Ch.80Chapter 80 – What Happened at the Founding Festival (6)

“Count Severio. Etherna and I have something to discuss with Elena, would it be alright if we step away for a moment?”

Etherna was asking if she could take Elena with her.

“I’m not sure what you wish to discuss… but if necessary, please go ahead.”

I don’t know what Etherna wants to talk to Elena about.

But considering she doesn’t want to speak in front of me and prefers to have time alone with Elena, it’s likely something that might be uncomfortable for a man like me to hear.

Well, there are plenty of other people here who want to speak with me anyway.

After all, I am the Destroyer of Cursed Swords officially recognized by the Great Goddess Order, and someone who received the title of Count directly from the Emperor.

Besides, His Imperial Majesty is watching me surrounded by people with an amused look in his eyes.

In other words, my mingling with the nobles gathered at this banquet was also His Majesty’s intention.

It wouldn’t hurt for me to build connections with the nobles who form the power base of the Gelebrio Empire.

Why, you ask?

Isn’t it obvious?

Noble families must have items that are broken or damaged for various reasons, which they can no longer use.

If it’s something that can be purchased in the market, they could simply discard it, but what about family treasures or items kept as evidence of contracts or promises?

They would probably try their best to repair them, but there are things in this world that cannot be fixed.

As Etherna took Elena outside, nobles who appeared to wield considerable power approached me.

How can I tell they’re powerful nobles?

By their clothes, of course.

High-ranking nobles of Count rank or higher all have elaborate decorations on the sleeves of their tailcoats.

The tailcoat I’m wearing also has ornate decorations on the sleeves.

I read in a book that among nobles, wearing a tailcoat with such decorated sleeves itself indicates that one holds the rank of Count or higher.

Judging by their elaborate sleeves, the people approaching me now must all be nobles with at least the rank of Count.

“It’s a pleasure to meet today’s guest of honor. I am Count Jonio Deburg, who governs the territory right next to Aurelius.”

The first person to speak to me had an impressive mustache and beard.

His name was Jonio Deburg.

“According to rumors, Count Severio, I’ve heard that your ability involves fixing things…”

He was looking at me with faint expectation—does he want something from me?

Given his mention of rumors, he must be referring to how I cured Lady Beventus of Prezmerine disease.

“Hahaha. I never thought the news from Margrave Beventus would spread to the capital so quickly.”

“Ho ho, it hasn’t just spread to the capital, but throughout the entire empire. It’s probably well-known even to people living in remote mountain villages.”

Wow, known even to people in mountain villages? That’s quite an exaggeration.

“Anyway, is it true that Count Severio’s ability is the power to fix things?”

“Yes. It’s an ability that can heal people’s illnesses and repair objects.”

“Ohhh!”

I answered his question, and Count Deburg couldn’t hide his amazement.

“Is that so? Truly a remarkable and extraordinary ability. Could you perhaps demonstrate it?”

“That would be difficult here. No one is allowed to carry anything that could be used as a weapon inside the banquet hall.”

“Hahaha. Of course, I wasn’t asking you to show it here.”

Count Deburg laughed heartily, then carefully approached and took my hand.

“There is a place that needs Count Severio’s ability.”

As I thought, he was someone who needed my power.

What could he need my ability for?

Perhaps a family member has fallen ill?

Or maybe there’s a broken item that he hasn’t found a way to repair?

“Is it a person, or an object?”

“It’s an object, but it’s quite large. So I can’t bring it here… you would need to come to my territory, Count.”

An object that’s quite large?

Hmm. It does pique my interest, but after the Founding Festival, a new semester begins.

“If it’s not an urgent matter, would it be alright to postpone it? After the Founding Festival, a new semester starts at the Academy…”

“That’s fine. Would you visit my territory after your semester concludes?”

“I will do so.”

I promised to visit Count Deburg’s territory, which he said was next to Aurelius, after this semester ends.

Only after receiving my promise did Count Deburg breathe a sigh of relief and step back.

There were still many people who wished to speak with me.

“Count Severio must truly be extraordinary.”

“Indeed. I never expected Viscount Acatheron and Duke Eldinar to show such interest.”

There are people who appear to be Barons or Viscounts who also want to talk with me, but with higher-ranking nobles present, their turn would inevitably be pushed back.

“Our turn will certainly be delayed.”

“It can’t be helped. That’s proper etiquette.”

Hmm. I was planning to escape with the excuse of being busy, but it seems I’ll have to converse with those of Baron and Viscount rank as well.

“Count Severio.”

Just then, a middle-aged man with striking orange hair approached me and called my name.

From his orange hair and sunset-like eyes, I immediately knew who this person was.

It was Reina Eldinar’s father, with whom I had something of a bitter connection.

“I am honored to meet Duke Eldinar, a pillar of the Empire.”

He was the current head of the Eldinar family, Duke Eldinar.

Duke Eldinar extended his hand first, and I accepted it, giving it a light shake as a greeting.

“I am Duke Bashiron Eldinar. You look more ordinary than the rumors suggested.”

More ordinary than the rumors? What kind of rumors have been circulating?

“Then what kind of person did Duke Eldinar imagine me to be?”

Curious about how I was portrayed in these rumors, I posed the question to Duke Eldinar.

“I thought you’d be a bear-like man with a huge build full of muscles, like Margrave Beventus.”

“…Pardon?”

Duke Eldinar saw my confusion at his answer and grinned.

“Just a joke, Count Severio. I’ve known for some time that you’re from the Eastern Continent.”

“What does that have to do with my build?”

“When I visited there before, I noticed that people from the Eastern Continent tend to be more slender and lithe compared to us. So I figured you wouldn’t be large in stature either.”

Hmm. It’s true that East Asians tend to be smaller in build than Westerners.

Even in Erasto Chronicle, the heroines classified as being from the Eastern Continent were shorter in their profiles.

“I came to congratulate you on becoming a citizen of our Gelebrio Empire.”

“Thank you.”

“Hmm…”

Duke Eldinar paused mid-conversation and gave me a somewhat displeased look.

Is there something about me he doesn’t like?

“How curious.”

“What do you find curious, Your Grace?”

“I don’t understand why my daughter mentions you so frequently.”

“Pardon?”

Duke Eldinar’s daughter would be Reina Eldinar.

She talks about me a lot?

“Hasn’t she been saying unfavorable things about me?”

“Quite the opposite. She often contacted me saying that you possess exceptional abilities and that we should actively encourage you to become a citizen of the Empire.”

Reina did? That’s unexpected.

Was her apology last time sincere?

“By your daughter, do you mean Lady Reina Eldinar?”

“Yes. I have two more daughters, but they’ve already graduated from the Academy. So Reina is my only daughter still attending.”

“Lady Eldinar has been very helpful with my adjustment to the Academy.”

Of course, she did grab me by the collar once, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to mention that in front of her parent.

“If you need my assistance, I’d be willing to help once without asking for anything in return.”

“Is that so? Then lend me your ear for a moment.”

As Duke Eldinar requested, I moved closer to him and leaned in.

“Try not to get involved with my daughter.”

…What? I never had any intention to begin with.

“I say this as her father. If someone like you gets entangled with my daughter, your life will become exceedingly troublesome.”

“…”

“I mean this sincerely. Stay away from her. I’m asking this as Reina’s father.”

With those final words, Duke Eldinar left the banquet hall.