Lumine tried to snatch the Berry tart from Paimon's hand. "You really can't eat any more. It's not a matter of losing face; your little belly is already bulging like a small ball. What if you burst?"
Paimon nimbly flew to the side, dodging Lumine's "claws," and swallowed the tart in one gulp. He squinted his eyes happily and said indistinctly, "Mmph... No, it's not! Paimon's stomach is a bottomless pit! I can still eat two more tables of desserts! Look, Furina prepared so many delicious things; it would be such a waste not to eat them! Wasting is disrespectful to the host of the banquet, you know!"
He spoke plausibly, his small hand reaching for another exquisite little cake drizzled with Gold leaf.
"Is that respect? You're clearly just greedy!"
Lumine pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling more eyes turning toward them, mixed with kind chuckles and curious gazes.
After all, a floating, gluttonous sprite sweeping through the banquet was a truly amusing sight.
"If you keep eating, I'm afraid you won't even be able to fly. How are we going to get back later?"
Paimon scratched his head, made a peace sign with his small hand, and propped up his chin, thinking hard for a long time. Finally, he came up with a brilliant idea: "We're best partners! If Paimon can't fly, you'll just have to carry me back on your back!"
"I..."
"You..."
Lumine was left speechless. He had no choice but to give up on the persuasion, instead picking up a glass of juice and taking a silent sip, trying to use the cold sensation to suppress his internal collapse.
He began to seriously consider whether he should temporarily leave Paimon with King... Just as Lumine's thoughts were becoming increasingly dangerous, a slight commotion came from the entrance of the banquet hall, accompanied by the clear announcement of a waiter:
"The Hydro Archon, Lord Furina has arrived—!"
The melodious music transitioned perfectly into a more solemn and magnificent welcoming piece.
All the guests stopped their conversations, their gazes shifting in unison toward the entrance.
Furina walked into the Starry Hall with elegant steps.
However, what made many guests familiar with his style pause in surprise was that tonight, the Hydro Archon was not wearing his usual blue and white magnificent dress, which symbolized the water and the sky.
He was wearing a black off-the-shoulder evening gown that was vastly different from his usual style.
The design of the gown was simple yet sophisticated. The deep black silk was like the quietest night sky, perfectly outlining the Damselette god's slender yet graceful figure. The off-the-shoulder design revealed his delicate collarbones and smooth neck and shoulder lines. The skirt was not very voluminous, but it swayed perfectly with his steps, like a dark river flowing in the night.
He wore a matching small black formal hat on his head, the brim tilted to cover half of his forehead.
Beneath the hat, his signature gradient long hair was meticulously braided and adorned with tiny, star-like diamond hair accessories, creating a breathtaking contrast with his fair skin and heterochromatic eyes.
"Why is the Hydro Archon wearing black?!"
"Yeah, but Lord Furina is truly stunning tonight!"
"Hmm, this black gown suits him perfectly! It's a different kind of beauty!"
"As expected of Lord Furina, he always leads the fashion of Fontaine!"
After a brief silence, there was a wave of praise and flattery.
The guests bowed in greeting, their eyes filled with admiration for his outfit tonight.
Furina raised his chin slightly, his face filled with a sense of confidence. He accepted the gazes of the crowd as he walked slowly to the high platform in the center of the hall. His heterochromatic eyes swept across the room, a reserved and mysterious smile playing on his lips.
He could feel the stunning and curious gazes focused on him, which made the small bit of pride in his heart swell even more.
Only he himself knew exactly who this uncharacteristically black gown was worn for.
His favorite color was blue, because it was the color of water, the symbol of the ocean, and the color he should naturally wear as the "Hydro Archon."
However, two hours ago, when he returned to his chambers and looked at the array of blue and white dresses in his wardrobe, King's steady and cold appearance in that black suit kept appearing in his mind.
Thus, almost as if possessed, he took off the blue dress he had originally put on and had the top tailors in all of Fontaine rush to finish this exquisite black gown he was currently wearing.
Wearing a gown of the same color and standing by his side... it must be a great match, right?
This thought made Furina's cheeks flush slightly, but he quickly hid it with a brighter smile.
He cleared his throat, and his crisp, pleasant voice spread throughout the Starry Hall via a special amplification device:
"Everyone!"
The hall instantly fell silent, with only the soft background music flowing.
"Thank you all for coming to the Opera Epiclese tonight to attend this banquet."
Furina gracefully spread his arms, as if performing on a stage: "Tonight, we gather here not only to enjoy fine wine, delicacies, and the starry view."
He paused, his heterochromatic eyes sparkling with light, and his tone became exceptionally solemn:
"But even more so to welcome a most noble existence to officially become a member of our Fontaine, to become the Strongest Spear against evil! To become the Strongest Shield protecting Fontaine!"
"He is humble yet powerful, indifferent yet majestic—a miracle walking among mortals!"
"He comes from beyond Fontaine and possesses a great power that even I, a 'powerful god,' marvel at!"
Furina's voice was full of charisma, pushing the atmosphere to a small climax.
The guests held their breath, waiting for that name.
"Now, please join me,"
Furina turned slightly toward the entrance and made an extremely grand gesture:
"In welcoming my Divine Guard, the Protector of Fontaine, Mr. King—!"
"Whoosh—!!!"
As Furina's voice fell, thunderous applause erupted in the Starry Hall!
All the guests, regardless of their status or what they thought in their hearts, clapped vigorously at this moment, their faces covered in sincere smiles, their gazes fixed on the slowly opening gilded doors.
The orchestra played a grand and majestic welcoming movement.
Then, King walked in.
Dressed in a well-fitting black suit, his posture was as upright as a pine tree.
King's calm gaze swept across the room.
Just being swept by that gaze, many guests felt a chill rise from their spines. The applause faltered for a moment involuntarily before becoming even more enthusiastic, even carrying a hint of trepidation.
Standing on the high platform, Furina watched King walk in step by step, his heart racing for some reason.
He's here!
Furina felt his cheeks begin to heat up and quickly raised his chin slightly, trying his best to maintain his divine dignity.
"Thump—"
"Thump, thump, thump!!!"
A dull, highly penetrating heartbeat sound rang out in the hall without warning, so clear it was as if it were drumming right in everyone's ears!
"!"
The applause stopped abruptly, as if cut by a sharp blade.
The music also distorted for a moment.
Everyone's expressions froze on their faces, their smiles stiffening at the corners of their mouths, and the shock in their eyes was quickly replaced by instinctive fear.
"What happened?"