The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 959: A Humble Fallen Archon

It didn’t take long to make it to the royal palace, though I did notice a lot more shuttles in the air space as we approached. And as I looked out of the window to the grounds of the palace, my face turned pale.

"Oh... Oh no...."

There were countless individuals around the palace and the flashing... So much flashing from cameras... "I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go out there."

Valerica giggled. "Oh, don’t be silly. It’s not that bad. Look here is what’s going to happen. Considering I am a guardian, we are going to be put down in an... Let’s just say a populated area. We get through that then work the stations one by one.

You won’t have to talk to anyone, I don’t think, all you have to do is smile and wave and after a few hours the event will begin."

"A few hours..." I repeated back to her, my eyes going hollow at the thought. Though there was one comfort.

"At least we will all be in it together. Right?"

"Ha!" Hecate laughed. "You think I am standing in front of all that for hours? Not on your life. Me and Circe will sneak away to the palace and mingle with some high ups. Perhaps get some private funding for our illeg- for our research."

I narrowed my eyes at her slip up. "Hecate, you aren’t still diving into the Psionic plane with that trap are you? You know what will happen if the Praetorians find out."

Hecate and Circe proceeded to give each other a not so subtle look before Hecate suddenly exclaimed. "Oh look! We are landing! Apollo, we will discuss this more later... Maybe... Possibly..."

I just gave Hecate a look, I doubted that very much.

...

After we landed, I took a deep breath. It was a few hours of hell... I could manage. The door to the shuttle opened and I stepped outside swiftly, to rip the bandage off. However, much to my delight, there were no photographers present.

We were surrounded by a large translucent dome, most likely a defensive barrier of sorts. There was a handful of other nobles present, conversing with one another, most likely wanting to wade off the torture for a bit longer.

"No, they aren’t trying to put off the shoot like you are, my baby. They are networking."

I turned to Valerica, shocked, prompting her to giggle before explaining.

"Like I said, you aren’t built for this political sphere. All your thoughts are so easily read on your face."

"Oh." I said, slightly embarrassed before Serena grasped my arm and pointed in a direction.

"Apollo, look over there, I see red hair. Do you want to go and meet some family? It might calm your nerves."

"Sure? Why not? Are you coming as well, Valerica?" I asked

Valerica suddenly snapped back to me, appearing shocked upon realising Serena was glued to me.

She frowned for a moment before looking back across the crowd.

"Give me a minute, a lying fuck is giving me eyes I don’t appreciate. I’ll catch up." She said before walking away.

I followed where her gaze was just looking to see an older gentleman. Appearance wise he was mid forties-ish, with jet black hair and pretty decent looks.

"Who’s the guy?" I asked Serena, she glanced over and suddenly smirked.

"Oh my~ That Apollo is Varro Vardanis. Brother to the late Military King, Lysander. I haven’t seen him in public for at least a decade. How interesting that he is here."

"Lysanders brother? Wait! Is he the guy Valerica had an- mmhhmmh?"

Serena had placed a hand over my mouth and suddenly whispered into my ear. "Apollo. Be careful what you say out loud here. There are ears everywhere... And yes, that’s the man she had an affair with."

I took another glance over in the direction, judging by Valerica’s shoulders, she did not look pleased to see the man. Before I could ask further questions though, Serena began dragging me away towards the rest of the family.

...

" I was placed in charge of the family business after my trial because I work hard and don’t waste resources! You can’t call me a nepo you stupid fucks, I’m the youngest out of the three of us... And your nephew! If anything, blame yourselves for bleeding our banks instead of making the family money."

"Oh, shut it Ryan. We do plenty for the family. We were just telling you to keep that ego of yours in check."

"Exactly, you are our Nephew. You shouldn’t be bossing us around like that. Have some respect, or we will have to use some tough love to teach you some manners." The man said, raising his first, prompting Ryan to scoff.

"Try it, ass breath. Even with my lacking military career, I can still kick your old asses."

"Thats it, you little shit, get ready for an ass whoopin’!

The two men attempted to go on the offensive, but before they could their ears were suddenly grasped violently and the worst possible think that could happen suddenly occured. "DEX! LUKE! What the fuck do you two shit for brains think you are doing?"

"M-Momma?" The duo said like it was the last words they were ever going to say before suddenly yelping as Serena twisted their ears further.

"Attempting to fight your own Nephew at such a prestigious event? Are you both high?" Serena then looked around and spotted somewhere private. "You two come with me, we need serious words if this is how you are behaving in my absence."

"Ah! Ow!"

"Mother, you are pulling too hard! OW!"

Being left behind as Serena pulled two forty year olds away like they were delinquent teens, I turned to, who I assumed was, Ryan and was about to speak to him before another voice spoke out to him.

"Not bad, Ryan. Standing your ground in front of those meatheads is commendable." It was a woman, A Hyllus judging by the crimson red hair. She appeared youthful, with a narrow face and wide light blue eyes.

She was quite short for a Hyllus woman, being roughly 5ft6 and she looked like she had no muscle on her at all.

She also looked very prim and proper, like an actual noble.

"Aunty! Good to see you" Ryan spoke happily upon seeing her and proceeded to hug her familiarly.

The woman grimaced. "What have I told you about calling me aunty? We are the same age."

Ryan started laughing. "Yeah, but seeing you get miffed brightens my day."

The two shared a soft laugh amongst themselves for a moment before Ryan continued.

"Have you seen Rhea from the first family? I saw her a while ago, apparently she was with Grandma on the same warfront before coming here."

The woman suddenly perked up. "Rhea is here? I haven’t seen her in ages! It would be good to catch up with her and-"

The Hyllus woman suddenly paused, noticing my presence. I was about to introduce myself, but...

"Excuse me? We are trying to have a private family conversation here, do you mind? Go provide shade for someone else." She then actually shooed me away with a hand gesture, shocking me.

"Katie, maybe we should verify who he is before insulting the man." Ryan whispered into her ear, though I could hear it.

"Actually, wait a moment. Introductions are in order. State your background, I don’t recognise you as a member of an ancient family." The woman, Katie, spoke. Looking me up and down before grimacing as she looked at my clothes."

’The audacity of this little...’ I stopped my train of thought and decided to have some fun at her expense. Serena would go ballistic upon finding out and if Valerica found out... Perhaps it was best to leave it at Serena...

Putting on a slightly intimidated tone, I replied. "Forgive me, my lady. I saw this gentleman being accosted by the other two and came to offer aid if needed. I may only be a humble Fallen Archon, but-

"-A Fallen Archon? You mean a bum? Begone from our presence, you pauper, at once! Lest you face Hyllus Wrath. LEAVE!"

I performed a deep bow and hastily walked away. I then proceeded to roll my eyes as I heard her comment once she thought I was out of earshot.

"Do you believe the audacity of these low lives? A fallen Archon talking to us? Unbelievable... Ugh! I feel the need to bathe again... Disgusting hobo." Katie spat out venomously as she began to rant.

As his aunt began to rant and vent about the disgusting encounter she was just forced to deal with, Ryan frowned as he watched the large man walk away. The Phrase ’fallen Archon’ triggered something in his memory. The family guardian Valerica and the family’s current matriarch, Kathrine were linked to a fallen Archon... He shook his head. It was unlikely it was the same one... Though the odds of a fallen Archon being in this section of noble docking was unlikely...

’I have a bad feeling...’