Banquet (01)

I entered a room filled with youth my age and quite a few familiar faces, the Banquet was simply a Banquet in name while it's true we did eat luxurious foods you couldn't find anywhere else, the Banquet was more of a social gathering to create interaction in the world.

Walking towards a long the edge of the room I faced a window checking out my appearance, I had on a blue and white suit that was quite fancy, accompanied by the white cloak my father had gifted me on my shoulders.

"What are you doing all out here alone?" Angelica walked up to me from behind and asked.

"I'm not a very social person."

"Does that matter? These are people you need to know for the future."

After her words, Angelica locked arms with me and dragged me toward the crowds of people socializing.

"I've met her before," I said looking at a girl in a nun outfit surrounded by people.

"Who?"

"The girl in the nun outfit."

"Seriously?" Angelica questioned.

"Ye-"

"Where did you meet her at." She cut me off and looked at me with a suspicious stare

"Well uh... When I was working at the Crosseal she approached me and gave me some life advice I guess?"

I wondered why she was pressing me so much, I'm not dumb so I had a few ideas in mind perhaps Amelia was famous or a known talent.

"Also why did you address her as the girl in the nun outfit?"

"Sorry, I should have said Amelia."

My sister looked at me even more dumbfounded and even unlocked her arms with mine and just started looking at me awkwardly.

"What's wrong?" I asked

"She's the Saintess of the Holy Empire."

"Oh," I said halfheartedly

"What's with that reaction?"

"I'm not really surprised I guess."

My mind was still stuck on an incident that happened the other night, so I didn't have the mental capacity to care about anything that happened here, and even if I did I still wouldn't care much.

"She's walking towards us Rei."

"Really?"

"Are you sure you're okay?" Angelica asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." I shrugged.

Within a few seconds, Amelia stood in front of us and smiled at me, she reached her hand out for a handshake and I felt death glares from all around me.

"It's good to meet you again, uhh... Holy Saint?" I shook her hand.

"It's fine you just call me Amelia since we're friends Rei."

I heard teeth grinding in the background, with my Draconic Physique my body was heightened in every way and it really showed me true human nature and how aggressive some of these people are.

"Well, then it's good to see you again, Amelia."

"To you as well."

I turned and pointed at my sister, "This is Angelica, my sister."

My sister had a nervous expression and simply gave a slight bow.

'I never took her as the religious type...'

"I didn't know you were some type of Saint."

"It also surprised me you didn't know, It's been a while since I've met someone who acted so genuine with me...So that makes us friends."

"I'm glad you see me that way" I smiled looking at her.

She smiled back and gestured a fair well, afterwards she walked away to greet another acquaintance.

My smile stuck on my face, I felt slightly overjoyed perhaps it was the effect of talking to someone holy? Maybe. I don't know if their God exists or not... But it didn't really matter to me, my species are made up of beings who are known to swallow dimensions, so I didn't really want to worship a God who may be lesser compared to me.

'Perhaps this is the pride of my dragon blood that makes some detest worship? Who knows.'

My smile faded as I saw Dawn talking to a few other girls in my Peripheral vision, and I swallowed.

"You're elder brothers over there, greet him," Angelica said looking at me.

'Talking to family members isn't gonna help my case of anti-socialness...'

We walked over to Gale and began talking about recent life experiences, Gale had become a lot kinder to me, and I met a side of him I didn't really know for the longest time.

***

Julien leaned against a pillar in a large room filled with famous figures, Archwizards, Sword Gods, aristocrats, and even the Emperor of Central himself.

Julien's eyes shifted between 4 people, those being the other Sword Gods. First, he looked at Elyndria Ashbourne an elven maiden who was kindly socializing with some nobles he didn't know. Elyndria had silver hair accompanied by purple eyes. Next, he saw Lyndron Blackthorn a slender man with green and yellow eyes. Locking on to the next one was Azurion Sinclair, a man with a noble aura with crimson red hair, and green eyes, and finally, the last Sword God aside from him in the room was Naluria Detrais, a beautiful woman with purple hair and deep red eyes.

Lastly, his eyes shifted over to Sierra Ven-August, a woman he had been politically married to he had grown to truly love her, and as time went on he had two children with her... But Julien's heart really ached when he thought of his second wife Aroth, who suddenly disappeared after the birth of their child.

Observing the party one couldn't notice something was wrong, but Julien was able to tell... He was a very observant man, he had predicted something big was going to happen even before the Banquet actually took place.

Julien soon approached Sierra, she looked at him with a smile as he approached.

"Something bad is going to happen here, I want you to leave do not tell anyone anything... Just leave and return to the second residence." Julien whispered in a low voice to his wife.

Sierra respected and loved Julien despite looking forward to meeting other nobles and forming connections, she quickly decided against it and left.

about 40 minutes later Julien's suspicions were proven true, the building began shaking. Julien looked up in the air, Demonic Energy filled the air and two figures rushed towards Julien in an instant.

Julien caught a sword with his fingers using his left hand, and with his right hand, he parried a sword coming at him, the two attackers were Azurion Sinclar and Lyndron Blackthorn.

"As expected, you two were traitors."

Julien looked around the room seeing that Elyndria had been attacked by Naluria... Julien was fuming, he wanted to curse as he didn't want to believe three of his past colleagues were colluding with demons. Julien continued to look around he saw Malkeith being attacked by a bunch of Archwizards, and the Emperor being protected by Royal knights who escorted him away quickly.

Suddenly the roof of the building collapsed revealing Ithral, Azgorath, Mala, and Morpheus.

"Demons... And high-ranked ones at that." Julien glared at Azgorath while skillfully dodging the two swords coming from him.

His expression changed to one twisted with complete rage, purple lightning shot out of him, and his mana fluctuated through the air grabbing the attention of everyone in the room including the demons.

"All traitors and demons in this room will be executed." He announced, watching the three Sword Gods who betrayed him and Elyndria swallow. It seemed like the Demons who entered were also all planning to attack him, he chucked seeing this.

The good were outnumbered by the bad, but something about this situation reminded Julien of his youth. He soon got into stance and began actively trying to murder his enemies.

****

The building shook and I could tell something was off, powerful Demonic Energy flowed throughout the air.

"What's going on?" I said looking at Gale and Angelica.

"I'm not su-" Angelica was cut off, and everyone in the room dropped to their knees. Not even a single person dared to stand.

A giant black minotaur burst through the windows, releasing his pressure on us. The pure Demonic Energy that came off of him made me imagine myself dying in multiple ways and made even moving a finger a hard task, much less formulating a thought.

[That's Minos... A prince-ranked demon, I have no clue why they sent such a strong demon here Rei. When I was under Arthur they had fought a few times, he seemed like a prideful rational Demon who wouldn't do something as slaughtering kids.]

'I-i hope your right.'

I stuttered even though I was talking through my mind... The demon stood there watching us for about a minute, it seemed like he was even counting us and looking at everyone's individual face.

"You." He pointed at Dawn, "You're the Hero correct?"

Dawn stayed silent.

"Answer me, I won't ask again child."

"Y-yes..." Dawn's meek voice could be heard throughout the room.

The demon continued walking around, he stopped in front of Amelia and an expression that seemed like a smile was on his face. Fortunately, he didn't do anything to her.

The demon continued on, looking at people... Unfortunately for us, he soon stopped in front of Gale and gave him a murderous glare.

"Place that sword on your waist on the ground, so I can get a better look at it."

Gale placed Aerinheart on the ground in front of him without any delay.

"...." Minos was silent.

Minos pulled out an axe from his back, he immediately raised it in the air.

"You're ancestor Valtherion Ven-August, committed detestable crimes against my race nonetheless with that blade... Blame him for your fate, but do not fret... Your abhorrent lineage will end today."

Understanding his words Angelica instantly shot up and stood in front of Gale.

"Leave him...Mighty demon."

Her expression said that she wanted to run away or cry, but she stood up to protect her younger brother.

"I admire human compassion, in many ways... One of your strengths powering through my pressure is not an easy feat and you will grow into talent in the future, I do not wish to kill all humans so, I will ask you once to move aside."

"E-elder sister listen to him." Gale cried out with a harsh voice.

Immediately after Gale spoke those words a taste of iron filled my mouth. My expression changed to one of disbelief as I looked at my hands dyed in red, as well as my face.

My elder sister's decapitated head rolled into my sight, my teeth chattered and I trembled. Tears unconsciously flowed out of my eyes onto the head below me that was leaking blood.

[Rei he's not your opponent, don't do anything stupid, please... I understand your pain.] Althieus begged me.

I looked up seeing my sister's corpse spraying blood like a water sprinkler, my teeth ground seeing this, and I looked up at the demon who began to swing his axe down on Gale.

I immediately stood up and caught the axe with my left hand, the glove on it exploded as well as the sleeve of clothing. the axe cut through most of my left hand, even going through most of my dragon scales. The axe stopped right at the last layer of scales near my wrist, and my blood poured out of my hand.

[Rei...]

"You showed up quick, dragon," Minos said looking down at me.

Everyone in the room's attention focused on me and the demon. I trembled as I exhaled, my Draconic Force boomed out of my body sending both Gale and my Angelicas remains flying backward.

My hair was dyed completely white, my nails grew, my fangs enlarged, horns shout out of my head, my ears grew reminiscent of elven ears, and my eyes dyed the color of blood. My appearance was reminiscent of my grandfather's.

I finally spoke looking at the demon, "I will slay you here." I summoned Althieus in my right hand. "You oversized farm animal."

Minos looked at me with a smile and got into a fighting stance.

Getting into a stance I muttered, "Fourth form: Sky Cutter."