Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Third Imperial Princess (2)
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Buying a gift for Ariel.
We arrived at the imperial palace.
"Whoa."
I let out a sigh of admiration as I looked around.
The ceiling soared high into the sky, and the inner walls stretched upward endlessly.
Pure white marble was adorned with golden decorations, all illuminated by magic stones.
A red carpet covered the floor, welcoming the arriving honored guests.
This is the world of a fantasy game.
I resisted the urge to whip my head around everywhere.
It might be fine outside, but this was the imperial palace.
Who knew who might be watching from somewhere? As a member of a ducal family, I had to maintain some dignity, so I held back.
"Welcome. Where have you come from?"
After waiting a moment in the hall, a head steward approached.
"From the Leonhart Duchy."
"Confirmed. And you must be Sir Kline Leonhart, the young master from there?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Then allow me to explain how the social gathering will proceed."
To sum up the head steward's explanation:
The Cluster of Stars lasted a long time—about a week, by rough estimate.
The scheduled events included balls among the nobles and mock battles. The rest was up to individuals.
There were still a few days until the social gathering officially began, so we were free to spend that time as we wished.
They recommended not leaving the palace if possible and getting acquainted with other nobles.
Any accompanying escort knights or retainers would stay not in the palace but at nearby lodgings for honored guests.
"This is for security within the palace. Sir Kline, as an invited guest to the gathering, may stay, but no one else is permitted."
"Got it."
"Is that okay, Alfred? Wouldn't it be better to have an escort knight with us?"
I glanced around and asked.
There were hardly any soldiers inside the palace.
Not just knights—even the guards were scarce.
It felt like they'd stripped the place down to the bare minimum and sent everyone else off somewhere.
"I'm a bit worried about how few troops there are in the palace."
"Sir Kline, all knights and soldiers within the palace currently have schedules and will be away. I understand it may feel undersecured, but please don't worry. It's tightly controlled by magic."
"Hmm. Well, alright. You would know better than I do. But what's this schedule? Is there some grand ceremony that requires everyone to be absent?"
"Young Master, allow me to explain that."
Alfred stepped in upon hearing my question.
He smiled faintly and described the capital's traditional ceremony.
"The imperial family periodically holds a military parade called the 'Eight Wings.' It instills loyalty to the throne, bolsters trust in the empire's might, provides spectacle to keep the citizens happy. To that end, all palace forces are mobilized."
"That's quite the scale. Why hold it at this timing?"
"The Cluster of Stars is a social event for nobles. This is a policy to stabilize the commoners who can't attend— all thanks to His Majesty's boundless mercy."
"Noble intentions. In that case, I have nothing to say."
"Yes. We'll go watch the parade. It's quite the sight."
I shrugged and accepted it.
Well, if it was for winning public support, I could understand.
Though I wondered if they really needed to pull every fighting force from the palace interior for it.
But as the steward said, security was probably airtight with magic. Best not to worry about it.
"Then I'll summon someone now. Sir Kline, you'll be escorted inside, and the other two should head to the external lodgings."
"Ah, one moment. Can I request a specific guide?"
"Yes, of course. Do you have someone in mind?"
The steward answered calmly but seemed slightly surprised.
He probably hadn't expected a first-time visitor to the capital like me to request a particular escort.
I grinned and named one person.
"Jack of the White Wing Knights."
Time to meet that guy who'd promised to show me around.
**
The steward tilted his head but eventually nodded.
Normally, Jack wouldn't have time because of the Eight Wings, but since he'd only recently become a full knight, it might be possible.
After Alfred and Cobson left,
I waited in the hall, and soon Jack appeared.
"It's been a while."
"Ah, Young Master. Good day."
Jack had bulked up even more since I'd last seen him.
He was seventeen now, and he finally looked the part of a proper knight.
He bowed deeply to me and said,
"I heard you summoned me."
"Yes. I wanted you to show me around the palace. You haven't forgotten our deal from last time, right?"
"How could I? I just didn't expect the chance to come so soon. I thought you'd arrive later."
"Oh? What did you think I'd come for?"
"To receive honors as a hero."
What on earth was my image like in his head?
"At any rate, I could tell at a glance. Young Master, you've already achieved so much."
"You can tell just by looking?"
"Of course. I'm a member of the White Wing Knights now, after all. I can gauge someone's level... but this is still beyond me. I can't even dream of catching up."
Hmm... was that spirit pressure?
Jack's expression seemed genuine.
He was probably more shocked by my growth than his own.
Come on, no need to make a fuss over that. I had the world's second-best talent, after all.
"Have you learned Aura yet?"
"Yes. So I've picked up a bit of Azure Dragon Soaring Sword and Fierce Tiger Strike Sword."
"Here I am, just starting to grasp Aura itself. Lady Ruin will be thrilled."
"Does she still have it out for me?"
"Yes. She often says it would be great if you joined the White Wing Knights someday."
"Whoa. Absolutely not."
It was a knights' order, sure, but still basically the military.
Why would I join that?
"Anyway, understood. A palace tour it is. I can certainly help with that."
"No need to show me everything. I heard you have your own schedule. Just point me around the social gathering hall area."
"Got it. Shall we go?"
I followed Jack deeper inside.
We left the guest-receiving palace.
With an open view, the surrounding buildings came into sight.
The northernmost structure was unmistakably the Emperor's quarters.
He'd handle state affairs and sleep there.
Jack added to my guess with some explanation.
Status decreased the further south you went from the north.
A bit further north from here were the First Prince and Second Princess's quarters.
Our current spot was in the southeast.
I probably wouldn't have business up north.
"The social gathering hall is in the east, called Lotus Cherry Palace. It's positioned for good sunlight."
"Isn't the main event at night?"
"Of course, but the exterior matters too. An empty area around it would look poor. So the gardeners put extra effort into the landscaping. You'll smell lots of flowers."
"Hmm. The young ladies will love it."
"Exactly. Noble guests' rooms are assigned inside Lotus Cherry Palace, so I'll escort you there."
Sure enough, as Jack said, Lotus Cherry Palace was filled with floral scents upon arrival.
Cherry blossoms bloomed profusely on the trees, and lotuses floated on the pond.
Perfect spot for romance.
I got why they chose Lotus Cherry Palace for the gathering.
Teens like the young heirs and ladies wouldn't be able to resist.
"Your room, Young Master, is on the second floor from the top. You can use that one."
"Pretty high up."
"You're the Leonhart Duke's heir. The top floor is the Third Imperial Princess's quarters, so you might run into her."
"The Third Princess stays in Lotus Cherry Palace too? That's surprising. Shouldn't she be further north?"
"Well... that's Her Highness's preference, so it's hard for me to say."
Jack gave a troubled smile and trailed off at my words.
I didn't know what the Third Princess was like, but something felt off.
Was she some weirdo?
Better avoid her then. No going upstairs.
"Anyway, that's the end of my guidance. Is this enough?"
"Yes. Thanks. I enjoyed the tour thanks to you."
"Understood. Then I'll be off."
"Ah, wait. Jack. There's one thing I wanted to talk about."
"Yes? What is it?"
There was a reason I'd specifically requested Jack as my guide.
It wasn't just because he'd offered before.
Just as I was about to get to the point, someone called Jack from afar.
"Jack! Assembly time. Lady Ruin's summoning you."
"Oh. Sorry, but I have to go. Can your business wait, Young Master?"
"Sure. No problem."
I sent Jack off with some regret.
Too bad, but what could I do? He had his schedule, and I couldn't monopolize him.
Next time we met would have to do.
"......"
After parting with Jack, I wandered Lotus Cherry Palace.
Nobles were already visible in the distance.
All buzzing with excitement for the gathering.
Some even wore glasses, probably to attract attention.
Not a great look.
Acting so desperate from the start? No way the girls would go for it. Tsk tsk.
I had no intention of approaching nobles for chit-chat, so I just strolled the gardens.
Chirp chirp—chirp chirp—
Birds sang.
Cherry trees bloomed in abundance, carp swam in the central pond.
No nobles near the garden yet. They were all heading to their assigned rooms.
I wasn't in a rush to settle in, so I leisurely enjoyed the scenery.
What a beautiful day. Birds chirping, flowers blooming.
On a day like this, you'd want to bring your little sister.
Though Ariel isn't here, of course.
Was there no one to entertain me instead?
Scanning around with that in mind, I spotted a girl sitting on a distant bench.
Long pink hair cascading down, matching pink eyes—a young lady.
Strikingly beautiful. She could give Ariel a run for her money.
But she definitely had the edge over my sister in one area: her chest.
It asserted itself prominently, straining against her clothes.
Oh.
My gaze was drawn before I caught myself. No need to be rude.
But that wasn't why she'd caught my eye.
Light was emanating from her fingertips.
No doubt about it. That was magic.
The technique of altering mana properties to create special phenomena.
The first mage I'd seen in this world.
How could I not be intrigued?
"Hello!"
I approached her with a friendly greeting.
Smiling broadly, making it clear I meant no harm.
"Is that magic? It's amazing."
"......"
Despite my kind hello, she didn't respond.
She stared at me suspiciously, as if gauging my intentions.
Then she snorted.
"No need to bother."
"Huh?"
"I can see you're trying to win me over, but it's pointless. I've heard all those sweet nothings before."
"......?"
What was she on about?
Was she some weirdo?
Ah... I was starting to regret this.
Shouldn't have said anything.
Felt like I'd stepped on a landmine.
"No, I just said it's cool because it's my first time seeing magic."
"That's exactly what I'm saying I won't fall for. You're just like the rest, looking to get involved with me."
"Pardon my rudeness, but have you heard 'axolotl' a lot?"
"A-axolotl? Hey, you really don't know when to quit. Overacting can backfire, you know."
"Yeah, I'm thinking that now. Shouldn't have talked to you."
"Ha?"
The pink-haired lady's lips trembled.
What kind of person was she to be this full of herself?
She bit her lip hard and stood up.
Then she thrust a fan toward me with a flick.
"You sure know how to run your mouth in front of Third Imperial Princess Adelheit. Do you seriously not recognize me?"
"No, I didn't. I don't pay much attention to other nobles. This is my first time out for the Cluster of Stars, so now I know."
"How can you be so brazen? My status doesn't even faze you."
"Her Highness doesn't know me either, does she? Do you know who I am?"
"......"
The princess averted her gaze slyly.
See?
You don't know me either.
"I'm Kline from the Leonhart Ducal Family. Sorry it has to be under these circumstances, Your Highness."
"Yes, really. Leonhart Ducal Family, huh? Fine. I'll specially forgive your rudeness."
"That's curious. I wasn't wrong, but now I've received forgiveness—so any future rudeness is pre-forgiven, right?"
"What does that even mean?!"
The princess yelled.
Ah, now this was getting fun.
At first I thought she was weird,
but talking to her, I liked it.
A bit narcissistic and princess-syndrome-y,
well, she actually was a princess.
Adelheit, was it?
With her around, this social gathering might be pretty entertaining.