The Extra's Rise - Chapter 508

Chapter 508: Hwaeryun Banquet (1)
The war in the East would continue, but everything had changed. Student conscription was ending as reinforcements poured in from the North and the Slatemark Empire. The Kagu family had led a massive, brutal campaign to win back Hwaeryun, the Eastern capital, from the vampires. It was a pyrrhic victory—they’d won, but at a terrible cost.

With the Vampire Monarch dead and Alyssara Velcroix nowhere to be found, the Eastern continent could finally push back the vampire tide. Two Radiant-rankers now protected the East, and normalcy might return to a continent that had slept peacefully for over 150 years.

Tonight’s massive celebration banquet served two purposes: lifting everyone’s spirits after the bloody victory at Hwaeryun, and welcoming Archduke Leopold Astoria from the Slatemark Empire.

The banquet at Hwaeryun was no ordinary affair. Archduke Leopold Astoria’s presence elevated it to an event of tremendous importance.

Among the eleven humans who had reached Radiant-rank, one ruled as emperor. Of the remaining ten, seven bore the title of “King”—a mark of their unmatched power and sovereignty. Yet three had refused that title: Eva Lopez, the Headmaster of Mythos Academy; Charlotte Alaric, the Head of the Tower of Magic; and Leopold Astoria himself, known as the Radiant Lion.

Leopold’s refusal of the title did nothing to reduce his standing. In truth, he held enough power to claim kingship at any moment and carve out his own domain, splitting from the Slatemark Empire entirely. This unspoken possibility hung over the empire’s politics like a shadow, influencing every major decision. Even Quinn Slatemark, the current Emperor, had made several desperate and poorly thought-out choices to secure Astoria’s loyalty—or at least prevent his rebellion.

One such decision was the disastrous engagement between the Crown Prince and Elara Astoria, the archduke’s beloved daughter. What began as a strategic alliance eventually spiraled into a civil war that nearly tore the Slatemark Empire apart.

One of my long-term goals was to prevent the civil war that would otherwise tear apart the Slatemark Empire’s future. To do that, I needed to earn the archduke’s trust and build a relationship with the man who held such power over the empire’s fate.

Over the years, I’d crossed paths with most of the Radiant-rankers, with varying results. Among them, the one I shared the closest bond with was Magnus Draykar—Rank 1, the pinnacle of human strength. But Magnus was gone now, having paid the ultimate price to kill the Vampire Monarch.

I couldn’t help but smile wryly as a thought crossed my mind. Dating the daughters of three overprotective Radiant-rank fathers might not be my wisest life choice. The thought was both amusing and slightly terrifying.

I adjusted my black tie and inspected my reflection in the mirror. The tailored suit was sharp, the cut precise and elegant. It was fitting for the occasion—a banquet of considerable importance and, undoubtedly, endless politics.

With a final tug on my tie, I stepped back, composing my expression. The evening promised to be eventful, and I intended to make the most of it. Whatever tensions or trials awaited, I would face them head-on. After all, that was what I’d always done.

But first, I had the honor of escorting my two dates for the evening—both of whom happened to be princesses.

Not that their titles mattered to me.

I smiled at the thought. Seraphina and Rachel could have been anyone, royalty or not, and I would still feel the same way about them. It wasn’t their crowns or noble bloodlines that drew me to them; it was who they were as people—every word, every glance, every unspoken moment we shared.

Once, I had admired them as characters in a novel, distant figures etched in imagination. Now, I loved them as real people, vibrant and complex, shaping the moments of my life in ways I never expected.

As I made my way to the first destination, anticipation sparked within me. Tonight wasn’t just about the banquet or the Archduke’s arrival—it was a rare break from the chaos of war. A chance to breathe, to reconnect, to let the weight of responsibility ease, if only for a few hours.

Seraphina was waiting for me first. The sight of her stole my breath for a moment. She wore a flowing dress of pale silver, the fabric catching the faintest light and shimmering like moonlight on water. Her silver hair, usually cascading freely down her shoulders, was pinned back just enough to reveal the graceful line of her neck. When her ice-blue eyes met mine, they softened with a warmth she reserved for only a few people in this world.

“You clean up well,” she teased, a playful smile curling her lips as her gaze swept over my formal attire. “Though I didn’t expect you to make it on time.”

“I aim to surprise,” I replied, extending my arm to her in a formal gesture. “Shall we?”

She slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, her touch light yet somehow grounding. “Rachel will never let you hear the end of it if you’re late for her.”

“Then we’d best not keep her waiting,” I said, smiling as we set off together down the elegant corridors.

When we arrived at Rachel’s quarters, I found her waiting by the door, a vision of golden elegance. Her gown was adorned with delicate embroidery that shimmered like starlight against the rich sapphire fabric. Her golden hair was swept up in an intricate style that framed her face perfectly, highlighting her striking sapphire-blue eyes. She looked ethereal and regal, yet in the way she glanced at me, there was a vulnerability that made her feel entirely human.

“You’re late,” she said, her lips pursed in mock irritation, though I could see the smile threatening to break through.

“Not a second,” I countered, glancing at my watch with exaggerated precision. “I think I deserve some credit for punctuality.”

Rachel’s smile broke through her pretense of annoyance as she stepped forward. Her gaze flicked to Seraphina, who smiled back with a gracious nod. Despite the complex web of emotions between us all, there was a sense of mutual respect and understanding between the two of them that always left me grateful.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Rachel said, slipping her arm through my other one with practiced elegance. “We’ve got a banquet to attend, and I’ll not have you forgetting who your first dance belongs to.”

Seraphina chuckled softly. “You’ll have to fight me for the second.”

I shook my head with a laugh. “You two really know how to keep a man on his toes.”

We entered the banquet hall together, and predictably, all eyes turned toward us.

It was to be expected—walking in with two princesses, each luminous in their own right, was bound to draw attention. And, well, I wasn’t exactly someone who blended into crowds myself. The whispers, the glances, the subtle nods of acknowledgment from various nobles and dignitaries—it all blurred into a background hum I’d grown used to by now.

The banquet hall itself was magnificent. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting warm light over polished marble floors. Tables draped in fine silk were arranged in perfect order, each set with gleaming silverware and delicate porcelain. The walls were adorned with banners representing the various noble houses and allied factions, creating a tapestry of political alliances made visible.

Scanning the room, my gaze landed on a familiar trio. Lucifer Windward stood with Seol-ah Moyong, Aria Gu and Ren Kagu, their presence a quiet statement of their own considerable status.

I noticed other familiar faces throughout the crowd: representatives from various Eastern families, Northern dignitaries who had arrived with the reinforcements, and imperial officials from the Slatemark Empire. Each group maintained their own subtle territories within the hall, creating an invisible map of political relationships and rivalries.

My observations were interrupted by the sharp, clear chime of the speaker’s announcement, resonating across the grand hall and cutting through all conversation.

“His Grace, the Radiant Lion, Archduke Leopold Astoria, is now entering!”

All movement ceased as the room collectively turned toward the main entrance. Conversations died mid-sentence, wine glasses paused halfway to lips, and even the servants stopped their quiet movements. The very air seemed to thicken with anticipation and respect.

Leopold Astoria made his entrance with the kind of quiet authority that didn’t need to demand respect—it simply commanded it by existing. His auburn hair caught the light from the chandeliers, complementing the striking depth of his violet eyes, which seemed to take in everything while revealing absolutely nothing. His tailored three-piece suit was impeccably cut, adorned with subtle gold embroidery that whispered elegance rather than shouted wealth. Draped around his shoulders was a magnificent fur scarf, an almost regal touch that underscored his towering presence without appearing ostentatious.

Leopold moved with measured purpose, his violet eyes scanning the crowd with an unreadable expression. The first to approach him, as protocol and wisdom demanded, were the heads of the Moyong and Gu families.

Behind them, other family heads and dignitaries formed a careful queue, waiting their turn to pay respects to one of the most powerful men alive. The hierarchy was clear and unspoken—Radiant-rankers existed in a realm apart from ordinary nobility, and Leopold Astoria was royalty even among them.

For my part, I simply observed from my position with Seraphina and Rachel.