For a while after, the venue started filling up slowly with people as they arrived at the destination. The sun was setting in the distance, and the sound of people talking echoed everywhere around Rize.
Calm music started playing in the background as servants walked out, serving drinks and appetizers to the people there. The atmosphere was very soft and gentle, almost like a party for the rich rather than a ceremony.
'Well, it is definitely a party for the rich.' Rize thought to himself as he looked at his empty plate. 'I can't wait for the food to come so I can eat. We haven't eaten since leaving the cabin.' Rize crossed his arms as he looked around him, searching for any familiar faces among the crowd.
Even though he only had their description to go with, it didn't take him long to recognize a few faces with their distinct features.
"Sivir Kana. Hmmm, if I remember correctly, he appears at the end of the second arc. He's a particularly rich nobleman with a lot of connections, especially in the world of finances. He is a good character, amongst the rare few who help the protagonist. He also saw other notable faces that he recognized, but they weren't that important to the story.
But as he turned around to look at the venue entrance, his eyes fell on a particular person who stood out. A girl, perhaps his age or slightly older, with fiery red hair and a very sharp, dangerous look on her face. She was clad in a formal military uniform, and she had an air of power all around her that no other person he had seen so far had.
For a moment, Rize froze as he instantly knew who it was.
"Rose Witherfield… The second heroine of the story and the daughter of the Royal Admiral Witherfield…" Rize muttered. "Seeing her in person is so odd. She's so… intense."
Rize could tell that she was a very strong and hard person who doesn't show emotions much. But, at the same time, oddly enough, she was the least hated one out of all the heroines in the story. She was always fair and honest; she never sugarcoated things, and she never tried to trick Rize.
'She didn't like me that much either. She was completely indifferent to my existence, which is good in hindsight.' He thought to himself as he watched her stop to greet the other guests. Behind her was an older gentleman with the same red hair and aura that made Rize shudder.
He didn't even need to sense his Soul Essence to realize how strong that man was. His mere presence felt like added weight on his body. Rize thought he was already accustomed to that kind of pressure because he was living with Geralt, who was a very strong warrior himself.
However, the sheer difference in level was staggering. It was like he was staring at a monster in human form rather than a seamless old man.
'No wonder the king put him as the admiral that overlooked the entire military prowess of the nation. He is STRONG.' Rize shuddered before he looked away. 'I do not want to mess with any of that.'
"Rize?" Geralt noticed the restless look on Rize's face.
"Hm? Oh nothing, ehem, just… Everyone here is quite unique." Rize muttered as he looked around him. "How many of these nobles are actual good fighters?"
"Hm, I would say…" Geralt thought for a moment. "30-40% at most… Most don't think they need to be good fighters. They were born with golden spoons in their mouths. They would rather leave the fighting to the people beneath them rather than fight themselves."
"Uh, but what if they need it?"
"Well." Geralt shrugged. "It will be ugly."
"..."
"However, those who do actually know how to fight are extremely dangerous and extremely unpredictable. The royal family keeps an eye on its strongest individuals to avoid anything bad happening."
'No surprise. Each one of them could start a coup, and it will be tough to stop them.' Rize thought to himself. 'Especially Witherfield. He is particularly a very dangerous individual holding a very key position in the nation. If he decided to start a coup, it would be ugly.'
Rize shook his head, realizing how deep this goes. 'God, I hate politics, and this world is filled with it. Perhaps even more than Earth.'
With that, the entire venue was finally filled with people, and the door closed. At the same time, Rize could hear the sound of cheering in the distance. Crowds had gathered in assigned areas to watch the ceremony on massive screens.
There were many cameras and camera crews from many TV channels and news outlets situated everywhere around Rize. This was perhaps the biggest event in the entire nation or the world.
With that, everyone took a seat in their places and watched as the entire venue turned dark and a spotlight was put on the upper stairs. Rize watched as he adjusted his seat.
'This is about to be very interesting.' He thought to himself.
Then, everyone heard someone walking from the darkness until he stopped in front of the light. He was a young man, in his late 20s, and he was clad in formal attire. He had rather pleasing features and a very unique presence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is our honor to welcome you tonight. Thank you for attending this important night in the life of the Esteemed Royal Family. The awakening of Prince Kane. As you all know, it is Prince Kane's birthday today, and his awakening will happen the moment the clock hits the moment he was born.
'Yeah, it is down to the minute. Awakening is a very precise miracle that nobody could explain. We don't know why the age of 16 is the age where everyone awakens.' Rize thought to himself.
"His Highness was born today, 16 years ago, at precisely 8:53 PM… Which means 20 minutes from now. The esteemed Royal Family will join you soon for dinner ten minutes before the awakening, and then you will all be served a well-curated dinner for this festive evening. Thank you again and have a nice evening."
As the young man said that, he then bowed and left the area. The spotlight then shifted to illuminate all the thrones sitting on top of the stairs.
"That was… very simple," Rize said with pursed lips.
At the same time, the servants came out in long lines as they spread all around the area, serving the entrance dishes to everyone present. The smell was absolutely incredible, and it made Rize's stomach rumble.
'Shit, calm down… Don't embarrass me now!'
Rize then took his spoon and tried to execute the etiquette Geralt taught him. With that, the dinner began.
Minutes passed quietly as people enjoyed the nice atmosphere.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, now please, stand in respect to the Royal Family."
The moment they heard that, they all stood up.
"Stand up," Geralt said.
Rize nodded, wiped his mouth, and stood up. Suddenly, the entire atmosphere in the room shifted as 4 individuals walked to the thrones in silence. What was previously a pleasant dinner changed into something far more solemn.
The Royal Family had made their entrance.