episode_0262

Episode 262 Succession Ceremony (2)

When I arrived at the banquet hall, Lana and Estella were standing at the entrance, waiting for me. They looked like they had been waiting for a long time. Estella spoke first.

“You said you were going to the restroom, why are you so late? Was it a big one?”

“…If you’re a Saintess, watch your language. What are you saying in front of others?”

Estella’s language is getting rougher and it’s a problem. She wasn’t like this when I first met her. Is it because she’s away from the Saint Kingdom, which acted as a restraint? I should stop by Ustia soon.

More than that, I thought I had a short conversation with Chloe. It seems Chloe messed with my sense of time.

“Am I very late?”

“It was a little close. Let’s go in quickly.”

Lana grabbed my hand and led me. Seeing her acting like this, it seems to be true. I hurried into the banquet hall.

As expected of an event hosted by Arden, the banquet hall was beautiful. It was comparable to the Imperial Family’s banquets.

The people in the banquet hall were busy talking to each other. After all, there are only a limited number of events where various people from different countries can gather. Except for Ariel’s inauguration ceremony, there were none at all. This was also a scene showing Arden’s influence.

The attention turned to me the moment I entered. It was only natural, since the Saint and Saintess, who had not been seen until now, had entered.

I ignored their attention and stood in a suitable place. Evan and the Elf were drawing attention, so people weren’t coming this way.

“Oppa.”

“What.”

Estella called me, then approached and sniffed around my neck with her nose. She looked me straight in the eye and asked.

“Did you meet a woman?”

“…No?”

“Why is your answer slow?”

“You’re asking a weird question.”

Estella’s eyes narrowed at my answer. She continued, with a suspicious look in her eyes.

“But why does it smell like a woman around your neck? It’s especially strong on your tie. It’s like you’re saying not to covet this man because I’ve already claimed him.”

“……”

I wondered why she was touching my tie. I didn’t know there was a reason like that. It was a problem that I didn’t pay attention because I thought Chloe had done a few incomprehensible things.

“Tell me the truth. Who is it this time?”

“It’s really not this time.”

“Hmm….”

She still looked at me with suspicious eyes. Fortunately, she soon took a step back and retreated. Of course, it didn’t end there.

“Let’s talk separately tonight. I’m letting it go for now because it’s a place for Veil.”

“I’m telling you it’s not…”

“Shhh. It’s starting.”

A slender finger was raised to her lips, and the sound of shoes began to echo in the banquet hall. The source of the sound was the stairs connecting the first and second floors of the banquet hall. It was the sound coming from a man descending through there.

Veil Arden, my one and only brother.

As it was a major Arden event that happens only once every few decades, the younger brother’s attire attracted the attention of many people. Even I stared blankly at my brother for a moment.

Step by step, the tip of his foot touches the floor. Dignity as an aristocrat and integrity as a knight are evident in every action.

A young nobleman. Currently, Veil evoked that word. Because his foundation is so outstanding, he looks definitely different even with just a little decoration.

Thud, the last step touched the first-floor floor. Although it was still early, people greeted the appearance of the younger brother, who would soon become the new owner of Arden, one by one. Veil accepted the greetings of the invited guests.

I thought it would be okay to do it a little later, so I waited. But unfortunately, there was no opportunity to face my brother. There were so many people trying to greet him, and my father came down in the middle.

The pinnacle of knights. My father was a person who deserved to be called that. His aura was ordinary, but the presence that Decal Arden exuded was greater than anyone else in this place.

Moreover, he was taller than our brothers and almost twice as big, so the pressure itself was enormous.

The people in the banquet hall paid their respects at the appearance of my father. In particular, those who walked the path of a knight bowed 90 degrees. That alone told how respected my father was.

Decal Arden, my father, came down to the first floor. My mother was also with him.

“……”

I silently looked at the three people. Originally, I should have been with them, but I didn’t particularly want to be with them. It would only make me feel worse.

Of course, I wanted to be by my brother’s side. But since this place was for Veil, I decided not to interfere.

Step by step, my father walks out to the center of the banquet hall. Everyone’s attention was focused on that action. My father, who was standing in the center, slowly opened his mouth.

“Today….”

The moment he started.

Kwa Kwang!!!

A roar covered the banquet hall. The source of the sound was the ceiling. The banquet hall ceiling collapsed.

The banquet hall building was in the form of being open from the first floor to the ceiling. The destruction that occurred in the ceiling affected each floor, and the debris fell to the first floor all at once.

‘I didn’t know you’d do it right away.’

I knew Chloe would cause an incident during the succession ceremony. But she did it much faster than I expected.

“Aaaack!”

“Run away!”

As a result, the banquet hall fell into chaos. It was only natural that screams rang out, as there were high-ranking people from each country and ordinary people who had not been trained. Unlike others, they would die instantly if they were buried under the stones.

But there was nothing to worry about. This was the center of the Arden family.

Immediately, mana swirled around my father. And when he waved his hand, two-thirds of the debris stopped in the air.

As expected of the skills that are discussed as the strongest. The remaining debris was handled by Arden knights and skilled invited guests. There was no need for me to step in.

Perhaps Chloe did this with that in mind. Maybe this is just a welcome greeting.

I raised my head to the energy felt in the sky above the ceiling, or even higher. A man floating in the air wearing a black robe. Even if I didn’t know his identity, I could quickly figure out what kind of guy he was.

“Tsk.”

The guy clicked his tongue at the minor damage. There was no follow-up attack, and he cast a spell and disappeared. Except for me, many people realized that he was a black magician.

Decal Arden’s judgment was quick. First, my father spoke to the guests invited to the succession ceremony.

“The succession ceremony will be temporarily suspended until the matter is resolved. In the meantime, please stay in your rooms. The servants will be by your side to help you without any shortages.”

An event held in the name of Arden. An incident occurred in which a black magician attacked after gathering guests, so even the head of Arden had no choice but to act humbly.

Immediately after, knights and servants were assigned to the invited guests. The guests returned to their rooms, guided by them.

After organizing the guests in that way, my father gave orders to the family’s knights.

“The White and Black Knights will follow me and chase the guy. The remaining knights will patrol the territory to prepare for future attacks.”

The knights who received the order moved quickly. Ellaim was among them. My sister is also an Arden knight, and also the leader of a knight order. It was only natural to follow the head of the family’s orders.

-Sister, be careful. Don’t get hurt.

-Okay, Kyle.

I said a short word to my sister through telepathy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop her. As I just said, my sister was an Arden knight.

We walked to the room, receiving the care of servants and knights like the others. Then one of our party asked.

“Kyle, shouldn’t you go after them?”

“That’s right. Shouldn’t you help?”

“I saw your brother and sister going earlier.”

Everyone looked at me with worried eyes. I shrugged my shoulders and answered.

“You know. What kind of family Arden is.”

Arden’s power is often said to be comparable to a country. It’s not actually wrong. If the Arden family put their minds to it, they could conquer a small country in a week.

The knights of such a family went out with my father, so there was nothing for me to help with.

“And moving can be done later.”

A situation where we don’t know how Chloe will come out. It’s much better to deal with the situation by watching the situation unfold than to blindly chase after them.

In addition, now that the head of the family is away, the person in charge of Arden is my brother, Veil Arden. That was what he had to do as the successor.

Of course, the succession ceremony was not properly held, but it was clear to anyone that Veil was currently in charge of Arden. So it’s good to help the younger brother who will become the head of the family. Because he’s still very lacking.

“So rest in your room now. Well, prepare so that you can move at any time for the future.”

“Okay, Kyle.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Uhm, okay!”

After nodding at the three’s answers, I went back to my room.

***

A circular plate about the size of a chessboard. There were letters written on it. From the Arden family’s mansion to the main facilities in various parts of the territory, and even the number and movements of creatures currently existing in the territory, all floated on the wooden board.

“Hmm.”

And Chloe was fiddling with a chess piece and contemplating.

Currently, the initiative was with her. The opponent’s response is quick, but there’s nothing to worry about. The main purpose of this was just to cause chaos here. Moreover, Chloe’s interest was not in the Arden territory.

“What should I do~.”

How exactly should she move to torment her senior? All she could think about was how to make that detestable womanizer cry.

There were enough elements to torment him. So she could slowly pressure him, or she could concentrate and explode it at once. Or she could move in a way that showed a moderate amount of hope and then turn it into despair.

Chloe was lost in thought again as she watched the group heading east. At that time, a voice was heard from behind.

“Can I help you?”

“……”

The moment he spoke, her giggling mood disappeared. Chloe retorted in an annoyed voice.

“Get lost. Before I kill you.”

“I just came to give you some advice… I’m sad if you do this, Chloe.”

At the man’s words, Chloe threw a chess piece.

Kwaang!

The tiny chess piece shattered the wall. The man who had disappeared appeared next to Chloe.

“Are you still angry at me?”

“You son of a bitch! I said go away and don’t bother me!”

The man just smiled at the murderous voice. She had seen it several times, but this pair really suited each other.

“If you don’t like it, I can’t help it.”

That’s why he had no intention of disturbing their time. He just came to check on her. He was so curious about how things would unfold.

“I’ll be on my way now. Please contact me if you need anything.”

“Get lost!”

With a shout, the man disappeared. Only then did Chloe’s annoyance subside. Whenever that son of a bitch showed up, it was always like this.

“Ha, you damn bastard.”

Chloe spat out swear words and shook off her remaining emotions. And she picked up the chess piece again and focused on her fight with Kyle.

A fight that is enjoyable no matter who wins or loses.

For Chloe, this fight was simply just that.