The Banquet Part 4

Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Shinomiya Kaguya was finalizing the preparations for the event.

"Wow, Kaguya-chan! You look absolutely stunning tonight! So beautiful!"

Fujiwara Chika exclaimed with a radiant face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her usually cold and calm friend, now appearing so enchanting in a luxurious evening gown.

"Um."

Kaguya nodded slightly, her usual cold expression softening a little. Although Chika's behavior could sometimes be very troublesome and unpredictable, Kaguya appreciated her sincerity and enthusiasm.

Even so, Kaguya's gaze inadvertently fell on Chika, who was bouncing up and down slightly in excitement, causing the girl's breasts to bounce with a rather conspicuous movement. Kaguya's mood dimmed slightly. She lowered her head for a moment, trying not to feel envious of her friend's natural endowments.

"Kaguya-chan?" Chika called out in a confused tone, tilting her head as she noticed Kaguya's sudden silence.

"Nothing." Kaguya replied softly, trying to hide her insecurity.

Chika then continued with an inquisitive tone.

"I only know a little about Campione. Since the Shinomiya Family is one of the factions supporting the Seventh King, Kaguya-chan must know more than I do. How strong exactly is a Campione that almost the entire upper echelon of the business world and even the mystical world is attending their celebratory banquet?"

Kaguya felt no need to hide the truth she had witnessed from her friend.

"Fujiwara-san, what I saw that day felt like a legend come to life. The ground shook violently, as if a massive earthquake capable of tearing apart the land was occurring. The sky suddenly turned pitch black, covered by thick black clouds that spewed endless flashes of lightning, accompanied by thunderous roars like the wrath of gods descending to earth."

"Their power felt like an inevitable natural disaster, something beyond ordinary human comprehension. Even tall hills could be destroyed in an instant by the impact of their power. It was no longer a fight between humans."

"..."

The more intently Chika listened, the greater the shock that washed over her. It wasn't that she doubted her friend, but Kaguya's description felt too fantastical and difficult for her common sense to believe.

"Did that really happen, Kaguya-chan? You're not exaggerating, are you? That fight description sounds like a battle scene that only exists in anime and manga!"

Kaguya shook her head gently, looking at Chika with a serious gaze.

"I'm not exaggerating in the slightest, Fujiwara-san. My entire family and I watched a live broadcast of the two kings' battle on an uninhabited island. If you want, I'll give you the video recording later. You can see it for yourself with your own eyes."

Hearing Kaguya's offer, Chika's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She grasped her friend's hands and nodded energetically.

"Really? I'd love to see it, Kaguya-chan! Thank you!"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious limousine gliding smoothly towards the banquet location, Erica poured red wine into two crystal glasses, one for Godou and one for Ren.

Seeing Erica offer the glass filled with the red liquid, Godou was slightly reluctant.

"Erica, I'm still underage to drink alcohol."

In contrast to Godou's stiff demeanor, Ren casually took his glass and sipped the red wine with relish.

Beside him, Masha and Alya showed no objection whatsoever. For them, having lived in Russia, the sight of young people drinking alcohol was not unusual. In Russia, young people their age sometimes drank strong liquor like vodka as if it were just plain water.

Ren lowered his glass and looked at Godou with a faint smile.

"Oh gosh, Godou. The rules of ordinary humans cannot bind us. What does it matter if we drink alcohol underage? In Japan, the legal drinking age is indeed 20. But did you know that in Austria and Germany, the legal age is even 14?"

"The point I want to make is that the rules of this world are made for ordinary humans. After we killed a Heretic God and became Campione, we can be considered a different species. We transcend such worldly limitations."

Hearing that, Godou sighed softly.

"I don't feel any different, Ren. I'm still an ordinary human. I'm just worried... once I cross the line, there will be a second time, a third time, and so on. I don't want to fall into bad habits just because I have different powers."

Erica, who had been listening to the two Kings' conversation the whole time, turned to Ren with a smile that was polite yet firm.

"King Ren, with all due respect, could you please not influence Godou for the worse? I like Godou the way he is. He doesn't need to change into someone like you."

"..."

Godou scratched his cheek, which felt a little flushed at Erica's straightforward statement. He felt embarrassed by the blatant attention shown by his loyal knight.

Clearing his throat softly, he tried to change the uncomfortable topic.

"By the way, Ren... you feel different today. It's hard to explain, but... you seem like an ordinary person."

"That's because of the Selfless State I just mastered. It makes me look like a mob character in anime, the kind of background character that viewers wouldn't pay attention to."

Remembering Godou's relatively ordinary background before becoming a Campione, Ren chose an analogy that was easier to understand rather than using complicated terms from the Supreme Realm in martial arts or other abstract concepts.

"Selfless State, huh... Do you two know about that, Erica? Liliana?"

Godou turned to the two girls sitting beside him. Sure enough, this was the first time he had heard that term.

"Forgive me, Godou. My knowledge of Eastern martial arts is very limited. Perhaps Liliana has a better understanding of it."

With a slightly regretful tone, Erica then shifted the topic to Liliana, who had seemed a bit tense since being between two Campione in the same car.

Liliana flinched slightly at the mention of her name, trying to appear calm.

"I... I know a little, Lord Godou. In the East, highly skilled martial artists pursue what is called Supremacy Domination. It is an esoteric state where one completely erases their aura or presence. It can even be compared to a plant."

"I see. No wonder I felt nothing from Ren when I looked at him just now. Thank you, Liliana. Your explanation is very easy to understand."

"There's no need for thanks, Lord Godou. It is a knight's duty to fulfill their lord's commands and needs."

On the surface, Liliana maintained her composure, but in her heart, she felt a surge of joy at Godou's praise.

"Is my personality bad?" Ren asked suddenly.

Masha chuckled softly, leaning her head affectionately on Ren's shoulder.

"Hmm... Not really bad, Ren-kun. It's just that you're a pervert in the final stage, do whatever you want, and a little naughty, isn't that right, Alya-chan?"

"Yes. Ren-kun does have many bad traits. Bossy, impatient, and very shameless when it comes to women. But somehow, all of that is actually attractive." Alya offered a faint smile.

"..."

Godou and his two companions sitting across from them felt the atmosphere becoming increasingly awkward.

Erica suddenly nudged Godou's arm with her elbow, giving him a sharp and slightly reproachful look.

Bringing her lips close to Godou's ear, Erica whispered.

"Godou~ we've lived under the same roof for quite a while now, haven't we? But you've never done anything to me. Even though I've often taken the initiative."

There was a hint of frustration hidden in her whisper.

"Ugh..."

Godou's face instantly flushed crimson at Erica's so direct whisper. As a young virgin who was still innocent in matters of romance.

"E-Erica... w-what are you talking about?"

He tried to avoid Erica's intense gaze, feeling his heart pounding and cold sweat beginning to dampen his palms.

As for Liliana, who was sitting on the other side of Godou and had also heard Erica's quite audible whisper, a blush quickly spread across her face all the way to the roots of her ears.

She lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassed expression behind the strands of her silver hair.