Chapter 10: The Debutante Ball (4)

"Ah, truly, what an event! Everyone was having a merry time until I arrived," the newly introduced creature, Benford, sounded out.

In response, the guard mages and knights at the event stepped forward and were in battle stances. This was the imperial palace after all, having impeccable security was absolutely necessary to carry out such an event. Arisanna was sure backup was coming as well, especially at the sight of a new specimen.

Everyone was silent at his remark and the room produced a remarkable tension in the air. No one knew what was in front of them, people could only base it on his characteristics.

'He looks like a demonized human, yet no human has ever been reported as demonized. I guess today changes it if the… thing in front of us is a demon,' Arisanna silently thought to herself.

Of course, the adults who had any battle experience didn't cower under the threat of Benford, unlike a few unnamed adults who may wet themselves tonight.

The Emperor, the Grand Duke, a few nobles such as the Blanchettes, and a few sorcerers and sorceresses who were present at the scene stepped forward with their attacks ready. Naturally following their lead, both the princes and Theodore stepped up.

Although Arisanna and her brother were fully qualified to fight, they both felt that everything would be handled with those present without their interference. However, just in case, they both were also ready and cautious at the sight of anything that might go astray.

The emperor glanced at everyone in the room and then looked back up at Benford.

"May I ask for your leave peacefully, Benford. You are not welcome at our event tonight," he pointed his sword upwards, threatening him.

"How harsh, coming from his majesty the Emperor. Really, accept my greeting. I will be staying only for a little bit. I am the messenger after all, I pose no threat but bring warnings from my master."

"State your master."

"Ah, but at last, my master does not wish to grace his presence just yet. He plans to make his official entrance soon."

"Nonsense, if he wishes to challenge the empire, have him come out. He must have to show up later or not at all."

"Silence! Master is all and everywhere. He will do as he wishes and not follow the likes of you!"

Benford released a powerful aura made up of mana, that radiated throughout the room. The mana users present casts a barrier to protect the people against the distorted mana that has just been released. The shock from the energy was enough to penetrate the barrier and continue to spread through every inch of the room.

The Empress, who was a renowned sorceress, gather the sorcerers and sorceresses present to cast a more stabilized barrier, holding it up for the rest of the period of time in order to protect the guests invited.

Benford was obviously not happy with his attack being neutralized and stomped his feet down to the ground.

"What a waste of time! Everyone come out!" he roared.

Suddenly, those who were thought to be guests suddenly attacked using their magic. Everyone was scattered through the crowds and people were running frantically. Seeing this as a warning, the Emperor charged at Benford with the knights and mages following through. Everyone else present who could fight turned towards the people and started to help everyone out. There was intense fighting between the two sides, spell-casters blasting their mana and sword users charging with their swords.

The room was in disarray as the ballroom slowly crumbled. The walls were torn off and the pieces of stone collapsed randomly, falling on unsuspecting victims. At some point, the chandeliers fell and had to be lifted through the use of magic. Due to this, the room darkened and relied on the only source of light available, the moonlight.

Arisanna ran towards the middle of the confusion and tried her best to help out those in need while shielding them with her own magic. In the midst of the fighting, there was a voice that sounded above all.

"Everyone towards the entrance! Please remain calm and exit the ballroom under the protection of those who are fighting!" shouted Bridgette. She waved her hand towards the exit in a calm manner. The mages who aided her cast a spell and brightened the direction of the exit.

Everyone listened to her words and all collectively move towards the exit. This action separated the friends from the foes. Those who were enemies are now seen distinctively clearer from the crowd of people.

Through this clear-out, the coordination of the princes and Theodore was clearly seen. Arthur, the second prince, strengthen the barrier with his magic and guided the people in a more orderly fashion. Alexander, the first prince, and Theodore both drew their swords and rounded up the enemies, both showing excellent control and balance over their skill. Reynold joined the two, while Arisanna helped Arthur gather people toward the exit. Quickly catching on, those who wanted to help helped in their own way.

Arisanna couldn't help but think about all the glory these nobles would have after the commotion and wonder if they were doing it for show. Even in a critical moment, she couldn't help but doubt these nobles, but she could only let the thought pass as she was busy with her own devices.

As the evacuation quickened, fewer people were visible in the ballroom. Those who stayed were either those who could fight or the people from the opposite side of this battle. It should be said that they underestimated the forces of the empire as everyone rounded up the enemies in an efficient manner. As Benford was getting demolished by the emperor, he slowly rises up from the ground with his comrades right behind him utterly injured.

"Did I mention I was only a messenger?" he desperately questioned.

"Messenger or not. You will now be imprisoned and will be forced to talk about everything you know. This, of course, includes those who stand against us today," the emperor stated while pointing his sword at his neck.

"Don't think I don't have a card up my sleeves," he spat and magically summoned an artifact.

It was a mirror that glimmered under the lights. It was dazzling and reflected its light toward those present. The mirror then floated on its own accord and seemed to reflect a certain figure that couldn't be made out due to the light.

Benford seemed to gaze around the room and it landed on a certain young princess. Her blonde hair fluttered in the wind as her magenta eyes met his demonizing gaze.

"A certain person has not yet developed her magic? How pitiful you are…"

Just as everyone looked toward the direction of the princess, Benford yelled out, "Aim at her!"

The mirror shot out a white beam, similar to the light of the moonlight above that was shining brilliantly tonight. The white light shot directly at Bridgette and everyone could only stare. Yells could be heard from everyone, as their faces began to distort at the sight, whether out of agony or anger.

Everyone except a certain black-haired girl flicked her hand as Benford yelled. A red butterfly quickly rushes towards the young princess's terrified eyes, her hands clenched in her chest. Just as her piercing magenta eyes closed tight in fright of her feeble life, the butterfly burst and released its mana. It was no longer in the shape of a weak butterfly but a transparent red net that blocked the attack. Arisanna's eyes were laser-focused on the shield and held her hand up to resist the blow, commanding the rest of her butterflies toward the shield to add more mana to her block.

After what seemed like years, everything was still and everyone's gazes were a bit distant as if in disbelief. Once she successfully neutralized the attack, her hands then dropped then she yelled out, "Don't stand there! Go!"

Everyone woke up from their trance and charged toward Benford and his lackeys. Unfortunately, they weren't fast enough. That brief moment of shock was enough for the enemies to be transported, the energy coming from the abnormal mirror. Weirdly enough, it was clear Benford didn't cast the spell, seeing his still shocked face at the scene.

'Someone else did that. The figure from the mirror. Is he the so-called "master"?' Arisanna questioned, but she knew she would never get an answer. Not yet, at least.

A look of relief ran through the Royal Family's faces as everyone charged toward Bridgette. They all hugged her tightly in their arms while exclaiming their relief at her safety. Everyone's attention was on our victim, with Arisanna herself feeling relieved.

Her body felt like she was functioning through the rush of adrenaline, and she knew she was a bit hyperactive. The churning feeling in her stomach also died down.

Her family all rushed over to her with very wide smiles across their faces.

"Look at you and your advanced magic, you sure you won't have a migraine after?" Reynold teased.

"Come here," she held out her arms towards her brother.

He hugged her tightly and murmured, "I was worried you know? If you were any less skilled, you would have been knocked out for days."

She lightly pats her brother's back with a light grin on her face.

"Darling! Are you alright? You used a lot of mana to block that," her distressed mother hugged them both, it felt like she was going to suffocate as she squeezed them both tighter.

She looked into her father's ruby eyes, those of direct resembles of the jewel. He looked proud as he also smiled and reached out his hand. He gently pat her on the head, "You did well."

Arisanna felt like crying as her eyes teared up a bit. She was extremely touched and she was delighted.

She accepted their warmth entirely as the warmth coursed through her body. The rush of adrenaline made her feelings a bit distorted, but they all centered on one word: love.

She then broke away from her family and looked at Bridgette's piercing eyes. The eyes of those with royal blood were stunning and certainly not ordinary. These bright magenta eyes were a sight to be seen as they shined brighter than any jewel.

Bridgette only said one phrase, a phrase that can fully transfer all her emotions as it wells up in her eyes.

"Thank you."