29 :The Banquet of Chaos

Tonight was no ordinary night.

It was the seventh birthday banquet of the Third Imperial Princess, Selene Draconis. A night that, according to the events of the original novel, would soon turn into a battlefield soaked in blood.

As I sat before a grand mirror, I couldn't help but let out a slow breath. The last month had been a grueling experience—Sir Garret's hellish training regimen had turned my body into a mess. If not for the Complete Recovery Potion he gave me last night, I would have been limping into this banquet like a battered war veteran.

But now?

Now, I looked pristine.

My attire was striking—a white suit layered beneath a regal black coat, embroidered with silver raven motifs. My father, Aldric Ravenshade, wore the same, exuding an intimidating presence. My mother, Seraphina Ravenshade, stood nearby, her silver dress shimmering in the candlelight. Around her neck rested a red mana crystal necklace, pulsing faintly with power.

And then there was me.

White-silver hair, crimson-red eyes.

Beautiful. Deadly.

...Not to brag, but I was easily the best-looking seven-year-old in existence.

"You look wonderful, young master," my caretaker said, adjusting my cuffs.

I hummed in response. But inwardly, my thoughts were on something else.

The Imperial Family.

The ruling house of Aetherion, their bloodline distinguished by light blue hair and golden eyes.

At the head of this lineage stood Emperor Alaric Draconis, a ruler both feared and revered. His Empress, Lysandra Draconis, hailed from the Duchy of Drakensfell, a noble house renowned for their dragon-slaying heritage.

They had three daughters:

1. First Princess Aurelia Draconis – The Crown Princess, a master of light-attribute magic and heir to the throne.

2. Second Princess Valeria Draconis – A warrior-princess wielding aura-infused blades.

3. Third Princess Selene Draconis – The protagonist of this world.

And tonight, during her birthday banquet, the palace would come under attack.

A High-Rank Demon, leading sixty Mid-High demons, would descend upon the Imperial Palace with one objective—to kill Selene and the Emperor.

A direct assault on the empire's core.

I knew this event well.

When I first read it in my past life, I felt chills.

Now?

Now, I was about to live through it.

And I had no intention of dying.

"Averis?" My caretaker's voice broke me from my thoughts.

I turned to her.

"You suddenly got quiet. Are you nervous?" she asked, straightening my collar.

Nervous? After surviving Sir Garret's month-long death camp?

I scoffed. "No, just thinking."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she let it go.

With one final glance in the mirror, I stood up. My father nodded approvingly, and my mother gently adjusted my hair.

"It's time," the steward announced.

---

The Imperial Palace – Banquet Hall

The Grand Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace was breathtaking.

Illuminated by massive chandeliers, the walls were adorned with golden banners bearing the sigil of House Draconis—a dragon wreathed in divine flames. The scent of exotic dishes filled the air as nobles from every corner of the empire gathered, their conversations a murmur of excitement.

I entered alongside my parents, the weight of many gazes falling upon us.

The Duke of the North, the Duchess of Verdantia, and the Heir of Ravenshade.

I glanced around, noting the various noble factions whispering amongst themselves.

The Emperor sat at the highest table, his golden eyes surveying the hall with a regal yet sharp gaze. Beside him, the Empress, her elegant posture exuding authority. And at the center of attention, the birthday girl herself—Selene Draconis.

She looked just as she was described in the novel—light blue hair cascading down her shoulders, golden eyes shimmering with intelligence beyond her years.

But beneath her composed expression, I could see it.

A child's curiosity.

Her gaze flickered to me for a brief moment, and our eyes met.

Then—

A chill crawled down my spine.

They're here.

A presence. No—dozens of them.

Outside the palace walls, in the shadows beyond the banquet's warm glow—they lurked.

Then, before I could react—

BOOM!

The grand doors of the banquet hall exploded into splinters.

A monstrous figure stepped through the wreckage, its eyes glowing a malevolent crimson.

Demon Hierarchy

This was no ordinary attack.

The forces invading tonight belonged to a structured demonic order, each rank stronger than the last:

1. Low-Rank Demons

The weakest, used as disposable foot soldiers.

Imps – Small, mischievous creatures with minor fire magic.

Minor Shadows – Stealthy scouts blending into darkness.

Abilities: Basic magic (illusions, minor fireballs), weak elemental control.

2. Mid-Rank Demons

More intelligent and deadly.

Hellhounds – Fiery beasts with razor-sharp fangs.

Glimmer Demons – Beautiful yet terrifying, skilled in deception.

Abilities: Enhanced combat, stronger elemental magic, minor illusions.

3. High-Rank Demons

Commanders of lower demons.

Demon Knights – Cursed warriors clad in unholy armor.

Succubi & Incubi – Manipulative beings of desire and nightmares.

Abilities: Advanced spells, aura-enhanced combat, domain manipulation.

4. Demon Lords

Rulers of vast territories in the demonic realm.

Abilities: Mastery over high-tier magic, regional curses, dominion over elements.

5. Demon Kings

The embodiments of chaos.

Abilities: Near-immortality, large-scale destruction, reality-warping magic.

6. The Demon Emperor

The supreme ruler of demons.

Abilities: Absolute control over all demons, world-altering magic, power that defies comprehension.

---

The demon standing at the entrance was a High-Rank Demon—its aura alone suffocating.

Behind it, dozens of Mid-High demons poured in, their grotesque forms ripping apart knights and servants alike.

Screams filled the air.

Blood splattered against the golden walls.

Chaos.

The banquet had turned into a battlefield.

The Emperor rose from his throne, golden eyes blazing.

"Defend the Imperial Family!" his voice thundered.

Knights rushed forward, clashing against the invading demons.

And amidst it all, I exhaled sharply.

This was it.

The moment that would define the future.

I wasn't some background character anymore.

This was my story now.

And I had no intention of dying tonight.

END OF CHAPTER