Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: What Happened at the Ball (2)
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The ball was held in Rigen, the largest commercial city in the east.
Rigen was about seven hours away from Hays by carriage, and Jamie was peering out the window with a bored expression.
'A single teleport would get me there in no time.'
Of course, he was talking about his prime.
Right now, even one use would be a struggle.
His younger sister Sara sat beside him, fast asleep, while his mother Sears sat diagonally across from him, also lost in sweet slumber.
Still, as befitting a Welton Count family carriage, the ride was comfortable enough that sleeping wasn't an issue.
'Compared to the old days, it's incredibly good.'
Back then, how many people even rode in carriages?
Most of what was in use now either didn't exist in the Mythical Era or was extremely rare if it did.
This era had blossomed into a civilization far more brilliant than that time.
It was a world tens of thousands of years later.
If there hadn't been any progress, it might have hurt his heart.
'That said, I have no idea exactly how many years have passed. Even when I looked, hardly anything came up.'
He had read all the history books in the family library, but there weren't many that covered the Mythical Era.
The one certain thing was that at least 10,000 to 20,000 years had passed—an unimaginably long time.
There were plenty of history books from that era.
'Even after I died, so many things happened.'
The demon race had invaded several times, and in the worst cases, the Demon King had descended.
The last few hundred years had been a peaceful era without such incidents, but who knew when this peace might shatter.
Yes. Perhaps he might even be the one to shatter the current peace with these hands.
'Perhaps? No, it's highly likely.'
The influence of the Twelve Gods in this world was immense.
The fortunate part was that, unlike in the past, the Twelve Gods weren't united as a single force.
Since each nation had different state religions, if they regained their power, it might be easier to take them down than before.
But a bloodbath was inevitable.
Countless lives would be lost.
Of course, Jamie didn't care about any of that.
For a black sorcerer whose emotions had been largely stripped away, only revenge remained.
Before long, the carriage entered Rigen.
True to its reputation as a commercial city, Rigen was extraordinarily glamorous.
From small merchants to tycoons whose names alone were known far and wide.
The massive market formed by the influx of large and small trading companies teemed with an enormous crowd.
"Rigen really is impressive."
"It's the kingdom's top commercial city. Even searching the entire continent, there aren't many places where such vast sums of money flow."
They said the main reason the Seldam Kingdom was wealthy was Rigen—that said it all.
They passed through the bustling market district and entered a quieter road.
This area was the commercial zone, where branches of various trading companies were located.
Beyond the commercial zone began the districts where nobles residing in Rigen had settled.
"We're almost there."
"Just thinking about meeting Simon Count makes my heart race."
"Oh my, my son. Is your heart pounding?"
Jamie used childlike words, and for some reason, Sears hugged him tightly.
Even as he squirmed for air, she only squeezed harder.
This woman's love for her son was truly suffocating.
To the point where battling gods to the death seemed preferable.
After a while of showering him with "So cute! Adorable!", Sears finally released Jamie.
"……."
Jamie's face had grown haggard in that short moment.
Whether she noticed or not, Sears beamed and stroked his hair.
"Since our son dreams of becoming a mage, Simon Count must be an object of awe for you?"
"……Yes."
He answered as briefly as possible to avoid another hug.
Fortunately, Sears continued without minding.
"Simon Count is amazing. He's a grand mage who reached 7th Class at an age similar to your father's."
Richter Simon, the Simon Count, Crimson Lotus Mage.
His magic evoked images of crimson lotuses, and rumor had it that when those red lotuses bloomed, thousands of lives withered away.
Considering his 7th Class realm, the rumor of cruelty was likely no exaggeration.
Above all, he was one of the two leaders of the eastern noble faction alongside the Welton Count and the lord of the commercial city Rigen.
In other words, the host of this ball was none other than Rigen's lord, Simon Count.
"What kind of person is he?"
"Hm. A man with striking red hair."
"His hair is red?"
"Somewhat."
Sears thought of words a child could easily understand.
She nodded slightly as if deciding, then said,
"Like blood?"
"……."
Jamie was speechless that the word she came up with to help a child understand was "blood."
He thought his mother was truly something else.
'Crimson Lotus Mage, was it?'
Gazing out the window, he pictured Simon Count, whom he had never seen before.
Honestly, he had little interest in the 7th Class itself.
What intrigued him was the man's offensive power, said to have claimed thousands of lives.
A 7th Class grand mage could certainly kill thousands, but it was never easy.
'I'd like to have a talk with him.'
He regretted not speaking longer with Marquis Linmel.
Though Simon Count fell short of Marquis Linmel, he was still an iconic figure among modern mages.
He hoped for an enjoyable conversation with him.
The Simon family mansion was on a scale rivaling the royal palace, adorned with extravagant splendor.
It was truly befitting the lord's residence of a city that had amassed wealth counted among the world's best, beyond even the kingdom.
A huge number of servants could be seen busily preparing for the ball.
"We're here."
Sears straightened her attire and alighted from the carriage with the servant's help.
She then carefully picked up the sleeping Sara.
Jamie hopped down from the high carriage.
At that moment, a Simon family servant approached them.
"Are you the Welton Count and his wife?"
"Yes."
A Welton family servant stepped forward to confirm their identity.
There wasn't much to confirm, really.
The Welton family crest was prominently emblazoned on the carriage.
It was just a formality, in case.
The Simon family servant guided them to their assigned bedroom.
"Simon Count has been most considerate."
Sears looked pleased at the grand bedroom.
This was one of the best rooms in the mansion—second only to the one belonging to Simon Count and his wife.
"Young Master, this way."
Little Sara would share with her parents, while seven-year-old Jamie got his own room.
'A sensible fellow.'
Sharing a room with his parents would have been a real ordeal.
"Unpack and come right over."
"Yes."
Jamie's assigned bedroom was ordinary but spacious enough for a seven-year-old boy alone.
It paled compared to his own room back home, but since it was just for sleeping, size didn't matter.
'Being alone to sleep is what counts!'
That was the key point.
After finishing preparations, he went to Sears.
She and Sara were in the midst of dressing up with the maids' help.
"You're here?"
"I'll sit quietly."
"Good boy."
True to her position as the matriarch of one of the pinnacle families in eastern nobility, Sears was dressed quite lavishly.
She was already beautiful, but today, even Jamie had to admire her.
In a soft yellow dress with an elegant white shawl draped over her shoulders, she exuded noble grace just by standing there.
Her makeup gave off a dignified air befitting a great noble.
Having only seen her friendly, motherly side, this felt like a different person.
"Wow."
"Hehe. Does Mommy look pretty?"
"Yes!"
Jamie answered as brightly as he could.
Sears looked like she couldn't hold back and tried to hug her son, but
"Madam, please refrain today. Your makeup will smudge."
"……I suppose so?"
Jamie survived, thankfully.
He sighed inwardly in relief.
"The young lady is ready as well."
Sara wore a cute, frilly dress with a ribbon in her hair, looking like a doll.
However, her expression wasn't great, probably because it felt uncomfortable.
It was understandable; it was her first time dressing up like this.
Jamie himself felt stifled, dressed far more elaborately than on his birthday.
"Our daughter is so cute too."
Only Sears seemed thrilled.
The most senior maid approached her cautiously.
"We should head out now."
"Yes, we should."
The three followed the servant's guidance to the ballroom.
The ballroom was ridiculously extravagant.
It almost made the title "noble ball" feel inadequate, like a circus troupe might appear any moment.
"Simon Count has tastes like this, it seems."
"Yes. You'll be surprised when you see it."
Their assigned seats were at the head table, naturally, given the Welton Count family's status.
No sooner had they sat than surrounding nobles began approaching one by one.
"Oh my~ Lady Welton, you look absolutely stunning."
"My goodness, your makeup is perfect."
"Look at that dress fabric. Truly befitting the matriarch of the Welton Count family!"
"This is a coat woven from cotton grown in our territory—please wear it in winter."
"This is tea from our lands; it soothes the throat wonderfully!"
They were all desperate to curry favor with the Welton Count family's matriarch.
Jamie inwardly clicked his tongue at the flock of noblewomen.
They were flailing to build even a single connection with the great eastern noble house of Welton.
Such types had overflowed even in the Mythical Era.
Especially those fawning over the gods.
'Disgusting.'
He glanced at Sears.
She listened calmly to each noblewoman with a smiling face.
Even if it annoyed her, she handled it with practiced ease, as if it were routine.
"Thank you. I'll wear it well. I've had this tea before. The Count enjoys it occasionally, so he'll like it. Haha. What a beautiful gem. The craftsmanship is astounding."
He had always seen her as lighthearted, but Sears Bell Welton was more remarkable than he thought.
Today, he was seeing new sides of her frequently.
Well, she hailed from the esteemed Bell family.
She had probably been trained in such dealings since childhood.
"Ahem. Can you hear me?"
At that moment, someone ascended the dais and spoke into a strangely shaped staff.
His voice amplified, resounding throughout the ballroom.
All eyes turned there.
"Honored guests, thank you for attending the ball hosted by the Simon family today. I am Rioll Vanher, in charge of Rigen territory's administration."
The nobles gave brief applause to Rioll Vanher's greeting.
"The ball will begin shortly. Please take your assigned seats and prepare to welcome Simon Count and his family, who will arrive soon."
He gestured to the base of the dais.
Someone began ascending the short stairs.
The first thing visible was scarlet hair.
As Sears had said, it evoked blood.
A thick navy cloak, extending from the fur covering his shoulders and neck, trailed behind him like it was sweeping the stairs.
His hands were empty. Yet, powerful mana emanated as if gripping something.
The noise died down.
The ballroom hadn't been silent, but it had a certain buzz.
His mere appearance silenced the room. No magic was used. He had simply drawn all eyes.
An overwhelming presence that dominated the atmosphere.
7th Class, they said.
Bullshit.
'On par with Marquis Linmel. Maybe even a bit higher.'
Simon Count stood at the center of the dais.
Though others were beside him, their presences faded.
Complete dominance.
He shook out his arms, dramatically spreading his cloak behind him. The flap of the cloak was the only sound in the silent ballroom.
"It's been a while, everyone. Welcome to the ball I have hosted."
The Crimson Lotus Mage.
He exceeded expectations.