Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"Some of the nobility are actually starting to quiet down now that you've mentioned it," Kiana said as she took in the sight of the banquet.

"Indeed. The festivities are dying down for others."

"It wouldn't actually be bad to retire tonight if you wish to, Asher. I do not think that everyone will stay up until dawn to spend it on drinking and partying." Kiana said. "Most people who've arrived at this banquet are the peers of Count Inanis, and for those along your age, some are sneaking out…"

"Yes, I've noticed." Lucius said. He thought he saw Benjamin and his friends leave the banquet a little earlier and headed elsewhere.

"Do you truly not wish to go with them? I think you've gotten along with Baron Hugh's son and daughter, did you not?" Kiana asked.

"I get along with them as well as you do with Baron Harmund." Lucius said as he eyed Kiana.

"It was Countess Lita who put me up with it," Kiana sighed, and crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course, she cares about my well being and I believe that she does it with the best intention, but we are not children anymore, Asher."

"Indeed. But if you were to consider it, you would rise up in rank. If you were not here with us, and certain events have not happened in the past, then you would have perhaps been a lady elsewhere," Lucius acknowledged. "Have you ever thought about that, Kiana?"

"Hardly. I am more than content with my life right now," Kiana said. "Can you imagine what would it be like if I were to be a lady? I do not think that I would have been as skilled with combat as I am now, nor would I have put more effort into using my gift. Status is one thing, but I do not like the thought of being powerless, Asher."

"Indeed." Lucius nodded.

"In fact, our conversation was not exactly about myself or him, Asher. We were simply talking about the Masked Legion. Since you were unavailable and preoccupied with talking to others, he inquired it to me instead."

"Ah, a potential client. An understandable development of things," Lucius said. "There is him, Baron Hugh and Viscount Felldan. That's a good number, to begin with and once they've shared their results, the number will grow."

"Indeed. We need to think about actually growing the legion, Asher," Kiana whispered under her breath. "If they all coincide at the same time, it would make sense that the Masked Legion needs to be able to handle them all at the same time."

"Of course, that will be something we'll take care of once we return to Inanis territory. Return to the re-education center and see to it how many more are willing to undergo through redemption." Lucius said. "Hmmm…"

"What is it, Asher?"

"Perhaps it is finally time to retire. I am not actively looking for anyone to speak with now, nor are others coming to approach me. Shall we leave now, Kiana?"

"Of course, Asher."

Lucius was not exactly the most gregarious person. Even back then in his past world, he preferred to work by himself.

Now that he had finished most of his tasks and goals in regard to his purpose of coming here to the nobility banquet, it was time to head to the assigned room given to him.

The fact that he seemed undisturbed by others would allow the less favorable people to come meet with him if he lingered any longer. Even now, Lucius thought he saw some of the younger ladies eye him from afar.

"I will excuse myself now and thank our host first," Lucius said and approached Baron Hugh.

"Ah, Young Lord Asher! How are you doing?" Baron Hugh was speaking with Baron Glintaxe and Baron Ridel before he turned to him.

"I am well, Baron Hugh. I simply wish to thank you for the night and head to my chambers."

"So soon?" Baron Ridel asked. "The night is still young."

"It is better to sleep. I think Count Inanis and his family will return at once to their territory this morning," Baron Glintaxe said.

"Makes sense, it is Count Gabriel we are speaking of." Baron Hugh nodded and then called for one of his servants. "Allow one of my people to escort you to your quarters, Young Lord Asher."

"Thank you, Baron Hugh. Baron Glintaxe, Baron Ridel, I will go ahead now."

It took a couple of minutes of navigation, but with the help of Kiana and a servant from Baron Hugh's manor, he arrived at his place and retired for the night.

Lucius had spent most of the time heading to Etara's Cross while on the road and so he was planning to go to sleep to recover from fatigue.

However, before he could actually sleep, the sound of his doorknob being rattled sounded. Lucius sat up and became alert, his brows furrowing.

'Is it an assassin? No. If someone were to come here in an attempt to assassinate me then they would have done a better job at waiting for me to fall asleep truly. Who's trying to come inside without knocking?' Lucius thought.

A couple of seconds passed and Lucius almost believed that it was over.

'Perhaps someone drunkenly mistaken this to be their room and tried to enter, to no avail.'

However, this time, there was another knock on the door.

Lucius sighed and made his way to the door and partly opened it. The people at the door made his expression turn stone cold and he narrowed his eyes at the young women.

"May I ask what all of you are doing here at this late hour?" Lucius asked, forgoing any formalities.

These young ladies were red-faced and looked drunk from Humble Blaze, but Lucius didn't care about that, only the fact that they were being a nuisance.

They were the ones who had been eyeing him from earlier and the ones who tried to interact with him while he was with Viscount Felldan earlier.

"Y-Young Lord Asher!" one of the women stepped forward.