Episode 138 – Judgment Day

*

From the morning, the number of carriages roaming the streets seemed unusually high.

Perhaps because of that, the street, no, the entire city was filled with a subtle sense of unease and tension.

Of course, the reason for it was obvious.

It was because today was the day the banquet prepared by Baron Salvier was being held at his antique mansion.

Today’s banquet was being watched by commoners as well as nobles.

Baron Salvier had said, ‘It’s better to enjoy happy days together,’ and had further improved the quality of the free food he originally provided, raising it to a level comparable to what the nobles ate.

Today’s food distribution was no longer just a relief measure for the poor.

The whole street was a festival today.

The nobles in their carriages, heading to Baron Salvier’s mansion, secretly watched the strangely excited citizens on the street and clicked their tongues.

To them, Baron Salvier’s ostentatious spending seemed like something a nouveau riche would do.

Some nobles were burning with the desire to find fault with Baron Salvier and embarrass him.

The nobles had already seen many times how novices, wasting their power and money in the wrong places, made repeated mistakes at important banquets.

No matter how much money he had, Baron Salvier was known to be a bit ignorant of the empire’s etiquette and rules, so it was clear he would be the same.

For example, the parking of carriages.

Baron Salvier’s mansion was certainly a splendid antique mansion, but unlike grand estates, it had no garden and the yard wasn’t large.

Inviting so many guests without preparing a place to park the carriages was one of the most common mistakes made by those hosting a banquet for the first time.

Some nobles, thinking this was a chance to crush the nose of that lucky, rich baron, smirked.

As the carriages entered the alley where Baron Salvier’s mansion was located, the nobles looked out the windows with relaxed expressions.

If the alley were to become completely blocked with carriages, causing a long traffic jam, the baron’s flustered face would be visible even behind his mask.

They harbored such expectations.

However, the street was very pleasant.

The citizens who had come out onto the street were guiding the nobles’ carriages to be parked in their own yards or in front of their doors, even in front of shops that were open for business.

Ordinary citizens were offering their homes and shops as parking spaces.

The nobles of the empire couldn’t understand it, even though they were seeing it with their own eyes.

When some nobles stopped passing citizens and asked why, they were told that they had been greatly indebted to Baron Salvier and that everyone was voluntarily offering their space for the baron, who was in trouble.

Some nobles were impressed by the baron’s skills, and most nobles clicked their tongues, missing the opportunity to embarrass Baron Salvier, but a few felt even fear.

Even though the Noble Faction had tried to gain the support of the citizens by recruiting Robin, they couldn’t get them to voluntarily offer their space.

Even with a hero at the forefront, they couldn’t get this level of support from the citizens.

Baron Salvier had achieved it simply.

At that sight, the nobles lamented, ‘They’re just falling for free food, the citizens have no honor or pride, they’re just fools who only care about filling their bellies!’ but even if they were uneducated commoners, people couldn’t be that simple.

The crucial difference stemmed from the basic attitude of the baron and ordinary nobles towards the commoners, but not many nobles realized that.

With sullen expressions, the nobles were guided by the citizens to park their carriages in front of their houses and entered Baron Salvier’s mansion.

And they couldn’t help but be foolishly surprised once again by the sight before their eyes.

Various jewels, ivory, works of art made of marble, carpets woven with gold thread, and wallpaper plastered with gold.

The splendid lobby and corridors, decorated to a level comparable to the imperial palace, sparkled with a majesty that even the most skilled counts and dukes couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by.

A duke, momentarily losing his composure and opening his mouth, happened to look up and spotted a man coming down the stairs that rose from the middle of the lobby.

A man wearing a black mask and luxurious black clothing.

Unlike the mansion, which seemed to be made of the word ‘splendor,’ he appeared in relatively simple attire, yet exuding a subtle sense of reverence and antiquity, and he was the owner of this mansion, Baron Salvier.

The baron bowed slightly and said.

“I sincerely welcome your visit.”

*

The formal banquet hadn’t even started yet, but I was already getting tired just from greeting the guests who kept pouring in.

So-and-so Count, what’s-his-name Duke.

Ellie had clearly said she only sent invitations to the essential people who couldn’t be left out of such an event, but roughly counting, more than 40 people had already appeared with invitations.

Of course, some of them were guests I had asked Ellie to invite.

For example, the Inquisitors who were in this city with Edward, Daniel wearing Piadu’s skin, and the remnants of the Noble Faction who were still dreaming vain dreams.

Mena greeted the guests and guided them to their seats even more skillfully than I did, and Mela, who had arrived quite early for some reason, smiled wryly when she saw me struggling and helped me greet the guests.

There was no need for her to do so, but I simply nodded in thanks to Mela, who had volunteered to help.

Mela didn’t seem to expect anything more.

Suddenly, the entrance became noisy, and I looked at the lobby to see a white-haired old man with a majestic gait entering the lobby.

The old man waved his arms and approached me, speaking first.

“It’s already bustling before it even starts, Baron.”

I bowed my head and replied.

“It’s an honor to have you here, Your Majesty.”

“What are you talking about? Isn’t this the Victory Day banquet, which can be said to be the biggest holiday in our empire?”

The Emperor said with a hearty laugh.

I bowed my head and replied.

“It’s not the actual holiday, but…”

“Haha, it’s alright, the Victory Day in this country is a period, not a day. Even after this banquet ends, the lively commotion in this street won’t disappear for a while.”

“…Yes, the commotion won’t disappear.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the Emperor gestured for me to raise my head.

I slowly raised my head and said.

“It will start soon, so I will guide you to your seat.”

“Hmm? I thought I came a little late, but is there still someone who hasn’t arrived?”

“…The protagonist is late.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the front door of the mansion opened, and Robin, with his shiny blond hair slicked back with gel, wearing a sharp Knight Commander’s uniform and a ceremonial sword at his waist, entered the lobby.

Robin saw the Emperor and immediately bowed his head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Oh, Count Boldiras. Welcome, aren’t you the protagonist of today?”

“I apologize.”

The Emperor looked at me without gesturing to Robin and asked.

“So, is everyone here now?”

“It’s not an event where being late is against etiquette, so we will start right away so that the guests who arrive late can also enjoy themselves comfortably.”

“I see. I will enjoy the Baron’s sincerity to the fullest today.”

“Yes, I have tried my best, but it may be a lacking banquet. Still, I hope you enjoy it.”

The Emperor slowly moved his feet and entered the banquet hall.

Only after the Emperor was more than 10 steps away did Robin frown, slowly raise his head, give me a brief nod, grumble, and slowly enter the banquet hall.

Left alone in the lobby, I slowly clenched and unclenched my fist.

An emotion that I couldn’t tell whether it was anxiety or excitement was boiling, and my fingers didn’t seem to calm down.

It was long.

It was so long that I wondered if it would ever come.

But, eventually, today had come.

The day to end everything had finally come.

I was curious how today’s banquet would be remembered in the future.

Would it be recorded as a huge scandal that shook the foundation of the empire?

Or would it be considered something that should never be recorded anywhere and disappear from history?

Actually, I didn’t care either way.

If a record remained, Robin’s disgrace would remain forever,

If it disappeared from history, Robin would also disappear.

I slowly shook my fingers to release the tension.

“Nervous?”

“Ah, you scared me.”

I was slightly startled by the voice that suddenly came from behind me and turned around.

Ellie stood there with a playful smile, accompanied by Deborah.

“Princess Elizabeth.”

“There’s no one in the lobby, relax.”

“…Ellie. You surprised me.”

“Heehee,”

Perhaps because I had only seen her disguised for so long, Ellie with her braided blonde hair, which was originally hers, looked somehow unfamiliar.

After confirming that there was no one around, I smiled and said.

“As expected,”

“As expected?”

“As expected, blonde suits you best,”

“…Wow,”

Ellie blushed slightly and opened her mouth as if impressed.

Since the words that would come out after that were likely to be teasing me, I immediately looked at Deborah and spoke.

“Master-nim too.”

“Hmm? Me?”

“You look more handsome in your usual appearance than when you’re dressed as a man.”

“What’s that… Isn’t that obvious?”

“Haha,”

“Is this guy teasing his master now?”

As Deborah playfully threatened, I smiled and took a step back.

Ellie slowly approached me, fixed my slightly crooked mask, and said.

“Ready?”

I looked into Ellie’s jade-colored eyes and complained slightly.

“I am, but how many people did you invite? I was a little surprised because there were so many guests.”

“This much is essential. Considering what you’re going to do from now on. This many nobles need to witness it so that it can’t be taken back.”

“…You were also planning to take care of the remaining remnants of the Noble Faction at the same time, weren’t you.”

“Hehe, did you notice?”

Ellie playfully stuck out her tongue.

I chuckled at her cuteness and nodded.

“Well, I expected it from the moment I left it to you. It’s not bad to have a lot of audience,”

“Hehe, then since so many people have gathered like this, should we announce our engagement today?”

“…Are you crazy?”

“Apeupeu- Don’t be so serious. I’m hurt.”

“…”

When I glared at her, Ellie chuckled and tapped my finger.

“Well, I guess not today. News of my engagement will be buried by the big news that will pour out. Right?”

“Yeah, today will be fun. Look forward to it.”

“Ooh- I’ll look forward to it.”

At the same time, Ellie leaned close to my ear and whispered.

“Good luck, Ed.”

Then, as if afraid someone would see, Ellie hurriedly entered the banquet hall.

Deborah also tapped my head and followed Ellie into the banquet hall with a smile.

I cleared my throat, watching the backs of the two people moving away.

The sound of stringed instruments being played began to flow out of the banquet hall, as if the guest seats were somewhat full.

I moved my feet slowly, but powerfully.

Now, the banquet has begun.

.