The tension around Daniel and the boys simmered beneath the glittering surface of the banquet. They returned reluctantly to their side of the hall when Princess Elisha was swept away by a cluster of ministers and nobles eager to discuss the expedition.

Isolde raised her glass to her lips, watching them through half-lidded eyes. Oliver couldn't help a faint smirk tugging his mouth.

Ariana leaned slightly toward him and whispered, "They look… annoyed."

"No kidding," Oliver replied behind his mask, casual as ever.

Jason and William exchanged looks, then turned their gazes toward Isolde, Ariana, and Seraphine. Their expressions shifted to confident smirks.

Predators sizing up what they thought were easy prey.

They strode toward the group with calculated charm.

Jason ran a hand through his hair, approaching Isolde with a lazy smile. "Excuse me, ladies. Mind if we keep you company? Banquets like these get boring without some interesting conversation."

William stepped closer to Ariana and Seraphine, lowering his voice to a suave drawl. "You three are stunning. Never seen beauties like you around school. Must be new nobles, huh? What houses are you from?"

A typical move.

Expecting giggles, blushes, and hands offered eagerly.

Instead—

Isolde stared at Jason with the same expression she'd give an insect blocking her way. "No."

Jason blinked. "…No?"

"No," she repeated, as if explaining to a toddler. "Sit somewhere else."

Ariana bowed politely but held firm distance. "Thank you for the offer, but we're fine here."

Seraphine tilted her head. "Your probability of success is approximately zero point zero zero three percent. Repeated attempts will only result in humiliation."

Jason and William froze, mouths open.

"What?"

Seraphine blinked innocently. "Was my assessment unclear?"

Oliver pressed a hand to his mouth to hide the laugh threatening to burst out.

The two boys stood there, speechless, forcing thin smiles.

Jason leaned closer, attempting confidence again. "Playing hard to get, huh?"

Isolde glanced at him with a sharp smile. "If we wanted to be 'got,' we'd choose someone better."

William's jaw tightened.

But what truly shattered their composure was what came next:

Ariana hooked her arm through Oliver's casually. Seraphine slid beside Oliver, looping her hands behind his neck like a teasing kitten. And Isolde leaned into his side with a victorious grin.

To anyone watching, the message was obvious.

They were close.

Very close.

William's hand clenched. "You're kidding… these girls are following him?"

Jason muttered, "That nobody?"

Across the hall, Daniel noticed as well—right as Elisha laughed at something Oliver said from a distance earlier. Her smile toward Oliver was warm, informal, real.

And toward Daniel?

Cold. Polite. Formal. A wall.

Daniel's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Who the hell is he?" Jason growled.

"Must be some noble bastard pretending to be an adventurer," William spat. "Otherwise, why would they choose him?"

Their pride couldn't comprehend it.

Heroes chosen by the gods.

Trained to save this world.

Praised everywhere they went.

Ignored here.

Left standing like clowns while the women they wanted gravitated toward a man who didn't even care to look at them.

****

Meanwhile, with the girls

Elisha had gathered Amy, Lisa, Sophia, and the others into a comfortable circle of chairs. Isolde, Ariana, and Seraphine joined them.

Amy laughed lightly. "I heard you crossed Evergrove and survived. That's insane. Even trained knights avoid that place."

Isolde shrugged. "The forest wasn't the main problem. Annoying monsters were."

Lisa leaned forward. "What kind of monsters did you face exactly? Anything new?"

Ariana grew animated. "A Drake, giant spiders, an Ancient Basilisk—Oh, and a ruin system filled with magical traps!"

The hero girls looked at each other in shock.

"That's more action than we saw in months," Sophia admitted honestly.

Seraphine turned toward them. "Individual performance analysis indicates your party composition is inefficient without synergy. Survival rates drop drastically without emotional stability or trust."

The girls blinked.

Amy whispered, "Was that… advice?"

Isolde sipped her wine. "She does that."

Conversation flowed. Laughter grew real. War stories, spell theory, complaints about stubborn party members, nervousness about the expedition—it all blended into unexpected harmony.

Oliver, seeing they were immersed in girl talk, quietly slipped away toward the balcony for air.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A little later

Returning with a drink in hand, he joined the conversation just long enough to ask casually:

"So, why only seven of you came? I thought around thirty otherworlders were summoned."

Alan, leaning nearby with his arms crossed, answered bluntly. "Most are scattered. Sent to different regions fighting demon outbreaks. Others are still training."

Sophia added, "We seven are the expedition team. We're the strongest among the group."

Lisa gave a confident grin. "We're the face of this generation."

Ariana's eyes widened in awe.

Oliver just nodded. "Makes sense."

Then, as the girls dove into deeper chatter about dresses, magic cosmetics, and which knight had the best jawline, Oliver lifted his glass and excused himself to another quiet corner.

****

The orchestra shifted suddenly into a powerful, resonant melody.

A sober hush fell over the massive banquet hall. Conversations died mid-sentence, glasses paused halfway to lips, and nobles straightened their backs as a wave of reverence washed through the crowd.

The announcer's voice boomed through mana-amplification.

"His Majesty, Emperor Aldric Hestia, sovereign of the Hestia Empire—enters!"

Every person in the hall stood immediately, bowing deeply. Even the heroes straightened, their faces tightening with nervous anticipation.

Oliver bowed slightly as well, eyes lifting to observe.

A tall, broad-shouldered man strode in with the confidence of someone accustomed to command. His presence alone felt like a pressure against the air.

Dark golden hair framed a strong, hard-lined face. Eyes sharp and penetrating, like molten amber. His armor—ornamental but deadly—gleamed in white and gold, a crimson cape flowing behind him. Every step carried absolute authority.

Behind him followed three breathtaking women.

The Empress stepped forward first.

A tall, statuesque beauty with skin like polished ivory and curves wrapped in a gown so form–fitting it looked painted onto her body. Midnight–black hair cascaded in soft waves down to her hips, shimmering like liquid obsidian under the lights. Her gown of silver–threaded silk clung lovingly to her full bust and narrow waist before flowing over her wide, commanding hips. A slit up one side revealed a long, toned leg with every step, smooth and flawless like carved marble. Her lips were a deep sensual crimson, and her gaze — cool, sharp, predatory — held the quiet dominance of a woman used to ruling both court and bedroom.

To her right, a fiery-haired woman stepped with seductive confidence. Dressed in a scarlet dress that clung to every curve, lips painted like blood-roses—the First Concubine, rumored to be a sorceress of great renown.

And the third— Delicate, ethereal — a beauty carved from moonlight. Soft golden curls tumbled over her bare shoulders, framing a face almost too perfect, lips a soft pink that seemed made for sinful whispers. Her gown of sheer lavender fabric floated like mist, translucent enough to tease the gentle outline of her long legs and the supple dip of her waist, leaving little to imagination while revealing nothing indecent. The fabric shimmered like starlight on water, clinging to her subtly as she moved, each motion graceful and inviting. Her voice, when she greeted someone softly, was like warm honey — sweet, slow, and dangerously addictive.

The hall held its breath, spellbound.

Even many nobles forgot to breathe.

"They're stunning…"

"Gods… even the concubines are terrifyingly perfect."

A sharp glare from a jealous noble lady silenced whispers.

The Emperor alone commanded attention.

He stepped forward, raising a hand for silence—though none dared to speak anyway.

***

"Welcome." His voice resonated, deep and unwavering. "I welcome the honored heroes summoned from beyond the veil—to the Hestia Empire."

Daniel stepped forward from the crowd of nobles, placing his hand over his heart and bowing respectfully.

"We thank Your Majesty for granting us this audience and for your hospitality."

A perfectly rehearsed line. The nobles murmured appreciation.

The Emperor nodded, satisfied.

"The Seven Heroes—chosen by the heavens to protect our world—have traveled far to partake in the upcoming expedition."

He spread his arm wide, voice rising.

"As many know, the Velanthris Arcanum Labyrinth will open within days. A Divine-rank dungeon—one of the Seven Great Labyrinths—never once conquered."

A wave of excitement and fear rippled through the room.

The Emperor continued.

"The Heroes will lead this expedition. Alongside them, the elite knights of the Royal Guard will participate."

Ronald stepped forward, placing a fist to his chest. His surviving knights followed suit.

"I also announce that the princes and princesses may send their chosen escorts and elite retainers."

Cheers erupted from several noble factions.

"Those who wish to provide assistance may propose their strongest warriors and mages. Selection begins at dawn tomorrow."

Even louder cheering. Nobles were practically vibrating with anticipation.

Daniel's expression hardened with pride.

Jason smirked, chest swelling with self-importance.

William's grin was pure arrogance—already imagining his glory.

The girls, Amy, Lisa, and Sophia, maintained polite composure.

The Emperor lifted his goblet.

"Tonight, we feast. Celebrate. For tomorrow, the path toward glory and history begins."

The orchestra swelled. Servants rushed to refill glasses. The banquet roared back to life.

But beneath all the glittering light and laughter…

Invisible tensions were already beginning to coil.

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