Episode 77: Imperial Banquet (Part 3)
The banquet that began at night stretched on until dawn. With that in mind, it was only natural that some participants would grow weary. Accordingly, the venue had rooms set aside for rest.
Following the attendant's guidance, I arrived at the room. I snapped irritably, "What're you waiting for? Open it."
"...His Highness the Second Prince is inside. Please mind your words and actions..."
"I'll behave just fine, so open the damn door."
I growled. The attendant hesitated with a troubled expression before finally unlocking the door.
In truth, the attendants weren't at fault. They were simply trained to act this way. If anyone was to blame, it was their misfortune. Had they been luckier, they wouldn't have crossed paths with scumbags like me or the Second Prince.
Kiiik— The door creaked open slowly. A lavishly decorated room came into view at a glance. I stepped inside.
At the center of the room sat the man who'd summoned me: Second Prince Rayan Tianis. He lounged there with an arrogant posture.
"......"
But I didn't approach him. Instead, I furrowed my brow. The reason? The Second Prince wasn't sitting on a chair—he was perched atop a person.
It was a woman, and from a quick glance, she was the lady called Ailin from earlier. She didn't so much as twitch, her eyes devoid of any spark. She was completely subjugated.
What a filthy taste in women.
I cursed inwardly and plopped down on the sofa opposite him. A chair had been prepared for me, of course.
"Why'd you call me here?"
I asked, my voice laced with annoyance. But the Second Prince calmly downed the wine glass in his hand. His movements were leisurely, as if he'd already forgotten our earlier clash.
After finishing the glass, he set it down and finally spoke. "You've changed a lot since we last met. We used to get along so well."
"No idea what you're talking about."
I refused to continue the conversation. I had no clue what kind of history existed between two scumbags like us. At this point in the story, Kyle Arden was a forgotten side character. Unless it came up through Veil, there was little mention of him, so information was scarce. Still, as fellow degenerates, they must have had some connection.
"That pissy attitude of yours hasn't changed, though. Not that I'd expect it to."
One thing was clear: the Second Prince knew me well.
"...Get to the point."
Chatting with him any longer made me want to puke, so I urged him on. He didn't drag it out.
"Straight to it, then. Hand over Rana to me."
"......"
I stared at him with a blank expression. But he continued nonchalantly, "I've had my eye on her for a while. I was already looking for an opportunity lately... and then you had to butt in. The incident at the banquet hall goes without saying."
Rayan Tianis wore a troubled look. In the Tiran Empire, the imperial family and the Arden house weren't just any allies. As I'd mentioned before, they'd stood together since the empire's founding. Their close bond was a symbol of the empire itself.
But if ugly rumors spread between them, it would spell trouble. Word of internal unrest would reach foreign powers. Even scumbags like us couldn't ignore that.
"Of course, I'd compensate you properly. Tell me what you want. Money? I'd empty my vaults for you. A woman? I could make her your slave, just like this one. Anyone at all."
The Second Prince patted the cheek of the girl beneath him as he spoke. With his ability, it was entirely feasible.
[Soul Manipulation].
That was the power Rayan Tianis had awakened as a member of the imperial family. True to its name, it allowed control over souls. He could subjugate them into slaves like this, extract them from bodies, or even transplant them into others. Virtually anything soul-related.
That's why he spoke with such confidence. Turning someone into his slave was child's play.
But I had no need for random women, and the situation above him was none of my business.
"I refuse. Rayan Tianis."
"What?"
His face twisted. He clearly hadn't expected rejection. I continued in a voice cold as ice.
"I told you earlier: stay away from Rana and fuck off."
The mirth faded from his face at my words. Ignoring it, I quietly drew up my mana.
"But you ignored my warning. That's looking down on me. And... I hate that."
At the same time, I released my mana. It wasn't an overwhelming amount from my dantian, but enough to fill the room.
"Your Highness, danger!"
"How dare you in this place...!"
The two imperial knights behind him reacted to the threat against royalty. But they couldn't draw their swords. I'd pinned them down with mana.
Imperial knights were at least Expert Upper level. My mana control was so subtle, swift, and powerful that they hadn't even noticed.
I left the subdued knights alone. Instead, I roughly shoved aside the table between us.
Finally closing the distance, I sneered mockingly and drove my foot into the Second Prince's solar plexus.
"Guhk!"
He groaned and flew backward, slamming into the wall. It was pathetic. A fellow scumbag, living off his own hype, getting treated like this by another degenerate.
I approached the sprawled figure. Just as I reached him—
Tak!
I swatted away the eerie sensation approaching me with mana.
"This shit's for when someone's off guard. Not out in the open."
"Damn it...!"
The Second Prince cursed as his soul subjugation failed. To prevent further nonsense, I pressed my foot firmly into his gut. Leaning in close to his ear, I whispered with killing intent.
"Rayan Tianis. This is your last warning. Stay away from Rana. Don't even think about her. She's too good for scum like you. If you break this..."
"Kuhk!"
I pressed harder into his abdomen. He groaned in agony as his organs twisted.
"It'll be war from that day on. Even if your father or the Emperor steps in, I'll kill you. Got it?"
I didn't wait for a reply. I knew he wouldn't reflect anyway. That's the kind of bastard he was.
"Now, restore that girl to normal."
I pointed at Lady Ailin rolling on the floor. The Second Prince ground his teeth in rage but eventually released her.
"Wh-where...?"
I helped the dazed girl to her feet as she regained her senses and dragged her out. As I left, he spat coldly behind me.
"Don't forget what I said."
I returned to the banquet hall. On the way, I entrusted her to someone reliable.
The room was a wreck. Any trace of its former pristine state was gone. At the center, Rayan lay embedded in the wall, unmoving.
Shadow cloaking his face, he slowly lifted his head. Then he muttered to himself.
"Kyle Arden. You've changed a lot..."
He'd noticed long ago from my words and demeanor, but I was far removed from the man he once knew. The scumbag Rayan remembered made enemies everywhere, never bothering with others or trust. He distrusted and hated people, so it was inevitable.
On one hand, it was intriguing. Rana Heytald. For him to step up personally for her, even confronting me. Unthinkable in the past.
On the other, rage bubbled up. Rana rarely appeared in high society, so encounters were scarce. Tonight was his chance...
But there was no need to show that anger now. Later would suffice.
"Tch, and I was so lenient with you."
Rayan clicked his tongue. He was confident he could claim Kyle Arden anytime. The fool had so many openings, easy to manipulate. He'd let him be because he enjoyed it. Pointless, but their chats were entertaining in this dull world—one of few pleasures.
But that was over. The bastard had gotten cocky, even threatening him. No more mercy.
Not on par with top-tier like Veil Arden, but still Arden blood. Perfect for his collection.
Of course, that display of force and deflection nagged at him... but he concluded it was the Arden lineage. The Arden family was as special as royalty.
"Your Highness! Are you alright?!"
"We should act now...!"
The imperial knights who'd been bound rushed in.
"Useless fucks."
Rayan spat curses. Their failure rendered them pointless. He gestured at the air, and their souls ripped free.
"Gaaahk!"
"Y-Your Highness...!"
The knights writhed in agony as the raw extraction tore at them. Once done, Rayan fused the two souls in one hand, infusing them with blood power.
"This should work."
It might have failed earlier, but this would succeed.
"Heh heh heh."
With a low chuckle, Rayan Tianis left the room and headed back to the banquet hall.
Back at the banquet hall. It had been lively with mingling before, but with royalty present, conversations bloomed wildly.
Royals were the empire's core. Crowds gathered around them, exchanges growing fervent. And amid it all, rumors of me and Rana persisted.
—No wonder his demeanor softened lately. So that's why.
—It's good news, if anything. Arden and Heytald houses...
—They seem fine together. We should prepare in advance...
—Professor Ratral, if you know anything...
Just hearing it made me sigh. If only they'd gossip without me around, but once it spread, it wouldn't die down easily. Especially around Ratral, where the topic buzzed. The Heytalds were famous, after all.
Fortunately, Ratral kept his mouth shut on nonsense. I hurried back to my group as fast as possible.
"Group" was generous. Evan was busy stuffing his face, Cloi had wandered off to sightsee the palace and wasn't back, leaving mostly just Rana. Ariel Tianis was with her, though, from the earlier incident.
"Kyle! You're late!"
"Only 20 minutes."
I bantered lightly with Rana and turned to the princess. Before I could speak, she did.
"Nothing happen while you were gone?"
"Nah, all good."
I'd said I was heading to the bathroom. She was worried the Second Prince might pull something.
"Good. Though you'd never lose to Rayan anyway."
"No clue what you mean."
"Just talking to myself."
We chatted briefly.
"Looks like some folks left."
"Not everyone loves these events. After Father departed, I stuck around a bit and went too."
She meant the royals. As we discussed her family briefly, the Second Prince returned to the hall.
I hadn't expected him back.
"I clearly told him not to come..."
She bristled at the sight of him and told us, "I'll make sure Rayan doesn't come near."
"Mmm, thanks, Princess!"
Rana hugged Ariel tightly in gratitude. She bowed her head shyly.
"Rana, not in a place like this..."
Afraid we'd end up fawning only over the prince's side, I shifted topics.
"Speaking of, the First Prince seems busy."
"Everyone loves Brother Kashan. And he enjoys these gatherings."
As if to prove it, Kashan Tianis was swarmed. No room to step, unlike the Second Prince's sparse company. Their popularity was night and day.
"Want an introduction later?"
"No need."
"Kyle, it'd be fun to meet him. He's a good guy."
From Rana's words and Ariel's chats, the First Prince seemed decent. Compassionate, strong sense of justice. Called the next emperor in line.
But I had no interest, so I brushed it off.
"Bro, want some?"
Evan approached at some point, offering food. The menu had shifted with time—midnight snacks perfect with drinks. I took a glass, about to pair it with the dish.
"Hm?"
My arm wouldn't move as I willed.