episode_0017

“Remember, you must be careful. You must not cause any trouble.”

“Yes.”

“You must take this seriously, Logz. If you cause trouble again this time…”

“I understand. I will make sure to stay quiet at this ball.”

Already the 20th time.

– All students were invited to the entrance ceremony of the 3rd princess, and you were also invited.

– Don’t worry about your clothes, Steven will take care of it. Just please don’t cause any trouble.

Honestly, I didn’t want to attend such social gatherings.

But since the princess invited me, I couldn’t refuse.

“So I planned to just quietly blend in from the start.”

Why are you so worried?

It must be because I’ve caused trouble in the past.

“Enough, dear.”

“It’s important to make it clear here. In the past, small gatherings could be overlooked, but causing trouble in a place like this…”

My father’s expression as he swallowed his last words didn’t look good.

“I know you understand my words now. But still, don’t just listen to my nagging, as incidents could still happen.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“And if there’s a problem, come to us immediately. With Steven and me here, we can resolve almost everything within reason.”

“Understood.”

“Enough already!”

Clunk!

The carriage, which had been shaking, stopped abruptly.

“Arrived.”

At that moment, Steven opened the carriage door.

Beyond the door, a beautiful palace was visible, with many people seen getting off carriages at the entrance.

At first glance, it was difficult to determine their ranks, but thankfully, everyone’s ranks were easily identifiable by the insignia on their shoulders.

“But… is it impossible to enter without any decorations?”

I wondered if it would be okay for me to enter just wearing a plain black uniform and a black coat.

Well, since I was invited, I should at least try the delicious food. The food at the royal palace must be much tastier than anywhere else.

“Logz, about that bag…”

“It’s a survival item. You don’t have to worry about me, just enjoy yourself.”

I quickly got off the carriage.

If I had stayed a little longer, I might have collapsed from a headache or exploded.

And this awkwardness…

I thought it would be much better to eat alone at a social gathering.

Inside the ballroom, many nobles were chatting, drinking wine, and mingling.

Whether they noticed me or not, I found a place where I could be alone.

There, I began to see some familiar faces.

In front, Sara in a dress mixed with red and black, and behind her, Cecilia in a purple dress, were surrounded by several men, engaged in conversation.

To the left, someone in a uniform that looked like it would tear at any moment was scanning the room, as if looking for someone.

“Hmm…”

I had a feeling I knew who they were looking for without even asking.

Suddenly, I felt a chill.

When I turned my head to find the source of the chill, I saw Kadia in a tight black dress.

She was the last person I wanted to meet, and I felt a sense of fear. Surely she wouldn’t seek revenge now, right?

I had said I didn’t want to fight, so it should be fine.

And today, I will really stay quiet.

When I turned my head, I saw Sara and Cecilia staring at me. They were also enemies.

If I were to fight here, I would definitely be at a disadvantage.

But as long as the person I don’t want to be caught by hasn’t noticed me yet…

Maybe? I turned my head again, and Ad was also looking at me.

Is it because there’s something different about him that he’s looking at me as if he’s going to kill me?

I knew I shouldn’t have come to a place like this.

Should I go to where my father is right now?

No, just stay here.

Running away is the right choice.

I quickly avoided the gazes and entered the crowd.

Wearing relatively ordinary clothes, it would be hard to find me easily.

After running away for a while like that.

I quickly changed my steps to a place to catch my breath.

And arrived at a table. Looks delicious…

On top of it, the colorful plates and numerous dishes awakened my taste buds.

It’s a shame there’s no seat, but that’s not important.

I quickly picked up an empty plate and started to fill it with food.

“Wow.”

It might be a delusion, but my tongue is talking.

“What did I just eat?”

This is food, but it’s not food.

Truly incomparable freshness and taste.

“It’s a shame there’s no alcohol…”

“Would you like some wine?”

“Oh, thank you…!”

“Hello?”

The person who placed the wine on the table was Lena.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I made another embarrassing mistake…”

Lena, smiling, was wearing a dress that showed her shoulders and chest.

Although it seemed like she was continuing to talk, I couldn’t hear any sound.

Instead, my eyes were unnecessarily fixed on her.

‘Dangerous…?’

If I can’t control my physiological response here… I probably won’t be able to survive in this society anymore. With that thought in mind, I turned my gaze away from her as much as possible.

“What… what’s going on…”

“Even if you ask what’s going on… this was originally our table…”

“Oh…”

I had my doubts about there being a well-set table in a buffet-style ballroom.

Surely there wouldn’t be anyone who could eat all this food…

“You seem to be eating more than I thought.”

“Yes?”

Lena’s face turned bright red and she blushed.

“I’m not the only one eating…”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Uh, do you not believe me?”

Avoiding Lena as she approached, I turned my head away again.

“No, I don’t.”

“Then why do you keep avoiding me?”

“That’s…”

I can’t say it!

If I do, my life will be ruined!!

Exhausted from the continued struggle, Lena sighed and said, “You’ve been avoiding me for a while now… Can you tell me why?”

How can I tell her?

Right now, Lena is one of the last people I should be involved with.

And the reason is to avoid being falsely accused of being a pickpocket.

Can I tell her the reason?

I couldn’t.

It’s better to just run away again in this situation.

“There… there’s no reason.”

“If there’s no reason, why do you keep avoiding me? Even if you don’t like me, you’ve been friendly with me…”

“Oh…”

There’s no opening. I should just run away!

“Just a moment! Please just listen to me!”

“Oh… wait.”

I could feel the flesh of Lena’s chest against my arm. This is really dangerous.

I can turn my eyes away, but I can’t cut off my arm.

“There really is no reason. On the contrary, I’m curious about why you want to be friendly with me.”

By asking a question in return, I bought her some time to think. Now I need to quickly pull my arm away…?

Why is she so strong!

“If you ask a question, you should listen to the answer and leave.”

Oh… right. I forgot, but she’s a witch like Sara.

From the beginning, the fundamental power of someone like me, a priest, is different from hers.

“…I’m sorry.”

In the end, even if I run away as much as I want right in front of her, there’s a high chance I’ll be caught again. I sighed inwardly.

“If the reason you want to be friends is, um… I just wanted to be friends with you from the moment I first saw you.”

“Ah… Yes, if you’ve finished talking, could you please let go of my arm?”

“You could try to run away, you know.”

“…With so many eyes around, are you not afraid?”

“No, I’m not.”

How can she be so confident?

Right now, I feel like I’m living under the scrutiny of so many people.

“Did Lady Lina have a fiancé?”

“Even if she did, if that fiancé is a scoundrel like him…”

“I’ll kill him… I’ll kill him… I’ll kill him…”

‘I’m in big trouble if I want to make it out alive.’

Because of Lina’s innocent gaze and the clothes that don’t match, the gazes coming our way have intensified even more. Please…

I have my limits too. Honestly, I can’t stand this, but I have to understand.

I need to calmly shift my focus elsewhere for now.

Or things will really get ‘big.’

“Uhm, who did you come with?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Oh, there they are.”

I turned my head in the direction of Lina’s gaze.

There, I saw all the faces I knew.

Sara and Cecilia, of course, as well as Kadia, Ad, and the formidable Lord Robert.

“They came to look for the kids earlier.”

…”

The people who wished for my death. They’ve finally arrived.

Ad, who looks like he could kill me without hesitation.

And Sara, who approaches with eyes full of life, not losing to that expression.

The distance between them and me is getting closer.

“You should have fun eating with your friends, I’ll excuse myself.”

“Where do you see that kind of thing among academy students?”

She gave me a kind smile.

“And I told you before. I want to get to know you.”

Ah, if it weren’t a day like this, it would have been a touching statement.

I felt a strange sense of guilt in her innocence.

But.

Right now, it’s a matter of life and death.

Even if I can’t escape, it’s okay. The first priority is to distance myself from them.

While Lina’s gaze is distracted by the kids.

The moment I swiftly pulled my arm out of Lina’s grasp and turned my body.

Crash!!!

The wall next to me shattered with a tremendous chill.

And.

“For the Lord’s sake, sacrifice yourselves!!! Only He is our life and truth!!!”

‘What on earth is this nonsense.’