Ch.341EP.72 – The Knight Wore a Suit (1)

I arrived at my new home, and I must say, I made an excellent choice.

‘In terms of feng shui, this truly is prime real estate.’

The scenery is beautiful, and there’s even a small mountain behind the property.

Well, when I moved here, I was looking for the cheapest possible place in the royal capital, so it’s located in an extremely remote area. One disadvantage is having to walk over 20km to reach the market.

And it gets pitch dark at night, like a haunted place.

However, for someone who doesn’t mind these drawbacks, there couldn’t be a better home. I’m quite pleased with this land that boasts a population of three people and one familiar.

If nothing else, it’s incredibly peaceful, isn’t it?

‘Unlike the outside world.’

Buzz.

“Ah, thank you. Let me know if you need anything.”

Buzz!

The bee neighbors who moved in yesterday were friendly.

They seemed to believe in give and take—after I quickly built them a suitable home, they showed their gratitude by bringing forest fruits and honey they made.

And now, they even bring newspapers from the city.

“Patrick, did you make sure to pay that kid properly for bringing this?”

Buzz.

“He didn’t want to take it, so you forced it into his pocket? Well done. You’re definitely better than humans.”

Buzz!!

After hearing from the bees about how the kid he’d met in the Empire, who had traveled with him to the South, was now settling in the royal capital, Ihan unfolded the newspaper.

And sure enough.

“My, how brutal.”

[Is it a side effect of the first banquet held after the Southern Integration War, or just misfortune? The damage caused by successive accidents—]

The front page couldn’t be more ominous.

The calm before the storm.

Or rather, the storm is already raging.

But do people truly understand?

That this storm is actually caused by the wrath of an awakened father…

[Third child of Viscount Winston, suspected of harassing a young noble lady, facing catastrophe? Possibility of being removed from the nobility register—]

That third child is a half-demon. He hasn’t just been removed from the register—he’s been erased from the world.

[Merchant Guild Master Brom. Suddenly disappeared from social circles due to deteriorating health.]

Not deteriorating health, but rather a body torn apart from excessive torture, I suspect.

Apparently, he too was a collaborator.

[Chaotic social circles, largest outbreak of duels in nearly 10 years. Countless knights and noble families face ruin.]

Duels?

Hmm, I’m not sure when public executions started being considered duels, but if that’s how society views them, then duels they are.

Unfortunately, those who participated in these “duels” were all people who collaborated with Lohengrin, and they were swiftly dealt with by the Blue-Green Unicorn Knight with a slightly altered appearance.

For reference, if there have been successive unfortunate accidents, they’re the work of the shadows.

“…sweeping through everything.”

Ihan, who knew most of the details behind what was written in the newspaper, could only click his tongue.

This is why the world is difficult.

When you know, you can see the world clearly, but when you don’t, it’s so easy to be deceived.

Still.

‘I’m glad it’s proceeding relatively quietly.’

Originally, Duke Blake was planning to raise an army.

Of course—after finding his daughter after roughly 20 years, what parent wouldn’t go mad with rage upon learning there was a group of perverts targeting her?

Even he would feel blood-boiling anger in such a situation.

In that sense, while the Duke was driven by rage, he wasn’t a foolish man.

– If we openly raise an army, those bastards will surely flee. To wipe them out without leaving a single one, we need to act more thoroughly.

To eliminate them more thoroughly—for that purpose, the Duke maintained cold rationality, and that attitude was even more frightening.

After all, nothing is scarier than someone who becomes calm when they’re furious.

‘He’s definitely someone I wouldn’t want as an enemy.’

Ihan shook his head as he put down the newspaper.

He had read almost everything worth reading, so.

Buzz?

“Hm? You want to read it? You bees can read?”

Buzz!

“That’s impressive! You’re better than my familiar.”

Buzz-.

‘That’s obvious,’ the bees responded shamelessly as they took the newspaper to read about world events. If his familiar, who was currently suffering in the Academy in Ihan’s place, had heard this slanderous comment, he would have pulled out his hammer.

But no one paid any mind to this, and Ihan stood up.

[[Buzz??]]

The bees only now noticed that he seemed different from usual.

Though they didn’t possess human emotions, they were as clever as humans and had learned about the ways of the world, allowing them to notice the difference.

That difference was none other than…

Buzz.

“Why do I look different? It’s nothing special. I just have an important appointment today, or rather…”

Swoosh.

The fact that he was dressing up.

“I have a date.”

*

*

*

Nobles attending a banquet have many preparations to make.

This is especially true for women, who are incredibly busy.

Because…

“My lady, let’s start with a bath.”

“Which perfume would you like to wear?”

“I’ll begin the massage now.”

“Let’s trim your hair a bit.”

“We should try on jewelry and dresses before deciding. What about the one you chose yesterday? Your feelings might be different today. Let’s try on just 12 outfits.”

“What kind of makeup would you prefer?”

“We need to tidy up your hands and feet. They’re a mess from sword training!”

“Are you hungry? But you must endure. You should also minimize water intake. If you’re really hungry, just have some lemon, alright?”

The flowers of high society are undoubtedly the women!

Some might wonder what all this fuss is about, but the more splendid and beautiful one appears, the more it can elevate a family’s status.

Looking at actual cases, there have been instances where a lady from a humble family raised her house’s standing and revived her territory’s economy through beauty alone. Given such absurd realities of high society, the maids’ fussing wasn’t particularly strange.

In fact, this was already a “simplified” version.

“Oh, I’m so upset. This should take at least 12 more hours, not finish so quickly.”

“Who’s saying otherwise? There will be so much gossip if she’s dressed this simply, really…”

“We can’t help it. This is the style our lady wants.”

The time spent was less than half of what was typically required for a noble lady’s preparation.

The maids couldn’t hide their disappointment, especially considering that Tristan had never had a daughter before.

This was the moment when Tristan’s lady would officially make her first appearance in the kingdom’s social circles.

But despite the maids’ complaints…

“I’m comfortable like this. Oh, I don’t need a corset. I’ve trained enough to maintain my figure without such things.”

The girl was resolute.

As if saying she wouldn’t allow anything more.

“B-but…”

“It would just get in the way. Please prepare a dagger or a small wooden sword for me if possible. I think that would be better.”

“…Why would you need a dagger or wooden sword at a banquet…?”

“Because one should be able to protect oneself—it’s just basic preparation.”

“…??”

Our lady is so different from other ladies.

It was a moment of renewed realization, and the maids couldn’t hide their disappointment.

‘She would be even more beautiful if she dressed up.’

‘She could become the flower of high society, really…’

‘She’s not even a knight yet, but she’s stricter than most knights, our lady.’

The maids felt like crying as they watched the girl who, despite having been in Tristan for well over half a year, continued to live with strict self-discipline.

It wasn’t simply because she was their lord’s daughter that they served her so devotedly.

Levi Jeanne d’Arc—this girl was incredibly strong and admirable even from a woman’s perspective.

Jealousy?

If one knew how hard she worked and with what determination she lived, one couldn’t even dream of being jealous.

Because they knew that even if they suddenly became nobles and rose in status, they could never live like her.

She was literally someone worthy of respect, who could make even other women fall for her.

…So…

“My lady, it’s time for you to leave.”

“Thank you for telling me!”

“…Are you that happy?”

“Pardon?”

“You haven’t stopped smiling all day…”

“…Oh.”

“……”

The maids felt jealous that such an admirable lady’s affection was directed solely toward today’s “partner.”

“I-I don’t know, this feeling is new to me…”

“……”

“Hmm, but one thing is certain.”

Beaming!

“I think I’m happy.”

“……”

A fresh smile like a flower bud in spring blooming with morning dew.

The maids blushed at the lovely smile that enchanted even them.

And they realized:

This girl was already a flower, even without elaborate decoration.

A flower more vibrant and beautiful than any other.

* * *

‘They’re really making such a fuss.’

Even while riding in the carriage, Levi felt awkward about the maids who continued to fuss over her, making sure her makeup didn’t smudge and her appearance remained perfect.

Though she appreciated their attentiveness, Levi found it all cumbersome.

‘I guess I’m really not cut out for nobility.’

Wearing a voluminous dress with frills and expensive jewelry doesn’t change who she is at her core.

The imprint of her life as a street urchin and a miserable slave doesn’t disappear.

Even if that mark has been removed externally, the scars in her memories remain.

‘I apologize to the Marquis, but I’ll have to become independent as soon as I graduate.’

Fortunately, she had no obligations to Tristan.

Not being related by blood, she felt no pressure to bear children or continue the family line.

While she was grateful for this fact and was considering other ways to repay Marquis Tristan’s kindness…

Knock knock.

“?”

Suddenly, there was a knocking sound at the door.

While the carriage was still moving.

Levi and the other maids blinked in surprise, but soon Levi…

“Hehe.”

Recognizing the familiar presence, she smiled and opened the door, and sure enough.

“—I arrived earlier than our appointed time.”

Flush.

“…Master, you’re being excessive.”

“What? Oh, this? It’s just a small gift. It’s my first disciple’s social debut, so I should do at least this much.”

“S-still, it’s too much…”

She scolded him with narrowed eyes as he appeared carrying thousands of hydrangea blossoms.

…Though she couldn’t hide her reddening earlobes.