Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: EP.110 Vigil - 1
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****
As night fell, the magic orbs in the palace banquet hall lit up.
The vigil party venue, now bright as day, was already filled with a considerable number of nobles.
Not just nobles from the kingdom, but from the duchy and other city-states as well.
No, not just them—there were quite a few non-human dignitaries too.
"Look over there. That's Dwarven City Mayor Marax, isn't it? They say getting just one weapon from that dwarf is the lifelong dream of every swordsman..."
"Five-horned Lizardmen? I heard they never leave the swamps..."
"It's the Hornet tribe. No way. Even they came?"
"I heard the Princess put on a big show in the Elf Forest last time. Did the other races come to celebrate too?"
These were people you couldn't see easily on ordinary days. Dwarves, beastkin, Lizardmen.
And not just them—even the insect folk who hardly ever left their territories.
While the nobles marveled, the non-human dignitaries gathered together, engaged in serious conversation.
"This honey tastes insane. How on earth do humans process it to get a flavor like this? Mmm... I absolutely have to bring some back for Her Majesty the Queen."
An insect humanoid with the face of a giant hornet and four long arms clad in a black suit.
Rastapa, the Hornet tribe Queen's first warrior and a brilliant Grand Sorcerer, munched on honey treats and sipped honey mead, letting out exclamations of delight one after another.
Beside him, a dwarf chomped away at a massive lamb shank, sauce smearing his beard without a care, washing it down with beer.
Dwarven City Mayor Marax gulped down his dark ale before finally opening his mouth.
"Puha! Human food really is the best, huh? Hey, Leo. What do you think?"
"Agreed. This raw beef is killer. Galashi, what about you?"
"The fish is incredibly fresh. It seems the Queen prepared quite the feast for the Princess. But Leo, tribe chief—your suit looks like it's about to burst. You okay?"
"It's the dress code for human parties, so I have to follow it."
Leo, the beastkin leader and lion beastkin tribe chief, popped a piece of raw beef into his mouth whole and grinned satisfyingly at Galashi, the cobra Lizardman who was only picking at the fish dishes.
If he could eat delicious food like this, he'd wear an uncomfortable suit any number of times.
Humming a tune, he sipped his wine and turned his eyes back to the raw beef dripping with blood.
That was when the attendant announced.
"Dignitaries from the Elf Forest have arrived!"
"No way! Even from the Elf Forest?!"
For a vigil party that was essentially optional attendance, the guests were remarkably illustrious.
The nobles watched with eager anticipation, wondering who it would be.
The shut-in princess who used to rot in her room had suddenly stepped out and accomplished so much.
They'd heard the rumors, but thought it couldn't be that impressive—yet seeing the guests at the vigil party changed that; now they couldn't help but look forward to it.
If the Princess was great enough to draw non-human dignitaries to a mere vigil—not even her birthday party—
Then the kingdom's prosperity and glory were assured even after the current Queen stepped down.
The Demon King was defeated, and the monsters on the northern frontlines were dwindling bit by bit.
With such an excellent successor Queen to boot, the kingdom was entering an era of perfect peace.
"There was some worry over the Sasdin business..."
"But they're still welcoming us nobles like this."
Among the nobles punished over Sasdin—or their relatives—some had received invitations but skipped using illness as an excuse.
Of course, it wasn't like the tiger's birthday party in the fairy tales; no one was forced to attend.
But still, showing your face at times like this paved the way for a brighter future, didn't it?
Especially since the Princess was doing so well.
The nobles, laughing and chatting about how glad they came, naturally let out gasps of admiration as the banquet hall doors opened.
"Oh..."
Two elves entered.
One was a dark elf with purple eyes, long ears, and brown skin.
Anyone who'd ever traded with elves would know her on sight.
She was the elves' representative: Light Wing Tribe Chief Lorellia.
Beside her was an elf priestess in a pure white elven silk veil over her jet-black hair.
Her every step was graceful and holy, leaving some nobles utterly smitten, staggering in place.
"Who's that?"
"She looks so sacred... like something you have to cherish..."
"Was there an elf like that among the elves?"
It was none other than Dwarven City Mayor Marax, the head of Dwarven City, who satisfied the nobles' curiosity.
"Huh? Isn't that the Saintess?"
He waved a hand, still gnawing on his lamb.
The black-haired elf beauty smiled brightly, approached him, and greeted him warmly. Lorellia let out a small sigh.
"Light Wing Tribe Chief Lorellia of the Elf Forest. Healing Tree Saintess Seongya of the Elf Forest."
The nobles marveled at the curt, haughty introduction.
A tribe chief was one thing, but for the elves to bring out their closely guarded Saintess too.
Whispers spread that maybe Lucille really was someone special. Meanwhile, Lorellia headed toward where Seongya and the non-humans were gathered.
"Why are you all huddled here? Are the humans ignoring you?"
"What the—?! An elf saying something like that?"
Leo spilled a bit of his wine in disbelief. Frowning slightly, he ordered another plate of raw beef before scowling.
"You lot mind your own business, you rude bunch."
"Quiet. Now that we're gathered, we might as well chat together. Alright, Seongya. Let's go say hello."
They'd heard the elves had changed a bit, but not to this extent.
The elves, known for being so arrogant they barely acknowledged anyone but their own, were showing this much friendliness—it was shocking.
As the excitement in the banquet hall reached a fever pitch.
"Her Majesty the Queen has entered!"
Everyone set down their food and drinks, straightening up. A woman of noble bearing strode in.
Entering the hall with confident posture and gait, she calmly surveyed the room and smiled gently.
"Today is just the vigil. I only hope you all enjoy yourselves. So please, don't worry too much about formalities—relax and have fun."
The non-humans were pleased with the suggestion.
Human customs, food, and drink were fine, but their etiquette was too complicated and uncomfortable to follow.
The Queen must have said it to accommodate them.
As expected of the leader of the interspecies alliance.
Just as the banquet hall's atmosphere was livening up again.
"Veronica, Archbishop of the Church, has entered!"
The nobles were stunned, and the Queen flustered.
The reason was simple.
The Church rarely sent anyone of archbishop rank to events like this.
Yet they'd sent an archbishop.
And not just any—Veronica, who was implicitly in the Church's uppermost echelons.
What could it mean?
The nobles' eyes darted shrewdly.
Perhaps Lucille had the support not just of non-humans, but of the Church's immense backing too.
And so.
The nobles' evaluation of Lucille began to surge from the undercurrents.
***
-Pam pam~!
"One two three!"
-Pam pam~!
"One two three!!"
-Pam pam! Pam pam! Pam pam! Pam pam! Pam pam! Ppa ppa! Ppa! Ppaaaam~!! Pam pam ppa ppa~ba bam~ Pam pam pam ppa ba bam~!! Ppa bam ppa bam~!
"...Huff... huff..."
As the somewhat schmaltzy tune ended, Lucille panted heavily, collapsing against me after her final turn.
She looked pretty exhausted. Not surprising, really.
This was the last dance lesson, after all.
"No way... Lark. Did you have to play something like that?"
Lark, bored of the lute, had switched to trumpet. His musical taste was questionable, but his talent was undeniable.
He could play any song on the trumpet too.
Why waste such great talent on garbage like that...
"The lute would've been weird for this~. Or should I sing it? Huh? I just got inspired."
"Keep it to yourself."
Her eyes sparkling as he picked up the lute, Lucille quickly shook her head no.
Even she couldn't stomach Lark's singing, it seemed.
As he pouted, Valtin chuckled, head pillowed on Lukendi's thigh, chewing jerky.
"Even a layman can see you've improved massively. You could hold your own against Marquis Raysi now."
"Haa... I finally got it down. Master. At this level..."
"I can give you a passing grade."
Sweat doesn't lie.
After seeing my perfect dance with Raysi, Lucille had poured in endless focus and effort to reach this point.
A true human victory.
Though you couldn't discount my and Raysi's instruction, of course.
"I want to enter a dance competition sometime. This should be enough, right?"
"Of course. You could even win. Alright, that's it for today... You not going to the vigil party?"
"Yes. I decided not to attend tonight. I want to rest more. What about you, Master?"
"Gotta show my face at least. Hey, you lot—what about you?"
"We're not going~."
"More fun here."
"I'm gonna go perform...!"
Valtin jumped up and grabbed Lark.
A performer can't beat a monk in close quarters. Only after Lark protested that he wouldn't go did Valtin release him.
"I'll keep this guy here. Wise One, go ahead."
"Got it."
Can't ignore that kind of consideration. As I moved to leave, Lucille grabbed me.
"Master. You're going like that? If you tell the attendants, they'll get you proper attire..."
"Huh? Nah. I have something suitable for occasions like this."
"Really?! But don't you always wear the same thing everywhere, Master?"
"It's my best gear. Don't worry, I know basic etiquette."
This time, as her dance partner for her growth, I naturally had to dress properly.
But those who hadn't seen me in a suit just looked puzzled.
"Wait here."
I went to my room and pulled out the suit I'd gotten as a reward for winning the dance competition achievement.
A unique item, the only one in the game, but useless in combat so I'd hardly worn it.
Black suit, silver shirt, black fedora and shoes.
Finally, the full set with a single glove.
As I emerged fully dressed, everyone's eyes in the garden locked onto me.
"...Whoa, wow."
"Ooh~ You don't usually dress like that? It suits the vibe, looks good."
The name of this suit: Emperor's Suit.
Achieved by breaking the dance competition record, its options were just two.
Meager for a unique, but the effects were extraordinary.
One: When dancing, it draws the eyes of everyone in the hall, greatly boosting you and your partner's dance evaluation.
Two: The game's only unique skill tied to this suit, 'Charisma.'
Maximizes charm stat, inflicting 'Charm' status on those who fail resistance.
Those with low mental fortitude get 'Overwhelmed' instead—an insane option.
Everyone who saw me in it couldn't hide their awe.
"You just have to do it! Do it!"
"Seriously. Seriouslyyy... It suits you so perfectly, Master... But why don't you wear it normally? Ah, no. Don't wear it... You're already too handsome..."
Affected by the Emperor's Suit? The reactions were great.
"It's not something I wear often. Super helpful for parties, but useless if combat breaks out."
As Pop's Emperor's Suit, it'd definitely help with dancing.
At this party, dancing in it would boost my partner's evaluation too, raising Lucille's even higher.
"Anyway, rest up. Hey, Lark. No weird songs."
"Huh? Y-yeah."
I patted Lucille's head—she couldn't take her eyes off me—and left the garden. The dark path was dimly lit by moonlight.
Maids and knights stationed to quietly greet dignitaries in the shadows or guide the lost back to the hall spotted me, startled, staring blankly.
"Ha!!"
Striking a pose and shouting at one, the maid trembled in overwhelming emotion before fainting.
Hm. Effect confirmed.
Testing it on a few more maids and knights, I arrived at the brightly lit hall like midday. Coughing lowly at the stunned attendant.
He snapped to, but still couldn't look away, stammering his announcement.
"Ah, th-the. W-Wise One has entered!!"
The murmurs inside hushed for a moment. I nodded casually to him and entered.
"...Huh?"
Why's she here?
Unlike the others staring blankly, a familiar face gazed at me with her usual vivid turquoise eyes.
Veronica?
Shouldn't she be smashing demon worshippers right about now?
"Hyunwoo."
A soft voice. That sweet tone calling me calmly, as always.
Some nobles watching me dazedly coughed and stepped back, clearing a path. Veronica approached steadily, step by step.
And then.
"I heard a very interesting story from Marquis Raysi."
Even elves, said to be the most arrogant and prideful of all races, had yielded to Charisma—but not Veronica.
She approached me as naturally as ever, grabbing my cheek firmly.
"Ow, ow ow!"
"Who were you doing what with?"
I knew her mental fortitude was high, but max charm and no reaction?
"Urgh... Hey, Veronica. Why are you fine?"
Look—most in the hall couldn't even look away from me.
Yet Veronica acted completely normal.
Curious, I asked, and she smirked, muttering softly.
"You think some fancy getup's gonna change me?"
Fancy getup.
This was the Emperor's Suit...
***
Veronica released Hyunwoo's cheek and stepped back, grinning.
Seeing him so baffled always made her heart race.
No matter what, he stayed composed, coolly assessing situations.
The way he, who seemed to know everything in the world, showed that side only to her—it thrilled her to no end.
Veronica extended her hand and took his.
To escort him now that he'd entered the party.
He took her offered hand without refusal, and Veronica smiled at him again.
Why wasn't she charmed?
Isn't it obvious?
She was already hooked—overflowing with it.
Author's Note
Huge thanks to Akisia for the support!!!
ㅎㅎ Always grateful for typo corrections.
See you at 10~ Bye~!