The Party's Start and Sudden End
A bit more time passed. The day of the decisive battle had arrived.
It might sound a little ridiculous, but at least from my perspective, it was truly the day of reckoning.
"Cyclops units 2 through 4—production commencing!"
This was the first day of manufacturing done entirely by the artisans from Mina's merchant guild, without any help from me—not even using the test frames I'd built up to now. The facilities we'd spent so much time preparing hummed to life, and frame production kicked off.
What would take one person ages if they were hanging from it—a metal skeleton—was now being pieced together by teams of artisans. At the same time, assembly began on the two Cyclops units we'd made for facility testing. One was already fully framed; the other started from the frame up.
As the frames interlocked, they gradually took on their full shape. Pre-assembled armor plates were fitted onto Cyclops No. 2, and magitech devices began embedding into place all over. The empty spaces between the skeleton and plates filled with magitech and various equipment, and Mina started tapping the railing with her fingers, looking a touch tense.
Well, she'd invested the most, the results were right in front of her eyes, and the profits from it all were practically within reach. No wonder she was on edge.
"Mina."
"What."
"You do get tense sometimes, huh?"
She was always so brazen, confident, and quick to schmooze— this was the first time I'd seen her like this, and it was kinda novel.
Mina glanced at me, then flashed a relaxed smile. "The only person I know who doesn't get tense is you, Aizen."
"Is that so."
I'd thought I'd been plenty tense, but apparently that's not how it looked to others.
That was the moment.
Vrrrrm...
The Cyclops's activation hum, its arms and legs twitching briefly, the monocular eye in its head lighting up for a second. The artisans must've powered it on mid-assembly for a quick check. The power shut off soon after, and No. 2 returned to being worked on...
"It's good."
Mina let out a relieved breath. Noel, who'd been watching with a smile, spoke up.
"So now it's just assembly for the next few days, right?"
"Yeah, 'cause there's a ton to install inside."
Just frames alone wouldn't take long, but Cyclops had heaps of internal components, so installation ate up time. Still, since we were just placing and securing pre-made parts, it wasn't crazy difficult once they got the hang of it.
"The Cyclops is complete."
She said it while eyeing the Rodellini Machine Gun under assembly nearby. We'd turned a potato-farming backwater into a proper mass-production factory for a full-fledged mainstay unit.
"I've come a long way, huh."
Arriving at the destination I'd chased with nothing but a dream in mind, even I felt a fresh wave of emotion. I ignored Noel and Mina chuckling beside me and let out a small laugh of my own.
****
And then the count's family insisted I attend the party this time.
"Congratulations on the successful launch of the Cyclops mass-production factory."
"Can't have a party without the star of the show!"
Strictly speaking, it was a factory with ties to Phoenix County but not under them. Still, after months here, they wanted to celebrate. The polite thing was to express genuine gratitude.
"Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate it."
I bowed my head in thanks, then looked up. Reina the professor, Mina, Noel, and Erica all stared at me in utter shock.
"Aizen... knows how to say thanks...? Politely...?"
"Did a demon possess him?"
I caught Mina starting to form holy seals like she was about to cast a spell, and Reina shifting into combat stance as she eyed me. It took a good while before everyone calmed down. An awkward silence followed, until Noel smiled and said,
"That surprised me, Aizen."
She was so shocked her lightning crackled faintly around her, the duke's lady that she was. Seeing the group all flustered, I let out an involuntary sigh.
"What the hell kind of image did I have, anyway?"
I do show manners to people who deserve them. ...Probably.
"Though now that I think about it, I wonder if this outfit was okay after all."
The count, who held independent military authority and defended the border against the Empire, commanded prestige equal to a ducal house. So when he announced a party, tons of people showed up as expected. Noel, Mina, and Erica had come in dresses to match, but...
I was in my academy uniform. No other clothes, after all.
"I could've lent you my formal suit."
"That'd be too much trouble."
A count's formal wear—how flashy and expensive would that be? If I tore it somehow, it'd be a disaster, so I politely declined.
"I could've had one made for you..."
"You'll be getting summoned places from now on, so getting fitted would be smart. Next time?"
Noel and Mina chimed in. Seeing Mina's grin, I figured if I asked her to get one, she'd slap it on my tab as debt. Her investments were for golem production, not clothes. Asking Noel felt bad too, but when I glanced her way, she was smiling at the count. He noticed and smiled softly back.
"Men know men's clothes best, Lady Nexia."
"A party's partner is man and woman by default, so a woman's perspective matters too, Count."
Their smiles felt... chilly.
"Bold of you. At your age, that's fine. But sudden involvement burdens both sides, so as the elder, it's my duty to assist. No need to worry about favoritism."
"I'm just helping as a friend, Count."
...Dodging with the money excuse had been the right call. Their exchange felt seriously awkward. Yesterday they'd chatted softly like a friend's dad and daughter; today it was like they were probing each other with drawn weapons.
"...Academy uniform counts as formalwear, so it's fine. Intentional or not. Better that way, Aizen."
Reina grumbled reluctantly. Like me, she had no dress, just neat and proper attire.
"Feeling a sense of kinship with the professor, huh."
"I choose not to—it's not that I can't, you rude punk."
Acting too buddy-buddy nearly got me scolded.
The party continued, and as host, the count thanked the guests while formal greetings flew back and forth. Then he raised his glass and called out,
"To the glory of Vespa! To the young pioneers who will shape our kingdom's future!"
I saw him tilt his glass my way. I'd mentioned it was my first party, so he hadn't dragged me onstage by force, but he'd gotten my okay for the spotlight. Noel and Mina had advised me it was necessary, so I'd agreed to tough it out.
I nodded, raised my glass in return, and soon applause rang out, with toasts to the count as well. The party's vibe swept through the crowd—groups chatting, people approaching Erica, Noel, or Mina with greetings.
They're popular.
I watched the three of them smiling and talking with guests. One from a ducal house, one the count's daughter, one the investor—no, the saintess. All high-status; no wonder they drew crowds.
Me? I was the party "protagonist," but as a noble without a title, no one approached much.
Whatever, time for food.
Working nonstop here meant boiled potatoes for most meals, so meat felt like a luxury. Unlike typical banquets, cooks prepared food on one side for immediate pickup—buffet-style. Apparently unique to smaller Phoenix County parties. Even with the hall packed to dizziness, it was just retainers from vassal families—a "small" gathering.
I loaded my plate with meat, grabbed some loudly frying fritters nearby.
"What the hell is this? Potatoes in oil?"
"Potato fries, they say. Most things taste good fried, but the count loves these."
There were the french fries the count had raved about days ago, on noble plates. Too oily for commoners here—noble delicacy. Wonder how Mina'd sell 'em.
"Fry 'em in the town square to draw crowds."
"What?"
Mina was behind me. Her dress was bold with daring exposure and a shawl—drawing men's stares, but she owned it.
"...But can a saintess dress like that?"
"Unique's good."
She shrugged, sipped her drink, and sidled closer. "This spot's comfier."
"Why not go mingle more?"
"Exhausted. Smiling through boring chit-chat? Hate it."
The picture-perfect smiler from earlier now sounded blasé. She looked up at me, smirked.
"Dancing with you might be more fun."
"Can't dance."
"Then just spin me around."
That seemed off, but her face said she'd enjoy it.
"If it's that, maybe I could dance with you too, Aizen."
"Noel too, huh."
"This spot's comfier."
Noel stood quietly by my side, smiling. "Forcing smiles in pointless talk is no joke."
"Mina said the same."
"Everyone thinks it. Erica's sneaking over too."
"You guys were here! This is comfier!"
Erica joined in. Soon the three women boxed me in, chatting at me, asking my thoughts, gossiping among themselves. I sipped my drink, munched snacks, nodded along—and gradually felt eyes on us.
"Ducal lady, count's daughter... guy's plain-looking, but really...?"
"Not bad-looking, but pulling that crowd...?"
People spouted odd stuff. Nothing special—just ended up here 'cause it was comfy, chatting away. I preferred hanging with them too, like Mina or Noel.
"Weird look on your face, Aizen. Hear something?"
"Someone said I reeled you in with my looks."
"Gotta sell eye drops—spill who."
Better than circling jabs and probing—this easy banter felt right. Noel laughed along to me and Mina; Erica craned her neck, hunting the speaker for real.
From afar, the count watched approvingly as I savored the peace.
And then.
"Wh-what? What's going on all of a—?!"
"Pardon the intrusion."
Knights rushed in from outside. The count spotted a familiar face at the front and called out.
"Galred, what is it?!"
"Apologies, Count. Urgent matter to report."
Galred approached briefly and explained simply. Close enough to overhear.
"Monsters are charging the castle."
The sound of the party ending.