Ch.128Pastoral Song (1)

Brilliant lights shine.

Gentle musical melodies.

Children in formal suits and dresses enjoy the ball, moving around the spacious hall.

We were stepping into the bustling scene.

A formal banquet with all the proper elements.

As this was clearly an anticipated event, the academy seemed to have put considerable effort into the preparations.

The youthful atmosphere naturally brings a smile to one’s face.

“Hehe.”

I glance to the side.

Red eyes were already looking my way. I meet that gaze with a gentle smile.

Between my parted lips, I add a touch of playfulness.

It was about her attire.

“Come to think of it… I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you dressed like this.”

“I usually prefer comfortable clothes.”

“The dress suits you well.”

“I’m too old to be pleased by flattery… but I’ll gratefully accept the sentiment.”

“Oh my, I was being sincere.”

The woman shook her head dismissively.

But I wasn’t being insincere at all.

There was a deep allure to her maturity.

Her curvaceous figure that made it difficult to look elsewhere, the black dress that maximized her uniquely decadent beauty, the exposed cleavage highlighting her ample proportions, and finally those calm, deep red pupils.

Her bewitching appearance was drawing gazes from everyone around, regardless of gender.

Especially impressive in the middle and lower regions.

It was fortunate her eyes were narrowed.

Otherwise, I might have embarrassed myself with a dumbfounded stare.

I maintain my composure and continue speaking.

“Did you finish your previous work well?”

“I did, thanks to the help I received.”

“I only handled some basic paperwork…”

“That was enough.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Thanks to you, my schedule is quite relaxed. I should be able to keep you company until late.”

“That makes me smile with joy.”

“More flattery.”

“I’m being sincere this time too.”

Light conversation flows between us.

Though the woman initially maintained an awkward silence, she eventually warmed up as I approached her proactively.

My playful smile gently prods at her expressionless face.

The atmosphere gradually melts between us.

We move side by side.

I can feel students’ gazes drawn to us from all around.

I suppose it’s because of her striking beauty.

“Young master…!”

“I wondered where you disappeared to, but there you are.”

As we walk toward the center of the hall, other voices reach us.

It was none other than our companions who couldn’t join us earlier.

It seemed they had all paired up with each other rather than finding new partners.

After all, there was no rule stating that attendees had to be male-female pairs.

Lezia and Irene.

Sharlotte and Elise.

I heard that Amelia, who was left alone, attended with her younger brother.

Seeing the girls in dresses for the first time was refreshing.

If they usually gave off the impression of innocent children, now they seemed to be gradually blossoming into maturity.

I pat each of their heads in turn.

“You all look lovely.”

Each girl responds differently.

Pink, blue, platinum, red, and orange hair each offer a comment in order.

The warmth beneath my fingertips conveys pure affection.

“Umm… I’m not used to dressing like this. Is it really okay for me to wear such expensive clothes…?”

“It’s not like I dressed up specifically to show you or anything…”

“Yeah. Judas, you look good too.”

“What’s the point when I’m stuck in a wheelchair anyway.”

“…Dresses are definitely uncomfortable. But if you like it, then I like it.”

In particular.

The pilot from a commoner background and the fox from the continent’s borderlands seemed awkward in their dresses, more stilted than usual.

Even that awkwardness was endearing.

Was their only purpose to show off their dress attire?

The girls exchanged brief greetings before turning away.

They said it wouldn’t be fair to intrude… though honestly, I had no idea what they meant.

I only remembered how the rose and the fox glared fiercely at the drunkard.

Perhaps they were competing over something.

Irene even whispered such words:

“Remember this… I’ll be your final choice anyway.”

A meaningful smile.

Considering she secretly nibbled my earlobe before leaving, she seemed full of thoughts about devouring her master.

I couldn’t shake the feeling of her ingratitude in many ways.

Anyway.

After the girls briefly showed their faces and disappeared.

Selena casually remarks:

“They all had such sticky gazes.”

“Haha… I apologize on their behalf. Some of them are particularly sharp-edged.”

“I don’t mind. It wasn’t bothersome.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Fortunately, the woman was indifferent.

I was planning to focus on the banquet from now on, but this time someone approached from the faculty side.

It was none other than Professor Cadel, whom I had thoroughly trampled during the competition.

He offers a light greeting.

The target of his greeting was, of course, Selena.

“An unexpected face. I didn’t think you’d participate in an event like this.”

“Professor Cadel.”

“Someone who acted like they had no interest in the world… what wind blew you out of your research lab?”

“I’ll tell you that’s absolutely none of your business.”

“Still unpleasant as ever.”

“And you’re still petty.”

“Ha.”

The young man picking a fight as usual.

Doesn’t he ever get tired of it?

Despite being trampled last time, he seemed unable to resist initiating confrontation.

I wondered if I should step in, but the woman stopped me.

She seemed to want to avoid unnecessary emotional expenditure.

“That composure of yours won’t last much longer.”

“……”

“Because upheaval is right around the corner.”

A barely audible mutter.

After those incomprehensible words, Cadel gives a meaningful smile.

His gaze was full of ominous intent in every way.

“Student Judas… let’s meet separately next time. I have something to discuss with you privately.”

Something to discuss.

Though it felt unsettling, I nod.

“I won’t avoid it.”

“Good.”

That seemed to be all he wanted to say, as the young man turned his back on us.

With one final remark:

“Then I hope you enjoy your time.”

His retreating figure grows distant.

The woman watched him with lifeless eyes.

Only heavy silence settled between her lips.

Was she about to get lost in thought again?

Before her consciousness could drift away, I pull on our joined hands and whisper.

I infuse my voice with a touch of depth.

It was to capture her attention.

“Please focus on me.”

“Student Judas?”

“Didn’t you say you’d keep me company? To look elsewhere while with your partner—I couldn’t be more disappointed.”

“Coming from a man who was surrounded by women just moments ago… that argument lacks persuasiveness, I think.”

“Is that so?”

I laugh out loud.

Our gazes, crossing in midair, soon face each other completely.

“It doesn’t matter anyway.”

Music begins to play.

As if announcing the official start of the banquet, melodies from instruments gradually fill the hall.

Students around us pair up and blend into the scenery.

The dancing continues smoothly.

The snake and the drunkard also begin to move.

“I’ll lead.”

“As you wish.”

The first piece was gentle.

Our distance closes.

The breath I exhale reaches her, and her sweet scent stickily brushes against my nose.

Though reason grows distant, the gap between us narrows further.

Until our hearts nearly touch.

It felt as though we could share each other’s heartbeats.

We take our steps in perfect alignment.

“……”

Fresh-faced youths all around.

Perhaps it was the charm of maturity that stood out like a needle among them.

As we continue dancing, I feel gazes gathering on us.

Most filled with admiration or desire.

We flow on without stopping.

Swish-

Continuing our circular dance with my hand on her waist.

The previously slow tempo picks up speed.

The woman who had been following my movements smoothly eventually lets out a light breath and mutters:

“Dancing is… difficult after all.”

It was strange.

I expected her to dance well, but watching her movements, she was frequently unsteady.

Perhaps it was because of her heels, but her balance seemed precarious.

Maybe it had been a long time for her.

She had repeatedly mentioned disliking people, so it was possible she had little experience with banquets.

Her feet in high heels increasingly fail to keep up with the quickening tempo.

Her steps become clumsier and more unsteady.

I belatedly notice and grab her waist.

But it was already too late.

“Ugh…!”

She twisted her ankle while trying to regain her balance.

Selena nearly fell over.

Thanks to my support, she avoided that situation, but we had to embrace each other to remain standing.

Our sticky, clinging body heat doesn’t easily separate but seeps in.

A soft moan reaches my ears.

Is she expressing the pain in her ankle?

It seems continuing to dance with such clumsy skill was quite taxing.

I support her while assessing the situation.

‘Her ankle… seems properly sprained.’

This way, we couldn’t continue with the banquet.

Treating the injured ankle was the priority.

It seemed I needed to examine the exact condition.

As gazes continued to focus on us, I decided we should head outside the hall.

I ask the woman:

“Master.”

“……”

“Can you walk on your own?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Not at all.”

I shake my head.

It was my lack of consideration.

I thought she would be skilled at dancing.

But she seemed unfamiliar not just with dancing, but with banquets, restrictive dresses, and high-heeled shoes.

As if she were experiencing all of this for the first time.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

“What?”

I carefully support the woman.

Then without hesitation, I lift her up. I place her slender body directly in my arms.

It was the position commonly known as a “princess carry.”

The red eyes that had always been calm widen significantly for the first time.

She looked flustered.

“S-Student Judas…?”

“Shh.”

Selena rarely stuttered.

I smile as if telling her not to say anything, and silently begin walking toward the exit of the hall.

The surrounding students had even stopped dancing to watch us.

Each one had eyes full of excitement.

“……”

“Excuse us, coming through.”

Regardless.

I cross through the banquet.

The students’ eyes follow us.

Until we completely left the space, the children watched our retreating figures.

The sight of the snake carrying the drunkard in his arms.