After Felix and Degenbrecher had finished dealing with the ladies, several hosts of the banquet approached them. Each bore a noble title—sons of viscounts, barons, or other aristocrats. They came forward to offer toasts to both the Black Knight and Felix.
Felix, however, didn't concern himself with being the center of attention. In truth, most of those who came to greet him lacked the qualifications to engage in real business discussions. Still, he responded with polite detachment—neither too warm nor too distant—striking a balance that maintained both decorum and poise.
This environment was a crucible, and it was shaping him.
A person cannot inherit memories out of thin air, nor can they adapt overnight to a new identity. Yet Felix knew that, sooner or later, he would become the "boss" Degenbrecher often referred to—the leader of a future power. At the same time, he was a curious explorer and a knowledgeable scientist, walking a unique path between ambition and discovery.
While his peers back in school were still laughing, playing, and chasing fleeting explosions of excitement—like most Sanktas in church schools—he was already out walking the Terra.
This continent was home to many long-lived beings. The Sankta and the Sarkaz were prime examples. Felix's current qualifications were still shallow; it would be easy for these immortals to see through his true intentions. That was why he needed to immerse himself in these social environments—to be transformed by them, and to let them temper him into someone who could succeed.
By the time he reached a hundred years of age, the "Ark" might very well have already gone bankrupt. He couldn't afford to wait.
For now, though, Felix had made a strong impression among many viscounts and barons. His handsome appearance and refined conversation skills set him apart. Thanks to his rich experience, no matter what topic was thrown at him, he could catch it smoothly—and even return it with interest.
Degenbrecher quietly observed the boss's growth. Where he once resembled a businessman negotiating with adventurers, he now carried himself more like the head of a noble house.
Warm but not overly slick. Serious when needed, but capable of subtle humor. Was this a talent? Or perhaps, was this Felix's true nature?
Degenbrecher held her champagne glass, smiling to herself.
As expected, the boss is a Sankta, she thought. Most Sankta seem to be like this.
"Mr. Felix," came a voice from the crowd.
A path cleared, and a middle-aged man in a classic suit approached, his smile warm and posture upright. "Welcome to the banquet hosted by Earl Bolton. On behalf of the Earl, I raise this toast to you."
He stood directly before Felix, unlike the others who had turned to Degenbrecher first. Evidently unaware of Degenbrecher's earlier remarks, he had assumed Felix was the more prominent figure between the two.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the man continued. "I am Earl Warwick, a close friend of Earl Bolton."
Felix responded with a polite smile. "It's truly an honor. This is my first time attending such an elegant and comfortable gathering. I consider myself fortunate to be here tonight and to meet such distinguished individuals."
"Haha! Mr. Felix, you don't sound like a scientist at all."
"Well," Felix replied with a hint of mirth, "when scientists apply for funding, they must first learn to sell their research topics, mustn't they?"
Earl Warwick chuckled. The corners of his mouth lifted in amusement as he raised his glass, tapping it lightly against Felix's. Then, he offered a nod to Degenbrecher, who stood beside Felix, and downed his drink in one graceful motion.
Felix also drank the wine in his glass. The two exchanged smiles before the Earl of Warwick turned and strolled away.
Lowering his gaze, a gentle smile still lingering in his eyes, Felix continued to greet the steady stream of young men and women approaching him.
After some time, the crowd finally dispersed. Felix led Mandragora to the buffet table and gently stroked the back of her hand.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mandragora."
"It's nothing. Being able to listen to the nobles' conversations with Brother Felix and Sister Degenbrecher is a great experience," Mandragora replied with a soft smile.
Seeing her expression, Felix gently rubbed her head. "Alright, go get something to eat and find Sister Degenbrecher afterward. I might have something else to take care of."
"Got it. I won't let you worry."
Though Mandragora was mature for her age, she was still a fourteen-year-old girl. After having spent time conversing with two adults, hunger began to set in. Now that Felix gave her permission to eat, she immediately felt the urge to fill her plate. But just as she was about to act, she paused, becoming aware of her own thoughts.
In a banquet filled with nobles and their children, behaving impulsively would not only reflect poorly on her—it might also embarrass Brother Felix.
She couldn't let herself slip. And she certainly couldn't let Brother Felix be exposed.
With that in mind, Mandragora adjusted her behavior. Her movements became more refined as she quietly observed the noble children around her. She paid close attention to their posture, their gestures, and how they ate—and soon, she was able to imitate them with precision.
"Isn't that Earl Warwick, the spiritual leader of the Tara people? What's he doing here?"
"I have no idea. Isn't he the Earl of Oak Grove County? Why would he suddenly show up in Londinium?"
"Haha, maybe he sneaked in."
The nobles' murmurs did not escape Felix's ears. Amidst them, he caught a familiar name.
He exchanged a glance with Degenbrecher. Degenbrecher moved to a spot not far from Mandragora and continued mingling with several noble children, while Felix began searching for his intended target.
He eventually stopped in front of Earl Bolton and raised a glass in toast. The earl responded with cheerful enthusiasm, clinking glasses and drinking heartily. After a few more rounds, Earl Bolton excused himself and returned to the lounge for a brief rest.
Around this time, performers carrying traditional musical instruments entered the hall, signaling the beginning of the evening's entertainment.
Victoria had also absorbed the musical culture of Leithanien, where such instruments enjoyed great popularity—just as Kazimierz embraced its own traditions of knightly tournaments. Each culture had its own flair, its own charm, and loyal admirers.
Felix wandered briefly before making his way toward the lounge. The guards stationed at the door looked him over but ultimately let him pass. At this banquet, Felix had already garnered the favor and attention of many nobles—mostly positive. The guards had no wish to lose their positions by stopping someone of his standing.
Stopping before a wooden door, Felix knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Pushing open the door, he stepped into a spacious lounge. Though the windows were open, a fireplace burned steadily, offering a modest warmth against the night air.
"It's you, Lord Felix."
Earl Bolton stood behind a desk, pipe in hand, gazing out at the starry sky through the window. Smoke curled upward as he puffed, a calm expression on his face. When he turned to Felix, there was no surprise—only a knowing smile.
"Excuse me."
Felix bowed slightly, a gentle smile on his face. He slowly walked over to Earl Bolton and stood beside him, lifting his gaze to the starry sky.
"Earl Bolton's territory lies in the far north, where the climate is bitterly cold year-round and wild beasts roam freely. Life is difficult for the residents, and it's a challenge for the guards to carry out their duties. Even so, Earl Bolton has provided food and supplies time and again—truly admirable."
"Hahaha, no, no. I've only done what any lord should," Earl Bolton replied with a hearty laugh. He narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly waiting for Felix to reveal his true purpose.
He was no fool. A noble of earl rank wouldn't mistake such flattery as mere kindness. He knew well enough that Felix must have his sights set on a particular resource in his hands—otherwise, why go to such lengths?
Felix reached into his coat pocket. Since the guards had already performed a search upon his entry, Earl Bolton remained silent. From within, Felix produced a small display screen. Once powered on, the screen lit up and an image appeared.
---
Mandragora gracefully swallowed the bite of food in her mouth and smiled at the girls beside her. At this banquet, her name was Mandragora Lanshem—Felix's younger sister. The girls accompanying her were daughters of noble families. Some were already adults, while others were barely ten years old.
It had taken some effort for young Mandragora to squeeze into this tight-knit circle. These noble children scrutinized her appearance and tested her manners with subtle questions and observations. Thus far, she had handled herself admirably.
She waved to her companions and exchanged a few words with Sister Degenbrecher. The atmosphere in this room was a little too stiff for her liking, so under the pretense of going to the restroom, she slipped out to catch some fresh air.
However, the manor was far too large, and Mandragora soon found herself lost. Though she wasn't someone who lacked a sense of direction, she couldn't quite remember how she'd entered this enormous estate.
Looking out the window, she could see that the central area of the manor was still bustling. But it wasn't as if she could climb out the window, right?
Just then, a faint noise came from behind her. She turned quickly, her senses alert, eyes fixed in the direction of the sound.
She had no weapon on her—not even her personal Originium Staff. If danger lurked here, not even Sister Degenbrecher might be able to rescue her in time…
Remembering the close-combat techniques Senomi practiced daily, Mandragora clenched her teeth slightly. A dangerous glint crept into her eyes as she moved toward the source of the sound.
But there was no follow-up. Carefully, Mandragora stepped closer to the corner. Leaning forward, she discovered a staircase—its lower half lit warmly, the upper half shrouded in darkness. It seemed this part of the manor had not been opened during the evening's banquet.
There were always some areas in manors like this where no guests tread. Aside from the maids and servants who cleaned occasionally, even the owner rarely visited. These secluded spots were likely servant quarters or rest areas, set apart from the main building and often forgotten.
However, Mandragora, ever observant, noticed something unusual on the floor—two strands of hair.
One was long and golden, the other a paler blonde. Their lengths differed enough to suggest they didn't belong to the same person.
Mandragora narrowed her eyes, glancing warily toward the upper floor like a cautious feline. Her cat-like tail swayed uneasily behind her. Who had been watching her just now? Had she wandered into someone's "territory" by accident?
Suppressing her unease, she bent down and discreetly picked up the two strands of hair—unlikely to draw attention—and quickly made her way out.
She still needed to find the bathroom.
—
"Did she see us?"
"…Sister, it doesn't seem like it."
"…Is that so? Good."
In the attic above, two shadowy figures leaned silently against the wall, whispering to one another.
"If you sneak out like this, the teacher will be angry," the younger one murmured.
"…No, Loughshinny." The elder girl hesitated for a moment, then responded calmly, "The teacher attended Earl Bolton's banquet in person, and Earl Bolton has ties to the Londinium Arsenal. Don't you find that odd?"
"Do you intend to follow the teacher blindly for the rest of your life?" Her tone was calm, but carried a quiet insistence.
"Sister, do you think the teacher is lying?" Loughshinny asked softly, her voice low and steady.
The elder girl gave no answer at first. Her eyes lowered toward the dark floor, her expression unreadable in the shadows.
"Loughshinny, you don't understand yet," she finally said. "Just follow my lead."
The younger girl pressed her lips together, then gave a small nod. "Okay."
The older one rose to her feet and gently helped Loughshinny up as well. "At the very least, I've glimpsed parts of the teacher's character and desires. Now, I want to understand what exactly he's planning."
A crooked smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Follow me, Loughshinny."
"I understand."
The two moved silently through the darkness. Eyes fully adjusted to the dim surroundings, they navigated with ease, needing no light to find their way. Their destination was the rooftop of the main building. From there, through the ventilation ducts, they could hear all the conversations they needed.
This wing served as the servants' quarters, and the maids were still busy attending to the banquet downstairs. With no one else around, sneaking through the area became far less risky.
The older girl had heard the teacher speak of Earl Bolton's sprawling estate, and during their stealthy infiltration, they'd already determined their exact position.
After crossing a hallway junction, the elder girl crouched down and prepared to enter the ventilation shaft. A low grumble escaped her lips—once again, she cursed her overly thick tail for getting in the way.
Still, she would proceed. It simply required a few extra steps and a bit more patience.
—
"Mr. Felix, this is…"
"This is a drone I developed," Felix replied with a composed smile. "The Columbian military and the Pioneer Association have expressed great satisfaction with its design."
His voice lowered slightly, calm and assured. "I believe this project has the potential to fulfill every expectation in terms of reconnaissance and convenience. Earl Bolton, what are your thoughts?"
Lord Bolton burst into laughter. He scratched his upturned beard and narrowed his eyes. "Sir Felix, what you're after isn't something from the military factory, is it?"
"Lord Bolton is truly perceptive."
Felix smiled. "I would be delighted to discuss the specifics of our cooperation with you—pricing, delivery schedules, and any possible customization requirements. I believe our partnership will be mutually beneficial and enduring."
"Haha! Mr. Felix, I must say—I much prefer this side of you over the scientist."