Chapter 419 - In the Ballroom (Patreon)

A Ball meant dances.

The most important announcements about the Grand Prix had been conveyed, the Level 5s had arrived, and the important guests were here. The rest was simply the natural proceedings of the event.

Some went to the dancefloor as the band of musicians played the first dancing tune. Who you have as a partner for the first dance was quite important, apparently.

But not all of the guests went dancing, some were content to wait it out in favor of meeting other people, greeting acquaintances and enemies alike, or sharing scoops with one another.

For Croix, this was an important time. There were many people that wanted to greet him. Some wanted to know him better, hedging their bets about who to support in the future throne grab. Others were people who wanted to weave a stronger bond with the young prince.

Since it was quite brazen to introduce themselves on their own,the young ladies of marriageable age were being introduced by their parents, or by older friends. Some bold ones didn't mind introducing themselves directly though.

The Emerith Grand Ball might have served as the opening to the Grand Prix, but this year was of special importance for its significance concerning the competing young princes. Nevertheless, this was a social event for nobles. In gatherings like this, some upper-class young scions were attending for the first time as debutantes.

These young flowers were entering the marriage market, hoisted by their desperate mommas to find an agreeable match.

In the word of Lady Whistledown: May God have mercy on their souls.

Croix would be busy for some time. They weren't lining up because it wouldn't be fitting in a place like this. The people readied themselves in a group, pretending they were talking until when Croix seemed free then they pounced. And so Croix wasn't able to free himself from a continuous meeting from one house to another and considering the size of the attendees of the Ball, it wouldn't be over anytime soon.

Croix couldn't refuse them either. He might be a Prince but he needed their backing. From a social standpoint, he couldn't be rude to outright refuse them either.

At a glance, it was clear that not only Croix was being swarmed by the guests; every other prince and princess in the venue were experiencing the same thing. The popular ones among the royal offspring had more people doing ‘introductions’, which was good in a way, a sign of prestige. A few royals only caught the eye of a few people, which was a bit embarrassing.

Even though Croix wasn't as famous compared to the older princes like Lutz or Cassian, Falmerion tilted the scale. In the minds of the nobles, he was one of the major players now.

Viers and Boram were vassals, it showed in their dress code, which meant they looked appetizing to the social predators that were abundant in this place. Most people’s attention was on the prince, not the vassals standing behind him, yet some were giving a bad eye to the pair with more regard to Boram.

No doubt about his slave status. Probably the only one in the entire venue.

Viers got his fair share of looks too. One, he was an unknown. Two, he was a commoner. There were no baubles on his clothes that signified he was at least a knight. To half of the people here, commoners were just a few inches better than slaves; only belonging at hovels and farms.

“Woah… Incredible party,” Boram was amazed.

If the fifteen year old was annoyed, he didn't show it.

“I suppose it is,” Viers didn't disagree. The people, the venue, the decorations, all were first class.

One of the very highest this world can offer, without counting the Level 6 and above, that is.

“Master, why don't you accept knighthood?” Boram asked.

Nobles could grant knighthood to others, so a prince like Croix could too. The prince offered Viers one before they came here. He politely refused.

“Why don't you?” Viers asked his disciple back. “He offered you too.”

“How could I have one before you? It’s unthinkable.”

Viers had a mind to accept, since his Horizon was working as intended once again, raising it even one percent would be highly beneficial. Even more so now that its growth rate has slowed because of its already absurd boost. Getting knighthood was surely a plus, and it counted him among Latias nobility, the very bottom of it but one nonetheless.

In Latias Kingdom, most Level 2 Pathseekers were already knights.

However, a knighthood in Latias was also tied to a Pathseeker’s progression. A cultivation system unique to this land. The lord they swore allegiance to could give them extra strength, the more powerful the lord, how famous or infamous they were, the size of their land, their prestige, or how high their nobility ranking was, all became the measure of the benefits to the knight.

It also tied the knight to the nobility, the Oath they swore was not something to lightly cast aside. This was how Latias Kingdom kept the Pathseekers in their kingdom in line, under the noble houses. Keeping the little pesky upstarts from mucking up the status quo under their boot. A system that some folk put in place long ago.

But it also made them stronger. This was why Latias knights were renowned in all of the Human Dominion.

This whole cultivation system was also tied to the throne. Without a suitable king, the whole system risked crumbling. Not right away, but that was one of the reasons the four dukes and most nobility wanted to have a monarch sitting on the throne.

A knight title was good, but Viers didn't like or want to become a glorified servant. He was already a vassal, albeit a temporary one. He wanted no knighthood with all the strings attached.

Croix didn't mean it that way, of course, he simply wanted to give ‘Avel’ a suitable status so the people at the ball wouldn't look down on him.

“I don't need the title.”

“True,” Boram agreed. “Most people here don't even know how powerful you are compared to them. Not saying they are all pushovers though. The Level 5s, some nobles that are actually competent, their vassals… I can glimpse the national power of Latias at this party. It has been informative.”

Viers glanced at his disciple.

“You have matured,” Viers praised.

“Well, Master did send me to school,” Boram smiled.

“Heh.” Viers scoffed with a smile. He hadn't had a proper talk with Boram yet since he completed his Ascension to Level 4. He wanted to know what Boram experienced at the Sinclair Academy and put a reminder to ask him later.

While knighthood failed to rouse Viers’ desire, something in this place did. Viers wanted to raid the buffet table at both wings of the venue. Those high quality foods would benefit any Pathseeker who ate them. To Viers, they would give him another benefit: life. Above all, the food was free. Viers wouldn't say no to free food, let alone high-quality free food. The expenses were coming from the hosts’, the four duchies' pockets, not from the guests. Which was music to Viers’ ears.

Still, he had obligations as a vassal. The food would have to wait.

Falmerion didn't have such obligations. After separation from the black dragon, which Viers suspected was a darkness dragon, the red wyrm went to the food place. He had the sense not to tear up the table and eat like a base dog. Instead, he terrorized the waiters there to give him culinary offerings.

Dragons were intelligent, especially the purebloods. Unlike Futon and Faiya who were born from the split soul of Viers thus having human intelligence from the start, Falmerion wasn't able to speak human language yet but he knew enough.

Viers spied the dragon waiting in front of a terrified waiter who was cutting a pork leg. The dragon had open jaws which one could see smoldering fire on the back of his throat.

Poor guy.

***

Celestine took a break from the suitors that kept besieging her.

“Apologies, gentlemen, may I borrow Solany for a while?”

“C-Certainly, Princess Celestine. Miss Lucan, I’ll take my leave. I’ll be eagerly waiting for your reply.”

Celestine and Solany put a cone of silence around them to have a bit of privacy. “Someone’s popular, the black-haired, black-eyed, black-dressed, black-dragoned Princess’ said.

Some girls chase boys, some are the other way around. Solany wasn't a princess but she was a progeny from one of the ducal houses. There was no lack of suitors for her hand. However, after Marvin, she had no desire of meekly being sold to another man’s embrace.

“Well, what do you think?” Celestine asked.

“You are perfect,” Solany replied.

“I mean about my siblings,” Celestine elegantly chuckled.

“I know, I’m just messing with you. Your fault for being ambiguous,” Solany’s eyes went towards the other royals. “They won't be easy opponents. They and their other members. Still unable to change Freya’s mind?”

“She won't be joining us. Silver Legionaries must not meddle with the internal affairs of other nations. She is absolute in this.”

“A pity. Her power would have been a substantial boon,” Solany was a little bit dejected. Even though it was an obvious outcome. The tenets of the Silver Legion were iron-clad.

The two took each side of the black dragon as they looked at their would be supporters.

“...I wonder how many of them actually support me for the throne and how many simply want me as a tool to bear their children.”

Solany understood Celestine’s thoughts all too well. Patriarchy was strongly rooted in the Latias Kingdom. It was also very traditionalist. Women were expected to marry and bear many children. They were taught from an early age that it was their duty and happiness.

Two centuries ago, it was common sense that a man’s wife was the belongings of the husband. The women were expected to serve their husbands and follow their every order. The Church had mellowed those cutthroat views but the perception was still deeply rooted, especially in the old noble houses.

Celestine wanted to be the Queen, not Queen consort, a very big difference.

The thing was, there had never been a Queen in the history of Latias.

Being the first in history was always difficult, sometimes, one must do the impossible to succeed.

“You have the greatest qualification as a monarch and these people only see you as a prize to win over. Blind as bats they are. My Lady… I will place you on the throne, no matter what it takes,” Solany swore.

“Don't be reckless my dear Solany. Leave the front to me. You only need to follow my back.”

The two ended their short rest and rejoined the party. Wasting no time at all, like sharks smelling blood, the men came after the two beautiful ladies. Celestine looked at one whose face she recognized.

“My Lady, My Lady,” the handsome young man first greeted Celestine then Solany.

“Sir Stratos, you made it,” Celestine said as the youth kissed the back of her hand.

“I’ve come to pledge my sword to your cause, as promised. If you’ll have me.”

“It’s reassuring to have you at my side, Sir Stratos. Solany and I have been hearing of your great exploits in Fort Bausse. You saved more than four hundred lives. Truly a great hero.”

“Your praise is overmuch,” Stratos might have said so but he looked happy to be praised. “May I be so bold to ask you for a dance?”

“I'd be glad too,” Celestine took his hand and the two walked to the dancefloor.

Solany saw the two of them off without any speck of jealousy.

Stratos Gaelos had just entered Celestine’s team. The man was said to be a talent only found once in a century. His older brother was a Paladin of the Church and the younger brother was long rumored to have the ability that wasn't less than him. The man’s presence would surely be an immeasurable boon for Celestine during the Grand Prix.

House Gaelos held the nobility rank of a marquess. It was an old and powerful family that commanded a lot of prestige in the entire Latias Kingdom. The future of the family looked bright as two young stars brimming with talent were born in the main line.

Solany looked at the man in his early twenties that had a princely face. His curly brown hair gave him a warm and gentle impression. She was familiar with how rumors could be greatly exaggerated, after all, her former betrothed, Marvin, was called a super genius too.

That was why she could honestly say Stratos’ ability far exceeded that of Marvin’s.

Perhaps even more so than the mysterious guy who defeated Marvin.

After all, Stratos was a Level 4 and a powerful one at that. Perhaps that guy could become a Level 4 in three years but Stratos had more experience. Solany recalled Stratos should be 23 years old now.

He was also hopelessly in love with Celestine.

His dance with Celestine turned more than a couple of heads. The two seemed like a perfect pair.