Rodrick still kept his half-risen posture, one hand braced on the edge of the table.
"The fourth floor forbids combat." Noah said. His voice was still that calm, as if he were stating an ancient rule. "Here, I must ask everyone to remain restrained."
Before the words had quite fallen, a faint, heavy pressure seeped into the hall from all directions like ghostly mist.
It did not intend harm, yet it made everyone's breathing pause for half a beat.
Rodrick's body went rigid. He held that forward-leaning posture, fingers slowly loosening from the table edge, then sat back down little by little. For the first time, a clear wariness showed on his face.
No one else in the hall spoke.
Noah turned around and took his seat at the head of the table, as if everything just now had been nothing more than a brief interlude before the banquet began.
"Sit." he said. "Rest well tonight."
With Noah seated, the banquet officially began.
