Chapter 61
Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Banquet Night and New Home
-----------------------------------------------------------------
At the banquet hall, I was quite popular.
It wasn't like I had little girl fans trailing after some celebrity. Middle-aged men I'd never met kept bringing their daughters over to introduce them, each one asking if she was to my liking. I thought I was going to pass out from dizziness.
They kept subtly bringing up marriage talk without a second thought. No, I mean, I'm not thinking about that yet.
I was steeling myself to somehow escape this marriage hell.
That's when I spotted a familiar face.
It was Etilla, whom I'd crossed paths with at the academy before.
Perfect timing. Save me.
I hurried over to her and extended my hand.
"Sorry for springing something weird on you out of nowhere, but could you dance just one song with me?"
Dancing with Etilla—pretty, same age, wealthy family, outstanding magical talent—while coming across as friendly enough ought to keep the dads with their daughters from approaching anymore.
The best way to handle this was to erect a thick, unapproachable wall right beside me.
Of course, I had no feelings for her, nor she for me.
"If that's a request, I suppose I could oblige..."
Fortunately, she didn't seem to hate the idea.
I felt a bit bad for using her, but I'd shared magic knowledge with her before.
Just this once, please...
We surrendered our bodies to the most famous waltz in the Yustina Kingdom, like everyone else in the hall.
Naturally, I was leaving my body to Nob AI.
『♬ ⋒( ˙◡˙)⋑ ♫ ⋐( • ω • )⋑ ♫ ⋐( ˊᵕˋ )⋒』
It was far from the dance music I'd seen and heard in my past life, but watching others' moves while dancing had its own fun.
Etilla stared intently at my face.
"What's with you since earlier?"
"Didn't you always speak formally to me?"
"You speak informally to me too."
"That's true, but... anyway, I was just wondering if something changed in how you feel."
Did I need to make a big deal out of a change in mood?
It just felt silly to be formal with a same-age friend who spoke casually.
And I considered Etilla a friend, in my own way.
What happened inside the Hel Tank had brought us closer in various ways, so maybe it slipped out from sheer gladness to see her.
"Just like that?"
"Hmm... really?"
Etilla's expression looked subtly pleased.
"You pulled off some huge feats this time."
"Yeah."
"Everyone's talking about you. How's it feel...? I've had my share of that, though not on your level."
How it feels? What an odd question.
"It's fine, I guess. A bit happy, but mostly burdensome."
"That's unexpected. I figured you'd just shrug it off..."
What, you think I'm some android?
"Why'd you think that?"
"Because you handle everything so effortlessly. I thought it'd be no big deal to you."
Hmm, fair enough.
Nob AI, the undisputed top-tier, had neatly handled everything so far.
I simply smiled back at Etilla.
"...Annoying."
With her prim remark, the waltz came to an end.
Amid applause, we stepped down from the floor, and as expected, the dads with their daughters nearby looked displeased.
Mission accomplished.
I'd finished greetings with most people, wrapped up the annoying marriage talk, so now I planned to chill in a corner until the banquet ended and head out.
I was about to bid Etilla farewell when she suddenly turned serious.
"...I heard about your family."
The mood soured.
I hadn't expected that topic from Etilla, still just a student.
My older sister being a terrorist, my father in a coma, the mansion we'd lived in for so long burning down—it was hard to take lightly, even if I disliked the family.
"Um... my dad always says life has its ups and downs, that good things follow the bad..."
Etilla fidgeted with her fingers, barely continuing.
"So... I hope you stay strong. If it's tough, you can tell me anytime. Just don't dwell on the bad thoughts."
She'd brought up the heavy topic out of nowhere to comfort me, it seemed.
Like how she'd told me before the Polar Anomaly to come back safe.
"Thanks."
I unconsciously reached to pat her head but barely stopped my hand.
Close call.
Haniel had patted my head whenever praising me as I grew up, so it became a habit without me realizing.
As I inwardly sighed in relief, Etilla gently grabbed my wrist.
'Huh?'
She guided my hand to pat her head.
Soft, smooth red hair brushed against my palm.
"My dad says petting my hair makes him feel better, so I'll allow it... specially."
Her face red like a beet, Etilla said this while avoiding my gaze.
She looked just like a little hamster warming up to human touch, and I burst out laughing unwittingly.
And so, the banquet night deepened.
***
Ian glanced around as he walked.
He had arrived in the capital at Ester's summons.
Ian, who had grown sick of the bloodshed and screams on the battlefield and abandoned his life as an active knight in the Steel Lion Knights, was now living a second life as Haniel Tristy's bodyguard.
He had gone through much following Haniel and Ester lately, but if asked for the most peaceful time in his life, he could confidently say it was now.
Even if his employers changed and the mansion burned down, there was no reason to leave the siblings he'd been with since childhood.
Truth be told, with the money he'd earned so far, he could buy a house in a quiet, livable city and live leisurely for life without extravagance.
His reason for staying on as their retainer instead of retiring wasn't just the raised pay.
"Really... nothing surprises me anymore, young master."
About thirty minutes' walk from the Logness castle walls lay a quiet plain with a building erected on it.
The building was so uniquely designed it instantly caught the eye of any passerby.
While rich folks' and nobles' mansions were usually flashy and ornate, this two-story structure was excessively simple.
It resembled uniquely stacked white squares, exuding a luxurious, elegant charm.
It also used glass generously—half the outer walls were made of dark glass, no exaggeration.
It looked far sturdier and smoother than the stained glass in the palace.
From outside, the interior was invisible, suggesting it was mirrored.
Seeing Dalpi, who'd been inside, come out to greet him upon spotting Ian confirmed Ester had created something new with glass.
"Welcome. The young master and lady stepped out briefly."
"Ah, yes. This peculiar mansion is...?"
"The young master's work. It's also the house you'll live in from today, Ian."
Dalpi said Ester had built it right after the banquet ended.
Using a material called reinforced concrete, it was sturdier than any building in the kingdom. A merchant hauling construction materials had been so shocked he begged Ester for tips.
The building's unique exterior had sparked controversy too; an art magazine had covered it, and Dalpi handed Ian the paper.
『Yustina Art - Special Edition』
『A Genius Presents a New Direction in Art.』
『Do you know this building that captivates with simplicity? It's now a hot debate topic among kingdom architects.』
『The architect Dwidronde, famed for designing Count Richter's mansion, viewed Ester's creation and declared, 'I realized perfection isn't when there's nothing more to add, but when there's nothing left to subtract.' It became a sensation.』
『Other architects countered, 'Trying new things isn't the essence of art,' but plenty disagree, leaving opinions evenly split.』
『The creator is known as Ester Tristy (current Marquis of Saphirond), who observed the Polar Anomaly, developed antibiotics curing whiteskin disease, and mana suppressants—drawing even greater interest.』
『Artists call his style 'minimalism,' an abstract beauty from simplicity, not mainstream art but...』
Ian handed the paper back to Dalpi.
Art wasn't his domain, so it didn't resonate much no matter how much he read.
What Ian felt now was simply awe and pride.
That Ester, who once struggled to swing a sword, had become a genius revered by all.
He stayed by their side out of loyalty.
If he could protect their peaceful lives with his strength, he believed more miracles would happen in this world.
"Shall we unpack your things then?"
"Yes."
Ian followed Dalpi with a bright expression.