Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 084
Chapter Title: Bad Guy
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"......"
"......"
A tea party hosted by Eve von Loengrin.
Let's just call it a tea party. In any case, this gathering was closer to a council of representatives from each division rather than an exclusive salon for the capital's noble ladies.
Considering the political symbolism inherent to Jefrin itself, the Student Council President was akin to the 'emperor' of the Loengrin Empire, with everyone else as her subjects.
Thus, it went without saying how much attention was paid to which side the current Student Council President aligned with, what path she took, how she assembled her executive board—and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Factor in special budgets, task forces for unique duties, and implementation teams for campaign promises, and the budget at stake for a single one of Eve's projects was astronomical.
That was why crowds formed like mountains just to catch a single word on Eve's recent interests or what had piqued her curiosity. And my seemingly useless bloodmate was, in fact, an incredible talent.
However, according to the settings for imperial events, royals sometimes attended in the emperor's stead.
So, my attendance at this tea party in Eve von Loengrin's place wouldn't diminish its prestige at all.
In any case, I decided to go.
"His Imperial Highness Prince Wolfram von Loengrin attends as proxy for Student Council President Eve von Loengrin."
Wow, introducing me as a real prince.
Aren't there no ranks in Jefrin except for Eve von Loengrin?
Whatever. They called my name, so I took my seat, immediately feeling a torrent of gazes pour onto me.
Have you ever actually felt a gaze?
I mean sensing that countless people are looking at you.
Honestly, it's weird.
Gazes don't have mass, so how could you feel them?
But right now, I did.
Countless gazes directed at me.
Some trembled in fear. Others glared daggers. Some averted their eyes, while others watched with keen interest.
Until I entered, they had been sniping at each other, biding their time—but now every eye was on me. Absurdly, I felt the weight of that gaze-storm like a physical force.
Frankly, it terrified me.
Thinking about it, this was a banquet of second-years and above—nobles who had been exploited by Wolfram von Loengrin.
Was I walking to my own death?
Just as my legs began to shake...
My mind cleared in an instant.
Ha, this is no joke. As expected of a tier-1 skill.
My spirits lifted right away.
"Why is Lord Wolfram here?"
"Hm."
"I thought you'd returned to the palace."
"......"
Ah, straight-up dissing me.
I'd like to go back too, you know?
Really...
?
What is this?
I didn't intend it, but my mouth opened on its own.
Eh?
"【Insolent. Ignorant. Arrogant. Impudent.】"
"...E-excuse me?"
"【Have you forgotten that the one before you is Wolfram von Loengrin? The greatest bloodline—the most legitimate among them!】"
"Ah, aaah... U-ugh. Kkh."
"【Have you truly forgotten that this Jefrin is merely a model garden?】"
"S-sor, sorry, sorries."
"【Disrespecting the imperial direct line is high treason. Does your house believe it can bear that?】"
"...Ah, ugh. Uuugh..."
"【Answer.】"
"S-sorry. Sorry. We're sorry. So sorry. Sorry..."
......Ah.
Everyone lowered their eyes.
Crazy.
"...H-heek."
"P-please spare me. I-I didn't do anything."
"P-Prince Wolfram. S-sorry. N-no, I didn't say anything, nothing at all."
What do I do with this atmosphere?
They're all shivering.
Tier-1 skill means if they underestimate the bloodline, it auto-counters like this? Wow, I seriously had no idea!
In the original story, Eve von Loengrin was never disrespected, and Wolfram just got stabbed and died, so how would I know?
Whenever I glanced around, they trembled. No—there was one girl not shaking. Instead, her eyes sparkled even brighter as she looked my way.
"Daughter of the Ciela house."
"Yes. Prince. Regina Cielra comes to pay her respects. Have you been well?"
"Hm. All is well."
"Hee hee. That display of imperial dignity just now... It reminded me of last year's grandeur. My heart is still racing."
"Hm."
"However, the others have surely rediscovered the imperial dignity as well. I beg you, on my life, to sheath it once more."
"So be it."
"You're different from last year, as expected. Then, please forgive all sins and deem it as if it never happened."
Regina chuckled as she spoke, and the prickly tension in the air eased just a fraction.
Hm. Why is this girl suddenly saying this?
Ah, I get it. This is that.
Well, I'll play along this once.
She was the one who defused things, after all.
"Very well. All is as if it never happened."
"Of course. Everyone, you heard His Highness, right? Prince Wolfram von Loengrin merely could not tolerate insults to the imperial house. There's no personal grudge, so let's all relax and begin the council."
With that, the council started. Regina Cielra sat right beside me and whispered very quietly.
"Thank you for granting my request. I am grateful for Your Highness's boundless magnanimity."
"No matter. Going hard here would have made things awkward for me too. Good thing you stepped in."
"Your words alone are thanks enough."
"So. Will you cash in the favor?"
"How dare I presume upon Your Highness."
"No, I don't see it as a favor. What I'm saying is... about the daughter of the Citrus house whom you shielded—the one who mocked me. Seems you wanted to rack up quite the debt."
At that, Regina Cielra's eyes widened in a flash.
Well, obviously.
Regina Cielra might not look it, but she's incredibly calculating. She stepped in to mediate thinking someone would feel indebted.
"...As expected, I can't outmatch Your Highness. My defeat..."
"Do not dare speak of defeat. Daughter of Ciela."
"Y-yes?"
"I said do not speak it."
"Ah... Yes, understood."
If you admit defeat here, that makes three losses to me—after the tournament and midterms.
Your route unlocks then.
I have zero desire to enter your masochistic mental world—now or ever!
After that, the council proceeded more normally than expected.
To be precise, I just sat with arms crossed, listening as the nobles conversed among themselves.
More substantial topics came up than I'd thought, with the occasional intriguing tidbit.
"Speaking of which, Lady Trista isn't attending today either?"
"No. She rarely shows up anyway."
"Such a shame. I hoped she'd grace us with her presence."
Seems Aila doesn't attend these much.
And the girl who brought it up glanced my way.
Who was she? Not a combat type, not support...
Ah, right. The in-school reputation character.
Loves spreading rumors, gossip about romances—probably Jefrin newspaper club.
Putting her in your party boosts reputation gains.
Her name was...
"Something to say to me, eldest daughter of Tabloid?"
"Y-yes? You know me?"
"Of course. Jefrin Newspaper Club. Pillar of the opinion faction. Second-year Magic Division member. Next club head. Daily Tabloid."
"H-how do you know all that...? The next head info—where did you... Ah."
Ah, that gets decided in Act 3.
So the next club head is high-level info?
Sorry. Not my concern. And frankly, you messed up.
"Casually mentioning another's fiancée to gauge reactions? Imperial marriages are grave matters—you forgot not to trifle with them?"
"S-sorry..."
"No next time. Be warned."
"Y-yes..."
As expected.
If I'd engaged on Aila here, tomorrow's Jefrin paper would've run: Prince Appears Alone at Fiancée-Less Event: Feeling the Weight of His Love!
She's the type teetering between journalist and tabloid hack—Daily Tabloid, after all.
Anyway, as I nodded along with interest, watching the mid-level and rookie faction leaders chatting in groups...
As expected of a noble tea party—higher-tier talents popped up now and then.
Intriguing. Some I'd often partied with in the original, others tricky to use.
Some even stuck through to Act 12 with growth.
"Jefrin truly is a treasure trove of talent."
"Oh? Even Your Highness sees it that way?"
"Hm. Lady of Ciela, is it?"
"Please call me Regina Cielra."
"Refused."
"Always so cold. That pleases me too."
Wow.
A beautiful elf with flowing golden hair smiling like that should be at least a little exciting—but if it's Regina Cielra, it's genuinely terrifying.
"Withdraw. I only wish to observe the talents' council."
"Oh? Enviable. Invites from Your Highness's faction might arrive, no?"
"No such intent. And I have no faction yet."
"...Hee hee. Humility again. But enviable. I'm just 'Lady Ciela'—who will seize such chances...? So very envious. Hee hee. I might just feel a tiny bit... a little jealous."
Why the sudden switch? Don't. You're scary.
"No matter. Seeing capable talents converse is joy enough."
"Your Highness called this a treasure trove. Then, do you know who sits here?"
"Of course."
"Oh? Then name ten from this gathering? Hee hee."
"I refuse bets that decide win or loss."
"No. Just a little game."
"...You wish to game with me?"
"Yes. If I lose, I obey one command from Your Highness. If I win, consider one request from me."
Hm.
No idea what request, but ten names? Fine.
"That lady is the second daughter of Icewind. Hilia Icewind. Magic Division talent mastered ice and wind magic to tier 6 each."
"Oh."
And I named the others.
Seeing them only in the settings book made recalling each profile fresh and fun as I spoke.
I named nine total, then for the last—for fun—glanced right beside me.
"And finally, Regina Cielra. Magic merchant. Eldest daughter of Ciela."
"...You see me as talent?"
"Hm. Frankly, yes. Magic power 21 genius, unparalleled talent."
"...Eek. Th-thank you..."
Regina Cielra covered her face with both hands and bowed deeply.
Honestly, she's a big deal.
Magic power 21 isn't easy. Even Aila's at 19. Fairy Queen is 20.
But that 21—no, even multiple 21s—can't surpass one 22.
The monster called the Magic God's reincarnation. Eternal despair no one, not even Eve von Loengrin, can overcome.
"Yet talent remains trapped on the mountain, never reaching heaven. Is that why you court death?"
Did I over-detail the previous nine? More slipped out unbidden.
"............Pardon?"
"No, nothing. Forget it."
The tea party was mere lunchtime diversion and soon ended.
"Um, Your Highness? What did you just say about me..."
"I said forget."
"Ah, bu-but."
"Forget. That's an order. It was the game's condition."
"Ah... Ugh. Understood. A deal's a deal."
"Good."
As the tea party ended and I rose, something struck me.
Come to think of it, she's an original heroine too.
And if her heart truly breaks, she spirals all the way.
Her bad end: loses will to live, vegetates comatose, cared for lifelong by Kelters.
Hm...
Well, some old affection—might as well give a word of advice.
"Regina Cielra."
Ah, forgot to say 'daughter of Ciela.'
Whatever, just deliver the message.
"...Y-yes?"
"Always wear an accessory that blocks curses, related to blessings."
"...Wh-why say that?"
"If you don't want to crumble."
The tea party ended like that.
In any case, filling in for Eve let me scout talents and learn a bit about the Imperial Bloodline skill's secrets. A profitable gathering.
"Hm. Eve will surely respect me more for handling her duties while she's down. She needs to learn to revere an elder brother."
And then.
Awakened Eve chewed me out: What the hell did you do while I was out?! The factions are in uproar!!
I'm innocent.