CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 317 - EASING THE TENSION.

By the time evening draped its cloak across the capital, most of Velmoria’s loyal nobles had already arrived.

They had used whatever means at their disposal to move quickly because everyone knew how crucial this move was.

However, they were all stopped right outside the capital because, unlike the original purpose, which was to ensure the nobles’ safety, the citizens were told something else.

To the citizens, this was a celebration before the war.

It was a way for the nobles of the kingdom to display their calm before the forces of the demons.

So, the nobles, who had arrived here by whatever means possible, were told to hire a carriage when they came to the royal palace.

The nobles were asked to wear attire suitable for celebration and not for war, as this would be the moment when every citizen in the capital city would be watching them.

Soon, carriages thundered through the gates of the royal palace, their banners snapping against the chill wind, and guards announced names and titles as if the syllables were to reassure the trembling citizens.

Among the arrivals, two stood out like gemstones among iron.

Duchess Ilene Elvarine descended from her carriage with the commanding grace of a storm, her ice-blue hair catching the torchlight, her sapphire eyes flashing with fire that belied her noble calm.

At her side walked her daughter, Aira—soft-featured, silver lashes brushing her cheeks as she looked everywhere but at Raven.

Yet, every time her gaze did flicker his way, it lingered longer than she wanted, her expression caught between cool detachment and the faintest blush.

Duke Astazin followed soon after, towering and broad, his wife’s hand in his, his young son gawking at the castle’s grandeur.

They had used flying beasts from their estate, arriving in record time—a gesture that made clear where their loyalty lay.

Despite their swift compliance, the atmosphere was brittle, like glass waiting to fracture.

After all, the nobles, unlike the citizens, knew the truth.

They whispered behind their fans, glancing toward Raven and his companions with a blend of awe and unease.

It was then that Velric broke that tension, though at Raven’s order. The king rose, voice cracking only once before he steadied it.

"To honor your loyalty and to show our unity before both ally and enemy, tonight, Velmoria celebrates!"

With those words, the party began.

...........................

The castle’s great halls had been transformed into a sea of light and color.

Chandeliers blazed, banners draped across marble pillars, and music swelled from a troupe of musicians whose strings and drums vibrated through the air like heartbeats.

Tables bent beneath the weight of roasted boar, spiced pheasant, jeweled fruits, and goblets brimming with golden wine.

Raven stood near the central dais, crimson eyes surveying the crowd. To the world, he was composed and unreadable, but to his group, he was relaxed enough to let them breathe.

Clara lingered at his side, her sharp aura softened by the faint smile she wore, though her gaze sharpened whenever any noblewoman dared step too close.

Selena moved with ease among the guests, her words and regal presence smoothing tensions that might have otherwise flared.

She might not be the queen, but with the Vaise backing her, she was the most powerful woman in the kingdom.

No one would want to miss a chance to talk to her.

Then there were the others.

Siris, twirling a goblet of wine, openly admired the nobles’ jewelry with the same expression she wore when examining a new dagger. "Pretty. If a demon shows up, I’ll rip their throats out and use these necklaces to strangle them."

Jessy sighed, already sprawled lazily in a velvet chair near the banquet table, picking at grapes. "You say that like it’s supposed to reassure people."

"It does," Siris replied flatly, flashing a grin while almost licking her dagger that made a baron’s wife nearly faint.

Meanwhile, Lia was crouched near the floral arrangements along the hall, whispering encouragements to the roses. "You are strong, my little friends. If anyone misbehaves, grow thorns."

Graye had already found the sparring corner—an impromptu contest of arm-wrestling among the knights.

Her laughter boomed like a bell as she slammed an armored fist down, toppling one knight after another, her armor gleaming and curves earning more stares than her victories.

"Come on! Next one!" She cried, cheeks flushed with wine.

No one had asked her to, and neither did she do it with the intention of easing the atmosphere, but the knights, who had always been tense, fearing a demon attack, were finally relaxing.

Rufus and Jake kept close, the former bragging about the Vaise family’s reach while Jake merely nodded along, his calm silence enough to make people listen.

Alex, on the other hand, was a storm all his own.

He’d somehow acquired a ridiculous feathered hat. He was regaling a group of wide-eyed noble children with a dramatically inaccurate retelling of "how he once punched a demon so hard it turned into soup."

Nibbles, perched on his shoulder, held up a sign that read, "He’s lying. It was stew."

The children squealed with laughter, and even some of the hardened nobles cracked reluctant smiles.

Through it all, Omni’s amused voice hummed from the tattoo on Raven’s hand.

"Look at this, boss. Wine, music, pretty ladies, squirrel comedy... this ain’t a party. This is bait. But are you sure the fish would bite?"

Yes, this party was a slap in the face of the demons, as it showed how relaxed they were; however, it was also a way to provoke the demons, hoping they would attack.

The question was, ’Would the demons attack?’

Raven didn’t say anything for a while, sipping his wine before he muttered, "Only time can tell."

For the whole night, the celebration continued.

Dancers swirled across polished marble floors, nobles laughed too loudly at jokes they barely understood, and the air pulsed with forced but much-needed joy.

To the citizens watching from the outside, Velmoria seemed untouchable, unafraid.

Above all, the nobles weren’t the only ones celebrating, as the king had opened his royal treasury to host a grand celebration for all those who came to the capital, including the citizens.

Of course, it wasn’t his own will, as it was Raven who had ordered him to do it, and Velric had done it with a bleeding heart, but to the citizens, Velric was now magnanimous.

His image was getting better.

It was then, right when the celebration was at its peak, that a sharp beat of wings cut through the music.

An eagle swooped down from the night sky, its feathers gleaming silver under the moonlight as it landed neatly on the balcony rail beside Raven.

The crowd below barely noticed—citizens too busy with wine and dancing—but the nobles closest to the dais did. Their laughter faltered, smiles freezing, eyes narrowing with quiet dread.

Raven extended a hand, fingers brushing the eagle’s tiny head. It leaned into the touch, cooing softly, its sharp eyes glinting with intelligence.

Carefully, Raven untied the letter bound to its leg.

Behind him, Clara and Siris moved instantly, flanking his sides. Selena and Lia stilled from across the hall, their gazes sharpening, each ready to move the moment something went wrong.

Even Rufus, Jessy, Graye, and Jake had tensed.

The only ones who were still busy doing their things were Alex and Nibbles.

Soon, the parchment crinkled as Raven broke the seal. He scanned the words in silence, crimson eyes flickering once before his lips curved into the faintest sigh of relief.

"It’s fine," he murmured, folding the letter with care. His voice carried just enough for Clara and Siris to hear, though the nobles strained to catch even a fragment. "All the neutral faction nobles have decided to follow our lead... save for three. But it’s better than we had expected."

Clara’s hand eased from the hilt of her sword. Siris, who had been inches from letting her daggers sing, smirked instead, lifting her goblet once more.

Across the hall, Selena’s tension melted into regal poise while Lia nodded faintly, returning her attention to the roses.

The nobles exhaled, stiff shoulders relaxing as though they’d been released from invisible chains. Conversation sparked again, though quieter and more cautious now.

Raven was about to let the eagle go, the creature ready to spread its wings with a sharp cry, wanting to soar back into the night.

But then—another cry split the air.

This one was sharper. Urgent.

A second eagle, feathers ruffled from a hard flight, circled above the palace.

Unlike the first, it didn’t land. It wheeled in the air, restless, its shriek cutting through the music below.

Brows furrowing, Raven tilted his head back. His mind calculated swiftly.

Even these Vaise-bred eagles needed at least an hour to reach the capital. For another to arrive now meant this message had been sent almost immediately after the first.

Something had changed.

As for why it wasn’t landing, it was because two eagles don’t stay at one place, at least not the Vaise-bred eagles.

So, Raven’s eyes slid toward Rufus.

The young man caught the silent order instantly.

His nano core hissed as red-black nanoparticles shifted, gathering under his boots before they flared to life.

With a low hum of mana, Rufus shot into the sky, a streak of crimson and black slicing past the chandeliers’ glow.

Gasps echoed from the nobles as they craned their necks upward, watching him snatch the eagle from the air with practiced ease.

Taking the letter away from the eagle, he let it fly away, and then he descended, landing on the balcony with a heavy thud.

"Got it," Rufus said simply, handing the letter to Raven.

The first eagle took the chance to lift off, wings flashing as it vanished into the night.

Raven’s hand closed around the new letter, his expression unreadable. The music and laughter of the hall dimmed to a hush, every eye fixed on him as he broke the seal.