Walpurgis Night's Ballroom, Bigger Than Expected
The ballroom hosting Walpurgis Night was bigger than I'd imagined. Though the number of invited guests was small, considering that servants, fairies, and witches were all suspects, checking every single one felt utterly daunting.
More than anything... what was with all these people wearing hats? The witches' hats especially, pointed upward, made it hard to tell if they had horns or not.
Having to wander the party just staring at people's heads...
If it weren't for that fairy gift, I never would've taken this job.
"Junior. Should we check them one by one, like Peak said?"
Maybe because we'd moved a bit, she was fanning herself with a fan she'd pulled out from somewhere to beat the heat. She asked me this.
"The space is spread out, and so are the people."
Due to the nature of the event, no one was gathered in one spot exchanging greetings. The crowd was scattered in stiff clusters here and there, like they were lining up to show off to someone important.
"Let's start with the witches. The ones resting on the ground seem to take off their hats, so we can check easily."
"Sounds good. But will the witches cooperate with us that easily?"
"Oh, that? Don't worry about it."
"Huh?"
"Because witches are..."
* * *
"Yes, yes, yes! Prince of Calione! What brings you here? Don't tell me you've missed us already, even though we just parted? Right? Say yes! Please!"
"...No, I just had a quick question."
"A question? My number? Take it! Here! Not curious about my home address? I don't give it to just anyone, but for you, I can!"
"This is crazy! I'm first!"
"Get outta hereee!"
My mere appearance turned their resting spot into instant chaos.
Witches. The public saw them as unpredictable folk who acted on whims, utterly untrustworthy unless bound by contract...
But most had one thing in common.
They were total airheads for bad boys.
Trait 【Bad Boy】 was working overtime.
"No, I've been curious since I was a kid—what's inside a witch's hat? Just childhood curiosity... I've never actually seen witches up close."
"Oh my! Such pure, cute thoughts! Everyone, hats off!!"
"I've got a cat in mine!"
-Meow.
"Mine's a pigeon!"
-Coo coo coo!
"...Whoa."
Absolute madness.
The biggest reason talking to witches was exhausting? Their energy was off the charts—mixing words with them drained your sanity just from the vibe.
And why the hell were they raising animals in their hats? Witches were impossible to understand.
"How's this, young master Calione? Like our scalps?"
I had no idea why scalps came up, but since they'd shown their hats' insides so easily, I quickly scanned their heads.
Blond, silver, black hair, pigeon, cat, and what looked like a pilfered champagne bottle from the table.
No horns in sight.
"Yeah. No horns."
"Horns? But we're not devils?"
I ignored their confused head-tilts and looked at Yulli.
"Not among these witches."
"Huh? Uh. Yeah. I heard witches don't show inside their hats easily... How'd you do it?"
Oh, right—there was that lore.
Still, a hard-earned reputation and charm never failed.
"Guess I just click with witches."
No wonder I could clear CS on charm alone.
"Ahh! Young master Calione, where are you going?!"
"You could hang with us more! We're free right now!"
I walked past their pitiful gazes.
"Let's check elsewhere. Walpurgis Night is shorter than you think."
"Ah. Okay."
The witches' sobs from behind were a bit creepy, but I couldn't stick around playing.
After that, we focused on crowded spots.
Maybe because of my brief clash with Faust, people often approached as I neared, but luckily, Yulli grabbing my sleeve each time made them back off with awkward smiles.
Yeah, a companion made it awkward.
We kept checking folks until we reached a corner of the ballroom.
"Once we check those guys, we've covered everyone on the invite list, right?"
"Yeah. Next, the servants... though unlikely."
As we drew closer, horns rising above his head came into view.
Back turned, so no face yet.
"Let's go say hi."
"Say hi? Wouldn't it be better to tell Peak?"
Reporting a suspect would end our mission, sure...
"We don't know the face. Gotta describe exactly who."
"R-Right?"
"If it gets dicey, pull me back like before. Works on others."
"...Got it. Let's try."
With Yulli convinced, we approached boldly.
"Excuse me. Thought I'd say hello amid your enjoyable chat."
Playing the Walpurgis Night newbie card, as usual. Most responded kindly.
"Eugene Han Calione, first time here with Calione."
"Calione?"
For some reason, the man whipped his head around at my name. A familiar emblem badge under his massive horns caught my eye.
"Hong Kong Triads?"
The ones I'd blocked infiltrating Incheon Port, sending a mid-level exec as apology. Definitely them.
...Oh ho, so they were Villain Union pawns.
Bingo.
"Never dreamed I'd run into old ties here. Proper intro: Eugene Han Calione, Calione enforcer."
I extended my gloved hand—Midas touch—for a shake.
He looked reluctant but took it.
"Last time was a grave offense. Joo Young-dal, chairman of Hong Kong Triads' Seven Leaders Society."
He flashed a business smile, gripping my hand. Round glasses, nose mustache, long horns—textbook brainy villain.
"Quite far from the others. What brings you here?"
Translation: Why sneak here suspiciously to chat me up?
"Just finishing greetings. You seem... busy."
His retort: Yeah~ not special treatment~ greeted everyone~ so what're you doing here? Sketchy.
"Business talk naturally leads to quiet spots. Wish I could entertain more, but duty calls."
-Chose this on purpose for secret talk. Smart ones leave. Not for your ears.-
"Shame, but unavoidable. Enjoy your chat."
-Oh yeah? Got what I need. Deal with you later.-
Quick veiled barbs exchanged. Good enough—I had face and affiliation. Report to Peak and bounce.
Perfect timing—Yulli tugged my arm.
Great, back away slow...
"Hm? Isn't that Lady Rodmang?"
Then, the Western man behind Joo Young-dal stepped forward, acting like he knew her.
Classic blond, blue-eyed look.
Yulli naturally hid behind me.
"...Sunbae?"
I called back quietly—what's up?—and she whispered:
"Dad set up a blind date guy... Not my type... Get rid of him...!"
"Pardon?"
Why me?
"Who's that?"
Prioritizing intel, I eyed him.
"Huh?"
Then spotted horns sprouting above his head.
Wait... growing bigger?
"Calione... You were just talking with Dr. Faust. Gary Franche. Small arms dealer in Europe."
Gary Franche. Weapons merchant and lobbyist in Western Europe and Africa. Game lore: Over 30% of African rebels' guns traced to him. Global player.
No Villain Union ties in-game, so why chatting with Joo Young-dal? Both horned?
Stinks. Conspiracy reek.
Play along for now.
"Nice to meet you. Mind if we excuse ourselves? My companion, Lady Rodmang, seems tired."
Yulli clutched her head on cue.
His temple vein popped under the smile.
"Haha! I see. But... you two so close? She was checking me out earlier."
"...Checking out?"
What? Blind date?
I glanced for explanation; she blushed, whispering:
"Not a date! Just greeted and chatted! Had to—Dad threatened no elixir otherwise!"
...Fair. Elixirs matter.
"We're not dating, so no issue? I'm just escorting at Count Rodmang's request."
No big deal for me or you, right?
But... why were his horns growing?
"Ha. Haha. Fair enough. Joo Young-dal?"
Suddenly calling the watching triad boss.
"Let's do it now."
"N-Now? But you said before wrap-up..."
"Target walked right up. Better chance?"
"True... Fine, let's."
They started cryptic talk.
Didn't know details, but plotting with us here? Meant silencing us.
"Know how I became Europe's top arms dealer?"
Obviously—world-class space and concealment magic.
Tang! He tapped the ground with his cane. A translucent barrier sealed us off.
Like Peak's spell.
"No one hears inside, even Faust, Peak, or your father. And don't worry about dying—we won't make enemies of Count Rodmang or Don Calione."
He eyed Joo Young-dal.
"He'll handle your memories. Think bad dream, give up quick."
"Hah."
Their words drew a hollow laugh.
Hide a private chat among global elites, do something to us, wipe memories? Spill it all brazenly? To me?
How low did they think we—I—were?
Squeak squeak squeak squeak—
"Hm?"
I drew my holstered pistol—the Old Republic Spy Tools Key Tokarev—aiming at him.
"Noisy little rat."
Soundproof fight zone? Perfect~
──BANG!