Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Blade is Sharpest When Hidden. (5)
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I used to think accessories were exclusively for women, but that notion came crashing down.
"Alright, let me explain the next task."
Abel began speaking as he looked at Melina.
"...So, once the stones are cut, have them set into earrings and rings. That way, we can combine the power of the accessories with the power of the stones."
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the silvery glow that shimmered every time his lips moved.
"Next, cut these gems to enhance their transparency and allow more light to pass through."
Amidst it all, I think Abel showed her a raw blue stone. But hardly any of it registered in Melina's ears.
"Official sales will start after the Harvest Festival, but before that, we need a luxury necklace and earring set for promotion. Focus all your efforts on making that first."
In the end, Melina missed almost everything Abel said.
"Do you understand?"
"...Pardon?"
Abel sighed as Melina asked in a shrill voice.
"Was it that complicated? I thought I explained it simply."
He beckoned to the middle-aged woman standing back.
"Elice."
Even in her daze, Melina clearly heard that one name ring in her ears.
'That woman's name is Elice.'
Elice approached quietly and bowed her head.
"Yes, Master."
"Handle the rest."
Having given the order, he abruptly stood from his seat.
"Eh? You're leaving?"
Melina's eyes widened. Abel draped the outer coat Elice offered over his shoulders.
"I don't like explaining things twice. And I'm busy."
"But..."
"See you next time."
Abel left the room without looking back. It was the same retreating figure he always showed Melina.
"Ah..."
Melina swallowed her lingering regret. Elice sat down across from her.
"For now, Miss Melina, please take a look at this paper."
With a flutter, a single sheet of paper was placed in front of Melina.
"What's this?"
Elice smiled brightly at Melina's question.
"It's a contract. Between you and our merchant group."
The first step of the Melina Jewelry Merchant Group, soon to sweep the entire empire, was now beginning.
❖ ❖ ❖
Central Square of the capital, Magiore.
The largest square in the capital was currently teeming with people, packed so tightly there was no room to step.
"Get in line!"
"Don't cross this line!"
Knights formed a wall of humans, struggling to control the crowd.
The Consecration Festival.
A symbolic event opening the first day of the Harvest Festival, hosted jointly by the imperial family and the temple.
It drew massive crowds of commoners and others alike, all eager for a rare chance to glimpse dignitaries they could hardly see otherwise.
"Whew, what a crowd."
Of course, it was none of my business.
I leisurely sat in the nobles-only viewing area, watching the waves of people surging below.
This spot was right next to the temporary stage for the Consecration Festival, offering a front-row view of the event.
"It'll be a while before they start."
The high platform atop the stage still only had event staff moving about. Likewise, the imperial family's seats across from it remained empty.
That was when it happened.
"Young Lord Abel!"
Mikel tapped me from behind.
"Lord Mikel."
"It's been too long. Are you feeling better now?"
"Thanks to your concern."
I shrugged my shoulders as if to say I was fully recovered, and Mikel burst into a hearty laugh.
"You looked half-dead back then. Anyway, glad to see you looking well."
"And how have you been, Lord Mikel?"
"Busy here and there. Visited the territories I manage, met with people, bought various goods."
Mikel approached my side with a friendly demeanor.
"What have you been up to, Young Lord Abel? No word at all."
I scratched my head apologetically at the mildly reproachful question.
"I've been busy too. For reasons similar to yours, Lord Mikel."
"Oh? Already? So much to do in the capital?"
"Indeed."
I gave a meaningful smile.
"Visited the places I manage,"
The bandit group backed by the Mare Guild.
"Met various people,"
The fools sniffing around my trail, perfect marks to become my new wallets.
"And bought all sorts of things."
All with other people's money, of course.
Unaware of my inner thoughts, Mikel expressed admiration.
"Impressive. Well, I had a hunch when I saw Cain and his friends approaching."
We wrapped up the conversation, seemingly in sync yet subtly off-mark.
Mikel settled comfortably into his seat and asked,
"You've added some accessories since I last saw you?"
"Do they suit me?"
I chuckled and flicked the earrings dangling from my earlobes.
"I bought them because I liked the design."
"Haha, is this the trend among you young folks these days? They suit you surprisingly well."
Mikel had a habit of calling himself old, but in truth, he was less of a stick-in-the-mud than most for his age.
He even complimented my accessories, which might seem frivolous to others.
'He wouldn't say that if he saw my hands.'
They were hidden by the gauntlet now, but all ten fingers were adorned with silver rings.
"Anyway, the Harvest Festival is finally starting. Are you prepared?"
"Prepared for what?"
"Haha, playing dumb? The hunting tournament in three days."
"It's coming along nicely."
Of course, the preparations Mikel had in mind differed from mine.
"Do your best. The winner gets an incredible prize."
Mikel shook his head with a booming laugh.
"I'm too old for that now. Time to just watch."
"Don't say that. Didn't you win consecutively for years?"
"Haha, how did you know?"
At my moderately flattering remark, Mikel stroked his beard, looking embarrassed.
"Well, back then... I was mostly trying to impress a lady I fancied."
"I see."
"You're probably entering for the same reason, right, Young Lord Abel?"
A sharp glint flashed briefly in Mikel's eyes. His unsettling gaze forced a retort.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, last time I saw you, you seemed quite close to Her Highness Princess Violet."
His tone carried an odd sense of betrayal.
"You're not perhaps in talks for marriage with Princess Violet, are you?"
...This old man too, seriously?
Elice had asked the same, but I couldn't fathom why everyone assumed that direction.
I felt nothing for her. To me, Princess Violet was just a fun toy to tease—and a tool to provoke Cain.
"Not at all."
I stated flatly with a straight face.
"Imperial marriages aren't arranged so lightly. I merely shared a brief acquaintance with Her Highness."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Mikel visibly relaxed.
"Ahem, good... I mean, no, that's fine. Come to think of it, this is your first Harvest Festival, isn't it, Young Lord Abel?"
"Yes."
"Then you probably don't know the order of events. Let me explain."
He seemed in good spirits again as he continued describing the festival.
"The Consecration Festival today wraps up the opening, followed by three days of feasts and banquets. The imperial family spares no expense on these days, so enjoy yourself."
I already knew all this but let him go on, no need to stop him.
"The next day brings the nobles' hunting tournament, then the commoners' martial tournament. Everyone will be fired up to win."
"Quite lavish."
"The Harvest Festival ends with the prayer rite for next year's bountiful harvest. It all takes about a week."
Our conversation paused there as other nobles began arriving, requiring greetings.
'Here they come.'
Carlo and Cain entered grandly. Their influence remained strong, with many nobles swarming to fawn over them.
Cain's gaze flicked toward me briefly, but he quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.
As the nobles' seats nearly filled,
"It'll start soon."
Mikel nudged my side. I followed his gaze.
The imperial family entered one by one, taking their seats. Most striking among them was Emperor Theodore.
His form-fitting ceremonial attire highlighted his robust physique. Beneath his prominent nose, shadowed eyes gleamed blood-red, like pools of fresh blood.
'Still spry as ever today.'
I inwardly praised—though not genuinely—his youth before glancing behind.
First Empress Haylia and her daughter Princess Violet led the way, followed by the other consorts and princesses.
Strikingly, every member except the emperor was female.
'Planning to hold the throne for a century or millennium, I see.'
I clicked my tongue at Emperor Theodore's boundless ambition. With Serenade in play, it wasn't impossible.
"Looks like the temple folks have arrived too."
Mikel faithfully played commentator. As he said, numerous priests and bishops ascended the stage.
'Rachel must be behind that stage right now.'
The fateful encounter between Requiem and Serenade—never realized even once in the original story—was drawing near.
Thump, thump.
My heart beat steadily. Requiem slumbered peacefully, oblivious to the impending events.
'Come on, show yourself already.'
I waited calmly for the saintess to appear, feeling the rings on every finger joint.
❖ ❖ ❖
"Saintess, it's almost time for your entrance."
A knight in uniform approached and said.
"Yes."
Rachel replied calmly and rose from her chair.
She stood at the back of the stage. Normally a place for entrants to wait alone, but knights flanked her on both sides.
This was by Emperor Theodore's order, who couldn't bear to leave Rachel unattended even for a moment.
'That damn thorough bastard.'
On any other day, she'd have cursed him five times longer, but Rachel held back.
Something more important than cursing the emperor occupied her now.
'Soon.'
She sensed the massive crowd beyond the stage. It felt like half the capital's population had gathered.
Rachel had waited solely for this day. The day so many people congregated.
And...
'Requiem, that thing must be here too.'
She was certain Requiem's owner was present.
Since that day she'd felt Requiem's presence so closely, Rachel had checked on it sporadically.
Requiem spent most of its time dormant, like sleeping. Uncharacteristic for a being that should never stay quiet amid such crowds.
But recently, Requiem had gone berserk.
'Looks like its owner reached his limit.'
Rachel thought Requiem had finally won the power struggle and devoured its owner.
She was so thrilled she nearly jumped from her seat during worship.
'Now it'll return to the capital and unleash a massacre, right?'
Just imagining the scene was exhilarating. Especially picturing Emperor Theodore's distorted face—it sent shivers through her body.
'I can die now.'
The moment trouble arose, the emperor would prioritize securing her, the saintess. But no mere human could stop Requiem's slaughter.
'I'll watch that bastard die before my eyes, then die myself.'
No, the order didn't matter.
As long as this unpleasant, meaningless life ended—however it happened—Rachel didn't care.
Yet, against her wishes,
'...Huh? Wh-what?'
Requiem had quieted again. She tried sensing it over ten times, suspecting a mistake, but no change.
Requiem's owner had succeeded in silencing it once more.
'No, you rotten son of a bitch?'