Early Hours of the Nex Day
As the massive doors before Neonidas swung open, he slowly stepped inside. On either side of the vast throne room stood royal guards, with dozens of nobles gathered behind them. At the far end of the room sat an enormous and ornate throne, flanked by two smaller yet equally majestic thrones on either side.
Walking along the long black carpet, Neonidas advanced toward the throne alongside the other dukes, who kept pace with him. The entry order of the dukes had been arranged before they entered, and Neonidas found himself toward the rear of the procession. This placement was due to the chamberlain's interference, but Neonidas didn't mind. Above the throne, a massive crimson wolf symbolizing the empire's power loomed grandly. The twelve dukes stopped precisely twelve steps from the throne, knelt, and bowed their heads.
Emperor Gredor, seated on the central throne, slowly rose to his feet. To his right, Empress Velriona, and to his left, Princess Allea, also stood. The throne room had two tiers. While the central area above the black carpet remained open, wide balconies on either side housed prominent figures from other kingdoms. The arrangement might have seemed odd—having the emperor below while others observed from above—but such was the peculiar design of the original novel.
When Emperor Gredor's deep and powerful voice echoed through the room, it reminded everyone present where true authority lay.
"Welcome, noble dukes," said Emperor Gredor, his voice reverberating through the chamber.
"Today, we gather to celebrate the great victory of our empire and the coalition! Once again, it has been proven that demons and vile creatures lack aesthetics, intelligence, and true power. For millennia, our ancestors suffered because of them but never yielded. We are the supreme race, and reclaiming what is rightfully ours has never been a mere dream! In this war, we have proven that we have the strength to take back what those disgusting creatures stole from us! No more pain! No more fear of monsters! No more misery! Only victory and glory remain! Eat, drink, and celebrate, my brethren, for I declare that a new era begins with our triumph!"
"Hurrah!"
"Yes! Yes!"
"For humanity, hurrah!"
"Victory is ours!"
"Death to the monsters!"
"Haha, yes!"
The cheers echoing through the throne room seemed to etch the celebration of victory and the dawn of a new age into the very walls. While nobles, dukes, and court members reveled in the triumph, Neonidas stood apart, silently observing. Amid the waves of excitement that surged through the crowd, his eyes remained fixed on the crimson wolf emblem hanging behind Gredor's throne.
"A new era? Really?" Neonidas mused, exhaling with a hint of sarcasm. He wondered: when a stronger monster invasion inevitably arrived, would they still celebrate? Or would those fools up there laugh so heartily when the empire eventually invaded their lands? These were the thoughts swirling in Neonidas's mind.
At that moment, he felt a pair of eyes on him. No, to be precise, many eyes were on him, but one gaze stood out. It was from a woman with emerald-green eyes—Princess Allea. In the original story, she was Neonidas's fiancée and beloved. But this current Neonidas was far removed from the old one. The original Neonidas would have been too timid to even look into Allea's eyes as he grew older, but now, this Neonidas stared boldly into her emerald gaze without blinking.
At that instant, Allea realized that the man she once knew was Neonidas was gone. The blue eyes and blond hair before her now belonged to someone else entirely. Neonidas had changed, but was this for better or worse? That was the question Allea found herself pondering.
"Rise, noble dukes! Join the celebrations!" Emperor Gredor's command rang out, prompting all twelve dukes to stand in unison.
The emperor, empress, and princess passed through the ranks of the dukes and moved toward the exit of the throne room. As Allea and Neonidas locked eyes once more, Neonidas felt an oppressive weight from someone's gaze. He didn't bother to turn around. The one watching him was likely the main chracter, or perhaps the male lead—or maybe both. But that didn't matter. What mattered was the decision Neonidas had just made.
For the first time since reincarnating into this world, Neonidas had found a true purpose. Until now, his only goal had been to ensure he could protect himself, at least to a minimum degree. But after witnessing all this grandeur, he had found something to quell his boredom. A goal!
Neonidas now aspired to join the league of legends.
Neonidas now aimed to be the man at the top.
Neonidas now sought to sit upon the highest throne.
As the emperor and his family departed, noise and chatter replaced the relative quiet of the throne room. Since it was still before noon, there was some time before lunch. Neonidas turned quickly and began walking toward the exit. Perhaps he was acting arrogantly, or perhaps he was just excited to finally have a purpose in life. One thing was certain: Neonidas was smiling.
And that smile was born from a feeling he had never experienced in either of his lives.
Neonidas was smiling because, for the first time, he was happy.
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A Few Hours Later–The Luncheon Festival
In the vast gardens of the palace, or rather the estate, dozens of long tables had been set up, and servants were still in the process of filling them with food and drinks from every direction. Before the guests began arriving, the security measures were at their highest. The empire's most powerful and trusted royal guards were present. Despite the sunny weather and the sweet fragrance of the flowers, the atmosphere was stifling for those who were not accustomed to such grandeur.
Noblewomen, dressed in silk gowns adorned with precious stones, sparkled as they moved through the garden. Their dresses reflected the delicate craftsmanship of the empire's artists, and the gold threads woven into some of their outfits caught the sunlight, making them appear almost otherworldly. The lace and silk veils on the women competed to outshine one another in an extravagant display. The men, in their noble jackets, medals adorning their chests, and boots, represented power and authority. The splendor of the imperial aristocracy was evident in every corner of the garden.
Musicians had taken their positions in one corner of the garden, where violins, flutes, and the soft melodies of harps created a harmonious atmosphere. Guests passing beneath flower-laden arches inhaled the fragrant aromas of lavender and peonies. The sound of clear water flowing from fountains beside the flowers complemented the peaceful ambiance.
Servants, expertly balancing silver trays, offered food and drinks to the guests. The dishes included steamed exotic meats, sauces made from rare plants, delicately prepared desserts, and wines unique to the empire. The abundance displayed on the tables was a symbol of the empire's power and victory.
Children ran around the edges of the garden, weaving flower crowns and adding liveliness to the festivities with their laughter. In a distant corner of the garden, a group of soldiers and guards gathered more modestly, attentively watching the surroundings, always alert for any danger.
In one corner, Neonidas stood, quietly observing the crowd. One hand held his glass, while the other gently tugged at the edge of his cloak, tossing it behind him. Even in the midst of such magnificence, he still felt like an outsider.
Suddenly, the sound of drums echoed, and the emperor, empress, and Princess Allea entered the garden. Behind them followed other princesses, or the emperor's children without royal status. The emperor's grand and lavishly decorated table stood at the front. When the emperor and his family seated themselves, everyone else took their places.
Neonidas, with a slight smile, moved toward his own table. He was the only duke seated alone among them. The other dukes had their wives, children, or at least family members with them, but Neonidas was completely alone. He did have relatives, but aside from his sister, none chose to sit with him. His sister, no longer a noble, could not sit with him, but as a professor at the imperial academy, she was likely seated in the back.
Nevertheless, Neonidas was alone, but there was still a smile on his face as he happily took a bite of the delicious-looking meat before him. He was clearly enjoying himself.
But an unwelcome presence suddenly interrupted this peaceful moment. A figure, drawing closer to Neonidas, caught his attention with a careful gaze and heavy footsteps. The man, approaching slowly, greeted Neonidas as if he had known him for a long time.
"Neonidas, are you alone?" he asked, his tone mocking yet respectful. "It's an interesting choice to sit alone after your victory, especially after such a... remarkable one."
Neonidas calmly shifted his gaze toward the man. The man wasn't someone he recognized, but the medals on his chest and the carefully tailored attire made it clear he was of noble descent. There was a glint in his eyes—either from friendly curiosity or from a deeper, more calculated purpose.
Neonidas smiled slightly, but the smile was far from sincere. "I'm not interested in anyone," he replied. "Leave me alone."
Despite Neonidas' cold response, the man seemed unwilling to stop. He continued slowly, but with noticeable confidence,
"Ah, of course, sometimes solitude is the best companion, isn't it? But for someone like you, being alone... isn't that a bit strange?" The man's voice had taken on a mocking tone.
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