Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Masquerade Mayhem
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There was still some time before the ball.
I needed to prepare.
"Young Master Kasian!"
A voice called from behind me. It was Kael. He'd come back at some point.
"If you're going to the ball, shouldn't you get properly dressed first?"
"You're right."
"I heard there's a great clothing shop nearby! Let's go together!"
"Sure."
There was no reason to refuse. I needed to buy clothes anyway.
There was a small clothing shop in the center of the village. The sign read 'Rose Boutique'.
I opened the door and went inside.
"Welcome..."
The clerk stopped mid-greeting. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.
"...come on in."
There were a few customers inside the shop. All women, browsing clothes.
They turned their heads when we entered.
I could feel their stares.
Glancing over.
Staring openly.
Pretending to shop while sneaking peeks.
Whispers reached my ears.
"Who's that guy..."
"Silver hair... silver hair..."
"He's so handsome..."
"Is he nobility...?"
I pretended not to hear and browsed the clothes as if uninterested.
"Ho!"
Kael looked around.
"What a fine shop! So many clothes!"
He said energetically.
Kael seemed completely oblivious. He wasn't sensing the stares at all.
What a truly happy guy.
"I'll look over here, so you check that side..."
"Customer!"
The clerk from earlier rushed over.
"..."
But she wasn't alone.
Three clerks came swarming over.
"This way, please!"
"N-no, let me assist you!"
"I got here first!"
The clerks shoved and jostled each other.
What the hell is this situation.
"Um, excuse me..."
"Customer!"
One clerk came holding a black suit.
"How about this one? It suits you perfectly!"
"No!"
Another clerk cut in, holding a white shirt.
"This is much better! With your silver hair, white will really shine!"
"What are you talking about!"
The third clerk held up a blue vest.
"You have to match your eye color! This will stand out even more!"
The three of them held up clothes and compared them against me.
Black, white, blue. All sorts of colorful outfits.
"Definitely black..."
"No, white..."
"Blue, I tell you!"
I just stood there.
Felt like a mannequin.
Kael stood blankly beside me.
No one was paying him any attention.
All the clerks were focused on me.
"Excuse me..."
Kael raised his hand.
"I'd like to look at some clothes too..."
"Oh, sure! Clothes are over there, help yourself!"
The clerk waved him off dismissively, her eyes still fixed on me.
Kael's expression turned strange.
He started to say something but closed his mouth and quietly walked away.
"..."
He began browsing alone in silence.
Sorry.
Young Master Kael.
But I can't help it.
In the end, I bought an outfit. Black suit with a blue vest. The clerks' agreed-upon combo.
"Perfect!"
"It suits you so well!"
"The best dress code in village ball history!"
The clerks cheered.
Kael bought something too. A golden suit. Flashy, fitting for the knight commander's son.
"Doesn't this suit me pretty well too? Ha ha ha!"
Kael asked the clerks.
"Yeah, sure... it looks fine."
They answered half-heartedly, eyes still on me.
Kael laughed, but it seemed weaker than before.
"Shall we go, Young Master Kasian?"
"Yeah."
We left the clothing shop.
Next up: masks. It was a masquerade, so we needed masks.
"There's a mask shop over there!"
Kael pointed. 'Moonlight Masks'.
We went inside.
"Welcome!"
The owner greeted us. A middle-aged woman.
"Here for the ball tonight? Browse the masks."
The shop was filled with all kinds of masks.
"What would suit me."
I muttered.
"Customer!"
The owner approached. Her eyes widened at the sight of me.
"Oh my..."
Again.
"W-wait a moment."
She went to the back and brought something.
A black mask.
Simple design, covering just the eyes, minimal decoration.
The standard type.
"This one."
"Isn't it a bit plain...?"
"No."
The owner shook her head firmly.
"This suits you. You shouldn't cover your face."
"..."
"Hiding too much would be a waste. Seriously."
Is that so.
"And the black contrasts with your silver hair, making you stand out more."
She held the mask to my face and smiled contentedly.
"See? Perfect."
"Thank you."
"What about your friend?"
The owner looked at Kael.
"Golden suit... this should work."
She handed over a flashy mask with golden feathers.
"So ornate!"
Kael's eyes sparkled the moment he took it.
"I like it!"
He put it on and checked the mirror.
"Ooh! Looking sharp!"
He admired himself alone.
The owner had already turned her gaze back to me.
"Customer, anything else...?"
"No, this is fine."
"I see... what a shame..."
We paid and left.
The sun had set.
Time for the ball.
At the village square entrance, they checked our masks and let us in.
I thought it would be a normal banquet.
The moment I stepped inside, my preconceptions shattered.
"Ha ha ha! Come on, young master! Look! This is the front line of youth!"
Kael shouted.
Colorful magic orbs spun wildly from the ceiling, blasting dazzling lights.
Ear-splitting fast-tempo music blared.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The bass shook my heart.
Masked men and women writhed to the beat.
This wasn't a ball.
Fuck, isn't this just a club?
Is this really the Empire?
"Don't get discouraged!"
Kael clapped my shoulder.
"With masks on, no one knows who anyone is!"
He was already grooving. Shoulders bouncing, feet moving.
He was pumped.
Totally hyped.
His first time at a place like this, huh.
"I'll look around a bit..."
"Ooh! Ladies over there!"
Kael was already charging off.
In his flashy golden mask.
Boldly. Energetically.
"..."
Really his first time here.
"Pleased to meet you, beautiful lady!"
He greeted passing ladies warmly.
"Oh, hello."
"Ah, actually, I'm Kael, currently appearing on the hot show 'Fate's Red Thread'! Ha ha ha!"
"Oh really? How cool!"
The women behind their masks gathered, charmed by Kael's tall stature and confident demeanor.
Oh.
He's doing great.
Masks really work wonders when it's all about the vibe.
Masks are the best.
"Ha ha ha!"
Kael's ego had already broken into the stratosphere. Shoulders thrusting skyward, voice booming louder.
"Ha ha! So popular, it's troubling!"
Yeah, yeah.
Good for you.
No need to worry about him now.
I slipped to the corner. There was a drink table. I grabbed some champagne and sipped.
Nice.
Peaceful.
Club vibe, but the corner was fine. Masked up too. No one would recognize me.
"But..."
Kael's voice came from over there. His tone suddenly dropped.
"Do you happen to know... 'Kasian'?"
He subtly pointed at me as he asked.
Not his earlier confident boom. A bit timid. Anxious. Voice laced with hope and fear, like 'They probably don't know, right...?'
"Kasian?"
The lady tilted her head.
"Hmm... who? From the North?"
"Anyone else? Know Kasian?"
"No idea."
"Me neither."
"First I've heard."
In that instant.
Kael's expression changed completely.
Stiff shoulders relaxed, timid eyes sparkled.
"Ah!"
His voice grew louder.
"As expected, you don't know! Ha ha ha!"
He shrugged contentedly. More smugly than before.
"That guy's pretty low-key! Overshadowed by my popularity!"
The ladies nodded.
"Ah, I see."
"You're just so eye-catching, Young Master Kael."
"Ha ha ha! You're too kind!"
He was fully revived. Confidence at 200%. Hard to believe it was the same guy who'd been deflated moments ago.
"Ha ha ha!"
I sipped champagne in the corner.
Good.
Masks rule.
Thanks for not knowing, nameless ladies. Now I can chill with champagne in peace.
[Live] Ball Scene Update
Kael: "Do you know Kasian...?"
Ladies: "No idea"
Kael: "As expected!! Overshadowed by my popularity!!! Ha ha ha!!!
Lmao xDDDDDDDDD
Was all deflated a sec ago, perks up the moment they say they don't know lololol
Kael is just a baby... we have to protect him...
Your bf Kael?
[Cleanbot detected chat]
LOL what did she say xD
So curious lol
[Pity] Saw what happened to Kael at the clothing store?
All clerks swarm Gal Lord
Blondie: "I'd like some clothes too..."
Clerk: "Pick some over there~" (waves hand)
Lmaoooooooo
Poor guy ㅠㅠㅠ
What do we do ㅠㅠㅠ
Him shopping alone lolol
But it's not Gal Lord's fault...
Agreed lol, it's the face value
[Sad] Same thing at the mask shop
Owner: "Customer (Gal Lord), covering your face would be a loss"
Kael: (waits expectantly)
Owner: "For your friend... this'll do" (hands over casually)
Lol casually handed over lolol
Poor guy ㅠㅠ so pitiful ㅠㅠ
We have to protect Kael ㅠㅠㅠ
Poor baby Kael, protect him ㅠㅠ
The music played on.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
People danced. Kael chatted with the ladies.
It was peaceful.
I hoped it would end like this.
Then.
Boom!
A loud noise. Not the music.
"What was that?!"
People shouted.
The music stopped.
Boom!
Another rumble. The building shook, lights flickered.
"Earthquake?!"
"No, that's...!"
Someone pointed and yelled.
Toward the ballroom entrance. The wall was crumbling.
No.
Something was smashing through the wall.
Grrrrr...
A growling sound.
Dust cleared.
And.
A massive figure appeared.
A monster.
At least 4 meters tall. Black fur, red eyes, razor claws. Like a wolf-bear hybrid.
Fuck.
It was huge.
Terrifyingly so.
Grrrrrr—
Its roar shattered all the ceiling magic orbs. Glass shards rained down.
"Kyaaaaah!!"
The ladies screamed.
People started fleeing.
The ballroom turned into chaos in seconds.
"This way!"
Kael shouted, drawing his sword.
"Ladies, over here!"
Kael led the ladies.
Toward the rear exit.
"Hurry! Get out fast!"
Energetically.
Boldly.
In moments like this, he really seemed like a knight. Hard to believe it was the same guy crowing about "overshadowed by my popularity" earlier.
The ladies followed Kael.
But.
Grrrr...
The monster looked this way.
Red eyes fixed on me.
Why me.
The monster raised its front paw. Poised to smash down.
Fuck.
That hits, I'm dead.