Chapter 54: A Malicious Tactic

“How could this be! A rampage at a royal banquet!”

Devon Green feigned a look of shock, but no one present truly believed him. As the rampage began and people’s attention shifted, he had already abandoned his formal demeanor.

Fury etched itself onto Herace’s face. He had anticipated Devon Green would appear in Han Dynasty banquet attire to disrupt Ethan Prescott’s debut, but this level of aggressive action was entirely unforeseen.

This was a banquet held within the royal palace, attended by key figures of the Aitoolia Empire. A rampage at a royal event, especially one designed to draw numerous Espers and Guides, could easily be construed as an act of rebellion or terrorism. However, given the specific nature of this banquet, such an interpretation was impossible.

A force meticulous enough to orchestrate an audacious rebellion or terror attack at a royal banquet would undoubtedly be aware that many combat-proficient Antares officers were attending. Moreover, they would know that two multi-guides were expected. Even if Ethan Prescott’s multi-guide status was mere rumor, Prince Devon Green’s proven abilities were undeniable.

While some casualties were inevitable, the situation would either be suppressed by the Antares and Betelgeuse units or swiftly quelled by Devon Green’s guiding. Therefore, had they chosen a different tactic, they would never have committed the foolish act of inducing a B-grade Esper into a rampage within an area saturated with Esper barriers.

“A truly malicious tactic.”

At Herace’s words, Devon Green feigned indignation.

“I merely expressed my surprise, yet your words are laced with thorns. This feels a bit unfair.”

Despite his aggrieved tone, his eyes remained utterly serene. Ethan felt Bliss’s arm, which had tightened around him, grow taut. Looking up, he saw Bliss’s usual cold expression, though a subtle furrow had appeared between his brows.

A massive fir tree, previously set up in the banquet hall, came hurtling towards them. Its broken trunk was sharpened to a deadly point; a direct hit would mean instant death.

*Thwack!*

A wind barrier, conjured from Herace’s hand, struck it away. Devon Green, with a hint of disappointment, merely smiled at his brother.

“Truly, it would have been splendid if Herace were *my* Esper as well.”

Ethan blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly. Devon was not only insulting Rosalyn Green, Herace’s perfect match Guide, but also treating his S-grade brother as merely another Esper he’d collected. He implied a willingness to engage in an incestuous act to make Herace entirely his own Esper. These were vulgar, contemptuous words, looking down upon Herace.

Herace, who had maintained his composure, now had a fierce glint in his eyes. Yet, he betrayed no outward sign of his anger, refusing to fall for Devon’s provocation. Instead, he deflected incoming glass shards and retorted sharply.

“You appeared like a jester, and today your nonsense is particularly egregious. With the costume and the clown, I presume you arranged this entire spectacle yourself.”

Devon turned his head, surveying the chaos beneath the dais. The sight of people screaming amidst the pandemonium was deeply satisfying to him. However, since many Antares officers were among the attendees, their response was immediate and swift. There were undoubtedly some nobles who, due to their slightly higher rank, would have stepped forward to display their vanity. Had there only been ordinary Esper nobles or Guides, they would have floundered, exacerbating the situation and leading to far greater casualties.

Nevertheless, the nobles, who had moments ago subtly indulged in their own social games by treating commoner officers differently from noble officers, were now dutifully following instructions and evacuating to the safest zones. They dared not venture outside. Baron Rex, who had initiated the rampage, was not far from the entrance.

The numerous fir trees and small Korean firs, over two meters tall, had been set up to enhance the festive atmosphere, transforming large sections of the hall into a snow-dusted coniferous forest. Now, these very decorations had become dangerous obstacles or weapons, lashing out savagely.

An Antares operative rushed forward to deploy a shield. Herace, his face showing a slight easing of tension, divided the area with the operative and conserved his strength. As the Esper barrier also affected him, his power drained quickly, and his usable range was limited.

“Well now, if the First Prince of the Empire accuses the Second Prince without evidence, he risks misunderstanding. But yes, it has been a very long time since such a ‘spontaneous’ rampage occurred. On the debut day of another of the Empire’s most prominent Guides, it almost seems like a gift prepared for today’s protagonist, doesn’t it?”

Betelgeuse operatives, led by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Swan, stormed in through the shattered windows. Two of them, perhaps sensing the shield wouldn’t last much longer, leaped onto the dais. Herace fully entrusted the shield to them and retreated.

Bliss’s power, which had been defending against small fragments with an insufficient amount of water to form a proper barrier, suddenly sharpened, taking on an aggressive form. One corner of Herace’s grimly set mouth curled upward in a chilling smile, yet Devon chattered on innocently, as if a brilliant idea had just struck him.

“To ensure the newly crowned ‘Flower of the Empire’ can make a truly impactful debut, I shall yield the stage. After all, today’s protagonist is the Empire’s most powerful Guide, Ethan Prescott, isn’t that right?”

[Whew—not bad.]

At Dongja’s whistling voice, which sounded as if this were none of their concern, Ethan’s face also creased into a frown.

‘Indeed.’

Bliss had no desire to officially reveal his identity as a multi-guide, a secret he had likely secured through some arrangement with Prince Herace. However, if Prince Herace were to order Ethan, who already bore the title symbolizing the Empire’s finest Guide, to resolve the situation, their relationship would inevitably be strained, even if the circumstances were unavoidable.

While understandable, this would create an opening for the countless prior agreements and promises between them to be altered by circumstance, thereby eroding their trust.

What if Herace refrained from issuing such a command? That, too, would benefit Devon Green. He could simply resolve the crisis himself and play the hero. Consequently, the ‘Flower of the Empire’ who was present would be overshadowed. Ethan Prescott would likely be forced to relinquish the title he had reluctantly received, handing it over to Devon Green.

Devon, clad in an opulent *hanbok*, smiled gently as he looked down upon the scene, a stark contrast to his earlier declaration that he wasn’t the day’s protagonist. Ethan watched as satisfaction flickered in his eyes while he surveyed the pleading nobles. Suddenly, Ethan felt a fierce desire to defend the cringe-inducing title he’d been given. Carefully, he addressed his Esper.

“Bliss.”

Bliss barely resisted the urge to kick Devon Green out of the shield’s confines, instead quickly scanning the situation below. It was dire. Cracks appeared everywhere, and the building’s framework trembled. They had passed the point where the Esper barrier could simply be deactivated.

The operatives maintaining the shield were growing exhausted, one by one. Nobles, who had sought refuge trusting in powerful Guides and following the operatives, now cast bewildered and resentful glances, wondering why Ethan Prescott or Devon Green weren’t stepping forward. Casualties continued to mount. Despite this, Bliss could not send Ethan. Even if it meant passing the title to Devon Green, he had to prevent Ethan from becoming a public multi-guide, a sacrifice in political games.

No, to be frank, setting all other reasons aside, he simply didn’t want to.

“No.”

At the resolute refusal, Ethan and Herace simultaneously offered bitter smiles. Herace’s was born of exasperation, while Ethan’s was a knowing, ‘I expected as much’ reaction.

Ethan drew a long breath, then cupped Bliss’s cheeks with both hands, making him meet his gaze. The ash-gray and blue eyes, normally serene, now trembled with a hint of bewilderment as Bliss quietly allowed himself to be held, but Ethan ignored it.

“Bliss will go.”

“What?!”

Those who had been flustered by their sudden, seemingly affectionate display amid the chaos froze. Devon Green sneered, utterly incredulous.

“I’d heard rumors of you stopping Bliss just before a rampage, but this is laughable. This is precisely why experience is crucial. To not even recognize the difference between an Esper on the verge of rampaging and one already in its throes.”

Devon Green’s voice was far from quiet. It was loud enough to reach not only the operatives deploying the shields but also the closest group of evacuating nobles.

“It seems I shall have to step forward today. I suppose I expected too much from the Flower of the Empire. However, since the new Flower of the Empire is indeed a powerful Guide, I suggest they be sent to the center to receive some training under me.”

Though feigning disappointment, his voice remained loud as he declared his intention to fulfill his duty and, rather than checking the newly emerged Guide, to instruct them. By stating he would personally train Ethan, who held the ‘Flower of the Empire’ title, he subtly asserted his superiority over Ethan. He also projected an image of inclusiveness, suggesting he would share his knowledge for the Empire’s benefit, rather than engaging in rivalry.

Devon, who had been reveling in the nobles’ trusting gazes, paused as he turned to Ethan. He thought he saw a sneer in Ethan’s eyes, which had been intently fixed on him, and tried to discern it further. However, he was immediately flustered by the way Ethan’s eyes softened into a gentle curve. Ethan then turned his head and, in a voice as loud as Devon’s, addressed Bliss directly in front of him.

“Bliss, with the Esper barrier overlapping to this extent, what would be the approximate range of your Psychic Silence Field?”

Bliss, whose cheeks were still cupped by Ethan’s hands, responded with a bewildered expression.

“…Approximately two meters in diameter.”

The listeners gasped, stunned that even under such intense pressure, he could project a Psychic Silence Field with a diameter of two meters.

“And if you focus it to a diameter of fifty centimeters?”

“…!!”

Herace’s gaze sharpened. The operatives deploying the shields involuntarily turned their heads to look at Ethan. Ethan wasn’t asking to calm the rampage; he was asking to drain it completely.

With a startled expression, Devon instinctively began to turn his head, only to flinch as his eyes met Ethan’s.

A smooth, knowing smile crept across Ethan’s lips.