The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 497

Chapter 497: Ideal Distraction

Ha.

Who was he kidding?

This wasn’t just "more than he assumed." Because that would have been the understatement of the century.

Because the so-called VIP Lounge he was standing in now didn’t look like a lounge at all. Not even close.

It looked like a battlefield.

But definitely not in the way he was used to. No fists were flying, no blades clashing, no blood on the ground. But anyone with even a shred of instinct could feel it.

That low hum of energy.

That electric tension.

The way every single person in the room seemed to be just barely restraining themselves, like wolves circling prey and waiting for the right moment to pounce.

People were sizing each other up, but why?

He narrowed his eyes, letting the sensation roll over him.

Even he had to admit it sent a small shiver down his back. But he was fairly certain that it wasn’t due to fear, but to excitement.

But stars above, was it always this crowded?

He wasn’t about to voice the thought, but his aide apparently had no such restraint. The old orc leaned closer and muttered just loud enough for the King to hear:

"Is is this the usual scenario here, Your Majesty?"

Garick kept his face neutral, though he too was quietly scanning the packed room, where nobles mingled under the shimmering lights of the daycare’s VIP space.

Before he could even decide how to answer, his daughter beat him to it.

Princess Kira turned, grinning widely, her eyes bright with amusement as though she’d been waiting for the question all along.

"Of course it is," she said cheerfully, as though the thrumming spiritual pressure and barely suppressed competitive bloodlust were the most natural things in the world.

Her grin widened another fraction, and she added with no small amount of pride:

"This is even a slow day compared to when it opened."

Technically, she wasn’t kidding, because the daycare was always crowded and had been exceptionally busy when it opened.

But today...today was actually something else entirely.

It felt like half the Empire had crammed itself into the modest VIP Lounge. The air was thick with spiritual energy and something else—anticipation, almost frantic.

It was all part of the plan.

The Nox brothers’ plan. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Today, DG was rolling out a major update to the Sponsorship Store, as well as introducing this month’s second meal for the Top 500 VIP members.

Sure, they could still technically claim these meals before the month ended, but what if they missed out on other important announcements or experiences? Also, what if they missed their chance at some limited items, which were something these cadets were known for?

So, as expected, that thought alone had driven hundreds to crowd the daycare this morning.

But why today of all days?

Kira smiled faintly to herself as she watched her father, who sat in front of her. He was sitting still in the middle of the chaos, his massive arms crossed, his dark gaze sharp as he scanned every corner of the bustling hall.

For one, she was seriously trying to buy time. She wasn’t actually ready to explain just what had happened to her. And while this looked like she was running away from the issue, at least she was running with purpose.

Like showing her father that she was out here doing great work. And maybe, if he ended up interested in these, it would become easier to persuade him to let her stay.

Some nobles actually clutched their symbolic pearls.

The redhead, unfazed, motioned to the wall behind him.

A massive projection bloomed to life, showing a recorded livestream of Dylan, the popular streamer, who once "cheerfully" demonstrated how to prepare the drinks sold by Luca.

"This," Jax said evenly, "is one example of what we’re offering today. To make preparation easier, essential kitchen equipment and utensils will also be available for purchase."

That did it.

The crowd erupted into barely suppressed chaos, and people started using their terminals to call home for backup.

Even Garick could feel the ripple of hunger and urgency moving through the room like a living thing.

For the first time in years, the King felt out of place.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t heard of this strange phenomenon before. Even in the far reaches of the galaxy, whispers of these relic-like foods had reached him. He’d even caught wind of how much his daughter had already spent on them.

But he had dismissed it all as just another silly fad.

Until now.

Until he stood here, surrounded by these people, who looked this invested.

Was it really that good?

A sensible question. But one taste later, and he’d know the answer.

Beyond good.

Good enough to make even a respected leader, a conqueror of worlds, and a feared warrior king forget, just for a moment, who and what he was.