowing, attendees saluted, and dresses and suits parted under the chandelier’s light.
The awe for her was so palpable, even I held my breath.
Reaching me, she bowed precisely.
“Thank you for attending, Enoch.”
Luca sidled up to her, eyes wide, teasing with a sly look.
“What’s this? You always called him ‘direct descendant,’ but now it’s ‘Enoch,’ Teano Deputy Commander~?”
Teano shook her head without replying. I spoke slowly, noting her familiar response.
“Nemesis seems close-knit.”
“…I haven’t been deputy long. Many members knew me before. That’s all.”
Dismissing further questions, I turned away.
With eccentric Rank 10+ members, Nemesis was clearly a quirky group.
Glancing aside, I saw the empty throne on the stairs. Teano, following my gaze, spoke.
“The count won’t attend today.”
“As usual?”
“Yes. The count… and most Rank 1 mages don’t attend such customary events.”
Her composed reply made me nod silently.
Ixion’s claim that Rank 1s transcended worldly matters wasn’t mere metaphor. Inviting but ignoring guests?
The original story’s Rank 1s had similar attitudes, so it wasn’t surprising, but it felt brazen in person.
‘Speaking of the original…’
I glanced at Luca and Teano. Luca wasn’t in the story, making it stranger.
Neither appeared in the original despite Nemesis’s small, elite roster. I’d have noticed.
Why they were absent remained a mystery.
I turned away silently.
No point dwelling. My five-year-old Nemesis knowledge was sparse, with few clues.
Teano, receiving a report from a subordinate, signaled Luca.
“Guests are arriving soon, including delayed attendees.”
“Ugh, time to work.”
Teano turned to me, bowing.
“Sorry, Nemesis must step out to greet guests from other Main House domains.”
I nodded.
“Understood.”
Adjusting her cap, she headed to the exit. Luca, following, whispered.
“So, what’s your take, Deputy Commander? On Enoch?”
“A few things stand out.”
“The commander feels it too, right?”
Glancing back at me, Luca smirked coldly.
Under her cap’s shadow, she whispered.
“He’s changed.”
“…Yes.”
Teano nodded. She’d noticed. Only a short time had passed since the joint mission.
Yet the black-haired boy no longer had the same gaze she knew.
She’d felt it in the library.
Compared to his arrest or the joint mission, he was far calmer and sharper.
Staring ahead, she couldn’t know what he’d experienced or aimed for. But one thing was certain.
She had a duty to watch him.
Someday, she might face his truth head-on. Opening the banquet doors, the Nemesis deputy commander sensed it.
Whatever the outcome.
***
I scanned the hall.
Gentlemen and ladies in varied attire bustled about. Most adhered to the dress code, but some stood out otherwise.
With nothing to do, sitting at my assigned seat to wait for Sirocco seemed best.
She had her own invitation, so she’d find her seat.
While searching for my spot, a voice rang in my ear.
“Enoch?”
A languid tone. My eyes widened.
A voice I knew well.
“My, is it really Enoch?”
Turning, I saw a woman with a hand to her mouth, speaking lazily, not sounding surprised.
My eyes narrowed.
Perhaps a year or two older than me.
Long hair draped behind, her sleepy, unmotivated tone unmistakable.
She wore a banquet dress, but one strap hung loosely, reflecting her apathy.
She stared at me blankly.
“Lady Ariadne!”
Another woman in a dress rushed over, clearing her throat after spotting me, bowing politely.
“Ahem! Enoch Elsyde, apologies. As her follower family, I apologize for any rudeness. This is Lady Ariadne Elsyde.”
Finishing, she introduced the languid woman.
“Current seventh rank, direct descendant.”
“No need to say that. He already knows, right?”
Ariadne waved lightly, turning her eyes to me.
“It’s been a while, Enoch.”
Her eyes gleamed as she added softly.
“Since you were thirteen, I believe?”