Chapter 9 - 9: Royal Family and Welcome Feast

“I extend a warm welcome to all of you, Great Heroes of the otherworld, to the Empire of Light!” The man with light brown hair and vibrant blue eyes greeted us with a wide smile, his royal attire and jewel-adorned crown marking him as none other than the Emperor.

“Samuel,” Khione called, summoning her bodyguard forward.

“Allow me to introduce you to the Emperor of the Empire, Emperor Philip Raydawn.” Samuel stepped forward, positioning himself in front of us.

Philip returned the gesture with a charming smile, causing a few of the girls to blush—seems the allure of an older, handsome man was indeed universal.

“Welcome, Heroes. It’s a pleasure to have you here,” Philip greeted us warmly.

Next, a stunning woman rose to her feet. With long honey-blond hair and bright blue eyes, she exuded an undeniable allure that captivated the attention of many.I could see that every male in my class was staring at the Queen’s protruding breasts that seemed to be about to pop out of her off-the-shoulder regal gown. Easily the hottest milf I’ve ever seen.

“The Great Empress Helana Raydawn,” Samuel introduced her, emphasizing her regal presence.

Following her introduction, another duo approached, appearing to be around our ages—a handsome young man and a striking girl.

“I am Geoffrey Raydawn, First Prince of the Empire of Light. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the brown-haired prince introduced himself, flashing a grin that rivaled even Jason’s cringe-worthy protagonist smiles. His charismatic demeanor elicited giggles and whispers from the girls among us, who were clearly taken by his charm.

Next a melodious voice rang from the honey-blond haired princess.

“I am Adelia Raydawn, the First Princess of the Empire of Light,” she announced graciously. “I extend my warm welcome to the Great Heroes from beyond our world, expressing heartfelt gratitude for your willingness to aid our Empire. Your presence is deeply appreciated.”

Her words flowed with a charm that captivated the attention of all present, particularly the male contingent. Yet, amidst the exchange, I couldn’t help but notice a subtle exchange between Adelia and Jason, marked by a gentle, knowing smile from Adelia.

Oh boy, I knew where this was getting headed.

“Your Majesty,” began Amelia Carter, surprising us all with her initiative. “As the teacher entrusted with the care of these students, I hold their safety in priority. While I understand the necessity of their involvement in defending your Empire, I implore you to prioritize their well-being in all endeavors they undertake.

Furthermore, I seek assurance that none of my students will be coerced into combat.”

Amelia’s heartfelt plea resonated deeply with us, evoking a sense of respect and admiration. Even I found myself moved by her dedication to her duty.

King Philip, too, appeared taken aback, perhaps expecting different demands. However, he nodded in agreement, offering his solemn assurance. “You have my word. The safety of these Heroes is of utmost importance. They will receive training from our finest knights and will engage in simulated combat before facing true adversaries. Rest assured, no one will be forced into battle.”

“Thank you,” Amelia murmured, her relief evident in the respectful tilt of her head.

“Now, please, we have ample time for conversation. Please, help yourselves!” declared King Philip, gesturing graciously as servants laden with dishes began to fill the table, inviting us to partake in the lavish feast.

The aroma of the sumptuous meal stirred my appetite, eliciting a growl from my stomach as the scent of meat wafted tantalizingly.

Perhaps it was the tumultuous journey my body had undergone, transitioning from youth to age and back again, infused with the energy of a Goddess, that left me feeling ravenously hungry. Or, it could simply be the lingering effects of a divine encounter, a memory still fresh in my mind.

I reached for a glass, filling it with what appeared to be freshly squeezed orange juice, taking a tentative sip.

“Hmm, could use a bit more sweetness,” I mused to myself, though I found the flavor satisfying nonetheless.

Before me lay a spread of opulence reserved for royalty alone.

Observing the gathering, I noted the formation of cliques, friends congregating in their own circles. Being accustomed to solitude, I found myself unaffected by this social dynamic.

Suddenly, a keen intuition, perhaps heightened by my high VISION, alerted me to a presence behind me. Instinctively, I reached out, grasping a soft hand before it could disturb me.

“What happened to your hai…” began the voice behind me, only to be interrupted as I swiftly turned to face my younger stepsister, who had been about to remove my cap.

“..Hair?” She was surprised that I caught her hand from behind.

“Hair?” I echoed innocently, concealing any indication of surprise.

She eyed me skeptically. “Your hair. Did you dye them?”

Despite my attempts to conceal it, my altered appearance hadn’t escaped her notice.

“Dye them? Do you truly believe my first act upon arriving in another world would be to dye my hair white?” I laughed.

Siara seemed upset by my response.

I ignored it and observed her.

She donned a captivating blue dress that hugged her curves elegantly. Though her bust didn’t match her elder sister’s, her beauty was undeniable.

“It’s because of my E-Ranked Skill,” I divulged to her.

“Oh, your Skill? Like side effects?” she probed.

“Yes, just enhanced senses and white hair, nothing too remarkable,” I responded with a touch of self-deprecation.

“It’s a handy skill,” she said, perhaps out of pity.

“You look pretty, Siara,” I complimented, diverting the conversation.

“Thanks,” she smiled, but her eyes were fixed on Jason conversing with Commander Cecilia. It was clear she longed for his admiration.

Seeing her desire for Jason only intensified my craving to conquer and fuck her.

While such desires were unattainable on Earth, in this world, all things seemed possible.

After all, I had even been sucked by a Goddess.

With nothing to say anymore Siara left.

Looking around, I noticed that I wasn’t the only one alone.

Aisha Miura was also alone sitting gracefully on a chair.

As for Gwen…

She found herself cornered by Commander Oscar, who seemed intent on charming her. It was understandable; she did cut a striking figure in her emerald dress. Yet, despite her outward composure, her gaze betrayed her irritation.

The lavish feast carried on for another hour, the King engrossed in conversation with Khione and Ms. Carter, undoubtedly discussing matters of great import.

Eventually, we were escorted to another wing of the castle where our accommodations awaited. Each of us had our own room, meticulously prepared, with the boys and girls segregated into separate quarters.

Sleeping within the confines of a castle was a privilege reserved for few, and the opulence of our surroundings only served to underscore this fact.

Surveying my quarters, I couldn’t help but be impressed. The room resembled something out of a luxury hotel suite, every detail exuding opulence and sophistication. From the gleaming furnishings to the sumptuous bedding, everything spoke of extravagance.

The bed, with its expansive canopy, beckoned invitingly, and I couldn’t resist sinking into its plush comfort.

With a smirk, I tapped my temple, reaching out to Khione through our mental connection.

“Dear Khione, could you join me in my room?”

There was a moment of silence, but I knew she couldn’t have missed my request. Her Divine Skill was too potent to overlook such a summons.

“If you don’t come I will have to order it.”

(“I..have work to do.”)

“Well, you can do that after our little meeting. Come right now.” I said coldly and cut off the transmission.