Blood Moon of the Ball
RFL-90 Etiquette Injector DAMAGED
Armament Deployment: IMPOSSIBLE
Repair: REQUIRED
‘Not bad for something I just chucked.’
I spun my left arm around. Looked like I wouldn’t be firing the magic rifle for a while.
If anything, that was a good thing.
Time to equip something bigger and more beautiful.
The witch was taken care of anyway. As long as I didn’t fire the first shot, the north should stay quiet for now.
A satisfied smile crept across my face.
‘Faster than the original plot.’
Freira was already starting to awaken her power.
“Grand Duke’s lady. Your circle’s spinning too fast. Half your mana’s leaking out from friction.”
“It’s cold… I’m freezing…”
She still couldn’t handle mana properly, but hey, rapid progress.
Elise was staring at Freira with a blank expression. When the lady shivered, she fetched a few more blankets and draped them over her.
“You look less like the Grand Duke’s lady and more like a beggar in a sackcloth.”
“…Elise. Wanna die?”
Had the two gotten closer?
“I beseech thee, burn my foes with hellfire.”
“Hot hot hot.”
“It’s not hot. It’s arcanium alloy.”
“Busted~.”
Yeah, they seemed friendly now.
Freira looked a bit more confident. Before, she’d just been fragile and timid; now she was a little more honest with her emotions.
“…Hamel, watch me for a bit.”
“Grand Duke’s lady. Then I’ll get jealous.”
“Go play by yourself over there.”
“Waaah.”
Her face visibly brightened when I offered to guide her personally.
Since the main quest was off to a smooth start, time to move to the next phase. I broached the topic carefully.
“Freira. About the person the witch mentioned.”
“Huh? Who?”
“…Euterpe.”
The lady froze.
“Hamel. About my mom…”
“My apologies. I was thoughtless.”
“No. It’s not your fault. Just… a little…”
Freira gave a wistful smile.
“I think I need some time.”
Looked like jumping straight to the next quest wouldn’t work. Pushing now would backfire.
Then the branch I could take at this point…
‘The ball?’
The infamous event showcasing the emperor’s ill will. The ultimate “if you don’t know, you get wrecked” trap.
I’d always told newbies to delay it as long as possible.
“Ah, everyone’s here.”
The training ground door opened. The bishop with her gentle face appeared, lugging two heavy things. Impressive she could even walk.
“Freira. Practicing magic? Amazing!”
“Yeah, thanks. What brings you here?”
Alsanna beamed and pulled out an invitation. It bore the imperial seal.
“There’s a ball! To commemorate the witch subjugation, I think. You got one too, right, Freira?”
“……Oh, the ball.”
“Hm. The ball. That ridiculous event where you tangle limbs and spin around?”
“I didn’t ask Tin Can!”
Alsanna was the only one with sparkling round eyes, thrilled. Pure-hearted people sure had it easy.
“I’m attending as a bishop. I’ll leave my escort to a paladin. Have you chosen yours, Freira?”
“Father can’t leave the north because of recent events. So…”
Freira glanced at me.
“…Hm.”
“H-Hamel as your escort?”
“Y-Yeah. That’s the plan.”
I was an automaton, after all. Wouldn’t that tarnish the Grand Duke’s prestige?
Alsanna seemed to think the same, hesitating. Freira just smirked.
“It’s fine. I don’t have many friends anyway. Right, Alsanna? You’ll keep quiet?”
“O-Of course! If Hamel doesn’t make a sound, he’ll pass for human!”
I clamped my mouth shut and smiled. She still didn’t know I could talk and think.
The capital was heavily guarded. Not just ironclad security.
They had the Mind’s Eye.
A great skill used only by imperial royals and Holy Kingdom inquisitors. Effects varied by user.
The emperor’s was “Gaze.” He could survey everywhere in range.
No wonder the princess kept trying to leave the capital. His eye was limited to it.
‘He’ll personally watch this ball with his Mind’s Eye.’
Selene had no choice but to obey. Even frame Freira, though she didn’t want to.
She’d resist in her own way, but it’d be futile.
First, the emperor would intervene via optically cloaked magic special forces.
Second, if things didn’t go his way, the first prince would barge in.
The perfect “if you don’t know, get wrecked” setup. Selene would get hit too, for reference.
I’d foil it all, though.
Lost in thought, Elise nudged me.
Imperial palace annex ballroom. I stood in the maintenance passage in the ceiling. Elise dangled upside down beside me.
Should I just drop her? Nah, probably not.
I calmly recapped the plan for Elise.
She nailed the key point, so no issue. As I moved to descend, Elise grabbed my shoulder tight.
She rapid-fired without even breathing. Well, it was just thoughts.
Crazy girl. I patted the upside-down Elise and climbed down.
The ball began. The annex ballroom buzzed with noble heirs, high officials, and Holy Kingdom figures.
All eyes locked on one person.
Freira Karstein, Grand Duke’s lady. A lonely bird in a cage.
Nobles typically attended the academy. But she’d studied with tutors due to her frail health.
Most heirs had never seen her in person. Just rumors she took after her mother.
“They say she looks just like the Frost Witch.”
“Watch your mouth. It’s Grand Duchess Karstein.”
“That was a compliment. She was famous, right? Grand Duchess Euterpe’s smile was legendary.”
If she inherited those genes, she’d be stunning. Everyone imagined their own ice beauty as grand music swelled.
“She’s coming.”
“Fair warning, I’m asking her to dance.”
Neat steps, but awkward somehow. Not who we expected.
“M-May the Lord shine upon all creation.”
Ahem.
The Holy Kingdom’s bishop entered with a nervous cough. Her tension stirred protective instincts.
The noble heirs felt nature’s grandeur.
‘Huge.’ ‘For real.’ ‘A priestess?’ ‘Thank the Lord for eyes.’
Her plain white robe had only modest silver Holy Kingdom embroidery. No cleavage.
Yet the physics of her steps sparked faith.
“No asking her to dance, huh.”
“The bishop? Pass.”
Her paladin escort wore the sternest face imaginable.
Alsanna smiled brightly at every glance from heirs. They struggled for excuses to talk. A one-sided assault from a lifelong celibate priestess.
Clack.
Sharp heels pierced the hall. Murmurs turned to one spot.
Clack. Clack.
Heirs gaped. Ladies talking to them smirked.
Slim legs, no fat, delicate waist. Voluminous contrast above.
“…”
Faint smile. Emerald eyes like her mother’s. Waist-length hair like fresh frost.
Freira Karstein, Grand Duke’s lady. Frost Witch’s blood.
Her silent entrance exceeded expectations.
“Applause.”
“…But who’s her escort?”
Attention shifted to the man entering with her.
Heirs’ reactions flipped by gender. Ladies from great houses gasped.
Suspiciously muscular build, chiseled face and black hair, gaze thoughtfully matching her every step.
“…”
He said nothing, like her. No problem—the hall buzzed already.
“Talie. Find out about that man. House, succession rank, height—everything.”
“He looks God-sculpted.”
“Hah. Wonder what the Grand Duke’s lady’s been up to. Snagged some house heir…”
I courteously escorted Freira. Such functions were standard.
The two were silent, but not thoughtless.
‘Wonder what it feels like entering with a pet tin can instead of a person. …Probably sucks.’
‘My heart’s gonna explode. Hamel’s hand is warm. Deep breaths. Whoosh—in—whoosh—’
Contrasting thoughts flashed through their minds. Hamel and Freira sat at the Grand Duke’s table.
Murmurs died. The mood grew heavy—not just from the Karsteins.
With the Grand Duke’s house seated, only one order remained.
Imperial anthem boomed majestically. Everyone stood tense. The timid sweated coldly.
“Hm.”
Second Imperial Princess, Selene von Baltgard.
The Empire’s blood moon entered.
Chin raised, gaze downcast. Ice-blue eyes brimmed with arrogance. Every gesture screamed authority.
She scanned the hall. Most bowed hastily.
Only one met her eyes: me.
‘…Selene. You’re acting.’
I alone knew her true intent.
“We behold the Empire’s Silver Moon.”
“We behold the Empire’s Silver Moon.”
One by one, they knelt as if rehearsed. Selene took a deep breath before speaking.
The emperor was watching.
“Yes. Kneel, you lowly things.”
Authority served the people, yet she crushed the masses it protected.
“Grovel on the earth and look up. To the Empire’s Silver Moon, Selene von Baltgard.”
Trembling eyes hardened with resolve.
All for revolution’s dawn. Innocent sacrifices for the surviving masses.
Selene stared at Freira.
“Karstein Grand Duke’s lady. I want to see your dance.”