Chapter 20: Greet
As the sound of trumpets sounded everywhere the rulers of the empire graced the massive ballroom with their presence.
"Salute!
Hail the ruler of the continent!
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Augustus, and Her Gracious Highness, Empress Valeria are entering!
Hail the ruler of the empire!"
A voice pierces right through the glorious sound of trumpets leaving the sound of the serene tune of the violin. The low mellow sound created the ambience for the entrance of the imperial couple. No ambitious tune or a triumphant sound was given only a melodious and mellow sound paved the way for the two figures to sit on their throne.
As soon as the emperor and empress settle on their throne a loud sound made up of applause fills the entire ballroom.
A smirk suddenly painted on the emperor's face as he felt the welcome of his subjects.
However the powerful cheer stops when he raises his hand and immediately all the kings and aristocrats all across the continent bow down towards the ruler of the continent, the emperor.
With the main character's arrival, the banquet finally began.
Unlike any other banquet hosted by the imperial family the emperor and empress didn't bother giving any opening speech instead they went straight to the greeting and gifts of each kingdom's leaders.
The seats and tables of guests are decided based on their ranks and position inside the empire.
The ducal families of the empire are located right in front so they immediately reached the front of the platform's stairs.
Behind the position of the ducal families is the table of the kings and aristocrats of other nations. Next to them are seats for powerful organizations such as the Mages Association and Tower Mages. Behind them are the elite families of the empire accompanied by marquis and below noble ranks. After the seats of the baron, elite soldiers and retired generals can be seen seated behind them.
As the event started each representative gave their utmost respect and gifts to please the emperor. After some dukes, Princes and princesses of different Kingdoms, the nobles of the empire soon came giving their ruler their utmost respect and loyalty.
"Hail the ruler of the continent, I salute you, your majesty, the emperor"
Bending on one knee the leader of the mage association showed his respect while his subordinates did the same thing.
"This young man beside me is Johan Aaren, my son"
"Hmm?...your child has grown up, the last time I saw him was when he was seven years old" the emperor said looking at the child in front of him.
"Hail the ruler of the continent I salute and pay respect to you" With a resolute voice the boy said as he paid his greeting to the emperor.
"Thank you, young man, I will be expecting more from you especially since you are at the age of entering the academy right?"
"Yes your majesty I shall do my best to bring honor to the empire"
"With those words, I shall be expecting more then"
The leader of the mage association Jonathan Aaren gave a one last bow before leaving.
After them was the tower mages' turn, ten cloaked figures stood right in front of the emperor before bending on one knee. Their right hand was placed on their chest as they all simultaneously said.
"Hail the ruler of the continent!"
"The mages of the tower paid respect to the ruler of the empire!"
Everyone was surprised as the humongous ballroom was filled with the sheer voices of the ten mages. The power of their greeting was similar to a soldier and with their face hidden with their cloak, a sense of mystery soon emerged in the guest's minds.
"I am happy you all came however, isn't a bit disrespectful greeting me like this with your faces hidden" his sharp words made Jonathan smirk.
"That's what you get for being a show-off," he said to his mind.
However, the tower mages instead of removing their hoods switched their gaze towards the figure of a boy kneeling beside Alger.
This sudden action piqued the interest of the emperor he wondered "Who are you to make even the great calamity tame?"
The wind rustled in as the boy slowly removed his hood. The chandelier's shimmering light directly reflects the boy's hair. The color of the setting sun and eyes seemingly a glaring sun soon emerge from the deep of the hood. As soon as this mage put down his hood the mages behind and beside him did the same.
The emperor was silently amazed while a sudden smile came from the empress as she recognized which family the boy belonged to.
"This humble mage greets the ruler of the continent, may the power of the world tree bless you" his voice was soft but determined it wasn't shaky which shows his strong temperament.
"Are you a Lionheart?" The emperor questioned which Apollo answered "Yes your majesty"
"From what I remember you were suffering from an incurable illness but looking at you" he stops before looking at the eastern duke's table.
"I do not see a weak child" he continued
"Instead my eyes recognize a monster who seems ready for slaughter" This part was magically muted from the ears of others and only the tower mages were able to hear it.
"Isn't that a bit harsh my emperor?" the empress said seemingly controlling her laughter.
"I couldn't help but compliment your eyes your majesty he is indeed our little monster" Alger jokingly said which made Apollo pout.
"Your words made the boy upset" the empress continued to say seeing Apollo pouting beside Alger.
"I apologize for that" However his laughing expression seized as soon as he saw the people he still needed to see.
"We should continue this later as the banquet barely began however I thank all of you for coming"
All the tower mages gave their final greeting before leaving. As soon as they leave the southern duke and his family are called. However, Duke Arcanebane was a bit distracted when he saw the little boy who looked exactly like a certain someone.
"He is like a mini version of Helios" he could only think but the emperor's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Are you done daydreaming Gilgamesh?"
The duke was quite startled but immediately composed himself.
"This humble soldier greets the great ruler of the empire"
"It seems like your head still floats here and there Gil"
Gilgamesh just remained kneeling not daring to look at Augustus,he embarrassed with his childish act however the emperor just sighed knowing full well what kind of a person Gilgamesh is.
Then after Arcanebane, Obsidianvale duchy came for a greeting and unlike Gilgamesh, Duke Harald Obsidianvale did his greeting spendedly.
"I suppose it is our turn now"
Eros said as he stood in his seat however as soon as he did so something caught his attention. A hair similar to his but strikingly more prominent, there sitting amongst the lane of mages Apollo had his eyes closed as if he was sleeping.
Eros stared at him, his eyes filled with unrecognizable glint however with his staring he soon gained the attention of the tower mages. All eyes set on Eros as if telling him to shut the fuck off.
"What the hell is up with that glare" he could only think as he followed his father and mother.
"Are checking on our foolish younger brother?"
"Athena, were you able to see how their greeting went?"
He asked instead of paying attention to her words.
"No, I wasn't able to since I was talking to Freya about our return to the academy"
Eros pursed his lips thinking something was off however something was blocking him from pinpointing what he was thinking of.
As the Lionheart duchy bends on one knee to show their respect the emperor looks at Helios as if he wants to ask something.
"Hail the ruler of the empire I salute you" Helios calmly said his face was clear without any emotions.
However, the emperor just nodded his head seemingly contemplating something.
"Your boy why is he with the mages of the tower instead of joining you?" He questioned, immediately Helios answered.
"Your majesty the boy was chosen from many candidates to be one of the representatives of the tower. This was a great achievement considering his frail body so we let him join them"
With those words from Helios Isabella couldn't help but twitch which the empress immediately noticed.
"It seems like your son is doing well despite having a frail body, I believe he is ready to enter the academy" As she said this her eyes remained on the Lionheart family waiting for their reaction.
"Since the new school year is starting I will be expecting a lot once he enrols"
The words from the empress were like poison to Eros, he never liked when his brother was the center of attention. Be it good or bad he never like anyone paying attention to his younger brother.
He gritted his teeth but tried to seal his lips after all he wasn't allowed to speak unless the emperor or empress addressed him.
"Your majesty about the boy's schooling my wife and I will talk about it"
"I see then I will be looking forward to it"
Their turn soon ended making the Duke of Silvercrest and his family enter.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone