Chapter 136. Banquet (1)
Turning toward the voice, I spotted a petite woman approaching with light steps.
Her small fra and beaming face matched the familiar voice.
“There’s still ti 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 Nesis knight.
I recalled her na easily.
“Luca.”
“Oh, you rembered? I’m flattered!”
She clapped her hands, smiling. Despite her friendly deanor, I noticed her sharp gaze and stared back expressionlessly.
From the joint operation in the beast-kin village, she was one of the Nesis knights involved. I rembered her briefing.
“Asking how you’ve been… doesn’t an much coming from , right?”
Grinning as if it were obvious, she leaned on a white table, approaching. I tilted my head, silently questioning.
“Haha, I an, 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 fad 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 so attendees’ eyes were on . Ignoring their varied stares, I t 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 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 disownnt for maximum effect. What do you think?”
“…”
Her wild imagination left 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 Nesis still watched my supposed magic awakening.
Persistent suspicion, as expected.
Feeling the gazes on my back, I accepted it as unavoidable. I’d known Nesis suspected .
As predicted, I couldn’t relax at this banquet. Confirming my instincts, I shifted topics in a flat tone.
“Is all of Nesis 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 Nesis’s formidable reputation in her brief words, nodding silently.
“Let’s head in, Enoch. I’ll guide you. First ti at a banquet, so tell if you need anything. Any discomfort?”
“Discomfort?”
Turning toward the hall, she glanced over her shoulder.
“Well, feeling stifled? Personally, I prefer the casual ss hall with comrades over stuffy banquets. Too rigid, right?”
“Complaining while guiding ?”
“Haha, guess it’s a bit unprofessional.”
Hand on hip, she shot 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, Nesis 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 soday.”
Her words sparked a mory.
“From the third rank, you can request limited Nesis personnel with approval, right?”
“Yes. Though few with follower families actively use us. Our thods are… unique.”
“thods?”
Puzzled by her cryptic remark, I asked. She just smiled faintly, glancing at .
“…You’ll find out soday.”
Spotting sothing, 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 , 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.
“Nesis seems close-knit.”
“…I haven’t been deputy long. Many mbers knew before. That’s all.”
Dismissing further questions, I turned away.
With eccentric Rank 10 mbers, Nesis 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 nod silently.
Ixion’s claim that Rank 1s transcended worldly matters wasn’t re taphor. 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 Nesis’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 Nesis knowledge was sparse, with few clues.
Teano, receiving a report from a subordinate, signaled Luca.
“Guests are arriving soon, including delayed attendees.”
“Ugh, ti to work.”
Teano turned to , bowing.
“Sorry, Nesis 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 , Luca smirked coldly.
Under her cap’s shadow, she whispered.
“He’s changed.”
“…Yes.”
Teano nodded. She’d noticed. Only a short ti had passed since the joint mission.
Yet the black-haired boy no longer had the sa gaze she knew.
She’d felt it in the library.
Compared to his arrest or the joint mission, he was far calr and sharper.
Staring ahead, she couldn’t know what he’d experienced or aid for. But one thing was certain.
She had a duty to watch him.
Soday, she might face his truth head-on. Opening the banquet doors, the Nesis deputy commander sensed it.
Whatever the outco.
***
I scanned the hall.
Gentlen and ladies in varied attire bustled about. Most adhered to the dress code, but so stood out otherwise.
With nothing to do, sitting at my assigned seat to wait for Sirocco seed 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 .
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 blankly.
“Lady Ariadne!”
Another woman in a dress rushed over, clearing her throat after spotting , 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 .
“It’s been a while, Enoch.”
Her eyes glead as she added softly.
“Since you were thirteen, I believe?”
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