Noah was about to approach Luke but decided against it, to not cause any more discomfort to Seraphina.
A few moments later... "Divine Saintess Esther" a male voice resounded through the hall.
Noah was still enjoying wine along with Ares who was tasting every kind of alcohol happily with her brother when he heard this and he almost burst out in mocking laughter but his countless years of experience can't let him make such a rookie mistake.
As Drake, when there was no magic on Earth, he was chased by countless religious groups because of his ridiculous experiments due to which countless people lost their lives and turned into mincemeat among which the top hit list included the Divine Goddess, who declared him a heretic with help of an oracle and her group of fanatics chased after him relentlessly.
Actually, at that moment he felt that it was right for a God to declare him as a heretic since he was the cause of many deaths.
But after living through many years he found out the workings of these so-called 'Gods'.
Many Kings were also the cause of many, many lives but they were never declared as 'heretics'. Why?
Simple, these so-called Gods don't give a single shit.
So why was Drake framed as a heretic?
Noah got the answer after dealing and killing many Gods. Because they sensed a heavy fluctuation in the laws of the Universe as if someone is forcibly going against them, challenging them and learning the secrets of the Universe that the Universe deemed as of utmost importance.
Actually, Gods also didn't care if someone goes against the laws of the Universe or not.
So why was Drake chased by countless fanatics?
Gods felt threatened! They felt fear and dread by an existence that can challenge them and rule over them with the help of these secrets of the Universe!
Rules of the World don't allow Gods to directly interfere with the affairs of mortals unless their most loyal followers who have utmost faith in them are attacked.
So they could only use the help of their followers to take down a mortal.
Noah didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt since he was madly researching about the secrets of [Gravity] and [Soul] and at that time if not for those countless 'sacrifices' he would have died-for-good by the hands of these so-called righteous people.
A woman exuding Holy aura entered the banquet hall in a pure milky white habit with a similar colored bonnet that hid her curves and the color of hair.
She had silver eyes and was about 1.73 meters tall with a beautiful face and a gentle smile.
She entered the banquet hall with two men who were dressed in white robes walking behind her while maintaining a short distance from her.
She greeted everyone with a kind and benign smile.
Seeing her tranquil gaze filled with holiness no men would dare to have any inappropriate thoughts about her.
Most greeted her while keeping a safe distance as to not intrude upon her personal space.
As soon as that 'kind-hearted' gaze fell upon Noah, he walked towards her with Ares in tow. Ares was slightly drunk but she could still 'act' and maintain her dignity as the Princess of an empire( Author's Note-Please don't hate Ares, I have created her personality as a spoiled princess who is a battle-maniac...rest of her personality will hopefully shine and develop in the future).
"May the Divine Goddess bless Prince Noah and Princess Ares!" said Saintess Esther with the same tender smile when she saw Noah and Ares walking towards her.
Noah scoffed inwardly but only showed a smile on his before directly appearing right in front of Saintess breaching her personal space.
Ares just smiled back but didn't say anything because she knew whatever that will come out of her mouth will not be good since she is not a believer herself as she has grown with Noah who has disregarded the teachings of the church from the very beginning.
The corner of Esther's mouth twitched seeing Noah act so brazenly but she couldn't refute him since it is only an 'unwritten rule' to not breach saintess's personal space.
"Please Saintess Esther, Goddess has already blessed me a lot, Letting me born as a Prince, A caring mother, beautiful sister, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS... I can't hoard all the blessings of Divine Goddess to myself otherwise there won't be anything left for others!" replied Noah while shamelessly flaunting off his fortune, especially the money-making business-'FashionX'.
All the other people in the hall suddenly felt like Noah was such a gentleman who wishes to let others get more blessings instead of stockpiling all the blessings for himself.
This increased his reputation amongst all the nobles by a large margin.
But-
Saintess Esther's eyebrows twitched slightly and her hands unconsciously turned into fists but she maintained her kind smile and replied 'earnestly' " You are too kind Prince Noah, No wonder Goddess blesses you so much"
The successful business of Noah has always been a thorn in her heart.
The Empire gifts many tributes to the church in the hopes of getting blessed in return every year.
After the [Evolution of World], Many adventurer guilds also started gifting as their faith in the Divine Goddess increased exponentially.
People and Businesses already pay a heavy tax to the Empire a small amount of which will eventually become tributes for the church.
But-
This doesn't apply to Noah. He is a Prince of the Empire! No taxes for him or his businesses in the entire Delos Empire!
The holy church didn't like this fact ever since 'FashionX' bloomed and their profits increased exponentially.
The Holy Church has approached Noah last year with an attractive proposal.
'FashionX' will donate 10% of their profits to the Holy church every year and in return, the church will subtly help him to garner support to get the throne.
Noah refused immediately without thinking even for a second!
His reply was simple- " I AIN'T DONATING SHIT!"
Actually, these profits were essentially useless to a [Immortal] like Noah but he had a deep hatred for fanatics so he refused instantly after hearing the proposal of the Holy Church.
Looking around the banquet hall, Saintess Esther frowned and felt as if countless needles were pierced her heart.
Almost everyone, EVERYONE was wearing the fashionably elegant and sophisticated clothes of 'FashionX'!
'Such big CHUNK OF PROFITS gone in the hands of a Heretic! What a waste!!' thought Saintess Esther while gritting her teeth hard as her nails dug into her own flesh, while Noah and Ares came aside to let others greet the Saintess who greeted everyone with the same smile while being enraged inwardly as she saw everyone wearing stylish, modern clothing.
Seeing the furious expression of Saintess, Noah laughed coldly in his heart.
At this moment-
"Emperor Ryan Irwin and Empress Mary Irwin" a male voice resounded in the entire hall.
A middle-aged man with black hair and red-eye wearing majestic robes along with a mature adult beauty wearing a sheath dress that put her gorgeous curves to spotlight and flatters her hourglass figure walked in the hall.
They didn't exchange any pleasantries with anyone before being seated near Saintess Esther.
Saintess's seat was situated neither ahead nor behind Emperor and Empress seats showing her authority as the Saintess of the only church in the entire Delos Empire.
Afterward, it was time for entertainment which included the ball...