Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Kasper's Sham Glory
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After changing clothes once more and returning to the banquet hall, Fudge approached me with a grave expression.
"Als, what in the world did you do?"
"Shh, just let it slide for now, Fudge bro. I'll explain everything later."
Fudge let out a sigh before nodding.
"But I'm warning you ahead of time—there are people here who know you're Wade, or at least suspect it."
"Ugh. I figured as much."
Felix and Joshua, who had plotted with me back then, and the Ironheart vice-commander too.
Considering the Ironheart vice-commander's affiliation, it was safe to assume the core figures of the Helian faction knew my true identity.
Even Erina had been eyeing me suspiciously.
She must have grown suspicious after I disappeared and Wade appeared, then Wade vanished and I showed up.
*It feels like I'm sitting on a bed of nails.*
Just then, as Erina started to approach me, chaos erupted.
"That's it! So that's how it was!"
One mid-level noble declared.
"Was it Sir Kasper who donned the helmet and reappeared?"
It was a petty ploy.
They couldn't publicly admit that Caliper Kingdom's Kirin Child had lost to Juras, so they were trying to muddy the waters by conflating the mercenary Wade with Kasper.
This would boost the Helian faction's prestige at the same time. The Marquisate of Milias, to which Kasper belonged, was one of the faction's core powers.
There had even been rumors that Kasper Milias was the mercenary Wade, so this petty political maneuver was gaining traction.
The Helian nobles knew Kasper wasn't Wade but played along with the obvious charade.
The problem was that the Marquisate of Milias went one step further.
They acknowledged the ploy—when they should have neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Me...?"
Kasper, who had just returned to the banquet hall, was dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, but his eyes widened at a hint from his father, Marquis Joze Milias.
Marquis Milias then stared directly in my direction.
"Hmph."
Jozet Milias curled the corner of his mouth as he looked my way.
His intentions were transparent.
*He thinks he can use me.*
Having received the signal from Marquis Milias, Kasper swallowed hard and cried out with anxious eyes.
"Y-Yes, that's right. I donned the helmet, gathered my resolve, and faced him."
Ooooh! Gasps rose in the banquet hall.
Most of the nobles knew it was a farce and went along, but some genuinely believed it.
The Salleon faction watched silently, knowing it was theater. With no evidence, the impersonation would self-destruct if left alone.
"To defeat Juras—truly worthy of Caliper's Kirin Child!"
"So the mercenary Wade was Kasper after all!"
Kasper looked utterly pitiful to me.
Seeing him toyed with by the adults' selfishness reminded me of my past self.
"It's ridiculous."
Erina, who had come and sat before me, seemed disgusted by the playacting too.
"To steal your achievements like this."
"Merina? What do you mean by that?"
"How many times do I have to say it's Erina? Wade?"
"..."
Her perceptiveness was infuriating as always.
It made sense, though—Erina already knew my martial prowess.
She knew I was strong enough to wield aura yet hid my abilities, so the deduction was easy.
"The iron spear I gave you broke not from falling on your butt, but from your duel with Gillas Melburn, right?"
"No way. If it were, I'd have bragged about it everywhere."
"You're not the type anyway. If anything, you're relieved those idiots are stealing the credit. Am I wrong?"
She had hit the nail on the head.
No other excuses came to mind, leaving me in an awkward spot.
That was when it happened.
"Miss, please refrain from problematic behavior."
Joan, the Salleon family's head steward, approached quietly and spoke.
"You're drawing attention from others. It would be one thing if you were chatting with nobles from our side, but otherwise, it could lead to issues—for you and the other party."
"I know. It'll just be a moment."
"Yes, please keep the conversation brief."
Joan gave me a slight nod in greeting.
I shrugged.
"Long time no see, Joan. Doing well?"
"Master Ilrain, likewise. Have you been well?"
"As you can see, doing great."
"Indeed. You seem unchanged, which is reassuring."
Joan glanced at the noble ladies peeking at me and sighed.
"You're still receiving such fervent gazes."
"Haha..."
"That said, sitting with Miss Erina isn't ideal. Surely you know that."
"As I said before, I'm innocent. They're the ones approaching me."
"Yes... that's true."
Fortunately for me, Joan seemed intent on smoothing things over.
She subtly urged Erina to stand, but Erina looked shocked for some reason.
Her issue was something else.
"Wait, why do you remember Joan's name?"
"Huh? Because I do."
"You didn't remember mine!"
"Can't help it. How much have I even seen you?"
"So Joan's different?"
"Of course."
I'd seen Joan every day for two months during butler training. Even I remember faces and names.
"Ugh...!"
Erina bit her lower lip, unable to accept it.
Joan shook her head in exasperation and said to me,
"Master Ilrain, perhaps you should mingle with others now."
"You're right."
Just then, a guy named Denian was glaring daggers from across the room and heading this way, so I used it as an excuse to stand.
*
*
*
The royal banquet had seen all sorts of incidents.
After it ended and life returned to normal, I anxiously awaited any retaliation from Juras, but days passed with nothing.
It seemed his background check on me had failed.
*Or maybe he didn't even bother.*
He appeared to have cleanly dismissed the matter with Eonia—no tailing or lingering obsessions.
Thanks to that, Eonia was safely receiving treatment in a city with skilled priests.
If there was any issue, it was Kasper's skyrocketing fame, exploiting my reputation.
─Mercenary Wade defeated Juras Pamillion!
─Mercenary Wade was Milias's prodigy!
Such rumors spread domestically, elevating Kasper's status immensely.
Other nations dismissed the gossip, but the kingdom's citizens fell easily for the idolization.
Julias citizens dropped their work to gawk at Kasper like zoo animals whenever he passed, and I heard marriage proposals were flooding in.
*So blatant.*
The Marquisate of Milias's intentions were obvious.
A letter that arrived made it clear.
─I'd like to meet and talk. Wade.
Stamped with Jozet's seal.
His proposal was all too predictable, so preparations were needed.
*First, delay as long as possible.*
Fortunately, they weren't pushing aggressively—no envoys or pressure.
I ignored the reply and spread rumors of health issues, excusing my absence from the academy.
Using that time, I set to work.
Recruiting the Iron Fortress, Rosenberg.
To avoid others' schemes, I needed backing.
With a supportive force at my back, petty plots wouldn't touch me.
*Three candidates.*
Rosenberg was one.
Count Lutger Rosenberg.
Though his house had declined, the Rosenberg count family was once among Albad's top five noble houses at its peak.
Winning him over might counter Marquis Milias.
*Of course, it wouldn't be enough alone.*
But it would help for now.
I took Ymir and headed to the Karlon Mountains, where Lutger had been sighted.
In this border region between Bekavia and Albad Kingdoms, rumors of his sightings persisted.
Arriving at a village near the mountains, I found traces in a rundown tavern.
*There they are.*
Two men with distinctly refined auras. Too polished for mercenaries, yet too wild for regular soldiers or knights.
I spoke to the tavern keeper in a voice they could hear.
"Innkeeper, is there a seriously ill patient here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I see herbs. That looks like lure grass, and next to it, sisso stems? Both potent—thought there might be a critical case."
"Haha, just storing them. There is... a patient, but I don't know details."
The keeper glanced at the men as he mentioned the patient. The men fixed their gazes on me, whispering urgently.
"Hmm, not my business, but tell them to be careful with lure grass. It's medicinal, but lethal poison for feverish patients."
"W-Why don't you warn them yourself?"
The keeper pointed to the men, now close by.
They approached with a mix of wariness and courtesy.
"A moment of your time?"
"What is it?"
"Hmm...!?"
They scowled at my hooded, masked face, raising their guards.
"Hmph. From your attitude, seems your business is off."
"N-No, apologies if we offended. If it's not too much trouble, may we have your esteemed name?"
"I'm not in a position to give it easily. No."
Whether they accepted the mask as reason enough or desperation overrode it, the man pressed on.
"Then names don't matter. We have one request. You seem knowledgeable in medicine—could you examine our patient?"
*Got them.*
But agreeing too eagerly would undermine the setup, so I hesitated.
"I'm in a hurry."
"Please, somehow..."
"No need to repeat. Conversation over."
The silent hothead barked.
"We said there's a patient! Come quietly!"
"...What a hassle. Remieu, chase them off."
Ymir exuded subtle killing intent. The chilling pressure made them stumble back, scrambling for waist swords.
The terrified keeper yelled,
"Please take it outside! I beg you!"
"...Hmph. Sorry, I'll leave."
Clink! I placed a gold coin on the table and stood.
As I turned to leave without regret, the man slammed his head down in prostration.
"Please! I apologize for the rudeness—examine the patient! Our lady's condition!"
Ymir's show of force had worked.
It highlighted my extraordinary nature.
That was enough. Time to agree.
"Hmm, but won't the other bow too?"
"...Huh?"
The dazed hothead groaned in confusion.
His prostrating partner growled softly,
"Hey, George. Bow if you don't wanna die."
"...Yes, sir!"
The courteous one seemed the superior; the hothead bowed too.
Feigning reluctance, I followed them.