Ch.113113. The Ball

I neatly trimmed my shaggy hair and wore antique clothing instead of my usual tunic and pants. Though the clothes emphasized style over comfort, making movement difficult, I couldn’t refuse them.

The Elysium Ball is a social gathering where children of prestigious noble families meet. When people first encounter each other, appearance is the primary factor in assessing the other person. Regardless of one’s inner qualities, a shabby exterior inevitably leads to being looked down upon.

What clothes one wears, what accessories one chooses—each element determines the first impression. Despite Rex’s indifference, Charlotte didn’t want him to be looked down upon anywhere.

The maids who received Charlotte’s orders enthusiastically dressed Rex up as if it were their own affair, and thanks to them, Rex now looked like a young nobleman straight out of a fairy tale.

“The original was already quite excellent, but after such deliberate grooming, I can hardly remember your previous face. Quite a sight, isn’t it?”

Charlotte nodded with a satisfied expression. She waved her hand as she closed the carriage door.

“The carriage will wait nearby until the ball ends. The night is long. Enjoy yourself leisurely before returning.”

Charlotte chuckled at Rex’s sullen expression. Ordinary young men would be eagerly anticipating the event, but this training-obsessed fellow seemed to regard the ball as merely a bothersome affair. The sight was so amusing that she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Depart now.”

Charlotte gestured to the coachman. He bowed slightly and then took the reins. The carriage wheels began to roll slowly.

Charlotte stared at the carriage for a moment before turning away. Rex, who had been watching Charlotte enter the mansion through the window, sighed deeply and turned his head.

‘A ball.’

Originally, Rex had no qualification to attend balls. Balls were gatherings for a select few nobles, and naturally, they didn’t admit just anyone. To enter a ball, one needed either an invitation from another member or a direct invitation from within. Rex was a high-ranking Sanctifier and also a knight. He was more than qualified to receive an invitation, but very few people knew this fact.

Nevertheless, the reason he was heading to the ball today was thanks to Vivien. She, the continent’s greatest merchant and an apostle of the Wealth Order, had personally verified his identity. Even the most arrogant gathering of young nobles couldn’t refuse him.

“It suits you.”

At his blunt remark, Chloe gave a bitter smile.

Rex wasn’t the only one who had received Vivien’s recommendation. Chloe and Elin had also received invitations. Elin declined, saying she disliked crowded and noisy places, but Chloe accepted without a moment’s hesitation. She had wanted to go from the beginning.

She wasn’t particularly curious about the world of nobles. It would be a lie to say she had no curiosity at all, but more than that, she was concerned about sending Rex alone. Specifically, her stomach churned at Vivien’s comment that “there are many pretty girls at balls.”

Of course, she knew Rex wasn’t an easily swayed man. Chloe trusted Rex’s sense of fidelity. Still, one never knows what might happen in this world. It wasn’t Rex she distrusted, but other women. When alcohol flows and minds soften, if female cats attracted to Rex’s appearance approach him flirtatiously…

‘Absolutely not.’

In Chloe’s opinion, Rex had an excessively innocent side. She knew he could be ruthless toward enemies and diligent in his dedication to the sword. But that’s precisely why he lacked wariness toward the opposite sex.

‘Not as long as I’m keeping my eyes open.’

Even during their stay at Edenhar, the maids there secretly admired Rex. He seemed unaware of it himself, but Chloe, who had always lived close to him, felt it.

Just the way the maids who had dressed Rex up earlier had looked at him… Chloe’s fist clenched tightly.

Rex flinched at the sudden chill. Chloe exhaled with a “huff” and relaxed her fist before speaking.

“It’s my first time wearing clothes like these.”

Just as Rex had been groomed, Chloe had also received attention. Due to her naturally fair skin, makeup didn’t make a noticeable difference, but it was her first time wearing it.

The dress made of luxurious fabric had frills, and a corset cinched her waist to accentuate her figure. It was incomparable to what she had purchased in Lindveil, even after spending a considerable sum. This was a dress that only noble ladies would wear. She had never thought of wanting such a thing, nor had she ever owned one.

“I also learned to dance.”

The highlight of a ball is the dance where men and women pair up. Though both were novices at dancing, Chloe and Rex were Sanctifiers accustomed to body movement. Half a day was too short to master dancing, but fortunately, they reached a level where they wouldn’t embarrass themselves.

“We have arrived.”

The carriage stopped.

The ballroom was a three-story building. Though it had fewer floors, each floor was twice as high as those in ordinary buildings, so it didn’t feel small at all.

“I will wait here. Please return when your business is concluded.”

“Thank you.”

Rex opened the door and stepped out of the carriage. Lanterns illuminated the darkness of the night. Through the wide-open main entrance of the ballroom, he could hear the bustling noise and gentle music. The ballroom was located in the nobles’ district, and they had seen several patrols on their way here, but there were fewer than the soldiers stationed around the ballroom.

“Only invited guests may enter here.”

Befitting a place where promising noble heirs gathered, the soldiers’ vigilance was especially thorough. Rex hadn’t even tried to enter yet, merely stepping out of the carriage, when a soldier approached and blocked the entrance.

It wasn’t incomprehensible. Even nearby, there were many who had been turned away for lacking qualifications but still lingered with hope. Rex silently took out the invitation Vivien had given him.

The soldier’s eyes, which had been reading the invitation with an indifferent face, filled with surprise. He looked back and forth between the invitation and Rex’s face several times before belatedly stepping aside.

“Verified. Mr. Rex von Calibrant and Ms. Chloe. Welcome to the Darmois Club. I understand this is your first invitation to the club, but if you don’t mind, may I provide you with some explanations?”

“…Darmois Club? Yes, well. I don’t mind.”

“Indiscriminate fighting is prohibited within the club. Forcing a partner without their consent is also prohibited. Breaking either of these two rules will result in immediate expulsion, regardless of how noble your bloodline may be. The ball continues until tomorrow morning, and you must leave when day breaks. Until then, you are free to do as you please inside, but if you need a private space away from others’ eyes, please use the rooms on the second floor.”

“By private space, you mean…”

The soldier answered in a calm voice.

“The rooms are equipped with spare clothes and bathing facilities.”

Chloe blushed and cleared her throat at the peculiar gaze directed at her. Rex awkwardly scratched his cheek.

“I understand for now.”

So, it meant these were spaces prepared for passionate young nobles to share intimacy. Of course, Rex hadn’t come here for that purpose.

“This way.”

They followed the soldier’s guidance. The other soldiers guarding the main gate stepped aside.

“I hope you enjoy your time.”

The soldier’s greeting was drowned out by the noise from inside.

At the far end of the ballroom, on a slightly elevated platform, hired musicians held various instruments and played elegant melodies. On one side, numerous dishes were displayed on a long table, with servants moving in unison to replace cooled food with fresh ones.

And then.

They saw people sitting in the spacious seating area that occupied most of the hall. Their clothes were luxurious, and their faces exuded composure. Some gathered in groups to chat, while others paired up to dance hand in hand. A man and woman dancing to the music exchanged glances at some point, then quietly left the hall and went up to the second floor.

“Chloe.”

“Y-yes?”

“Shall we find a place to sit first?”

Chloe nodded hastily. The image of the couple who had just disappeared to the second floor kept lingering in her mind.

‘What are they going to do?’

The soldier’s words that they were free to do anything inside. Surely not, with so many people around? Really? They weren’t special. Another couple, arms around each other’s waists, headed up to the second floor. Then… maybe I too. At the sudden thought, Chloe swallowed dryly and lightly tapped her cheek.

‘Get a grip, you fool.’

Still, perhaps it would be good to prepare. One never knows what might happen. The purpose of coming here was to protect Rex from other women, but she hadn’t considered what might happen afterward.

‘How does my face look right now?’

The maids had complimented her, saying she looked pretty, but not being able to see her own face made her anxious. Unfortunately, there were no mirrors inside the ballroom.

‘Rex…’

Chloe glanced at Rex with cautious eyes.

“This place looks good. It’s close to the food and there aren’t many people. What do you think?”

“…Okay.”

His nonchalant response somehow deflated her. So it’s just me being concerned again. When Rex tilted his head in confusion, Chloe smiled faintly and sat down.

“Keep the seat.”

“Where are you going?”

“Food.”

Rex shrugged and moved his legs. Since they were here, they might as well fill their stomachs. In the ballroom, all food and drinks were unlimited and free. They could take as much as they wanted.

‘Might as well get my money’s worth.’

Charlotte’s intention was for him to experience the world of nobles. He didn’t disagree with that. Rex was no longer a commoner. Calibrant. Though it was just a surname given without a domain, Rex was now undeniably a noble.

He had many days ahead to live, and as a noble, he would inevitably become entangled with other nobles. If he could befriend nobles, it would be right to do so.

‘But how?’

Rex looked around as he transferred food onto a large plate. There were dozens of noble heirs, but not all of them were mingling together.

Thinking about it, it made sense. No matter how much they came for socializing, most of the noble heirs here were practically strangers to each other. Great houses were often far apart, and unless there had been prior exchanges between families, they wouldn’t recognize each other.

If one came purely to enjoy the ball and for dalliances with the opposite sex, it wouldn’t matter. One could simply find an attractive partner.

But if not.

If one came as a future heir to a noble house, seeking exchanges with others who could benefit them.

They would need ‘information.’

The other’s family. Their position within the family. In what areas are they capable or lacking? Can that person help me? What can I offer that person? Are they worth my goodwill? Is my value enough to attract their interest?

With quick thinking, one might gauge this just from hearing a name, but that would be troublesome in many ways. If one is to understand, it’s more convenient to understand in advance.

Therefore, people usually meet before social gatherings like balls.

One acquaintance brings another, and as the number of people one knows increases, they make arrangements for occasions like today. Since we know each other, let’s sit together when the gathering is held. It’s more comfortable and better that way. The interior of the ballroom is filled with such arrangements—groups bound by mutual interests.

Those groups are too thick for outsiders to penetrate. Unless they approach first.

‘It doesn’t seem worth the effort anyway.’

Even without becoming friends with noble heirs, one can sense their atmosphere. Showing off their wealth and power, occasionally looking down on passing servants with arrogance. Not everyone is like that, but most are.

‘Nobles aren’t particularly different.’

He didn’t really want to befriend them either.

“Oh!”

A startled woman’s voice was heard. Rex turned around.

A short distance away, a woman was staring wide-eyed, frozen like a stone.

“Do you know her?”

A young man with a smiling face asked in a puzzled voice. Rex put down the plate he had been filling with food on the table and raised his hand.

“I didn’t expect to meet you in a place like this.”

At those words, the woman’s pupils shook violently from side to side. Rex stroked his chin thoughtfully before blurting out:

“It’s been a while, Ms. Mai.”

“…It’s Maya.”

Maya replied in a disgruntled voice.