Epilogue: The Banquet

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“Are you sure you’re ready, Ren-kun? You seemed a bit nervous earlier.”

I fussed over my bangs while Shion helped me adjust my forest green tie and my collar. I wore a fancy black tuxedo and slacks with a white undershirt provided to me personally by Governor Mikail Starkraven for the occasion.​

The opening banquet, an event that would signify the commencement of the moot to decide the Kingdom of Zen’s next ruler. From today, many meetings, policy discussions, public speeches, and other events would take place within the city of Ember, like a big festival, until someone was crowned.​

“Nervous? Why would I be nervous?” I lied through my teeth.​

“I mean, it’s not every day that you get to be the Governor’s personal guest of honor at a dinner party that features so many important faces. It’s only natural that you would feel nervous, I know I certainly would.” Shion nodded, having finished tidying up my appearance.​

I wasn’t used to wearing such nice clothes and acting with such strict decorum.​

“There, all done.”​

“Great, thanks.” At last, I found myself somewhat satisfied with what I saw in the mirror, before sighing. “I wasn’t crazy about the guy to start with, but he did release Nana and Hachi from their contracts, so I can cut him a little slack, I guess.”​

“Yes, that was quite kind of you to suggest that as your reward for his rescue.” Shion praised my actions, although she likely would have done the same in my place. “If you’re still unsure, however, we could always fake you being sick from mana depletion fatigue. It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility…”​

“Nah, no need. I guess I’m just not used to… You know, being celebrated for anything.” I shrugged. “This hero stuff takes some getting used to. The prospect of having all those eyes on me makes me just a little…”​

Petrified? What a wimp I’m starting to sound like!​

“Say no more, Ren-kun, I understand what you mean.”​

“You do?”

“Yes, however, I think you should take pride in your accomplishments, having saved us all yet again with your resourcefulness and courage. And against an entire coven of skinwalkers with the cult’s backing.” Shion said before her expression darkened. “But again I’m reminded of just how little I can do for you…”​

“Why, what do you mean?”​

“Nothing, it’s just… I never properly apologized… I think.” Twiddling her thumbs, Shion looked down at her sparkly yellow gown. “Last evening at the council meeting, the real reason they denied you was because of my unsuitability as your guide. You being forced to fight alone against the coven, too, was because of my own lack of strength and foresight…”​

I put my hand up as if to cut in as politely as possible. Shion paused, confused as to what I might have to say.​

“It’s alright, I know you’re not a psychic or anything,” I reassured her, having grown to understand her a bit more. “Before those two knuckleheads kidnapped me, I made a promise to myself that I would show your master what he was missing out on and keep pushing myself forward. Whether or not I get accepted to the Institute, that kinda stuff doesn’t bother me anymore. Not in the slightest.”​

“Really, Ren-kun? But wasn’t it always your dream to be admitted as a student?”​

“At first it was, and maybe it still is…” I admitted. “But I’ve found something else now to look forward to. People like Zero, the twins, and many others along the way. I’ve been able to lead an entirely new life and make friends that I wouldn’t have before, and honestly? It’s all thanks to… well, you probably know what I’m trying to say…”​

My cheeks flushed red in a rare bout of bashfulness.​

“Hmm, I don’t believe I do… Would you mind clarifying?”​

It was just like Shion to say that while wearing her teasing smirk, much like when I met her for the first time. On the day I mistook her for the dagger thief, and chased her halfway around Redrook.​

“Fine, jeez!” I groaned, turning so she couldn’t see my expression. “It’s all thanks to you, you know! If you hadn’t gotten me wrapped up in your schemes, or whatever you’d like to call them, I’d still be doing the same old thing. I’d be alone, assuming they didn’t take my head off, so… Thank you, Shion. Truly.”​

Shion, after a moment of genuine surprise, displayed as authentic a smile as I had seen from her as she took a few steps back, leaning forward.​

“Of course.” She beamed.​

“Hey, they’re calling for us, gang. The Governor saved our introductions for last!” Zero poked his head into the dressing room, giving us a warning that it was almost our turn to walk down the red-carpeted stairs into the ballroom. “Yoo, partner, look-ing good!”​

“Thanks, man.” I grinned. “And you… don’t look too bad yourself?”​

Zero was also wearing a tuxedo, but he had torn the sleeves off of it, revealing his toned biceps and forearms. Or perhaps his arms had simply torn the tight-fitting sleeves to shreds on their own. Either way, it was a strangely fitting look for him, Shion’s exasperated expression besides.​

“Thank you, thank you.” Zero flexed, flashing a toothy grin as he did. “I can tell someone isn’t happy about my natural sense of style, though, probably because of jealousy, partner.”​

He sort of whispered the last part, but Shion was standing right next to me and heard it all.​

“You know what… We’re celebrating tonight, so I’ll leave it be for now.” I could tell she considered chastising Zero, but she held it in, electing not to take the bait for once. I was proud of her in a strange way. “Shall we head on in? It wouldn’t do to keep our hosts in suspense.”​

“Eh, I don’t see why not...” I stretched, releasing a bit of tension as I followed Shion and Zero out of the dressing room and into the corridor that led to the banquet hall.​

. . .​

“Now introducing our guests of honor for this opening banquet, a group of brave souls to whom I owe my very life,” Governor Starkraven announced in his gruff voice, wearing a flashy white tuxedo with a pocket square and holding up a glass of champagne in a toast. “Masters Ren, Shion, and Zero, you have done an immeasurable service for both me and the city of Ember.”​

“Ah, it was nothing, seriously!” Zero scratched his nose with his index finger, feigning modesty.​

“It’s as my companion says, the honor is all ours,” Shion said in a slightly more humble manner.​

“Such humility! Then, let’s raise the opening toast in their honor!”​

All across the room, people I recognized lifted their glasses in celebration of our achievement.

“Will you say a few words, hero of the hour?” The wolfish-looking Governor towered over me as he encouraged me to speak in front of everyone. “It was you who dealt the final blow to those villains, was it not?”​

“Yeah, but…”​

Not all of them. Gertilda must have slipped out in the chaos after I decked her in the face and blew up both of her sisters.​

Just another loose end for us to worry about besides Alpha, who had yet to resurface in the aftermath of the attack on Redrook’s northern district.​

“Go on, Ren-kun,” Shion whispered, gesturing for me to proceed. “The people are waiting for their hero.”​

This girl…​

Though she was probably just relieved not to have the attention of the floor, I decided to try and do my best at her urging.​

“Uhhh, hey everyone, thanks a lot for coming out tonight,” I said dryly to a few scattered chuckles.​

This was going to be tougher than I thought, but there was no turning back at that point. I took a deep breath.​

“You know, looking back on the past few weeks… I couldn’t help but think that the “me” that first landed in this world, the “me” many of you probably heard about at some point, wouldn’t have believed it if you told him I’d be here right now, speaking in front of all of you…”

I crossed glances with Nana and Hachi, who were chatting with a couple of members of the council, the Professor and Headteacher Fury. They waved at me warmly, which brought a smile to my face.​

“I guess what I’m trying to say is, it’s a huge honor to even be here amongst you all, and I truly hope for whoever becomes king—or queen—that they don’t forget about people like me, or others I know in beggar’s alley who are just scraping to get by… You just never know who could be waiting for their second chance.” I said, raising my glass. “So cheers, to the kingdom, and to the little guys!”​

“To the kingdom, and to the little guys!” Everyone called out in unison, clinking glasses with the nearest person.​

The governor slapped my back approvingly, or at least that’s the way I interpreted it. Exhaling, I glanced to my left and noticed Zero had already broken for the table containing the kegs of ale. I stifled a laugh with the back of my hand.​

Never change, my friend.​

A celebration ensued after that as I caught up with friends, and engaged in conversation with as many folks that wanted to pick my brain as possible. It wasn’t something I was used to, of course, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a stimulating experience in a good way.​

After some food, drink, and conversation, a circle two-step dancing ring formed. I tried to flee, but Shion dragged me back into the formation. We were all encouraged to dance with different partners every turn as part of the choreography, and it was a social exercise to break the ice. My first draw was Nana with how the shuffling turned out.​

“Sorry, I’m a little new to this…” I muttered.​

Due to her small stature, it meant hand placement was more difficult, but she was a nimble mover and a surprisingly good teacher.

“Don’t be, I’ll lead the first few steps until you get the hang of it, Ren.” Having probably seen many parties and banquets in these halls, Nana was a certified pro at ballroom dance.

Drawing her first turned out to be a blessing, and her navy blue two-piece dress was a good look for her on a separate note. Much like Zero with his lack of sleeves and penchant for drinking cheap ale, she simply couldn’t resist incorporating the midriff into her attire whenever possible.

It was also strangely satisfying to hear her drop the formal speech in this building since she was officially a free citizen now. And not to mention, a newly approved student at the Institute, along with her brother, as of that very afternoon.​

Not like I’m jealous or anything though…​

We bowed to each other as the call was issued to change partners. And change partners, I most certainly did.

One after another I danced with some truly attractive and esteemed young women, somehow managing not to step on any of their toes. Avoiding doing so was my primary focus, to be frank. They didn’t seem to mind my scary face either, in the end, which was a first for me.​

The final call to switch was issued, and I drew another familiar face.​

“Fufufu, fancy meeting you here, Ren-kun.” Shion put her hand up to her mouth, chuckling like she wasn’t the one who made me dance in the first place. “Don’t think I didn’t see you ogling all those other girls, how bold. Don’t you know, though, you’ll wound this young maiden's heart, turning your gaze to meet every pretty face…”

“Hah-hah, very funny.” I scoffed, holding out my hand to play the part. “I was simply saving the best for last, you see. Then, if it would please you, may I have this last dance, my lady?”​

Shion’s cheeks warmed up as I successfully flipped the embarrassment onto her instead.​

“Ahem, I suppose I can forgive your male tendencies this one trespass…” Shion reluctantly held out her hand, playing the role of the frustrated maiden too skillfully. “But only just this once.”​

We took to dancing together, smiles painting our faces in the bright and vibrant ballroom as our feet glided across the marble tile. I wasn’t particularly graceful, but Shion didn’t seem to mind. I glanced over at the drinker’s corner as Zero furiously gulped down a thirtieth flask in a show of his drinking prowess.​

His opponent in the contest was the council member, Swordmaster Xianzhou, who tipped over backwards in his chair, unconscious. Zero held his flask high above his head in victory, and to raucous cheers. Nana and Hachi, on the other end of the circle, had drawn each other as dance partners as well, and happily danced together like Shion and I.​

Someone I didn’t happen to see, however, was Guildmaster Milton. I thought I saw him speaking to Headmaster Argo as we entered, but since then, he had slipped away at some point into the crowd and outside of the venue. I would have guessed that he was made for this sort of social gathering, but maybe he took ill at some point.​

Just as Shion and I parted at the conclusion of the live band’s performance, the doors at the top of the stairs flew open loudly, catching everyone’s attention. First inside was the man I was only just wondering about, Guildmaster Milton, wearing an uncharacteristically perturbed expression. In fact, I would say it bordered on anger.​

After him, several lines of soldiers–Royal Garrison members by the looks of it–made their way in and knelt down on one knee in two lines on the veranda that overlooked the dance floor. The last soldier inside blew a trumpet before proceeding to unroll a scroll and make a shocking announcement to the crowd.​

“Now introducing her grace, Second Princess Noella, as well as her preferred candidate to ascend to the throne of Zen…” Our collective eyes widened in shock as the two appeared in tandem. “The esteemed Royal Garrison Captain, Leónidas Von Grimwick.”​

Everyone murmured with extreme confusion, or at least those of us who hadn’t known all along that Prince Nou was, in fact, female. The young lady was dressed for the occasion, but her eyes were distant and didn’t react like one might expect now that her big secret was out. However, the real kicker was what the soldier said last…​

Preferred candidate to rule…​

“Leónidas, explain yourself this instant!” Governor Starkraven barked.​

“Why, of course, Governor. When I found out the opening banquet was taking place tonight, I just knew I had to drop in and make an appearance for the people.” Captain Grimwick smiled defiantly, gesturing toward the crowd. “Because, after all…”​

We all narrowed our gazes.​

“...this is my coronation ceremony.”​

I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that the moot was going to be much more eventful, much more trying, than any of us could have imagined going in.​

However, exchanging an unspoken and determined glance with Shion, and then with Guildmaster Milton, I was reminded once again that no matter what the world intended for us–in the near or far future–no matter what the odds of victory or defeat were, that my friends and I would be ready to face it with our heads held high. The despair and loneliness of my early days here were a distant memory now, and I only had my friends to thank for it.

Because, after all… Thanks to Shion, thanks to all the others, I wasn’t the same man I used to be. No, not one bit. Itsuka Ren, I, had left that scared boy from before in the past, and I could finally, truthfully, say that I was much more than just the last arrival in another world.

[END VOL. 1]