[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][patreon.com/roaverse]
===
When he woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
When Allen opened his eyes, he saw a pair of reddish-brown eyes fixed on him.
The scorching sunlight streamed into the room from outside the window.
Even her white hair seemed to glow.
Allen blinked. With his reaction speed, he instantly realized what had happened last night, and he felt a little awkward, quickly trying to get up.
Before that.
An index finger poked his face.
The white-haired girl chuckled softly.
"Good morning, Allen."
Allen stared blankly at Sylphy's expression for a long moment.
Then he took a deep breath.
And smiled back at her.
"Good morning, Sylphy. Is your leg numb?"
"Not numb... It's numb. Allen, do you want to rub it for me?"
"Hmm?"
"Heh heh, Allen is really as serious as Isolte said. Why didn't I notice it before...? Well, we hadn't confirmed our relationship back then, so..."
"Come here."
"??? Hey hey hey hey! Wait!! Wait! No! No no no no, it's not numb!!"
The conclusion was, even if it wasn't numb, it was still very soft.
The group still had lunch at Isolte's place, with Isolte cooking. Then, like taking a leisurely walk after a meal to aid digestion, they strolled towards the Water God Style Main Dojo.
The Free Zone of the royal capital was very prosperous. Yesterday, when they arrived by waterway, this was mostly evident in the various architectural clusters and entertainment areas of the Free Zone, but they didn't get much of a real sense of the population density.
When walking on the streets during the day.
It felt bustling.
The main street was almost twenty meters wide. Carriages came and went on the central road. The large, crystal-ceilinged carriages were for nobles, while the plain, purely wooden, cramped carriages with no decoration belonged to adventurers and commoners.
And by the roadside, among the dazzling array of shops, pedestrians jostled shoulder to shoulder. There were nobles in exquisite attire who paid meticulous attention to their appearance, high-ranking adventurers wearing leather armor, and commoners who, though their clothes weren't fine, were still neatly dressed, hurrying along.
Their figures wove through the crowd. They walked along the street, passed the theater district, and after a few steps, saw the Water God Style Main Dojo.
It sat at a corner between the street and the river.
The entrance, which had seemed a bit quiet yesterday due to the Water God Style Dojo's nature, had now changed.
Allen and Isolte simply looked at the scene, which was different from yesterday, without much reaction.
But Rudy and Sylphy couldn't help but freeze.
The so-called Water God Style Main Dojo 'Commendation Banquet' completely exceeded their imagination.
In every sense.
The two of them had simply equated the commendation banquet to Eris's tenth birthday party, mentally picturing the scene for tomorrow afternoon:
Surely, it would be a banquet similar to the birthday party, but with the banquet hall replaced by the Water God Style junior dojo.
The result...
In fact, this commendation ceremony, in terms of scale, popularity, refinement, and extravagance, far surpassed the birthday party held for Eris at Boreas just over a month ago.
A subtly luxurious, light gray, sawtooth rabbit monster fur carpet was spread from the very entrance of the Water God Style Dojo. Managers and maids of the arriving nobles exchanged greetings upon it—they had arrived early to scout the location, ensuring that the host of the evening's banquet would have no faux pas.
At the entrance, Dantolis, now dressed in a black formal suit instead of his Water God Style Dojo swordsman uniform, stood with his wife. He was conversing quite familiarly with the managers who presented their letters of intent to attend the banquet.
Today, his role was not that of a Water God Style Dojo apprentice, but rather the dojo's operator.
"Due to space constraints in the main banquet hall today, Lord Lirsway will unfortunately have to proceed to the side banquet hall. My apologies, you may not be able to witness the commendation ceremony itself from there."
The managers opposite Dantolis looked surprised, but remained polite.
"Is the main banquet hall already full? The one led by Master James a few years ago wasn't nearly this grand."
Dantolis replied with a smile. Although his tone was polite, his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Yes. Thanks to the kind favor of all the nobles, everyone's enthusiasm this time is indeed different from last time."
"No matter. The last time, after all, Master James spread the word. This time, we heard it was Her Majesty Reida herself who released the news. My master mentioned this when he arrived too; it's been a long time since Her Majesty Reida hosted a banquet. We heard that Senior Minister Darius, Her Highness the Second Princess, and Duke Pilemon are all here, heh heh."
Dantolis's wife, who had been bored, saw Allen and the others approach and her eyes lit up. She clasped her hands together and smiled sweetly at them.
Allen, enduring the intense gaze of Dantolis's wife, his lips twitching imperceptibly, simply nodded gently to her, then led the group closer.
Sylphy and Rudy followed behind Allen, their gaze involuntarily drawn to the scene behind Dantolis.
They saw that the grassy area under the trees beside yesterday's quiet 'cross-shaped' pathway was now filled with rough wooden dining tables.
The dense tree rings on the tabletops instantly revealed their considerable value. Servants in elegant maid uniforms, all wearing gloves, were systematically placing drinks and cold dishes on the tables.
The cutlery, candlesticks, tablecloths, and even the wine glasses were all in subdued, light colors, highly consistent with the simple aesthetic of the Water God Style Main Dojo.
Everything reminded them that this was no mere commendation banquet.
It was an extremely luxurious social event among Asura's nobility.
The managers and maids, seeing Allen and his companions arrive, merely glanced at them curiously before excusing themselves from Dantolis and leaving.
Dantolis looked at Allen, sizing up his radiant demeanor. His eyes subtly swept over his sister, who had walked forward to converse with his wife, and a faint smile flickered in his eyes.
"It seems you rested quite well yesterday. Why, after being away for so long... are you still used to staying at home?"
Allen looked at Dantolis's dark circles under his eyes. "It's fine. I slept very comfortably."
Dantolis turned and gestured to a Count who had just stepped out from behind him, then turned back to Allen, showing an expression of familiarity, and smiled.
—Reida was very pleased with Allen, who had presented his 'name' in a bid to reclaim the Sword Sanctuary, and her intention for Allen to inherit the Water God position was already very clear yesterday. Since the Water God position would be Allen's, many problems would cease to be problems. As commoners, the Kureel family would naturally welcome Allen to finalize the marriage contract.
After all, Dantolis, as the operator of the Water God Style Dojo, knew very well what value Allen, a legitimate descendant of one of the Four Great Noble families, could bring to the Water God Style Main Dojo.
And he was also his friend.
"It's just that dealing with these nobles is a bit tiring. The banquet itself isn't much trouble. We've entrusted the best restaurant in the Free Zone to handle everything. Princess Ariel arranged it. The carpet was sent and laid by Senior Minister Darius. Grandmother's reputation is very useful at times like this; it saved a lot of effort."
Allen narrowed his eyes at this.
"Oh? Darius? So, will the First Prince also attend the banquet?"
Dantolis shook his head.
"Only Darius. His Highness the First Prince has not yet indicated an intention to attend. However, Her Highness the Second Princess sent her invitation last night."
Allen hummed, glancing at Dantolis's dark circles.
"You worked hard."
Dantolis showed a wry smile, patted Allen's shoulder, but his eyes held a faint excitement.
"Being away for two years has certainly made us strangers. No need to be so distant. Rather than being hard work, it's thanks to you. You know, in my opinion, since the Water God Style Main Dojo has chosen to engage with society, it should host such banquets from time to time, to provide a social venue for the royal capital's nobles."
"This itself would only benefit the Water God Style Main Dojo, not harm it. Only by intricately weaving a complex network of relationships can the Water God Style Dojo become stronger."
Dantolis shook his head.
"It's just that Grandmother doesn't like it..."
Allen interrupted him.
"A tail too big for the dog. For Master, who yearns to reclaim the Sword Sanctuary, this would only feel like a burden."
"Her mind isn't here."
Dantolis, who was not a pure swordsman, was silent for a moment, then sighed.
Just then, Allen tilted his head slightly, looking behind him.
The managers who had just handed in their invitations were whispering by a carriage.
The wind carried words of 'disdain.'
"So that's this generation's Water King? Allen Boreas Greyrat? He looks a bit too young."
"Do you really think he's the Water King?"
"Heh heh, you shouldn't say that lightly."
"Why not? Lower nobles might not know, but don't we? Everyone thinks that at this juncture, the Water God Style Dojo is just supposed to have a commendation banquet, not that there happens to be a Water King, and then a commendation banquet."
"True. Her Majesty Reida also has to consider His Majesty the King's thoughts. At least the dojo has no other intentions."
"...However, I heard that boy put out a slogan about returning to the Sword Sanctuary."
"You believe that too? He's just returned to the royal capital and is eager to rally some supporters. Only the juniors in the dojo would believe that. I heard the Eolus family's boy even got scolded last night."
"You know all this?"
"Lord Leos's voice is loud; I heard it as I passed by."
"True. His family has a Water King brother in 'Dawn,' yet he wants to become a supporter of the Boreas family's boy? How ridiculous!"
"Heh heh, perhaps that boy Faltz did it on purpose. After all, they're not from the same mother, so there's inevitably some ambition for the next family head position."
"But he followed the wrong person~ Is he trying to flatter the Boreas family to seek outside help? How utterly laughable. How can the Boreas family's influence in the royal capital compare to the Eolus family, who are also one of the Four Great Noble families?
The family head is always holed up in the territory. Lord Saul had some prestige in his early years, on par with Senior Minister Darius as the King's left and right hand in the royal capital. But now~ Tch tch."
"Each generation is worse than the last~"
The voices faded. Allen narrowed his eyes and turned his head.
Dantolis's face in front of him was somewhat stiff.
These two spoke without any attempt to conceal their words. He had heard bits and pieces, but instantly understood what they were talking about.
All titled nobles in the royal capital, and officials who knew part of the inside story.
They all believed that the Water God Style Main Dojo was using this banquet to declare its loyalty to the King.
As for a true Water King being born?
And a thirteen-year-old genius who advanced directly from Water Saint to Water King in just two years?
Don't be silly.
Who would believe that?
Dantolis opened his mouth to say something, but Allen reached out and patted his shoulder.
He leaned in, his head tilted towards Dantolis's ear, and whispered softly.
"You see, who would want to be in this kind of environment? It's a mess, a cesspool. Even a lion, over time, would be dyed black like a crow."
Dantolis looked at Allen's smiling face.
He didn't know what to say.
"Grateful for everyone attending the Water God Style Main Dojo's commendation banquet."
It was now 5 PM at the junior dojo.
The setting sun slanted westward, yet it didn't cast any gloom into this advanced dojo, which was as large as two basketball courts.
Because the lights had already been lit, the candlelight illuminated the noble attire of the nobles standing around the dining tables in the dojo. They all held their wine glasses, gesturing from afar to Reida.
Heads crowded together, densely packed, filling all lines of sight.
In Sylphy and Rudy's eyes, the dojo's main gate was already completely obscured.
Although it was called a banquet, no one ate the exquisite dishes laid out on the tables. The nobles merely clinked glasses and exchanged words, moving as they pleased.
It made Rudy feel awkward about eating.
He was tense.
The current situation continuously washed over his mind.
—Tonight, the lowest rank of noble here was a Count. It was as if the word 'power' was directly written on the faces of the attending nobles.
This was a banquet at the pinnacle of power of one of the two most powerful kingdoms in this other world.
And he, the nominal eldest son of a knight from a remote village, though Paul's background was also distinguished, the old NEET heard his parents playing ball every night and felt no sense of reality or prestige at all.
Then he was abruptly pulled away by Allen, this B-King, and in just two short years, like riding a roller coaster, he saw 'scenery' he couldn't even touch in his previous life.
If it were an analogy to a country... in reality, it would be like he was playing a galgame at home, then a handsome guy dropped from the sky, pulled him to Tokyo in a year to converse intimately with the mayor. Then pulled him to the U.S. to shake hands intimately with President Trump.
What kind of 'overbearing rich kid falls in love with me' drama was this?
Rudy looked at the roasted goose on the table, which looked and smelled delicious. He instinctively glanced at Sylphy beside him.
The latter also looked a little nervous, but she was staring intently at her Allen.
The latter stood beside Reida, hand on his sword, silently.
A ten-meter by ten-meter empty space was cleared around the master and disciple.
Reida, propping herself with a wooden sword, calmly glanced at Darius, who was standing in front of the crowd, raising his glass and clinking it against hers, then drinking the wine in his hand.
Her hoarse voice, amplified by the surging battle aura, sounded exceptionally clear.
It reached everyone's ears.
"Today's banquet is hosted by this old woman for my beloved disciple, Allen Boreas Greyrat, to commend his promotion to Water King-rank swordsman."
"Without further ado, according to the rules of the Water God Style Main Dojo, he will be the one challenged. Ten challenge exhibition matches, stopping short of serious injury."
With that, Reida stepped back and moved to the side.
Only Allen remained in the center of the ring.
The surrounding nobles, hearing this, all shook their heads and quietly conversed with those beside them. However, they kept their voices down, maintaining their respective dignified postures.
To Sylphy and Rudy's ears, it was just a buzzing sound; they couldn't make out anything.
But to Allen and Isolte, who possessed 'Sense Flow.'
It was exceptionally clear.
"...Water King rank..."
"...Heh heh, building hype..."
"...No need to pay attention..."
"...I heard recently your business in the theater..."
Isolte's usual polite smile had vanished since the afternoon. Her face was now so grim it looked like it might drip water, making Sylphy beside her shrink back.
She scanned the surroundings. In her line of sight, the 'junior dojo' apprentices, wearing Water God Style Dojo swordsman uniforms, all looked dispirited and listless. It seemed they had all been scolded by their families last night, more or less.
She then looked at Allen.
She saw that he didn't mind being looked down upon in the slightest. He simply took a few steps into the ring, then turned to face Reida.
The latter looked up and casually tossed a wooden sword.
The blade soared, cutting through the air, spinning into a beautiful sword flower.
And then.
Clack! It landed firmly in Allen's hand.
However, this action only attracted the attention of the few people at the front of the crowd:
Darius tilted his head, observing Allen at his leisure. Beside him, Leos Eolus Greyrat, with a head of silver hair and deep, serious features, shifted his gaze from the profusely sweating Faltz, who was standing on the side of the ring, to Allen. Not far away, the grim-faced Pilemon scoffed.
Tch.
The sound was very faint, but to Allen's ears, it was exceptionally clear.
Allen lowered his eyelids.
He slowly raised his hand, slowly raised his sword.
The wooden sword slowly cut through the candlelight, then paused in the air.
Outside the window, the setting sun plunged below the horizon.
"Then..."
The voice was very faint, sounding in the dojo, like talking to himself.
No one heard it.
Except for the sword in his hand.
So, the sword naturally gave a loyal response.
The next instant, the blade, like a gust of wind, vanished into the air.
In a blink of an eye, it emerged from the air beside Allen's hand.
Darius, Pilemon, Leos simultaneously lowered their eyes, looking at the wooden sword in Allen's hand, then...
Unanimously, involuntarily, uncontrollably...
They closed their eyes.
Why?
Because a stronger wind...
...fiercely slammed into their faces!!
In an instant! The sword descended! The wind rose!
Hiss!!!!!!!!
The air howled with explosions!! Voices wailed!! Shattering the air!!
A wave of darkness radiated outwards from Allen's feet in a circle! Instantly extinguishing all candlelight in the dojo!! The tablecloths were lifted like a tide! All overturning onto the tables!
Crash!
As the sound faded, the dojo was utterly silent.
The clamor was extinguished by the wind and waves.
Allen looked up and smiled.
"Let's begin."
The voice was very faint, like talking to himself.
But no one could help but hear it.
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 380 on my patreon, go check it out
Gain access to exclusive early chapters, and so much more. This is your chance to get a ton of exclusive content while supporting my work.
https://p4treon.com/roaverse
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Power Stones==Bonus Chapter