Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Cluster of Stars (4)
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Night had fallen.
It was time for the mock battles.
The nobles, already aware of the schedule, began gathering at the venue one after another.
Everyone seemed to have already decided who they wanted to challenge.
A duel for the sake of learning.
Though its true purpose was to show off, one must never forget the nominal reason.
Noble society revolved around justifications.
In other words, those who were hard to justify challenging could skip such nuisances.
That was me.
'Who'd want to do something like a mock duel?'
Participate in a duel to leave a good impression on the nobles?
Why would I bother with something so troublesome?
I'd rather chat with interesting people than put on such airs.
And above all, now wasn't the time.
'Bloodied.'
That woman was suspicious.
It was just a hunch, but I trusted my instincts.
They were ringing alarm bells this loudly—I had to acknowledge it.
Time to investigate.
'First, find someone who knows the Red Mask Merchant Association well.'
I'd gathered info last night by asking around.
Among the nobles at this Cluster of Stars, was there a family deeply tied to the Red Mask Merchant Association?
Collaborators or major sponsors.
And surprisingly, the biggest sponsor was the Rosnet family.
'What are the odds.'
Elysia Rosnet.
The timid baron's daughter I'd met not long ago.
Her family knew the Red Mask Merchant Association inside out.
Luck was on my side.
So I wandered the hall looking for her.
Passing by the duels below and the nobles watching them.
Searching for that signature lavender hair.
'There she is.'
In a secluded corner of the social hall.
While everyone was fired up about the duels, she sat quietly, as if she couldn't care less.
I approached and spoke to her.
"Hello, Lady Elysia."
"Eek?! ...Oh. Young Master Kline."
Elysia jumped in surprise, then slumped her shoulders.
What a squirrelly girl.
"D-Do you need something...? Someone like me wouldn't be fun for you."
"Do you think I'm talking to you just for fun? Sure, that's usually the reason. But not this time."
"R-Really...? W-Wait, do you want to dance with me?!"
"You know the ball starts on the fourth day, right? Not that."
"Th-Then what...?"
"Lady Elysia. Do you know much about the Red Mask Merchant Association, by any chance?"
"...Pardon?"
Elysia's eyes went wide.
She looked puzzled at the sudden question.
I gave a vague excuse for asking about the Red Mask Merchant Association.
There were plenty of reasons anyway.
It was a rising new merchant group.
Saying I was curious wouldn't raise eyebrows.
"Hmm... So, you're curious about the Bloodied Merchant Leader?"
"Yes."
"Ahem. I see. Then I might be able to help you out, Young Master Kline."
Elysia, who'd been listening quietly, relaxed her shoulders a bit.
She suddenly seemed in a better mood.
"The Bloodied Merchant Leader is a mysterious woman who started her business out of nowhere one day. No connections or background, yet her growth was so explosive that everyone was shocked."
"What was the reason? Starting a merchant group without capital isn't easy these days."
"No one knows. Word is, her capital is immense. So much you wonder where it all comes from. She claims there's a special organization circulating funds for her."
"..."
Doesn't that sound suspicious just hearing it?
"No one questioned it? A new merchant group with unclear funding sources."
"Ah, well... Um..."
Elysia averted her gaze.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, as if she had something to hide, then continued.
"...Sh-She poured an enormous amount of money into it. Enough to crush any factions doubting her with cash. Everyone just went along because the money kept flowing."
"Does that include the Rosnet family?"
"O-Our family did receive quite a bit of sponsorship, but... Ahem. It's no big deal, right? It's common in noble circles. Isn't it...?"
Tsk.
True enough.
When a new merchant group rises suddenly, jealous forces always try to stamp it out.
To get past that, massive capital is needed.
And the nobles gladly accepted and overlooked it for that capital.
Why refuse sponsorship?
'That's nobles for you.'
Look the other way when you should.
"Sure. No intention of scrutinizing the Rosnets. So, what's the Bloodied Merchant Leader's goal in starting the business? She didn't reveal that either?"
"No! She said her aim is to help nobles adorn themselves more beautifully. Especially targeting young nobles."
Adorn themselves.
Come to think of it, her main business was selling jewelry.
But the word that caught my attention more was "young" nobles.
"Young nobles?"
"Yes. She dreams of supporting jewelry so even young ones can decorate themselves from an early age."
"To nobles specifically? Not commoners?"
"Th-That's what she said? I don't know the details. Just heard that much."
"Hmm."
...Young nobles. Young children.
"Every time I hear it, more questions arise. She seems far too suspicious to casually let into the imperial palace, doesn't she?"
"P-Please don't say that. She's overwhelmingly sponsoring noble families. Speaking carelessly could make enemies of many."
"Sigh. Fair enough."
"And entering the palace has been her lifelong dream. She finally said she's heading to the capital this time."
And she's coming to the capital.
"..."
I furrowed my brow slightly.
The bandits and criminals I'd encountered before came to mind.
The client who offered a fortune for kidnapping children.
A mysterious client whose funding source was unknown.
'No way?'
No, not confirmed yet.
Jumping to conclusions would be worse if wrong.
"Got it. That helped a lot. Thanks."
"Ah. R-Really? Hehe..."
Elysia grinned foolishly at my thanks.
Looking closer, she wasn't so timid in areas she knew well.
Her energy had picked up, and she wasn't stumbling over words.
Anyway.
I'd learned a lot about the Bloodied Merchant Leader.
And my instincts whispered she might be that "big-money client."
The problem? No proof.
And no way to get it here at the social.
In cases like this...
'Maybe visit the oracle.'
If no hard evidence,
go to someone who can turn suspicion into proof.
-Waaah!
-Congratulations, Lord Colby!
While I pondered, a duel must have ended.
I'd been distracted by Bloodied earlier.
But now it was social time.
Acting too disinterested wouldn't look good, so I held back.
From afar, a noble named Colby had won.
Clap clap clap.
The surrounding nobles applauded in congratulations.
Colby retreated, bowing repeatedly with a proud expression.
In contrast, Jeron's face was sour.
Naturally. With Colby basking in cheers, Jeron was pushed out of the spotlight.
His face twisted as he glared at Colby, trying to hold it in.
'Tsk tsk.'
I clicked my tongue watching the scene.
This was why I hated mock duels.
If everyone started with good intentions and ended amicably, I'd have no issue.
But if every noble just wanted to win and show off,
and losers sulked with grim faces,
why bother?
So many better ways to enjoy the world.
I sat quietly, catching my breath.
No plans to join a mock duel.
No one would challenge me anyway.
No one like that.
I sipped my drink, watching Lady Elysia shrink back again beside me.
"You."
As I passed the time, someone addressed me.
Pink hair, pink eyes.
Princess Adelheit had come looking for me.
"Eek! P-Princess Adelheit...?"
We both ignored Elysia's trembling beside us.
"You don't seem interested in dueling. Just sitting here."
"Obviously. Why bother with something so annoying?"
"You do what I tell you even if you don't want to."
"Doesn't feel necessary yet."
"Hah. Whatever."
Adelheit grumbled and sat beside me.
Ignoring Elysia shrinking like a sea star, she said firmly.
"I'll watch you. See what you do."
Does this girl like me?
Even my dubious look didn't faze her.
She really meant to watch if I followed through.
-Anyone for the next one?
-Yeah. Was fun watching, but suddenly no one's stepping up.
-The eager ones went first. Now it's about reading the mood before challenging.
Oh.
A lull after a while. No one climbing the stage lately.
Duels during these gaps usually drew attention.
But nothing for me.
No one had challenged me yet.
Who'd want to duel someone in my unique position?
So I waited leisurely for time to pass.
But then.
Thud—thud—
Someone approached with heavy steps.
Deliberately loud, for all to hear.
Turning, I saw a man.
"Young Master Kline."
The young heir of Count Stimond.
Jeyl Stimond.
"Have you been well?"
"..."
I stared without replying.
Why approach me here, now?
It was so obvious it annoyed me.
Why this guy, of all people.
Why pull this in such a situation.
"Oh dear. Was it rude of me to speak? Your face hardened."
"I can sense your clear intentions. Just thinking about hearing them tires me out."
"Haha! Too much. What do you think I'd even do?"
"You came to challenge me to a duel."
The words slipped out snappishly.
I usually conversed amiably,
but Jeyl seeking me out amid my Bloodied worries irked me.
"Oh."
Jeyl shrugged theatrically.
But his eyes burned with clear heat.
Competitive spirit. Lust for victory.
Eyes fixed on Kline Leonhart, filled only with the desire to win.
"Caught me. No helping it. So, here and now... Young Master Kline, will you accept my challenge?"
"..."
I sighed.
Yeah. Figured.
He'd worn his desire to duel me on his sleeve for ages.
But the real question was,
"You sure about this?"
Was it okay for him to challenge me?
Mock duels aimed to show off, but nominally for learning.
Younger nobles challenging elders, or peers dueling, was the norm.
No cases like Jeyl, much older, challenging a younger one.
Obviously.
Know some shame. Looked like bullying a junior.
-Is that for real?
-Jeyl challenging Young Master Kline? Kinda ugly.
-Right? Even with competitive spirit, he's four years older. Isn't that shameless?
Such sharp reactions were expected.
I glanced around at them, then nodded at Jeyl.
Asking what he thought.
But Jeyl didn't back down.
"Don't care. I'm here to defeat you. Can't achieve my goals worrying about others' gazes."
"Sigh."
Ah. Suit yourself.
Even if it paints you as desperate, you want to beat me that badly?
I shrugged and stood.
"Fine. Let's duel."
Yeah.
If that's what you want, fine.
You need a good thrashing.