While I pondered my plan, Sophia spoke, "You're quite bold for a servant, offending nobles." She chuckled softly.
Saminah added, "Indeed, he's quite unique, I'd say, but not in a bad way."
I offered a gentlemanly smile. "To be praised by two Empresses is a great honor."
Sophia, I realized, wasn't malicious, but other nobles were. The commotion she caused had badly injured many nobles with her aura alone. I still felt a chill remembering our accidental encounter. Had she exerted more pressure, I'd likely be dead.
Seeing them getting along, I whispered to Saminah that I needed to act; she nodded, waving her hand in dismissal.
I left and went to the first floor. Unacknowledged as mere servant, I scanned the crowd, spotting a normal-looking man. That was my target.
He was an assassin, hired against Princess Fiona. Sophia's anger wasn't solely due to the numerous injuries caused by Saminah's aura, but also to her daughter's minor cut. The guards were severely injured by Saminah's aura; this injury could have been avoided.
I needed money and fame. Saving the princess would be mutually beneficial and I smiled, a bit creepily from others' perspectives.
The Grabbing Shallow technique at the ready, I waited for the assassin to be off guard. I threw a glass of water, temporarily blinding him; momentarily stunned, he wiped away the water. I then seized the opportunity, swiftly throwing a bottle of wine. Though skilled, he wasn't likely protected in sensitive areas.
He clutched his groin; he felt the painful impact. I smiled. The banquet erupted into chaos.
"Guards! That's a lunatic! Catch him! That man might die!" they shouted.
Upstairs, the two Empresses watched with interest.
The assassin, enraged after I repeatedly hit his crotch, emitted a powerful, dark aura. The nobles were shocked; the banquet had turned unexpectedly dangerous.
He finally grabbed my neck, enraged.
I smiled, giving him the middle finger. "Fuck you; you're dead." Just then, Saminah descended, swiftly beheading him and teleporting the body away.
Kneeling, I spat out blood; the man had imbued his hand with dark mana. It was a cowardly move. He couldn't stand a mere beating and had resorted to using dark mana, often linked to corruption and murder. Dark mana is easily detectable, due to its powerful, evil aura; it's concealable only by the most skilled, often tier 5 mages and knights.
Standing, I smiled. "Thank you, my Lady." She nodded, surprised I'd sensed the mana. She'd ask later, back at the castle.
I surveyed the shocked crowd, then turned to Sophia, smiling. "Don't you think I deserve a reward? I just saved your daughter."
"That was one of the Dark Crow Organization's assassins, hired to kill your daughter," I revealed.
The crowd was shocked again, questioning the motives behind the assassination. The Dark Crow Organization is notorious; you have to pay a substantial sum to hire their services. Some showed admiration; others whispered in disdain.
Empress Sophia asked calmly, "How did you know he was an assassin?"
"It's simple. His mannerisms and the tattoo on his back the Dark Crow symbol made it obvious," I replied. (Of course, a lie, but some people have crow tattoos).
She nodded, although not fully satisfied, the explanation sufficed.
Princess Fiona was perplexed. Knowing she'd been targeted sent chills down her spine. She approached, offering a false smile.
"Thank you, my benefactor," she said, her voice sweet, though the smile was forced. Gab, her childhood friend, had abandoned her; she felt guilty and was quite distraught.
I whispered, "Don't force a smile. Be mindful of your feelings." My voice was atypical; I usually use a playful tone.
Aloud, I resumed my playful tone. "Might I be so bold as to request one Divine Fruit from your treasury?"
The nobles were displeased, whispering, "This servant is really greedy and daring. "
Empress Sophia was about to refuse since it's exceedingly rare; it's too valuable, but I countered,
"If you refuse, does that mean a Divine Fruit is more valuable than your daughter's life?"
She paused, sighing—this servant was cunning. If she refused, her daughter might be deeply offended.
I smiled when she nodded. As I left, the banquet effectively concluded.
Princess Fiona processed my words. She shrugged and sighed, "maybe i could understand what he meant soon."
Before Saminah and I departed, they gave me a golden apple. Satisfied, I hid it in my pocket.