Chapter 82: The Masquerade Ball
As its title proclaimed—a venue "to foster unity among the western nobles"—the ball was hosted by the von Wolfgang family. The Repelheit Marquis, lord of the west and the emperor's right-hand man, was far too exalted for something like a mere ball. A victory celebration might be another matter. Thus, the von Wolfgang family, the undisputed right arm of the west despite their relatively lower stature, took on the role of host.
And on the night before the ball, nobles invited from across the west converged on the von Wolfgang estate. Carriages stretched all the way down to the foot of the mountain, and at the very front of the procession stood one carriage that screamed its owner's identity at first glance. A red flag emblazoned with a roaring golden-maned lion fluttered proudly, flanked by four riders on warhorses. Amid this sea of nobility, they alone were permitted an escort.
There was no mistaking whose carriage it was.
"...Ebnis must have already arrived."
"Yes, it seems so. By the way... is that outfit uncomfortable?"
That outfit? What outfit? Oh, this one?
"Not particularly."
"Master Adrian, haha... it suits you quite well, actually."
Come to think of it, what I was wearing now was the von Wolfgang butler's uniform handed to me by Fromen. I'd stashed my Salenium Academy uniform in my luggage bag. I'd pull it out for the ball itself. For now, I was playing the role of Fromen's apprentice butler, the one he'd brought as his successor. That's how I was able to ride in the carriage with Alpren.
"Getting in should be easy enough. The real problem comes after. I know of a secret room, so stay there for the day, then head to the ballroom. I have my own preparations to make."
"Master Adrian, given my position, once you're inside, you'll have to handle everything on your own."
"I don't mind."
It's better alone if I'm going to get anything done.
"...Whew, so it really begins now."
"Don't tense up, young master. If you do, the lord might notice you're hiding something."
"Right. Oh, Master Adrian, and that's my sister's room over there."
A spiral tower rose beside the mansion, its top floor aglow with light.
"...That's where she is."
"Yes, but you can't go there. The ball hasn't started yet, and Father will have stationed guards everywhere nearby."
"I see."
At that moment, a knock-knock came from outside the carriage. Fromen stood, shielding me with his body, and deftly opened the window.
"It's me. I've brought young master Alpren. Please inform the count and countess."
"Ah, yes! Right this way!"
The carriage veered off from the main procession. And just like that, I infiltrated the von Wolfgang mansion without being spotted.
* * *
"Here it is. Open the wardrobe and lift the floorboard underneath—it connects to the basement of my room. I made it myself, so no one knows."
"Well now... young master, you had something like this?"
"Haha... follow me."
We climbed down a ladder into the basement, emerging into a simple training hall. A weathered straw dummy stood there, broken wooden swords piled in one corner, and well-worn practice blades scattered haphazardly across the floor. I, Fromen, and Alpren stepped down onto the training hall floor one by one.
"...What's this place?"
"It's my personal training hall. The von Wolfgangs are a magic family, but I prefer swordsmanship, so I've been practicing in secret from my parents."
I see. That's a new backstory twist.
"It's not long since I made it... anyway, you can stay here for the day. I hole up here often to avoid people, so there's plenty of food and water."
Got it. Sure enough, opening the crates revealed sealed rations and water. Hunker down here overnight and head to the ballroom tomorrow, huh? Smart plan, but...
A little too cautious, maybe. Sometimes you need to take bold risks.
"Alpren. Do you have any other engagements after this?"
"Ah, yes. I have to greet Father and Mother, and there's a dinner later with me, Sister Reina, and heirs from various families."
"Then I'll join you."
"...Pardon? What?"
Why so surprised? I need to see the faces of everyone attending this ball. This isn't just about the academy—it's my chance to make a name among the empire's nobles too.
"Y-You're going like this? If anyone spots you..."
Of course not. Walking in like this would be insane.
"No, I'll go as your butler."
"Whaaat?"
Fromen approached quietly from the side.
"...Master Adrian, are you sure about this?"
"I'm confident."
"Hahaha, your etiquette is impeccable, so it might just work. I'll cast a simple disguise spell on you—worth a try."
"Whaaaaat?!"
"Young master, your acting will be crucial."
Perfect. We're set.
* * *
Clack.
A single set of footsteps echoed, and everyone in the grand dining hall fell silent. No one dared lift their head. Her rank, her dignity, her bloodline weighed down on their shoulders and necks like an invisible yoke. A student had duties as a student.
She wore the Salenium uniform itself a badge of honor, adorned with the golden pin of top student. A dress sword at her waist. Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit strode in with a sullen expression, sat at her prepared seat, and propped her chin on her hand.
Boring.
Dinner with the heirs of influential houses. Politically, it was valuable. Those invited to this "venue of western unity" were the cream of the western crop—all potential successors to major families, future pillars of her own faction.
But that's exactly the problem. She was the west's premier heir, from the Repelheit family. Already, she could see them itching to chat her up. Hadn't she dealt with this tedium back at the academy? Faces she recognized but had no desire to converse with kept approaching, so Ebnis responded politely enough and turned to someone she at least knew.
She was surprised.
"...Reina? Your face..."
"Ah, Lady Ebnis, sorry. Haha, it's a bit swollen..."
She wore the same uniform, but her under-eyes were red and puffy. Makeup tried to hide it, but it showed. How could she not ask?
"...Something happen? Was it Adrian...?"
"No, not that."
She always smiled. At the academy, that's all Ebnis had ever seen. Out at sea, she'd been the liveliest of them all. Now, she sat with swollen eyes, lips sealed, staring down her untouched food.
"Sorry, it's family business. I can't really say."
"I see... But if you ever need to talk, I'm here."
Something was definitely wrong. But she'd drawn the line first. She needed time to think. No words would comfort her now.
Next, her gaze shifted to...
"Thanks for lending me the territory. The sea was fun. Alpren."
"Ah, uh, yes! Thank you so much!"
...What? His voice trembled oddly. Hadn't he answered just fine at the sea?
Still, Ebnis noticed Alpren's eyes kept flicking to the servant beside him. She glanced at the servant too. New face.
He looks like a newbie servant. Worried he'll mess up here?
Or maybe just nervous about the occasion. That seemed reasonable. Alpren kept chugging water like his throat was parched, and the servant silently refilled his glass from the side.
A true leader eases tensions like that.
"Is that servant new? He's quite capable."
"Ah, haha ha..."
"He doesn't interrupt, doesn't eavesdrop, watches his master closely and provides exactly what's needed. Sharp instincts and good sense."
Alpren kept bowing his head, and Ebnis turned back to Reina.
"Reina."
"Yes, Lady Ebnis."
"Has he gone back to the academy?"
"...No, he said he had business and would stay at the coastal territory two more days before heading back. He should be there by now, probably?"
"...Send someone to check if he really left."
"Pardon, but why...?"
"Because he might say he's going and not go. That's how he is. Always scheming, stirring up trouble if left alone—what's he planning this time...?"
"..."
"Alpren? You okay? Your face is beet red..."
"I-I'm f-f-fine!"
Then, the silent servant spoke.
"Young master, you seem weary from the journey. Perhaps retire for the night."
"...?"
At the same moment.
"...Keli? What's wrong? See something?"
The calm, silver-haired servant beside Reina glanced in the direction Alpren had vanished.
"No, nothing. ...I thought I saw someone familiar."
"Don't you know lots of familiar faces here, Keli?"
"My lady, if I may have a moment of your time."
"Go ahead."
Keli bowed gracefully and vanished like the wind. Reina stared after her, murmuring.
"What's with her? That's not like Keli..."
* * *
We were heading back, carrying Alpren on our shoulders.
"Stop right there."
Something whistled past my ear and thudded into the wall ahead. A dagger.
I didn't need to turn. Of course—the only one here sharp enough to notice and follow.
"...Keli."
The character who'd partied with me for Melwood Elion's boss fight. Reina's maid and classmate.
"...Why are you here? This isn't a place you belong."
"I thought you were a mage... didn't know you were skilled in assassination too."
Daggers glinted beneath the fluttering hem of her skirt. Even now, one gleamed on each finger, the last aimed at me.
"Just basics. Adrian, why are you here? Explain your intentions. Or I'll have to deal with you."
"I get that you're confident in your skills, but first, grasp your own situation."
With a soft shing, tiny daggers appeared at both sides of Keli's neck.
"Wh-what...? Where did those—?"
"From now on, if you attack me, those two daggers will pierce your throat instantly."
"Kgh..."
"Now we can talk."
I turned to face her.
"You asked why I'm here. Simple, isn't it?"
"...?"
"You know the true purpose of this ball, don't you, Keli?"
"..."
"I have no hobby of sitting idly by while someone steals my fiancée. If you're sending me on my way, let's call it even. Think hard about what's best for your lady."
She bit her lip and bowed her head.
"...I didn't see you today."
As she passed me, she murmured quietly.
"But this is outside the academy. And the opponents this time are real nobles. You could die."
"I won't die."
Try and kill me. No oppression, threat, or force will ever bring me to my knees. I've always survived.
And the next day.
Please welcome Count Kailsen von Wolfgang and Countess Alren!
The masquerade that would upend fate had begun.