Chapter 138. Banquet (3)

The urgent voice drew every gaze. Curious about the commotion reaching the second floor, attendees looked over.

“Hey, someone’s looking for you, Enoch?”

Ariadne, touching her forehead as if drunk, pointed aside curiously.

I was already looking.

From my seat, I spotted the source—a man pushing through the crowd, flustered. A familiar face made me tilt my head.

“…Askel?”

I remembered him well from the joint mission. A follower family of a third-rank Elsyde direct descendant, if I recalled.

Given his high rank, I’d guessed he’d attend.

But his expression wasn’t one of casual greeting.

Ignoring the stares, he scanned the tables, locking eyes with me and rushing over.

“Enoch! You’re here!”

Unlike his calm demeanor during the mission, he was frantic. Puzzled, I asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, your follower family…”

“Sirocco?”

His sudden mention made me tilt my head. He gestured downstairs.

“It’s about something on the first floor. Are you aware?”

“No, what happened?”

Askel, alarmed, turned to the first floor, visible from the second-floor balcony.

“Then you should see…”

BOOM!!

Before he finished, a massive sound roared from below.

“Ooh, what’s that?”

Ariadne, already intrigued by Askel’s fuss, turned with interest, still holding a refilled wine glass despite her flushed face.

I glanced over.

The sound’s source was close and obvious—people had cleared a space around it.

A wolf-eared girl stood proudly, arms crossed, barefoot. Sirocco.

She faced someone obscured by the crowd.

The commotion’s cause was clear, and I smiled unwittingly.

As planned.

“Nim, if you let this slide, your reputation…”

“Worried for me?”

Askel scratched his head.

“Not exactly, but since you’re here, I thought you should know…”

I had to check. Rising slowly, I glanced at the photos on the table.

Staring at the humanoid beasts leaking green mana, I spoke.

“Ariadne, these photos intrigue me. Can I take them?”

“Hm, our mission’s reported, so I don’t care. Data’s backed up. Take them.”

She waved, smiling.

“If you need more info, ask me or Pyra anytime.”

Her languid offer made me tilt my head.

“Thanks. But, unexpectedly, no price?”

In the original, Ariadne wasn’t abrasive, but neither was she a saint.

Even drunk or gentle, a direct descendant survived by weighing interests.

Curious if she’d demand something, she rubbed her flushed cheek on the table, twirling her glass thoughtfully.

“Hm, a price? Nice. How’s this?”

“What?”

“You like clear deals, right? I’ll match you with one condition.”

Slapping the table, she stood, glass in hand.

“You’re heading there, right?”

Pointing at Sirocco below, her eyes sparkled with interest.

“Then let me tag along to watch.”

***

Minutes before the banquet began.

Hearing people pass the banquet hall, Sirocco’s ears twitched.

A savory aroma hit her nose.

Walking and looking around, she saw tables laden with roasted meat and tangy, sweet-sauced salads.

Was this why he insisted on utensil training? She shot a glance but felt no real resentment.

Recalling days ago, a smile touched her lips.

It was a fun memory.

Being with him was, oddly, enjoyable.

A tickling in her chest made her press a hand there.

Hunting beasts alone for days in her tribe wasn’t bad, but this was different.

“…?”

Mid-thought, she stopped, spotting something.

On a long table she passed, a tray of food caught her eye.

Approaching, people in glittering clothes, chatting, widened their eyes at her.

“Hey, hi!”

She greeted as usual, but they stared, whispering in surprise, unaware her keen ears caught it all.

> —That’s Enoch Elsyde’s…

> —A beast-kin. Best not get involved.

> —Should we avoid her?

Ignoring her greeting, they retreated. She turned to the table.

Various foods lay before her.

Sniffing a thin glass of red liquid, she caught a sweet scent.

Curious, she dipped a finger, licking it.

“…Ugh, sour.”

A dizzying sensation made her stick out her tongue, frowning.

Just a taste, yet her head spun.

Never seen in her tribe. Maybe the “wine” she’d heard of?

She felt oddly buoyant.

Her wolf ears caught a voice.

> —Why’s Enoch here?

Far off, a man glanced at her, chatting smugly.

“Didn’t expect someone once called Elsyde’s failure to rush to a banquet invitation.”

“He was invited, wasn’t he?”

“Even so, attending right after avoiding disownment?”

“Hm.”

“Other Main House domains and external talents are invited. For someone once a family shame to attend?”

“He earned merits.”

“Now, yes, but how it looks outside? Black magic rumors linger. Many share my view.”

Thinking she couldn’t hear, he glanced again.

“And bringing a beast-kin follower here? Too heedless of optics.”

“I get that.”

Smirking at agreement, he added.

“Heh, with no notable external feats, he’s clueless.”

Sirocco decided to act.

“You.”

Striding over, she demanded boldly, hands on hips.

“Apologize to him now.”

“Haha, apologize for what?”

The man who’d badmouthed me smiled falsely, unfazed.

“Oh, Sirocco? I heard of your joint mission. I’m Galeil Kairius, from a baron’s house…”

She shook her head, snapping.

“I heard everything.”

“What? But the distance…”

Puzzled, he glanced at the gap she’d crossed.

A deafening roar shook the hall.

BOOM!!

The floor quaked, tables rattling.

The ground under him trembled, forcing him to a knee.

“W-What…”

Realizing Sirocco had stomped without magic, his face paled.

Her shadow loomed over him as he knelt.

“Not impressed.”

She spoke coolly, gazing down.

Her icy tone drew every eye.

“…Haha, I didn’t lie, did I?”

Knowing denial was futile, he narrowed his eyes, doubling down.

“You don’t know formal speech with strangers. Attending without manners?”

“No way.”

Ignoring his nonsense, she retorted coldly.

“I can even use a fork.”

“What does that…”

Stammering, he gritted his teeth, feeling foolish.

Glaring, he surged mana, staring her down.

“Mocking me?”

“Not a fool, huh?”

His brows twitched at her blatant taunt. Eyes were already gathered.

“Committing such rudeness publicly. Are you prepared?”

Sensing no retreat, he stood, glaring.

“Despite beast-kin’s fierce reputation, your village’s isolation means no recent proof of strength.”

“Hmph, really?”

Sneering openly, he mocked.

“Under Enoch Elsyde, your strength’s predictable.”

“You…”

As Sirocco’s voice chilled, another spoke.

“That’s intriguing.”

Her ears perked at the familiar voice, glancing aside. A black-haired boy stood there.

Seeing me approach, Galeil muttered.

“…Enoch Elsyde.”

Sirocco glanced at me.

“Hmph, he says you don’t know your place.”

“I heard on the way. Quite amusing.”

I smirked coldly.

“Then, since I’m clueless, I’ve a question, Galeil.”

“You know me?”

“No need to know how.”

I smiled lightly. Of course, I knew him—a mere Tier 4 character from the original.

“Galeil, if you insulted me, you’ll pay. As you said, are you prepared?”

“T-That…”

Meeting my cold gaze, he swallowed, faltering. Ignoring him, I turned.

“Sirocco.”

“Yeah?”

“You said Elsyde’s fortress gathers the strong, right?”

“Yup.”

I smiled faintly. With all eyes on us, it was perfect.

I wouldn’t avoid this.

I’d waited for it—a chance to use Sirocco’s wild, free nature.

“Do as you want.”

Pleased the stage was set, I asked softly.

“Hmph, love that.”

Sirocco grinned.

“I was curious about all the strong people here.”

Looking at Galeil, she added.

“Let’s test it with this guy!”

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