3 days later…
The awaited day arrives. Within these 3 days, Conan prepares for the banquet by receiving advice and tasks from Ardin. Even though he will only stand in one place at the banquet and do nothing but guard, they still had to be ready for any possible situation at any moment.
The banquet hall was decorated in a very beautiful and orderly manner. The most important and noble figures of the kingdom were present there. The place Conan and Victor were assigned to guard was the inner hall. In other words, the exact place where everyone gathered. This was exactly the place Conan was uneasy about.
Victor takes his position a little distance away from Conan. Before going there, he tells Conan that he is nearby and that he shouldn't worry. Conan takes his position and starts looking around. It doesn't take long for the environment to suffocate him. Even during his academy days, when he studied with children of noble families, he was not this uncomfortable. This time everything is different. This place feels very unfamiliar and suffocating to him. Despite this, he restrains himself and eagerly waits for this banquet to end.
At that moment, he hears Kaelhor's mocking voice. "Don't worry, human. I am here with you. I am ready to help whenever you want."
He laughs. Conan ignores him and focuses on his duty.
At that moment, a guard makes an announcement."Heroic and brave warriors are entering the hall."
Everyone welcomes them with applause. Luis and the others following him enter the hall. For a moment, Conan's gaze locks onto Rose. Then he regains himself again.
After Luis and his group enter, after a while another announcement is made."Celaria Princess Elena is entering the hall."
Wearing an elegant and beautiful dress, with golden hair and blue eyes, Elena enters the hall, resembling a goddess. Everyone seems mesmerized by her beauty. Conan looks at Elena and feels as if he has seen her somewhere before. But he considers it just a resemblance. How could someone like him ever see a princess?
During that time, Conan also glances at the servants, thinking Lisa might be there. He knew very well that the reason he was here was Lisa. Because a gate guard had never been assigned as a guard at a royal banquet before.
There were many women around Luis. All of them were eager to talk to the hero. Suddenly, Luis's eyes fall on Conan. He starts walking toward him with a mocking smile. "Look who we have here. Such a coincidence."
Conan ignores his words. He stares at a point as if Luis doesn't exist.
Luis turns to those around him. "Look who is here. The pride and the best student of the academy."
A few people around start looking at him. Luis leans closer and whispers into Conan's ear. "You see, it's not just Rose. Even those who admired you during the academy days are now around me. Defeated one."
Conan tightly grips the handle of his sword on his left side with his left hand. If this were somewhere else, he might not have stayed silent. But he cannot do anything. He just stands still and tries to ignore him.
Luis loudly "It seems there are people around General Markus who don't understand their job. They invited a simple gate guard to palace security."
At that moment, Elena notices the disturbance and responds to Luis.
Elena "I assigned that guard here. Is there something in my decision that you don't like, hero?"
Luis is surprised. Then he responds. "Your Highness, I didn't know this was your doing, forgive me. But you could have assigned stronger warriors for this task."
Elena "That guard is stronger than any warrior."
Luis is greatly confused. "I don't understand, Your Highness. What do you mean?"
Elena "I am not obliged to explain this to anyone."
Luis lowers his head respectfully. "Forgive my rudeness."
Conan tries to understand the situation. But he still doesn't understand anything. He simply feels deep gratitude toward the princess.
At that moment, music starts playing. Everyone begins inviting each other to dance. At that moment, Rose approaches Luis. She thinks he will invite her to dance. But Luis, just to treat Conan as nothing, invites the princess to dance instead. He respectfully extends his hand.
But Elena politely refuses him. "I will thank this warrior for his heroism. You may dance with someone else."
These words seem to tear Luis apart. Even though he is a hero, he is once again humiliated in front of Conan. Enraged, Luis leaves without saying a word. He doesn't even invite Rose to dance. Rose follows after Luis. But she turns back, looks at Conan, and thinks: "What is the reason the princess called you a hero?"
Elena looks at Conan and begins speaking with a gentle smile. "I know that you protected my servant in the backstreets. For that, I express my gratitude to you."
Conan respectfully responds. "This is the duty of every warrior. I thank you for protecting me here."
Elena smiles. "Lisa told me about you. I would like such a strong warrior to be a guard in our palace. Surely you will not refuse the princess's offer?"
Conan is put into a great dilemma. If he accepts the offer, he gets one step closer to major problems. If he refuses, it would be a great disrespect toward the princess. That would mean an even bigger problem.
In this dilemma, he thinks for a moment and prepares to answer, forcing himself—
At that moment, a guard makes another announcement."The prince of the great Elarion Kingdom, Adrian, is entering the hall."
For a moment, Elena and the entire hall turn toward the door. A tall, handsome man with silver hair and brown eyes enters. From his walk, it is clearly visible that he carries the aura of a powerful warrior.
He approaches Elena with heavy steps and respectfully greets her. "Truly, you are exactly as they say, no different from a goddess."
For a moment, he directs his heavy and intimidating gaze toward Conan. Then he looks back at Elena.
Elena greets him in return. "You are exactly as they say. When you entered the hall, it felt as if I was welcoming the Demon King himself." She gives a gentle smile.
Adrian laughs. "Very nice. Indeed, if they wish, even a Demon King and a Goddess can get along with each other."
Elena smiles softly. "Of course, if they wish."
Adrian "That would be wonderful. If such a thing happened, there would never be a need for war." He smiles.
Elena says nothing. She knows very well who Adrian is. That is why she doesn't want to engage in a battle of words with him.
Adrian looks at Conan. "I would say this is our new hero. But judging by appearance, it is not him. I would like to meet him."
Elena "The hero is on the other side. Come, let me introduce you to him."
Adrian "With pleasure."
Elena leads Adrian away from Conan and takes him to introduce him to Luis and his group.
As soon as they move away from Conan, Rose approaches him.
Rose looks at Conan. "What did you do to catch the princess's attention?"