Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: A Feast with Much to Offer
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1.
As evening fell, the preparations for the banquet began in earnest.
With the help of attendants dispatched from the Imperial Palace, Karron and Leo were undergoing a rapid makeover that bordered on a complete transformation.
The attendants meticulously ironed the tailcoats the ducal family's butlers had sent ahead to the palace, dressing the two with practiced hands.
Accessories and a light touch of makeup completed the look.
In just thirty minutes, they had become different people.
Isn't this a bit like fraud?
Leo remarked with a dubious expression, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
In the mirror stood not a sunburnt country bumpkin, but the young scion of a prestigious noble family.
Anyone would look at this and see a young noble.
Karron chuckled at Leo's words and replied.
Well, you are a young noble.
At this rate, I wouldn't be outshone anywh
But Leo's confidence shattered the moment he looked at Karron.
Haaah.
Leo let out a sigh so deep it felt like the ground might swallow him.
Seeing Leo's reaction, Karron spoke while chewing on some beef jerky.
What.
Just thinking how unfair the world is.
The world has always been that way.
You annoying bastard
Well-maintained, shimmering blond hair.
Sparkling blue eyes that looked as if they were embedded with jewels.
And despite being only thirteen, he had an impressive height and skin as fair as jade.
His perfect features, enhanced by the power of makeup, were enough to make anyone who saw him gasp in admiration.
No matter how he thought about it, the world was undoubtedly an unfair place.
'Still, my personality is... better than his.'
Leo tried his best to find some consolation.
As the two cousins were busy preparing for the banquet, a visitor arrived at the palace where they were staying.
His Highness, the Sixth Prince, arrives.
Following the attendants' announcement, a handsomely dressed man entered the room.
A familiar face.
It was the Sixth Prince, Rebellio.
Looks like the preparations are mostly done. Attendants, would you mind stepping out for a moment? I'd like to have a private chat with my friends.
At the prince's request, which was more like a command, the attendants bowed and filed out of the room.
Rebellio took a bite of an apple from the table, then smiled at Karron and Leo.
How have you been, my young friends?
Rebellio's attire was completely different from when they had met him outside.
A shirt with gold embroidery and golden frills.
Paired with luxurious dress pants that bore the traces of magic.
The top two buttons of Rebellio's shirt were undone.
Karron observed his appearance and offered a compliment.
The very picture of a wastrel. Is this your usual concept at the Imperial Palace?
The family's resident hooligan. How does it suit me?
Better than last time.
Rebellio smiled and took another bite of the apple, inspecting it from various angles.
Watching him, Karron frowned and asked.
What are you doing?
Just checking if it's poisoned by eating it myself. No poison, unfortunately. It's delicious. I like how sweet it is.
Poison?
My father might not, but His Highness my elder brother despises the Leston Ducal Family. Well considering his maternal family is the Diaz Marquisate, I suppose that's only natural, isn't it?
Fwoosh.
After neatly incinerating the apple with magic, Rebellio looked Karron and Leo over. Then, with a satisfied expression, he clapped his hands.
You should have dressed up like this sooner. You look the part of tonight's main attractions. If I were a woman, I think I'd confess my love on the spot.
You didn't come here hoping to get punched at the banquet, did you?
Ah, I came to ask about something. Just a moment, Karron.
He winked at Karron and pulled a small stick from his pocket.
A small rod that pulsed with a trace of mana.
It was a wand, used by mages to focus their mana.
Rebellio expertly chanted an incantation and flicked the wand lightly.
And then.
Wooooong.
A thin, translucent barrier rose from the floor.
It's a soundproofing spell. I figured it would be a bit troublesome if our conversation leaked out.
What on earth did he want to talk about?
Karron watched Rebellio with a displeased expression. But Rebellio paid him no mind and got straight to the point.
Who was at the main palace? My father? Or His Highness my elder brother?
It seemed this was the reason he had come here instead of the banquet hall.
He appeared to have already guessed that the Crown Prince, not the Emperor, had been at the main palace.
'What is he scheming?'
It seemed necessary to throw out some bait.
His Highness the Crown Prince.
At that, Rebellio clapped his hands and nodded.
I knew it.
They said His Majesty the Emperor is in poor health.
How could an old man over seventy be in good health? Still, he met with Grand Duke Halo in person recently, yet he didn't greet you two himself His Highness my elder brother must have pulled some strings.
Karron casually tossed a hook toward the muttering Rebellio.
You seem to know something.
Rebellio replied with a wide grin.
Haven't you figured it out already? It's simple.
Rebellio plopped down on an empty sofa. He continued, his smile growing even brighter.
Long ago, my father got rid of my grandfather, and now His Highness my elder brother is trying to get rid of my father. Wow, when you put it like that, this is
Quite amusing.
Exactly. A truly dysfunctional family. This sort of thing is a time-honored tradition in the Imperial Family. Isn't our family something else? Feel free to be as envious as you like.
With that bright expression, he mocked himself.
Karron. You should chime in too. People get closer when they bad-mouth the same target.
I'll think about it if you insult my grandfather first.
At those words, Rebellio burst out laughing.
Hahahaha! You're a riot, really! Isn't that right, little brother Leo? You should laugh a little too, Leo!
He said, slapping Leo on the back a couple of times. Then he wiped away a tear that had squeezed from his eye.
That bastard, His Highness my elder brother Ah, sorry about that. Anyway, His Highness has been trying his damndest lately, but it won't be easy.
Rebellio.
Compared to the Crown Prince, Ioreun, this guy was several times more dangerous.
At least Ioreun's eyes revealed his ambition.
But from this one?
Nothing was visible. It was impossible to tell what kind of scheme he was hiding.
Still, thanks to you, my curiosity is more or less satisfied. Thank you. You've been a great help. Since I owe you one, I should repay the favor, right?
He said, getting up from his seat.
I heard you smashed that moron from the Kian Count Family as soon as you entered the capital. I have a pretty good idea of what you want. So, how about I give you a little help?
Karron looked at Rebellio with an indifferent expression.
What can you help with?
A successful debut.
What?
You want to cause a scene, don't you? I'll set the stage for you. How about it?
I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but one thing was certain.
This guy was one of my kind.
A madman.
A truly, properly mad one.
Madmen always recognize their own kind, you know. Don't be shy, Karron.
Rebellio began to explain his plan with a playful smile.
2.
Not long after Rebellio left the room, the banquet began.
A vast banquet hall, grand enough to display the majesty of the Imperial Family.
The hall, filled with dazzling chandeliers and all sorts of extravagant decorations, was crowded with numerous young men and women.
This is a banquet?
Leo looked around, his expression tense.
Well over a hundred people were scattered throughout the spacious hall.
All of them were young nobles, at most around Leo's age.
The only banquets I've been to were just modest meals with family
That's because our family is a martial one, cousin. This is how it usually is. It's a place for nobles to socialize.
Are we just too much of a country bumpkin?
Only you are, cousin.
Karron chuckled at Leo and picked up the glass in front of him.
One good thing about the banquet was that he didn't have to be discreet about drinking, unlike back in Azurewater Castle.
As a banquet hosted by the Imperial Family itself, very rare liquors were placed everywhere.
Hmm.
Karron surveyed his surroundings while holding the liquor in his mouth.
The children of the noble families invited here were all from prestigious houses.
Just staying within the inner walls meant they were from high-ranking noble families.
Was that why?
Even with a cursory glance, he could see they were divided into factions.
These brats have only learned the worst things.
It was a familiar scene.
The banquets he had experienced fifty years ago had been just like this.
They would flock around the most influential nobles, ignoring or mocking those who didn't belong to a clique.
'Still, it's better than in my past life.'
In his past life, whenever he attended a banquet, he would be showered with looks of disgust.
Because he had been born a slave.
But now?
They're going to wear out my face with all that staring.
Men and women alike were looking at him.
The young lords with wary eyes, the young ladies with curious ones.
They too knew who the stars of this place were.
This banquet was a celebration for the new heroes.
And if those new heroes were the grandsons of Grand Duke Halo, it was only natural for everyone to be interested.
Karron calmly accepted their gazes and swallowed his drink.
How much time had passed?
His Highness, the Sixth Prince, enters! Everyone, show your respects.
An Imperial Guard watching over the hall shouted in a solemn voice, and soon Rebellio entered with a smile.
Haha, what a gathering of distinguished guests. The food was prepared by my father, His Majesty, so please, eat up. Eat up!
At the appearance of Rebellio, still acting like a hooligan, the expressions of the young nobles began to sour.
His vulgar tone and demeanor held not a shred of imperial dignity.
Everything about Rebellio was grating on their nerves.
But Rebellio, unfazed by the looks of disgust, approached the table where Karron and Leo were sitting. He then extended his right hand toward Karron.
This is our first time meeting at an official function, so let's have a proper greeting, members of the Leston Ducal Family. I am the Sixth Prince, Rebellio. You all have very fine faces.
A greeting devoid of any formality.
In response, Karron and Leo bowed their heads respectfully.
Leo Leston, grandson of Grand Duke Halo.
Karron Leston, grandson of Grand Duke Halo.
After receiving the two brothers' greetings, Rebellio laughed so loudly that the hall echoed. He then snatched the wine glass Karron had placed on the table and gulped it down.
Haha! I was originally planning to just laze around in my palace, but I heard an interesting rumor. I just couldn't stay away. I hope my presence at this banquet isn't too unpleasant for you.
It was a sly performance.
His playful demeanor was much the same as before, but Rebellio exuded a vulgarity unbelievable for a member of the royal family.
Karron mirrored Rebellio's smile and replied.
We are only delighted that you would grace us with your presence, Your Highness.
At Karron's response, Rebellio's smile deepened into something almost villainous. He then continued, his voice loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
Is it true that you beat Degol of the Kian Count Family to a pulp?
In an instant, a cold silence fell over the banquet hall.
Those who were quick to hear news already knew, but it was a rumor they had been deliberately hushing up.
Behind the Kian Count Family stood the Diaz Marquisate, one of the true powers in the current empire.
The Diaz Marquisate was the Crown Prince's maternal family.
They were one of the founding noble families who had continuously exerted influence in central politics and even possessed a private army.
The Sixth Prince, on the other hand?
He had nothing but his bloodline.
And even that bloodline was only half-noble.
Karron recalled what Rebellio had said earlier.
My mother was a commoner, you see. She entered the palace as a gardener, and she caught my father's eye while tending to the gardens.
The reason Rebellio had been looked down upon here for so long.
A prince of commoner birth.
The Imperial Family's black sheep, with half his blood being that of a commoner.
And such a person was now insulting the scion of a prestigious family in a formal setting.
Hehe, it's not really my place to say this, but I always thought that scoundrel would get what was coming to him someday. There's always trash everywhere who look down on commoners, trusting only in their bloodline.
The atmosphere of the banquet went from cold to downright hostile.
In the midst of this, Rebellio grinned as he looked toward one side of the hall.
Those who run wild relying only on their fathers will one day die by the sword. Everyone bleeds red when they're cut, after all. Ah! Of course, I'm no exception to that, am I? Haha!
As those words left Rebellio's mouth, a group that had been standing still until now began to approach.
Karron smiled as he watched them approach.
'Yes, a banquet has to be this grim to be fun.'
Everything up to now had just been an appetizer.
It seemed the main course was about to begin.
It was then, as Karron watched the approaching group with a satisfied expression.
Vmmmmmm.
The Guillotine at his hip began to vibrate, and Karron's expression hardened.
His hand was already on the Guillotine's hilt. And naturally, the Guillotine's voice echoed in his mind.
-Master.
'I felt it too.'
It was for the briefest of moments, but he had definitely felt it.
'Dark mana.'
Just a moment ago, someone here had leaked dark mana.
That energy Karron despised more than anything.
The cursed mana that had completely upended his life.