Cecilia's Birthday

"Go to the Imperial Palace?" I asked, putting my spoon down, my brows furrowing.

"Yes," Count Chase nodded. "It is Princess Cecilia's 16th birthday banquet, after all. Not only am I invited, but the Nightingales are as well, and this time as guests—not as knights."

I could feel my parents' gaze on me, but I chose to ignore it.

It was clear why we had been invited: Cecilia wanted me there. That much was obvious.

Well, since it was her sweet sixteen, it was bound to be a grand celebration.

'And soon enough, it'll be the Crown Prince's 18th birthday as well,' I thought.

The Crown Prince of the Slatemark Empire, Valerian Slatemark, was a very troublesome character.

He wasn't particularly talented at anything and had failed to gain admission to Mythos Academy. Naturally, the imperial family disguised this failure by claiming that he had never intended to apply, instead planning to attend the Slatemark Academy from the beginning.

His inferiority complex extended not only towards his younger sister, Cecilia, but even towards his innocent fiancée, Elara Astoria, the daughter of Archduke Astoria. This insecurity would eventually lead to a coup that tore the Slatemark Empire apart.

Dealing with him was a nuisance, but it was something I couldn't ignore.

The coup would cause massive damage to the Slatemark Empire, ultimately leading to the fall of their moon base, which allowed the demons to launch their invasion of Earth without resistance.

The demons planned to use the moon as a nexus point, relying on an ancient artifact buried there for centuries. The moon base, under Archmage Charlotte's leadership, managed to hold them off for a few years before her death allowed their plans to proceed.

I couldn't let the events of Volume 5 unfold as they had before.

As for who would be attending the birthday banquet, it would be the most influential figures from around the world.

Not only the superpowers like the Creightons, Windwards, Viserions, and Ashbluffs, but also other prominent families and forces, such as the Namgung family.

This was a major celebration, and an important event in the novel as well.

Fortunately, nothing of significant consequence was slated to happen here, which meant I didn't need to be constantly on guard.

I would also be meeting the other geniuses from Slatemark Academy—those who were just barely behind Class 1-A of Mythos Academy in terms of skill and talent.

Among them were Liora Arundel, who would eventually be called the "Ice Empress" due to her unmatched mastery over ice magic; Tobias Grimfeld, destined to be known as the "Titan of Slatemark" for his dark magic; and Naomi Draven, who would gain the title of "Mist Enchantress" for her unparalleled skill in illusion magic. Lastly, there was Elara Astoria, the daughter of Archduke Astoria, who would come to be known as the "Veil of Grace," famed for her gentle yet powerful support magic and healing abilities.

And then there was that monster, the one even stronger than me and Lucifer.

Jack Blazespout—the man bonded with a Legendary-grade artifact, whose soul managed to dominate even that of the Heavenly Demon. An absolute force of nature, wielding the Gifts of both Nirvana Flames and Abyssal Flames, the latter obtained from the Heavenly Demon himself.

He was the one who obliterated Slatemark Academy from existence, and later did the same to the Viserion family after reaching Radiant-rank.

Despite the imminent threats, this banquet presented a crucial opportunity for me to forge connections with the other great talents. If humanity was to stand a chance against the demons, I needed everyone—every family, every rising talent—to grow stronger, together.

In its current state, humanity was ill-prepared to deal with the otherworldly species, let alone the demons, who had conquered dozens of worlds and eradicated entire civilizations under the command of the Demon Overlord.

The young talents were the key. If I could protect them and help them grow, humanity's prospects could change.

'Speaking of young talents, I should finally make use of Kali Luna,' I thought.

She was the talented dark mage, second only to Jin Ashbluff, and I had entered a mana oath with her. It was time for her to become part of the plan.

As I dressed for the banquet, I chose attire that would fit the occasion but not draw too much attention. A dark, tailored suit adorned with subtle silver embroidery—formal enough to respect the occasion, but practical enough for me to move comfortably if anything went awry. The crest of the Nightingale family, a stylized silver bird in flight, was embroidered on my collar. I adjusted the cuffs and glanced in the mirror, ensuring everything was in place.

A knock on the door broke my focus, and my father entered. He studied me for a moment before nodding approvingly. "You look ready," he said with a warm tone.

"Thanks," I replied, giving him a small smile. He was also dressed in formal attire—deep blue with silver accents, reflecting the status of the Nightingale family.

We descended the stairs, where Count Chase was waiting with my mother. He wore a formal deep green tunic, trimmed with gold, representing his own lineage. My mother, ever elegant, wore a gown in midnight blue, the fabric shimmering faintly as she moved.

"You look handsome, Arthur," my mother said with a proud smile, adjusting my collar just slightly. "Remember, this is a celebration. Try to enjoy yourself."

I nodded, appreciating her concern, though I knew well enough that staying alert was crucial. "I will, Mom."

Count Chase gave me a nod and a small smile. "This is a rare opportunity for your family to attend as honored guests, Arthur. There'll be many eyes on you tonight. Carry yourself with pride."

"I understand, Count Chase," I said, giving a firm nod. "I won't let us down."

With everything in order, we made our way out of the manor to the waiting car—a sleek, black vehicle emblazoned with the Chase insignia. It was a rare occasion for my father and Count Chase to step away from their usual stoic expressions, but the significance of attending an Imperial banquet as guests seemed to weigh on them.

We settled into the back seat, the doors closing with a soft click. I sat between my parents, while Count Chase took the seat across from us. The interior was spacious and luxurious, with the soft hum of the engine filling the silence as we started moving.

The landscape shifted from bustling streets to well-maintained grounds, and finally to the towering palace gates. Guards in ceremonial attire directed incoming cars, checking invitations and confirming identities before allowing them through. The palace, adorned with crimson and gold banners—the colors of the Slatemark Empire—stood tall, illuminated against the night sky.

The car came to a stop, and a guard approached to open the door for us. My father stepped out first, followed by my mother, Count Chase, and then me. I took in the grandeur of the palace, the air filled with the chatter of nobles arriving from across the world.

This was the beginning of Cecilia's birthday banquet.