The Emperor wanted me to enter alongside him, and I designated Heinley as my partner. At that, the Emperor changed his words and told me to enter first.
In any case, it was an indirect expression that the successor was Maxel. When words spoken nicely don't work, what can one do?
I readily agreed, and the result was now unfolding before my eyes.
"Everyone is looking at Lord Heinley."
"Not me—they're looking at you."
"Of course they're looking at me."
I'm the protagonist of this banquet.
As I indifferently swept my gaze over the nobles, I discovered Lilia with a pale, terrified face. She was dressed far more elaborately than the other young ladies, standing out conspicuously.
According to my memory, Lilia had a pure and calm style, so she must have been quite conscious of me today. In the past, I had a taste for dressing glamorously.
Lilia, who was already lovely and beautiful by nature, looked very pretty in her glamorous appearance as well. Since socialite ladies often copy Lilia, such attire might become a big trend soon enough.
Well, by that time I would have already left this place.
"Seeing how the line of people greeting His Majesty shows no sign of ending, I can really feel just how many people there are."
"I heard invitations were sent across the entire continent. He must have wanted to show off the gods' protection, so he'd probably be happy receiving greetings throughout the banquet."
"I'm glad I emphasized the scar on my neck as much as possible."
If I didn't even have a scar, I would have ended up in the same situation as the Emperor.
At least the scar seemed to inspire fear in those around me. I don't know how long this shield will last, though.
There are so many people that even now I feel nauseous, and I'm worried I might actually throw up later.
Regardless of my feelings, I have to do what needs to be done, so I decided to let Heinley loose in the banquet hall.
"Now then, since you've attended as my official partner, please go ahead and engage in social activities."
"Leaving my partner behind?"
"So are you planning to throw away this banquet you're finally attending proudly after several years?"
Heinley hadn't been able to do any proper official activities for a long time. So when this opportunity arose, he needed to rebuild his influence properly.
After today passes and I leave this palace, there's no telling if another opportunity will come.
What I can do is create the opportunity. Using that opportunity to reclaim his power is Heinley's responsibility. That's not something I could do for him.
"I'll do my best."
Heinley reluctantly released my hand. Just then Samuel approached, so it ended up looking like we were exchanging places.
I could see priests who hadn't adapted to the banquet atmosphere huddled together in one corner, trailing behind Samuel in a line.
I watched as nobles gradually approached Heinley who had separated from me. Confirming that, I turned my gaze to Samuel.
"Sir, you don't seem to be enjoying the banquet at all."
"I'm not used to it."
"Did you greet His Majesty?"
"The other priests did."
Judging by how hesitantly those priests are acting, they probably didn't even get near the Emperor.
"Don't lie and go greet him quickly. He's a big customer. I'm going to hole up alone on the balcony from now on."
"I'll accompany you."
"No. Right now I'm the lonely Resurrected of God who opened my heart only to Prince Heinley while failing to adapt to the imperial palace. Today I need to be a bit lonely and desolate."
"Not lonely, but free, surely."
Would it hurt to just pretend not to know?
"If you insist, then stand guard to keep anyone from entering the balcony."
"Can't we go in together?"
"No."
At my words, Samuel closed his mouth with a dissatisfied expression. As I gazed at him steadily, I whispered in a low voice.
"Whatever you want to say to me, I'll listen once we're outside."
Samuel's expression froze strangely. I smiled at him and quickly turned away.
The nobles who had been keeping their distance in a circle around me, watching for an opening, gradually approached and spoke.
"Um, Resurrected..."
"I'm sorry, but it's been so long since my last banquet that I'm feeling a bit dizzy. If you have something you wish to convey to me, please do so through Lord Heinley."
"Pardon?"
"Lord Heinley has been helping me with my life in the imperial palace. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Wait, I!"
The noble who wanted to stop me couldn't achieve his intention because Samuel stepped in between us. I didn't miss the opportunity and quickly hurried my steps.
While moving quickly, I think I briefly made eye contact with my father, but naturally, I ignored it.
* * *
Not long after the banquet began, I holed up in the balcony and began my wait.
This balcony was a spot I had chosen with great care. No matter how much I looked, there was no better strategic location than this.
So to avoid losing this prime spot, I had no choice but to stay put on the balcony. If I left my seat briefly and another noble came in and drew the curtains, I would miss the good show.
How long had I endured the chilly night air? Finally, signs of commotion could be felt outside. I saw a group of knights running urgently outside.
"Quick response."
Nothing has been visually confirmed yet, but they must have sensed something. Is it thanks to the barrier?
While I was inwardly admiring and looking outside, this time mages came rushing in a panic. Carrying magic books and magic stones, they seemed to be preparing large-scale magic in a hurry.
"Hurry and prepare!"
"Protection is the top priority!"
It seemed the commotion was gradually becoming known in the banquet hall where only peaceful music had been heard. Murmuring noises could be heard beyond the balcony doors.
And finally, a large shadow appeared in the sky. On the faces of the knights and mages who had been looking up at the sky with skeptical expressions, despair settled.
"M, monsters have appeared!"
"Your Majesty! You must evade!"
"What is this!"
Screams erupted from the banquet hall that had been filled with laughter just moments ago.
But all that noise was soon buried by a great cry that tore through the sky.
[Is~ this~ the~ place~?]
[Yes, that's right! Brother!]
Leaning against the balcony railing with my chin propped in my hand, I smiled as I looked up at the sky.
I didn't know how glad I was to see the giant wings crossing the dark night sky. If only there were no people, I would have shouted a greeting.
"Ahhh!"
"Where are the mages! Archers prepare immediately! Have all the palace people taken shelter?!"
"Yes!"
Bang!
"Lord Anelli!"
The balcony door flew open wide, and Samuel rushed in urgently. Just then, the wyvern had come close enough to be visible to the naked eye.
[You~ seem~ to~ have~ been~ well~!]
Samuel, having confirmed the wyvern, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He usually prided himself on his sharp eyes, and he seemed to recognize the wyvern at a glance.
[Hello, Anelli!]
Without getting swept away by the wyvern's giant wings, the eagle that had been following alongside discovered me and greeted me cheerfully.
The bird struggling to fly behind them was the crow that had recently formed a close trusting relationship with me.
[Wait, just wait! The building the human requested isn't here, Brother!]
[You~ should~ have~ told~ me~ earlier~!]
At the crow's shout, the wyvern, which had been descending as if it would smash the banquet hall building at any moment, sharply changed direction.
Since when did the crow become close enough to call each other brothers with the wyvern?
Goodness, the wyvern really has a good personality. And it was even older than grandfather crow.
While I rested my chin and watched with great interest, the wyvern, having flown straight toward the palace directly visible from my balcony, struck the roof with its claws.
Boom!
Along with a tremendous roar, the pointed roof flew off entirely.
"Heugh..."
I quickly covered my mouth with my hand. How can it remove only the roof so cleanly? It's frustrating that I can't make a laughing sound.
The wyvern, having broken the roof as I requested, let out a long roar and flew away after circling once above the Crown Prince's Palace.
The mages and archers who had been frantically preparing protection barriers due to the banquet guests belatedly aimed at the wyvern, but it quickly flew beyond their range.
That was fortunate. My prediction that all military forces would prioritize protecting the guests because of the banquet had been correct.
"Wh, what on earth!"
Maxel, who had come out to the balcony late and witnessed this scene, wore a dazed expression. That was understandable.
That palace was the Crown Prince's Palace.
"I did tell you."
Careful not to let my laughter show, I spoke in a serious and solemn tone.
"I did say that corrupt energy has entered the palace and is attracting monsters."
Maxel, whose face had turned white, looked at me. Beside him, Lilia with her adornment all disheveled was likewise cowering in fear.
The Roam family members were also visible. They glared at me with persistent eyes as if trying to uncover my intentions. What are you going to do by glaring like that?
"That place especially is severe. Corrupt energy must have been imbued in each and every brick. Wait, is that by chance the Crown Prince's Palace? Oh my, my..."
I felt Samuel looking at me as if I were a cult leader, but I maintained my seriousness. I had to bite the tender flesh inside my mouth to keep from laughing.
"Of course, since you don't believe me, it would be useless for me to speak at length."
Heinley, who had been watching the situation in a daze, set out to find his role by checking on the Emperor with tactful timing.
The nobles took a step away from Maxel with wary eyes.
The noblewomen who had attended the Empress's tea party glanced at Lilia and quietly moved away with their children.
In particular, Countess Penderon looked like she wanted to request a blessing prayer from me right away.
And Maxel stared blankly at his palace with its roof blown off.
"I will go ahead. I'm worried that the Dullahan I subdued might have been stimulated by the earlier commotion and gotten excited."
Feeling like I might really burst out laughing if I stayed any longer, I quickly turned away.