The Real Purpose of the Invitation
The heavy-bottomed nobles began entering the banquet hall one by one, proudly displaying their ornate uniforms and gowns.
"Marquis Valerius, Commander of the Northern Front, and Lady Michelle have arrived!"
True to his status as the head of a prestigious martial family responsible for the empire's northern border, the Marquis entered with a commanding stride. Deep scars marked his face like badges of honor. Beside him walked Lady Michelle Valerius, her elegant posture and powerful frame impossible to hide even beneath the lavish dress.
As the Marquis received greetings from all directions, his gaze suddenly stopped on me where I stood in the corner. His face lit up with recognition, and he strode straight toward me. We had a history from my days as the Hero, when he'd provided me with assistance.
"Well, if it isn't who I think it is."
"It's been a while, Marquis. You still look as vigorous as ever."
"You're looking healthy yourself. I've been curious about the final chapter of your battle with the Demon King. Got a moment?"
"For you, Marquis, I can make time."
"Hahaha, much obliged."
While we exchanged a light handshake, the Marquis's daughter—who had followed behind in her dazzling dress—spotted Iris. Her eyes sparkled with interest. Michelle Valerius. She was the Marquis's daughter, the one who had competed neck-and-neck with Iris during their academy days as the top two swordswomen among the noble ladies. I'd heard that Michelle, with her flashy and aggressive sword style, had burned with both inferiority and fierce rivalry toward Iris's refined technique from her count family background.
"It's been ages, Iris. I heard you became the Hero's disciple. Nice to see you here. Good to see you."
Michelle's greeting carried a mix of genuine pleasure and subtle competitive spirit. Iris bowed her head politely in response.
"It has been a long time, Lady Michelle."
They had once been rivals standing shoulder to shoulder, but now Iris was an adventurer from a fallen house while Michelle was the daughter of a powerful marquis and legion commander. The formal, respectful distance in Iris's address caused a faint tremor in Michelle's eyes.
Michelle quickly composed herself and turned to me with impeccable manners.
"Hero. If it's not too much of an imposition, may I borrow my old friend for a brief conversation?"
I glanced at Iris without a word, then nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you."
As the two young women moved to one side of the hall, Marquis Valerius approached me with a hearty laugh.
"I'd heard you were in the capital, but I never expected to run into you at a merchant guild banquet. Do you have connections with the Golden Scales?"
"Not at all. I simply came to get some fresh air. No particular reason."
"Haha! As expected of you!"
The Marquis chuckled loudly at his own jest before casually steering the conversation toward his true purpose.
"This works out perfectly. My daughter's birthday is coming up soon. It would be wonderful if you and your disciple could attend."
"Are your daughter and Iris that close?"
"From what I've seen, they seem like friendly rivals at worst. But as a father, how could I possibly understand everything going through my grown daughter's mind? Haha. In any case, please do stop by if you have the time."
The Marquis gave my shoulder a couple of friendly pats, then gracefully withdrew to greet the other nobles pressing in around him.
Not long after he left, Iris returned and took her place beside me.
"That was quick."
"Yes. Lady Michelle is quite busy herself."
"I see. The Marquis just told me he'd like you to come to his daughter's birthday party with me. What do you think? Shall we go?"
At my question, Iris lifted her head slightly to look up at me.
"...Would it not be a bother to you, Master?"
"I'm fine with it. The Marquis and I have a decent relationship. What about you? He mentioned you and Lady Michelle were something like friends."
"Yes. We were classmates at the same academy."
"Then let's go."
A short while later, the magical lights illuminating the hall suddenly went out all at once. As the crowd stirred, the lights converged on the massive spiral staircase at the center of the hall.
All eyes turned to the figure descending the stairs with a relaxed smile. He was dressed in refined evening wear. The protagonist of tonight's event, the newly appointed guild master who would lead the continent's largest merchant organization, the Golden Scales.
Once on the platform, he bowed deeply to the kingdom's most influential figures and nobles, offering a respectful greeting.
"On behalf of the Golden Scales, I extend my deepest gratitude to the great heroes and esteemed nobles who have honored us with your presence here today."
His inaugural address was polished and concise. He briefly yet elegantly outlined the merchant guild's vision and economic direction for this new era of peace following the war against the Demon King. Light applause rippled throughout the hall.
"I'll spare you any more of the stiff formalities. As a token of appreciation for all the distinguished guests who came to celebrate my appointment, I've prepared a small entertainment."
At the guild master's light gesture, waiting attendants wheeled out a line of carts covered in red carpets. The carts were loaded with treasures: rare elixirs, exquisite jewelry crafted by dwarf masters, pure high-grade mana stones, and more.
"The invitation you received upon entry should have a number written on it. I will select one of these gifts and draw a random number. The winner will receive it as my expression of gratitude."
It was a raffle event designed to heighten the festive atmosphere through random prize distribution based on the unique numbers on the invitations.
"Number 73! Congratulations!"
Every time the guild master drew a number tag from the box and called it out, strange exclamations and cheers rose from among the usually dignified nobles.
"Oh, Marquis. Would you care to trade that mana stone for the elixir I received?"
"Perfect timing. I needed an elixir. Thank you."
Even nobles were no different when free gifts were involved. The hall's atmosphere grew warmer and more cheerful as people checked their prizes and discussed future trades.
"To our guest with number 37, we present a magic bracelet crafted by a dwarf."
Finally, my invitation number was called. A servant approached respectfully and presented me with a beautifully crafted bracelet. I turned to Iris.
"Iris, why don't you try it on?"
When I offered her the bracelet, she gave it a quick glance and shook her head.
"Thank you, but I must decline. It would likely interfere with wielding a sword."
Her answer was exactly what I'd expected from her. I shrugged and slipped the bracelet into my pocket.
The raffle had just ended and the atmosphere in the hall was reaching its peak when the guild master clapped his hands twice to quiet the room. All the lights in the hall went out, concentrating solely on the guild master standing at the center of the platform.
"Everyone. The items you received just now were merely tokens of my modest goodwill. The real reason I've gathered all of you distinguished figures here today is to resolve a long-cherished wish of the Golden Scales."
A heavy metallic scraping sound filled the air as something massive, covered by a black curtain, rose onto the platform. When the guild master pulled away the drape, gasps erupted throughout the banquet hall.
"Ooh...!"
"What... what is that...?"
What the curtain revealed was a massive black iron box wrapped in ancient characters and intricate magical circles.
"This is a vault left behind by our founding guild master five hundred years ago—the one who established the Golden Scales."
The guild master stroked the vault as he continued his explanation.
"For a long time, we've mobilized the kingdom's greatest mages and engineers, but no one has been able to open this door. It resists all physical force and every form of magic. Legend says that any forced attempt to open it will trigger internal traps that completely destroy the contents."
The guild master raised both arms high, surveying the distinguished guests.
"Therefore, I make this offer. To whoever opens this vault for us... I will immediately transfer twenty percent of the assets stored within."
The hall erupted into a frenzy of murmurs. A five-hundred-year-old vault left by the founder of the continent's largest merchant guild. Twenty percent of its contents might be enough to purchase an entire marquisate. The nobles and magnates' eyes gleamed with naked greed and curiosity as they calculated the astronomical value.
Soon they were crowding around the platform, examining the vault from every angle.
"This is ancient imperial magic. Force mana into it and it'll probably explode."
"The metal doesn't even scratch with a hammer. There aren't even any seams!"
"Just how are we supposed to open this thing?"
The guests who had rushed forward in their greed now shook their heads with sighs. Even the bank president and old man Smith, who had caught the scent of money, clicked their tongues and stepped back. Voices filled with failure and resignation began to dominate the hall, but the new guild master maintained his calm smile on the platform. His expression seemed to say he had known all along that none of them were capable of opening it.
Lia, who had been watching the scene with bored indifference, suddenly burst into laughter inside my head.
Bwahahahaha!
'What's with you all of a sudden? What happened?'
I just remembered what that vault actually is! It's hilarious watching them struggle so hard over something like that.
'Do you know what's inside?'
If that old geezer didn't switch it out before he died?
'How do you open it?'
Of course I know how.
The confidence in Lia's voice made me turn my gaze back to the platform. By now everyone had moved down from the stage, leaving the massive ancient vault standing alone. Yet the nobles and magnates' eyes still clung to it with sticky greed.
If I open it right now, it'll become a real hassle.
Opening the vault in front of all these watchful eyes and claiming a massive fortune? It was obvious that swarms of annoying flies would come buzzing. From those who would shamelessly ask to borrow money under the guise of congratulations to nobles who might send assassins or apply political pressure, unaware or uncaring that I was the Hero. I decided not to rush.
Afterward, people approached the new guild master one by one to exchange greetings and build connections, but I remained seated in the corner with Iris, quietly waiting for the banquet to end.
Before long, the main event concluded. The busy high nobles and important figures quickly lost interest and began to leave. Finally, when all the other guests had departed and only the guild's own people remained, I rose and approached the guild master. Arno looked at me.
"It's an honor to meet you, Hero. I am Arno, the newly appointed master of the Golden Scales."