174. The White Serpent's Banquet (1)
174. The White Serpent's Banquet (1)
- 1 -
Even now, Elena and Yuran were actively engaged, and humans were killing each other in fury and hatred in the southwestern territorial war that had just begun.
I had ordered one of the queens loyal to me to create an opening to dig into this region.
Initially, the targets I had designated were the lords of this region.
For I considered that the greedy among them would be the most suitable as that opening.
But the queen who examined this region, while following my command, had created an opening in a slightly different direction and dug in.
"I was surprised at first when I heard you had helped humans."
"I expected Your Lordship would notice at once."
"Yes. That is why I was surprised."
This queen, Echidna, had initially begun carrying out the order simply by subjugating the bandits of the riverside.
She had led aquatic monsters and actively attacked or raided pirate ships and monsters that targeted merchants.
Her figure, which possessed both the beauty of a mermaid and the cruelty of a viper, became an object of terror and awe among the survivors.
The white snake queen who commanded an ice lesser dragon.
This existence, possessing enough individuality and beauty to captivate the eyes of people, became a living legend along this river.
"It was a splendid performance."
"I am embarrassed. I merely twisted Your Lordship's wisdom just a little."
"That little wisdom is exactly what I desire from you."
Though her mouth spoke of humility, Echidna's eyes as she looked at me were overflowing with confidence.
She had not stopped at simply gaining fame.
Using her confident beauty as a weapon, she had approached the lords of the riverside.
Her skin, cold and alluring as moonlight, and her magical, heterochromatic eyes, along with her appearance which was extremely beautiful even by human standards, were enough to capture the hearts of many.
There hadn't been enough time to see the results yet, but that would change today.
"Welcome to Ranhan, Your Lordship."
"Congratulations on gaining honor. Echidna."
We had come to attend a fate gathering being held at Ranhan, one of the riverside fortresses I was to rule in the future.
And that fate gathering was an event to commemorate Echidna being granted the title of Honorary Countess of the Empire in return for helping with the border security of Arilit.
"Human honor crumbles as easily as sand. The only true honor for me is what Your Lordship bestows."
"Still, it is the reward for your efforts. Be a little happier."
"Thank you, Your Lordship."
Ranhan.
This massive fortress-city built on the riverside was a border fortress guarding the north of the Duchy of Arilit, and at the same time, one of the trade fortresses utilizing the river.
The fortress before me possessed a solid majesty befitting its reputation.
"We salute the Lady of the Foile River!"
Cheok!
"At ease. This one is my close friend, so ensure there is no inadequacy in your treatment."
"As commanded!!"
The time was early evening.
As we entered through the inner castle gate, soldiers holding torches were lined up on both sides.
On the armor of the soldiers—or mercenaries—visible under the torchlight, Echidna's crest of a viper with its mouth open was engraved.
They were the human soldiers Echidna led.
"This place might as well be your fortress."
"The essence of humans is endlessly ugly and weak, but their aesthetic sense alone is worth seeing, you see. This beautiful aesthetic that comes from the filthiest of things is difficult for monsters to imitate."
Echidna despised or loathed humans, yet at the same time, she was very interested in their culture.
Life here would have been enough to satisfy her intellectual curiosity.
And sure enough, a smile hung on her lips as well.
"Heh. You look satisfied."
"How embarrassing."
Echidna's face as she answered was somewhat flushed. Blinking her eyes, she continued guiding us inside.
The scales of the white snake as it passed over the carpet glittered in the light.
"I do not see the chief administrator or the guard captain today."
"Eve is rallying the northern territories, and Shue is holding the center. Ran is active in the west."
"Aha. So that is why new faces were seen."
Echidna's gaze swept past Artemis, Talhan, and Maria.
That gaze contained a subtle envy.
It was probably envy toward those who directly attended me.
I smiled and introduced them.
"This child is Mire, and this child is Talhan."
"Aha. Those two existences... outwardly, they are indistinguishable from humans... No, looking closely, they are a little different."
"You have a good eye indeed."
Beneath the mask of Mire, now called Artemis, was a hollow, sunken look upon close inspection, and Talhan's skin had even less color than mine, giving it a certain impression.
Their appearances inevitably felt different from humans upon closer inspection.
But now, with their bodies concealed by armor and robes, it was a sight not easily recognized unless one had her level of perception.
Moreover, this place was a banquet hall where many became drunk.
It was safe to say there were almost no people here who would recognize their true forms right now.
"Pleased to meet you both. It has been one month."
"Artemis, who received a new name from the Master, greets Lady Echidna."
"Talhan sees Queen Echidna."
After learning of their identities, Echidna's smile turned friendly.
Either way, whether Mire or Talhan, they could be considered elders of my dungeon. There was no reason to act arrogant.
"Your skills and stature have become even more excellent since you left. Serve the Master well. Since both the guard captain and the chief administrator are absent, you must be more vigilant."
"Yes."
The two bowed their heads at Echidna's encouragement.
Officially, her rank was about half a step above Evangeline's, and implicitly, they were placed equally, so she was higher than the three people here.
How could the treatment of those who joined while leading a group be made low?
Those who were higher than the four queens or entirely excluded from the hierarchy were only Serica, who would return as a dungeon lord bearing the halo of a demon realm noble house, and Mure, who was a noble and house guest himself.
"Speaking of which, how goes the lord promotion for Kamaya and Nirvana?"
The Harpy Queen and the Alraune Queen. Echidna's eyes, as she asked about the circumstances of the other two queens, were filled with an emotion not usually seen in her.
Curiosity.
It was inevitable she would be curious about the situation of her older sisters who would become dungeon lords.
"Not yet. They say the paperwork is taking a long time."
I shook my head.
A smile akin to mockery spread across Echidna's lips.
"It is laughable, similar to the processing of humans."
"Indeed."
To find myself feeling dissatisfied about paperwork even after coming to a new world.
It made me truly feel the saying that wherever people live, it is all the same.
"The Lady of the Foile and her dear friend partake!"
While we exchanged small talk, we arrived at the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was designed with a concept modeled after Echidna's form.
Every pillar was decorated with pearls, and on the floor, white marble with a wave pattern was laid.
The ceiling was painted a deep blue like the sky seen from the deep sea, and the crystals embedded in it sparkled like stars.
The blue crystals created a dreamlike light, as if one were beneath the sea.
Ku-gung...!
The attire worn by the attending nobles was similar.
Men wore ceremonial robes of silver and blue, and women wore blue or white dresses.
The pearls and sapphires draped over their bodies glowed softly under the blue and white lighting.
- ....
As we entered, the atmosphere of the banquet hall briefly became quiet, then began to fill with chatter again.
Most of it was about our appearance and Echidna's status.
- That person is the new power of this river... one who is reshaping the perception of monsters.
- The one called a close friend is also exquisitely beautiful. Where on earth does such an appearance come from...?
- A peerless beauty I have never even heard rumors of. Is she the son or daughter of some frontier count or archduke?
We did not pay attention to such nobles and simply smiled at each other, heading toward the seats of honor.
As if flaunting our closeness, or perhaps more.
The actual conversation we exchanged was this.
"The gazes directed toward Your Lordship are so vulgar I wish to pluck out their eyeballs."
"If that was meant to make me smile, you succeeded."
"...."
One of the nearby human knights was visibly startled and looked at Echidna.
Since she had a reputation for being honorable and gentle in human lands, her sudden violent remark must have been shocking.
She would handle it on her own.
"The only good thing about coming outside is that my patience has increased. Though, of course, seeing humans look up to me also feels good."
"Heh. I see."
Thus, we arrived at the seats of honor.
Other nobles were already seated in the separate dining area.
Seats for Echidna, the nobles, and lords positioned at the very top, and seats for their families existing one step below.
And finally, the banquet hall for ordinary nobles.
Even within the same party venue, the levels were divided.
Answering with a silent nod to the Lamias seated below who hastily rose from their seats and bowed their heads to me and Echidna, we moved to the seats further above.
"You have arrived, Lady."
"It is an honor to meet the Lady whom we had only heard of through rumors. And this person here is your close friend, you say? Heh heh. A flower upon a jewel!"
"Pleased to meet you."
Like the nobles below, high-ranking nobles and lords wearing white and blue garments, each adorned with a purple garment ornament or accessory, rose from their seats and greeted us.
A sight where those holding titles of at least count could not remain seated while greeting Echidna.
It was a scene that showed the status Echidna currently occupied along this river.
"So you are the special guest who was said to be coming today. Pleased to meet you. Count Give-Rayson..."
"I am the Viscount of Bygruto..."
Some among them with sharp intuition seemed to have noticed something from the purple decorations they had been made to wear and the color of my eyes.
As soon as they exchanged greetings with Echidna, I responded appropriately to the nobles who vied to offer me greetings while listening to her introduction.
"As you have heard. This close friend of mine here, unlike myself, is one who possesses a truly great bloodline. I hope you all will ensure there is no carelessness in your treatment."
"Of course."
"Ooh..."
If someone who had recently gained status in the vicinity made such an introduction, there was nothing one could think of other than a blood relative of at least count rank or higher.
It was the reason even those with no intuition had their gazes toward me change.
"Recently, thanks to the Lady, there has been no disruption from bandits, and merchant travel has become extremely comfortable."
"Truly so. This means both profitability and security have greatly improved."
"You are undoubtedly our blessing and divine presence."
The feast at the seats of honor continued in a harmonious atmosphere.
The flattery and fawning of the nobles were enough to make even a person of no particular substance wonder if they truly possessed something, so it must have been sufficient to make those who actually possessed something feel pride.
Except for those who placed no value on them.
"I plan to showcase today an item that was also offered to you."
"Though I have only used it a few times, it was extremely interesting. However, I have never felt such a presence."
"I divided the ingredient into various dishes. It will be soon."
Our conversation amidst this went as follows.
Echidna smiled kindly at me.
According to her confidence, a short while later, an abnormality occurred in the surroundings of the seated nobles.
- Pour a glass!
- Hahahahaha! In such a good mood! Today!
The noise from the lower seats where the families of the lords sat grew oddly loud and intense, and by then, the various nobles dancing or eating below could not notice what was happening at the seats of honor.
Clang!
"I-I'm sorry!!"
A wine glass fell to the floor, and a maid's scream-like apology rang out.
"... Hiik!"
However, the noble who should answer the maid's apology was not present here.
The poison of mana condensation, 'Flowing Chain,' was the finest among the poisons and drugs Echidna herself handled.
For the food here contained that very poison.