The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Its presence was a comfort, a silent promise of strength and protection.

I briefly considered bringing the devil hobgoblin servant, dressing him in a hood to conceal his identity. But it was the royal castle, and an investigation would be unavoidable. There were those at the banquet who could sense demonic mana, and the risk of exposure was too great. It would only create unnecessary trouble.

As I finished my preparations, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Alfred entered with his usual impeccable timing, as if he had been waiting for the precise moment.

"The gift for the royal prince, the little brother of the queen, is ready," Alfred reported. His expression, though composed, carried a hint of concern. "However, our funds are dwindling. It is advisable to start our plan to secure additional resources as soon as possible after the banquet."

I nodded, acknowledging the necessity of his advice. "Very well. We will address it immediately after."

Alfred hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "My lord, you mentioned earlier that you would not bring as many retainers as usual. I must express my concern for your safety."

"Efficiency is key, Alfred," I replied. "Bringing a smaller, elite group allows for greater maneuverability and less attention. We need to be seen as efficient and effective, not ostentatious."

Alfred sighed, a rare display of emotion, before smiling. "At least allow me to accompany you throughout the banquet, my lord."

I gave him a small nod. "Of course, Alfred. Your presence is always valuable."

With the preparations complete, I made my way to the dining room for a brief meal. The maids and servants were already assembled, ready to see me off. Their loyalty was palpable, and I responded with a nod of acknowledgment.

As I sat down to eat, one of the maids approached cautiously. "My lord, is there anything specific you would like for the banquet?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Just the usual arrangements," I replied curtly, not wanting to engage in unnecessary conversation. "Ensure everything is in place."

She bowed and quickly retreated, leaving me to my thoughts. The meal was simple but nourishing, a necessary ritual to prepare for the evening ahead. As I ate, my mind wandered to the potential alliances and negotiations that awaited at the banquet. Each interaction would need to be calculated, each word carefully chosen.

After finishing my meal, I stood and glanced around the room. The servants watched me with a mix of respect and anticipation. "Let\'s move," I commanded, and they sprang into action, gathering my belongings and preparing for our departure.

As we made our way to the entrance, I could hear the quiet murmur of their conversations, the occasional burst of laughter. Despite the gravity of the evening ahead, there was a sense of camaraderie among them that was almost comforting.

Alfred walked beside me, his usual stoic expression in place. "The carriage is ready, my lord," he informed me. "The knights are in position, and the officials are briefed on their roles."

"Good," I replied. "We cannot afford any mistakes tonight."

Alfred nodded, his eyes sharp and attentive. "Understood, my lord."

As we stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted us. The carriage, a sleek and elegant vehicle emblazoned with the Drakhan family crest, awaited. The horses, well-groomed and restless, pawed at the ground, ready to depart.

The carriage awaited, emblazoned with the Drakhan family crest. Flanked by ten knights, two officials, two maids, and Alfred.

"Let\'s not keep the royal court waiting," I said, climbing into the carriage. Alfred followed, taking his place beside me. The door closed with a soft thud, and the carriage jolted into motion.

As the carriage rolled through the streets, I observed the disparity between the nobles and commoners. The capital was a city of contrasts, with opulent estates standing alongside humble dwellings. It was one of the smaller, yet significant, problems highlighted in the kingdom\'s quests. But in my current position, I couldn\'t blend in with the commoners to understand their struggles firsthand.

For that, I needed Liora and a second identity to gather more information.

The bustling market district was alive with activity, merchants shouting about their wares, and children darting between the stalls. Despite the vibrancy, there was an undercurrent of tension. My gaze swept over the scene, noting the tired faces and wary glances.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out ahead. A group of rowdy individuals blocked the road, their shouts and aggressive postures indicating trouble. The knights moved to handle the situation, but I signaled for them to stand down. This required a more delicate touch.

Using the Psychokinesis pen, I lifted the ringleader off his feet, suspending him in mid-air. The rest of the group fell silent, their eyes widening in fear and awe. Alfred, ever the swift and skilled operative, moved with lightning speed, disarming the troublemakers and restoring order within moments. The ringleader, now trembling, was gently lowered back to the ground.

"Apologies, my lord," he stammered, his bravado evaporating. "We didn\'t know it was you."

"Ensure this does not happen again," I said coolly, releasing my hold on him. "There are consequences for disrupting the peace."

The crowd parted, whispering among themselves. "It\'s the Drakhan crest... Earl Drakhan himself..."

"He\'s as ruthless as they say," one merchant muttered, eyes wide with fear.

"We\'re lucky he didn\'t punish us more severely," another added, voice trembling.

The incident was a reminder of the delicate balance of power and the importance of maintaining control. Alfred\'s efficiency and my decisive action had averted potential chaos, a testament to our combined skills.

As we continued, the atmosphere in the market remained tense. People stepped back, giving the carriage a wide berth. The crest of the Drakhan family on the side of the carriage gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of authority and power that few dared to challenge.

A few streets later, a small band of pickpockets attempted to take advantage of the distraction. With a flick of my Psychokinesis pen, I lifted their stolen goods from their hands and returned them to their rightful owners. Alfred apprehended the thieves with practiced ease, his movements swift and precise.

"Return what you have taken and leave this place," I commanded, my voice as cold as the steel of my sword. The thieves scrambled to obey, their faces pale with fear.

"Thank you, my lord," a woman said, clutching her recovered purse. "You are most merciful."

"Do not mistake efficiency for mercy," I replied, turning away. The woman nodded quickly, understanding the implicit warning.

As we moved through the more affluent districts, the architecture became increasingly grand. The streets were cleaner, the buildings larger and more ornate. The people here were better dressed, their gazes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they recognized the Drakhan crest.

"Is that Earl Drakhan?" a young nobleman whispered to his companion.

"It must be. I\'ve heard he\'s unforgiving and incredibly powerful," she replied, casting a cautious glance at the carriage.

Even here, the reputation of the Drakhan family preceded us. It was a necessary tool, one that ensured obedience and respect, but also one that required careful management.

As we passed through another district, a minor noble\'s carriage collided with a street vendor\'s cart, spilling goods everywhere. The noble began berating the vendor, his voice loud and cruel. I signaled for the carriage to stop.

Alfred disembarked first, his presence enough to silence the noble. "My lord Drakhan wishes to know what the commotion is about," he announced.

"Earl Drakhan...?" The noble paled, stepping back immediately. "I-I apologize for the disturbance, my lord. It was a mere accident."

I remained silent, my gaze cold and piercing. The noble\'s eyes darted between me and the vendor, sweat forming on his brow. Under the weight of my silent scrutiny, he turned to the vendor, his demeanor suddenly contrite.

"I am sorry for my behavior. Here, take this as compensation." He handed over a pouch of coins, his hands shaking.

"Thank you, my lord," the vendor said, bowing deeply. "Your fairness is greatly appreciated."

The noble, now thoroughly intimidated, bowed hastily to me before scrambling back into his carriage and driving off at speed, eager to escape my presence.

As we resumed our journey, I reflected on the necessity of maintaining a fearsome reputation. It ensured swift compliance but required constant vigilance.

The streets grew narrower as we approached the grand royal castle. Its towering spires and imposing gates loomed ahead, a testament to the kingdom\'s power and history. The air was filled with the hum of activity, preparations for the banquet in full swing.

Alfred, ever attentive, opened the carriage door. "We\'ve arrived, my lord," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

I stepped out, the weight of the evening\'s responsibilities settling over me. The royal banquet awaited, a convergence of power and ambition. With Alfred by my side and my resolve firm, I was ready to navigate the intricate dance of politics and influence that lay ahead. The future of the Drakhan legacy depended on it.

"So this is the royal grand castle of Regaria Kingdom..."