LIGHTNOVELONLINE 20. The Viscount's Banquet (2)
The night was in full swing, filled with bursts of laughter and the clinking of glasses. Ale and the other servants rushed from table to table, refilling wine goblets and tending to the guests' every whim. The atmosphere was light, almost carefree, as the nobles indulged in the festivities with unrestrained exuberance.
As Ale performed his duties, he suddenly overheard a conversation that piqued his curiosity. Princess Ismérie, the third daughter of Emperor Hedes, was speaking highly of Viscount Alaric de Montclair.
"The Viscount, in his youth, was a man of legend," she said with admiration. "As the commander of the Red Legion, one of the five legions of the Army of the Five Geniuses, he hunted the most terrifying monsters and saved countless lives from the followers of the Darkness. A true hero of our empire."
Her words echoed in Ale's mind. The Army of the Five Geniuses ? The name stirred something in him. His grandfather had often told him stories of the "Five Geniuses" and the Prince of Light, but Ale had always assumed they were mere children's tales. Yet here was the princess, speaking of this army as if it were real.
Ale realized that his grandfather's stories might have been based on actual events. If the Army of the Five Geniuses truly existed, did that mean the Prince of Light himself wasn't just a legend?
A surge of emotion swept over Ale as he recalled his grandfather's final words. "Find the Prince of Light..." At the time, Ale hadn't understood, but now, everything was starting to make sense.
The viscount, humble despite the praise, used the moment to shift the focus to his son, Aldric.
"Oh, those days are behind me, Princess. Now it's the turn of the younger generation to take the reins. My son, Aldric, is far more promising than I ever was at his age."
He placed a proud hand on Aldric's shoulder, who looked pleased to be the center of attention. "Already an adventurer of Class 6, he has completed more quests in such a short time than I could have dreamed. All that remains is for him to slay a Class 5 monster, and he'll rise even further in the ranks."
In the empire of Valoria, adventurers were not only fighters but also symbols of power and social standing. Nobles who reached the highest ranks of adventurers gained immense respect, solidifying their positions and securing their place among the imperial elite.
The guests murmured in approval, admiring the young man for his accomplishments. Ale, still serving, felt a twinge of admiration for Aldric. He understood what it meant to be an adventurer in the Empire of Valoria. It was a path of respect and honor, and Aldric, despite his noble birth, had chosen this path with success.
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As the banquet drew to a end, Ale seized a moment of calm to slip out of the grand hall and retreat to the castle's back corridors for a brief respite. The warmth and noise of the celebration gradually faded behind him, giving way to a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
As he made his way down the dimly lit corridor, he noticed a familiar figure at the far end: Aldric, the viscount's son, walking alone, lost in thought.
Ale hesitated for a moment, but then resolved to approach. He quickened his pace, calling out in a low but steady voice.
"Sir Aldric..."
The young noble turned, a faint smile on his lips, clearly surprised to be addressed. "Ah, the servant. Do you need something?"
Ale, drawing closer, carefully chose his words. "I just wanted to say that your achievements are admirable. Being a rank 6 adventurer at your age is incredible."
Aldric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? You're from the guild as well?"
Ale nodded. "Yes, I just registered. I'll be starting officially soon."
A smile spread across Aldric's face, seeming to appreciate the young adventurer's boldness. "Everyone starts somewhere. With determination, I'm sure you'll achieve great things. Work hard, and who knows, we might meet one day on the battlefield."
Ale remained modest but determined. "Maybe so. Fate always has its surprises."
Aldric chuckled softly and patted Ale on the shoulder. "I like your spirit. Keep it up, and you'll go far." With that, Aldric turned and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor. Ale, touched by the encouragement, felt more motivated than ever. Yet, what he didn't know was that this world was full of masks, and even the warmest smiles could conceal blades ready to strike.
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The banquet was nearing its end, but Ale could feel fatigue piling up within him. The hours spent serving the guests had drained him, but he knew he couldn't afford to relax just yet. The banquet was not over. However, as he watched the hall, he noticed that the guests, far from showing signs of weariness, seemed increasingly excited. They exchanged mischievous smiles and knowing glances, as if the evening's climax hadn't even begun.
As he placed a glass back on the table, the leader of his group, a woman with strict manners and sharp eyes, gathered the servants.
"It's almost time for the show. You need to be here before the guests," she said in a cold, distant tone. "Follow me."
Though tired, Ale couldn't help but have questions. "What exactly are we supposed to do for the show? Will it last long?" he asked, noticing that the other workers, mostly slum residents, whispered with worry. Like him, they were exhausted and only wanted to go home.
The leader gave a mocking smile, a grimace that promised nothing good. "Oh, it won't take long. I bet most of you won't last even a few minutes."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, uncertainty and fear evident in their eyes. Ale, perplexed, felt uneasy. That smile, that tone... He sensed something was wrong but hoped it was just an exaggeration.
They followed the leader through a series of narrow corridors until they reached a large wooden door, heavily guarded by impassive soldiers. Each soldier wore black armor and held a lance with absolute seriousness, as if they were guarding access to something terrifying. The leader nodded to one of the soldiers, who opened the door with a sinister creak.
Behind the door lay a dark room, where a spiral stone staircase descended into the depths. The group plunged into the darkness, guided by faint lights lining the walls. The descent seemed endless, stretching nearly fifty meters deep. The air grew increasingly damp and cold as they went further down.
"But what is this place?" someone in the group whispered, a note of panic in their voice.
At the end of the descent, they emerged into a long, dark tunnel, dimly lit by flickering torches mounted on the walls. On either side of the tunnel, grimy dungeons lined up, their rusted iron doors locked tight.
In some cells, gaunt men and women dressed in tattered rags stared at them with eyes full of despair or madness. Their bodies bore the marks of a life filled with suffering and violence. One of the prisoners, a man with a shaved head and a crazed look, burst out laughing as the group passed. "You're all going to die here, you idiots!" he shouted, rattling the bars of his cell.
Another prisoner, curled up in the corner of his cell, whispered, "They'll never let you leave… You're already dead…"
In other cells, things were even worse. Ale caught sight of monstrous creatures trapped behind the bars. One of them resembled some kind of giant wolf, its fangs dripping with saliva, its red eyes burning with rage. There were also creatures that defied easy description: amalgamations of flesh and claws, monsters with multiple heads that growled in the darkness, their wild eyes locked on the newcomers.
"What kind of place is this?" one of the workers whimpered, terrified. "They're going to lock us up, I know it!"
Another worker, trembling, added, "We're not going to have to face those things, are we?"
Ale could feel the panic spreading through the group, and he couldn't help but share in their fears. Each step he took seemed to pull him closer to a trap. Gradually, he noticed that the castle servants who had guided them this far had quietly disappeared into the crowd. Some of the workers tried to turn back, but they were met by silent soldiers who had appeared behind them, blocking any chance of escape.
There was no choice but to keep moving forward.
Realizing they were trapped, Ale steeled himself for what was to come. He discreetly invoked a spell to strengthen his body and ward off the exhaustion that weighed heavily on him.
At last, they reached the end of the tunnel, where a brighter light was shining. Some of the workers rushed toward the exit, eager to end this ordeal as quickly as possible. But Ale knew something horrific awaited them at the tunnel's end. The real show was just about to begin.