Transmigrated as a Ghost

Marcus inaudibly clicked his tongue when Novak told him that Houten's top general was not present, nor had she made any public appearances in Armadura.

From the snooping around that Alaric had done, it was clear that she was up to something. All the suddenly added personnel and moving officers around was suspect. Marcus was almost certain that she must be up to something.

'I want to see if I could figure anything out by meeting her, but I guess that is not likely to happen. Maybe some ghostly investigating will be in order.' Marcus thought, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind.

Nevertheless, he had other things to focus on for now. This banquet was just as much a means of building morale as it was a chance to make connections with the top adventurers and officers of Houten's army. It would not be long before they were all fighting together and even just a passing familiarity with everyone would be important.

However, as Marcus and Mrazivý continued to socialize with other adventurers and the occasional member of Houten's military, it became impossible to not notice the constant glances towards them from a certain individual.

"This could be trouble. We've walked out of his line-of-sight several times, but he keeps moving so that he can continue looking at us. Or more specially, you Mraz." Marcus said, his voice tense.

"Yes, I know. He's not even trying to hide his gaze. And it's not like I'm the only one. He's looking at just about every other woman here lecherously."

Mrazivý did not hide the disdain in her voice, but confronting the guy would only cause problems.

The man who was looking around the banquet at women like he was shopping for groceries was Cerdo, Houten's third prince. It seemed that he was of a similar type to Mrazivý's disowned and deceased brother Soith.

Regrettably, Cerdo did not seem to be content with only looking and sent some of his advisors and guards towards the individuals that had most caught his eyes.

"You know, maybe you should have come here as Irene. Then I could have used you as a distraction again." Mrazivý said in jest to lighten the mood.

The scowl forming on Marcus' face quickly vanished and a slight chuckle escaped his lips. He could vividly remember the time Mrazivý dressed him and the fiery archimage Diana in revealing dresses in order to divert attention away from herself. At the time he had not appreciated it, but now he could look back on it fondly.

This did not change the situation they were currently in, but at least things did not feel quite so heavy. The two of them would just quickly deal with the problem and move on.

"Ahem. Excuse me miss. His highness Cerdo would like to speak with you in private. He has something important to discuss with you."

The one speaking to them was an intelligent looking man with graying blonde hair. His demeanor was clearly that of a scholar more than of a warrior, and it was easy to decern that he was one of the prince's advisors.

Standing next to him though, was a young man wearing mithril armor and a weapon at his side trying to look menacing. He was most defiantly one of the prince's guard knights.

Still, it was laughable that he thought he could intimidate any mithril rank adventurers. The young knight was undoubtably below level forty.

"Actually, I am the leader of our party. If the prince is looking to discuss a matter related to the upcoming mission, it would be better if it was with me." Marcus said, interjecting. He was hoping that these guys would back off if their pretext fell apart.

Sadly, they were persistent.

"His highness only wishes to speak with her. The matter does not concern you." The advisor said, glowering at Marcus.

Perhaps this was enough for him to usually get his way, but not this time. He clearly did not have much experience dealing with high-ranking adventurers. It only took a quick look around to see that the prince's other lapdogs were failing with the other women they were propositioning.

"I'm afraid that it does concern me. If he really must speak with her, he can do it with me present as well. I'm not only our party's leader but her husband as well." Marcus said, making his position very clear.

At this point the knight seemed to lose his temper. This probably was not his first time doing this and he was used to resorting to a show of power to coerce people.

Yet, as he put his hand on his sheathed sword, some else's hand grabbed his and prevented him from drawing.

"Now, I think that is enough. This is a banquet to boost morale. You don't want to turn us mithril rank adventurers against your prince, do you?" Novak said, a calm but fierce look in his eyes.

With a quick examination of the Great Hall, the prince's advisor could see that most of the mithril rank adventurers were agitated. They were not citizens of this kingdom and cared little for the actions of the Cerdo. If push came to shove, they would side with their fellow adventurers over their employer.

In cases like these, adventurers needed to stand together to show that they could not be pushed around.

"Novak, thank you, but there is no need to come to my defense. I can deal with this myself." Mrazivý said, moving forward and wearing a gentle smile on her face.

At first the advisor thought that someone was finally coming to their senses and that Mrazivý would accept the prince's invitation. Except his expectations were shattered immediately.

"Please tell his highness that I refuse to meet with him under any circumstances. I have no time to waste on someone as rude as him."

Mrazivý's expression the entire time was serene, but her eyes were filled with disgust. She knew exactly what kind of person Cerdo was and had no desire to interact with him in any shape, way, or form.