Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Intoxicated!
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Most nobles had a family villa in the royal capital.
It wasn't like everyone piled into the palace from midday just because a party was being held there, and the palace didn't have the space to house and feed them all anyway.
Even if it did, no sovereign's residence could possibly accommodate all its vassals under one roof.
So, nobles who arrived in the capital would head to their family villas to wait, then enter the palace at the appointed time. That was the usual custom.
Of course, there were cases where they went straight to the palace upon arrival—like when they had urgent business with the king, or needed to align their "stories" for an official event.
"Welcome, Young Lord Sion Klauzen.
We welcome you to the palace."
The palace chamberlain had come out personally to greet the star of this royal-hosted party.
By all the rumors, he was a ne'er-do-well—no, a wastrel of the worst sort.
Yet this young man had rallied the troops in the war against Nudia to secure victory, forced the enemy to retreat during the defense of the border, and wrung a near-surrender out of them in negotiations.
The chamberlain's head spun from the wildly conflicting reputations. One of them had to be false, and in cases like this, it was usually the latter.
Meaning, the "hero" bit was probably stolen valor—someone else's feats passed off as his own.
'Honestly, even His Majesty and His Highness the Prince had their doubts.'
The chamberlain's suspicions, and those of the king and prince, were entirely natural.
No matter how you sliced it, this was beyond suspicious—strikeout city.
"It's been a while, Chamberlain."
"Years, in fact.
But look at you— all grown up and even more dashing.
The noble ladies will swoon."
"Hahaha."
Sion could laugh freely at the compliment on his looks.
In the story's canon, Sion Klauzen was rated 'top-tier' in appearance, at least.
Not the usual 'manly,' 'rugged,' or 'eh, not bad' he got in real life. What a relief!
"But these companions of yours..."
"The lady is Miss Lucia, daughter of former court mage Raido.
And the gentleman beside her? Let's just call him Miss Lucia's escort."
"Ah, Miss Lucia? My apologies for not recognizing you.
I've hardly ever seen your face..."
"No, no, Chamberlain.
Father's so eccentric, he forbade me from even approaching the palace."
"The man next to me is Yu-hyun. Father's disciple."
"Pardon?
Master Raido took a disciple?"
"Just to clarify—not in magic. Something else entirely."
At that, the chamberlain let out an exclamation and offered Yu-hyun a handshake.
The man had never passed on magic or martial arts to anyone, yet here he was, taking a disciple. Time must have mellowed his rough edges.
For reference, Lily and Risikida were waiting back at the Klauzen count's villa in the capital.
Risikida had surrendered, but as a Nudian knight until recently, bringing him into the palace was premature. Lily, meanwhile, had skipped out to avoid the hassle of running into anyone who might recognize her amid all the mages and high knights swarming the place.
"Speaking of which, what brings you to the palace?
The party's still hours away.
His Majesty is occupied with state affairs at the moment."
Was this a knowing question, or genuine ignorance?
'Of course he knows, this old fox of a chamberlain.
Lying through his teeth without even wetting his lips.'
Word of Sion Klauzen's arrival in the capital would have reached the palace already.
And no sooner had he shown up than the chamberlain appeared to greet him.
This was as good as the king saying he was expected.
"I've come to report on the progress of the war and postwar matters, on behalf of Margrave Lichten Klauzen of the Margrave Territory.
I've also requested a private audience with His Majesty regarding tonight's royal party."
This wasn't some bumpkin from a rural estate—the heir to a margrave's domain was asking for a one-on-one.
The chamberlain, who'd served in the viper pit of the palace for over a decade, instantly grasped the young man's intent.
'He's saying his intel will benefit the royals, even if just a little.'
Since when was Sion Klauzen this politically savvy?
Rumors aside, the chamberlain had met him before.
Back then, he was a pretty boy whose actions only disappointed—exactly as expected, if not worse.
But now? Completely different.
Night-and-day didn't cover it.
He'd dealt with countless nobles and foreign envoys, so he could read people—their character, their emotions—from first impressions alone.
'What the hell happened?
I remember whispers not long ago about the grim future of the Klauzen Margrave Territory.'
Plenty of people claimed they wanted to change, or vowed to from now on.
Over half—no, nearly all—reverted to form.
Cowards who fled the battlefield stayed terrified of death to the end. Rapists never shook their lust. The perpetually aggrieved tried to burn it all down.
But this young man—this Sion Klauzen—had truly changed.
His once-dull eyes now sparkled with sharp intelligence. His twisted scowl had become a confident smile. And his words flowed without a single hitch.
As if he'd foreseen every contingency and was steering events to his will.
'The margrave must be thrilled—finally tasting victory.'
Maybe the war hero rumors were true after all.
Not like those other noble heirs who spouted fancy speeches, watched rearguard skirmishes, then scampered home safe.
"...This way.
We'll provide a separate room for Miss Lucia and her escort. Please wait there."
The chamberlain led the way into the palace.
Sion followed, stepping into the royal palace where the Hispania royals resided—for the second time as "Sion Klauzen," and the first time as himself.
No one entered armed, save the royal knights standing guard. Hidden elsewhere, the royal secret guard undoubtedly watched with keen eyes.
Accomplished mages stood ready against any assault. This was the palace.
'And even this place gets stripped clean.'
There had to be a weak spot somewhere. Or...
'A traitor in the ranks.'
Unfortunately, he didn't know who.
The novel never named them.
That's why he'd agonized over exploiting or preventing the palace incident.
'I've got two days' buffer.'
The unprecedented event hit two days after the royal party began.
Today and tomorrow were safe.
As the saying went, homework was sweetest done after all the fun—on the night before.
Sion decided to enjoy the party today while pondering Yu-hyun and the princess's issues.
Incidentally, he'd secure his nomination as heir to the Klauzen Margrave Territory and line up allies to back him later.
"Please wait here."
The chamberlain halted before an ornate door.
He cleared his throat, then spoke with exaggerated caution, as if addressing the king himself.
"Your Highness.
Young Lord Sion Klauzen has arrived."
"...Send him in."
An utterly ordinary middle-aged man's voice came from within.
The chamberlain bowed deeply, then carefully opened the door and gestured for Sion to enter.
'Waiting in a private study means at least one other person inside.
Ninety percent chance it's the prince.
Might as well hand him the party reins while I'm at it.'
Even when Yu-hyun showed up at a royal party before, the king had delegated almost everything to the prince and observed from afar.
Sion paused to consider his best approach.
Hispania's current king, Edgar IV, was undeniably talented as a monarch.
Sharp politically, adept diplomatically, and ruthless in leveraging advantages.
The issue? His health had been poor since his prince days.
To a nation, an ailing king was like living with a ticking bomb.
'In contrast, Prince Erader...'
Luckily, he hadn't inherited his father's frailty. Unluckily, he hadn't gotten the talent either.
He wasn't stupid or twisted.
By ordinary standards, Erader was capable and kind-hearted.
But "ordinary" didn't cut it for a future king—it plummeted disastrously.
His kindness became a flaw in weeding out the useless. His gullibility evolved into indecisiveness. His competence bred rivalry with superior nobles, turning them hostile until they abandoned him.
Had the royals not been massacred a year from now via the princess's lapse, Erader would've ascended—and turned Hispania into chaos.
External enemies outside, internal backstabbing inside—a grand madhouse party.
'So.'
He had to decide.
Impress the king with bold, capable noble heir vibes?
Or play subdued and introverted to soothe the likely future king's insecurities?
It was like a new recruit facing the squad's current boss—soon to rotate out—and the quiet private—poised to take over—asking, "Who's hotter?"
'Ha, fuck... Mom-and-Dad questions? Skip the fat jokes. Bu-chim vs. Jjigae? Just eat it. Jajang vs. Jjamppong? Jjam-jajang.
Didn't think I'd face another shitty army false dichotomy.
Fuck me!'
Well!
Choose.
Who ya got? Present power or future power?
'Obvious, duh.'
Present power, hands down.
But won't that screw you over with the future boss during your "military service"—aka life?
'Change the future boss, problem solved.
Why else is this the land of plots and backstabs?'
Even ace soldiers lose squad leader spots to one fuckup, straight to the brig.
He'd seen a buddy go down like that.
Wasn't incompetence—the "absolute evil" faction of the underclassmen sealed it with one shot.
The palace was no different.
If anything, easier. Sion knew the nobles' minds inside out, plus the current and future powers' characters and flaws.
"Sion Klauzen of the Klauzen Margrave Territory.
I pay my respects to His Majesty King Edgar Astarus Hispania, lawful ruler of Hispania and head of the royal house."
Unlike the lax etiquette among nobles in casual settings, utmost protocol was required here—in the palace, before royals.
Even as heir to a great margrave house, not yet officially named successor, Sion had plenty of room for error. He bowed lightly at the waist, awaiting the king's word.
"Welcome to the palace, Young Lord Sion of the Klauzen Margrave Territory."
The wait wasn't long.
Utterly mundane, like a neighbor uncle's reply to a greeting.
"Raise your head.
This isn't formal, so no need for stiff vibes—they're no fun."
Sion slowly lifted his gaze.
'...Fuck.
What the?'