Chapter 242: Turning Point (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 242: Turning Point (2)
Upon entering the Gold Soul Repository, I knew for certain why the other races couldn't exert their power in front of the king. I guess you could say I saw what they were capable of. Precious rank-three essences filled half the vast treasury, and it wasn't even just one of each.
There are seven or eight each of easy to obtain and rarely used essences.
Most of them had spares. Even difficult to acquire essences only obtained in rifts had at least one of each color.
Shit, even the essence of Nibaroque?
That was the essence of a rare monster that only appeared in rifts, although it wasn't really an option for a barbarian warrior. Still, in terms of sheer acquisition difficulty, it was better than a rank-two essence.
How did they collect all these?
The more I looked around, the stronger the thought grew. Though maybe this kind of thing became possible when a single royal line was around for thousands of years?
I thought in the game you could pick whatever you wanted because it was just a game.
I dismissed the thought that the palace could be brought down by Noark. How could you consider the possibility of losing after seeing this? There were thousands of rank-three essences here. I didn't know what their current troops looked like, but this meant the palace could produce a ridiculously powerful army if they wanted to.
If you feed five rank-three essences to a knight who can use an aura...
It was wild to even think about, and it didn't end with rank three. In the repository one rank higher, I was sure they had rank two essences too.
...Maybe even rank one.
What was scarier was that it didn't end with essences. There were also Numbered Items.
Since the Gold Soul Repository has triple digits, the one above will have doubles and then singles.
Though they were lower priority than an essence, they were the easiest ways to bring up your stats when you hit a limit development-wise.
I do have something I want, but not as much as an essence. Hmm, should I still look around?
Since there was time left, I looked around at the items inside the Gold Soul Repository with interest. Though I already knew all the options and quickly lost said interest.
"Um, touching is..."
"It won't wear it out, so what are you worried about?!"
It was quite fun seeing the wizard who came as my guide turn white as a sheet every time I touched an item.
Enough touring around.
It was now time to make a decision, and so I did a final check. I'd already decided which essence to take, but just in case.
All right then, let's start with this one.
Bellarios was a Chinese dragon, a monster reminiscent of an Imugi and basically a higher-level version of the Manticore. Its basic stats were heavy on Mana Resistance and it even had Circulation Loop, which was an unusual passive skill that allowed the user to accumulate stats.
Well, the passive will be almost impossible to use in my current state.
Circulation Loop was only effective once you reached a level where you could hunt at least a rank-three monster. It was really thanks to its active that it became a core essence of my build in the first place. When used, Scales of Greed temporarily grew scales on the user's skin, and their Mana Resistance rose in proportion to their Mana Resistance. For reference, when Mana Resistance surpassed 1500, you unlocked Magical Immunity, which then made it possible to kill wizards like bugs. That would make Barbarian Dragon Mode possible.
Usually, this essence wouldn't be worth eating right now.
If it weren't for Fallen Scholar, it wouldn't have even made my list. When it came to going on expeditions, the Manticore essence was more than enough. I had to absorb it someday, but how fast I developed would depend on which essence I consumed first.
Anyway, on to the second option.
Vol-Herchan was a super-huge monster whose entire body was covered by a shell. As could be told just from its outward appearance, it possessed a defense-related skill. The passive worked well with Ironskin and the active made the user's body able to withstand even an aura. Put simply, it was an essence you should get in preparation for dealing with an aura, which made it an essence with an ability I didn't have yet. If I'd had this, my arm would've remained intact against the aura-using adventurer from Noark.
Amelia... that woman used an aura too...
Since Clown said he would be sending an assassin, this essence had gone up on the list. To be honest, Amelia was the scariest assassin I could imagine.
Besides, I'll be fighting against more people in the future.
That wasn't to say that it was useless against monsters. Being able to counter an aura was only an added bonus. More importantly, it came with super-high Strength stats, making it the most balanced of all the candidates in terms of offense and defense.
Then, finally, came Bayon, the sole monster classified as small among rank three, which was dominated by large monsters. It was also one of the few humanoid monsters, along with being undead. In other words, it was immortal. According to the game, Bayons were ancient heroes who had died and came back to life, which might have been why they had a very unique ability. These monsters fought with essences like adventurers. The combination of essences was different for each Bayon, but all of them had one thing in common—the skill linked to the essence—Transcendence.
What was unusual was that if you consumed its essence, you only got this one skill. The passive and active pretty much became synonymous. However, the basic stat increase the essence provided came with an additional boost to the super-rare Soul Power stat, so the advantage was that you wouldn't have to worry about MP after taking it.
Then what should I choose?
I had to consume each of these essences at some point. It was just a matter of which to take first. Thinking it through for the last time, I made a decision.
Yes, if I can only consume one, this should be it.
I was looking forward to the conferment day.
***
"Hmm, you mean this essence?" When I chose my essence, the wizard's expression went strange. "It is a good essence. Then I will report that to the Prime Minister."
"Oh, can you add in a Numbered Item? Looks like they're just gathering dust—"
"I cannot."
Geez, so snippy. I was half-joking. After going through an additional full-body search and returning to the reception room, I found my teammates, who had arrived before me.
Mr. Bear greeted me with a smile. "I guess the Gold Soul Repository took longer."
"What essence did you choose?" I asked.
"I just chose the one you mentioned. It didn't seem like a bad choice, and you said it's secret lore, right?"
Secret lore, put simply, was a tried and true combination of essences, like ones a historical hero or great adventurer once had. Of course, the essence combinations of those people were well-known but mostly made up of higher-ranking essences, so it was difficult information to use unless you were a high-ranking adventurer. The useful lower-level combinations were publicly known as well. For example, Hikurod had known to use Emergency Restoration to reset the cooldown time of his numbered item. That must have been a bit of secret lore circulated among the dwarves.
Usually, this essence wouldn't be worth eating right now.
If it weren't for Fallen Scholar, it wouldn't have even made my list. When it came to going on expeditions, the Manticore essence was more than enough. I had to absorb it someday, but how fast I developed would depend on which essence I consumed first.
Anyway, on to the second option.
Vol-Herchan was a super-huge monster whose entire body was covered by a shell. As could be told just from its outward appearance, it possessed a defense-related skill. The passive worked well with Ironskin and the active made the user's body able to withstand even an aura. Put simply, it was an essence you should get in preparation for dealing with an aura, which made it an essence with an ability I didn't have yet. If I'd had this, my arm would've remained intact against the aura-using adventurer from Noark.
Amelia... that woman used an aura too...
Since Clown said he would be sending an assassin, this essence had gone up on the list. To be honest, Amelia was the scariest assassin I could imagine.
Besides, I'll be fighting against more people in the future.
That wasn't to say that it was useless against monsters. Being able to counter an aura was only an added bonus. More importantly, it came with super-high Strength stats, making it the most balanced of all the candidates in terms of offense and defense.
Then, finally, came Bayon, the sole monster classified as small among rank three, which was dominated by large monsters. It was also one of the few humanoid monsters, along with being undead. In other words, it was immortal. According to the game, Bayons were ancient heroes who had died and came back to life, which might have been why they had a very unique ability. These monsters fought with essences like adventurers. The combination of essences was different for each Bayon, but all of them had one thing in common—the skill linked to the essence—Transcendence.
What was unusual was that if you consumed its essence, you only got this one skill. The passive and active pretty much became synonymous. However, the basic stat increase the essence provided came with an additional boost to the super-rare Soul Power stat, so the advantage was that you wouldn't have to worry about MP after taking it.
Then what should I choose?
I had to consume each of these essences at some point. It was just a matter of which to take first. Thinking it through for the last time, I made a decision.
Yes, if I can only consume one, this should be it.
I was looking forward to the conferment day.
***
"Hmm, you mean this essence?" When I chose my essence, the wizard's expression went strange. "It is a good essence. Then I will report that to the Prime Minister."
"Oh, can you add in a Numbered Item? Looks like they're just gathering dust—"
"I cannot."
Geez, so snippy. I was half-joking. After going through an additional full-body search and returning to the reception room, I found my teammates, who had arrived before me.
Mr. Bear greeted me with a smile. "I guess the Gold Soul Repository took longer."
"What essence did you choose?" I asked.
"I just chose the one you mentioned. It didn't seem like a bad choice, and you said it's secret lore, right?"
Secret lore, put simply, was a tried and true combination of essences, like ones a historical hero or great adventurer once had. Of course, the essence combinations of those people were well-known but mostly made up of higher-ranking essences, so it was difficult information to use unless you were a high-ranking adventurer. The useful lower-level combinations were publicly known as well. For example, Hikurod had known to use Emergency Restoration to reset the cooldown time of his numbered item. That must have been a bit of secret lore circulated among the dwarves.
"I should sign up for a training ground once I get back." Mr. Bear had chosen an essence on my recommendation and was filled with the desire to leave the palace quickly to use his newly acquired skills. And it seemed everyone else was in the same boat.
"Bjorn, let's go home! The power of a warrior is overflowing within me! I have to let it out quickly!"
The three of them had only obtained rank-five essences, unlike me, but I was jealous. After all, I had to wait until my conferment day to get mine.
"Ugh, be patient, will you? Erwen hasn't come back yet."
"Tell that elf to get home by herself!"
"Hey, what did I say about talking like that?" Missha scolded Ainar and defended Erwen.
"I-It was a slip of the tongue. No more carrot soup, please..."
It was reassuring when the eldest sister had your back, huh? After a little while's wait, Erwen returned from selecting hers as well.
"You're late. Was there a problem?" I asked.
"No. I chose the one you picked for me. But I couldn't adjust to it right away so I had to take a break..."
Hmm, that made sense. A high-ranking essence usually came with a big change to the body.
"S-Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"No need to be sorry, as long as nothing's wrong. Now, let's get back."
Afterward, we took the carriage provided by the palace and returned to District Seven, which felt like home now. We headed straight to the training grounds, the only place in the city where the use of special abilities and skills was permitted.
"Then let me go first." Mr. Bear summoned Iron Bear, Iradun, then placed a pig he had purchased at the entrance of the training ground on the target. "I can't make myself do it. Missha, can you help me?"
"Me? Uh... okay." Missha used her sword to make a cut on Bear and the preparations were complete.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Starving Claw.]
Soon, the arrow he was holding began to emit a red light. Mr. Bear notched it on the bow and aimed it at the pig's thigh.
Plunk! Squeal!
The pig let out a braying squeal and went into a frenzy. However, it did not take long for that energy to disappear.
Slump.
Despite the fact that the arrow didn't even hit its vitals, the pig soon collapsed and stopped moving. No blood flowed out from the wound because the arrow embedded in it was absorbing it.
Shaaa!
Even at this moment, the arrow stuck in the pig was extracting its life force and delivering it to Mr. Bear.
Here comes the best part of the combo.
[Abman Urikfried's Vitality is currently maxed out. Any additional Vitality will be transferred to the target his soul is connected to.]
The excess vitality passed through Mr. Bear and on to Bear again.
"Woom?" Bear's injury was healed in no time.
"I was skeptical, but it really is able to heal a Soul Beast."
"The book said that this ability will treat you as the first priority for healing if you get hurt too, so keep that in mind." Even though I was saying that, Mr. Bear was unlikely to get hurt as a long-ranger, so it was safe to say our tank line had gotten stronger. And the perks didn't end there. About three minutes after the arrow was shot, the pig's corpse dried up like a mummy's.
"I should sign up for a training ground once I get back." Mr. Bear had chosen an essence on my recommendation and was filled with the desire to leave the palace quickly to use his newly acquired skills. And it seemed everyone else was in the same boat.
"Bjorn, let's go home! The power of a warrior is overflowing within me! I have to let it out quickly!"
The three of them had only obtained rank-five essences, unlike me, but I was jealous. After all, I had to wait until my conferment day to get mine.
"Ugh, be patient, will you? Erwen hasn't come back yet."
"Tell that elf to get home by herself!"
"Hey, what did I say about talking like that?" Missha scolded Ainar and defended Erwen.
"I-It was a slip of the tongue. No more carrot soup, please..."
It was reassuring when the eldest sister had your back, huh? After a little while's wait, Erwen returned from selecting hers as well.
"You're late. Was there a problem?" I asked.
"No. I chose the one you picked for me. But I couldn't adjust to it right away so I had to take a break..."
Hmm, that made sense. A high-ranking essence usually came with a big change to the body.
"S-Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"No need to be sorry, as long as nothing's wrong. Now, let's get back."
Afterward, we took the carriage provided by the palace and returned to District Seven, which felt like home now. We headed straight to the training grounds, the only place in the city where the use of special abilities and skills was permitted.
"Then let me go first." Mr. Bear summoned Iron Bear, Iradun, then placed a pig he had purchased at the entrance of the training ground on the target. "I can't make myself do it. Missha, can you help me?"
"Me? Uh... okay." Missha used her sword to make a cut on Bear and the preparations were complete.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Starving Claw.]
Soon, the arrow he was holding began to emit a red light. Mr. Bear notched it on the bow and aimed it at the pig's thigh.
Plunk! Squeal!
The pig let out a braying squeal and went into a frenzy. However, it did not take long for that energy to disappear.
Slump.
Despite the fact that the arrow didn't even hit its vitals, the pig soon collapsed and stopped moving. No blood flowed out from the wound because the arrow embedded in it was absorbing it.
Shaaa!
Even at this moment, the arrow stuck in the pig was extracting its life force and delivering it to Mr. Bear.
Here comes the best part of the combo.
[Abman Urikfried's Vitality is currently maxed out. Any additional Vitality will be transferred to the target his soul is connected to.]
The excess vitality passed through Mr. Bear and on to Bear again.
"Woom?" Bear's injury was healed in no time.
"I was skeptical, but it really is able to heal a Soul Beast."
"The book said that this ability will treat you as the first priority for healing if you get hurt too, so keep that in mind." Even though I was saying that, Mr. Bear was unlikely to get hurt as a long-ranger, so it was safe to say our tank line had gotten stronger. And the perks didn't end there. About three minutes after the arrow was shot, the pig's corpse dried up like a mummy's.
That's not bad for a sustained damage deal.
Mr. Bear also had Hook Arrow so once one of his arrows was embedded in something, it was hard to remove. That meant that once it was stuck inside you, it would continue to damage you and absorb your blood.
Once he gets Altruism later, he'll be able to treat our wounds too.
Of course, that was just a convenient side effect of his development. I didn't plan to make Mr. Bear a healer, since every essence slot was precious. Heals were best left to a professional healer.
It's about time to find a priest too...
Anyway, next was Ainar.
[Ainar Fenelin has cast Wildness Control.]
A rank-five essence couldn't be used as a final essence anyway, so I picked out something with the best immediate effects that could be used for a long time.
[All effects applicable to her next attack will be converted into Cutting Force.]
Thanks to Wildness Control, the effects of both Blast Scars—which created an explosion when the user hit the same spot twice—and Vitality Absorption—which increased the user's healing factor upon attacking an enemy—were converted into slashing damage.
Slice!
Though it may have been an adamantium greatsword, it still sliced through the steel bar like butter.
"Can I try it with another sword?"
"Why not? Have at it."
Unlike the pig, steel bars were free. These could be restored with magic.
"Then..." Skeptical, Ainar tested the ability again with a cheap steel sword provided by the training grounds. The results were the same.
Slice!
The steel bar was halved with a single stroke.
Great, this gives us more options.
She'd fight by using explosion and blood absorption attacks against multiple enemies and then, when it came to strong, singular opponents, raising her Cutting Force. To put it simply, she was no longer a smurfing, one-trick barbarian.
"Then is it my turrrn now?" After that, Missha tested her newly obtained essence too, followed by Erwen. Both of them wore looks of satisfaction as the compatibility of their essences exceeded their expectations.
...Leaving me a sad barbarian.
Why was I the only one without a new essence?
***
Two days later, I visited the palace again. To be honest, I wasn't as nervous as I was the first time anymore. How many times had it been this month alone? Of course, today's visit was a little different from the previous one.
"Since you're so tall, could you bend down a bit?"
The attendants were not satisfied with the banquet clothes Kyle had gifted me and swarmed me, intending to dress me up to the fullest. Also, my team wasn't around. That was because I was the only one who had been invited today. Even a renowned figure could not attend a conferment ceremony unless they were nobility—it was a long-held tradition of the palace.
Things are already noisy in there.
I was currently inside the Palace of Glory, where I had been once before. Musical instruments could be heard from the inner hall. It seemed the banquet had already started. It'd probably be reaching its climax when we entered.
That's not bad for a sustained damage deal.
Mr. Bear also had Hook Arrow so once one of his arrows was embedded in something, it was hard to remove. That meant that once it was stuck inside you, it would continue to damage you and absorb your blood.
Once he gets Altruism later, he'll be able to treat our wounds too.
Of course, that was just a convenient side effect of his development. I didn't plan to make Mr. Bear a healer, since every essence slot was precious. Heals were best left to a professional healer.
It's about time to find a priest too...
Anyway, next was Ainar.
[Ainar Fenelin has cast Wildness Control.]
A rank-five essence couldn't be used as a final essence anyway, so I picked out something with the best immediate effects that could be used for a long time.
[All effects applicable to her next attack will be converted into Cutting Force.]
Thanks to Wildness Control, the effects of both Blast Scars—which created an explosion when the user hit the same spot twice—and Vitality Absorption—which increased the user's healing factor upon attacking an enemy—were converted into slashing damage.
Slice!
Though it may have been an adamantium greatsword, it still sliced through the steel bar like butter.
"Can I try it with another sword?"
"Why not? Have at it."
Unlike the pig, steel bars were free. These could be restored with magic.
"Then..." Skeptical, Ainar tested the ability again with a cheap steel sword provided by the training grounds. The results were the same.
Slice!
The steel bar was halved with a single stroke.
Great, this gives us more options.
She'd fight by using explosion and blood absorption attacks against multiple enemies and then, when it came to strong, singular opponents, raising her Cutting Force. To put it simply, she was no longer a smurfing, one-trick barbarian.
"Then is it my turrrn now?" After that, Missha tested her newly obtained essence too, followed by Erwen. Both of them wore looks of satisfaction as the compatibility of their essences exceeded their expectations.
...Leaving me a sad barbarian.
Why was I the only one without a new essence?
***
Two days later, I visited the palace again. To be honest, I wasn't as nervous as I was the first time anymore. How many times had it been this month alone? Of course, today's visit was a little different from the previous one.
"Since you're so tall, could you bend down a bit?"
The attendants were not satisfied with the banquet clothes Kyle had gifted me and swarmed me, intending to dress me up to the fullest. Also, my team wasn't around. That was because I was the only one who had been invited today. Even a renowned figure could not attend a conferment ceremony unless they were nobility—it was a long-held tradition of the palace.
Things are already noisy in there.
I was currently inside the Palace of Glory, where I had been once before. Musical instruments could be heard from the inner hall. It seemed the banquet had already started. It'd probably be reaching its climax when we entered.
"Oh, you look much better in those clothes." As I waited there all dressed up, Count Ferdehilt came to see me with his youngest daughter from our last encounter.
"I-I'm Arabella Ferdehilt." The daughter still seemed afraid and couldn't make eye contact with me.
I guessed the count didn't plan to bother me with talk of an arranged marriage on a day like today because he left me alone after some basic chitchat. Or, well, it may have been more accurate to call it a warning.
"There are a total of three people, including you, who are being awarded titles today. One is a viscount and the other is a marquess."
I'd heard that. Unlike me, it would be more accurate to call their new titles promotions rather than bestowals.
"I don't mind the viscount, but the prospective marquess from the Kudou family is famous for his petulance and for being extremely competitive."
"In a word, he's immature."
"...That's an accurate description. So be careful. Today is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They might be thinking you stole their spotlight. Ah, but if they try to provoke you, have restraint. Now that you're a part of this world, you can't just do as you please. All right?"
"I will remember your advice."
"Yes, that should be enough. Then I'll stop bothering you. See you later."
The count took his daughter and casually left, just like that. It seemed his only purpose was to make friends with me.
Politics, huh?
It reminded me of the events in Doppelganger Forest and made me laugh. Would barbarian-style politics work in aristocratic society? As I passed the time with silly daydreams, the day quickly fell into night.
Wow, have I really been in this small waiting room for over ten hours?
When I stepped out into a hallway laid with red carpet a long while later, two men were waiting for me, also dressed to the nines for conferment day.
That little one over there must be the viscount.
I studied the other man, who had a fairly good build for a human. Judging by those sharp eyes, he was obviously the marquess.
"Nice to meet you. I hear you'll be bestowed the title of baronet today? Congratulations, indeed. Having a hero like you as a part of our society is a blessing to the palace."
The prospective viscount offered up various platitudes he didn't mean, but the prospective marquess said none of those things. He scoffed like he didn't even want to speak to a commoner savage like me.
Well, that's easier for me.
I wasn't interested, either. I had no intention of wasting my time with politics. What I wanted was a rank-three essence and an advantageous noble title.
"Today's honorees are entering!"
Soon, upbeat music rang out and the door opened.
Come to think of it, this is the second time I've passed through this door this month.
With nothing to be nervous about, I casually walked the carpet. Our formation was the prospective marquess in the middle, me on the left, and the prospective viscount on the right.
Step, step.
We walked forward to cheers from the other nobles and stopped in front of the empty throne, where the prime minister stood. He threw out some ceremonial lines and we bowed on one knee as instructed. And that was when...
Hmm?
Just as I was about to squat down, the prospective marquess prick started tipping toward me.
The heck? Did he lose his balance?
My first thought was that I should probably help him steady himself, but I soon realized that wasn't necessary. My subconscious caught a dark emotion in his movements—malice. It was truly ridiculous. It seemed like he intended to push me by "accident" and make me crash to the floor.
Is he fucking crazy?
Putting aside the fact that he was pulling such a dirty move right in front of countless nobles and even the prime minister, who was the palace's second-in-command, did he really think that would work?
The best defense was a good offense. I subconsciously tensed my body and we collided at the same time.
Smack!
What followed unfolded according to the laws of physics.
"Aaagh!"
The prospective marquess was flung forward with a heavy thud and rolled in a complete circle across the carpet. As a bonus, his fancy suit wrinkled right up. The music stopped at the horrifying show of impropriety and silence fell. Suddenly, the count's advice came to mind.
Oh, right. He told me to have restraint.
"Oh, you look much better in those clothes." As I waited there all dressed up, Count Ferdehilt came to see me with his youngest daughter from our last encounter.
"I-I'm Arabella Ferdehilt." The daughter still seemed afraid and couldn't make eye contact with me.
I guessed the count didn't plan to bother me with talk of an arranged marriage on a day like today because he left me alone after some basic chitchat. Or, well, it may have been more accurate to call it a warning.
"There are a total of three people, including you, who are being awarded titles today. One is a viscount and the other is a marquess."
I'd heard that. Unlike me, it would be more accurate to call their new titles promotions rather than bestowals.
"I don't mind the viscount, but the prospective marquess from the Kudou family is famous for his petulance and for being extremely competitive."
"In a word, he's immature."
"...That's an accurate description. So be careful. Today is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They might be thinking you stole their spotlight. Ah, but if they try to provoke you, have restraint. Now that you're a part of this world, you can't just do as you please. All right?"
"I will remember your advice."
"Yes, that should be enough. Then I'll stop bothering you. See you later."
The count took his daughter and casually left, just like that. It seemed his only purpose was to make friends with me.
Politics, huh?
It reminded me of the events in Doppelganger Forest and made me laugh. Would barbarian-style politics work in aristocratic society? As I passed the time with silly daydreams, the day quickly fell into night.
Wow, have I really been in this small waiting room for over ten hours?
When I stepped out into a hallway laid with red carpet a long while later, two men were waiting for me, also dressed to the nines for conferment day.
That little one over there must be the viscount.
I studied the other man, who had a fairly good build for a human. Judging by those sharp eyes, he was obviously the marquess.
"Nice to meet you. I hear you'll be bestowed the title of baronet today? Congratulations, indeed. Having a hero like you as a part of our society is a blessing to the palace."
The prospective viscount offered up various platitudes he didn't mean, but the prospective marquess said none of those things. He scoffed like he didn't even want to speak to a commoner savage like me.
Well, that's easier for me.
I wasn't interested, either. I had no intention of wasting my time with politics. What I wanted was a rank-three essence and an advantageous noble title.
"Today's honorees are entering!"
Soon, upbeat music rang out and the door opened.
Come to think of it, this is the second time I've passed through this door this month.
With nothing to be nervous about, I casually walked the carpet. Our formation was the prospective marquess in the middle, me on the left, and the prospective viscount on the right.
Step, step.
We walked forward to cheers from the other nobles and stopped in front of the empty throne, where the prime minister stood. He threw out some ceremonial lines and we bowed on one knee as instructed. And that was when...
Hmm?
Just as I was about to squat down, the prospective marquess prick started tipping toward me.
The heck? Did he lose his balance?
My first thought was that I should probably help him steady himself, but I soon realized that wasn't necessary. My subconscious caught a dark emotion in his movements—malice. It was truly ridiculous. It seemed like he intended to push me by "accident" and make me crash to the floor.
Is he fucking crazy?
Putting aside the fact that he was pulling such a dirty move right in front of countless nobles and even the prime minister, who was the palace's second-in-command, did he really think that would work?
The best defense was a good offense. I subconsciously tensed my body and we collided at the same time.
Smack!
What followed unfolded according to the laws of physics.
"Aaagh!"
The prospective marquess was flung forward with a heavy thud and rolled in a complete circle across the carpet. As a bonus, his fancy suit wrinkled right up. The music stopped at the horrifying show of impropriety and silence fell. Suddenly, the count's advice came to mind.
Oh, right. He told me to have restraint.