82
From Noble mtl dot com
Ball.
Titled as a “gathering to foster harmony among Western nobles,” the host of the ball was the Von Wolf gang.
The Repelheight, the right-hand man of the Emperor and the lord of the West, was too high in status to host a ball like this. Perhaps a victory celebration would suit him better.
Hence, although relatively inferior in status, the Von Wolf gang, uncontested as the right-hand of the West, became the host of the ball.
And on the night before the ball.
Nobles invited from all corners of the West visited the Von Wolf gang.
A long line of carriages stretched down the mountain, with one carriage at the front that everyone could recognize.
A red flag adorned with roaring golden lion’s manes fluttered. Four riders on horseback accompanied it.
Among the many nobles, only “they” were allowed an escort.
It was obvious whose carriage it was.
“Evnis seems to have arrived already.”
“Yes, it appears so. By the way… Aren’t those clothes uncomfortable, sir?”
Those clothes?
What clothes?
Ah, these?
“Not particularly.”
“Sir Adrian, ahahahaha… They suit you quite well.”
Come to think of it, what I’m wearing now is the Von Wolf steward uniform given to me by Frommen.
I had hidden the Selenium uniform in my bag. I’ll wear it at the ball.
Right now, I’m playing the role of a trainee steward brought in by Frommen as his successor.
Hence, I was able to board the carriage with Alfred.
“Getting through should be easy. The problem is after getting through. I know of a secret room, so stay there for a day and then come to the ballroom. I need to prepare too.”
“Sir Adrian, it’s a matter of status. Once inside, you’ll have to handle everything on your own.”
“I don’t mind.”
It’s better to do things alone.
“Phew, it’s really starting now.”
“Don’t be nervous, sir. If you’re too tense, the master might notice that you’re hiding something.”
“Yes. Oh, Sir Adrian, and there’s my sister’s room.”
#### Translation:
Next to the mansion stands a spiral tower. There is a light on at the top.
“… Is that it?”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t go there. The ball hasn’t started yet, and my father must have deployed a large number of guards nearby.”
“I see.”
At that moment, a knocking sound was heard from outside the carriage, and the butler, Fromman, stood up, shielding me with his body, and skillfully opened the window.
“Welcome. You’ve come with Lord Alphren. I will inform the Count and Countess.”
“Oh, yes! I will guide you right away!”
The carriage took a different path from the procession.
In this way, I infiltrated the Wolfang family mansion without being noticed.
* * *
“Here it is. If you open the wardrobe and then open the bottom here, it connects to my underground room. I made it myself, so no one will know.”
“Wow… Lord, did you know about this?”
“Ahahahaha… Follow me.”
We descended the ladder into the basement, and what appeared was a simple training ground.
An old scarecrow. Broken wooden swords were piled up in one corner, and a dusty sword was scattered on the floor.
Fromman, Alphren, and I descended in order onto the training ground floor.
“… What is this place?”
“I made this training ground myself. The Wolfang family is a magical family, but I prefer swordsmanship, so I secretly trained in swordsmanship without my parents knowing.”
I see.
I’ve never heard of such a setting before.
“Well, it hasn’t been long since I made it… Anyway, you can stay here for a day. I’ve spent many days hiding here, away from people’s eyes, so there’s enough food and water.”
I see.
When I opened the box, there were sealed food and water inside.
So, I have to endure the night here and head to the ballroom.
Well, it’s definitely a good idea… but isn’t it too reckless?
Sometimes people have to be bold.
“Alphren, do you have any other plans after this?”
“Oh, yes. I’m going to meet my father and mother, and later there’s a dinner with Rayna and several other noble families.”
“Then I’ll join you.”
“… What? What?”
Why are you so surprised?
I have to see the faces of those who are attending as well.
This appearance at the ball will be an opportunity to announce myself not only to the Academy but also to the nobility of the Empire.
“Are you going like this? If you get caught…”
Of course.
Just going like this would be insane.
“No, I’ll go with your butler.”
“Yes?”
Fromman, who was standing next to me, quietly approached.
“… Adrian, are you really okay with this?”
“I have confidence in myself.”
“hahahahaha, with your perfect acting skills, it might turn out fine. I’ll cast a simple disguise spell for you, so trying it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Y-yes?”
“Sir, your performance is truly crucial.”
Alright.
That’s settled.
* * *
Thud.
The sound of a single footstep echoed, and everyone in the grand dining hall held their breath.
No one dared to lift their heads easily.
Her status, dignity, and lineage weighed heavily on their shoulders and necks, making it impossible for them to raise their heads.
It was the duty of a student to fulfill their obligations.
What she wore itself was a ‘badge’ of Selenium, symbolizing the school uniform and the golden badge indicating excellence. A sword at her waist.
Evegnis Rothschild de Repelheight walked steadily and sat down in the seat prepared for her, resting her chin on her hand with a bored expression.
“How tedious.”
Dinner with influential heirs.
Of course, politically, it was a good position. The nobles invited to the ‘Western Harmony Feast’ were at least those acknowledged as nobles in the West.
Everyone present here were ‘heirs’ of influential families, all of whom could potentially become their own factions in the future.
Or rather, that was the problem.
She was the leader of the West.
Heir of the Repelheight family.
Already, there were those eager to make connections.
Hadn’t she already experienced this boredom at the academy?
Though familiar faces, she didn’t particularly feel like engaging in conversation. Yet, as people kept approaching her, Evegnis politely responded and turned her head towards someone she knew.
Then, she was surprised.
“…Reyna? Your face…”
“Oh, Lady Evegnis, I apologize. hahahaha, my face is a bit swollen…”
They wore the same uniform, but her eyes were red and puffy.
It seemed covered with makeup, but it was noticeable.
So, she had to ask.
“What’s wrong? Is it because of Adrian?”
“No, it’s not that.”
She who always smiled.
At the academy, all she saw was her smiling.
The one who was more lively than anyone else at sea, now sat there with puffy eyes, not eating the served dish, just staring.
“I’m sorry, it’s a family matter, I can’t easily talk about it.”
“I see… But if you need advice, feel free to ask anytime.”
There must be something going on for sure.
But she drew the line first.
She probably needed time to think. Whatever words are said now won’t provide comfort.
And next, her gaze was directed to…
“Thank you for offering me the territory. I enjoyed the sea. Alphren.”
“Oh, yes! Thank you very much!”
…What’s this?
Her voice was subtly trembling.
Didn’t she respond well at sea?
Yet, Ebnis saw Alphren’s gaze continuously turning to the attendant beside him.
Ebnis, too, cast a fleeting glance at the attendant.
A face she’s seeing for the first time.
“Seeing his face, he seems like a new attendant. Is he worried about making a mistake in this position?”
Or maybe it’s just the tension in this place.
A reasonable answer came out.
Alphren continues to drink water as if his throat is burning, and the attendant silently pours water into the empty glass beside him.
Here, relieving the tension of both the attendant and Alphren is the virtue of a leader.
“Is that attendant a newcomer? Quite a fine attendant.”
“Oh, hahahaha, hahahahaha…”
“Not intervening in our conversation, not even trying to listen, carefully observing the master, then finding and presenting what’s lacking. Quite perceptive and sensitive attendant.”
Alphren bowed continuously, and Ebnis turned her head back to Reyna.
“Reyna.”
“Yes, Lady Ebnis.”
“Has he returned to the academy?”
“…No, he, has something to do, said he would stay at the sea territory for two days and then go back. Perhaps he hasn’t returned to the academy by now?”
“Send someone to check if he really went back.”
“Excuse me, but why…?”
Well, he could have said he’d go back but didn’t actually go back. That person, always like that. Always hiding and if left alone, causing trouble, what is he planning this time…
“Alphren? Are you okay? Your face is really red…”
“I-I’m… really… fine!”
At that moment.
The attendant who had been quiet opened his mouth.
“Young master, it seems your hangover is not fully gone, so why not go back now.”
“…?”
At the same time.
“…Kelly? Why? Did you see something?”
The silver-haired attendant with a calm expression beside Reyna looked in the direction where Alphren had disappeared.
“No, no, I didn’t. …I just thought I saw someone familiar.”
“Are there not many familiar people to Kelly here?”
“Master, if I may have a brief moment of your time.”
“Go ahead.”
At those words, Kelly gracefully bowed and then disappeared like the wind.
Reyna muttered as she looked in the direction where she disappeared.
“Why is this happening? It’s not like her at all….”
* * *
It was a journey back with Alphren on his back.
“Stop right there.”
Something brushed past her ear and stuck to the wall in front.
A dagger, perhaps.
From Noble mtl dot com
Even without turning around, she knew. Yes, the only one who recognized her and followed her here.
“…Kelly.”
A character Reyna had planned strategies with during the Melwood Elian boss battle.
Her comrade, her equal.
“…Why have you come here? This is not a place where you should be.”
“I thought you were a mage, but I didn’t know you were skilled in assassination.”
Daggers tucked under the fluttering skirt hem were faintly visible.
Even now, with one on each finger and one aimed at her.
“This is just basic. Adrian, why are you here? Explain yourself. Otherwise… I’ll have to deal with you.”
“I know you’re confident in your abilities, but first, understand your situation properly.”
Eventually.
With a swish, small daggers and shortswords appeared on either side of Kelly’s neck.
“This, this is…? Where did you get these from?”
“From now on, if you attack me, these two daggers will pierce your neck.”
“Ugh….”
“Finally, you seem to understand a bit.”
I turned to face her.
“I asked why you came. Isn’t that simple?”
“…?”
“Kelly, don’t you also know? The true purpose of this ball.”
“….”
“I don’t sit idly by and let my fiancé be taken. If you plan to let me go, focus on this matter. Think carefully about what is best for your master.”
He bit his lip and bowed his head.
“…I didn’t see you today.”
As he quietly spoke, watching me walk past him.
“But, this is outside the academy, and the opponents this time are real nobles. You might end up dead.”
“I do not die.”
Try to kill me.
No amount of oppression, threats, or force will make me kneel.
I have always survived.
And the next day.
[Before we begin this ball! Let us welcome Viscount Kailsen Volfgang and Viscountess Alren!]
The ball that would change destinies had begun.