Chapter 53: The Royal Banquet and a Viper’s Tongue

Freed from his duties after a long time, Captain Chase, clad in a banquet suit rather than his usual uniform, was engrossed in conversation with his unit members. Though he originated from a modest viscount family, his rise to an officer in the Antares Unit, and more notably, as Bliss’s direct aide, had single-handedly resurrected his entire lineage. Having barely clung to his noble lineage in the past, he had lived a life virtually indistinguishable from that of commoners. Thus, despite his aristocratic background, he interacted effortlessly with those of lower birth, proving himself an invaluable bridge between officers of varying social ranks within the unit.

“A royal banquet truly is a different breed,” one of the unit members remarked, his voice laced with awe. “To think there isn’t a single carrier bot in sight.”

As a member of his unit retrieved a champagne flute from a tray borne by a straight-backed attendant and offered it to Chase, he simply smiled and gave a slight shrug.

“It’s simply the reality where relying solely on human service has become the ultimate symbol of wealth and decorum,” Chase replied. “Even so, it appears His Highness Herace has truly outdone himself with this particular banquet.”

Another unit member, extending a plate laden with food, chimed in.

“You’re absolutely right. I heard that Prince Devon Green’s banquet last year began with a dining hall straight out of a film,” the other officer agreed. “But this year’s banquet is delightful; even the steak is portioned into bite-sized pieces, making it utterly effortless to consume. Oh, but there was a liver dish earlier. After just one taste, it vanished entirely! I had planned to indulge in more of the expensive delicacies today!”

“Given that this is the royal palace, the Esper barrier is undeniably formidable,” someone else noted. “It seems the Betelgeuse Unit, the royal guards, are truly diligent in their duties.”

“The security was quite stringent even upon entry,” another officer added. “Thanks to that, we can truly let loose and enjoy ourselves tonight. While I do feel a touch of pity for the Betelgeuse Unit members who must stand guard outside the hall at this very moment, today is, after all, a day for us. Haha.”

Captain Chase, witnessing his unit revel in the banquet while the Betelgeuse Unit—comprised solely of nobles—stood guard, offered a wry smile. He gently chided them, noticing the rather childish sense of superiority displayed by the commoner-born Antares officers.

“Hold on, are you all speaking as if I’m not also of noble birth?” Chase admonished, a hint of exasperation in his tone. “Those Betelgeuse soldiers are no different from us. Even among the nobility, most are from collateral branches or direct lines incapable of inheriting their family titles. I nearly ended up there myself, you know! They’ve simply found a way to make a living, so treat them with respect. The only true lord among them is likely their Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Swan. Other noble officers in the Antares Unit would be quite offended to hear such talk.”

“Come on, Captain Chase, you and the noble officers in our unit are comrades-in-arms,” one officer countered, waving a dismissive hand. “In Antares, isn’t rank within the unit the utmost priority? Oh, it seems Colonel Bliss has arrived!”

The entrance erupted into a clamor as the arrival of Bliss Moore and Ethan Prescott was announced. As Bliss and Ethan made their dignified entrance, the surrounding nobles began to murmur, their voices a low hum. While some gazes held pure admiration, others were tinged with envy. Yet, what truly grated on the Antares Unit members were the suspicious glances directed at Ethan by the Esper nobles, who seemed to possess both lower ranks and less combat experience than themselves.

“My, I expected something extraordinary, considering he’s Lord Bliss’s Guide,” a well-dressed noblewoman commented, fanning herself delicately. “But I feel absolutely nothing.”

“And there were rumors he was a multi-Guide,” a red-haired man added, craning his neck as if to get a better look at Ethan.

“His matching rate must be abysmal,” a male noble with a neatly trimmed beard asserted, adopting an air of knowing. “I suspect the claims of him calming Lord Bliss just before a rampage are rather exaggerated. After all, Espers’ eyes are instinctively drawn to Guides with a matching rate of 50% or higher.”

“We Guides can’t perceive anything from other Guides,” one noble inquired, pressing closer. “But do Espers truly experience such a sensation when they encounter His Highness Devon Green in person?”

“Indeed,” the bearded noble confirmed with a nod. “It’s an undeniable pull, as if one is being drawn in. However, this Ethan Prescott, standing beside Lord Bliss… he simply doesn’t evoke such a sensation.”

“Still, with a face like that, I imagine many would be swayed, even if the matching rate isn’t ideal,” another noble mused.

The mustached noble, emboldened by the sudden attention, smirked with a self-satisfied air, readily agreeing.

“Perhaps his ‘matching’ is excellent in other, more intimate ways,” he quipped. “I confess, I’m quite curious about *that* kind of pull.”

He chuckled, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips, having just delivered a crude joke about Ethan. The flow of conversation suggested a moment where others might have joined in his mirth. Yet, he quickly realized that no one had followed his lead and abruptly stifled his laughter.

All eyes in the room were fixed on a single point. Following their gaze, he saw an officer, unmistakably from the Antares Unit, gripping his fists as if poised to strike. Next, his eyes fell upon Captain Chase, attempting to restrain the man, and Enoch Cloud, standing beside them, regarding him with a chilling, unreadable smile.

“Indeed, I’m quite entertained by what I’m hearing, Baron Rex.”

“Enoch… Cloud.”

“There appears to be a flaw in your statement.”

“What… are you implying that I spoke incorrectly?!”

Baron Rex, who had retired from acting after his Esper manifestation and subsequently entered the Cloud family’s succession race, bristled with even greater fury. The idea that he, a titled noble, had momentarily felt intimidated by Enoch—who was neither a Lord nor possessed the established influence of Huey Cloud—was utterly infuriating.

Towards the Baron, Enoch Cloud’s lips curved into a chilling half-smile. His sculpted features, more frequently lauded for their beauty than even Bliss’s due to his past as an actor, possessed an unearthly allure, even when twisted into a cold sneer. Yet, Enoch Cloud, the noble, rather than Enoch the actor, was a figure even his fellow aristocrats found exceedingly difficult to approach.

“While I don’t personally operate the Center, I do oversee a small team within Cloud Corp that manufactures pharmaceuticals for Esper Guides,” Enoch explained, his voice smooth and precise. “It’s a modest department, yet given our work with medicine, accurate information is absolutely essential. Regardless of how impressive a matching rate might be, such a reaction only occurs if the Guide shares the same core affinity. When the affinity is perfectly aligned, indeed, a matching rate of 50% or higher will cause an Esper’s eyes to involuntarily follow them, just as you mentioned. At 70% or more, guiding occurs simply by a mere brush, without the Guide needing to exert any conscious effort. To my knowledge, Baron Rex, I believe you are not a Shadow Esper. Ah, have I been misinformed? Could it be that Baron Rex possesses the rare Shadow affinity, rather than the more common psychokinetic type?”

A collective ‘Pfft—’ rippled through the hall. It was the sound of nobles and Antares Unit members, who had just found themselves a thrilling new diversion. Baron Rex’s face flushed crimson, yet he refused to yield.

“If he is a multi-Guide, then surely he should be akin to His Highness Devon Green!” Baron Rex retorted, his voice strained. “I have personally seen His Highness Devon Green up close. I was so overwhelmed I worried my own matching with my Guide might be severed!”

“Ah, I comprehend that sensation perfectly,” Enoch replied, a subtle edge to his tone. “As a member of the Cloud Count family, which maintains a close cooperative relationship with the Center, I daresay I have encountered His Highness Devon Green far more frequently than you, Baron Rex. While I personally didn’t find the effect quite so overwhelming, I must admit I’m now rather concerned that your matching rate with your current Guide might be regrettably low.”

Enoch Cloud’s tongue, despite his beautiful visage, was akin to a viper’s. Having spent years in the public eye, mingling with commoners in the acting world, he possessed a remarkable talent for subtly transforming crass, direct language into artful aristocratic barbs. With his words utterly stifled, Baron Rex finally crossed a definitive line.

“You, you…!” Baron Rex spluttered, his face contorted. “Aren’t you the one who cannot even receive that wretched guiding because of your utterly frail Guide?!”

A sharp gasp—

A collective, soft gasp rippled through the crowd. Enoch Cloud’s Guide, currently recovering in the aftermath of a major surgery following an ambush. Contrary to widespread expectations that the naive, unassuming Guide, so seemingly ill-suited to Enoch Cloud, would soon be cast aside, they were still convalescing within the lavish annex of the Cloud Count family. Rumors even circulated that Enoch Cloud, having become exceptionally vigilant regarding his Guide’s safety, had implemented security measures rivaling those of the royal palace, meticulously vetting every individual who entered or exited daily.

Enoch’s emerald eyes deepened with a chilling intensity. Though Bliss, Ethan, and Prince Herace were visible exchanging greetings on the dais, Captain Chase’s immediate concern was to ascertain the proper functioning of the Esper barrier. He had already checked it out of habit, yet he knew that if an A-rank Esper like Enoch Cloud were to suddenly unleash their power, the barrier could, at best, block just over 80% of it.

He surveyed his surroundings and exhaled a sigh of relief. With numerous high-ranking Espers from the Antares Unit in attendance today, the Esper barrier had been activated in layers, almost overlapping. Concluding that a minor disturbance would be manageable as long as it didn’t escalate into a full-blown rampage, he even found himself wishing Enoch Cloud would simply thrash the despicable Baron Rex. It was at that precise moment that the booming voice of an attendant echoed from the entrance, announcing a new arrival.

“His Highness Devon Green, Second Prince of the Aitoolia Empire, and Lord Huey Cloud of the Cloud family, are entering!”

Enoch’s brows furrowed. Just as he had anticipated, Devon Green appeared wearing a modified Han Dynasty costume as his banquet attire.

He hadn’t expected white. If Ethan were to wear a similar Han Dynasty banquet suit now, it would only serve to emphasize that Devon Green was the true royal. Despite the earlier friction, it was a good thing Ethan hadn’t worn it.

“Haha. Look at this! Are all the Espers not drawn to His Highness Devon Green? You can all feel this pull!”

Indeed, Devon Green was an extraordinary Guide. Even without his banquet attire, his mere presence commanded the full attention of every Esper. However, Enoch straightened his skewed lips, crafting an expression of genuine regret. It was the flawless countenance of an actor.

“My, Baron Rex, shouldn’t you be more concerned that I heard every last word you uttered?”

Baron Rex’s triumphant smile froze on his face. The