Case 152: Upon the demon queen’s descent.

Syrus, evening.

The imperial palace, boasting one of the largest banquet halls across the continent, was already crowded with guests even before the main event started.

Today was the empire's heroine, Lyra de Orleans's birthday.

For her alone, the monarchy had shown its tremendous support. Yet, this grand banquet wasn't entirely a celebration for Lyra. Rumors had long been circulated, some confirmed, that governments were preparing for a total assault to claim the other side of the world once and for all. The rationale was simple—they must strike while the enemy was without a leader. Backed by the former hero party, the decision was widely favorable.

And as the date drew closer, the alliance's leaders needed an occasion to gather and finalize the details they had been communicating remotely. It was also important for the armies from various affiliations to meet and familiarize themselves with one another before they departed. Thus, this event was crucial.

When the emperor, Beatrice, arrived early with the young heroine and briefly got through the procedures, the attendees tacitly understood her intentions. The two retreated to an open roundtable on the second floor of the hall; soon, those who had matters to discuss would naturally follow.

Right from the start, it was apparent that this wasn't just an ordinary ball. The mood seemed noticeably tenser than usual, enough for the crowd to keep calm even as big names entered the hall one after another. Prominent nobles—marquises and dukes—royals, imperial heirs, even kings and queens, remained on a low profile. After all, with all four of the former hero party members and other experts making their appearance, the hall wasn't exclusive to the high society members anymore.

Nevertheless, the remaining imperials helped the banquet go smoothly by placing themselves at the center of attention, at least superficially, and socializing with the other guests.

Among them stood Valerie de La Fayette, the little fourth imperial princess.

Unlike her sisters and mothers, Valerie was beyond anxious. She had seen her beloved sister, Rachael, heading to the second floor with Kiara and Penelope, completing the infamous trio who were in an entanglement with Cecilia de Orleans.

Only, in the princess's mind, they didn't know Cecilia was actually the target they were working to eliminate. Cecilia was the demon queen!

Valerie's eyes darted around restlessly. For over a year, she often recalled the threat Cecilia made that day—if she couldn't stop the demon queen in this banquet, Rachael would lose her life. Moreover, she couldn't tell this to anyone. The princess understood the risks, yet she couldn't bring herself to disclose this threat.

What if... Rachael was killed because of her actions?

Valerie couldn't accept that.

She knew she couldn't trust the words of a sisnister succubus, but she wasn't courageous enough to go against the threat either. She was a mere child, even in her own eyes.

The little princess clenched her fists.

Despite everything... she was an imperial. Through relentless efforts, she managed to gather enough forces to at least stall that demon in case she tried to cause harm at the banquet.

'What the hell is she thinking...? Even the former hero party is here!'

That foolish bravado of Cecilia made Valerie unsettled. What if she tried something drastic...? By then, casualties were guaranteed.

However, that demon was nowhere to be seen. Even when Valerie questioned Marina de Baux, a known friend of Cecilia, the answer she got back was strange, ''Cecilia fell ill again, I heard.'' Marina sighed. ''She probably won't be here today. How unfortunate.''

''...Huh?''

Valerie was dumbfounded. If Cecilia wouldn't come to the banquet, then... what would she do...?

The princess's heart sank. Was this, by chance, a distraction? Had she fallen into such a simple trap?!

But before Valerie could have the time to panic, a shout from the entrance seized her attention—no, it seized everybody's attention.

'''' Lady Cecilia of House Orleans has arrived! ''''

At once, the hall fell into a tense silence. After all, aside from the emperor's entrance, none of the guests' arrivals had the guards shout so conspicuously—it just wasn't the type of banquet for such a performance.

Yet, Cecilia was here.

While most stared, taken aback, those who knew the insider information were alarmed—she wasn't supposed to be here at this time.

One after another, Lyra, Cecilia's lovers, and the former hero party members rushed to the second floor's balcony, gazing down in disbelief. There she was—the girl who couldn't take a step properly without collapsing just recently, now confidently striding amidst the flood of people.

Something about Cecilia had changed.

Was it the black dress that contrasted her usual style? Or the clear crimson eyes that were devoid of her previous demureness? Nobody seemed to have the answer.

''What's going on?'' Beatrice, who had followed the group, asked. ''That girl...''

Seeing the emperor's brows furrowing, Rachael quickly interjected, ''Let me accompany her for a while. Everyone, please continue the discussion—''

The imperial princess's words were interrupted by the sudden sounds of armor and weapons clanking.

The room held its breath.

At some point, more than a dozen people had surrounded the blue-haired woman, each radiating a dangerous air. Seeing the sharp blades and burning spells pressed against Cecilia's delicate neck, Lyra nearly jerked her body forward.

If it weren't for Jeanne, who held the heroine back in time, those people would've been long dead.

Lyra, her face murderous, turned to look at her teacher, ''Release me.''

''Calm down,'' Jeanne said warily. ''Don't cause a mess. They're not harming your sister.''

''...''

Indeed, they had stopped right before injuring Cecilia, which meant they had other purposes. However... Lyra wasn't one to tolerate such threats being made to her beloved.

''Lyra!'' Jeanne was startled as the heroine escaped her clutches.

''...!''

Yet, Lyra halted shortly after. A mere look from Cecilia, one accompanied by a meaningful smile, was enough to stop the heroine in her tracks.

Somehow, as Lyra stared into those eyes, she felt despair all over.

Powerless.

Almost as if... the bird she had been trying so desperately to confine was finally breaking out of its cage. At this moment, none of her hard-trained muscles would move. She remained rooted in place, her thoughts frozen.

Meanwhile, the commotion only gathered more and more attention in the hall. They surrounded the scene and watched on with a guarded attitude; some even decided to record the incident with their cell phones.

Before anyone could intervene, a lone figure approached the besieged Cecilia, proud despite her small, trembling frame, ''I warn you—stop whatever you're planning to do.'' Valerie growled, ''See for yourself who is in this hall. You can't beat them.''

The girl in the black dress kept her silence. Taking this as a taunt, the little fourth princess continued, ignoring the puzzled stares on her, ''Move an inch, and you're dead. I'm not sure what stupid idea propelled you to so boldly enter this place, but...''

Cecilia herself appeared unbothered, seemingly ignoring Valerie's words. After a moment of deliberation, she put on a cold expression, sighing inwardly, ''Don't you still value your sister's life?''

The remark instantly caused all the anger inside Valerie to burst. Her mana exploded uncontrollably, pooling onto the ground like a dense fog. And all of its hostility was directed at Cecilia.

''Right...'' Valerie laughed in disbelief. ''You were never one to play fair, weren't you, Cecilia de Orleans? Or should I call you... Demon Queen Azrael Lilith Vermilion?''