Chapter19: Banquet
"Alright everyone I only have a couple of words to say. If the emperor doesn't say anything then don't speak, if you think the conversation isn't for you leave, or if someone forces any of you to do something ignore it they are not worth our time. If the person speaking to you is not someone you want to associate with then don't speak to them we value our mental health more than anyone else. We already have dozens of problems here we don't want them to add more of it"
His words are sharp as if going to the banquet is a battlefield rather than a party.
"Now are clear about what I said?"
Like a choir, all of them simultaneously said "Yes sir!"
Alger was satisfied with their answer however his eyes glided on the group of mages in front of him. His eyes scan every individual until they stop towards a certain boy, Apollo.
"He looks confident I wonder what he plans to do" the old mage thought as he looked at him.
Apollo on the other felt his intense gaze so he decided to give the old man a cheerful wave. Alger seeing this nodded in acknowledgement.
"Alright since everything is settled we will go straight to the palace" Victor the Red Sun tower master said as he waved his hand to summon a powerful magic circle.
"Everyone brace yourself I don't want anyone feeling sick after the travel, you all hear me!"
"Yes Tower master!"
A bright light envelopes the group before a slight flash of energy sends them off to the palace.
.....
Meanwhile...
The Imperial banquet unfolded with great splendor magnifying the glory it has for years. The blend of soft candlelight and the shimmering glow of chandeliers add an elegant ambience. Guests exchanged polite pleasantries and engaged in hushed conversations, smiles and laughter but beneath forced smiles, subtle glances conveyed the weight of unresolved political agendas. The air despite the occasion bore a heavy and uncomfortable ambience, with unspoken disagreement filled with carefully chosen words and hidden motivations. The faces of each noble and elite wore masks of unrecognizable speech and expression making the imperial palace a battle of calculation. The atmosphere, though seemingly festive, bore the quiet strain of a banquet overshadowed by hidden political intrigue. However, amidst this heavy atmosphere names of the four ducal families pierce like a powerful blade breaking the tension. Schemes and lies won't work on the four families as they only exist for one reason, to serve the great imperial family.
Intentions were kept as they switched to a different type of mask, that hopefully won't be ripped apart by the four ducal families.
The four ducal families that correspond to the four cardinal directions are Arcanebane the Ducal house in the south, Lionheart at the east, Obsidianvale at the west and Silvercrest in the north. The four main duties of these families were to guard the four ginormous regions that inhibited dozens of Celestial-rank beasts. They are the walls that block magical and demon beasts to prevent any breakout from occurring.
The first family to grace the ballroom of the imperial palace was the ducal family of Arcanebane, as they entered the room it began to be filled with their presence. A calm and confident demeanour that reflects the personality of the family.
After the house of Arcanebane entered the next to arrive was the house of Obsidianvale. Clad in their all-black outfit the family walk with the air of command. It is as if they are born to rule over others.
From the east bearing the color of the sunset in their hair, the ducal family of Lionheart made their way through the ballroom all eyes focused as the air of arrogance filled the air. The duke and duchess made their way wearing a couple of outfits while their two children walked behind them.
"Look at them Isabella I am certain one of them is thinking of leeching on us"
Duke Lionheart said as he leaned closer to Isabella's ears.
"Put your tongue on hold Helios we are at the imperial palace" Isabella retorted back to him.
"Hahaha right, we are at the palace" Hearing his wife's words Duke Helios just gave a soft chuckle.
"It seems like father and mother are still doing great," said the young man who walks right behind the Duke.
"Eros, have you been listening to those rumors again?"
This one that spoke is the second child of the Lionheart family.
"Athena rumors or not our family name shouldn't blemish we are after all a ducal family"
"I think the one you think of is not our parents but a certain sibling or ours"
"Apollo?"
"Who else" Athena exasperatedly said to her older brother however Eros didn't see Apollo as threatening as Athena thought.
"I am sure that fool won't cause trouble since he is with the tower mages"
They continued to talk until the final ducal house was announced to arrive.
The ducal family of Silvercrest walk across the isle creating a domineering atmosphere. If the Lionheart has the air of superiority the northern ducal family excludes a suppressive energy.
Duke Helios stopped speaking to Isabella as his focus became pin on the Duke of the North, Abraham Silvercrest.
"And the king of the north arrives" said Duke Lionheart not looking nervous, unlike the other guests.
Hair that was as black as a night while their eyes bore the color of white, almost looking like a fine crystal.
Like the other ducal families the northern duke brought his three children, Isaac, Cain and Esther.
"I greet the Duke of the North" Helios initiated the conversation as he saw the family settle on their table.
Seeing the eastern duke greeting he returned the greeting.
"Did the kings of other nations already arrive?" He began to ask to which Helios answered by nodding.
"How about the archduke?" He asked again.
"He has arrived already Abraham" the western Duke answered him instead.
"So if all of us are here why hasn't the ceremony started?"
"Actually there is one last guest who hasn't arrived yet" the southern duke said making the three other dukes curious.
However, before he could even give an answer a magic circle suddenly appeared on the ground. The sudden appearance of said magic created panic among the guests.
"What the!"
"Who dares to use magic inside the Imperial palace!"
"How can they bypass the barrier surrounding the palace!"
"Guards!"
While some nobles became agitated the higher-rank nobles just stared at the situation finding it interesting.
A single magic single bearing fifteen rings crafted together. Each ring is adorned with beautifully arranged symbols and runes creating an intricate set of spells.
"It's a darkness element, void magic" Isabella said as her eyes widened when she saw ten figures emerging from the magic circle.
"It was void magic mass teleportation" This realization made Isabella look at the figure of a boy, its body is strangely similar to a certain someone.
"Apollo" she silently mumbled.
Everyone was silent since nobody anticipated that the tower mages would enter like that.
Ten figures all in white stood right in the middle of the ballroom their faces were hidden by the hood they wore. An air of mystery envelopes them however one thing is certain they are one of the major forces of the empire, the tower mages. Their insignia shines on their chest as they stride forward.
Without any more greetings, they made their way towards an empty table and settled themselves there. It was then followed by silence nobody tried to speak since their arrival quite shocked them.
"An entrance worth remembering," Helios said as he returned to his table where his wife and children were located.
"Isabella, is that child there?" He whispered to her ears as soon as he got near her.
"Yes see that boy over there" Isabella pointed to a figure of a little boy and Helios just nodded in acknowledgement.
He just asks to make sure all of his children will greet the imperial family, with or without standing by his side.
A few moments pass by until a sound of trumpets erupts immediately all of them fix their stature and focus on the elevated platform.
Located at the highest position in the ballroom three chairs can seen. Each of these chairs is adorned with elaborate patterns of gold and gems signifying the power of the imperial family.
From the three chairs above one step lower than them was five chairs quite similar to the first three however the five are decorated less than the three above. One step lower than those five chairs was another set of chairs but with a different type of decorations and sigils signifying the owner to be the archduke of the empire. In the middle of the great platform was a beautiful step running up and down.
As the sound of trumpets sounded everywhere the ruler of the empire graced the massive ballroom.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone