Episode 99 – The Imperial Palace

*

I woke up in the morning, put on my best tailcoat, polished my mask until it gleamed, and finished all the preparations. I arrived at the castle at 11 a.m., an hour before the banquet began.

I thought the royal castle I saw back when Sioland was a kingdom was unnecessarily large, but the Imperial Palace, which they built while I was dead and gone, was even bigger and more extravagant.

Perhaps because the walls surrounding the city’s exterior were so large and sturdy, the Imperial Palace completely abandoned any functional defensive structure and was literally built only for splendor and grandeur.

The flag of the Sionisia Empire was emblazoned on the walls of the Imperial Palace, looking like a mural from afar, but upon closer inspection, it was intricately constructed from colored bricks from the very beginning.

Thanks to the weather in Sioland, where it rains often but not heavily at once, the Imperial Palace’s pointed spires were even more noticeable.

Columns sculpted in the form of armored knights supported the castle’s buildings, and everywhere else, sculptures that could make your eyes pop were densely packed on the walls and entrance.

The flowers and colorful, mysterious bushes that beautifully decorated the castle’s surroundings were always in full bloom due to magic, regardless of the season, making it look like a colorful fantasy garden straight out of an eight-year-old girl’s dream.

The amazing thing was that this extravagant building was built at the request of the citizens.

Is it possible that even citizens start to think that a country the size of an empire shouldn’t be looked down upon by neighboring countries?

Perhaps because they gained the justification to spend taxes as much as they wanted, the Imperial Palace stood so massively and grandly that it was truly jaw-dropping.

Of course, I had been living on the top floor of the White Glass Tower and had seen it from afar, so I was slightly surprised by its size up close, but I wasn’t as flustered as a country bumpkin.

What was truly amazing was its lavish interior, which exceeded my imagination.

The walls, glittering splendidly, were decorated with marble and purple jewels arranged like tiles, and the floor was covered with a single carpet made by intricately sewing together animal hides, fitting perfectly without any gaps.

The chandelier itself was extravagant, but it was also housed inside a large sphere made of thinly processed jewels. The light from the chandelier passed through the sphere, randomly reflecting light in all directions, irregularly illuminating the surroundings with colorful lights.

I realized then just how modest my spending had been compared to my wealth.

No wonder the gazes of the other guests and maids were so friendly when I entered the Imperial Palace; it was because the Baron didn’t spare money when it came to helping people, but he himself lived in a modest ‘normal mansion.’

I felt absurdity creeping in at the different dimension of economic sense, and I let out a hollow laugh.

,Welcome, Baron Salvie.”

A woman in a neatly pressed maid uniform with sharp creases approached me and greeted me.

I made an effort to tear my eyes away from the splendid parts of the castle and looked at the maid.

My foolish expression wouldn’t be visible thanks to the mask, but since a country bumpkin is obvious from their gestures, I composed myself and said to the maid.

,Hello.”

,I am Monica, the maid who will guide you to your room. And you don’t have to use honorifics with me.”

,Ah, I didn’t know. I’m not used to the rules of this country yet.”

,In that case, please speak as you feel comfortable.”

The maid bowed and led me to my room.

Since all guests receive a private room, I might be able to rest for a while if I don’t wander around before the banquet.

After climbing the stairs and arriving at a room on the second floor, the maid named Monica opened the door to the room, bowed again, and went down to the first floor.

,Monica. That name sounds familiar.”

I thought as I entered the room.

,You’re just getting here?”

,…”

Ellie was in the room.

Ah, I remember Monica.

It was Deborah’s alias.

I asked Ellie.

,Was Monica a real person?”

,Of course, the person the Princess always travels with can’t not be registered in the Imperial Palace.”

,So, just now she was…”

,Yes, my exclusive maid. She’s been in charge of me since I was young. It might be better to say she’s my first helper.”

,Then… does she know about me too?”

I asked, slightly flustered.

I didn’t want the number of people who knew my identity to suddenly increase.

Ellie smiled and replied.

,She only knows that Baron Salvie is on the Princess’s side. Of course, she doesn’t know your identity, and only Deborah-sensei and I know that inside the Imperial Palace.”

,Really? That’s a relief.”

I nodded and approached the table where Ellie was sitting, sitting across from her.

Ellie spread her arms wide and said.

,What do you think?”

I said honestly.

,It’s amazing. I thought I spent a lot of money, but I couldn’t even imagine this kind of sight as a country bumpkin like me. I was already amazed by the splendor from the entrance. The room is just as wonderful.”

,Huh?”

,Hmm?”

,…Ed,”

Ellie said, slightly frowning.

,I’m talking about me. How do I look? I tried to dress up nicely.”

,Ah…”

Ellie’s dress definitely looked more special than usual today.

The dresses she usually wore were also very fancy and wonderful, with a narrow waist and a wide skirt in the proper style, but today Ellie was wearing a dress that fit her body more closely.

The upper body, which exposed her shoulders and upper chest, and the curves that revealed her slender waistline continued to her hips before dropping down.

Overall, it was a thin and sleek dress.

It was a sight that made me realize anew that Ellie’s figure was very feminine.

Of course, unlike my impressions, only a very bland word came out of my mouth.

,Pretty.”

,That’s all?”

,The truly beautiful don’t need more than the word ‘pretty.'”

,Oh- you’re good at dodging.”

Ellie said, smiling playfully.

Her face seemed to be slightly flushed.

I asked Ellie.

,By the way, why are you in my room? Do you have something to say?”

,Geez-“

Ellie clicked her tongue and asked me, putting her hands on her hips.

,Don’t you have anything to say to me, on the contrary?”

,…?”

Ellie, who didn’t understand what I meant, sulked slightly and glared at me, saying.

,Villard, you did it.”

,Ah… I didn’t tell you…”

,Do you know how surprised I was when I heard the news this morning?”

,Sorry. I was so out of it that I forgot.”

,I gave you the music box to use in times like this, you *ss. You only receive my help and don’t share any information…”

Ellie puffed out her cheeks and slightly frowned.

As you can see from her appearance, which looked more cute than scary, she didn’t seem to be really angry.

I guessed the reason and said.

,Isn’t Villard’s death helpful to you too?”

,It is. That’s why I’m letting it go this much.”

Ellie said, then grinned, showing her teeth.

,I was going to find evidence of Villard’s corruption and pressure him, but to think he’d die, what happened?”

,What do you mean?”

,I was busy looking for Banata for a while, and suddenly you killed Villard, it doesn’t make sense. Did Villard have Banata with him or something?”

,…It’s complicated to explain.”

I didn’t tell Ellie the story of Rose possessing Daniel in Piadu’s body.

Ellie wouldn’t like the news that the number of demons had increased in Sioland, especially since Piadu, who had become the de facto head of the Balguir family, was a demon. Also, since she was already busy with the Social Gathering, I thought it would be better not to tell her now in many ways.

Of course, since it was important information, I left a promise with Ellie that I would tell her properly after the Social Gathering, as I might face a backlash later if I hid it for no reason.

Ellie narrowed her eyes and looked at me as I hesitated to explain.

,Are you going to keep excluding me like that?”

,It’s not like that.”

,Ah, I’m helping Ed with all my might, this is too much.”

,I’m telling you it’s not like that.”

Ellie stared at me with half-closed eyes, then giggled and said.

,Ed, the biggest topic at today’s Social Gathering will definitely be Villard’s death, but do you know that you’re also a very much watched person?”

,Is it surprising that the mysterious Baron Salvie appeared at the Social Gathering?”

,You’ll realize today what kind of rumors I’ve been suffering from.”

,…?”

Ellie came closer to me and whispered in my ear.

,There’s a rumor going around that I’m in love, and the other person is the mysterious tycoon Baron Salvie.”

,What kind of bullshit is that?”

,No, do you have to hate it that much? Am I that bad?”

,Ah, sorry. It’s not like that, but…”

Ellie made a slightly dumbfounded expression, sighed once, and then started to speak.

,Sigh… I’ve reduced it a bit since you got a mansion, but I think the reason is that I visited you too often while you were staying at the hotel.”

,…That’s true. Considering the frequency, I think it’s natural to be misunderstood.”

,Besides, you showed up without a partner today. People will naturally think you’re my partner today.”

,…You don’t have to have a partner, do you?”

,You don’t have to, but if you and I appear separately, people will think you got rejected by me at the Social Gathering you’re officially participating in for the first time.”

,Oh…”

Honestly, it seemed like a trivial problem to me, but Ellie was talking as if it were a big deal.

I replied bluntly.

,Let them think what they want? What’s wrong with that.”

Ellie shook her head and said.

,The problem is that many young ladies will slowly approach you. They won’t take their eyes off you. If you have something to do secretly today, you should just give up.”

Ah, that was definitely a bit of a problem.

Of course, I wasn’t planning on causing a ruckus at this Social Gathering either.

However, I had a conversation with the Emperor waiting for me today.

And I would probably face Mela with almost 100 percent certainty.

I didn’t know what would happen, but since I was human and not undead now, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy if I thought that many people would be watching me if I showed emotional turmoil.

I looked at Ellie and asked.

,Can’t I participate as your partner then?”

,I’m sorry, but I have a partner.”

,Who is it? Someone I know?”

,…Maybe? Why do you ask? Are you jealous?”

,Are you stupid?”

,You *ss, there’s nothing I can’t say to the Princess in the Imperial Palace.”

Ellie said, laughing kkalreureu.

She’s a very easygoing Princess the more you see her.

After laughing, Ellie composed herself for a moment and sat back down, saying.

,The event is simple: His Majesty gives a congratulatory speech, and when the Inquisitorial Order comes up on the stage, we clap a bit, and that’s it. After that, you can just wander around the auditorium where food and drinks are prepared, talk, dance to the music if you find someone you like, or do whatever you want.”

,Really? It’s less than I thought. When is my conversation with the Emperor?”

,…At least call him His Majesty properly inside the Imperial Palace. I think His Majesty will talk to you while he’s partying.”

,…What, you’re saying we’ll talk in that place where people are? Not in a separate room?”

,No matter how much Baron Salvie is a good person who rescues the poor, why would they leave a faceless, unidentified foreigner alone with the Emperor, not knowing what he might do?”

,…I guess so. But…”

,From the beginning, His Majesty probably just called you to give a simple thank you. Don’t be too nervous.”

,…”

,And surely you wouldn’t bother asking about the reason for putting ‘Ed’ in the party in a place where everyone is,”

,…Ha.”

I suddenly felt like my energy was draining away.

Well, if Ellie, who was worried that I might harm the Emperor, sent the invitation, it was natural to minimize the possibility of me harming the Emperor as much as possible, but I couldn’t shake the impression that it had become a bit anticlimactic for me, who had been nervous thinking that a sincere conversation would take place with the Emperor.

Ellie sensed my disappointment and said as if to smooth things over.

,You’re going to hold a Social Gathering or ball someday, right? Just think of it as learning how to do it and gaining experience. Let’s please get through today without any trouble.”

,Do you think I’m someone who causes problems?”

,At least considering the last two or three months, you’re right, you’re someone who causes problems. Ed.”

,…”

Ellie got up from her seat, put on the hood that was hanging on the chair next to her, and said.

,I should go now. It’s starting soon.”

,Okay. See you later.”

Ellie was about to leave the room, grabbing the doorknob, but stopped as if she suddenly remembered something, and slowly turned around to look at me.

I tilted my head, looking at Ellie.

,Ah, right, Ed.”

,What?”

Ellie paused for a moment, then smiled slyly and said.

,You look great today. Really.”

Ellie said that and quickly opened the door and left before hearing my answer.

.