Chapter 21: Nobles

Cael Horais Sirius POV

The main hall has a very high ceiling. An emerald-colored carpet is laid across the room from the foot of the throne to the entrance.

Tens of circular tables, each surrounded by five intricately decorated chairs, are neatly arranged in rows a few feet away from both sides of the emerald carpet.

I could see several tables already had a few people seated at them.

About four tables already had nobles sitting at them.

They’re probably mostly from Cygnus, I thought.

Three familiar people were standing beside King Louis.

Sir Mephisto, Arya, and the other one is... I tried to remember.

“His name is Sarik,” Fragarach said.

The first table I saw had a familiar face. It was Holy Maiden Kaia, with several Holy Knights around her.

The Holy Knights have Classes ranging from C42 to C45.

There were two unfamiliar faces sitting beside her.

I planned to gauge their stats, but Holy Maiden Kaia suddenly turned her attention towards us.

I quickly darted my eyes away so as not to be caught staring at their group.

“Our table is here,” Gavis said as he asked us to sit at it.

I unloaded Fragarach from the sword harness and moved him just beside my chair.

“Sorry, I don’t think I can sit with you on my back,” I apologized telepathically.

“It’s okay,” Fragarach replied.

Gavis stood behind me.

The atmosphere in the room is quite heavy. I can sense that their eyes were on our table.

The castle servants then moved to our location to place cold drinks on our table.

I was about to take a sip when Sir Mephisto walked towards our table.

After I finished my first sip of the cold tangerine juice, he was already standing beside me.

“I’m glad you decided to attend the banquet, Hero Cael,” Knight Commander Mephisto greeted with a simple curtsy bow.

“The pleasure is mine, Knight Commander,” I said respectfully as I stood and returned the curtsy bow.

“I hope you’re not offended by how the castle guards acted earlier,” Sir Mephisto said.

“I asked them to be more strict since it’s an important event,” Sir Mephisto added.

“Gavis seems okay with it, so I won’t,” I replied.

I can see at least twenty knights around the main hall, their Classes ranging from D31 to C41.

My current Class is as strong as the weakest knight in the room.

“The nobles from the Kingdom of Rubidia are now entering,” one of the castle guards said in a loud voice.

Four unfamiliar faces entered the room, two of them wearing extravagant clothes while the other two were wearing decorative battle gear.

“Those two are definitely their guards,” Fragarach commented.

On closer look, both of the guards of the nobles from Rubidia were C47 and C50, and both of them looked very young. On closer inspection, their PAs were 16 and 17.

Just sixteen and seventeen years old, I thought.

C47 PA16 P3S2E2F1 and C50 PA17 P3S3E3F1.

No wonder they just brought two guards, both of whom are incredibly powerful.

The two nobles from the Kingdom of Rubidia walked straight towards King Louis as their two bodyguards followed them.

“I’m happy to see you both well, Crown Prince Kyle Kosmina Rubidia and Prime Minister Hayes,” King Louis greeted.

“The same here, Warrior King Louis,” Crown Prince Kyle greeted, while Prime Minister Henry just gave a respectful bow.

“So where is this new hero of yours that drove back the Dragon Avenger?” Crown Prince Kyle asked.

King Louis just looked in my direction.

“I see you really are still in the body of a child. I’m glad to see you, Hero Cael,” Crown Prince Kyle said while looking at me.

“The same here. I feel honored to meet you, Crown Prince Kyle and Prime Minister Hayes,” I greeted as I stood up, followed by a curtsy bow.

His guards just stared at me as if they were gauging my strength.

One whispered something to the Crown Prince, and he just smiled.

“I hope we will be on friendly terms, and I would love to talk to you later, Hero Cael,” the Crown Prince said.

“I feel the same, Crown Prince Kyle,” I replied.

The Crown Prince and his group then walked towards Holy Maiden Kaia before heading to their designated table.

“You’re doing well, Hero Cael,” Gavis said.

“Gavis, how much more time do I need to do this?” I asked.

“Five times, if all the Kingdoms send at least one of their nobles to attend,” Gavis answered.

“Six times if the Empire decides to send one of theirs,” Gavis added.

I can see why Fragarach is not interested in this kind of thing at all, I thought.

“The nobles from the Kingdom of Imai are now entering,” one of the castle guards said in a loud voice.

Six people entered the room.

B59 PA44 P4S3E2F2, B58 PA43 P2S2E2F5.

Both of the elegantly dressed people have the highest Classes in the group.

The other four were just hovering around the D Class: D31, D33, D34, and D36.

All of them were dressed as guards.

What’s the point of bringing guards that are weaker than you? I thought.

“Of course, to keep them alive. You don’t need to be extremely powerful to save someone,” Fragarach commented.

“It’s been a while, Hero King Finn Floga Imai and High Mage Erina Floga Imai,” King Louis greeted.

“It has really been a while, King Louis. The last time we met was when your son Mephisto became your Knight Commander,” Hero King Finn said.

“That was almost a decade ago. I’m glad both of you are doing well,” Hero King Finn added.

“It’s been a while, Master Finn,” Sir Mephisto greeted.

“My daughter Olivia has been in a pretty sour state since you forgot to visit us last month,” Hero King Finn said.

“I’ll be sure to head there once things calm down here a bit,” Mephisto replied.

Then the Hero King’s eyes moved towards me.

“You’re strong, aren’t you, Young Hero Cael?” Hero King Finn greeted.

“Not as strong as you, Hero King Finn,” I greeted as I stood up, followed by a curtsy bow.

“I like you. You’re modest for a child your age with that kind of strength,” Hero King Finn said.

His eyes were focused on Fragarach.

“That is a pretty nice sword you have, although I have my own,” Hero King Finn said as he tapped the sword on his hip.

HolySword Caladbolg, another one of the famous blades, is said to have the power to even the most powerful storm.

It is known to be the blade that ended the Tempest Harpy reign living between the Kingdom of Mimosa and Kingdom of Magalhanica.

“It’s better if we don’t get into a fight with them,” Fragarach said.

“I know,” I replied telepathically.

“I’m already up in age, but if you can, I’d like to spar with you later, Hero Cael,” Hero King Finn asked.

“If you’re okay with a wooden training sword, then I’ll be glad to spar with you after this banquet, Hero King Finn,” I replied.

“Wooden sword, huh?” Hero King Finn said.

“I’ll take your offer, Hero Cael,” Hero King Finn said as he also went to greet Holy Maiden Kaia before heading to their designated seat.

Gavis just sighed.

I know I shouldn’t have said it, but I can’t simply say no, and I do want to see the Hero King in action, I thought.

“You know he can still kill you even with a wooden sword, right?” Fragarach said.

“I know, but at the very least, he will control his strength, and he’ll break his or my sword, and that will end the sparring,” I said telepathically.

“I can’t believe you. You thought that far ahead,” Fragarach commented.

“The nobles from the Kingdom of Magalhanica are now entering,” one of the castle guards said in a loud voice.

Two people entered the room. One was a young girl about my age, and the other was a young woman about a decade older than me.

The young girl was wearing a lovely red dress full of extravagant embroidery, while the young woman was wearing black clothes and silver light armor.

A60 PA21 P4S5E3F3.

The young woman’s Class and Aspects were even stronger than the Hero King’s, I thought.

“No wonder she’s alone with that little girl,” Fragarach commented.

They both walked gracefully towards King Louis.

“I guess it’s our first meeting, Crown Princess Ariel Anthos Magalhanica and Valkyrie Iris Skotadi Magalhanica,” King Louis greeted.

“It is, King Louis, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Crown Princess Ariel greeted as she gracefully lifted her skirt and bowed.

“I’m surprised the Kingdom of Magalhanica sent their Crown Princess and their strongest fighter,” Gavis said softly.

“I’m sure you’re surprised by why my father allowed my selfish act to come to this banquet,” Crown Princess Ariel stated.

“But like the other nobles from different Kingdoms, we’re here to see what kind of person the Holysword Fragarach has chosen and establish a friendly relationship with him if possible,” Crown Princess Ariel added.

Is she really a ten-year-old?... I thought.

“I’m surprised you can ask, Cael,” Fragarach commented.

“Plus, can you see her Physical Age?” Fragarach said and went quiet for a moment.

“You’re Hero Cael, right?” Crown Princess Ariel asked while looking straight into my eyes.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Crown Princess Ariel,” I replied.

Her eyes then darted towards Talya but quickly went back to me.

“I hear that you’re staying with Sir Faust. I would love it if you could visit us at a later date in our Kingdom,” Crown Princess Ariel said.

“I’ll ask Sir Faust to inform you once I can,” I replied.

Her eyes darted to Gavis after hearing my reply.

“I’ll see. I’ll look forward to it, then.”

Crown Princess Ariel and Valkyrie Iris then greeted Holy Maiden Kaia just like the others before heading to their designated table.

I’m glad I listened well to Gavis’ lesson, since even with his lesson, I feel like I’m walking a thin thread with every conversation with the nobles, I thought.