Ch.81Diminuendo (1)

Just before entering the banquet hall, we were able to meet the Crown Prince.

With an unusually solemn expression that I hadn’t seen before,

he eventually let out a light sigh and raised his eyebrows at us.

He must be nervous too. He knew well that we weren’t here simply to perform at the birthday celebration.

After today, the Empire would likely face a new phase.

“Everyone’s here. The Young Family Head’s father, and… Duke Biltaine too.”

“I thought he might not attend, but it seems he really came.”

“To be honest, I hope Roman has nothing to do with the dark mage.”

After saying that, he squeezed his eyes shut, then ran his hand through his hair to wipe away the cold sweat.

I understood his feelings. If Roman was the dark mage,

it wouldn’t just be about eliminating a threat—it would mean a massive reduction in the Empire’s military power.

Of course, even then, they would still have overwhelming power compared to neighboring countries.

“I’d rather your suspicions be wrong, and that artifact shows no abnormalities, and we just perform and move on.”

“I understand.”

“…Your role is truly important. Today, and after today as well. It’s a bit awkward to say this, but right now, Yuris is the only one I can trust.”

The Crown Prince laughed bitterly, then tapped on the door leading to the banquet hall stage while looking at us.

Various emotions flashed across his eyes. It was understandable. He carried far more burden than I did as a mere knight,

or Airin, who hadn’t yet officially succeeded as the Family Head.

…However, unfortunately, I was convinced that Roman was connected to the dark mage.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that Roman might not be involved with the dark mage.

Roman’s actions and several pieces of evidence already showed that the Five Great Families had been tainted by the dark mage.

“It will work out.”

When I said that, the Crown Prince smiled faintly, patted my shoulder, and opened the door to the banquet hall.

“Yes, that would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

If Roman’s connection to the dark mage was revealed, how long would it take until the subjugation?

Perhaps the subjugation battle would begin immediately.

Nothing was more dangerous than giving a dark mage time to prepare.

A strange anxiety welled up inside me. However, I deliberately ignored it, managed my expression, and headed to the banquet hall.

I could see the beginning of the end.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the stage of the banquet hall where countless people were watching.

#

Knight Evan Fried could be considered a special existence even in this Empire.

Not only was he in charge of guarding the Young Family Head of Yuris,

but the various characteristics he possessed were enough to draw everyone’s attention.

His skill approaching Master level, his fame spread across the continent for slaying a true dragon, and his appearance on top of that.

“Oh my.”

There were many nobles with various abilities, and quite a few people with decent skills.

But none could draw the eyes of the young ladies like the knight who entered, breaking the silence of the banquet hall.

A nobleman let out a hollow laugh at the sight of gazes moving in unison as if choreographed.

Wasn’t it just like bees being attracted to a flower dripping with honey?

Dozens of young ladies gasped with flushed faces.

Dozens more clutched their skirts, quickly adjusted their adornments, and fixed their hair.

Occasionally someone would drop their teacup when their eyes met his,

and at this ridiculous situation becoming reality, Airin slightly furrowed her brow.

Just enough that others wouldn’t notice. She knew Evan would attract attention,

but there were quite a few stupid people who couldn’t restrain their gazes more than she expected.

She had deliberately chosen the best dress to draw attention to herself, to keep people from looking at Evan.

She was dissatisfied that it wasn’t as effective as she’d thought.

“……”

Moreover, Evan’s attitude wasn’t to her liking either.

He usually didn’t look at others much, but for some reason, today he was casting glances around.

She couldn’t help but laugh hollowly at the sight of him smiling gently and even giving eye-smiles that he rarely showed even to her.

Her eyes narrowed. Though she looked at him with dissatisfaction,

Evan continued to smile gently at the young ladies cheering for him.

What on earth was he doing? Various thoughts crossed her mind,

but when she saw him smiling at her too, she couldn’t help but smile.

His eyes hadn’t changed. They were still green,

and still gave her that comforting gaze.

It was quiet. No, despite the noisy banquet hall, the space where the two of them stood felt silent.

In this quiet space where they could hear each other’s breathing and the sound of their fingers touching their instruments, Airin’s gaze met Evan’s.

‘…Hmm.’

Realizing that Airin’s gaze was gentler than expected, Evan felt a subtle emotion.

Deliberately giving attention to other young ladies was a signal to Roman.

Evan Fried doesn’t cherish Airin Yuris that much.

It was to show that Roman couldn’t provoke him through Airin.

He was anxious. To be honest, although he was the one who volunteered to hunt down Roman, what worried him most was Airin’s safety.

Would Roman target her while he was away? It had never happened before,

but that was only because he had eliminated all the dark mages before they could.

How could they target Airin when he had killed them all before meeting her?

But this time, he couldn’t be so confident.

Even though doing this might not change anything, he wanted to place his hope on even the slightest chance.

Could he consider it fortunate that Airin’s expression seemed fairly good?

With that question in mind, Evan’s fingers slowly touched the keys.

Doong-

The moment the first note from the keyboard resonated, the banquet hall was instantly enveloped in silence.

All sounds converged to one place. The piano and violin,

Saint-Saëns’ music that had never existed in this world, swept through the banquet hall.

Gigigik-

Upon hearing the sorrowful violin sound that matched the gentle introduction,

Evan guessed Airin’s state of mind and smiled slightly. Though she seemed fine on the outside, was she suffering inside?

He could sense a slight irritation in what could simply be called a melody.

But he hoped she would understand. He couldn’t explain why he was acting this way right now,

but after the battle with Roman was over, he could tell her everything.

Allegro ma non troppo. Then, fortissimo.

Unlike during practice, Evan played fiercely, causing Airin to slightly widen her eyes.

Since he hadn’t warned her, she might get caught up in this tempo. He sent her a glance.

Would she understand that he was telling her to keep playing as she was, to maintain her own pace?

Rondo, as the performance intensified, their eyes met again.

A performance wasn’t just about playing an instrument.

While listeners might not realize it, performers constantly communicated on stage.

Not with words, but with music. In the rapidly flowing melody, their gazes met.

At first, Airin looked at Evan with dissatisfaction,

but as time passed, the corners of her mouth gradually lifted.

Being together was enjoyable in itself.

On this stage, only these two people could understand each other.

All the emotions they felt and the stories they wanted to tell were conveyed in this cascade of notes.

In the repeating rondo, Evan thought during the ongoing performance.

Perhaps he and Airin had reached this stage now.

Though it could be boring due to repetition, this thrilling melody gave a new impression every time it was heard.

It was music that didn’t exist in this world, and only he knew it. No, now Airin knew it too.

The corners of Evan’s mouth curved gently. While his hands played the piano, all his attention was on Airin.

If their relationship was expressed as a “rondo” in this music, could they welcome the capriccioso that followed?

Could they become like this romantic, gentle, yet never boring piece that ultimately becomes more brilliant than anything else?

‘…I don’t know yet.’

Catching Roman might just be the beginning.

Dark mages who never appeared in the novel kept appearing,

and after the original female protagonist appeared, he would have to keep her in check too.

As the performance reached the capriccioso, the beginning of the end, the atmosphere gradually became lively.

People’s gazes began to grow dreamy.

Even those who had been surprised by the sudden change in the duet were now all smiling, intoxicated by the melody.

And in the center, Evan quietly exhaled as he looked at Duke Roman watching their performance.

Perhaps it was just a feeling, but what he felt the moment their eyes met was something indescribable.

Could he defeat him? He had seen such eyes before, but they felt different from Garoth’s.

Eyes that made his whole body tingle, as if being sucked into somewhere.

Fearing he might ruin the performance if he continued to meet his gaze, he turned away and saw a rather familiar face.

Garoth Yuris, who had exceptionally attended this birthday celebration, slightly raised his fist toward Evan and muttered something.

He looked quite angry, but Evan couldn’t understand why and slightly furrowed his brow.

He had been so kind to him before, so what had displeased him in the meantime?

He turned his gaze back to the piano. The performance had reached its climax,

and Airin’s hands were moving brilliantly with the violin.

Of course, most gazes were directed at him,

which was quite satisfying to Evan as it went according to plan.

He didn’t know what Airin thought, but in any case, hadn’t it gone as intended?

But what came after this performance was even more important.

As Airin also approached the end of the performance, she thought about what would happen afterward.

The artifact made by Count Kasim, she knew the moment to use it was approaching.

If Duke Roman was really captured in that mirror.

Airin looked at Evan.

In the past, he would have told her he would return unharmed,

but somehow he hadn’t said such things to her at all this time.

The reason he wasn’t saying what he used to say, knowing it was a promise he couldn’t keep.

It was natural to worry. It had been the same when he left alone to break the curse,

but this time she felt even more anxious than then. She had a feeling he might not return.

But she couldn’t stop him. Didn’t she know he was pushing himself so hard for her sake?

…Her heart was heavy. She had always waited when Evan fought,

but this time, the wait seemed like it would be longer. Perhaps, that wait could be eternal.

Even after the performance ended, Airin was still looking at Evan.

Thinking about the artifact she carried, she imagined what would happen after it was used.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

Evan looked at her with a face that showed no tension at all.

Did he know she was worried about him?

Barely suppressing the urge to wipe away the slight sweat on his brow, Airin smiled quietly and cleared her throat.

“…It’s nothing.”

He would handle it well. Hadn’t he always returned safely?

So this time too, thinking he would do the same, Airin headed down from the stage.

The artifact in her possession trembled quietly. Each step she took was cautious.

Naturally greeting the surrounding nobles,

she then needed to take out a hand mirror to check her appearance.

Though she just needed to act natural, Airin smiled faintly at her trembling hands.

With such poor emotional control, wouldn’t she ruin even things that should go well?

Sighing once, she slowly turned her head to take in the sight of Evan in the distance.

He was making a subtle expression as he faced her father.

He looked somewhat troubled, perhaps her father had said something to him.

Her heart felt quite at ease. Evan’s presence brought her stability.

If he hadn’t been by her side, what would she be doing now?

An image she didn’t even want to imagine came to mind. Her father would be dead,

and dark mages would continue to appear, turning the duchy into ruins. Yes, that’s what would have happened without him.

But Evan was by her side, and Airin carefully took out the hand mirror.

Unlike before, her hand wasn’t trembling, and the mirror naturally reflecting her face also reflected Duke Roman who was behind her.

And for a moment, ripples appeared in the mirror.

“…Ah.”

Small waves rippled across the blue-tinted surface of the hand mirror,

and upon seeing what was inside, Airin let out a sigh. In the mirror that clearly showed her image,

Duke Roman’s figure was distortedly captured.

The dark shadow surrounding Duke Roman,

and the purple pupils clearly indicated one thing. Airin swallowed with rising concern.

It was the moment when Duke Roman’s connection to the dark mage was confirmed.

#

I was surprisingly calm when I confirmed the artifact Airin showed me.

I had expected it from the beginning, and I had already prepared myself.

Airin’s gaze on me was strange, but what concerned me more was the Crown Prince’s reaction.

I could only scratch my cheek at the sight of his face turning pale.

He was probably the most shocked by the current situation.

As I smiled bitterly, the Crown Prince, who had rubbed his face with both hands, slowly opened his mouth while looking at the artifact.

“Yes… damn it. So Roman is connected to the dark mage. We’ve obtained confirmation.”

“…Wouldn’t it be better to subjugate him as soon as possible?”

“I know. It’s just that I don’t want to believe it.”

After shaking his head for a moment, the Crown Prince smiled faintly at us and moved his lips with difficulty.

Anyone could see he was mentally quite exhausted, so I thought it might be time to withdraw.

“We’ll be going now. Please call us when the subjugation plan is established.”

“…Alright. Let’s meet later. It won’t take long. Lord Theorad and His Majesty the Emperor are already making some preparations.”

It would probably start within a week. I had expected it, but now that it was approaching, I felt a bit nervous.

Strange thoughts were also coming to mind. With such complicated feelings, I looked up at the sky.

The Crown Prince had already disappeared, and as I was looking at the sky for a while,

Airin grabbed my hand and quietly spoke to me.

“Aren’t you going to say it this time?”

“Say what?”

After hesitating for a moment, Airin looked at me and bit her lip slightly.

The hand holding mine trembled slightly, and I realized she was anxious about something.

The reason for her anxiety… was probably because of the upcoming subjugation of Roman.

I had deliberately avoided saying I would return safely.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her not to worry, that this time I would come back unharmed.

“That you’ll return safely.”

If I said that to her, it would probably be a lie.

How could I possibly return unharmed?

The possibility of getting hurt was much higher than when facing Maloric. Since I didn’t want to lie to her,

I smiled faintly and said something else.

“I will definitely return.”

It would be best not to get hurt, but I couldn’t promise that.

So I promised that I would definitely return.

…After I return, after the battle with Roman ends,

I have quite a lot to tell Airin.

I smiled brightly at Airin, who was still looking at me with anxious eyes.

Surely everything would be fine.

Probably, definitely.