Ch.142142. Evidence (5)

A banquet bestowed as a just reward for those who fought in the subjugation campaign according to the Grand Duke’s wishes.

For Senia, it was a truly detestable banquet, as the information known to the public was completely wrong.

Despite Junon, not Tembris, having the highest contribution to the Shanberesh subjugation, she had to remain at this place.

Because that was a secret known only to a select few.

“What’s wrong, Senia?”

“…Just feeling a bit stuffy. Thought I might get some fresh air.”

“If that’s the case, shall I come with you?”

“No thanks, Michelle. I’m not someone who gets lost like a certain someone.”

At that, Goden clears his throat awkwardly. He tries to excuse himself by saying he’s still unfamiliar with the duchy’s geography, but he’s merely the butt of his teammates’ jokes.

“Oh right. Senia, why didn’t Cain come?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s probably with Lumia.”

“Heh. I suppose so. They cherish each other terribly.”

“Why don’t we go together later and bring them a gift?”

“That’s a good idea, Charlotte.”

An excited atmosphere and boisterous laughter fill the place. Nevertheless, Senia leaves without a trace of a smile.

After all, her inability to blend into this atmosphere was the biggest reason.

For this reason, what Senia needed was a space to be alone.

Simply leaving this place would easily solve that, but since she had to stay for now, she searched for the quietest space possible.

‘Fortunately, someone is drawing attention, so that spot would be perfect.’

Thanks to Renias, the terrace on the opposite side had emptied out, so heading in that direction seemed like a good idea.

Just as Senia was about to enter the empty terrace, most of the lights suddenly went out.

‘What’s going on?’

In the darkened banquet hall, there was only one place where light could be seen.

It illuminated only the center, as if someone was about to give a speech there. Naturally, all eyes were drawn to that single spotlight.

And soon, someone who looked like they were actually going to give a speech stepped up.

“Professor Muniher…?”

It was surprising that he, known for rarely appearing at such events, was attending this gathering.

Thinking there might be an important announcement, Senia stopped heading toward the empty terrace and began to listen attentively.

“For those who risked their lives to protect the duchy in this subjugation campaign, I personally requested this banquet from the Grand Duke. Are you all enjoying yourselves?”

—Yes!!

“From your voices, it doesn’t sound like you’re having much fun. Is it just my imagination?”

—No, we are!!!

As cheers loud enough to make one’s ears ring filled the hall, Professor Muniher finally laughed heartily with a “ho-ho.”

During lectures, he was stricter and more serious than anyone, and on the battlefield, he commanded the army with charisma, earning everyone’s respect and awe.

It was quite remarkable to see such a man laugh so casually.

No. Perhaps this was actually more normal.

He knew all too well that growth couldn’t come from wielding only the whip, so he was providing this carrot to motivate them.

After briefly delivering some formal remarks, he told the students to enjoy themselves as much as they wanted, as long as they didn’t cause trouble.

‘Is he going to step down now? No, there would be no reason to turn off the lights for that.’

It was unexpected, but passing it off as just motivation for the students seemed insufficient given how much attention it had drawn.

Confirming Senia’s thoughts, Professor Muniher didn’t leave the stage and continued speaking.

“I apologize for being long-winded, but there’s one more thing you should know.”

—…? Is there something else?

—Who knows? But I don’t think he’s going to scold us.

Professor Muniher scanned the banquet hall broadly, then shifted his gaze again as if somewhat disappointed.

While he seemed to be looking over the students, to Senia it felt like he was searching for someone.

“This is about the hidden contributor to this subjugation campaign, whom you all don’t properly know about.”

At that moment, Senia’s eyes flashed.

‘Professor… could it be…? Do you know?’

The hidden contributor to the subjugation campaign could only refer to one person.

At most, only she and Cain knew the other hidden truths about Calix and Shanberesh.

But Cain wouldn’t reveal this. For Lumia’s sake, he wouldn’t open his tight-lipped mouth.

Professor Muniher… how much did he know? Senia swallowed hard and waited for his next words.

“There have been quite a few cases of academy students joining the main force, but the rear guard consisted of novices who could barely manifest Stage 1 Mirage-form magic armor. Yet, conversely, the rear guard had the fewest symptoms of the plague.”

…Huh? Is that all?

There was no mention of Junon being Calix summoned by someone, or being the person who defeated Shanberesh alone.

What he was mentioning now was…

“Even after being isolated, there were no casualties in that unit. Not many people know why, I suppose?”

This was a completely unexpected direction.

Could it be that he was bringing up battle reports, specifically about the rear guard, at this gathering? It might not be the case, but thinking simply, this seemed more like giving credit.

“My name is… Doyle Ragas.”

As if confirming her suspicion, Professor Muniher soon called a student onto the stage.

The student explained that he had been in the rear guard and detailed what situation had unfolded in which position of which team.

Some students at the gathering began to nod in agreement, saying they had witnessed the same situation.

“In the end, the reason we were less infected was because we weren’t exposed to the bodily fluids from the Devourers’ self-destruction. It was because we carried weapons instead of magic armor. The person who gave that order was—”

So that was his purpose from the beginning. Only then did Senia smile faintly with relief.

“Junon. It was all his instruction.”

The students began to murmur.

The vivid testimony couldn’t be buried by the widespread rumors that Junon had abandoned his comrades.

“And let me, who commanded the main force, mention one thing. If the Devourers that headed to the rear had come to the main force, we would have been surrounded. It’s all thanks to the rear guard’s efforts.”

Professor Muniher’s timely interjection.

With this, everyone at the gathering would have realized the importance and achievements of the rear guard.

The hidden contributor to the subjugation campaign. Or perhaps, the true hero of this campaign was the very person they had been slandering.

Though Senia didn’t know why Professor Muniher had orchestrated this, she was satisfied that the banquet had regained its luster, and she could now head to the terrace.

“The night air feels good~.”

It’s not quite the season for cool breezes yet. It’s a somewhat humid, muggy time.

Even such a breeze feels good, perhaps because it feels like something long-stuck inside has been cleared out.

After spending about 5 minutes on the terrace.

—Senior, where are you going?

“What situation is this now.”

She spotted Renias meeting Junon. It was purely coincidental that Renias, who had slipped out of the noisy banquet hall, encountered Junon.

And in this short time, something quite interesting had unfolded, so Senia watched without missing a detail.

From their meeting to Renias, who couldn’t bear the pressure in the banquet hall, hiding behind Junon’s back.

When the psychological battle between the one trying to escape and the one trying to catch unfolded, she almost made a sound, covering her mouth with her hand and laughing.

“Hmm~ The atmosphere is a bit strange, should I help out?”

It seems that would be more fun than the banquet.

***

“Damn it…!! I’m frustrated, so frustrated!!”

“Ugh… why did it have to be that guy of all people?”

“Grr… just you wait. Next time, I’ll be the one to become Miss Renias’s partner!”

…What’s going on here?

I thought they would all curse me as soon as they saw my face. I don’t understand this reaction.

Secondly, where did all those people who were grinding their teeth and rushing at me go when Renias designated me as her dance partner?

No matter how much I rack my brain, I can’t come to a conclusion.

‘Did the news that I knew about the Lemtert Plague not spread? That can’t be it, right?’

Even considering other possibilities, there aren’t many aspects that bode well for me.

At best, people like John or Noel who know a little about me might not believe that news, which is somewhat hopeful.

So if you ask whether this entire group could possibly be such people, I would definitely answer ‘no.’

But they were all unfamiliar faces. This suggests something has changed since then?

‘Well, it doesn’t matter for now.’

Even though people gathered briefly, if nothing happened, I can just quietly leave this place.

“Ahem. Are we done now? Since you’ve managed to deceive them and shake them off, can I go now?”

Yet Renias still didn’t let go of my arm.

“…Why again?”

“If you leave like this… I’ll become a liar.”

Good heavens. Does that mean it shouldn’t be a lie?

Dance at the banquet? With Renias? In front of all those people?

I absolutely decline…!

“Listen, Renias. I want to rest. Okay? I’m in a lot of pain.”

“That’s a lie. You’re walking around just fine, so why are you like this? You could at least dance a little.”

“I’ve never danced in my life… What if I step on your feet?”

“I can’t dance either~ So we’ll step on each other’s feet! Hehe.”

“Hey…”

My anxiety became reality, creating a very strange ordeal for me.

Renias is wearing that smile. That smile that, just for this moment, turns her into a little devil who will undoubtedly put me in a predicament.

“Hmm… besides, today’s senior is quite suspicious, right? As if you’d rather die than go there.”

“Huh? No! I’m just… you know… um…”

“Stop lying! Just follow me quietly, okay? You’re my partner today after all! Hehe.”

“R-Renias? Wait a moment…!”

Renias, firmly gripping my arm with both hands and dragging me to the banquet hall, has a face full of bright smiles.

That things have come to this… I wanted to make a tearful face.

***

Teasing Senior Junon is always fun. I want to keep seeing his surprised face when I do unexpected things whenever I get the chance.

Unlike with other people, the reason I want to act this way is definitely not just a mood.

Not like those who approach with ulterior motives and try to manipulate,

Nor those who try to elevate their status by expanding their connections and seeing people as mere networking tools,

Nor those who mention their family name and try to feed on the scraps that trickle down.

Such patterns don’t fit the senior at all. At least, he’s not the same kind as those people I met earlier.

Senior’s reactions are purely, solely about dealing with ‘Renias’ as a person.

That’s why I treat Senior Junon differently.

Mischief wells up, and for the first time in my life, I tease someone, and when that usually expressionless face turns to bewilderment, it’s more enjoyable than anything else.

‘I know, Senior. That behind that expressionless face, you’re hiding something you absolutely can’t talk about.’

I want to disrupt that face that’s hiding something, to see a bit more of this kind senior’s true self. Like now.

That’s why Renias shows her mischievous side to only one person.

“Why do you keep trying to run away? Even though you’re my partner, tsk.”

“R-Renias? Surely… you’re not really trying to dance with me… right? Come on, we’ve already reached the terrace, that’s enough.”

Senior Junon clearly wants to escape from this banquet hall for some reason.

But right now, even setting aside mischief, Senior needs to stay in this banquet hall and be the protagonist.

‘I have no choice.’

I had many concerns, but… I’ve decided.

Today, I’ll teach Senior how to dance!

“Alright, alright. Then you’ll escort me until we leave, right?”

Senior groaned, sighed, and then took my hand. And as if he’d been waiting for it, I pulled that hand sharply and put what I had prepared around his neck.

“Huh…? Excuse me? What is this…”

“It’s a gift, a gift.”

What I put around his neck as a gift was a men’s cravat.

But, actually, this is a smokescreen.

“…Then can you explain why our fingers are interlocked?”

Junon’s lips tremble as if he desperately hopes it’s not what he thinks.

Once again, he’s fallen for Renias’s plan.

“Well, I need to teach you the posture, right? Hehe.”

“Oh my God…”

“Put your other hand here. You get it roughly, right?”

“That’s not the issue. I’m tired right now…”

“This is my first time dancing with a man too. Senior, just you try not to do it properly?”

“What? Then why am I your first… oh, really. How did it come to this…!”

Renias, cutting off his words, played her trump card to prevent Junon from escaping. She was smiling brightly as if she was certain.

Meanwhile, Junon scratched his head vigorously and sighed.

In the duchy, there’s a superstition that a woman’s first dance should not be interrupted for her happiness, even if it’s clumsy.

And if the male partner ruins it and runs away, he’s likely to become a philanderer…

It’s just a superstition, but it’s obvious that if he were to open the terrace door now, he’d face a different kind of beating from people.

“I’ll teach you well, so learn. Besides, it’s the terrace. The door is closed, so no one will see, don’t worry!”

And conveniently, the prelude to the music begins to flow. It seemed like they just needed to start here.

By this point, Junon had almost given up. Renias, with the most satisfied face of the day, began to lead him with gentle movements.

Just then, a spare lens that had been sticking out of Junon’s pocket fell with a thud. Of course, neither of them noticed.

‘Wow. This is a windfall?’

The terrace door was actually slightly open.

Junon had closed it hurriedly, but due to the rebound, a small gap had formed. Through this gap, one of the spare lenses he had prepared had fallen.

While the two were dancing, Senia picked it up with a pleased expression.

“Right, evidence like this should be preserved.”

Junon and Renias’s moment.

Within the lens frame, the time of these two people would be frozen.