The Demon Against the Heavens 127 Palpable tension

Left and right sat dozens of Goblins crossing glasses and stuffing themselves as they cackled heartily. Caesar met Helial's gaze and gave him a smile from the high platform reserved to Orma's big shots. Nelia, for her part, frowned at the King, who was so drunk he was indulging in jokes that didn't quite suit his status.

Caesar's arm wrapped the shoulder of the man sitting next to him, who gazed at him in amusement: "Can you see, Aure? Even a Human mudslinger like you must admit this guy has some balls! Do you know any other Goblin who'd sworn to protect our people? Hahaha!"

"Damned old fag, get your hand off me before they think I have the same taste as you," the other laughed noisily. "Humans are enemies as long as they plan on killing Goblins. If this one is so dedicated to our Nation, only time will tell us," he then added with a mysterious smile on his face.

"You fucking party pooper!" Caesar burst into laughter as he lifted a wine carafe. Only Aure, second Immortal in Orma, would dare talk to the King this way.

Unlike the human world, where social hierarchies came with a strict set of formalities, Caesar and the Orman past Kings had always pushed for the right of the lowest folk to approach the monarch with their head held high.

The Goblin population was a fiery one. They despised the structure of human society. Clans and Sects did now require some rules of etiquette, but they were nowhere as strict as those of Humans.

Helial was wearing the warmest smile. Circe wasn't taunting Lumia, as he had begged her not to so as to let everyone enjoy the party. The brow of the little girl though was constantly knitted in a distressed frown. His fiancé on the right and his sister on the left, Helial was sitting before the most delicious dishes.

While drinking and eating, he noticed that the Goblins he exchanged a few words with were nothing like the suspicious people he had imagined them to be. They were all treating Lulu and Frankenstein politely despite them not being part of the aristocracy. The two Goblins were invited to the party only due to Helial's insistence. Or rather, he didn't need to insist too much. After a few moments of silence, Caesar had accepted immediately. This was one of the extraordinary breach of etiquette no Human would have dared to make.

For the first time in a while now, Helial was relaxing and getting loose to the pleasure of that warm serendipity. He had never had the chance to speak with Goblins in such easy circumstances; he had always been to immersed in training. He just now realized that his reclusion didn't help with the idea Goblins had of him. Unfortunately, the only Goblins Helial had met before where cold and suspicious towards Humans, since they were mainly member of the Sect of the Worthy.

Caesar had introduced him to Aure before the party began. Helial had caught himself wondering what the Immortal thought of him. Aure though exerted no pressure on him, nor cast him threatening glances. He resolved for a smile and a few courtesies.

"So… Medusa can offend anybody while Aure treats me politely?" Helial murmured to himself later.

Aure wasn't a simple one. He didn't betray no hint of disdain for the Human race. Apparently, Immortality required at least a bit of reason and a deep understanding of the world.

Iblis stayed silent for the entire night, which Helial seemed not to notice. He was too caught up in the new people he was getting acquainted with. Right in front of him was sitting Caliban, who had promptly introduced him to some special members of the young generations.

"Helial, you've already had the pleasure of meeting the young lady of the Clan of the Heavenly Eagle, Comodus' future bride," Caliban lively said. Caliban was a merchant, so he had a longer history in attending social events than Helial. And it showed. The two guys were now pretty fond of each other. Helial stopped by the Merchant Guild to exchange a few words with Caliban on multiple occasions.

Helial nodded as he said: "Hi, Francesca. It's nice to see you again."

Francesca smiled. "So my mother is acting irrationally as usual. I bet many of these Seniors turned their nose up at the idea of this banquet. Which doesn't seem to have bothered her the least." Suddenly, Francesca greeted someone behind Helial with a twist of her hand. "Now forgive me, but I have to go," she said. She walked past him without further ado.

Helial was in her same position. He barely had the time to exchange a couple words with everyone, especially since he was sitting and could only interact with those around him.

From time to time, Lumia would cast Circe a glare. The Witch was wearing a dress whose tight black bodice really emphasized her voluptuous figure.

As she stared scornfully at that abundance, Lumia brought her hands to her breasts. But she only touched her own chest, where lay nothing but a wasteland. She did have the features of an angel, but it weren't for her long hair, she could have easily be mistaken for a little guy. She shook her head and started listing out in her mind what she could have that Circe hadn't. So she pinched her bottom, but only touched bones.

Lumia gave a sigh and grabbed a wine carafe, which her elder brother promptly took off her hands.

"Lumia!" Helial exclaimed.

Lumia tenderly squinted her eyes and said: "What?"

"The wine!" said Helial as he swayed the glass she had just filled.

Lumia nodded, the most innocent expression on her face, then added: "Can I have it back?"

Helial was about to put it away when someone took it off his hands.

"Easy, little girl. I'll take the wine who poured by mistake," Circe laughed charmingly. "You can have some juice. Wait, here's a servant. He'll get it to you in a minute."

Helial felt a pretty huge incoming headache. He stood up in the attempt at not being caught in that crossed fire.

Caesar had suggested that he shook as many hands as possible among the young generations of Orma. He should chat with the best talents in town. Run away from his seat really seemed the best option now.

Suddenly, a piercing glare was shot against his nape. He turned and caught sight of many people behind him, none of whom was gazing at him. Then, in a corner, he spotted a young Goblin holding a wine glass who was surrounded by two women. One was lifting up a bunch of grapes, which the other took to the youngster's lips one by one.

A sudden ringing in Helial's ears.

Comodus.

The two sensed a palpable tension. Yet, no one else seemed to have taken notice of that exchange of looks.

The corners of Helial's lips curled up as his slightly bowed his head to the heir of the Sect of the Worthy, who imperceptibly stretched his glass outwards and hinted a bow in response.

Barely noticeable in the general shambles of the party, Caesar's Human disciple Helial, whose talent was compared to that of Pseudonym, and the heir of the Sect of the Worthy Comodus, first detractor of the Human race in Orma, finally met face to face.

Helial felt slightly shaken and saw it fitting to go back to his seat. A little chaos ensued in his heart.

A mere look was enough to let Helial know that Comodus would be no easy opponent. And he knew he would be his opponent, one day. He knew for sure.

Skill Activated:

Perception

Helial tried to examine Comodus' Aura, but found out it was somehow screened off. He couldn't sense anything in particular. Helial felt a shiver run down his spine. Comodus really was a mysterious, unfathomable figure. This controversial attitude and ambivalent behavior really made him and his father two quite disquieting figures.

Chapter end