The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 179: Chapter 176 — Banquet

The buzz and excitement within the banquet hall was high. Lords and heads from across the South had gathered for the occasion.

Soft music drifted through the hall as countless conversations unfolded beneath the glow of crystal chandeliers.

A great deal of attention was focused on the candidates who had displayed exceptional talent during the Proving. Particularly, the primary descendants of the city lords. Each was in attendance, surrounded by swarms of nobles eager to strike up conversations and curry favor.

”What are the chances he simply doesn’t show up?” City Lord Ociden asked.

He stood alongside the other city lords, their collective presence alone enough to discourage anyone from approaching. There were smiles on their faces as they watched their children bask in attention.

At Ociden’s words, several expressions became less pleasant. Should that boy arrive now, most of the attention their children were receiving would vanish instantly.

”I heard he hates social events.” Marisse Donvaire sounded cautiously hopeful. ”That hasn’t changed, has it?”

”That was when he was a child,” Ociden replied. ”At this point, I’m not sure anyone knows what to expect from him anymore. Is he even the same person?”

”Bah.” Borric Hartvain snorted. ”Listen to yourselves. The boy beats your children once and suddenly you’re all worried sick. Maybe if they were stronger, it wouldn’t bother you so much. If my Draven had fought him, he would’ve won.”

The other city lords stared at him.

”Your Draven...” Darius Korrath said after a pause. ”The one who lost to a little girl?”

Low chuckles immediately spread through the group.

Borric’s face reddened.

Meanwhile, Darius subtly straightened his posture. Ever since Kaelith had been revealed as an Heir, his standing amongst the city lords had risen dramatically. For once, he wasn’t the one being ridiculed.

If only his son hadn’t lost to that monster...

”He better not come...” Selmira Heno muttered coldly.

The others exchanged glances before sighing inwardly. Selmira still hadn’t let it go. Unfortunately for her, it was a completely pointless grudge. Not only was Zephyrion an Heir of Calderalth, he had also been crowned Prime of his generation. Politically speaking, he was about as untouchable as a young man could possibly be.

”Hahahaha!”

The city lords turned toward the laughter and spotted Garrick drinking and chatting with Ingrid and Garaxe.

The moment their gazes met, Garrick’s grin widened. The man cheerfully waved, then winked.

Several faces immediately twitched. This lunatic...

He had practically extorted them blind and now acted as though they were old friends meeting at a festival.

”People say he’s mad...” Ociden muttered. ”I think that’s the least concerning thing about him.”

The other city lords nodded in silent agreement.

Moments passed, then suddenly, a booming announcement echoed throughout the hall.

”PRIME ZEPHYRION CALDERALTH HAS ARRIVED.”

The city lords exchanged looks.

So he came after all.

The hall gradually fell silent as the massive doors swung open.

Zephyrion strode inside with Lumi and Tobias following on either side.

Elegant black suit. Perfect posture. Devilishly handsome face. His appearance alone was enough to draw the attention of the entire hall.

Many ladies, young and old alike, immediately straightened. More than a few fans began moving noticeably faster.

Even many of the men found their gazes lingering.

”Hey, who’s that girl beside him...?”

”Isn’t that the one who defeated Draven?”

”I heard she’s a mute he brought back with him...”

”You don’t think they’re together, do you?”

”Together? With him?”

”Well she’s literally hanging off his arm.”

”That’s not evidence.”

”It’s more evidence than you’ve got.”

”...”

Numerous eyes shifted toward Lumi. Some were curious, while others judgmental, with a few openly contemptuous.

However, Lumi simply didn’t care. She held onto Zephyrion’s arm with both hands, her bright smile never fading. To her, the countless nobles filling the hall may as well not have existed. Only she and Zephyrion were walking through those doors.

The silence lasted only a moment before the hall exploded into motion. Nobles immediately surged toward Zephyrion from every direction.

Even the direct descendants, who had been surrounded by eager admirers moments earlier, suddenly found themselves standing nearly alone. More than a few bitter looks were thrown in Zephyrion’s direction.

Meanwhile, Zephyrion fought down the irritation rising within him.

Voices came from every side. Questions overlapped. People spoke over one another. Everyone wanted his attention. Everyone wanted to stand out. The sheer noise was enough to give him a headache.

Regardless, a situation such as this was one he had already anticipated.

Unmoved, Zephyrion began navigating the crowd.

Since his return, he had spent countless moments reviewing every piece of information he could obtain regarding the South. He knew the ongoing issues plaguing each city and territory, the relationships between the various powers, and even the personal interests of the lords standing before him.

Every question directed his way was answered calmly. Every answer was followed by a question of his own. The conversation never stalled.

Before long, content smiles began appearing throughout the crowd.

Seeing this, the city lords’ expressions became increasingly complicated.

”He’s changed...” Ociden muttered.

The others silently agreed. The Zephyrion of the past rarely spoke to anyone. Not the city lords. Not his peers. His mother had practically needed to drag him from one social gathering to another.

Yet now, here he was effortlessly maneuvering through a crowd of nobles.

’Damn it.’

Vaelor’s jaw tightened. Even now, his father’s attention remained fixed on Zephyrion.

Even now.

”Tch.”

He turned and walked away. He hadn’t wanted to attend this stupid banquet in the first place.

Meanwhile, though she continued conversing with those around her, Nedra Heno found her gaze drifting toward Zephyrion again and again. Each time she noticed herself staring, she quickly looked elsewhere. Her cheeks gradually grew warmer.

Kaelith Korrath simply watched from afar with an unreadable expression.

Meanwhile, Draven’s gaze remained fixed on Lumi’s tiny figure. The bitterness in his eyes had not faded, but neither had his resolve.

The night gradually wore on. Eventually, Zephyrion found himself standing before the city lords.

”City Lords.” He offered a faint smile. ”I trust the evening has treated you well?”

”Quite well, Prime Zephyrion.”

There was a slight edge to Ociden’s voice, though Zephyrion ignored it with ease. Instead, he turned toward the others. Every city lord wore some variation of a polite smile, all except Selmira.

”Ah... Prime.” Zephyrion shook his head faintly. ”The title still feels a bit excessive. Though I suppose earning it was never going to be easy.”

A few smiles appeared.

”Still, your descendants truly deserve the title of genius. Every one of them was impressive.” He nodded sincerely. ”Though it may not have looked that way from the outside, defeating them took considerably more effort than people seem to think.”

The city lords visibly softened. What parent didn’t enjoy hearing their child praised? Especially when the praise came from the very person who had defeated them.

More importantly, there wasn’t the slightest trace of mockery or insincerity in Zephyrion’s tone.

”I was actually hoping to—”

”...Is that what you’re calling it?”

The atmosphere immediately cooled. Zephyrion turned toward Selmira. The woman met his gaze without flinching.

”Torturing my daughter, I mean.” She said, then added a moment later, ”Prime Zephyrion.”

Several city lords closed their eyes, while others sighed inwardly. Selmira, who had clearly reached her limit, had finally spoken.