My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 51

“Ah, Lord Praus, I see. It’s a name I haven’t heard before. Which family do you come from?”

The attendant at the entrance of the banquet hall inquired as he was writing in the guestbook. I contemplated briefly before responding honestly.

“I’m a commoner.”

“…Pardon? You mean, a commoner?”

The attendant raised his head sharply to verify my face.

“A commoner can’t possibly attend a banquet like this. But the invitation seems real… Did someone arrange it for you?”

“It was done by the Royal Knight Order.”

“Do you know who sent it?”

“I don’t.”

That’s exactly why I’m here, to find out.

The highest likelihood points to Crown Prince Chris, but I couldn’t be sure.

I’ve never met royalty until now.

Nevertheless, being invited likely indicates that they want to assess what kind of person I am.

“…You say you are a commoner, yet your tone is rather arrogant.”

Upon hearing I was a commoner, the attendant’s demeanor changed surprisingly. His previously friendly voice now carried a chill.

“I know. Does it bother you?”

“With no clear ties to royalty, using that tone could lead to you being discarded like trash in an instant—”

“Master, this person’s attitude is irritating. Can I not hold back?”

Tina clenched her fist, the atmosphere shifting as a strange tension filled the air.

“Stop. I didn’t come here to fight.”

Having left my sword at the entrance to the Imperial Palace, engaging in a brawl would leave me at a severe disadvantage.

I had no weapon to defend myself.

Moreover, fighting here might imply going against the entire Empire.

After all, the host of this banquet is the Imperial Family.

“But they insulted my Master.”

“That can’t be helped. It’s understandable for the arrogant high nobility to feel displeased when a commoner mixes with them.”

“…Is that an insult towards nobles?”

Her voice dropped. I shrugged.

“Of course not. I’m just speaking as I see it. So, can I go in?”

“Be careful with your words. Everyone here will be watching you.”

Well, great. Right from the start, it’s a disaster.

To think I would meet royalty with this sort of tone, it already feels like a recipe for trouble.

“Is the girl next to you your daughter?”

The attendant returned to his professional tone, now devoid of any warmth.

“I’m not—”

“That’s right.”

I cut off Tina’s reply, using the context of family to smooth things over.

“Understood. Please go in. I’ll make a note of this too. A commoner in a noble event.”

“Do what you want.”

I answered dismissively, stepping into the banquet hall.

The hall was a dazzling place, far outshining the entrance.

High ceilings adorned with various chandeliers and magically created lights created an enchanting ambiance, while an array of artwork displayed on the walls helped enrich the feel of the event.

Many people had already begun to gather in clusters, chatting.

“Whoa! It’s so high! So spacious!”

Tina exclaimed as she looked around, giddy with excitement.

“Look over there, there are delicious foods. Go and eat whatever you like.”

An array of dishes filled the long buffet table, constantly replenished by the chef as empty plates were cleared away.

“Is that allowed?”

“Of course.”

Regardless of whether they were commoners or nobility, we were invited guests.

No one could touch us regardless of what we did. Though undoubtedly, I might face pressure afterward.

“Excuse me, you seem like someone I haven’t met before. Who are you?”

A middle-aged woman, her makeup barely concealing her wrinkles, approached me.

Seeing her unfamiliar face, she likely wasn’t an important character from the game.

“Don’t know.”

If she isn’t a key NPC, I have no reason to pay her any mind.

“What did you say?”

“Don’t know. Mind your own business.”

“Hah! How funny for a commoner! I just heard you were a commoner!”

She intentionally raised her voice.

Noble gazes shifted towards me.

Hearing whispers already makes me feel like I’m about to lose my mind. I’m exhausted.

Tina stopped her steps towards the food and glared at the middle-aged woman next to me.

“Master—”

“No.”

“…Understood.”

With her eyes losing their sharpness, Tina let out an irritated snort and resumed browsing the food.

“What are you talking about?”

I spoke softly as I observed the woman moving her head side to side, checking her surroundings.

“Do yourself a favor. I’m not in the mood to chat.”

“Hah! How dare you, a commoner, insult a noble?! You think you’re crazy—”

“Announcing the entrance of Duke Tori Aus and his family!”

The loud voice of the knight drowned out her words.

All the nobles in the banquet hall turned their eyes to the entrance, including the woman who had just been berating me.

They applauded to welcome the Duke’s arrival.

“Hmm. I suppose that’s how it is when a duke enters, huh?”

It feels like a lot of pressure. It’s not some wedding or anything.

“Hey, commoner. Why don’t you just leave? You have no right to be here—”

‘I did receive an invitation too, so please don’t say too much.’

“I also received an invitation. Stop your blabbering, unless you want to be finished.”

Honestly, I’m starting to see how I come off as a real man here.

I’d probably be the only one able to speak out like this in an era of strict class systems. It’s definitely not a good thing.

“What, what, what?!”

She pointed at me, her face filled with disbelief.

“Hey! How dare a commoner—!”

“Introducing the head of the Todiah family, Lord Glair Todiah and his family!”

Once again, the knight’s voice interrupted the elderly woman, prompting me to shake my head in disbelief.

“Whom do you think you’re shaking your head at? I am from the Count family—”

“Huh? Is that Praus?”

“Ah! It’s Lord Praus!”

Both Duke Tori and Grand Duke Ella pointed at me simultaneously.

Though Glair, the Grand Duke, shot me a fierce glare from behind Ella, I chose to ignore him.

Even if you say not to mess with your daughter, you are still just as hostile, huh?

“Huh?”

Seeing the two dukes focus their attention on me, the woman let out a ridiculous sound.

“Lord Praus, how can you leave when you said you would accompany me?”

“I never said anything like that.”

“Praus, I didn’t expect you to come! Did you have ties to the Imperial Family?”

“It seems it just happened that way.”

I answered their questions nonchalantly.

“Oh, hey!”

The countess, who had been standing mutely next to me, suddenly shouted.

All eyes from the duke’s group turned to her.

“Hello, I am…”

“Sorry, but we’re in the middle of a conversation. Could you please move along?”

“…Ah, yes, yes.”

With Ella’s words, the woman reluctantly left, and the interest of the dukes around me intensified the commotion in the banquet hall.

“Master, you’re quite the popular one, huh?”

“…No.”

My head began to throb.

“You see, Lord Praus. If you come with me, this kind of trouble wouldn’t occur.”

“When did I say that?”

“Just now.”

“….”

At this rate, it feels like I’m going to get a headache. I might end up bedridden tomorrow.

As I suppressed the sighs building up inside, the inner door, not the entrance, opened, and two knights stepped out.

One was the knight commander I had met once before, while the other was the knight who questioned me when I took Dink’s life.

“Announcing the steadfast glory of the Pretéum Empire, the blazing flame, His Majesty Emperor Lupin Aiter Pretéum and Her Majesty Empress Luna Aiter Pretéum enter!”

Applause erupted among the nobles at the knight’s announcement.

The members of the duke’s family were no exception. I also joined in, glancing around cautiously.

The emperor, holding onto the railing at the top of the stairs, looked down at the nobles with a commanding presence.

He appeared significantly younger than when I last saw him seven years ago in the game.

With a slight lift of his hand, the noble crowd erupted in cheers. It didn’t seem sincere; rather, it felt like they were all trying to survive through flattery.

After that, the knights continued to announce the royal family.

“Next, the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Chris Aiter Pretéum shall enter!”

He was a man with a sharp expression.

It didn’t seem he was cold but rather someone who would assess every situation rationally and with great composure.

“He’s handsome!”

“Wow~ I wonder who will marry him!”

Nobility already swooning over his looks just like that.

Dressed in gems, gold, and fine silk, Crown Prince Chris scanned the banquet hall and grinned upon spotting me.

“…?”

I have no interest in receiving attention from men.

Then, the second, third, and fourth princes were introduced.

Finally, the youngest, the princess, was left.

“And lastly, let us welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Seri Aiter Pretéum!”

She appeared with golden hair, the symbol of royalty flowing elegantly behind her.

Though her dress code of red matched the other royals, there was something lacking about her aura.

Upon stepping in, she awkwardly waved her hand, smiling, but her demeanor suggested she wasn’t used to such attention.

In fact, she seemed significantly more timid than what one might expect from a royal.

“Hmm…”

“Why do you look so serious?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

It seems not much has changed in terms of treatment, whether it’s Crown Prince Chris or Princess Seri, from seven years ago to now.

That’s good, actually. I might as well reduce some variables in play.

*

After the Emperor’s speech ended with hopes for everyone to enjoy themselves, the banquet officially began.

Just like in any socialite gathering, nobles began mingling with those of higher rank to network.

The crowd surrounding the next crowned emperor, the Crown Prince, gathered intensively.

On the other hand, the area near Princess Seri seemed predominantly filled with young noblemen seeking a connection through her engagement.

So, what’s the move here?

The one who invited me seems to be Crown Prince Chris, but the one needed for the heroes in the game was Princess Seri.

The issue is if the Crown Prince knows my abilities and wants to recruit me, it makes sense to avoid any substantial connections with Princess Seri.

If he misunderstands me as being on her side, he would surely take measures against her.

The Crown Prince was greedy enough to eliminate anything that posed a threat to his claim to the throne.

In fact, Chris treats the other princes like children and will go as far as killing blood relatives in the struggle for the throne.

Of course, there are exceptions, and she happens to be Princess Seri Aiter Pretéum.

She was often viewed as passive and ineffective and lacked any significant talents, leading her to be discounted early in the rivalry for the throne, thereby escaping Chris’s crosshairs.

That was the reason she had survived the Succession War.

However, I couldn’t leave her in that state forever.

To minimize damage from the Demon Tribe, she must be made Empress.

Now, how do I approach her without making the Crown Prince suspicious?

“Won’t you eat anything, Lord Praus?”

Ella came up beside me, interrupting my thoughts.

Seeing her discontented gaze, a potential plan formed in my mind on how to approach Princess Seri.

“Praus?”

Ignoring her words, I strode towards the crowd surrounding the Crown Prince.

Confidently, I stood before Chris.

“…Who are you?”

“Are you asking such after inviting me?”

“Oh~?”

He looked at me with intrigue.