Shadows of the Banquet
The Aftermath of the Demon Attack
The grand banquet hall, once a place of celebration, was now a ruin of shattered chandeliers, overturned tables, and the lingering stench of blood and burnt flesh. The nobles, who had once raised their glasses in cheer, now sat in stunned silence.
The bodies of slain demons—ashen remains of their monstrous forms—littered the marble floors. The knights who had perished in battle were being gathered, their corpses carefully placed in rows. Healers rushed between the wounded, casting light-imbued spells to stabilize those who had suffered injuries.
Averis Ravenshade stood amidst the wreckage, his white suit—pristine beneath the flowing black coat—starkly contrasting the destruction around him. His red eyes calmly observed the scene, taking in every detail.
In the novel, this banquet was supposed to be a disaster. Nobles would die, the imperial family would suffer humiliation, and the empire's strength would be questioned.
But now, the outcome had changed.
Not a single noble had died.
Instead, the demons had been utterly crushed.
His mother, Seraphina Ravenshade, stood beside him, her silver gown immaculate despite the battle. Her crimson eyes, sharp and piercing, scanned the hall with an air of quiet authority. The mana crystal necklace around her neck pulsed faintly, still brimming with energy from the summoning of Tidelis.
A few steps away, Aldric Ravenshade, his father, remained composed, his black eyes as cold as the winter winds of the North. Not a single drop of blood stained his black coat, despite how many demons had fallen to his blade.
The atmosphere in the hall was thick with tension. The nobles who had once looked down upon the Ravenshade family now viewed them with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
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Selene Draconis – A Regressor's Doubt
Selene Draconis, the Third Princess, sat on her golden throne at the far end of the banquet hall, her delicate fingers gripping the armrests. Her light blue hair was slightly disheveled, a sign of the battle's chaos, but her golden eyes remained sharp and calculating.
She had expected this attack.
She had even prepared countermeasures, using her knowledge of her past life.
But what she had not expected—what shook her the most—was the presence of him.
Averis Ravenshade…
In her past life, the Ravenshade family had never attended her seventh birthday banquet. The North had always remained distant, secluded in its eternal winter.
So why are they here now?
She wasn't surprised by Duchess Seraphina's strength. Her mastery over magic and spirits was widely known, even in her past life. But Averis…
In her memories, the heir to House Ravenshade had been nothing more than a minor figure—a name in the background, overshadowed by the true powerhouses of the empire.
Yet here he was.
Protected by a High-Rank Spirit. Standing unshaken amidst the carnage.
Selene's golden eyes narrowed.
Did my regression change something?
Her own actions had already altered the course of history, causing ripple effects she could not fully grasp.
But was it only her actions?
Or had something else—something far more unpredictable—shifted the fate of the world?
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The Emperor's Judgment
The doors to the private council chamber shut with a heavy thud.
Inside, seated at a long obsidian table, the most powerful men in the empire gathered.
Emperor Alaric Draconis sat at the head of the table, his light blue hair reflecting the dim candlelight. His golden eyes, sharp and regal, swept over the gathered Dukes.
Aldric Ravenshade, Duke of the North, sat with an impassive expression. His white-silver hair was pristine, his black eyes unreadable.
Duke Alastair Verdantia, his jet-black hair streaked with silver, sat beside him, his crimson gaze contemplative.
Duke Lucius Solheim, a man of refined elegance, leaned back slightly, his blue eyes filled with curiosity.
And finally, Duke Darius Drakensfell, his red hair streaked with pure gray, sat with his arms crossed, his purple reaper-like pupils gleaming with battle hunger.
The tension in the room was palpable.
The Emperor's voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of absolute authority.
"This attack was not a simple act of terrorism."
His golden gaze darkened.
"It was a message."
Duke Solheim sighed, swirling a glass of wine in his hand. "A rather bold message, at that. The demons did not hesitate to strike directly at the heart of the empire."
Duke Verdantia nodded, his tone grave. "Yet they did not succeed. We suffered losses, yes, but nothing compared to what they must have anticipated."
Duke Drakensfell let out a low chuckle. "Hah. A pathetic attempt. My knights face worse every month dealing with the beasts of the West."
Aldric Ravenshade, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His voice was deep and unyielding.
"The question is not whether they failed." His black eyes met the Emperor's. "The question is who allowed them to get this far."
Silence.
The Emperor's fingers tapped against the table.
"Aldric is correct. Someone within the empire enabled this attack."
A sharp glint entered his golden eyes.
"We will find them."
Duke Verdantia exhaled. "And when we do?"
The Emperor's voice was cold, final.
"They will be erased."
---
Averis Ravenshade – The System's New Trial
Back in the banquet hall, Averis let out a quiet sigh as he sat near the remnants of what had once been an extravagant feast.
He wasn't tired from the attack itself—after all, he hadn't even lifted a finger.
But the weight of knowing… that was exhausting.
This attack was only the beginning.
Ding!
A sudden chime echoed in his mind.
⟪ New Quest Issued ⟫
⟪ Master the Basic Swordsmanship Techniques of the Ravenshade Family ⟫
Averis blinked.
Then let out a short laugh.
Even after a demon attack, the system is telling me to train?
His lips curled into a smirk.
"Fine."
If the world was shifting… if fate was changing beyond his expectations…
Then he would change as well.
And he would make sure he was ready.
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End of Chapter 31