Altair and Hermes grew more familiar with each other as their conversation went on. Judging by his mannerisms, Hermes was a kindly old man.
At first, Altair had been quite wary of him because of his Spectator abilities. After all, how annoying was it when your opponent got a head start by knowing what you were going to do?
But as they chatted, that strange feeling gradually disappeared. If Adam hadn't been watching, Altair might have thought he was being hypnotized.
After an unknown amount of time, Adam, seated beneath the enormous cross, finally announced that the gathering was officially beginning.
Adam's voice sounded in Altair's mind once more. "As a newcomer, you should introduce yourself. You may use a code name."
"My suggestion is the Empress."
Altair considered Adam's suggestion briefly, then decided not to refuse.
After Hermes finished his greeting, Altair stood up, grasped the sides of his skirt, and spread them apart. With his knees slightly bent and his head bowed with a smile, he gave a proper curtsy. A second later, he straightened up, raised his head, and said:
"Good evening, gentlemen and ladies. You may call me the Empress."
After Altair's introduction, no one stirred at the bold code name. He nodded to everyone in greeting, then sat back down.
This was, after all, a world based on Western culture. As long as he didn't use the code name Empress in public, no one would bother making an issue of it.
As he listened to everyone introduce themselves, Altair noticed that most of them used code names. As for the few who gave their real names, he had no way of knowing whether they were genuine.
Watching everyone continue with their greetings, he thought, *There are so many people. How long is it going to