episode_0027

We concluded the opening dance in the atmosphere of the impending storm.

Serin held onto my hand as if reluctant to let go, then slowly released her grip. It was now time for the remaining guests to dance and engage in conversation.

“Rian, I have to go somewhere for a moment, so I need to leave.”

Serin glanced at her parents, who had opened their eyes wide. Their stern gazes were unmistakable. I did not insist on keeping her.

“Please go. I’ll wait for you.”

“Wow, you’re waiting for me?”

“Well… yes, that’s right.”

“Wow, I heard that intelligence is a virtue…”

She expressed her admiration. To be moved by such a simple statement, Serin was truly a modest person.

After bidding her farewell, I briefly scanned the banquet hall. The space that had felt full just moments ago now felt empty. It seemed like the aftermath of Serin’s strong presence disappearing.

As I walked a few steps to find Roderick, I was stopped in my tracks by the wall of people.

“Haha, I was truly surprised. Did the princess and you open the dance together?”

“It seems that the rumors about Rianhardt, the leader of the Windmill Mercenaries, were true.”

They approached with smiling faces, but their intentions were unclear. I greeted them while hiding my caution.

“It was an honor. I am Rianhardt, the leader of the Windmill Mercenaries.”

“Oh? It’s quite impressive…”

“It’s hard to believe that you’re a mercenary just by looking at you.”

Their observation was valid. Mercenaries often displayed savage and violent tendencies. This was seen as a way to emphasize the strength of the mercenary group.

However, Roderick was different. He believed that even mercenaries should be gentlemanly and conducted regular moral education for the entire mercenary group. As a leader, I had to pay even more attention to this aspect.

“Come here for a moment, let’s have a chat. I have many personal curiosities, but I’m also interested in recent mercenary employment.”

“I will comply. I can answer within my limits.”

“Haha, that’s good.”

There seemed to be no hostility. However, it was clear that they were more interested in my personal background than in providing advice on mercenary employment.

They exchanged glances subtly and eventually brought up the main topic.

“By the way, why does the leader wear a mask?”

“Because the face beneath the mask can provoke discomfort in many people.”

“Ah…!”

They groaned. It seemed like they thought they had touched on a sensitive topic.

Indeed, my face was adorned with elements reminiscent of tyranny and government, so the statement about provoking discomfort was not unfounded.

Nevertheless, they were relatively understanding. Naturally, there were many people here who harbored enmity. Most of them were ironically nobles from rival factions.

“It’s quite amusing to see a mercenary imitating nobility.”

“Even the empress’s mother who entrusted the dance to such a person…”

“There’s a common ground among those who come from humble beginnings.”

Their high-handed remarks pierced through the crowd and reached us. As their malice became more apparent, those who had shown interest in me began to make excuses and withdraw. It seemed like they wanted to avoid any sparks flying from creating unnecessary friendships.

“It would be easier if people just backed off personally…”

But that was not an option.

It was difficult to foresee any potential pitfalls in the management of the mercenary group. I also did not want to offend Serin, who had shown me kindness, or the emperor and empress. However, finding a suitable solution was not an easy task.

It was at that moment, as I quickly brainstormed, that a solution presented itself.

“The behavior of those who consider themselves noble is infinitely vulgar.”

An unexpected turn of events unfolded.

It was the bold lady’s stride.

I shifted my gaze to her, leisurely smiling behind the fan.

“The more despicable a person is, the more they tend to look down on others out of habit.”

It was Lady Laden.

The lady who bore deep scars from the night spent with Serin approached me. Lady Laden gracefully folded her fan and extended her right hand to me.

“I apologize for not recognizing you then, Sir Richard. I am delighted to see you again.”

“How are the mercenaries you dispatched?”

“They are excellent. Even the Imperial Minister speaks highly of them. To receive such service at this price, I consider myself lucky.”

“Then, that is fortunate.”

Lady Laden had carefully selected the personnel she dispatched. Having experienced a shocking tragedy, she suspected that the mercenaries would be very untrustworthy. Above all, as promised to be a support for Serin, I had to cooperate with her.

“It worked out well. We were considering relocating the business, but thanks to the people you mentioned, the candidates have significantly decreased, haven’t they?”

Some men and ladies’ faces paled at the blatant declaration.

Lady Laden was a prominent figure in the Empire. Her actions were the flow of money, and to go against it meant defying the trend. Those who had just been mocked had lost the right to step into the flow in an instant.

“Did you keep your promise?”

“I told you, I am a merchant who values promises.”

Always being a support for Serin. That was the promise Lady Laden and I shared.

People quickly caught on to what her favor meant.

“Lady Laden, who used to stick to the middle ground, is openly confronting them…”

“They were all part of the decaying faction, weren’t they?”

“Could it be that Lady Laden is now siding with the Emperor’s faction!”

The room buzzed with excitement. Lady Laden’s bold actions had caused this result. In this moment, in this place, the power dynamics between the Emperor’s faction and the decaying faction had clearly been overturned.

However, some ladies smiled brightly as they criticized Lady Laden.

“But Lady Laden still doesn’t have an heir, right? Is she too picky…”

“A household without a successor might easily fall apart, don’t you think?”

“She missed her chance, and now it’s all over.”

It couldn’t be denied that these were very wrong words. If Lady Laden had no heir, her vast wealth would be scattered in all directions.

But the part of Lady Laden that was being criticized seemed unrelated to the prosperity of the household.

“Who are those women to call anyone a discarded spinster of spring?”

‘They didn’t go that far, Lady Laden…’

Rather, Lady Laden’s aura was unsettling. She had been an impressively charming person during our first meeting, but now, she exuded a completely different energy.

“Is she still reeling from the events of that night?”

If left unchecked, the likelihood of a murder unfolding was high.

So, I stepped in to stop Lady Laden, who seemed ready to charge ahead.

“Lady Laden, please calm down.”

“Sir Richard…”

“A gem remains a gem even with a flaw. So, a small imperfection in a good woman shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Oh my…”

Lady Laden showed surprise on the surface. Soon, she regained her composure and asked me with a smirk.

“It seems like the comforting words are not your own invention, Sir Richard. Whose words have you learned from?”

“… Lord Rick. That is, the content spoken by our side’s strategist in passing.”

“Oh, a splendid gentleman indeed.”

“Hmm…”

Could the attempted child abductor become a gentleman? A fleeting doubt crossed his mind, but he quickly brushed it aside.

“Thank you, regardless. I almost fell for your petty provocation.”

“Because the Viscount is important to Serin.”

“Hmm.”

The Viscount’s piercing gaze locked onto me. Then, after tearing his eyes away from me, he glanced suspiciously at the seat where Serin was located. A subtle smirk followed.

“Haha, was that really the case?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, even if it’s a thorny path, I will support my benefactors. May you overcome your fate.”

“… Viscount?”

I called out to her, but the Viscount, humming a tune, casually left his seat.

It was a brief encounter, but she was difficult to understand. It was even challenging for me to deduce how far her thoughts had reached.

“Somehow… I feel drained.”

Was it because the imposing Viscount had left a strong impression? Fortunately, there were no approaching individuals, and the number of onlookers had dramatically decreased.

I decided to take a moment to catch some fresh air on the refreshing terrace. Indeed, the scent of people seemed to have dissipated, making me feel better.

Above all, the fragrance of the grass in the garden was similar to Serin’s scent, bringing a sense of calm.

“Was I truly a depraved person…”

To sense her scent in the natural smell of plants. It was far from a gentlemanly attitude. When did my self-censorship become so lax?

I sighed.

Despite Lordric emphasizing gentlemanliness, it seemed like a long and arduous journey to fully embody it.

That’s when it happened.

Bang!

The terrace door suddenly swung open and quickly shut again. A breathless woman stared at me intently.

A familiar face.

And from the moment we first met, I felt an inexplicable flutter in my heart.

Rashera, the beloved daughter of the Marquis of Luarte, was there.

“Haah, haah… Listen, Lord Riheart.”

She spoke.

“You must be careful… No, no. That’s not it…”

Thump, thump.

Rashera closed the distance with unsteady steps, as if she could collapse at any moment. Tears glistened in her eyes, desperately held back.

“Please, help me…”

A massive upheaval, aimed at the imperial family, loomed on the horizon.