[I am Ayato Kyouya as all of you know. However, to all of you, I'm the detestable eldest son who refuses the spot of the heir. Am I right?]
Ayato leaned over and cupped his ear only to hear shouts of criticism. He expected this and laughed it off somewhat shakingly.
[Well, I was born on January 3rd, 2089. I was born to a lovely woman named Saya Asanagi.]
The concubines in the room frowned. They all hated Ayato's soft smile. He remembers his mother in a bright light.
The other wives of Goto Kyouya hated that woman since she was the only one that he loved with all of his heart.
There was another microphone screech. Ayato did that on purpose. Some people weren't paying attention.
[You're probably thinking why the fuck am I talking to you about me? Listen up, I'm not telling you to understand, I just want you to listen. Think of it as me ranting.]
He said.
[I lived in peace with my family for 4 years. I loved my sister, father and mother dearly. But, it was when I was at the age of 4 that I could comprehend what was right and what was wrong. It was also when I found out my father had 38 other wives.]
Ayato turned his gaze to behind the curtains. Goto Kyouya was quietly listening to Ayato's story. He kept up his placid smile.
[Of course, I told my mother about it. Even so, she smiled. She said to me this: "I'm simply grateful for being with the man I love." To her, she was fine as long as she was with my father and happy.]
Suddenly, the air changed. Ayato's smile disappeared and a thick murderous intent—thick enough to cause suffocation—emanated from his dark figure.
[Following that event, I found out that my mother was abused.]
Every person in this room felt the hatred flowing from the boy. It was intense, too intense for a 16-year-old boy like Ayato.
It wasn't directed to just anyone—it was for the concubines in the room but his bloodlust was enormous. Even others could detect it, even if it wasn't directed at them.
[You should all know that children begin to develop their potential for magic around the ages of 4 and 5 years old. When I found out that my mother was abused, I blew a fuse. I told my father to do something about it but he refused.]
Ayato raised his finger. A holographic screen appeared behind him. It showed a picture of a happy woman.
[This woman was called Yuna Chikura, who later became Kyouya.]
"Was?"
A noble in the front was confused with Ayato's choice of words. They asked despite the pressure they felt. Ayato stopped his bloodlust and smiled lightly.
[On January 3rd, 2093, I killed a woman named Yuna Kyouya. She was the woman abusing my mother. For that year, she had been abusing my mother because she was jealous of her relationship with my father.]
A threatening silence conquered the hall. Everybody was thinking the same thing.
[I had killed my first human on my 4th birthday.]
It was a scary thought. Not many get to kill people but for Ayato to kill his first person at the age of 4—it was almost unthinkable.
Somehow, it made everyone think the same thing: "How many people has he killed to this date?"
[Ever since that day, I've regretted killing her and so I made a rule where I would not harm my family without an important reason.]
Ayato frowned. It looked as though he was ready to burst a blood vessel.
[Even more so, I regret making that rule for myself. Because a few months after my 6th birthday, my mother died and my father wanted to make me the heir.]
He turned to his father. Goto was no longer smiling. He had a similar expression to Ayato. It put a faint smile on the boy's face.
[I rejected the offer to become the heir but he still wanted me to become it. And so, we battled to the death and I won. Of course, because of that stupid rule, I didn't kill my father. Even if I did, I would be forced to become the heir.]
Ayato explained. He began pacing up and down the stage.
[In response, Goto Kyouya gave everyone an emergency mission called the Hunt Order. To put it simply, anyone who kills me becomes the heir. With that, the majority of people in this room—who are connected to the Kyouya Family—have tried to kill me.]
It was a fact known to those connected to the Kyouya Family, the branch families specifically, but the Shirogane Family had no idea. Yukina was the only one with a vague idea.
[I know a handful of people in the Kyouya Family who haven't attempted to kill me, wives and siblings alike. That's why I regret making that rule.]
The abhor in Ayato's eyes could be seen. It was like he was a beast raging for revenge.
[Because I hate every single one of you. I know that may not seem much to you, but thanks to all of you, I've had to kill 2,038 people over the last ten years. That's around 203 people per year. What's more, my body is riddled with scars.]
While gritting his teeth, Ayato smiled fiercely.
[That's why, after the banquet, everyone who wants to have a shot at killing me should come to the training room on the 43rd floor. I'll show you the difference between me and all of you.]
There were many discontented faces in the crowd. They saw Ayato's speech as nothing more than empty talk without any proof. But, to get rid of the doubts...
[I've survived this long, haven't I?]
He asked them. Ayato sighed and beamed.
[Alright! Enough of the grim stuff! Just this once, bear with me! Now, I'll announce the start of the Midnight Banquet! Let's get it started!]
There were cheers but not everyone did. Many people from the Kyouya Family stayed silent, scowling at Ayato's delighted expression.