Mage Beck's meaning was very clear, and the Duke understood it.
There were clearly still seven days left before the princess's birthday.
But today, a banquet was suddenly held, gathering most of the people in the royal capital.
Something was off... very off.
Logically speaking, there was actually nothing wrong.
After all, today's banquet was held for Aurelian.
Who was she? She was the princess, the daughter of Emperor Aubrey.
Whenever the Emperor wanted to hold it, he naturally could.
Not to mention there were still seven days before the princess's birthday.
Even if it were held from today all the way until the seventh day, for the Emperor, there would be no problem at all.
But as an old mage, Beck would naturally not casually accept such a reason.
Since he could not figure it out, he might as well ask the Duke directly.
Levi smiled and waved his hand, "Listen to me, Beck, don't be in a hurry."
"If you really want to know, then just wait a little while."
The Duke said nothing, yet it was as if he had said everything.
At least, this let Beck understand.
This banquet was indeed not as simple as celebrating the princess's birthday alone.
Before long, the candle flames throughout the banquet hall began to sway, casting trembling light.
A silver figure walked into the banquet hall.
It was Gwen.
She wore a blue, wide formal dress wrapped over armor, arriving at the banquet like a deep blue flower edged in silver.
Beneath her sharp and heroic bearing, there was a hint of firmness and the pride unique to a knight.
By her side was Aurelian.
Aurelian was also dressed in a light blue gown. The surface of the dress was covered with a layer of pure white gauze, and two ribbons were wrapped around both sides of her shoulders.
Aurelian's lively eyes swept across the nobles, and she smiled slightly.
She hooked her arm around Gwen's wrist and walked forward leisurely.
When the nobles saw this scene, they could not help but fall silent.
The scene was too dreamy and beautiful.
A knight bringing her princess to attend a banquet.
This seemed like a story that could only be heard in fairy tales.
Yet today, it was happening right before their eyes.
Although both of them had silver-white hair, one could still see the subtle difference between the strands.
Aurelian's long hair was like clouds, as if stars were dotted within it, giving off a bright glow under the candlelight, mysterious and elegant.
Above her lively and beautiful face, she appeared so noble.
Gwen's silver hair, like fine snow, looked slightly dim in comparison.
The extra steadiness and calmness on her body were like a silent statue.
Just like her current expression, cold as frost, as if she had no emotion at all.
Like a perfect knight of justice who only followed royal orders.
When everyone clearly saw Gwen's face, their breathing stopped for a few seconds. The wine glasses in their hands became still, as if time had frozen at that moment.
That was Gwen Delin, the head of the Delin knight family at the border, holding command over tens of millions of knights in the northern territory.
At the same time, she was also Viktor's fiancee.
And Aurelian's teacher.
The subtlety of this relationship made countless nobles present hold their breath.
After Aurelian and Gwen appeared together, they clearly sensed something slightly wrong.
The power behind Princess Aurelian seemed somewhat too strong.
Under any circumstance, if any child of the Emperor gained such powerful background support, they would likely be seen as the best candidate for the next Emperor.
Yet this situation was happening to a princess who seemed to have no connection to the throne.
This left many nobles and ministers deeply confused.
But at this moment, they could not say a single word.
Because Gwen's frost-like presence even made the nobles feel a chilling cold.
It was like a cold blade slicing through the air, letting the chill instantly spread to every corner.
The scene was strangely quiet.
Seeing this, the nobles even slowed their breathing.
Aurelian, like the moon surrounded by stars, walked to the front of the nobles accompanied by Gwen.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on them, extremely tense.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs at the front, Gwen released Aurelian's hand and stood to one side, bowing respectfully.
Aurelian carried a noble and proud presence as she stepped up each stair in a dignified manner.
Until she stood at the very top of the stairs, the place that led to the golden platform of the banquet hall.
Aubrey had appeared on that platform at some unknown time, standing quietly.
His gaze looked at Aurelian, with a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.
Aurelian stepped over the last stair, lifted her blue skirt slightly, and stood before Aubrey, bowing deeply to him.
Aubrey wore a kind smile and nodded at Aurelian.
The princess walked behind Aubrey and turned to face the nobles inside the banquet.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Aubrey, ears raised, listening carefully to what the Emperor was going to say.
Soon, the Emperor's steady voice echoed through the entire banquet hall.
"Today's banquet is held for my daughter, Aurelian Sol."
As his words fell, two rows of ceremonial cannons outside the banquet hall suddenly fired into the sky.
With two loud bangs, huge and brilliant fireworks exploded in the air, and cheerful ceremonial music rang out at the same time.
The jumping notes seemed to be created by magic, sliding through the air of the banquet hall like joyful little spirits dancing nonstop.
Many nobles cheered, put down their wine glasses, and burst into thunderous applause.
However, there were still some careful people who noticed the Emperor's wording.
His Majesty had never said this was a birthday banquet for the princess.
It was only held for the princess.
Just a banquet.
These nobles who had some guesses began to grow curious about the true purpose of the banquet. Perhaps, there was a deeper meaning.
Looking at the cheering crowd, Aubrey pressed his hand downward, signaling the nobles to quiet down.
"However, there is one more matter."
"I wish to take this opportunity to announce it in front of everyone."
This was the part many people had been waiting for.
After all, because of Aurelian's birthday, the number of people gathered here was especially large.
Basically, the ministers and famous figures in the huge royal capital had almost all gathered here.
With so many people present at the same time, it was hard not to suspect the meaning behind the banquet.
There must be something to announce, which was why so many people were called here together.
And now, seeing the Emperor say such words, it naturally confirmed countless people's guesses.
What exactly was it?
The nobles craned their necks, waiting with full attention.
But suddenly, a surge of magic descended.
A space within the banquet hall began to tremble, twisting out several cracks as countless phantoms spilled from within.
Soon, the blurred shadows overlapped, and the chaotic, digital-like distortion gradually calmed, revealing the figures of those who had arrived.
Flames and shattered rocks appeared in the air at the same time, rapidly circling and merging together.
Between the flames, several strands of blue, single-toned magic gradually descended from the air, their patterns slowly gathering.
It was Haim Horn, Ryan Kent, and Rachel Azure.
All three wore broken three-headed emblems on their chests, the symbol of Mage Council members.
Under the candlelight, the three emblems shone with strange starlight, suddenly flashing with something.
Everyone's eyes were drawn over.
They showed shock, and startled voices rang out.
"Th… that is!"
"It's three council members of the Mage Council!"
Crash!
The moment the words fell, the entire hall erupted.
Council members symbolized the top twelve mages of the Mage Council.
They were almost all at the peak of the fourth tier.
Such existences, wherever they appeared, would be treated as honored guests.
Soon, countless people recognized exactly who these three were.
The Phantom of a Thousand Faces, Haim Horn.
The Unyielding Blue Flame Furnace, Ryan Kent.
And one of the council members more familiar to the Empire.
The Natural Eye of Observation, Rachel Azure.
Three council members appearing in the banquet hall at the same time, in front of countless people of the Empire, in front of Emperor Aubrey.
In an instant, countless people seemed to suddenly understand.
The three council members slightly bowed toward Emperor Aubrey.
"We represent the Mage Council and offer our sincere blessings to the Princess of the Calencia Empire, Aurelian."
The moment the words fell, behind Haim Horn, several layers of magic circles suddenly lit up.
With a kind of fantastical starlight, the sky gradually darkened.
Everyone could not help but look up at the ceiling.
At this moment, the ceiling seemed to be covered by some existence, like chaos, making it hard to see clearly.
Very soon, it gradually transformed into a dazzling starry sky beyond the clouds.
The starry sky rotated, descending with starlight, shining brightly.
Like layers of delicate white gauze, gently sprinkling the light of each star onto Aurelian.
[Fourth-Tier Magic: Blessing of the Stars]
After finishing all this, the faint starlight gradually faded. Aurelian looked at herself in confusion and curiosity.
On her body, it seemed a mark of a star had been engraved.
Soon, Haim Horn's voice sounded again.
"This is my gift to you, Your Highness."
"For seven days, the blessing of the stars will always accompany you."
At this moment, countless nobles could not say a word.
'What is called top-level treatment?'
No one had ever imagined that a princess's birthday in an empire would actually attract three council members to offer blessings.
This was treatment no girl had ever received.
Many young noble ladies showed extreme envy, yet they could never obtain such treatment in their lifetime.
Because everyone present clearly understood.
They did not have a father who was Emperor like Aubrey.
Nor did they have a teacher who was a council member like Viktor.
At this time, Aubrey also smiled in satisfaction.
He looked forward and spoke, "From today onward, I officially announce."
"The heir to the throne, in the future, will be inherited by my daughter..."
"Aurelian Sol."
BOOM!
A royal bomb dropped, directly exploding throughout the entire banquet hall.
At this moment, countless nobles' minds went blank, unable to even think or understand.
'Wait... what the hell is this situation!?'
'Aurelian is going to ascend the throne!?'
'She's too young for this!'
'That's not the point, what's the point!?'
'The next Emperor of the Calencia Empire is going to be a princess!?'
If not for the fact that no one present could beat Aubrey, these nobles would have wanted to dig open his brain to see what he was thinking.
With one sentence from Aubrey, countless people present were completely dumbfounded.
This meant that those who supported the First Prince and the Second Prince would now all become clowns.
Some people hurriedly stepped forward. No matter the situation at this moment, they quickly spoke to persuade him, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"The matter of imperial succession is no small issue. How can it be decided so simply…"
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt something wet slap onto his face.
'Is it raining?'
He looked up and saw that from the starry sky above, drops of water were continuously falling.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
The drops gradually turned into a heavy downpour, as if it would flood the entire banquet hall.
However, the rain seemed only illusory.
It fell to the ground, yet quickly turned into steam and vanished.
Suddenly, a strong wind rose.
Under countless gazes, the steam gradually drifted upward.
Finally, it turned into a human figure wearing a suit.
A pitch-black crow stood on his shoulder, pulling at its hoarse throat and letting out a sharp cry.
It drew countless people's thoughts and eyes over.
Viktor appeared out of thin air within the rain and steam.
In his hand, he held the black staff with the golden bird head.
"Sorry, I came a bit late."
"I'm curious about the topic just now."
Viktor turned to look at the person who had spoken earlier.
On the staff in his hand, the phantom of a scale suddenly rose, swaying continuously.
His deep obsidian eyes seemed able to see through a person's soul, staring at that noble.
It was as if space itself began to tremble.
"Tell me, just now."
"What were we talking about?"