Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Seer
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The imperial palace sparkled under the sunlight when I woke up the next morning.
After parting ways with the Third Imperial Princess yesterday, I'd returned straight to my room and exchanged letters with Ariel.
Some of the young ladies had tried to strike up a conversation midway through, but I'd ignored them.
My little sister was more important to me than that.
'Who would've thought Ariel could actually read books.'
From what I'd heard, Father was currently giving her a few volumes.
I had a hard time picturing Ariel reading them.
She said herself that they weren't all that fun.
She was probably just pretending to read them because Father had given them to her.
That didn't matter, though. What was important was their communication.
I could only hope she'd open up to me more in time.
In any case, I had something crucial to do today.
Meeting with Jack.
I had to accomplish the true purpose of coming all the way to the capital.
"Hm."
Before leaving my room, I straightened my clothes for a moment.
Then I flung the door open with vigor.
And—
"Lord Kline!"
The moment I opened the door, countless young ladies came into view.
"Lord Kline! Would you care to stroll through the gardens with me?"
"Just looking at you lifts my spirits. How is it that you're so handsome, young master?"
"Have no interest in my family? We're only barons, but we do grow some fine local specialties."
The lavishly dressed young ladies were clamoring for my attention.
The hallway was packed with them from the door all the way to the end of the corridor, as if they'd been waiting ages.
Good grief.
What was this, a swarm of summer mosquitoes?
Whenever I glanced at one who opened her mouth to speak, her face lit up instantly.
Shift my gaze to another, and that one would brighten just as quickly.
Meanwhile, the ones I looked away from grew sullen.
"……."
Man.
This was getting burdensome.
I wasn't one to think that way lightly.
I shrugged and took a step forward.
"Thank you, ladies."
"Kyaaah!"
One word, and they were swooning.
Was I Michael Jackson or something?
Should I bust out the moonwalk?
"I'm sorry, but I'm a bit busy. Could we continue our conversations at the social?"
"Ahh! Of course. Do whatever you like, Lord Kline!"
"Yes. I can wait as long as it takes. See you at the social."
"Would you exchange magic letters? I have the means."
I kept a gentle smile on my face without breaking stride.
In situations like this, you had to be firm.
If I showed even a hint of ambiguity, these young ladies would never let me go.
I pressed forward steadfastly, careful not to show any discomfort.
Eventually, a path cleared, and I escaped the wave of young ladies.
'Whew.'
No matter how pretty they were, a crowd like that was overwhelming.
And their intentions were so obvious. Anyone could see they were just trying to hook up with me.
I didn't hate political marriages or anything, but this level of brazenness was off-putting, honestly.
'Isn't there a sweet, modest girl out there somewhere?'
Lost in thought, the Third Imperial Princess I'd met yesterday suddenly crossed my mind.
Adelheit.
She'd been pretty entertaining.
Not exactly sweet and modest, though.
Still, I felt like I could relax around Adelheit.
"Young master! See you next time!"
"Take care!"
"I'll be waiting!"
With their farewells echoing behind me, I advanced down the corridor.
My room was on the top floor, just one level from the summit.
To go down, I'd need the mana-powered elevator.
As I approached it, I spotted young noblemen scattered here and there.
They were all staring at me, chewing their lips.
It was like jealousy simmered beneath the surface.
I'd unintentionally monopolized all the young ladies' attention, and they were envious.
Not that I'd particularly enjoyed the situation.
'Well, I get it.'
They were young men in their prime, after all.
If all the girls their age flocked to another guy, anyone would feel that way.
I decided to be magnanimous and understanding.
"Lord Kline."
Someone called out to me then.
What now? Had jealousy finally gotten the better of him, coming to pick a fight?
The voice belonged to a man who looked at least four years older than me.
His well-trained muscles were evident even at a glance.
A sword hung at his waist. Definitely a swordsman.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jeil Stimond, son of Count Stimond."
"Hello."
I nodded politely in response.
He was older, yet using formal speech—probably because I was from a ducal house.
I returned the courtesy as the younger one.
"Do you need something?"
"Indeed. I've heard many rumors about the young master of House Leonhart for years now."
"What kind?"
"They say his talent is so extraordinary that he bested the White Wing Knights. I could hardly believe it."
"Hmm."
I murmured in acknowledgment, watching his expression.
It didn't seem like he was approaching me out of jealousy over the young ladies.
Or rather, there was a similar emotion there.
But not romantic rivalry.
More precisely, it was martial.
The competitive spirit of one who walked the path of the sword.
"How could an eleven-year-old boy defeat a fifteen-year-old knight? Even if it was just an apprentice. Unable to verify the rumors myself, I simply had to meet you, Lord Kline."
"So, now that you have, what do you think? More believable?"
"Yes. You certainly stand out from boys your age. But I see you as an uncut gem. It looks like you'll need more time to become a true jewel."
"Hah. Is that so?"
"Yes."
Jeil's eyes burned with fighting spirit as he spoke.
He seemed dissatisfied with me—or rather, eager for a challenge.
Bringing up my victory over Jack was a clue.
In summary, it felt like: 'You beat a White Wing Knight? I don't buy it. You're nowhere near ready.'
'Hmm.'
Honestly, I didn't care much.
He was a bit arrogant, though.
Whatever. It was proof of his youth that he could be so rude right from the first meeting.
I'll let it slide as the adult here.
Ding—
The elevator light came on.
The doors opened, and I stepped right in.
"I'll be going now. It was a pleasure talking."
"Yes. Until the social, then."
"Sure."
As the doors closed, I caught a glimpse of Jeil's face.
His expression blazed with the desire to prove something at this Cluster of Stars gathering.
He wanted to beat me that badly?
'What did I even do?'
Some total stranger suddenly making beating me his goal. What a hassle.
**
When I reached the first floor of Yeon-Aeng Palace, Jack was waiting.
It was worth sending word through a servant yesterday.
I'd heard he was busy with the 'Eight Wings,' but I'd asked him to spare even a little time.
I was grateful that he'd accommodated without complaint.
"Good morning, young master."
"Doing well, Jack? I hear that fire formation drill is super popular."
"Ah, yes. It's still tough since I only became a full knight recently, but I'm managing."
"Good. No need to waste your time, so shall we get straight to the point?"
"That's fine, but... did you not sleep well?"
"Pardon?"
"You look a little tired."
"Ah."
I understood what Jack meant.
The young ladies' onslaught and Jeil's one-sided rivalry had left me a bit drained.
This guy was sharper than I thought.
"Just some stuff happened. Like that young master from House Stimond, for instance."
"House Stimond. Did he pick a fight with you, young master?"
"No, not quite. But you seem to have an idea. Guessing just from the name."
"They're infamous. House Stimond's family tradition."
Jack chuckled.
His explanation went like this.
The current head of House Stimond had always been overshadowed by my father, Gerard Leonhart.
Outdone in talent from childhood, achievements, and feats alike, he'd apparently declared to his house that he'd surpass him somehow.
Likewise, the son Jeil Stimond had inherited that drive, burning with rivalry toward me.
Once I heard it all, I was dumbfounded.
'Who decided that?'
Why was he drumming up his own rivalry?
I had zero interest, yet I'd become someone's target.
"I don't get it. I've never even spoken to him, and he harbors this rivalry."
"Doesn't that just mean your talent is that exceptional, young master? As a firsthand witness, I know full well."
"Can't argue with you saying that."
Jack, the very source of those rumors, left me speechless.
From his perspective, I must look like a prodigy.
The same went for others, and apparently some wanted to knock me down a peg.
"We're short on time. May I ask why you summoned me, young master? I heard it was important, so I made room in my schedule."
"Yes. It's important. To me, at least."
With that, we finally got to the main topic.
The reason I'd come to the capital.
The reason I'd bothered attending this tiresome Cluster of Stars social.
It was all for one single purpose.
"Do you know about the capital's seer?"
"Pardon? Yes, I do."
"Do you know how to meet her?"
"I've heard, but... is that why you called me?"
Jack tilted his head.
It must not make sense from his position.
Calling it important, only to ask about finding someone.
But it was different for me.
'Wait right there.'
Ariel Leonhart.
You bastard who called my little sister a calamity.
And lately, Ariel's strangely shifting demeanor.
I'm going to meet that person and get to the bottom of it, no matter what.