A few hours after Beryl and Belled spent a warm time together.
The main banquet of Orobas finally began.
"I've never looked forward to a banquet as much as this one."
"In fact, is the real banquet the dawn?"
Interest rose among the nobles who smiled secretly.
Proving Orobas' divinity.
The temple had clearly drawn the line in this matter.
'Our temple was not involved at all in the process of proving divinity in Orobas this time.'
Priest Cladda clearly stated that.
Then.
"How can we prove divinity?"
The people had only one question. The temple was quiet, but Orobas confidently stated that he could prove divinity.
"Duke Yubar is here!"
Some added interest amidst the confusion.
First, Duke Yubar appeared at the banquet hall with a somewhat tense expression.
He frowned at the attention, then quietly entered one side of the banquet hall.
Knowing that the host was feeling uneasy, his confidants seemed to block the people’s gaze.
And next.
“The Duke and Duchess of Vine are entering!”
These were the ones who were receiving the most attention.
“If Orobas proves his divinity this time...”
It meant that one of the two, Yubar and Vine, was the demon family.
However, seeing that Vine, who had a Saintess, was quiet, it must have been Yubar.
In that case, the business deal with Yubar should be put on hold...
While the people were making complicated calculations in their heads.
“...The attention is really great.”
Beryl, who was receiving attention, smiled awkwardly. She unconsciously grabbed Belled’s hand, who was escorting her.
Orobas would fail to prove his divinity at this banquet.
The more she thought about what would happen next, the more nervous she felt her heart tighten.
“Are you very nervous?”
Belled asked her, bowing his head slightly.
A light kiss like a butterfly landed on her head. Beryl nodded slightly, feeling the warmth.
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go somewhere that doesn’t attract much attention.”
In the end, she ended up making the same choice as Yubar, but the gazes of those who looked at them were somewhat different.
“They really are a great couple.”
“It doesn’t seem like they’re just living a married life for the sake of the temple.”
Those who spoke like that had clearly seen the smiles naturally playing on the corners of their lips.
“How about this way?”
Vine had completely taken over a corner of the banquet hall.
Of course, he hadn’t drawn a line that forbade them from coming, but there was no one trying to enter the territory of the Vine knights dressed in black.
“...Hmm.”
Beryl, who was sitting between them, glanced toward the entrance.
The curious gazes were still directed at her.
Palang.
A single sheet of pure white cloth was spread out in front of her.
“?”
She blinked and slightly pulled her head back, and it was Belled’s handkerchief.
Belled laughed.
“I think you’re shaking a lot. If you cover it like this.”
With one hand, he covered her face with a handkerchief, and he kissed Beryl’s cheek.
“Wouldn’t it just look like we’re whispering love?”
He wouldn’t look like someone who knew what was going on at this banquet but kept it a secret.
Then he kissed Beryl’s eyes again.
“...That’s it.”
Of course. Beryl’s face flushed slightly. It was as if she knew what people would talk about.
Perhaps...
“People are talking about us.”
Belled narrowed his eyes. Beryl unconsciously tried to look out of the handkerchief.
But Belled firmly wrapped his other hand around her shoulder as if telling her not to.
“They're saying that we’re a sweet newlywed couple.”
Their eyes met very close together. Belled’s eyes smiled with a strange playfulness and sweet desire.
“You don’t like that kind of evaluation?”
There was no way... there was no way. Beryl shook her head slightly.
Then Belled laughed.
“Then it’s like this.”
No one would know. The fact that some whispered a plan to shake up this banquet beyond this handkerchief.
He kissed Beryl’s forehead, which had grown slightly hotter. He did not forget to look beyond the handkerchief as well.
Unlike when he had been looking at Beryl, his cold gaze swept outside. It was when those who had been persistently looking at them turned their gazes away in surprise.
“The Duke of Orobas... is coming!”
The servant’s voice, which seemed a little flustered, rang out.
And when the door opened, a murmur of people spread.
“...?”
Beryl, who had noticed something strange, also left the area of the handkerchief and glanced toward the entrance.
And her eyes widened.
“...That.”
Beryl quickly hid her face behind the handkerchief again, fearing that she would react noticeably.
However, she clearly saw it.
The Duke of Orobas looked exhausted and aged as if ten years had passed overnight.
He was wearing clothes with gorgeous jewels lined up under his heavily made-up face as if trying to hide it somehow, but he couldn’t completely hide the change.
“He looks a little unwell.”
“Are he nervous?”
She could hear people muttering.
However, Belled narrowed his eyes at the sight.
“...It’s as if...”
he said, narrowing his eyes as if searching for the right word.
“It’s as if the power that makes up the source has disappeared.”
If it’s the power that makes up the source. Beryl gave him a look.
The power he was talking about must be magic. But for humans.
“Physical strength... something like that?"
“It’s closer to vitality than physical strength.”
Belled narrowed his eyes. The words he whispered very quietly were scattered behind the handkerchief.
However, Beryl could clearly hear them.
“I think I know what you paid for the holy water.”
And that. Belled came close enough to bite her ear, and whispered with his breath.
“It’s definitely magic.”
She thought it was magic, but she didn’t think it would be so noticeable and come at such a deadly price.
It was certainly not as if Orobas would make holy water easily.
Beryl opened her mouth slightly.
“Ahem.”
Duke Orobas spoke, his voice cracking slightly.
“Thank you to all the distinguished guests who came to this place.”
Everyone’s attention was focused on him.
“This Orobas’ banquet is attended by many people...”
The Duke of Orobas quickly ended his speech, perhaps realizing that the longer he spoke, the more attention he would receive.
“...Ahem, I guess I was very nervous because of the distinguished guests.”
His condition seemed too bad to be covered up with such words.
“Anyway, I’m fine, so please enjoy the banquet. I’ve prepared to show you a great event that you’ve all been waiting for.”
There was definitely strength behind his words. It must mean that he will definitely prove his divinity no matter what his physical condition is.
Applause followed him as he sat down after saying that. After that, it was a social ritual to give a gift to the person who held the banquet.
“This is from our family...”
Most people usually gave their family’s specialty products, but families with power were different.
So naturally, the one who received attention was, of course, Vine.
“Is Orobas the first family to receive Vine’s social ritual?”
“It wouldn’t be the first. It must have been hundreds of years ago.”
“This is the Saintess's social debut stage.”
The main banquet of Orobas finally began.
"I've never looked forward to a banquet as much as this one."
"In fact, is the real banquet the dawn?"
Interest rose among the nobles who smiled secretly.
Proving Orobas' divinity.
The temple had clearly drawn the line in this matter.
'Our temple was not involved at all in the process of proving divinity in Orobas this time.'
Priest Cladda clearly stated that.
Then.
"How can we prove divinity?"
The people had only one question. The temple was quiet, but Orobas confidently stated that he could prove divinity.
"Duke Yubar is here!"
Some added interest amidst the confusion.
First, Duke Yubar appeared at the banquet hall with a somewhat tense expression.
He frowned at the attention, then quietly entered one side of the banquet hall.
Knowing that the host was feeling uneasy, his confidants seemed to block the people’s gaze.
And next.
“The Duke and Duchess of Vine are entering!”
These were the ones who were receiving the most attention.
“If Orobas proves his divinity this time...”
It meant that one of the two, Yubar and Vine, was the demon family.
However, seeing that Vine, who had a Saintess, was quiet, it must have been Yubar.
In that case, the business deal with Yubar should be put on hold...
While the people were making complicated calculations in their heads.
“...The attention is really great.”
Beryl, who was receiving attention, smiled awkwardly. She unconsciously grabbed Belled’s hand, who was escorting her.
Orobas would fail to prove his divinity at this banquet.
The more she thought about what would happen next, the more nervous she felt her heart tighten.
“Are you very nervous?”
Belled asked her, bowing his head slightly.
A light kiss like a butterfly landed on her head. Beryl nodded slightly, feeling the warmth.
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go somewhere that doesn’t attract much attention.”
In the end, she ended up making the same choice as Yubar, but the gazes of those who looked at them were somewhat different.
“They really are a great couple.”
“It doesn’t seem like they’re just living a married life for the sake of the temple.”
Those who spoke like that had clearly seen the smiles naturally playing on the corners of their lips.
“How about this way?”
Vine had completely taken over a corner of the banquet hall.
Of course, he hadn’t drawn a line that forbade them from coming, but there was no one trying to enter the territory of the Vine knights dressed in black.
“...Hmm.”
Beryl, who was sitting between them, glanced toward the entrance.
The curious gazes were still directed at her.
Palang.
A single sheet of pure white cloth was spread out in front of her.
“?”
She blinked and slightly pulled her head back, and it was Belled’s handkerchief.
Belled laughed.
“I think you’re shaking a lot. If you cover it like this.”
With one hand, he covered her face with a handkerchief, and he kissed Beryl’s cheek.
“Wouldn’t it just look like we’re whispering love?”
He wouldn’t look like someone who knew what was going on at this banquet but kept it a secret.
Then he kissed Beryl’s eyes again.
“...That’s it.”
Of course. Beryl’s face flushed slightly. It was as if she knew what people would talk about.
Perhaps...
“People are talking about us.”
Belled narrowed his eyes. Beryl unconsciously tried to look out of the handkerchief.
But Belled firmly wrapped his other hand around her shoulder as if telling her not to.
“They're saying that we’re a sweet newlywed couple.”
Their eyes met very close together. Belled’s eyes smiled with a strange playfulness and sweet desire.
“You don’t like that kind of evaluation?”
There was no way... there was no way. Beryl shook her head slightly.
Then Belled laughed.
“Then it’s like this.”
No one would know. The fact that some whispered a plan to shake up this banquet beyond this handkerchief.
He kissed Beryl’s forehead, which had grown slightly hotter. He did not forget to look beyond the handkerchief as well.
Unlike when he had been looking at Beryl, his cold gaze swept outside. It was when those who had been persistently looking at them turned their gazes away in surprise.
“The Duke of Orobas... is coming!”
The servant’s voice, which seemed a little flustered, rang out.
And when the door opened, a murmur of people spread.
“...?”
Beryl, who had noticed something strange, also left the area of the handkerchief and glanced toward the entrance.
And her eyes widened.
“...That.”
Beryl quickly hid her face behind the handkerchief again, fearing that she would react noticeably.
However, she clearly saw it.
The Duke of Orobas looked exhausted and aged as if ten years had passed overnight.
He was wearing clothes with gorgeous jewels lined up under his heavily made-up face as if trying to hide it somehow, but he couldn’t completely hide the change.
“He looks a little unwell.”
“Are he nervous?”
She could hear people muttering.
However, Belled narrowed his eyes at the sight.
“...It’s as if...”
he said, narrowing his eyes as if searching for the right word.
“It’s as if the power that makes up the source has disappeared.”
If it’s the power that makes up the source. Beryl gave him a look.
The power he was talking about must be magic. But for humans.
“Physical strength... something like that?"
“It’s closer to vitality than physical strength.”
Belled narrowed his eyes. The words he whispered very quietly were scattered behind the handkerchief.
However, Beryl could clearly hear them.
“I think I know what you paid for the holy water.”
And that. Belled came close enough to bite her ear, and whispered with his breath.
“It’s definitely magic.”
She thought it was magic, but she didn’t think it would be so noticeable and come at such a deadly price.
It was certainly not as if Orobas would make holy water easily.
Beryl opened her mouth slightly.
“Ahem.”
Duke Orobas spoke, his voice cracking slightly.
“Thank you to all the distinguished guests who came to this place.”
Everyone’s attention was focused on him.
“This Orobas’ banquet is attended by many people...”
The Duke of Orobas quickly ended his speech, perhaps realizing that the longer he spoke, the more attention he would receive.
“...Ahem, I guess I was very nervous because of the distinguished guests.”
His condition seemed too bad to be covered up with such words.
“Anyway, I’m fine, so please enjoy the banquet. I’ve prepared to show you a great event that you’ve all been waiting for.”
There was definitely strength behind his words. It must mean that he will definitely prove his divinity no matter what his physical condition is.
Applause followed him as he sat down after saying that. After that, it was a social ritual to give a gift to the person who held the banquet.
“This is from our family...”
Most people usually gave their family’s specialty products, but families with power were different.
So naturally, the one who received attention was, of course, Vine.
“Is Orobas the first family to receive Vine’s social ritual?”
“It wouldn’t be the first. It must have been hundreds of years ago.”
“This is the Saintess's social debut stage.”
In that case, it was customary to prepare an even more precious gift.
As attention was focused on her, Belled hugged Beryl tightly with one arm.
Beryl, whose arms were buried in his, looked at him. Belled waited for her breathing to calm down a little before asking.
“Shall we go?”
Beryl listened to his heartbeat, which gave her a sense of stability, and nodded.
“Yes.”
With a thud, the handkerchief was put away, and the two stood up. Beryl let out a short breath as she received attention.
Then, escorted by Beled, she approached the Duke of Orobas.
As she kept pace with him, her strides seemed to grow longer and more confident.
And soon, she reached Duke Orobas and handed him a gift box.
“There must be many shiny things in Orobas.”
The reason she smiled softly was probably because the tension in Belled’s arms had sufficiently melted away.
Her voice, which had somewhat subsided from the shaking, resonated confidently throughout the hall.
“This is what I have prepared.”
With her words, Ronove opened the gift box and placed the gift on the table.
It was none other than a decoration made by Marbes.
“...!”
The people squinted slightly at first when the item coming out of the box reflected light, but soon they were amazed.
“Oh my.”
The table was in a good position. When the piece was placed under the faint light, the jewel pieces that reflected light along with the shaking created various patterns on the black clothes of the Vine.
“Look at that delicate workmanship.”
“Is it made of wood?”
“No, the tip is a jewel?”
Those who had thought of wood as a low-quality material had their eyes sparkling.
“This shaking is possible because it is a piece made of wood.”
“Isn’t it like a bird’s feather fluttering?”
The voices of the people who were amazed gradually resonated throughout the hall.
“Oh... There might be a reason Vines came dressed in black.”
Certainly, the decoration of Marbes, which reflected light and created patterns, left a deep impression on Vine’s black clothes.
Among the admiring people, Beryl said,
“I prepared it with the meaning that I hope that light will be with Vine and Orobas from now on.”
“Oh...”
Duke Orobas was also looking at the sculpture in surprise. The sculpture seemed to shine even more divinely after touching the Saintess’s fingertips.
At that moment, the entrance to the hall opened silently and Orobas’ servant was seen coming in.
A smile appeared on Duke Orobas’ face.
“In front of these sacred decorations given by the Saintess, it wouldn’t be bad to have the main event of this banquet.”
It seemed that the servant would immediately have the priests of the place verify the authenticity of the holy water that was brought by the servant and then drink it.
“Then...”
The servant reached Duke Orobas, who was smiling leisurely.
Naturally, his hands were bare.
“?”
Duke Orobas’ face cracked as he noticed that.
“Your Highness, I have something urgent to tell you...”
His expression changed moment by moment as the servant whispered.
“What?”
And the next voice that burst out was slightly high-pitched as if he was panicking.
No matter how quietly he whispered, his hearing could not be ignored at this distance.
Your Highness, the Holy Water...The Holy Water disappeared.
She heard those whispers clearly.
It was the moment when the real main event of this banquet began.
The eyes of the Duke of Orobas, who was trying to hide his panic, met the eyes of the nobles who were waiting for the proof of divinity and looking at him.
As attention was focused on her, Belled hugged Beryl tightly with one arm.
Beryl, whose arms were buried in his, looked at him. Belled waited for her breathing to calm down a little before asking.
“Shall we go?”
Beryl listened to his heartbeat, which gave her a sense of stability, and nodded.
“Yes.”
With a thud, the handkerchief was put away, and the two stood up. Beryl let out a short breath as she received attention.
Then, escorted by Beled, she approached the Duke of Orobas.
As she kept pace with him, her strides seemed to grow longer and more confident.
And soon, she reached Duke Orobas and handed him a gift box.
“There must be many shiny things in Orobas.”
The reason she smiled softly was probably because the tension in Belled’s arms had sufficiently melted away.
Her voice, which had somewhat subsided from the shaking, resonated confidently throughout the hall.
“This is what I have prepared.”
With her words, Ronove opened the gift box and placed the gift on the table.
It was none other than a decoration made by Marbes.
“...!”
The people squinted slightly at first when the item coming out of the box reflected light, but soon they were amazed.
“Oh my.”
The table was in a good position. When the piece was placed under the faint light, the jewel pieces that reflected light along with the shaking created various patterns on the black clothes of the Vine.
“Look at that delicate workmanship.”
“Is it made of wood?”
“No, the tip is a jewel?”
Those who had thought of wood as a low-quality material had their eyes sparkling.
“This shaking is possible because it is a piece made of wood.”
“Isn’t it like a bird’s feather fluttering?”
The voices of the people who were amazed gradually resonated throughout the hall.
“Oh... There might be a reason Vines came dressed in black.”
Certainly, the decoration of Marbes, which reflected light and created patterns, left a deep impression on Vine’s black clothes.
Among the admiring people, Beryl said,
“I prepared it with the meaning that I hope that light will be with Vine and Orobas from now on.”
“Oh...”
Duke Orobas was also looking at the sculpture in surprise. The sculpture seemed to shine even more divinely after touching the Saintess’s fingertips.
At that moment, the entrance to the hall opened silently and Orobas’ servant was seen coming in.
A smile appeared on Duke Orobas’ face.
“In front of these sacred decorations given by the Saintess, it wouldn’t be bad to have the main event of this banquet.”
It seemed that the servant would immediately have the priests of the place verify the authenticity of the holy water that was brought by the servant and then drink it.
“Then...”
The servant reached Duke Orobas, who was smiling leisurely.
Naturally, his hands were bare.
“?”
Duke Orobas’ face cracked as he noticed that.
“Your Highness, I have something urgent to tell you...”
His expression changed moment by moment as the servant whispered.
“What?”
And the next voice that burst out was slightly high-pitched as if he was panicking.
No matter how quietly he whispered, his hearing could not be ignored at this distance.
Your Highness, the Holy Water...The Holy Water disappeared.
She heard those whispers clearly.
It was the moment when the real main event of this banquet began.
The eyes of the Duke of Orobas, who was trying to hide his panic, met the eyes of the nobles who were waiting for the proof of divinity and looking at him.
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