Ch.291Chapter 291 – The Repairman is Popular!

As the music echoed throughout the hall following the Emperor’s declaration of the banquet, a woman with platinum blonde hair flowing down to her waist was gazing at me with her golden eyes.

She was the First Imperial Princess of the Gelebrio Empire, Karen Lucien Decatro Gelebrio Aurelios.

Since she was someone with whom I’d had almost no connection, I never expected her to approach me.

More importantly, I needed to get to the banquet hall, but with Princess Karen suddenly approaching me, I found myself in a situation where I couldn’t move forward or backward.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your Highness. What brings you here?”

“Is there some reason I shouldn’t come to see you?”

I notice her manner of speech has subtly changed from before.

Previously, it had been befitting of a princess addressing someone of lower status, but now it felt like she was deliberately speaking in a friendlier tone, as if wanting to get closer.

“That’s not it, but…”

“Is it because my speech has changed? If so… would thou find it more comfortable if this princess were to speak in such a manner?”

Hmm, so it was about her way of speaking after all.

“I think it would be better if you used your original manner of speech.”

“I see. If that is what makes thee comfortable, this princess shall continue to address thee in this way.”

But why isn’t she telling me the reason she came looking for me?

“The reason this princess sought thee out is not something grand. Dost thou know what the nobles have been calling thee recently?”

How would I know that? I just recently returned from abroad.

“I’m not well-informed about domestic affairs.”

“Then it would be better for this princess to tell thee. Recently, among the young nobles of the nation, they refer to thee as ‘the exemplar.'”

The exemplar…? What about me could possibly be worth emulating?

“Hehe, thou art making an expression of incomprehension.”

Oh no, did I fail to control my expression? If I’m not careful, I could be arrested for disrespect…

“‘Tis fine. This princess understands completely. Anyone would be taken aback upon suddenly hearing such things.”

Fortunately, she made a gesture of understanding and continued speaking.

“In the history of the Gelebrio Empire, Viscount Severio, thou art the only one who has achieved so many accomplishments while rising so rapidly in such a short time.”

“Is that so?”

“At first, thou transformed hard bread meant only for battle rations into something comparable to any delicacy, cured the curse afflicting the Chancellor of Glesius Academy, resolved His Majesty the Emperor’s concerns, healed the Margrave’s daughter, destroyed a demon sword, and now even vanquished a demon god. All these feats were accomplished merely two years after thy appearance in this land.”

As Princess Karen listed my achievements one after another, I felt somewhat embarrassed listening to them.

Among those many accomplishments, I had achieved almost none of them alone, and some were accomplished with the help of others.

“You say I’ve achieved many things, but they weren’t accomplished solely by my power.”

“Excessive modesty becomes poison. When did this princess claim that all these achievements were accomplished by thy power alone?”

Hmm, certainly she never said such a thing.

“Even with the help of others, none of this would have been possible without thee. In other words, thou art underestimating thy own importance far too much.”

Karen approached me and straightened my slightly disheveled collar.

“Therefore, have pride. Thy achievements are ones that no one would dare belittle, accomplishments that could only have been achieved because it was thee.”

Karen then extended her hand to me.

“Now, wouldst thou grant this princess the honor of entering the banquet hall with the Saint, Apostle, and Hero of the Great Goddess Order?”

Karen’s face, as she slightly extended her hand, had subtly reddened.

Hmm, I suppose her face is slightly flushed because of the cold weather. At a time like this, refusing a lady’s request would be ungentlemanly!

Also, I don’t want to get on the bad side of the imperial family.

“I would be more than happy to grant that.”

I took Princess Karen’s hand and slowly walked toward the banquet hall.

“The Flower of the Empire, First Imperial Princess Karen Lucien Decatro Gelebrio Aurelios and the Apostle of the Great Goddess Order! The Saint! The Hero! Viscount Pathos Severio are entering!”

The guard at the entrance of the banquet hall opened the door and loudly announced the arrival of Princess Karen and myself to everyone.

“Welcome, Our daughter. And welcome, great hero who has protected the Empire and countless people.”

As Princess Karen and I entered the banquet hall, His Majesty the Emperor, seated at the highest seat in the hall, greeted us.

“Everyone’s attention is focused on us.”

“That is because thou art the guest of honor at this banquet. It would be good to remember this moment. Everyone here is expressing their gratitude to thee.”

From the young male nobles came gazes of admiration or something close to respect.

From the older male and female nobles came looks as if they were evaluating a potential son-in-law.

From the young female nobles came gazes akin to exploratory reconnaissance.

However, as Princess Karen said, the looks from the people gathered in this banquet hall were favorable.

I suppose it makes sense since I hadn’t been active much in noble society and had hardly any external activities while at the academy.

“Thou shouldst be prepared for the banquet. There are truly many who have their eyes on thee.”

“It seems so.”

Just looking at the gazes people are sending my way, it seems impossible that I’ll be able to return home unscathed today.

“This gathering is not only to celebrate the Empire’s welcoming of a new year but also to honor the merits of the Empire’s loyal servant, Viscount Pathos Severio. So eat, drink, and be merry to your heart’s content!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

Only after shouting “Long live His Majesty the Emperor!” twice, along with the other nobles, could we finally enjoy the true banquet.

“Viscount Pathos Severio! I know your reputation well!”

“Ho ho ho, do you remember me? Thanks to you, I was able to have an heir to continue my family line. I am truly grateful.”

“It is an honor to meet the hero of the Empire! Would it be possible for you to attend our family’s event later?”

“Hey! Don’t cut in line! The Viscount was speaking with me first!”

Ugh, this is maddening.

As soon as the banquet started, people have been coming to me one after another, greeting me and talking incessantly.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have attended banquets more often.

A similar situation occurred at the previous Founding Day banquet, but the difference now is that even more people are flocking to me!

‘If this continues, I’ll really die!’

If I were in sales, it might be different, but I’m someone who worked in the field, so dealing with people I’ve never met before is difficult!

“Everyone, please calm down. Can’t you see that Viscount Pathos Severio is in an awkward position because of all of you?”

At that moment, when someone’s voice was heard, the nobles’ movements stopped instantly.

I don’t know who it is, but I’m truly grateful…

“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

“We greet Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

…What? Crown Prince? Isn’t the Crown Prince the one who will succeed to the throne? Such a person saved me?

This seems to be getting more and more awkward.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“So you’re the man who has captured my little sister’s interest, hahaha.”

What? What does that mean?

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. What do you…”

“It’s no use pretending. Karen, how many times has that child shown interest in a man? I’ve never seen her take an interest in men throughout her life. I wondered why, but it turns out it’s because of someone like you, hahaha.”

Come on, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I’m already struggling to handle Regina, Cheonhyeryeong, and Eterna.

You want me to add Princess Karen too? If that happens, I might really die caught in the crossfire of my wives’ fights!

“If you wish, I could arrange a time for you to meet with my Karen alone. What do you think? Doesn’t that interest you?”

“What do you want in return?”

“Haha, Viscount Pathos Severio is indeed different. How did you know I approached you with another intention?”

No, I just guessed. Logically, Your Highness the Crown Prince must want something from me, which is why you approached me.

Someone of the Crown Prince’s stature knows that each of his moves and statements can be politically exploited.

For such a person to approach me, there must clearly be something he wants from me.

Perhaps he wants me to stay away from Princess Karen? If that’s the case, I would welcome it with open arms!

“What I want from you is just one thing. Would you consider meeting Karen seriously?”

And what came out of the Crown Prince’s mouth was the exact opposite of what I had thought.

“Ah, is that so?”

As I heard those words, my thoughts became increasingly complicated.