Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Annual Noble Gathering, Kailo
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The annual noble gathering.
Kailo.
This regular noble assembly served as a kind of social venue.
Different noble houses took turns hosting Kailo each year.
For the family chosen to host, it was a prime chance to flaunt their wealth and prestige.
Thus, Kailo was always extravagantly lavish every single year.
And there was one peculiar rule to these gatherings.
Exactly one per year.
Only the hosting family could invite a new house to that year's Kailo.
This time, the host was none other than Glasis.
As one of the Five Great Families, the nobles were buzzing with anticipation.
How splendid a Kailo would Glasis put on?
And which house would they invite?
Yet Glasis shattered all those expectations.
They extended an invitation to an unexpected house.
Banpellyon.
The rising star of a house—and one with bad blood toward Glasis.
Glais had invited the very family everyone had been whispering about behind closed doors.
"Are the Glasis out of their minds?"
"War might break out right in the middle of Kailo."
"Maybe it's a gesture to mend fences and build new ties."
The nobles voiced doubts about Glasis's choice even as their curiosity piqued.
A noble's life was peaceful by nature, given their station.
That was why they showed such keen interest in the topic.
And so, the long-awaited noble assembly, Kailo, began amid a swell of excitement.
Countless nobles attended the Kailo hosted by Glasis.
Even those who were regular members but rarely showed up had come this time.
After all, it was hosted by Glasis, one of the Five Great Families.
As Glasis's entrance buzzed unusually with nobles' carriages,
Rumble—
one more carriage appeared.
A carriage bearing the lion emblem, once unfamiliar but now known to all.
It was Banpellyon.
The carriage was surprisingly sleek and well-maintained.
But those with a keen eye knew the cost of its materials.
"Looks like they used black ebony wood from the northern regions."
"Even a small amount must have cost a fortune."
"And those horses—purebred white stallions. They have an eye for quality."
"The young lord must have good taste."
For nobles, displays of wealth were a matter of pride.
Banpellyon was proudly upholding that pride.
"Ugh... the price of this carriage..."
Of course, Arthur was clutching his stomach over the expense.
"This could've funded the mage corps and helped the territory immensely."
With the territory's recent expansion,
Arthur couldn't help regretting the money spent on the carriage.
"It's a necessary expense."
But Havel saw it differently.
He wasn't one to indulge in luxury himself.
Yet he knew how many fools lurked among the nobility.
They had to make it crystal clear to those fools.
That Banpellyon had made a full comeback.
"Won't they just call us upstarts?"
"It's fine if they do now.
But that will change later.
They'll see that Banpellyon's wealth and power are the real deal."
Nobles didn't squander money on frivolities for nothing.
You had to match fools with foolishness they understood.
No amount of polite explanation would get through to them otherwise.
"Think of it as an investment in our future."
"...Alright. If you say so, Havel, then it must be."
With that, Arthur gazed out the window and straightened his necktie.
"You seem pretty savvy about noble society, Havel."
When he casually asked, Havel just gave a short laugh.
"I just have a bit of an ear for it."
Arthur fell silent, watching him quietly.
He had no intention of prying if it was Havel's will.
Just then, the carriage passed through Glasis's gates.
As invited guests, there was no hindrance from Glasis.
"Never thought I'd set foot in Glasis myself."
Arthur sounded a touch uneasy.
Glais was Banpellyon's sworn rival, after all.
He hadn't imagined being invited like this.
Havel, meanwhile, was utterly nonchalant.
Memories of Glasis as his vassal house were still fresh,
and just months ago, he'd waltzed in and caused a scene on his own terms.
Creak—
By then, the Banpellyon carriage had come to a stop.
"Shall we?"
Havel opened the door first and stepped out.
Rather than heading straight inside, the gazes of waiting nobles turned their way.
"Ahem."
"My, quite..."
A few noblewomen cleared their throats upon seeing Havel.
He'd dressed in noble finery for this Kailo.
As Arthur's guarding knight, he'd come along.
Clad in black with gold embroidery, Havel had even tied back his long hair neatly.
His presence was subtle, but his raw appearance was striking.
Standing tall and confident, he left the onlookers momentarily stunned by his looks.
Arthur followed behind him.
He might have been shorter and less imposing than Havel,
but Arthur cut a handsome figure himself.
His silver hair framed sapphire-blue eyes that sparkled, drawing attention.
"That's him."
"No wonder the young lord is making a name for himself."
Appearance held value in noble circles, too.
Arthur's reputation was bound to rise from this opportunity.
"They're staring too much. Do I look weird?"
Arthur, oblivious to his own charm, looked uneasy.
Havel glanced at the still-youthful Arthur and replied,
"Ask one of the Maylin daughters."
Levi Maylin, Arthur's de facto fiancée.
She was attending this Kailo as well.
"Levi? Yeah, I should do that."
His social awareness still had a ways to go.
Havel pictured Arthur getting an earful from Levi later.
After that, Havel and Arthur headed straight for the venue.
With their striking looks, they drew eyes everywhere,
but they ignored it and soon reached the party hall.
"Lord Havel, Lord Arthur Banpellyon—confirmed."
The attending knight checked their invitations and opened the door.
"Lord Arthur Banpellyon and Lord Havel, entering!"
The interior of the hall came into view.
Chandeliers filled the ceiling.
Wines and foods that screamed expense at a glance.
The building itself was impressive, but
the party's interior decor drew gasps of admiration.
Even the attendants stood ready in fine attire and polished appearances.
'They've poured money into this.'
Havel assessed honestly.
At the same time, he felt gazes converging on them.
Banpellyon, personally invited by Glasis—no wonder.
"Lord Havel! Lord Arthur!"
Just then, a golden-haired woman waved excitedly.
It was Elasia Selen tia, magic commander of the magic house Selen tia.
Dressed to the nines in a gown and jewels tailored for Kailo, she dazzled.
Havel's gaze on her, however, was ice-cold.
'Cunning one.'
The nobles gathered here were all high-ranking enough for Kailo invitations.
Seizing the moment while eyes were on Arthur and Havel,
she'd stepped up to make her own impression.
To boost her own standing.
He considered brushing her off,
but with her eyes sparkling expectantly, Havel gave a measured nod.
Elasia beamed and sidled up beside him.
"Phaiod?"
"No clue. That beast."
He'd thought she'd bring her guard Phaiod, but apparently not.
She had an unusually low opinion of him.
'Rivalry, maybe.'
Or some other reason.
Havel wasn't sure yet.
Clack—
Then came the sharp click of high heels.
Havel turned to see a slender beauty approaching.
Long black hair framing inward.
A butterfly mask covering her eyes.
Elasia gasped upon seeing her.
"...Byra Graiza."
The eldest direct descendant of the Five Great Family Graiza.
Byra Graiza.
Baria followed behind her.
His face gaunt, he bowed his head upon meeting Havel's eyes.
"Pleased to meet you, Banpellyons."
Byra smiled and greeted them.
In the 7th hierarchy, Graiza had clearly abandoned and used Baria.
Passing August intel to Havel through him.
Thus, Havel's gaze on her wasn't kind.
Byra seemed aware, opening her lips as she met his eyes.
"I formally apologize for the blunder we committed through Baria this time."
A noble of a proud Five Great Family.
Havel hadn't expected her to apologize so readily.
Arthur looked flustered, glancing between Havel and her.
He hadn't told Arthur everything about the Tower.
"Of course, words alone won't repay everything.
We'd like to make amends to Banpellyon for our mistake."
Now she fixed her gaze on Arthur.
Apology to Havel, compensation to Banpellyon.
A deft approach.
'If I'd fallen for August's trap, that'd be that.
But since I overcame it, she sees a chance to build ties with Banpellyon on my terms.'
Arthur glanced at Havel.
As it concerned Tower events, Havel's will mattered most.
Byra noticed the look.
She stared straight at Havel.
Confirming he held more sway than Arthur.
An unpleasant woman.
So Havel decided to throw her an unexpected curveball.
"Then, as recompense, make Baria the head of Graiza."
Baria flinched and looked at Havel.
The youngest direct descendant of Graiza.
One they hadn't bothered rescuing from Memento Mori.
His standing in the family was low, naturally.
"Lord Havel, that's..."
"An intriguing proposal."
Before Baria could respond, Byra cut in.
She draped an arm around Baria's shoulder, lips curling up.
"Baria could become head with effort. I have high hopes for him, after all."
A smooth deflection.
Pretending to accept while promising nothing.
But Havel caught the faintest tremble at the corner of her eye.
Her pride had taken a hit.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. I hope Banpellyon and we continue on good terms."
Byra strode off, leaving Baria behind.
A signal to handle it himself.
"Lord Havel, sorry about my sister."
Baria bowed in apology.
Havel waved it off dismissively.
'So where are the Glasis lot?'
The key players were still missing.
As Havel scanned the area with mild irritation,
The letters appeared before Havel.
Even as he froze, more followed.
Today's date was February 29th.
"...Elasia, what time is it?"
"Time? It's..."
Elasia checked her watch at Havel's question.
"7:45."
Havel's eyes narrowed sharply at her answer.
Fifteen minutes from now.
He'd have to enter the Devil's Chamber.