161. Imperial Palace (2)
The size of the main palace was enormous.
Perhaps if you put together about 10 Cain’s mansions, it wouldn’t be this wide.
The vaulted ceilings were lined with chandeliers, and the beige marble floors gleamed.
Two pairs of shoes passed over it.
One person looked a little urgent, and the other person had room to move.
“No rush. The ball has yet to start.”
“Still, we’re late… .”
Zerbia arrived at the ballroom door first, then Cain.
“Jabir Kalta. Johann Kirif. I have verified my identity.”
As the court staff nodded and signaled, the guards standing on either side of the door vigorously pushed the door.
insert-
“Jabir Kalta and Johan Kirif are entering!”
A huge door opened, and through the crack, the interior was slowly seen.
Round tables and mobile buffets were set around a large space for people to dance.
A curved staircase leading to the second floor at either end of the wall.
A structure with an open center so that the upper and lower floors can see each other.
‘That would be the place where the emperor would appear.’
Cain thought as he saw a part of the second-floor railing protruding round the ballroom.
“… … .”
Silence entered the ballroom.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at the two, forgetting to even breathe.
It wasn’t because he was the last to appear.
It was because he intuitively knew who the couple who would shine the most at the ballroom today.
The empty table was inside.
Cain looked forward and gave Zervia an arm.
After a moment’s hesitation, she grabbed Cain’s inside elbow.
Again – Again –
As the two of them arrived inside the table, no one spoke.
After Cain and Zervia sat down at the table, they breathed simultaneously as if they had been released from magic.
“Are you Johan Kirif? Rumors of attending were also true.”
“I didn’t know they were going to be partners, but is the rumor that they’re old friends true?”
“But both of them are really beautiful… .”
“It’s beautiful.”
Gossips were heard from various directions.
Unlike other times, no one approached and talked to them.
Cain and Zerbia.
It was because the atmosphere of the two combined gave off an inaccessible loftiness.
“… this dress. You wouldn’t be able to fight properly when the enemy came.”
“Why are you even thinking about fighting at the ball?”
Of course, the current conversation between the two of them was a bit far from being arrogant.
Cain looked at the people around him.
The invitation list is 100 people.
200 partners in total.
If you add up the number of users there.
Although there were not many people, the ballroom was spacious and the interior did not feel cramped.
“Do you know anyone?”
At Cain’s question, Zervia shook her head.
The successors of the chaebol family and famous young prospects in each field.
Some have seen their faces in public, but never had a conversation.
All the rest were people without even a simple face.
“Once the atmosphere is relaxed, I will try my best to get even one more word from you. Because you are the person who is considered to be the future chief of police.”
It will be the same for you, Cain.
Zervia thought.
Perhaps the difference between him and himself is his ability to naturally lead conversations among many people.
‘It would be possible to have a short conversation.’
Continuing long-term conversations with unspecified people is a different story.
From professional fields such as politics, culture, art and magic to gossip, it was a task that had to be constantly switched on and off topics of conversation.
mansion.
Cain was surrounded by people and continued conversations like flowing water.
That’s why it felt so great.
‘I’m sure that kind of talk skills are innate.’
At that moment, the wall clock in the center of the wall announced the hour.
den- den-
Footsteps were heard from inside the hallway connected to the second floor.
Those who had attended the prom got up from their seats, bowed their heads, and looked down.
Others who saw it also realized the situation and bowed their heads accordingly.
Cain and Zerbia also followed their moves.
The ballroom where everyone bowed their heads.
in a solemn atmosphere.
The sound of footsteps stopped in front of the platform on the second floor railing.
“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend this event.”
A strong and sharp voice.
He knew who the owner was without having to say anything.
He is the only person in the continent to be granted the title of an Archmage.
The undisputed master of the empire.
Emperor. Caedric Fnaham.
“All of you gathered here are the protagonists who will lead the empire in the future. In each field, they can be said to be as dazzling as the stars in the sky.”
Raising your head during the Emperor’s speech is not permitted.
It is usually possible to stare from a distance, but make eye contact when having a direct conversation.
Unless it was the same imperial family, or a very small number of people who were directly authorized by the emperor.
It was a sign of respect and respect for the dignity and power of the emperor.
“I have prepared this event to honor you who have worked hard day and night. I hope it will be a place where you can forget the fatigue of each task and recharge your energy!”
The emperor’s opening remarks were short and concise.
With the last words, hundreds of wine glasses on the table came to mind.
Then it flew through the air and stopped in front of each participant’s chest.
pop!
Dozens of wine bottles that came to mind then fired their corks like cannonballs.
He then passed between the participants and filled the glass without missing a beat.
“Wow… !”
“This is His Majesty’s magic… .”
Shouts erupted everywhere.
Cain was also impressed.
‘You’re Yeomdong.’
Types of objects handled, weights, distances, numbers, and detailed movements.
Considering them, it was possible to estimate the magic level of the emperor.
‘If it was a planned future, the protagonist Laxen would have waged a final battle with the emperor.’
Except for the main character, he is one of the few characters whose growth limits are open from the beginning.
at the end of the story,
The emperor’s mana reached 60,000.
The level of the mana circuit is 5 steps, and it separates the land from the mountain with a single gesture.
Even now, even a strong man like Latino would be an incomparable monster.
The emperor’s mana would have far exceeded the circuit level 4 standard of 12,500 even now.
“Everyone may raise their heads. I will sing For the prosperity of the empire!”
The emperor raised his cup high. Participants raised their heads and followed the emperor’s movements and shouted.
“For prosperity!”
Two hundred glasses of wine went down the back of his neck at once.
the music begins to flow,
So the prom started.
***
Zervia quickly swallowed the alcohol dissolving agent that Cain had given him.
It wasn’t completely, but I could feel the intoxication go away soon and my body was getting better.
She came to her senses and shifted her gaze to where Cain was looking.
“Dan Brown. Differing Mine’s mining technology is the pride of our empire.”
“It’s an honor to remember you.”
The emperor, accompanied by two escorts, went around the ballroom to encourage the participants.
There were also people who deliberately moved in front of the emperor’s path and pretended to have a conversation in order to catch his eye even once more.
Cain was old and did not do that.
‘In the information that has been synthesized so far, it is highly likely that the prophet is one of the princes.’
If the emperor had been a prophet, he would have used a more certain but not traced number to kill Laxen.
It was saying that there was no need to secretly hire a beast mercenary and instigate an assassination.
Cain was also convinced that the emperor would speak to him first.
The emperor must have heard the rumor that he was a developer of a petrification treatment.
Because he thought that it might be possible to cure the sleep disorder that the 4th prince is suffering from.
Instead, Cain stayed in one place, looking for people to help with his future plans.
From business in various fields to arts and sports such as art or music.
They are the best talents in each line, so if you make a link, you will have an opportunity to use them anytime in the future.
“hello. This is Johann Kirif. He is at the center of the topic, so I wanted to meet him.”
A handsome man approached Cain and asked for a handshake.
As Cain accepted the handshake, he breathed a small sigh of relief.
Leading the way, other participants gathered around with glasses to grab a chance to talk.
“Superintendent Xavir. I’ve heard the saga at the Cassargo Club. Can you tell us more details?”
“Oh my, it’s the first time I’ve seen you dressed like this, and you are so beautiful. Which designer is the dress from?”
When he turned his head, Zervia was already surrounded by a group of young girls and was moving away in a form of kidnapping.
Zervia’s eyes begging for help.
Cain nodded slightly and prayed for her good luck.
“I will introduce you formally. My name is Stefan Felt, who heads the Department of Elements at Matop.”
The man I spoke to for the first time held out his business card.
“This is Johan Kirif. I am the CEO of Hexa Medical. Nice to meet you.”
Cain also handed him a business card.
At the same time, a hand holding a business card flew around.
“This is Robe Usenberg, vice president of Tetracell.”
“This is Vital Laserda, the director of the National Museum of Art, Gerotica.”
Business cards were exchanged at a fast pace, and conversations flowed naturally while sipping wine.
The first topic was definitely about ‘John’.
The development process of petrification treatment.
Club Cassargo Incident.
The party in the mansion and plans for the future.
After that, the topic of conversation jumped to various fields, whether it was politics or art.
“indeed. You might think of it that way. I was a little impressed.”
“I heard that the headquarters of Hexa Medical is outside the wall, but after hearing John’s opinion, there seems to be a difference between the inside and the outside.”
As the conversation progressed, people repeatedly fell and filled like the ebb and flow.
Everyone left and only Johan and Stefan remained in their seats for a while.
“I heard that you will be assigned to Matop from the winter semester.”
“Thanks to Raitino-sama for his convenience, we have had a lot of opportunity.”
Stefan responded by waving his hand.
“You are overflowing with minutes. I’ve never seen John’s magic in person, but I think he’s been verified as he has already accomplished achievements in other fields. Raitino-sama tends to act according to his mood, but he’s not the kind of person who puts anyone in an important position.”
Stefan looked around once and whispered, closing the distance with Cain.
“It’s not me, but there are people who don’t like John’s appointment.”
Stefan’s secret glance pointed to three men conversing in front of the buffet table.
“They are heads of departments from other departments. It is natural that their magic skills are backed up, but they are good at scheming, so there is nothing wrong with being careful.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
It was a strong self-appeal.
that I am on your side
Observing the situation and sticking to an opponent who had a more advantageous position was something that happened everywhere.
Whether that is the ballroom.
Even in a prison where I was imprisoned for a while.
Whether in the back alleys at the time of organizational life.
“The cup is empty.”
Cain filled Stefan’s empty glass to signify that he recognized his ‘life’.
And then a voice came from behind.
“Are you Johann Kirif?”
the king’s voice.
Cain turned his body and lowered his gaze at the same time. He nodded his head and said.
“It is an honor to meet you. His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I’ve heard your name a lot. You’ve made the capital so much these days that you can even hear it from my office.”
“It is an honor to remember the names of those in need.”
The surroundings felt quiet.
Everyone must have been paying attention to the conversation between himself and the emperor.
Even though they were of the same height, it felt like they were pressing their opponent down.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way.’
It wasn’t particularly stressful.
Rather, it felt like my blood was boiling at a strong enemy I had been dealing with for a long time.
“There are many different kinds of rumors. It’s hard to believe that one person could achieve it in such a short time.”
“… … .”
“Can I ask you one question?”
“Of course it is, Your Majesty.”
“What is your father’s name?”
Cain recognized the emperor’s intentions at once.
Not all rumors circulating about him were positive.
For example, about origin.
A descendant of a fallen noble.
Or the lowly status outside the wall.
The emperor also heard the rumor, and he was asking about it directly.
was king
It was his way of getting to know people.
Arousing embarrassment, seeing the real face of the person stripped of pretense and pretense.
‘indeed.’
Blood boils.
The desire for challenge and rebellion fills up.
But I do not intend to spit out an answer hastily.
A fallen noble family.
Even if you tell a lie, you don’t have to worry about getting caught because it has forged appropriate data and evidence just in case.
It would be much more advantageous to do so if we consider future activities.
‘But if other variables are taken into account.’
Cain made his decision quickly.
and opened his mouth.
“I didn’t know my father’s name because I was born an orphan in a slum.”