Chapter 95
Chapter 95
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: How Old Are You This Year?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
How old are you this year?
The day after finishing the dungeon conquest.
The conquest of the Undead Dungeon had caused a far greater stir than the previous two dungeons.
First, the vast lands of the Ronwood Plains—the empire's greatest granary before being tainted by demonic energy—had returned to the empire's fold.
Moreover, the demonic energy that had blanketed the eastern empire from the Ronwood Plains all the way to the Kokokus Desert, site of the fifth Abyss, had vanished.
This meant that supply lines and passageways to the front lines had opened up in one fell swoop.
Overnight, the empire's eastern defense line had transformed from a frontline into an advance base aimed at the fifth Abyss.
The imperial citizens cheered fervently at the string of victories against the Demon God.
And at the center of that fervor were their names.
'Crimson Scales' Alicia Cyrus.
'Saintess' Mine Rose.
'Heir to the Peerless Divine Sword' Aren Bright.
And the other 53.
Thanks to Ragnar's consideration, I was included among those "other 53," allowing me to escape the spotlight from the imperial citizens.
But rumors were another story.
When Yangram mobilized to retrieve us after the dungeon conquest, Duke Ren had appeared in person and whisked one person away leisurely.
Ordinary citizens might not have known, but in Louidel, there was no one who didn't know who that person was.
Already, whispers about me were bubbling up from the shadows, and even the instructors had started watching me closely.
Only Adelin treated me as usual, her expression half proud and half bittersweet.
A few days later.
"Congratulations, hero of the empire."
"The other 53, though."
As I sipped my drink in the cafe, Richard sat down across from me with those words.
The moment he took his seat, he ostentatiously placed the Shatter Spear I'd given him on the table.
Richard, who had resolved to become an academy spearman, had made considerable progress in the interim.
He had elevated his spearmanship to a level comparable to his original swordsmanship realm.
Thanks to that, he was posting fairly high scores within the conquest team using the Shatter Spear.
But an even more meaningful change was that concepts were starting to take root in him.
From our repeated interactions, I could sense it—Richard was more reasonable than expected and not as bad as I'd thought.
He still had that habit of treating commoners like trash, but at least he didn't cross the line.
Maybe because of me.
In any case, though unintended, he had somehow become one of the few people in the academy I could call a same-sex friend.
"But why are you here? Want to see the new shards I got?"
"No... I just came to ask if you're attending the victory banquet."
"Victory banquet?"
"Playing dumb, huh? The grand celebration at the palace for the victory."
I really had no idea and just blinked.
Reading my expression, Richard tapped the spear shaft with his fingers.
"You're slow on the news. The imperial family is preparing a lavish banquet to honor the empire's heroes. You might even get to see His Majesty if things go well."
"Can I even go there? I'm one of the other 53."
"According to Founding King Cyrus the Great's ideals, all academy students are invited. I heard in advance thanks to my connections, but it'll be officially announced soon."
Founding King Cyrus the Great had hoped academy students would unite to pierce the Demon God's heart.
Even lumped as 'others,' there were six academy students in this conquest, so it made sense.
The timing fit too. In the original story, the victory party happened after the third dungeon conquest.
I'd even bought a gift to give Aren right around then.
But why the palace?
And a victory banquet?
In the original, it was a modest student party in the academy's great hall.
Why had it suddenly been upgraded to an imperial victory banquet?
'Alicia must be behind it.'
Seemed like because the princess had led the conquest personally.
"Thanks for the info, but what's the point of asking me if I'm going?"
Once it's at the palace, I'd have to go whether I wanted to or not.
"...Well. I just wanted confirmation. There's someone who's been wanting to see you."
"Who skips an imperial victory banquet?"
"I heard you didn't attend the first Abyss victory banquet? Because of that, people who wanted to get acquainted with you at a party without the protagonist ended up disappointed."
That was because Just Guard practice was more important then.
Anyway. Once I expressed my intent to attend, Richard held out his palm as if his business was done.
He wanted a shard.
When I handed over about five rank-2 shards, he placed a money pouch on the table and stood up.
"You don't have to keep giving these anymore."
"...Hmph."
I have plenty of money now.
Somehow, it made me feel a pang of conscience.
As he turned to leave, Richard added,
"By the way, who's your partner? If you haven't decided, we could assign you a suitable lady."
"......?"
"You don't know? It's an imperial banquet. The basic etiquette is for men and women to enter as pairs. Sigh... This is why commoner stock..."
Richard left the cafe with a snide remark.
Staring at my now-cold drink, I rubbed my temple.
'Partner.'
There was a party event in the original where Aren brought a partner.
Depending on which heroine he brought, the events and cutscenes changed, and you could build affection.
Just not at the victory party.
The main event at the original victory party was Richard picking a fight with Aren, only to get marked by Alicia and kicked out.
No paired heroine event or anything.
My head hurt.
Since it was at the palace, not just students but imperial heavyweights would attend in droves.
Entering as a specific person's partner there was tantamount to publicly declaring, 'I'm in the same boat as this woman.'
Ragnar's face suddenly came to mind.
If he wasn't going to stop this, why had he come to see me and punched me? Unfair.
'Screw etiquette, maybe I should just go alone.'
Deep down, it felt like that might work.
A junior baronet was just a nominal title anyway, and I was essentially an uneducated commoner bastard.
Richard hadn't mentioned imperial etiquette to me.
Good.
'We could assign you a suitable lady.'
No.
If I hemmed and hawed, I'd end up forcibly paired with some lady from the noble faction I'd never met.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
'Ah.'
Come to think of it, there was someone to ask about this.
⁎⁎⁎
Pitter-patter.
Crimson tea was poured into the cup.
It was jasmine tea prepared by Adelin.
"You're right. The palace sent an official letter yesterday. I was planning to announce it tomorrow... But Richard told you personally?"
"Yes."
"Wow... I've heard rumors, but you really tamed the delinquent of the Dane family? It's amazing seeing it like this."
'I just collected friend fees.'
I was in Adelin's instructor office.
This wasn't covered by original knowledge. I couldn't assume my solo judgment was correct.
So I decided to ask an adult in a similar position: Adelin, a commoner who had received an honorary title.
As the jasmine tea slid down my throat, I saw Adelin preparing cookies beyond the cup.
'I thought she'd grill me about Rene's ability.'
Surprisingly, Adelin hadn't asked a word about that.
I had no intention of bringing up what I hadn't mentioned either.
"...So I wanted your advice. Don't you have experience with this, Instructor?"
"Of course."
"Isn't going alone okay?"
"Going alone would be the worst."
She shuddered with a look of horror.
"It's like pasting 'Claim me' on your back and charging into battle. You'd be hounded all night by high nobles trying to introduce their daughters and end up snagged by someone eventually."
It was obvious this was her own story.
"I went through hell too. So for the next banquet, I took special measures."
"Special measures?"
"I wore my sword."
Crazy woman.
No.
"...Is that allowed? They say His Majesty might be there."
"Of course not, but what does an uneducated commoner know? Someone should've taught me."
On this point, our minds aligned.
And it seemed like a decent idea.
'I devote my life to the sword.'
It even had a wuxia vibe. Nice.
"Then..."
"But it doesn't apply to you. I was the empire's greatest swordmaster even then. And I wasn't entangled with any guys... but you're pretty entangled right now, aren't you?"
"Then why bring it up?"
"To tease you."
Oh no.
Adelin leaned slightly toward me.
A mischievous smile played on her face.
A look ready to toy with me in my predicament.
This wasn't helping.
"Excuse me."
As I tried to stand, Adelin grabbed me.
"No one coming to mind right away?"
There were too many, that was the problem.
"If it's a political dilemma, I have a simple solution."
"Yes?"
"Go with me."
Adelin shrugged nonchalantly.
"No one will misunderstand since I'm your teacher. Low chance of useless scandals, and my name carries some weight too."
Hearing it, it made sense.
No logical counterargument.
"Is that okay with you?"
"Fine by me. I need a partner anyway. It'd be Crus or Instructor Kallux... neither's fun."
She set down her cup and grinned.
"How about it? Can't find a better partner."
Empire's greatest swordmaster and mentor. Neither imperial nor noble faction could pull nonsense against those keywords.
Adelin symbolized the empire's raw power, beyond political lines.
"Sounds good. It's decided then."
She nodded in satisfaction, taking my silence as agreement.
'No, not decided yet.'
What? Why did it feel like things were flowing without my input?
"Right, do you have formal attire?"
"No...?"
"Sigh... What to do with you."
Adelin looked at me pityingly.
"You're not planning to go in your training clothes, are you? Even I wore formal attire when I entered with a sword before His Majesty."
"..."
"Get a proper suit fitted... Wait... What time is it?"
Adelin checked the time and clapped.
"Perfect timing. I was going to buy you one anyway. Let's go now."
No. Hold on.
Just as Adelin grabbed my arm and tried to force me up.
Clack.
"What, you're here? I've been looking everywhere."
The wild Alicia appeared.
She entered the instructor's office as naturally as if it were her own room.
She glanced alternately at Adelin holding my arm and me being held.
For some reason, with a cold gaze.
"You two. What are you doing?"
"Your Highness."
But Adelin didn't avoid her gaze—instead, she yanked my arm harder, as if to show off.
She pulled so hard my arm nearly popped out.
"Coincidentally, I have urgent business with Halibal too."
"Urgent business?"
Alicia tapped her cheek with her fan and continued.
"Is it about the victory banquet?"
"You're well-informed."
"Naturally."
She strode to stand before me, opposite Adelin.
"As one of the banquet's hosts."
A bad premonition crawled up my spine.
What was happening now?
"Perfect timing, Halibal. Have you decided on a banquet partner?"
Before I could answer, Adelin cut in.
"We just did. He's going with me."
"What?"
"I'm just looking after my student. The kid's a commoner like me—doesn't know etiquette and has no formal wear. We were heading to get him fitted right now."
"Formal wear."
Alicia smiled softly.
"Then an instructor needn't step in. The palace is providing top-grade attire for the dungeon conquest's 'stars.'"
"No need to waste imperial funds on common clothes."
"Kufuht. The imperial coffers aren't so pinched that an instructor needs to worry. The Ronwood Plains territory we reclaimed will bolster them greatly."
"I'm worried my student Halibal didn't burden Your Highness too much."
Adelin bowed her head slightly toward Alicia with a smile.
But something.
Both smiling, yet it didn't feel like smiles.
As their gazes crossed in midair, I even hallucinated invisible sparks flying between them.
"Instructor Adelin Windsor."
"Yes, Princess Alicia."
Alicia's lips curved alluringly.
"How old are you this year?