Ch.228228. Harvest Festival (4)

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The evenings in the Tristan Dukedom are quite chilly. Perhaps it’s because of its proximity to Count Kendrid’s border territory, which serves as the northern passage.

Marquis Bogart tightened his coat and let out a short sigh.

As he walked out to the courtyard with the duke’s mansion behind him, white breath formed in the cold air with each exhalation.

There was no hesitation in his movements as he walked away—he had seen everything he needed to see.

“…It just doesn’t make sense that someone could exert control over demons.”

He muttered this while scratching his head.

“Don’t you think so too?”

Though it appeared he was speaking to empty air, that wasn’t actually the case.

A figure emerged from the shallow shadows, expressionless.

Marquis Bogart let out a derisive snort. To hide one’s entire presence in such a shallow shadow—it could hardly be called a shadow at all.

The rumors must be true that this person could infiltrate anywhere with just a handspan of darkness.

“…That’s quite a skill, befitting someone in a profession with only two practitioners on the continent.”

Bogart continued, looking at the two animal ears twitching atop the other person’s head.

Biped—a race severely discriminated against within the Empire.

For such a race to be inside one of the Empire’s most prominent noble territories would normally be suicidal, but for this one, it wasn’t unusual.

“Pleased to meet you, Grand Assassin. This is our first face-to-face meeting, though we’ve corresponded before.”

“…”

“Come to think of it, is the other Grand Assassin also your family member? Your entire bloodline must be quite extraordinary—”

“Your business.”

Not getting anywhere with small talk.

Though this was his first time meeting a Grand Assassin in person, the stiffness he had sensed in their written communications was no different in person.

“…That man you just saw is the target.”

Marquis Bogart continued, looking back at the duke’s mansion.

“You observed from a distance, didn’t you? What he was doing with the ‘Demonic Vessel’.”

“…I don’t accept assassination requests for that man.”

The reply came in a monotone voice.

“The Holy Empire has already assigned their own assassin to him. I prefer not to get entangled with colleagues in the same field.”

“No, I’m not asking you to kill him.”

“…What?”

The question implied confusion—why hire an assassin if not to kill someone? But Marquis Bogart continued with a slight smile.

“What that man just did is only the beginning. Demonic activity around him will likely intensify from now on. And you are the only ‘human’ who can observe this in detail, with a clear mind and without being detected.”

“…”

“You understand why I’ve hired you?”

“…”

Though the assassin’s face was completely wrapped in a hood making their expression difficult to see, they were likely frowning. Marquis Bogart continued with a smirk.

“Infiltrate the Academy. Get as close to that man as possible. Report everything noteworthy to me.”

After a brief pause, Marquis Bogart added with a meaningful smile:

“…You might even run into your family.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, the assassin let out a dry laugh and spoke.

“I don’t care about them.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Just before disappearing back into the shadows, the assassin added in a cold voice:

“They betrayed me.”

“…”

Marquis Bogart silently watched as the figure vanished.

‘…Betrayal, huh.’

A familiar word to him as well.

And it would become even more so in the future.

“-!”

Suddenly, he bent forward violently.

A fierce coughing fit erupted from his stomach, accompanied by terrible pain that filled his mouth with blood.

“…”

He wiped his mouth with a bitter smile.

The white breath escaping his lips was mixed with the metallic scent of blood.

“…I wish you could hold on a little longer. You’ve done well so far, Bogart.”

As he muttered this, he instinctively reached for his neck. It was a habit he performed whenever these symptoms appeared.

But the locket that should have been there was not within his grasp.

The locket containing a picture of him, Astrid, and Armin.

“…”

Indeed.

He had done well to give it to Armin before leaving.

It felt like breaking a bad habit of depending on it whenever he felt weak.

Instead,

He gritted his teeth and recalled the phrase engraved on that locket.

“Friends.”

Forever, and beyond.

Until death parted them, and even then.

“Just a little longer, friends.”

Not much longer now.

He was truly on the verge of fulfilling what he had promised them.

“…Just a little longer, Astrid.”

With those murmured words, Bogart began to move forward with unsteady steps.

It didn’t take long for his figure to completely disappear into the darkness.

●

The aftermath wasn’t too difficult to handle.

The White Demon’s demonic energy undoubtedly affects people’s minds, but fortunately it was just a single fragment. That means there won’t be any serious aftereffects.

People who regained their senses might wonder why the banquet hall is so quiet, why they were standing around in a daze just moments ago.

‘…Thanks to that, things are going smoothly.’

I think this as I watch His Imperial Majesty circulating through the banquet hall, greeting nobles.

No matter how confused people might be, in the presence of the Empire’s ruler, everyone has to focus on him. Even if they sense something strange, they’re forced to act normally.

Thanks to this, the banquet hall was regaining its usual atmosphere, though not quite as lively as before.

“Doesn’t the atmosphere seem a bit unsettled?”

However, this must have seemed quite strange to Elnore, who had just entered the banquet hall.

She looked around with a puzzled expression as she said this.

“…I think it’s just your imagination.”

I respond with a forced smile.

Thankfully, she arrived late because she was preparing something elsewhere.

If I hadn’t quickly sent the unconscious Yuria back to her quarters with Lucien and eliminated the evidence, Elnore might have been justifiably furious about what happened in her home.

“…I see.”

Tilting her head slightly, Elnore seemed to dismiss the matter as she walked toward me with clicking steps.

A pure white dress, earrings, decorations in her hair, and sparkling shoes.

“…”

To be honest.

She looks breathtakingly beautiful.

So beautiful that I could believe her long absence from the banquet was solely for the purpose of this elaborate preparation.

“Well then.”

Looking like this, Elnore slowly extended her hand to me.

“Shall we dance, Darwood?”

“…Pardon?”

Before I can respond, Elnore grabs my hand with a slight curl of her lips and pulls me along.

She leads me to the center of the floor, right in front of the stage where the orchestra is playing. The place where couples dance together.

“…Elnore?”

I say with twitching facial muscles.

Eyes are already focusing on us from all around. Partly because I was dragged rather forcefully, but mainly because my partner is none other than the Tristan Duchess.

Since the host of the party has brought out her partner, it’s inevitable that we’d draw attention.

“…”

And in other words,

This is a declaration.

This man is my partner. No one touch him.

The problem is…

“Elnore.”

I quickly whisper in a lowered voice.

“I’ve never danced before…!”

“I know.”

“…What?”

“I was certain this would be your first time, which is why I brought you here.”

With a gentle smile, Elnore continued in a cheerful voice.

“I’ll lead. Just follow me.”

With those words,

Elnore naturally began to lead my movements.

I only learned basic dancing as a child when my father insisted it was part of noble education, but thanks to her, I was able to blend in naturally without standing out too much.

“This is my revenge.”

Suddenly, that voice floated to my ears.

“Pardon?”

“When we return to Elphante Academy, you’ll likely be promoted to the third student corps. You’ve accomplished many notable things. Do you know what that means?”

A mischievous smile appeared on Elnore’s face.

“It means you’ll soon be a ‘senior student.’ Treated the same as frontline forces. The incidents you’ll face at the academy will enter a completely different phase from now on.”

“…”

Which means…

“From now on, you’ll face new incidents, opportunities, and countless experiences. And…”

A sudden turn.

As the dance movement changed to bring us closer together, Elnore whispered in my ear with a sweet voice.

“Each time, I will take your ‘first.’ Just as I’ve taken your ‘first dance’ now.”

“…”

“Consider it my revenge for you stealing my heart.”

Well.

How should I put this?

“…That’s quite a fearsome revenge.”

It’s exactly like her.

As I think this with a wry smile…

[Yeah, but hearing this makes me think we really can’t get caught.]

‘What?’

[There’s one ‘first’ she hasn’t taken, right?]

‘…’

[If she finds out who took your virginity…]

Well, honestly.

No matter how much I think about it, there’s really no solution to that.

‘…Let’s think about that later, Calivan.’

I respond this way and focus on dancing with Elnore.

She clearly put tremendous effort into her appearance for this. I can’t disappoint her.

Fortunately, despite my poor dancing skills, her lead is helping our movements flow smoothly.

‘…So this incident is also wrapping up without major problems.’

And like our dance,

It seems the current situation is coming to a conclusion.

Honestly, until I was invited to the Tristan Dukedom, I was anxious about what might happen, but I’m relieved it wasn’t as serious as I feared.

“…”

Well.

If there’s one thing that makes me uneasy right now,

It’s the Emperor watching me and Elnore dancing with suspicious interest.

As if…

He envies us. With a look of longing.

“…”

Cecilia XI…

Did not remove that expression until the end of the party.

●

“How was your outing, Your Majesty?”

As the Emperor walked silently with his cane, such a question suddenly came to him.

As they approached the carriage, the Sword Saint sitting in the driver’s seat holding a whip had asked this question.

The Emperor stared at him blankly.

He seemed to be deep in thought. He just kept staring without saying anything.

“…Your Majesty?”

Rad frowned slightly and asked again.

“Rad.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m listening.”

“Have you ever attended school?”

A strange question.

But not difficult to answer.

“No. Having been born and raised in the knighthood, I never had such an opportunity.”

“I see.”

The Emperor smiled faintly and continued.

“Neither have I.”

“…”

After a brief silence, the Sword Saint managed to ask a follow-up question.

“May I ask why you’re suddenly curious about this?”

“She looked happy. Elnore, I mean.”

“…Is that so?”

The Sword Saint replied with a voice that detected something concerning.

Being constantly by her side, he could speak with confidence, but…

Cecilia XI was someone who occasionally committed shocking eccentricities without batting an eye.

And the atmosphere she was giving off now was exactly like the state just before committing such an act.

“Rad.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If I went to school, could I form such a wonderful relationship with someone?”

“…Pardon?”

Rad asked with a voice tinged with horror.

Surely not.

The Emperor, the ruler of the Empire herself.

Was she saying she wanted to enter an imperial educational institution at this point?

A total catastrophe worse than a military commander-in-chief enlisting as a common soldier…!

“I’m just thinking out loud.”

“…”

“It would be quite a farce if the Emperor went to school. Elphante would be in an uproar. There would be many political problems as well.”

“…Indeed, that’s true.”

He replied with a forced smile.

Yes. Thankfully the Emperor wasn’t that far gone—

“But what if I went in a state where I wasn’t the Emperor…”

“…”

“…Hmm.”

“…”

“Hmm. Hmm. Perhaps…”

Rad closed his eyes tightly.

For him, this was undoubtedly a force majeure.

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