Chapter 22: Nobles Part 2

Cael Horais Sirius POV

“The noble from the Kingdom of Mimosa is now entering,” one of the castle guards announced in a loud voice.

The doors opened, and a single person entered the banquet hall.

A young man wearing a black coat and a black cloak walked calmly into the room.

The moment I looked at him, I froze.

A67 PA26 P6S5E5F5.

I blinked twice.

Did my eyes just make a mistake?

I looked at him again.

A67... PA26... P6... S5... E5... F5...

The numbers remained the same.

“That person probably possesses a lot of powerful titles,” Fragarach said telepathically.

I couldn't help but stare at the young man.

His appearance didn't match the impression his status gave me. He looked young, perhaps only a little older than the Crimson Hero I had heard about. Yet his Class was already A67.

That alone was enough to make him one of the strongest people in the room.

“I’m glad you made some time for us, considering your very busy schedule, Prince Alexis Ouranos Mimosa, or should I say Alexis the Celestial Hero?” King Louis greeted.

Alexis Ouranos Mimosa Class A67 Physical Age: 26
Vitality: 21150 + ?
Psyche: 21150 + ?
Power: 2538 + ?
Speed: 2115 + ?
Endurance: 2115 + ?
Fortitude: 2115 + ?

“Of course. It’s been a while since a hero was born. It’s an important event to celebrate,” Prince Alexis said.

His eyes soon moved toward me.

“And I’m kinda curious about him. To be able to drive back one of the known Living Nightmares, it’s a feat that is almost impossible for the power of a fledgling hero,” Prince Alexis continued.

“Or maybe it’s because of the Holysword Fragarach? Or both?”

He seems pretty interested in me.

“He’s kinda talkative, but be careful around him. He is considered as powerful as Vesper during his prime,” Fragarach warned me telepathically.

My expression stiffened.

As powerful as Vesper during his prime?

“He is the youngest known Hero before you. At the age of twelve, he managed to injure one of the Living Nightmares just a year after becoming a hero,” Fragarach added.

“His armament, Claíomh Solais, is also his special ability,” Fragarach stated.

“The Hero who used a blinding Sword of light that split his enemies in half,” I replied.

“I read about him. I know how dangerous he is, since he can instantly manifest Claíomh Solais whenever he wants, since it’s part of him,” I added.

Prince Alexis suddenly looked directly at me.

“Can you come closer, Hero Cael?” he asked.

“He’ll come here if you don’t go to him,” Fragarach said.

I stood up and grabbed Fragarach.

“Long Hands, ten steps,” I softly uttered.

In an instant, my body moved across the distance.

I appeared directly in front of Prince Alexis.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Celestial Hero,” I said.

“You don’t need to be cautious around me. I don’t plan to hurt you or your loved ones, Hero Cael,” Prince Alexis said telepathically.

I was surprised that he had spoken directly into my mind.

“Plus, on closer look, I don’t think I can beat you without suffering heavy injuries. At worst, I’ll probably lose,” Prince Alexis continued as his eyes looked intently at me.

“You can use Telepathy?” I asked through thoughts.

“Yes, to living beings that I touch,” Prince Alexis replied.

I glanced down at my hand.

That was when I noticed it.

An invisible thread of light was wrapped around my hand.

“He can see your status,” Fragarach warned.

“I can tell,” I replied.

The fact that he could see my status wasn't particularly surprising.

What surprised me was how casually he had revealed it.

“I’m not gonna tell anyone about your status, Hero Cael,” Prince Alexis said telepathically.

“I prefer to be your ally rather than your enemy, and I’ve been waiting for a long time for someone like you to show up,” Prince Alexis added.

His words caught me off guard.

I had expected someone as powerful as him to be arrogant or difficult to approach.

Instead, he was openly telling me that he wanted to be my ally.

I wasn't sure whether I could completely trust him yet, but I didn't sense any immediate hostility from him.

I slowly offered my hand as a sign of friendship.

“I’ll trust you, then, to keep it to yourself. I also wanted to meet you for a long time, Celestial Hero,” I said telepathically.

Prince Alexis smiled and shook my hand.

“It is also a pleasure to meet you, Hero Cael,” Prince Alexis said.

We soon released each other’s hands.

I returned to my seat while Prince Alexis, just like the others, greeted the Holy Maiden Kaia before heading toward his designated table.

I watched him for a moment before sitting down.

So that’s the Celestial Hero.

Even though he was only twenty-six years old, he had already reached a Class that most people could probably only dream of.

Before I could think about it any further, another announcement echoed through the banquet hall.

“The High Elves from the Elven Capital Fawaris are now entering,” one of the castle guards announced loudly.

High Elves were elves who possessed the same social rank as human nobles.

Five figures entered the room.

All of them looked like young people.

Yet their Physical Ages told a completely different story.

All of their Physical Ages were beyond 500 years old, and their Classes were all at B.

But one of them stood out immediately.

He was more than a thousand years old in Physical Age and possessed the same Class as the Celestial Hero.

A62 PA1032 P3S2E2F3.

“It’s an honor to see you here, High King Khyos,” King Louis said as he immediately stood up and walked toward the group of High Elves.

High King Khyos Dasos Fawaris Class A62 Physical Age: 1062
Vitality: 26140 + ?
Psyche: 39210 + ?
Power: 3921 + ?
Speed: 2614 + ?
Endurance: 2614 + ?
Fortitude: 3921 + ?

My eyes widened when I saw his name.

Dasos...

Isn’t that Talya’s Clan Name?

“I see, Little Talya is connected to the High Elves,” Fragarach commented.

“What do you mean?” I asked telepathically.

“You shouldn’t worry too much about it. It’s normal for a Clan Name with that high of prestige to survive even 30 to 40 generations, since there aren’t a lot of Clan Names that can outrank it,” Fragarach explained.

“What I’m surprised about is why Talya has that Clan Name even though her parents are both humans,” Fragarach pointed out.

“What do you mean by that, Fragarach?” I asked.

“Traditionally, mixed-raised beings can choose freely between a human Clan Name or another race’s Clan Name, depending on how they want to be classified.”

Fragarach paused for a moment.

“Cael, is Talya’s mom a human?”

“I’m not sure. All I know is that she looks younger than my mother, and she is one of the most beautiful people that I’ve seen,” I replied, remembering my memories.

“In any case, you shouldn’t let them know Talya’s full name, since it will become too complicated for Talya and you,” Fragarach warned.

I looked toward High King Khyos.

There was something about him that made me feel like I had seen his name somewhere before, but I couldn't remember where.

“Going here is a pretty long trip, but since Young Faust offered to use his special skill, I decided to at least see the Holysword Fragarach and the person he chose after a thousand years,” High King Khyos said as he looked in my direction.

So he had come here because of me.

“It’s an honor to meet you, High King Khyos,” I said as I stood up and gave him a respectful bow.

“I see you have Vesper’s blood on you, didn’t you?” High King Khyos asked.

His words immediately caught my attention.

“What makes you think that, Your Highness?” I asked curiously.

“Because I’m Vesper’s childhood friend, and I can see a facial resemblance of the Twilight Hero in you,” High King Khyos said.

Vesper’s childhood friend?

I couldn't help but look at him again.

That meant the High King standing before me had personally known the First Hero.

“Can you properly introduce yourself, young hero?” High King Khyos asked.

I walked a few feet away from our table and kneeled before him.

“I’m Cael Horais Sirius. It’s my pleasure to be in your presence, High King Khyos,” I said.

High King Khyos stared at me for a few seconds before smiling.

“You can return to your seat, young Cael. It’s indeed worth coming here,” High King Khyos said.

He then turned around, and the other High Elves followed him toward their designated table.

I returned to my seat.

I guess it’s true, then, that the Elves don’t revere the same god as us humans.

“That’s right. That’s why, for them, it’s forbidden to even acknowledge the Holy Maiden Kaia,” Fragarach commented.

I glanced toward the High Elves.

None of them had approached the Holy Maiden Kaia.

Before I could think about it any further, another announcement echoed through the hall.

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

Seven people entered the room.

Unlike the other nobles from the Kingdom, they were clearly gauging everyone’s strength without a hint of subtlety.

Their eyes moved from person to person, as though they were trying to determine exactly how strong everyone in the room was.

Their Classes ranged from C42 to C45.

But one of them was Class A.

He was also quite young compared to the others.

A61 PA20 P4S4E3F3.

“I didn’t expect it to be you, Princess Lucia Aspis Crux,” King Louis said.

“My father and brothers were at a much more important event, but since this is also an important event, I decided to at least show our support for the new Hero,” Princess Lucia said.

“Still, I’m glad you went out of your way to come here, Princess Lucia and Crimson Hero,” King Louis greeted.

“You should keep your eyes on him. It’s been three years since he became a hero, and wherever he goes, blood is always spilled,” Fragarach warned.

“He is the Empire’s Executioner, Crimson Hero, Lance Aima Crux,” Fragarach said.

Lance Aima Crux Class A61 Physical Age: 20
Vitality: 11430 + ?
Psyche: 11430 + ?
Power: 1524 + ?
Speed: 1524 + ?
Endurance: 1143 + ?
Fortitude: 1143 + ?

The Empire’s Executioner.

That was certainly not a title that made me feel comfortable around him.

“You think they’re up to something?” I asked telepathically.

“They’re pretty dumb if they did something with all the noble blood here. Even if they’re nobles from the Empire, they won’t get out unscathed,” Fragarach said.

I nodded slightly.

“So where is the new Hero?” the Crimson Hero asked.

I stood up.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Crimson Hero and Princess Lucia,” I said as I gave a curtsy bow.

The Crimson Hero looked at me for a moment.

“You’re really just a kid,” the Crimson Hero said.

“I’m curious how you became Fragarach’s master, that’s why I decided to escort Princess Lucia,” the Crimson Hero added.

“I’m also surprised to have been chosen by the Holysword Fragarach,” I replied.

He’s clearly trying to provoke me.

But just like Gavis taught me, I should just keep being respectful.

This was a formal banquet, and I had no intention of causing a scene merely because someone wanted to get a reaction from me.

“You bore me, Little Hero Cael,” the Crimson Hero said.

“I apologize for not meeting your expectations, Crimson Hero,” I replied.

“He’s really childish,” Fragarach commented.

I almost smiled at the comment.

“Hero Lance, at least act decently in front of the other nobles,” Princess Lucia said as she voiced her humiliation.

“It’s okay, Princess Lucia. I appreciate your effort in coming here,” I said, trying to save the Empire’s Princess some dignity.

Princess Lucia gave me a small nod.

She and the Crimson Hero then greeted Holy Maiden Kaia before heading toward their designated table.

I watched them leave.

Another three different groups had now entered the banquet hall.

The Kingdom of Mimosa.

The High Elves of Fawaris.

And the nobles of the Crux Empire.

And somehow, I had already learned something important about every group before the banquet had even truly begun.