Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: 6-2. Labyrinth
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Judah had just sliced into his steak and popped a piece into his mouth. He frowned, chewing steadily. The meat's juices and texture were enough to win him over—were it not for the cheers and applause echoing from below.
Gulp. He swallowed and let out a sigh.
*What the hell is that?*
The first floor was full of nobles. Judah recalled entering this upscale restaurant less than an hour ago. The nobles had conversed quietly, dined with refined poise, and musicians had played a grand harp under soft lighting, their melody suiting the ambiance perfectly. These weren't the types to erupt in applause when a performance ended.
*Did someone propose or something?*
Curiosity stirred, but not enough to drag him downstairs to check. He kept eating in silence, but his companions seemed less disciplined—they'd stopped mid-bite, staring toward the stairs. Even Lime set down his fork after slipping a grilled asparagus spear into his mouth. Eyes closed, he took deep breaths, trying to calm his irritation. Needless to say, the applause didn't let up.
"Something must be happening down there. Shall we take a look?"
He glanced at Judah for permission, already poised to cast a spell—not an attack, but something like far-sight to scout the situation. It was a tempting offer, but the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs made Judah shake his head.
"No need. Looks like the star of the show is coming up right on cue."
He pointed his juice-slicked fork toward the stairs. The waiter who'd seated them earlier appeared first, bowing obsequiously and gesturing with utmost deference.
*Who could it be?*
To draw cheers and applause from nobles like that?
He had to admit the place was fancy—catering to nobility, with food worth every coin. But it wasn't the sort of spot to host an emperor or imperial figure.
And if they did show up, the response would be hushed bows, not raucous cheers, with the manager handling service, not a waiter.
*Hero.*
Right. Cheers from nobles? That screamed hero.
The thought had barely formed when the figure emerged at the top of the stairs.
A man with gray hair slicked back. Wrinkles on his brow spoke of years weathered gracefully, paired with an intellectual air and a monocle dangling from a chain. A scar slashed across one eye, mismatched with his sharp gaze and neatly trimmed beard—a striking old warrior, handsome even to another man's eye.
"Old" was just a label; his ramrod-straight posture and medal-laden uniform suggested a physique as firm as any youth's. He reached the top with a confident smile.
"Ooh!"
The seated nobles gasped in admiration, heaving their hefty frames upright. Chairs scraped loudly, but no one cared—not when everyone was doing it.
"It's Kallictes!"
One noble shouted the name, clapping furiously. The rest ignited, roaring in a hypnotic frenzy.
Judah's group remained seated—the only ones—their nonchalance matched solely by Iris. Arhil and Lime's eyes widened in round surprise.
*Why's he here?*
Judah was just as startled. He couldn't recall the family name from the back table, but the man's name stuck firm. Even before another noble uttered it, his features triggered instant recognition from the character creation screen—identical to the design and illustration. He'd missed Viscount Jenoure, but Kallictes? Obvious.
Kallictes.
The empire's living hero, a legend in the flesh. Supreme Commander of the Azure Lance Knights, ever at the front lines as the empire's shield, repelling assaults from Baekje and other kingdoms. In his prime, he'd been the empire's spear, crushing the southern petty kingdom alliance to forge the borders we know today. Countless imperial youths idolized him, enlisting in the Azure Lance Knights to serve under him.
What truly set him apart was his Fragment. He wielded one of the empire's two prized pieces: the Nineteenth Fragment, *Moonlight*.
Fragments, forged from Perlnirn's hearts, boasted innate magic resistance. But Kallictes' *Moonlight*—shield-shaped—rendered its bearer nigh-invincible. Most spells barely scratched it; physical blows fared no better.
Barring rival Fragments or equal treasures, piercing his shield was a pipe dream. No wonder the nobles cheered—the empire's pride stood before them.
"…Hm?"
Ascending to the third floor, he spotted the sole seated group: Judah's. Standing out amid the throng, it drew eyes. Two or three seconds, but enough—noble gazes converged.
Kallictes shrugged it off indifferently, stepping toward the third-floor stairs under the waiter's lead. But to the nobles, these seated gawkers were an eyesore.
Some flushed red. Plenty glared, as if demanding they rise. Whispers vilified them as crude adventurers or mercenaries unfit for such company. Judah's ears caught every word. He'd ignore most, but the sneering tone grated.
Judah grasped the sting of inner conflict anew.
Ignore the mockery and stay seated?
Or stand, clap, and compromise?
Either way, too late now. Tension thickened. Judah turned his head. Sit idle through dinner, and noble complaints would boot them out.
He'd come for fond memories in this pricey spot; now it'd scar as the worst. Arhil ducked her head at the murmurs; Lime scowled in disgust. Iris alone seemed unfazed.
Without power, he'd have risen late, bowed pride, flashed an awkward smile, and clapped. But power? Judah had it in spades—no need to swallow humiliation here!
Kallictes, four steps up, tugged at his attention, but venting now promised more gains than restraint's losses.
*'Trust with Iris and Lime will rise.'*
Show he wouldn't let companions suffer mockery unchallenged. Reckless trouble might tank trust—no risk here. Irked by the barbs, Judah turned.
"Ha."
A scoff escaped, aimed at the gossiping noble behind. Eyes locked. They kept sneering, gesturing impatiently for him to stand.
*When in Rome,* but Judah wasn't Roman—nor was applause respect's duty, let alone obligation. Their demands fueled disgust. As Kallictes hit the stairs' base, an impatient young noble flushed crimson, face twisted savagely, and approached. He muffled his steps—loath to irk their hero.
"…Hmph!"
Judah snorted, setting fork and knife aside as he rose.
"J-Judah! Don't!"
Arhil whispered urgently. But with zero intent to yield, Judah strode toward the oncoming noble. The well-fed aristocrat was burly from training—poised for fisticuffs. Applause faltered.
Kallictes paused mid-ascent, sensing trouble, and glanced back. The noble flinched unbecomingly, softening his scowl into an awkward grin—pitiful.
*What a spotlight-seeker.*
Judah released his mana. Dense and compressed, it seeped from his body like gas, dominating the area. The weak would feel crushed, oppressed.
"Huh!?"
The hulking noble froze too. Trained enough to handle mana, his eyes bulged, but he didn't kneel.
*Something's wrong?*
Judah approached, unleashing more. Mana rolled out like a tumbling ball on a hill, weighing the air heavier. Overwhelmed, the nameless noble buckled, knees giving way.
Thud!
It wasn't just him. Distant ones fared fine, but nearby nobles collapsed; women trembled, some soiling themselves in terror.
Silence blanketed the restaurant.
Judah stepped before the kneeling man, gazing down. The youth strained to lift his head, disbelief etched clear. Pathetic. Judah sighed.
"……."
Dinner was ruined, whatever. First night in Ravena, Byron Empire's capital—fizzling out like this. Tongue delighted moments ago; now bitter.
Judah scanned the room. Recent sneerers coughed awkwardly, averting eyes. Some dabbed sweat from brows with handkerchiefs.
Kallictes, who'd watched from the stairs, descended. The waiter, choked by mana, sweated profusely, face a mask of dismay.
*'We're screwed.'*
That summed the waiter's thoughts. But contrary to his panic, Kallictes smiled warmly.
"An intriguing fellow."
His deep voice murmured. Tugging his tailored uniform's collar, he stepped forward. As his foot landed, foreign mana invaded Judah's domain.
Cling!
A clear ring echoed from thin air. Manas clashed, neutralizing. Nobles and waiter, gasping moments before, exhaled in relief at the lighter air.
*'Ah, damn.'*
Judah turned, cursing inwardly.
Azure Lance Knights' Supreme Commander, Kallictes.
He loomed above, smiling down.