When Niveus stared back long enough, Princess Aurum, whose gazes were glued on him, noticed and looked away hastily.
Seeing her reaction, Niveus was determined.
'I should confront her.'
And by that, Niveus meant to know why her demeanor towards him changed after that 'incident.'
It would also be better if he could get information about the Queen's Clairvoyance from the Princess if possible.
Eagerly finishing his drink, Niveus was about to move when suddenly, the people who had been hesitant to approach him began to surround him.
"Ah, is it not our future knight commander? Young Albus—No. Niveus Albus, nice to meet you."
"Young Lord, nice to have you here..."
"Young Lord, would you mind having some..."
At that moment, Niveus realized.
'Ah...'
He almost showed his disdain and annoyance for these people. However, remembering his face was not concealed, Niveus held his emotions together.
Seeking an answer and truth was important, but maintaining his sister's family image was more important.
And for him, Starling was everything. He would gladly abandon his personal curiosity for her.
It was for formality to attend the banquet. Even Starling had told him to do whatever he wanted on the occasion.
Something like 'You can just attend and show your face briefly, then immediately leave if you want' was written in the letter Niveus received from Starling.
Still, his regard for Starling was similar to a devoted follower. It would leave a bad taste if Niveus ruined her reputation.
Except for the Double Monolith incident, Niveus's recklessness and selfishness had never crossed the line.
'I just hope I can meet with the Princess tonight before the potion effect disappears,' he solemnly thought as he dealt with the leechers.
'If not, maybe on the competition's opening day.'
Unfortunately, Niveus could not escape from them.
An hour later, when the people surrounding him diminished in numbers, Niveus saw a chance. A chance to escape from their relentless attempts to gain a connection with the House of Albus through him.
However, that chance could lead to another problem that was more exhausting than the current one.
In Niveus's line of sight, a beautiful woman with long black hair was passing by. She donned a gothic uniform, which was an unusual outfit for a noble lady attending an event.
She was Seele Goetha, the eccentric and clumsy noble lady Niveus encountered outside whose true personality was hidden behind layers of masks.
'Approaching her could lead to another troublesome situation, but...'
But would it be better than being stuck with these people whom Niveus saw as no more than flying flies intending to suck his blood?
After some thought, Niveus made up his mind.
"Uhum, excuse me."
Expressing an apologetic smile, Niveus slipped out from the crowd after saying his intention. Some tried to hold onto him, but Niveus smoothly escaped their grasp.
"Lady Goetha!"
Then Niveus called the lady who was just passing by.
Hearing someone calling her, Seele gradually stopped before turning around with a dumb smile plastered over her face.
Although, it did not last long.
As soon as Seele spotted the person who had called her, her sky-blue eyes fluttered rapidly. Then, as if given a visual effect, her round pupil turned into a sparkling star.
"Oh! Ed... I mean, Niveus Albus!"
She waited until Niveus was a few steps away before continuing, "I never thought you would approach me first! I'm delighted!"
"Is that so?"
"Of course!"
Seele blabbered out every word she could muster. When talking, she was so expressive, like a kid, using her body, hands, and so on to convey gestures and extra movements.
Niveus sighed, letting her gibberish flow out of her mouth.
'Hmm?'
Noticing something around her finger, Niveus...
"...so what I'm trying to say is—"
...he interrupted her.
"Lady Goetha."
Soon, Seele stopped moving and tilted her head.
"Yes?"
"That ring," Niveus pointed at the ring with an unknown gemstone on Seele's finger. "May I take a closer look?"
Internally, Niveus was screaming.
'Idiot! How could I forget about it! That ring is the primary suspect for the end of the world!'
Niveus was getting complacent.
He thought his task had ended after reporting his finding to Starling. But if it was just that, how could he stop the world's destruction?
World destruction was not a trivial matter.
If the world was ending, then everything would be useless.
Also, since the 'ending' was likely to be domination and slavery by an extraterrestrial race from outer space, Quartzar, it would be better to have the world smashed into pieces.
This was a matter of survival too.
And since trying to prevent the world from ending was not only benefitting him, Niveus had no excuse to turn a blind eye. Moreover, Nono, though subtly, had requested his help to deal with the situation.
How did Niveus know? Simple.
Nono suddenly told him about the world's end even though Niveus didn't ask for it. If that was not because she wanted Niveus to do something about it, then what?
'Isn't that right, Nono?'
["...Sometimes you're quick to catch on. But sometimes you're slow."]
For some reason, Nono avoided confirming it. But with the way she talked, Niveus knew he had hit the bullseye.
"Sure. But, how about a game with me first?"
Seele's voice penetrated Niveus's ears.
"What game?"
Smiling, Seele moved her hand and shook it in the air, making gestures.
"Paper, rock..."
Two of her fingers stood while the rest clasped.
"Scissors!"
Obviously, she was making a peace pose or scissors.
Smirking, Niveus rubbed the back of his neck. Then, with an unmotivated movement, Niveus...
"Rock."
...pulled a rock gesture with his fist, slightly poking Seele's two fingers.
At that moment, Seele was dumbstruck. Her eyes widened. Her face, too, was frozen. It was a similar reaction when she tried to grab Niveus's hand but failed.
Meanwhile, Niveus was internally grinning.
'Serve you right.'
Returning to her senses, Seele shook her head and stared at Niveus. Her eyebrows twitched, trying not to frown.
But then, she wore her facade mask again.
"W=wah... I lost..." said Seele while faking a sad face.
Seeing her like that, Niveus sighed.
"What do you mean lose? We're not even starting?"
"Oh?"
"Come on. Scissor, rock, paper."
"W-wai—"
Niveus pulled a paper. Meanwhile, it was a rock for Seele.
Niveus had officially won.
But that did not matter.
Because the first one was the important one.
What actually happened at that time was Niveus defeating Seele in a 'game' she started by her Forte.
Moreover, it was the highest-graded Forte Niveus had seen from others besides Eliana.
[Game Master]