Episode 139 – Accusation
by Afuhfuihgs
*
The banquet hall was filled with cheerful music that wasn’t so loud as to irritate the listeners, and the fragrant, oily smells of colorful, exotic foods.
Lavish dishes, enough to make even nobles accustomed to delicacies drool, were being prepared one by one in the banquet hall, and the guests were just watching, sizing things up.
Word was that this banquet was both the announcement of Baron Salvier’s naturalization and the 20th anniversary celebration of Victory Day, and an event of that scale would surely have a very long speech.
While admiring Baron Salvier’s wealth and dedication, which clearly involved spending more money than expected, I couldn’t help but feel a little resentful towards Baron Salvier for trying to hold the event with such food in front of us.
Meanwhile, Robin was sitting in his seat, sweating bullets.
The scene of the banquet, which clearly showed more money thrown at it than he had imagined, made him wonder what would have happened if he had held the 20th anniversary event without any particular surprises, and if Baron Salvier had held a banquet before him.
Even if Robin had prepared by selling all of his assets, it would have been a modest event, less than half of what this banquet was.
Robin swallowed hard with a nervous expression, and the sound echoed louder than he thought, but fortunately, there were many people around him busy swallowing their own saliva, so it wasn’t noticeable.
Certainly, even Robin was gaping at the splendid feast.
As the tension eased, Robin also felt his mouth watering.
The only person around Robin with an aloof expression was Mela, sitting blankly next to him.
Robin looked at Mela with a suspicious expression.
This morning, for some reason, she had left the mansion much earlier than him.
Robin was furious, thinking that Mela had hidden herself because she didn’t want to come to this banquet, but she had actually arrived at the banquet hall before him.
It seemed she just didn’t want to be with him.
Robin also had no intention of putting up with Mela’s suddenly shitty personality.
After all, with Villard dead, the future was a complete mystery.
Of course, he was planning to survive somehow and claw his way up, but there was no need to take a wife who was only a hindrance.
As he had already been doing, Robin was not going to pay any more attention to Mela after this banquet was over.
It was the price he paid for his dedication as a hero, and he had used her well for 20 years.
That’s what he was thinking when.
Baron Salvier walked in through the large entrance of the banquet hall.
The sound of people sighing echoed softly but clearly throughout the banquet hall.
The eyes of those who hoped the tedious procedures would be short were focused on the Baron in an instant.
The Baron leisurely walked across the center of the banquet hall and up onto the stage where the musicians were located.
Then, he slowly turned to face the guests and opened his mouth.
“Thank you to everyone who came to the banquet today.”
“…”
“In particular, I sincerely welcome His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Highness, who have personally graced this humble event with their presence.”
People applauded naturally as the Baron finished speaking.
It was only natural to mention His Imperial Majesty first, since someone of that stature had personally attended.
The fact that His Imperial Majesty had appeared at this place meant that this banquet was the most important event happening in the Empire right now.
Some nobles wondered if they could dare to prepare a banquet to which they could invite the Emperor and shuddered.
It was a matter of cost, as well as guts.
If the Emperor were to choke on the food, or feel bloated, or anything trivial like that, it would be their responsibility.
The nobles were confused as to whether the Baron’s courage was great, or whether he simply didn’t know how great the position of Emperor was because he was a foreigner.
As those questions arose and the applause gradually subsided, the Baron opened his mouth again.
“It’s a banquet that I prepared, but I don’t know much about banquets. Especially not the banquets of this Empire.”
People murmured, not knowing what the Baron was trying to say.
“So first of all, what I could prepare was the best food. Everyone, let’s skip all the formalities, and first of all, I hope you enjoy the sincerity I’ve prepared to your heart’s content.”
As the Baron said that and went down, the tune of the musicians playing also changed at the same time.
A little softer, calmer, like music flowing from a high-end restaurant.
What that music meant was clear.
That they could skip all the long and tedious procedures and enjoy this feast right now.
*
Frankly, it was a sight that could only be felt as ridiculous.
How could it not be funny to see those nobles, who always acted so high and mighty, drooling like dogs in front of a bowl of food, rushing in like that at the word ‘eat’?
Of course, it was true that I paid a lot of attention to the food.
I had never even seen Western food, procedures, banquets, or balls in passing, so the only thing I could pay attention to without leaving everything to Mena was the food.
Also, I had the intention of gaining some favor with the nobles with delicious food.
You could say it was a trick to add credibility to the shocking story I was about to reveal in front of them.
There might not be anyone simple enough to like me just because they ate delicious food, but at least they would listen to me a little more.
But even so, this sight was literally a scene that made me laugh.
I would rather have served food to the workers of Flavis, the beggars who get free handouts, and the general public several times over.
Because they don’t even try to hide their bright smiles and joy when it’s delicious.
The nobles, on the other hand, were no different, but after opening their dirty mouths, crushing the meat mercilessly with their teeth, and rolling it around with their tongues to taste it, they always pretended to be refined when they gave their impressions.
[It can’t be helped. Whether it’s humans or monsters, once they seize power and wield it to their heart’s content, they become accustomed to most pleasures. Until then, there are few pleasures left except for gastronomy.]
‘Oh, so you’re like that too.’
[The energy of monsters comes from magic power, not from food.]
‘Then… what do you get pleasure from?’
[Well, violence and destruction? I don’t have a body that can get pleasure, a monster isn’t that kind of lifeform.]
‘Damn, there was a reason why monsters were acting like crazy bastards.’
[Didn’t you feel it while living as an undead? Even if you eat food and taste it, it can never reach the pleasure of it seeping into your body, being digested, and becoming your own flesh and blood. Even if you have a similar appearance to a human body, there is a decisive difference.]
‘Yeah, I didn’t realize that sleeping was such a good thing.’
[Perhaps all monsters, including me, are beings who seek violence to soothe a body trapped in eternal thirst.]
[Ugh, a life that’s twisted from the start.]
‘…I’m an undead too?’
[Ah, not Ed, I mean…]
[Kekeke,]
[Eueuik! Don’t laugh like that!]
‘Let’s stop the banter there, it’s about to start.’
I raised my head, got up from my seat, and went back up onto the stage.
Unlike before, this time there were few people watching my actions because everyone was focused on the food.
Deborah and Ellie, Mela, Mena standing by to serve.
The only people paying attention to me were those who knew what I was going to do today.
I moved the mask to fit my face perfectly, then clapped my hands.
“Okay, okay, everyone, please pay attention. Ah, you can keep eating while you listen.”
Only then did the guests look up at me,
I said to them.
“I think many of you know that today’s banquet is the 20th anniversary of Victory Day and a celebration of my decision to become a person of this Empire.”
People nodded and looked at me as if curious about what I was going to say,
I made eye contact with them and continued to speak.
“I think you all know that I drifted to the port of Flavis and came to this continent. Originally, I was going to fix the ship and go back, but, well, it turns out that crossing the continent is no easy task.”
Some nobles gave small, fake smiles at my light joke.
“I think I’ve become very fond of this Empire that welcomed me so warmly. Haha, even though I’m a suspicious person wearing a mask that no one knows the identity of.”
Hahaha,
Laughter spread among the guests.
I slowly cleared my throat and waited for the laughter to subside.
But no matter how long I waited, the friendly atmosphere didn’t subside, so I decided not to wait any longer and just throw cold water on it.
“But, I have to say it clearly here. I will not be naturalized.”
As soon as those words were finished, a cold silence spread quickly, like setting fire to a windy field.
Only then did everyone in the banquet hall pay attention to me without exception.
I raised my head and continued.
“And, this banquet is not a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Victory Day either.”
“What, what are you talking about?”
“I don’t know, why is he suddenly acting like this in a place where even His Majesty is present.”
“Could it be some kind of humor from another continent?”
People began to murmur, unsure of the situation due to my firm attitude and bizarre remarks.
I, hidden behind the mask, was smiling at the sight, but the people seemed to be feeling a bit of a chill as they looked at my expressionless mask.
Some nobles glanced around, cautiously observing the Emperor’s expression.
But the Emperor was putting a piece of tender meat into his mouth with a fork, with an indifferent expression.
Of course,
I had contacted him in advance with the contact information I had received before.
Telling him what I was going to do today.
I said confidently in a loud voice so as not to be drowned out by the murmuring.
“Today’s banquet is a place prepared to reveal the truth from the lies that have deceived you, and to protect this Empire from the evil plans that threaten you while hiding in that brazen lie.”
The murmuring of the people who were embarrassed by my incomprehensible words gradually grew louder.
The eyes of the people who were frightened by my actions were overflowing with anxiety, and the atmosphere gradually became chaotic.
I turned my eyes slightly to find Robin.
Robin also seemed embarrassed by my actions.
Or maybe he’s embarrassed by Mela’s calmness in this chaos.
Tak,
The sound of a fork being slowly placed down echoed loudly in the banquet hall for some reason.
Everyone’s eyes moved towards the source of the sound.
It was the sound of the Emperor putting his fork down on his plate.
People held their breath and watched the Emperor’s movements.
The Emperor wiped his mouth with the tablecloth leisurely, as if he was used to such attention, and then spoke slowly.
“Lies, truth… and an evil plan,”
“…”
“I’m curious, what’s happening in this Empire that I rule.”
I nodded once.
“Everyone here knows. That there have been several disturbing incidents in the capital of this Empire recently. So much so that those Inquisitors over there have come to this capital.”
The suddenly pointed-out Inquisitors and Edward looked at me with surprised expressions.
A man with a sturdy physique who appeared to be the leader of the Inquisitors distorted his scar-filled face and opened his mouth.
“Is it about heresy?”
“No… it’s a bigger problem than that.”
I lowered my head for a moment.
Finally, the moment of revenge had arrived.
An indescribable feeling enveloped my whole body.
Was it regret, remorse, or some kind of elation, excitement?
I shook off all those feelings and stretched out my arm with a powerful motion, pointing my finger at Robin and saying.
“At this moment! I will reveal all the sins you have hidden! Robin!”
.
0 Comments