Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Jebit's Grand Entrance
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"Uh, are you really not going, Your Highness? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."
"Ah, I said I'm not going. I want to be alone, so don't show up."
"If you regret it later and blame me..."
Zap-
"Th-then I'll be at the banquet hall."
Rikal's icy glare.
Hannon bolted away in a panic, afraid of catching any fallout.
"He's always like this when it counts... such a pain."
Finally rid of Hannon, Rikal took a deep breath.
Today was the day of the 'Zakum Expedition' strategy meeting combined with the imperial banquet.
And Rikal had to attend the imperial banquet in disguise as <Empire's Light>.
To do that, he needed to perfectly fool the eyes of everyone in the palace.
He'd chased off everyone else, but the most persistent annoyance was Hannon.
The man was so competent he was still by Rikal's side.
He was convenient most of the time since any dissatisfaction was handled immediately, but in moments when Rikal needed to be alone, it was infuriating right now.
Of course, Hannon had stuck to Rikal to the end because he'd been puzzled that Rikal, who played 'Maple Leaf Tale' every day, wasn't attending this banquet.
Fortunately, Rikal had managed to shake him off somehow.
"...No one's around."
The outdoor garden was quiet.
With everyone at the banquet, there was no one outside the building.
Rikal stuffed a pillow under the blanket as if he were sleeping, then hurled himself out the window.
Thud-
Rikal dashed across the rooftops, evading people's eyes.
'...These guys aren't doing their jobs properly.'
He slipped past the guards' watch and escaped beyond the palace walls.
In a deserted spot near the walls, Rikal pulled out his brooch.
It was the transformation artifact he'd received from Rye.
Flash-
With a burst of brilliant light, Rikal's appearance changed.
Now as <Empire's Light>, Rikal caught his breath and headed for the gates.
"Halt-!"
Guards blocked his path.
He nearly snapped in irritation but held back.
He wasn't fully synced with the <Empire's Light> persona yet.
But as soon as he started speaking, he slipped right into the role.
It was something he was used to in-game, after all.
"I, I got invited to the imperial banquet today!"
Rikal—no, <Empire's Light>. Jebit. He showed them the invitation.
The guard took the paper and gawked at the invitation.
"N-no way, Lady Jebit...?"
"That's right!"
"To meet Lady Jebit in person...! P-please, come in."
"Thanks! I'm so happy!"
The guards reacted as if they'd met a celebrity, thrilled.
Jebit smirked and headed to the banquet hall.
'Because of that guy Hannon, I'm running so late. Still, I'll make it just in time for Act 2.'
He'd originally planned to attend from the start.
But shaking off his attendant Hannon had taken too long.
Fortunately, the strategy meeting started in Act 2 of the banquet, so he wouldn't be late for that.
Jebit crossed the vast imperial garden and reached the banquet hall entrance.
He showed the same invitation to the soldiers guarding it, and they reacted just like the gate guards.
"Phew..."
The banquet hall doors began to open.
Jebit steadied his breath and stepped inside.
But,
"H-how...?"
Something was off with the banquet hall's atmosphere.
People who should have been laughing were sobbing in unison, and the expedition leader Galliard was on his knees on the floor.
Rye stood alone in a corner of the hall. Spotting Jebit, he frantically waved his hands.
"Eh...? Lady Jebit...? Lady Jebit! You came!"
"What? That's Lady Jebit?"
"I heard the crown prince successfully delivered an invitation to Lady Jebit, but it was true?"
"She looks exactly like she does in Maple Leaf Tale!"
"Jebit! Lady Jebit!"
-Jebit! Jebit! Jebit! Jebit! Jebit!
Leo's voice calling out upon spotting Jebit.
Reacting to it, people started chanting Jebit's name and rushing toward her.
'Wh-what? I expected some attention, but not like this...'
"You came, Lady Jebit!"
"Why so late?!"
"Lady Jebit is so cute-!"
'Uh, uh... hold on, they're getting too close...'
People swarming toward Jebit.
Jebit started backing away.
Any physical contact could expose the illusion magic.
"N-no getting close...!"
But the excited crowd didn't stop.
And when they fully surrounded Jebit,
-Hold on a moment!
Someone stepped in front of the crowd.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It's common at banquets for celebrities to get mobbed by crowds.
But this case was different.
Right now, <Empire's Light> was being treated like the final key to conquering Zakum.
Her identity had been hidden for so long, fueling endless speculation.
In that situation, if she suddenly appeared, people would obviously swarm her.
As expected, everyone rushed toward Jebit.
Any bodily contact could reveal it was an illusion.
I had no choice but to step in and help her.
Not out of worry for Rikal, but because I didn't want to get dragged into unnecessary questioning myself.
"Hold on a moment!"
Heads turned toward my shout.
I pushed through the crowd and shielded Jebit.
"I understand you're thrilled to see Lady Jebit, but you need to be careful around her. For example... avoid any physical contact."
"Why?"
"And who are you to block her?!"
A few people protested.
Unlike the nobles in their fancy attire, I was a shabby-looking mage, so it made sense.
"I'm the illusion mage Rye Ought."
"Ryeot...? That's the guy who made 'Maple Leaf Tale'!"
"I heard the crown prince delivered the invitation to Lady Jebit via the Illusion Tower."
"So the Illusion Tower and Lady Jebit are close?"
"Y-yeah, not that close..."
I'd blocked them for now, but I had no idea what to say next.
I had to keep Jebit's identity secret while preventing any touching...
After a moment's thought, I just started blurting things out.
This whole situation was already brain-breaking anyway.
"So... Lady Jebit is a 'delicate beauty with a frail constitution.'"
"A d-delicate frail beauty?"
"That pale skin and petite frame certainly..."
"Yes, exactly. Lady Jebit is extremely vulnerable to germs as a 'delicate frail beauty,' so casual contact is out of the question."
Aaah...
The crowd let out collective sighs of pity.
Seemed like framing Jebit's appearance that way had worked.
"Not long ago, Lady Jebit visited the Illusion Tower and explained her situation. She wanted to join the 'Zakum Expedition' but was hesitant about crowded banquets."
By now, even the emperor had drawn near to listen.
"After our talk, we decided she'd unfortunately have to skip the offline strategy meeting, and I'd relay that."
"No matter what, we couldn't risk her health deteriorating from attending the banquet."
Everyone nodded in unison.
It was that convincing—the illusion of Jebit I'd modeled was just too endearing.
"But then, the crown prince visited the Illusion Tower. He politely requested her attendance, saying everyone was waiting and that she'd be the hero of this expedition."
"Lady Jebit agonized over it long after he left. And after all that deliberation, she mustered the courage to join the strategy meeting."
Ooooh...!
Tears of being deeply moved welled up in people’s eyes
Why were these people so prone to over-immersion?
"To think there was such a backstory..."
"Truly... truly a light unto us..."
"I almost hurt Lady Jebit without knowing... such a lovely person..."
"That beautiful young lady..."
Everyone felt fondness, pity, affection, even maternal instincts toward Jebit's looks and story.
The young ladies gazed at her with loving, sorrowful eyes.
And some of the male nobles were already smitten.
I didn't even want to imagine what those guys would do if they knew who was inside Jebit.
Especially the crown prince, who looked head over heels...
I ignored it and pressed on.
"Anyway, please be extra careful with physical contact. Lady Jebit sacrificed her own well-being to attend for the Zakum conquest, so I ask for your understanding."
"Th-that's right..."
Clap- Clap- Clap-
A loud applause echoed through the banquet hall.
Galliard was clapping with his massive hands.
"Truly grateful, <Empire's Light>. Your self-sacrifice reminds me of a former comrade. In the final battle with the Demon King, he sacrificed himself to bind its feet. He died in that last fight, but without his sacrifice, we couldn't have defeated the Demon King.
But fear not. This time, I won't let anything endanger <Empire's Light>'s health. We'll safely finish the strategy meeting and together triumph over Zakum.
Now! Everyone, make way! Instead of handshakes, let's express our praise and awe for <Empire's Light> with thunderous applause! Her noble sacrifice for humanity deserves all our acclaim!"
Waaaaah-
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
The masses parted like the Red Sea, clearing a path for Jebit to the round table.
What a bunch of weirdos.
Comparing her to someone who actually risked their life over a mere game?
Wasn't that an insult to that person?
But of course, my thoughts didn't reach them.
People showered Jebit with praise, even with tears and heartfelt emotion.
"Then let us truly begin Act 2 of the banquet!"
Grand music filled the hall once more.
And so the real strategy meeting began.
"Hawawa-? Jebit also has a powerful attack skill called 'Genesis'!"
Jebit had quickly adapted and was now actively participating.
Every time she spoke, the audience reacted.
Things like "Lady Jebit is so cute," "I just want to hug her once," "I've never seen such a beautiful lady," "Lady Jebit's beauty is lighting up this banquet hall."
I watched Jebit subtly enjoying the reactions with cold eyes, then left the banquet hall.
This brain-dead party was starting to wear on my mentally.
Hina was there anyway, so I'd hear the details later.
And so the night at the palace deepened.
...The next day.
📰 Breaking News [Finally Held: 'Zakum Expedition' Offline Meeting. Who's in the Expedition?] 📰 Breaking News [Insane Odds of Winning Zakum Strategy Banquet Invite. Interview with the Lucky Winner.] 📰 Breaking News [Long-Hidden 'Maple Leaf Tale' Named User Appears at Zakum Strategy Meeting.] 📰 Breaking News [Shock! Named User <Empire's Light>'s True Identity: Delicate Frail Beauty?] 📰 Breaking News [<Empire's Light>. Despite Rare Illness, Appears at Banquet for 'Zakum' Conquest. Attendees in 'Tears' After Hearing Her Story.] 📰 Breaking News [In-Game Looks and Personality Identical for <Empire's Light>. Heartbreaking Backstory Contrasts Her Beauty; World Now in 'Jebit Fever.'] 📰 Breaking News [Pharmacy Guild: "We'll Develop a Cure for <Empire's Light>'s Illness Within a Year." Requesting Tests to Identify Her Rare Disease.] 📰 Breaking News ['Jebit Mania' Sweeps Craftsmen Circles. Crafters Making 'Jebit Goods' Inspired by Her Items and Identity.] 📰 Breaking News [Unfinished 'Jebit Goods' Already Pre-Ordered by Over 1,000. Skyrocketing Prices. Meanwhile, Some Demand 'Fallen Power Warrior' and 'Elf Queen' Goods...] The related articles poured in as expected.
Jebit had already become an idol.
"Not surprising anymore."