Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Only Thing I Can Offer Is Carbonated Drinks, Carbonated Drinks, and More Carbonated Drinks
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Those who hadn’t returned to the resumed party were all members of noble houses under investigation, as they’d been extremely close to Kashugar.
The rest of the nobles, excluding them, were faithfully heeding the royal family’s request, eager to demonstrate their loyalty to the royal house whose mood was currently at rock bottom.
‘Still, the atmosphere’s already gone straight to hell.’
Just moments ago, crazed lunatics armed with swords had infiltrated the palace and run rampant—if the vibe were good after that, it’d be weirder.
Wondering if more crazies with wild eyes might barge in at any second, most of the nobles—save for a few—were clearly struggling to hide their unease.
“I deeply regret this unfortunate incident.
However, thanks to the loyalty of those who thought of this kingdom and stepped up, we thwarted their vile conspiracy without a drop of blood spilled. We shan’t cower over a mere section of the palace wall crumbling.”
“...”
“So, along with the triumphs of the past, enjoy this ‘victory’ as well.”
It was Edgar IV, deliberately emphasizing the word ‘victory.’
With the palace walls breached and intruders storming in, calling it a victory might not fit.
But as he said, they’d crushed that terrifying plot without anyone getting hurt, so calling it a ‘defeat’ would be a stretch too.
With those words, the royal banquet resumed.
Festive music, premium liquors, and scents of fine perfumes, just like before.
Yet the faint chill lingering in the air was something no one could dispel.
“Tch.”
Marquis Bolko approached Sion, his expression screaming his displeasure with the current mess.
“These fools who cheered at war victories now piss themselves the moment blades turn their way. What a pathetic show.”
“Someone might hear you, Marquis.”
“That’s the point.
Like you said, those who just watched from behind during the war think it’s all glory, honor, and gains.
And the vast majority of the noble trash gathered here are exactly those guys.”
With that, Marquis Bolko emptied his wine glass in one gulp, his gestures brimming with frustration.
The Leidenen Marquis House had always charged at the forefront when Hispanya went to war, mercilessly cutting down enemies.
If the Klauzen Margrave Territory was a reliable shield, the Leidenen Marquis House was a sharp spear.
‘The only downside is their temperament—they’re so fierce and prickly that only the royals can rein them in.
And though it’s in the future, the biggest issue is...’
Ludwig Leidenen’s existence, of course.
He had middling talents at best but firmly believed he was some unparalleled master.
Hell, even if Kim Yu-hyun showed up and smacked him upside the head, the guy wouldn’t land a single hit.
“Speaking of, I don’t see Ludwig around.”
“Why? Planning to pick a fight again?”
“As if.
Do I look like that kind of thug?”
“I can see it coming.”
“...”
“Just kidding.”
Jokes delivered with such a straight face—did they even exist?
Sion nearly blurted out, *What’s with the ice-cold humor around here?*
“The boy’s headed back to the family estate.
He said seeing the palace attack made him itch to swing his sword instead.”
“I see.”
“You’re thinking, ‘That punk bolted out of fear,’ right?
Aren’t you?”
“No way.”
Marquis Bolko burst into booming laughter at the reply.
Sion laughed along, and somehow, it felt like they clicked pretty well.
“Grabbing a young friend for lame joke battles again?”
It was a voice he’d never heard, a face he’d never seen.
But Sion’s mind had already neatly cataloged him.
‘The only ones who can speak so casually to Marquis Bolko of the Leidenen House—excluding the king—are two: the heads of the Guzen and Oneer Marquis Houses.
But the Oneer head’s bedridden with illness, so Estia came in his stead.
Which means this guy is...’
Marquis Joaquin Guzen.
While Marquis Bolko was central to Hispanya’s war efforts, Marquis Joaquin was the linchpin in economics.
The Guzen Marquis House had started as massive merchants aiding the Hispanyan royal founders, so it was natural they’d risen through commerce and sustained prosperity via economic might.
“Marquis Joaquin Guzen.”
“Long time no see, Young Lord Sion.
How many years has it been?”
“...It has been a while.”
No clue when wild child Sion Klauzen had last visited the capital, so he just glossed over it.
Luckily, Marquis Joaquin merely shrugged with a ‘Yeah, it’s been ages.’
“The money grubber’s here.”
“And you’re the old brute who thinks everything’s about brute force?”
“...”
No, seriously—these old guys weren’t kids, so why the instant growling?
Sion watched Bolko and Joaquin glare coldly at each other and let out an ‘Ah’ of realization.
He’d forgotten.
How utterly toxic the Guzen and Leidenen Marquis Houses’ relationship was.
They were the type who’d devour each other on sight.
If asked if it was a cutthroat ‘you die, I live’ rivalry, he could firmly say no.
If those two houses truly went at it, all of Hispanya would shake.
They knew that, so they never crossed their self-set ‘lines.’
‘But right up to that line? They trash-talk each other with unholy glee.’
The Leidenen House always led war charges.
Thus, they despised those who took war lightly and refused to see armed forces as people.
Naturally, their tempers burned hotter than fire and were prickly as hell.
Conversely, the Guzen House centered on commerce and economics.
They habitually weighed every gain and loss, detested needless brawls wrecking trade routes, and viewed emotional outbursts as utterly low-class—never showing theirs.
Both houses served Hispanya loyally.
But with such polar temperaments, they snarled at each other like stray dogs bumping into rivals on the street.
“What reason do you have to show at this banquet?”
“No idea what you mean, Bolko.”
“You’re the one always screaming full-scale war with Nudia is impossible.
Yet here you are at a celebration of victory over Nudia.
Not off sending condolences, that is.”
“Hispanya shelled out a fortune three years ago wiping out those southern pirates.
And for over a year after, the kingdom staggered—you know that full well.
War costs were bad enough, but countless young folks who should’ve been our workforce died or got maimed.”
“So you call that humiliating peace offer a win?”
“In the end, didn’t we buy two years?
Hispanya’s flames are roaring back to life.
Plus, with Margrave Klauzen holding the line so well, counterattack time’s nearing.”
“...So you’re not opposing war this time?”
“I’ll weigh it.
What’s best for Hispanya.
If war profits, I’ll back it; if not, oppose.”
“Sometimes you fight knowing it’ll cost you.”
“You only claim true victory after a fight with no losses.”
As expected, zero give from the two middle-aged titans.
What was Sion doing all this time?
Obvious.
No popcorn handy, so he munched on honeyed fruit, cheering inwardly: *Fight harder!*
Weren’t gawking at fires and brawls the ultimate fun?
“You two are working so vigorously even here.
Must you debate like this at a party celebrating the kingdom’s victory?”
Finally, unable to stand it, Estia stepped in.
Representing her ailing house head, she was officially the Oneer House’s face here.
Even the two marquis couldn’t snap at her carelessly, just grunting in displeasure.
“More importantly, Young Lord Sion.
Are you feeling alright?”
“Ah, yes.
Thanks for your concern, Lady Estia.”
“So formal.”
“Pardon?”
“No need for ‘Young Lord’ or ‘Lady’ between us, right?
Just names would do.”
Estia smiled softly as she said it.
Good thing Ludwig wasn’t here— that self-proclaimed future top knight would’ve shot Sion death glares for sure.
“Well, then I won’t stand on ceremony, Estia.”
“Hehe, sure.
Thanks, Sion.”
As Estia moved to continue—
An unexpected figure appeared.
“All of Hispanya’s real powers gathered here.”
Everyone froze mid-sentence at the clear, ringing feminine voice and turned.
She curtsied gracefully before speaking.
“Princess Vanessa, have you arrived?”
“Always so stiff, everyone.
Let’s just enjoy the party as usual.”
Even with the princess’s words, nobles watched their words and glances warily.
The royals had just suffered the humiliation of a palace raid.
Irking direct royalty now? Straight treason charges, no defense—even if shipped off to join Count Seper.
After a brief chat with Marquis Bolko and Marquis Joaquin, Vanessa approached Sion and Estia.
She glanced lightly at Estia, then shifted her gaze back to Sion.
Her eyes darted a bit before she cautiously spoke.
“Um, well.
Uh, Young Lord Sion.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Th-that, um.
Wh-what were you... talking about with Lady Estia... so enjoyably?”
Huh?
Sion let out an inward quizzical hum.
He and Estia had barely chatted for two minutes.
She’d been watching from the start?
“Oh, nothing much.
Just saying we’d drop the heavy titles like ‘Young Lord’ or ‘Lady’ and use names only.”
“...Just names?”
At that, Vanessa’s gaze flicked from Sion to Estia.
Estia tilted her head at the slightly darkened eyes, thinking, *Did I do something wrong?*
“Ahem.
Young Lord Sion.
Still, as heirs to great noble houses, being too casual might make other nobles see things oddly. I worry.”
In other words: their bond getting too close could set off gossip-mad, prickly nobles into a frenzy.
Sion, no fan of weird rumors either, nodded in agreement with the princess.
“Oh, Your Highness.
Have you met that man by chance?”
“What man?”
“The one who single-handedly stopped the intruders during the palace raid.”
“...Ahh.
Raido’s disciple, that guy.
His name was...”
“Yu-hyun.
Kim Yu-hyun.”
“Right.
Sticks in the mind, that unusual name.”
Oho, memorable, huh.
Pretty positive reaction.
In the novel, the princess and male lead’s romance ended in utter tragedy.
Watching this unfold had its own appeal.
As a reader, spying on the protagonist flirting was pure delight.
“Did you talk to him a bit?”
“Yeah.
And?”
“...You’re oddly proactive.”
“Oh, just curious.
If I overstepped...”
“Not at all.
To answer how he seemed... quite a lonely man, I’d say.
Looks under thirty, but talks like a sage who’s seen it all.”
Women’s intuition was scary sharp.
Though she’d never guess Kim Yu-hyun truly was that guy.
“Anyway, we exchanged a few words and parted.
Honestly, a man with that eerie aura helping the royals? Hard to believe.
Without the ‘Raido’s disciple’ bit, he’d seem more suspicious than the attackers.”
“...”
“That’s it, Young Lord Sion.”
Huh?
That’s all?
No pink fluffy vibes?
Ah, damn eunuch bastard.
Sion unleashed a torrent of curses at Kim Yu-hyun, who’d maintained weird aloof chastity despite being PG-13.
In the martial world, he’d stolen women’s hearts across sects—righteous, demonic, cult—earning fans’ ‘Virility King’ moniker.
So why turn stone Buddha in this otherworld?
‘Fucking idiot.
I set the table, and he doesn’t even poke at it.’
Vanessa was top-tier: looks, figure, personality, brains, talents, plus royal blood.
Any non-eunuch would make a move, right?
Didn’t cliché protagonists always snag a princess first?
‘Sigh.’
More time needed, he figured. Time to unwrap the gifts.
With two marquis heads, the next-gen heir, and the princess nearby—perfect cover.