IATAOTHKG | CHAPTER 86

[CHAPTER 86]

The Great Hall of Kasadin’s Grand Cathedral.

Hundreds of people had gathered to attend the banquet that would soon begin.

The vast space built of black marble radiated a sacred atmosphere even without ornamentation.

At its center stood a colossal statue of the god Bizan, exuding overwhelming authority.

Nearly twenty people were gathered before the statue.

One of the saintesses who had arrived ahead of midnight was leading a small group of citizen devotees in prayer.

“O holy god Bizan.”

The saintess, her face veiled in deep blue fabric reminiscent of the night sky, began the prayer.

“We thank you for granting this sacred occasion to all citizens of our Farman Empire.”

“May this gathering remain as an enduring virtue rather than fading like smoke, and become the foundation of the Empire’s prosperity and harmony.”

The devotees followed her prayer, calling out the name of the god Bizan in unison.

“Beloved god Bizan.”

“Great worry and suffering now rest upon our Empire.”

“Look upon us with hands of love and mercy, so that we may realize the righteous path and guide all citizens to peace and comfort.”

Facing the statue stood a long rectangular table reserved for the Empress and the Grand Saintess.

The two, who had been speaking in hushed voices, paused their conversation and clasped their hands together.

“As expected, the worries are great.”

The Empress, Gardien Parker, said with a slow sigh after finishing her brief prayer.

Brilliant light from the Great Hall fell upon her as she elegantly pinned up her radiant golden hair.

Her captivating beauty, which drew attention wherever she went, shone all the more beneath a golden velvet dress and lavish jewelry.

“Everything will find its proper place.”

The elderly Grand Saintess, her face draped in a dark blue veil, replied softly as she took the Empress’s hand.

Rectangular tables for imperial guests and saintesses were arranged nearby, while wide circular tables of black marble spread out around them.

There were no assigned seats, yet people naturally gathered with those they knew.

Members of the Ocean Agency guild were seated at the tables to the right of the statue.

Familiar faces, including members of Guild 928, began to take their places one by one.

“Hey—! Rob! Get over here already!”

A supervisor, already heavily drunk, waved his hand and shouted Rob’s name loudly as Rob entered the banquet hall.

Rob, who was with Nephu Brown, a healing mage from Guild 928, nodded in greeting toward the supervisor.

Then he whispered quietly to Nephu.

“This is embarrassing, seriously embarrassing.”

With his face slightly flushed, Rob added,

“He might as well climb onto the stage and shout it.”

“Hahaha. You’re right.”

Nephu agreed, laughing heartily.

Thanks to the supervisor, everyone in the hall was glancing their way.

Some were even whispering among themselves, and only then did Rob realize something was off.

“Is that so?”

The two turned around at the same time.

“Uh…?”

Rob blinked blankly when he saw a man and woman entering together.

The tall man was clearly handsome despite being wrapped in a black robe.

And then…

“That’s the aide… no, isn’t that Lady Mayna Winslet?”

“What?”

Nephu stepped back in disbelief as Rob rubbed his eyes and looked at the woman again.

As unbelievable as it seemed, it was indeed Mayna Winslet.

“She took off her glasses.”

Nephu muttered absentmindedly with his mouth agape.

She had always worn glasses and kept her hair tightly tied no matter the weather.

She had only ever worn gray or black, occasionally white, or gray clothes embroidered with subtle gray patterns.

At events like this, she had never even had time to sit, constantly dealing with reporters.

She had seemed to regard being Caliph Renox’s aide not as a job, but as her very identity and existence.

Mayna Winslet now looked like an entirely different person.

Her softly made-up face no longer hid behind glasses.

The ever-tense expression she wore while attending to Caliph Lenox’s safety looked unbelievably calm and gentle now.

Though she seemed slightly nervous, a sweet smile clearly lingered on her lips.

Rob and Nephu stood frozen, mouths open like fools, watching Mayna’s back as she passed them.

“This can’t be real.”

Rob muttered as he watched her greeting the attendees.

A silk dress blending pale lavender and silver delicately accentuated her graceful figure.

The bodice clung softly to her form, overlaid with airy lace woven from silk and silver thread.

Jewels and beads scattered from her chest to her waist shimmered like a galaxy with every step she took.

Whenever the Great Hall’s lights reflected off her, the translucent lavender skirt gleamed enticingly.

The supervisor approached and threw an arm around Rob’s shoulders.

“Am I seeing things right now?”

“Hmm.”

Rob nodded blankly.

“Probably?”

“If a goddess is walking around, what does the sanctity of the cathedral even matter?”

The supervisor joked and returned to his seat.

Rob and Nephu exchanged dazed looks and followed after him.

Everyone except one person was already seated at Guild 928’s table.

“Has Sir Lenox not arrived yet?”

Rob asked, and Adonis, seated at the adjacent table, inclined his head politely.

“Sir Hiaron, have you been well?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

Adonis smiled like a young boy and extended his hand.

“And Sir Lenox?”

Adonis replied with a gentle smile.

However, Rob, who knew the Lenox household well, looked past Adonis to Curden Lota seated behind him.

Though he appeared expressionless at first glance, Curden sat with his legs crossed, looking as if he were ready to grab someone and beat them senseless at any moment.

This is a serious problem.

Thinking that he might not see Caliph today, Rob glanced at Adonis once more and took his seat.

* * *

The banquet began.

Mayna, seated with Hugo Motenson, Axcelt Taker, and Biterion Parker in place of the bedridden Banze Motenson, pretended not to notice the countless gazes directed at her as she enjoyed the appetizer.

The Empress watched Mayna as she laughed softly while chatting with Biterion Parker about the food.

After scanning the hall, Gardien fixed a cold gaze on Biterion Parker, who was quietly dining in his robe.

She whispered an order to her servant.

The man, with brown curly hair, unexpectedly crossed the Great Hall toward Mayna.

All four stopped eating and looked up at him.

“I greet you.”

“I am Hans, a servant of Her Majesty the Empress.”

Hesitating, he added while looking at Mayna,

“Her Majesty has issued an order of expulsion.”

Mayna blinked, not immediately understanding his meaning.

“You are ordered to leave the banquet hall.”