While Flora was heading backstage to the dressing room to change her gown, the grand hall was thrown into chaos by Moria’s actions.
The attendees of this banquet were either representatives of various factions or children of the most prominent noble families in the country.
They had gathered in Dolun City, and for anyone with ill intentions, it was the perfect opportunity to stir up trouble.
At first, with their personal guards and Moria’s elaborate security measures, no one felt there was much to worry about.
But now, a peculiar situation had arisen.
The Demon Tribe, a race that had long fought against human powers like the Empire, was causing disturbances in Dolun City during the banquet.
Even if safety could be guaranteed and Moria watched them with a warning glare, nobody could truly feel at ease.
Many already intended to leave early to ensure their own safety.
After all, the lower classes might not even catch a whiff of major national affairs, living in blissful ignorance.
But people at the top could hardly fail to notice the Empire’s increasingly subtle movements in recent years, or ignore the rumors of the Demon Tribe’s growing restlessness.
Anyone with open eyes could see what was going on.
These days, the Empire’s active support for adventurer activities wasn’t due to the high profits from monster materials, nor because someone like Moria had set a new example, and certainly not because old tales of heroes and adventurers were making a comeback.
It was simply that the royal family was encouraging strong individuals among the populace to help counter disasters caused by giant beasts, while also recruiting potential talent for their own use.
It was said that many giant beasts were not eliminated, but driven into the Demon Tribe’s territory instead.
Lacking effective means to handle the behemoths, and already thrown into chaos by disasters caused by such monsters, the Demon Country had begun to seek new ways to shift the conflict.
And everyone knew the Demon Tribe wasn’t good at dealing with anything else, but they excelled at targeting humans and redirecting tensions through war.
Some in the royal family and several grand dukes were rumored to be actively preparing for the moment the Demon Tribe launched a war.
Who knew what was true, or how far the preparations had gone.
Yet almost every noble who had no desire for war understood: the moment there was an excuse, those maniacs would fight the demons to the bitter end.
For most nobles, risking everything was no big deal.
But nobody wanted to be the spark that ignited the powder keg of war between the two nations, especially when they realized this was a banquet attended by both the Duke of Duran’s eldest daughter and the Imperial Princess—a truly heavyweight occasion.
If the Demon Tribe attacked such an event, regardless of whether it was real or staged, as soon as word got out, every family represented at the banquet would have to demonstrate their resolve against the demons before His Majesty the Emperor.
This was a blatant strategy.
A rather vile one, at that.
Moria, the host of the banquet, was definitely playing such a game.
As the daughter of the Iron-Blooded Duke, she likely aimed to help her father stir up some dynastic wars.
Everyone was inwardly cursing, yet kept a relatively optimistic outlook.
After all, this move wasn’t too harsh—if they left early, things wouldn’t turn out so badly.
However, if a certain someone showed up, there would be no room to maneuver.
Almost everyone was subconsciously searching for a certain missing dignitary.
And she appeared, right on cue.
“Just a little Demon Tribe trick, and the future nobles of our Empire are thrown into such chaos?”
List stood in the most conspicuous spot in the hall—the second floor, on the terrace directly behind the stage, overlooking everyone.
Her face was a mix of coldness, disdain, and heartache, ultimately showing the crowd the sight of the princess—famous for her usual gentleness—now gazing at them with clear disgust.
“It seems the First Minister’s proposal for a peerage assessment system is truly necessary. The Empire’s titles ought to go to those younger and more capable, don’t you think? I believe all of you are the direct heirs of your families, yes?”
The princess’s dignity was on full display.
At once, everyone dropped to one knee, responding to the Empire’s highest noble with this sign of respect.
“Your Highness, none of us have panicked because of a mere Demon Tribe trick. It’s just that, with such a significant banquet and your presence, any disorder is something the peace-loving Empire cannot allow to happen.”
Finally, someone with some brains gave an appropriate reply.
This simple conferment banquet instantly became a showcase for pledging loyalty and courage.
List didn’t look at them; she glanced instead at Moria, who remained calm and unruffled.
“Her Highness did not ask for empty words. Come on, look at yourselves just now. Would anyone who truly feared for Her Highness’s safety think of leaving first?”
She grinned and stood up, ignoring the venomous glares directed at her from the crowd.
“Since everyone cares so much about the nation’s affairs, if Her Highness won’t leave, no one else should either. Let’s all stay and protect Her Highness’s safety together. After all, a conferment banquet needs the royal family as witnesses, doesn’t it?”
“You…”
The Duke of Duran was the most prominent duke, but not the only one.
There were several grand dukes in the Empire, many of whose children were present.
Hearing Moria’s near open insult—calling them good-for-nothings—several could barely resist challenging her to a noble’s duel.
“Enough. Silence, all of you.”
But they were immediately silenced by another voice.
This time, it was the princess’s attendant speaking—a familiar face among the young nobles.
Miss Liz of the palace inner guard, serving His Majesty the Emperor, had another identity: one of the disciplinarians at the Imperial Magic Academy, a terrifying figure charged with enforcing academy rules.
The moment she spoke, the commanding tone made everyone instantly more obedient.
Miss Liz swept her gaze calmly over the crowd below, then rebuked coldly:“This youth banquet is, in name, a gathering for all you young people, but today, you must remember your surnames and your identities as nobles of the Empire.”
Let me be clear: your behavior at tonight’s banquet will be known not just to your elders and to His Majesty the Emperor, but to the people of Dolun City and beyond.
“Anyone who disgraces the nobility had best be ready to hang their head in shame from now on.”
No one dared utter a word.
Things had come to this point; if anyone dared act like a coward now, those who often attended such events would truly never lift their heads again.
“The Demon Tribe’s disturbance is already known to the Empire. Some fools may try to shake the peace between our peoples, but it is a fool’s dream. This rare peace—His Majesty, all of you, the invited guests, and those waiting for the banquet to end—no one wishes for war to break out.”
“If you lose your nerve and give others an opportunity, that would be the true crime. The behavior you’ve just shown is a disgrace to the Empire’s nobility. After the banquet, those still studying at the academy must submit a written reflection; graduates must send a report of their thoughts to His Majesty.”
As the stern disciplinarian finished, a collective groan rang out.
This time, no one hid the hatred in their gaze toward List and Moria.
As their fellow Imperial Academy alumni, this was how they expressed their outrage and condemnation at the two schemers who had joined forces against them.
Moria, long prepared for such a scene, clapped her hands with a bright smile.
“Well, with that out of the way, shall we liven up the atmosphere again? Everyone, shall we resume the music and dance?”
Understanding that this was probably all orchestrated by the Emperor and other bigwigs, the nobles had no choice but to channel their negativity into drinking.
Half the glasses stacked at the banquet’s wine tower were drained in a flash.
As for the representatives of other factions who had been invited, they all remained silent and on edge, fearful that any misstep would see them devoured in the noble youths’ wrath.
After this interlude, the banquet finally had the tense and solemn atmosphere of a true conferral ceremony.
The previous commotion faded, and with the threat of the Demon Tribe lingering in everyone’s minds, every guest was on high alert.
So, when Flora reappeared in a new outfit, several people, nervously on edge, shouted: “A succubus has appeared!”
Flora gave Moria—who watched her with a dazzling smile—and Elka—eager to approach and get handsy—a complicated look.
She was dying to know if this was some new stunt planned for her, using the identity of a succubus to explain her earlier near-immortal remarks.
Fortunately, this misunderstanding didn’t take root.
“Now that Miss Flora has changed and returned, let’s continue with tonight’s banquet. The Bishop should be here soon. Let’s finish the conferment quickly so we can enjoy the gathering.”
No one inquired after the fate of that reckless maid.
Given what they knew about Moria, the girl was either taken away or already dead; either way, she wouldn’t have met a pleasant end.
Not that anyone really cared about a mere unlucky servant.
Eager to restore their own pride, the nobles almost unanimously decided—to focus more attention on Flora.
And, they all started to plot revenge against Moria.
One noble took the lead: “Wait, didn’t you say we had to witness the conferral? Miss Moria, not everyone has agreed to make this woman a baronet. We demand a proper reason!”
The banquet, which had finally calmed down, immediately erupted again.
Even though List and Emia had both shown Flora favor and acceptance, and even though Flora had the status of a mentor, the nobles—who had always been at odds with Moria—had no intention of letting the matter pass.
They were ready to make things as unpleasant as possible for that scheming woman.
After that statement, similar voices rose one after another.
Flora, unable to understand the situation, could only maintain a stiff smile, powerless to do anything.
She saw Moria looking at her with hopeful eyes, then turned her gaze toward the entrance of the hall.
An elderly man in bishop’s robes slowly entered, and following behind him was someone Flora had not seen in a long time—Tatasimi.
To see her appear, and at such a moment.
Even if she had no idea what was about to happen, Flora couldn’t help feeling suffocated.
Her instincts told her—nothing good awaited.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.