Grand Banquet [1]

Chrysantheus.

It was a small kingdom not far from the Agrata Seas to the east that divided the continents of Aetheris and Vyrmoria. The population was about half a million. Two duchy houses, each managing a land mass that comprised as much as 32% (North - Albus) and 25% (South - Preta) of the total area.

Chrysantheus mainly relied on agriculture and wild hunting despite directly bordering the seas.

Why? Because their sea borders were coastal cliffs, the water there was dangerous, with strong currents and unpredictable weather, making it harder for them to develop a maritime tradition, unlike their southern neighbor.

Those factors (Including the isolation from other sides like Tundra Snowlands to the north, Khevit Great Forest to the west, and Groeta Mountains to the southwest) played a part in why Chrysantheus was relying on alliance and trade with the neighboring southern kingdom in the past while quietly raising their power for conquest that never happened.

After the union of three continents and the rise of the Global Alliance, Chrysantheus did not have to worry about a lack of resources, especially when they became the most favored region of the Carissa Empire despite providing no real benefits.

Even until now, the Rulers of Chrysantheus had no idea what made the Carissa Empire favor them.

They did not believe the reason was because they possessed the elite special force, Vanguard. There must be other reasons than that. After a long time, they eventually care less about reasons.

The day started early in the capital.

The residents generally awoke at dawn. But this time, they awoke far earlier to greet the long-held festival.

To be precise, two weeks before the grand competition was beginning, the city would never fall to slumber.

The opening day of the grand competition was nearing.

During this period, not only was the city busy, but the royal palace also.

The palace servants had been busy for a few days. They were preparing for the grand banquet held two days before the opening day.

Several names were invited to the occasion. Most were nobles, and the others were notable Trailblazers.

Unfortunately for Niveus, he had to represent the Albus Duchy in the event.

"That damn sister never runs out of scenarios to push me out of my comfort zone."

Niveus stomped his feet as he finished wearing the shoes.

Supposedly, Niveus had been planning to arrive late at the banquet because of the potion's limited duration.

But now that he received the news that he would be Albus's representative, he had no choice but to arrive early.

No more was his plan to stay transparent during the banquet as the attention that would go to the 'current' head or maybe their biological son now was directed at him instead.

Niveus had no reason to socialize with people since he had achieved his task by doing so—collecting information about the anomalies that happened in the kingdom and reporting them to Starling.

But duty was duty. Since it was Starling who told him to attend the banquet as Albus's representative, Niveus would treat it as an extra job and would surely demand something out of it.

Niveus looked at his reflection in the mirror.

He had changed his dark mask into a bright one but plain with no design or decoration. Not that it mattered since Niveus would use the potion that would change his face's shape.

His clothing was a pristine white suit with matching tailored pants. Draping from his shoulders was a long white coat with accents of blue and silver. 

The fur material used around the coat's sleeves and neckline was telling people that he was from Northern Duchy, Albus.

"Ugh... this clothes is too stuffy." 

Niveus adjusted the collar that wrapped too tight around his neck.

He looked at his reflection one more time before shifting his gaze toward the analog clock on standing the bedside cabinet. 

The shorter needle was pointing downward between '6' and '7' while the longer needle pointing horizontally at '9.'

6:45 PM.

The banquet had already started when the seventh bell rang 45 minutes ago. But here Niveus was, still inside his room after saying he should not be late.

Why? It was because those times were intended for regular guests.

As a member of a Duke house and being the representative, Niveus would arrive at 7 PM along with other prominent guests.

"Young master."

The voice of the head butler was heard outside his room. He reminded Niveus about the short time remaining and told him to go to the royal palace immediately.

With one last glance at the potion in his hand, before he shoved it into the empty socket inside the coat that he let hang on his shoulders instead of wearing it, Niveus set to the royal palace with a carriage.

Before, it was a rental self-driving carriage on land. Now, Niveus rode the carriage that could float like Santa's chariot, but instead of being pulled by reindeer, it was operated by navigation magic.

It was because Niveus knew he would ride a flying carriage that he decided to begin departing close to the determined time.

With this transportation method, he would not have to worry about being late to the banquet even if he was to set off ten minutes before it started.

"This world feels more advanced than the modern world despite having a medieval aesthetic."

["What modern world are you talking about?"]

Niveus closed his eyes and let out a small laugh.

"You're eavesdropping on me, again."

["You said that out loud! I can't help but hear it, accidentally."]

"It's a pity I have to go alone."

It was truly a pity that Niveus had to experience riding a flying carriage alone on top of attending the banquet.

Even though it was stated that only nobles and notable Trailblazers were invited to the occasion, the invitee could actually bring along up to two people with them to the banquet.

However, when Niveus asked Eliana and Alphonso to accompany him to the banquet, they refused.

"I guess I have to 'enjoy' it by myself."