Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Wrong Kind of Ball
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Loan raised a hand to stop Oscar.
"Not right now. After this matter is properly resolved."
"Hm? Well, alright. But first, explain what this 'matter' is."
"Yes. Ms. Bella, just a moment then."
Seeing Oscar open his wallet without even asking the price, Bella thought she'd made the right choice in dealing with Loan.
They were the family that had brought down the Pobels. It was impossible that they were only skilled in swordsmanship.
Having already spent most of her funds on Loan, she was quite disappointed by the closed wallet, but she didn't lose her gentle tone and demeanor, planning for the future.
"Of course. Please, take your time."
Loan and Oscar sat in a corner of the inn's dining hall, eagerly catching up on everything they had missed.
"I received a message from the Commander. He said he sent you on vacation, but knew you wouldn't just sit still, so he told me to check on you."
"He called it a vacation, but he actually assigned me a very important mission. Seeing you here in person, Vice-Commander, confirms my suspicions."
"Hmm?"
Oscar wore a puzzled expression at the cryptic remark.
Loan nodded as if he understood everything and leaned forward slightly over the table.
"Everyone's always like that, so I'm used to it now. More importantly, about the loss I caused the Bella Company..."
Loan briefly explained what had happened while traveling with Bella.
"The Stone of Goetia... isn't that the egg your owl hatched from?"
"Yes. To be precise, it's a sealing artifact that contained a demon. And it seems more like them are now gathering inside Ferrara Castle."
"Gathering here? You mean there's more than one or two?"
"I don't know the exact number. What's certain is that the Princess of Ferrara is gathering the stones from all over the continent under the pretext of birthday gifts."
"Hmm. This is no ordinary matter. But investigating it is also no ordinary task."
Oscar's gaze turned quite serious.
"This is a sovereign duchy, and we are within the Duke's territory. Furthermore, the person you suspect is the Duke's daughter. This is on a completely different level from using force against a local official for the safety of the people."
"I suppose it's a difficult matter to level any precise charges. I even thought an investigation itself would be impossible."
"Even that would be difficult for anyone below the rank of Commander. That's why the Faith Division members currently in Ferrara are also moving in absolute secrecy."
Loan wasn't particularly disappointed by Oscar's words.
He had already anticipated this.
"Since you arrived first and looked around, what are your thoughts?"
It felt like a Runner receiving a report from the Vice-Commander, but Oscar didn't mind.
"I can sense the Duke's intention to exert more influence than necessary, but given that his daughter, who was ill for a long time, has recovered, it's not entirely incomprehensible."
"Is there anything unusual regarding the princess?"
"It seems the princess's condition worsened again while a lady-in-waiting she's close to was visiting her hometown for a few days."
"Ah, did that happen?"
"It was like that until yesterday. It looks like she'll barely manage to attend the final event. In any case, if you want to investigate this matter, you'll have to consider meeting the princess in person."
"Yes. That's why I made a proposal to Representative Bella. To break her deal with the Le Tell family and make a contract with me."
"Ah..."
Oscar was now catching on to Loan's line of thinking.
"So you plan to take ownership of the Stone of Goetia that the Bella Company is supposed to deliver. You can use that as a pretext to approach the princess. And that would be the company's loss."
"Yes. For a merchant company, faith and trust are their lifeblood, so it wasn't easy to persuade her. In fact, it's a difficult proposal to even make unless the amount is enough to acquire the company itself."
"I suppose so... Hmm? What did you just say?"
Oscar asked in surprise, then lowered his voice again.
"Acquire the company?"
"Yes. I mentioned an exclusive deal with the Albre, but I can't speak for the family. In any case, I did save her once, and it's a small merchant group, so even if things go wrong, the Union won't have to pay a huge price."
No matter how small the cost, it wasn't a sum a fifteen-year-old should be deciding.
He'd heard the boy had earned a fortune by begging once; perhaps his concept of money had become different from his peers back then.
Still, he couldn't scold a Runner who, under the delusion of carrying out a solo mission, had thought and decided this much.
"Right. Well, considering the importance of the matter, the administration office will probably understand..."
Organizing and submitting the expenses incurred during a mission and their itemized list was the responsibility of each unit's vice-commander.
For a moment, Oscar's vision went dark.
***
The first day of the Ferrara soirée finally began.
Ferrara possessed a splendor Loan had never before experienced.
Even the common folk actively enjoyed the festival, thanks to the ducal family opening their storehouses for the two days of the soirée.
In addition.
With full bellies, it was only natural for spirits to be high. Music, singing, and dancing broke out everywhere.
Amidst the boisterousness—
Ornate carriages carrying the precious children of nobility from all regions began to file into the castle walls.
The registration of participants' identities and the stabling of their horses and carriages happened simultaneously. On Loan's side, Bella, acting as his butler, handled all the procedures by herself.
"Young Master, they say the gift presentation will take place when the competition winners meet the princess."
Was it because she was so happy to have become a part of the Albre? Bella's voice was full of energy.
Loan reconfirmed what he had heard earlier.
"The competition includes a literary debate and a martial arts tournament, right?"
"Yes. But before that, you must have an audience with the Duke. I've already requested one."
"So this is where I'll be introducing myself to high society for the first time."
"Yes. Young Master, with your outstanding status, wealth, skill, and looks, you can afford to act with confidence."
Loan recalled the noblest person he could think of, adopting some of the crown prince's demeanor while discarding the parts that didn't suit him.
"With confidence..."
A short while later, after following a guide deep into Ferrara Castle, Loan's party finally arrived in front of the audience chamber.
The audience chamber served as the main hall and was the largest room in the castle.
With a deep groan—
After a brief wait, attendants pushed the doors open with force.
The gazes of those who had already had their audience with the Duke and were now sitting or standing around chatting reflexively turned toward the doors.
Their eyes, a mixture of anticipation and boredom, suddenly lit up.
The boy who appeared was that dazzling. It was true even before his identity and status were revealed.
And then—
"The fourth son of the Albre family from the Versa Duchy, Luan Albre, and his attendant, present themselves to His Grace the Duke."
As the grand announcement echoed, the eyes of everyone filling the vast hall turned to Loan.
In that moment.
"Cough, ahem..."
At the title of "attendant," Oscar choked and broke into a coughing fit.
Finding the unexpected situation hilarious, Loan let out a rare, hearty laugh.
"What's that?"
"Is that young nobleman laughing?"
For even those long accustomed to high society, it was an incredibly strange and memorable moment.
No matter how bold they were, no matter how distinguished their family, any scion would be cautious when so many eyes were focused on them.
It was common for them to be too nervous to lift their heads, or to trip while walking stiffly.
But this boy, as if feeling no pressure at all, as if he'd just walked into his own living room—how could he laugh so brightly?
"Hahaha, are you alright?"
As he laughed brightly and comforted his attendant, he exuded a character that was both noble and deeply considerate.
There were not many who could display such overwhelming dignity and innate refinement with such an unpretentious demeanor.
They'd heard it was some upstart family from Versa, but under the illusion that he might actually possess some noble bloodline, the surroundings gradually fell silent.
Even at the far end of the vast hall.
Everyone closed their mouths, wanting to hear Loan's laughter.
And the moment Loan stopped laughing, the people looked at each other awkwardly, as if waking from a dream.
There were even some who, to hide their embarrassment, began to critique Loan.
"Everyone was just fooled by his looks. You can't find a shred of noble dignity in him."
"Isn't it just the arrogance that comes from a country bumpkin's ignorance? He must not have been properly educated."
However, even those who tried to elevate themselves by disparaging Loan were forced to shut their mouths again the moment he took a step forward.
As perfectly symmetrical as his face, his gait and posture were flawless. His gaze was steady, his posture straight and correct.
Many of the nobles had learned swordsmanship and knew that such perfect posture was not easy to maintain.
There were even some who, upon seeing Loan, unconsciously straightened their own backs and corrected their posture.
An old swordsman with long white hair felt the aura blooming around Loan and rubbed his eyes vigorously.
"Am I seeing things now...?"
The handsome boy, who grew more intriguing the more one looked, slowly approached the Duke of Ferrara, exchanging light nods with those lined up on either side.
The head of Ferrara, who had been bored, was jolted awake by Loan's appearance and quickly gestured for him to come forward.
"Luan Albre, fourth son of the Albre family of Versa. I offer my congratulations to His Grace, the Duke of Ferrara."
Loan greeted the Duke of Ferrara with a polite yet restrained posture.
The southern powerhouse of the continent—a man of immense build, yet possessing such mighty magical power that even his large frame seemed a small vessel for it—slowly opened his mouth.
"This is the first time I've seen someone receive more attention than me in my own audience chamber."
"I made a sound without propriety. I apologize."
"You are forgiven. You've come a long way, and it is a joyous occasion. Enough of that. Your family brought down the Pobels, I hear?"
"Yes. There was a duel recently."
"Well, under such circumstances, I suppose I should understand you sending just a son and a single attendant."
There was a barb in his words, but Loan held his tongue.
"The head of my family was disappointed he could not attend and sends his regards."
"Right. Ah... where was it you said you were from?"
"The Albre family of Versa."
"Never heard of it. In any case, with a pretty face like yours, you'll likely draw quite a bit of attention at the ball. Are you participating?"
"I intend to."
"I look forward to it."
The conversation, which felt strangely sharp-edged, ended there.
If the father had such an attitude, it seemed it would be difficult to meet the princess, even with a gift.
Concluding that he would have to create an opportunity for himself through the "tournament" the Duke had mentioned, Loan stepped out the door.
"Good work, Young Master. Did everything go well?"
"Yes. I think I did fairly well."
Feeling a pang of guilt for no reason, Oscar simply averted his gaze, expressing that he had nothing to say.
As Loan smiled, Bella asked again.
"So, what is the next item on the schedule?"
"The Duke himself mentioned the tournament. Let's go there."
"Alright. But is it okay to go right away?"
She glanced up and down at Loan, likely asking if he wasn't going to wear the greatsword representing his family.
"This is more than enough."
And after passing through several corridors, they entered a new space.
But the atmosphere was somehow different from what he had expected. He glanced at Bella, but she seemed unfazed.
Loan asked.
"Why is everyone in such uncomfortable clothes? Are they really going to fight in those? Is this the right place for the tournament?"
Bella blinked for a moment, then said in great surprise.
"Oh my... Young Master, it seems you've misunderstood something. This... isn't a tournament of martial arts, it's a ball where men and women dance together."
"Dancing?"
Women in incredibly fancy dresses and men just as elaborately adorned.
Seeing the countless flirtatious and wary glances sent his way by those who noticed him, Loan knew something was very wrong.