Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: The Masquerade's Climax
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Around the time the curtain rose on the masquerade ball, the majority of nobles tacitly kept each other's identities under wraps while eating, drinking, and making merry.
Even with masks on, these were people they saw every day—recognizable by silhouette alone.
Once they started conversing directly, there was no hiding who they were.
Above all, when it came to the Emperor's bloodline, they appeared in distinctive attire despite the masks, so everyone played along by pretending not to know while observing proper etiquette.
With that fact calmly tucked away in a corner of their hearts, and as the buzz from the alcohol began to fade...
Everyone was united in anticipation of this masquerade ball's climax.
They were convinced that Aiden must be among those they'd spoken with so far—that the reclusive young lord of the Pisvolt family, hiding his identity, had mingled and chatted with them somewhere in the crowd.
Even the Duchess of Pisvolt, who attended the ball, shook her head at the idea that no one knew her son's presence, which only fueled the intrigue of the culprit hunt.
Now, they were huddling together, trying to guess who Aiden was.
The Emperor watched the scene fondly before slowly removing his mask.
Everyone already knew who the Emperor was, but taking off his mask at a masquerade ball...
The nobles understood exactly what that signified.
They paused their huddling and turned all eyes to the maskless Emperor.
In a deep, gentle voice, the Emperor addressed those gathered at the party with words of thanks.
"Then, it seems the time has come. Now, I shall speak on the true purpose of hosting this party."
The purpose of the party.
No one present was unaware that it centered on the famed Master Aiden.
After a pause, the Emperor tossed in a light jest.
"Of course, I know full well how riled up you've all been by the social restraint order. If I didn't arrange something like this to let off some steam, who knows what mischief you'd get up to in secret."
The words drew hearty laughter from the crowd.
Who would dare openly defy the Emperor's strict command? And considering the repercussions if caught, they wouldn't complain even if restrained for months, not just a week or two.
Yet the current Emperor enjoyed such support not through unchecked imperial authority, but because he knew how to pace things perfectly.
As the jovial mood blossomed fully, the Emperor lowered his voice to a solemn tone.
"However, while this is partly for your sakes, I gathered you all here to introduce another hero of the Empire."
No sooner had smiles bloomed across the room than silence enveloped the assembly.
"You all know of the invasion of the capital. The academy was trampled under enemy boots, the city barriers we'd set up were dismantled by the foe's hands, and among them, depraved monsters and taboo-chasing warlocks bared their fangs at the Empire's heart."
His reference to taboo-chasing warlocks—heretic mages—drew a collective gulp from throats.
The heated atmosphere plummeted, tension rising, as the Emperor closed his eyes gravely.
"The Ri Sete Academy, run by the Imperial Family, lay half in ruins, with students and professors returning to the gods' embrace. We cannot rank sorrows, but I cannot accept that promising talents who should uphold the Empire's future perished so pointlessly."
"......"
"But even that would not have been possible without someone's decisive response. I have no intention of shirking responsibility, but sometimes, laying it bare serves a purpose."
With apt emotional acting captivating the nobles, the Emperor wore an expression blending regret and joy.
"Thus, I wish to honor that professor here tonight, who performed heroic feats on that unknown night we were unaware of."
As the Emperor finished, from a corner of the party, a white-haired old man standing with hands behind his back and a woman simultaneously removed their masks.
A soundless gasp rippled as eyes turned to the old man and woman.
They'd been there all evening without anyone noticing their presence, yet the moment their masks came off, their aura surged so powerfully it begged the question why they'd gone undetected until now.
Those who had reached otherworldly heights, emanating a strange aura as proof of their reverence.
If the Archmage Oshua evoked the sense of an inaccessible repository of knowledge, the Sword Sage was the man said to embody the Empire's legendary history in his very being.
Such figures strode steadily onto the dais. Two of the Empire's Three Sages had taken their seats, now come to see the third.
The nobles quietly swallowed.
"Gasp... that person."
"The Empire's legend."
"To see the Archmage in my lifetime..."
"You fool, how could you skip the Archmage for the Sword Sage..."
"Nonsense. I'm a mage—of course I'd look at the Archmage first. Tsk tsk."
Before the murmurs could die down, a group in one corner removed their masks as well.
"Grand Mage!"
"A Grand Mage, here..."
They'd suspected one might attend since the Archmage was present, but facing one directly was another matter.
The white-haired woman bowed to the Emperor alongside her disciples.
"The inner disciples of the Flame Magic Tower greet Your Imperial Majesty."
"Greet Your Imperial Majesty..."
This sparked a chain reaction. Those who'd come to see Aiden began unveiling themselves one by one.
Eminent scholars, great knights, spirit summoners who brought rain in drought, high priests from the Holy See—all figures who wouldn't easily grace an invitation, yet here they honored the Emperor's face.
"Haha, this humble soul is overjoyed beyond measure to have so many luminaries gathered."
At his self-deprecating title, the retainers praised the Emperor in perfect unison.
Even as they did, their eyes darted around the room.
The Emperor steadied his breath and set a solemn tone.
"Then, Master Aiden, please remove your mask and step forward."
All who were to appear had revealed themselves. Now, only the star of the show remained.
But...
'Why isn't he coming out?'
Someone gulped audibly, unable to contain the mounting tension.
Clack, clack.
The sound of dress shoes approaching from afar.
Blond hair, tall stature, a chiseled face like a statue, and an air of cool precision.
A prickly man, yet even that prickliness elevated to refined dignity.
The Emperor beamed in welcome.
"Oh, Master Aiden! I welcome you most warmly."
His eager approach resembled greeting a dearest friend.
Though it seemed deliberately effusive, the atmosphere made it look harmonious to many onlookers.
However, Aiden's demeanor was a bit off.
Not just odd—stiff and awkward.
"Master Aiden greets the Empire's radiant sun. May the imperial line bask in eternal glory."
The etiquette wasn't wrong.
But considering he was a Master, this level of formality was excessively deferential.
In truth, it was proper etiquette... but no Master bothered with such protocol.
Take Oshua—even against the Emperor, he'd snap, "Don't call me unless it's urgent, it's annoying," given his position. This courtesy felt alien.
Yet the Emperor welcomed this simplicity.
No, he didn't find it strange.
Early on, he might have wondered why, but Aiden had met the Emperor only twice.
Years ago, at that. And most recently, when he'd proven his mastery by clashing with Oshua.
That time, with Oshua's head lolling half-off, the palace had been in uproar—no chance to gauge Aiden's temperament.
Unaware of Oshua's narrowing eyes, the Emperor smiled kindly.
"Ahaha, it's heartening to hear the capital's hero praise me so."
"You honor me unduly."
The Emperor urged Aiden on while dismissing the crowd.
At a brief hand signal, retainers stepped forward to recite Aiden's merits.
It was mostly for show, but performing it mattered greatly.
This spectacle established legitimacy.
With the ballroom cleared, it resembled a grand audience chamber.
Tables had been pushed to the sides for this moment.
The assembly held its breath.
Chandeliers casting prismatic glows, stained glass illuminating in myriad hues, ceiling frescoes of the Empire's famed battles, and lights warding off the encroaching dusk outside.
All harmonized perfectly.
Before anyone could murmur "magnificent," Aiden's golden locks cascaded, emanating a golden sheen.
With restrained, solemn poise, he knelt before the Emperor.
A hush so deep even breaths went unheard.
As Aiden knelt under watchful eyes, the Emperor maintained a dignified air.
When the retainer finished, the Emperor grasped a sword atop a crimson cushion.
"...For merits such as these, we bestow this sword upon Master Aiden."
A sword...!
Bestowing an armament held meaning beyond mere words.
Mages received wands to join the Imperial Magic Knights, guarding the throne. Swordsmen received blades and became knights.
Knightly ennoblement.
Receiving this sword meant stepping down from young duke to become the throne's sword.
He'd likely relinquish his professorship too.
As all swallowed hard, the Emperor glanced around.
'With all eyes on him like this, he can't dodge it.'
Every notable noble had been summoned.
Loyal to the Empire before their fiefs, outright refusing the imperial will here would draw scrutiny.
The imperial bloodline embodied legitimacy.
Defying it brought dire consequences.
He would accept. He had no choice.
This stage was prepared for that.
Still, the Emperor flicked his eyes toward the Duchess of Pisvolt standing aside.
Utterly composed, despite losing her heir to the throne.
Puzzled by her nonchalance, Oshua—who'd held his tongue till now—clicked his tongue.
Tsk.
Small, but in the silence, resounding.
All attention shifted from Aiden to Oshua.
"If you won't speak, I will. That okay with you?"
Beside him, the Sword Sage sighed and shook his head.
"I'll do it."
The Emperor's eyes widened.
"What are you..."
Rice half-cooked, why...
The Sword Sage slammed his staff down.
"The man before you is not Master Aiden."
Uproar swept the room. Even the Emperor stared in shock at the man.
His evident surprise, and those words afterward...
"That cocky punk wouldn't be so polite. Who are you?"
"......"
"You're not pulling some stunt 'cause that jerk didn't wanna show, right? Huh? I came, and he can't even manage basic manners..."
Oshua crossed his arms, pondering deeply.
"...He just might."
Debate over Aiden's character stirred the crowd.
But it quieted swiftly under Oshua's fierce glare.
"So, what's with that loser's stench over there? I had my suspicions, and you..."
"Charlotte. Throw that sword."
"What?"
Aiden—no, Charlotte—tousled her wig and stared at the emerging Aiden.
The sword was in the Emperor's hands? Take it and throw...?
"Throw it."
There stood Aiden, striding in with the disheveled Lilian princess at his side.