"Ah, I return..." Upon hearing his brother's cold welcome, the Hero was about to respond when the Fourteenth Princess suddenly stepped forward, her pink eyes calmly meeting her brother's gaze.
[Fourteenth Princess's negotiation was a critical success, granting the Hero's mind a stability bonus of 50 upon the activation of the curse]
"I am pleased that the Kingdom has gained another talented youth." The Fourteenth Princess spoke indifferently, her voice not loud but clear to everyone present. "If that's the case, I suppose you won't mind my attendance at today's banquet?"
Her demeanor was impeccable, her tone elegant, yet it carried an unyielding assertiveness.
A Legendary Mage... even though not a melee professional, possesses the strength to crush the weak with a flick of their fingers.
But the Fourteenth Princess, standing before the Hero's brother, showed no hint of hesitation, even displaying the aloofness of a high-ranking individual.
"...Of course, it would be my honor."
His brother paused momentarily, but under the gaze of those pink eyes that symbolized the Royal Family's authority, he smiled and gracefully bowed in acceptance.
The Fourteenth Princess nodded slightly, then took the somewhat dazed Hero by the hand and softly said, "Let's go, Hero, show me your room."
As she passed by the maid, she paused her steps slightly and said, "She was unaware of my identity, and making inquiries is her duty."
But her gaze didn't linger, nor did she respond to the maid's grateful glance. Instead, she straightened her already graceful posture, seemingly asserting her own authority. Without waiting for the young master of the Viscount's House to invite her, she stepped boldly through the mansion's gates.
The smile that the young man had shown, she had seen similar expressions before.
During her tours of the Kingdom, not every visit was smooth sailing.
In this vast Kingdom, where every fiefdom was supposed to enjoy peace and every Lord to rule diligently... even the Hero wouldn't have such naive thoughts.
And for those who came to demonstrate the Royal Family's authority, like the Fourteenth Princess, not everyone would welcome her presence.
Corrupt Evil Lords, crime-ridden officials, and even Noble factions colluding with the Black Gate... their reactions varied upon seeing her, but many would wear a smile.
Confident yet cold, convinced they wouldn't be convicted or punished, maintaining a facade of respect before the Princess while being unabashed, as if they were welcoming a challenge.
And the young man's smile was even more genuine than those people's.
It wasn't a deliberate provocation but a sort of innate pride. He showed not a trace of fear or guilt, as if he was absolutely certain of his superiority, needing no disguise.
The Fourteenth Princess slightly pursed her lips, and sweat formed in her palms.
'A dangerous fellow, at least for now, the Hero must not approach him—'
The Fourteenth Princess didn't grant the Hero's brother, today's banquet's main character, any chance to speak. Using strides uncharacteristic of the ailing princess rumored of, she led the still confused Hero straight into the long-lost home.
The Demon Hunter gave a slight nod of greeting to his brother and then promptly followed behind the Princess into the Viscount Mansion.
His brother had initially reached up to guide the Princess but froze mid-air, then expressionlessly retracted his hand.
"Go inform Father and Mother that the sister has returned, and she's brought the Fourteenth Princess of the Royal Family."
He calmly instructed, his tone betraying no emotional fluctuation, "Also, arrange for someone to take care of the bird carriage."
He still did not look at the maid, merely stating this plainly before turning his gaze toward the Fourteenth Princess walking into the house, his eyes calm and emotionless.
"This Elemental Spirit may also enter, I'll notify the staff about your presence."
Looking at the approaching Gleaming Scale Serpent, the Hero's brother said calmly.
Meanwhile, the maid beside him, who resembled the master in appearance but wore a housekeeper's attire, was dumbfounded by the overwhelming and incomprehensible information.
The Gleaming Scale Serpent showed no response and instead trotted directly to the Hero's side.
The young man's expression remained unchanged.
The Hero, Great Demon, hero of the borderlands, Noble Lord appointed by the King...
Were these various honors to be publicly announced at a banquet, his brilliance might instantly fade away.
Unlike the nearly destined-to-be palatial existence that he was, the Hero was one who would undoubtedly reach the palace.
Especially as a formally recognized Hero by the Kingdom, their value is incomparable to those unrecognized in the eyes of the Nobles.
No one knows whether the so-called prodigy would encounter a sheer drop on the path to the pursuit of knowledge, but as long as she can still wield the sword and kill, the Hero will not stop progressing before reaching the pinnacle of the palace.
And while the feat of annihilating the Arcane Surge was dazzling, it was insignificant before the Ancient Great Demon; the proof being, he didn't receive any independent Noble Title, and most of this glory was attributed to his father.
As a personal bloodline independently trained by a Pantheon Mage, before his strength surpassed his father's, the majority of his achievements and honors would be shared by his mentor.
This is a very normal view, one that is hard to avoid.
But the Hero is different, she has already become independent sooner than her brother, not as an heir of the Viscount's House, but with her own name, her own achievements, having become a newly promoted Noble at the age of fifteen.
Adding to this is the Elemental Spirit, likely formed from absorbing her blood, at a Fantasy Species Level, which, upon maturing, would rival her father's Familiar.