episode_0032

32. Oh Yeong-je

Day 4 of the ball.

Having skipped the first day, this was my first proper chance to actually enjoy the event.

Cliques had already formed—aristocrats huddled together in conversation the moment they arrived.

Had they really talked enough to have anything left to discuss after three whole days of chatter?

Or was stretching even the most meaningless talk an essential noble skill?

Lost in thought, I was startled when Erika, standing beside me, spoke.

**“Fox, I’ll remind you once more so you don’t forget.**

**Never pity the Emperor.**

**Delay answering any proposals and consult with me first.**

**Keep your words few and your ears open.**

**Remember every conversation and report it to me verbatim.”**

The way she nagged, you’d think she was a mother fretting over a forgetful child….

The Emperor had secretly arranged to meet me after the ball later.

Erika’s endless lecturing must’ve been preparation for that, so I quipped back.

**“You’d make a wonderful mother, Countess.”**

**“Huh? What do you mean by that?”**

**“You fuss over even a commoner like me so well—I can’t even imagine how doting you’d be with your own child.”**

It was just a throwaway remark to cut her off.

But even as I said it, I realized I’d blurted out something I’d only ever thought privately.

Worried I might’ve offended her, I braced for her reaction—

**“Hmph… Well, obviously….”**

Erika’s cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered her reply.

I wondered why she reacted like that, but the reason soon became clear.

Maybe she had someone in mind… or perhaps, despite her cold rationality, she was still a woman at heart.

It had been a rude question, so I bowed my head slightly in apology.

**“My apologies, Countess. I overstepped.”**

**“No, don’t dwell on it….”**

Then, turning away, she whispered under her breath—

**“Though it’s true… I’d have to be a good mother if it were my child….”**

**“Huh? I didn’t catch that.”**

**“Nothing. Just keep your wits about you when you meet His Majesty later.”**

**“Understood.”**

Thankfully, the nagging stopped.

For some reason, she seemed… oddly pleased?

Was she really in a good mood?

Her usual icy expression made it hard to tell.

Though she *had* grinned like an idiot when she named her piano….

Soon, Cecilia joined us.

**“Oho? Did something happen between you two?”**

**“What nonsense are you spewing now?”**

Her tone instantly reverted to its usual sharpness with her friend.

But something felt off.

I knew friends often traded barbs, but Erika seemed genuinely irritated.

Frowning, she began interrogating Cecilia.

**“What shady scheme are you plotting now?”**

**“Isn’t the future’s unpredictability what makes life exciting, my dear friend?”**

**“More of your bullshit….”**

She looked genuinely pissed. Had something happened?

As I awkwardly stood between them, the ballroom suddenly grew noisy.

The grand, ornate doors guarding the entrance swung open—

And five elderly men entered.

At a glance, they seemed like ordinary old men—save for their obscenely lavish attire.

But unlike us, they were flanked by knights wielding gleaming lances and armor.

We weren’t allowed to enter armed, yet they—

**“The Oh Yeong-je….”**

The Oh Yeong-je strode confidently through the crowd of nobles.

Midway, one of them locked eyes with a man nearby.

**“And you are?”**

**“Haha… Baltazar Blackdown, Lord of Zheheitan in the northwest.”**

**“Keh! The northwest? That barbarian-infested wasteland? I’ll personally dub you ‘Black Swine.’”**

The Oh Yeong-je immediately insulted Blackdown upon learning his origins.

Yet no noble dared protest the blatant disrespect.

Even without the late Emperor’s influence, their sheer power was undeniable.

Blackdown, who seemed hot-tempered and rugged—

With a build befitting the term “muscle-bound boar” and a face to match—

Clenched his teeth, bowed, and forced out his gratitude.

**“…An illustrious title.”**

**“Hahaha! Do barbarians not even know what pigs look like?”**

**“““Hahaha!”””**

As the Oh Yeong-je mocked him further, other nobles joined in the laughter.

Some genuinely agreed with the “barbarian” label, while others laughed to curry favor.

The Oh Yeong-je’s gaze then shifted to another elderly man nearby—

A sturdy figure clad in gilded armor.

Though he had entered with Blackdown, he now bowed deeply, oozing flattery.

**“Lucian Goldhelm, loyal servant of the Empire, holding the line against the northwestern savages!”**

**“Hoh… So even barbarians can learn manners.”**

**“Indeed, my lord.”**

The Oh Yeong-je chuckled among themselves, sizing up Goldhelm.

One of them feigned surprise and approached.

**“Goldhelm? The Frontier Empire’s faithful vassal who often sends us… ‘gifts’?”**

**“Though humble, I’m honored you remember them.”**

**“Haha, of course.”**

As he spoke, the old man drew closer—

Then patted Goldhelm’s head like a subordinate.

The absurd sight of a frail elder patronizing a robust one.

Mid-pat, he suddenly gripped Goldhelm’s white hair and growled a warning.

**“Lately, your ‘gifts’ have grown lacking… Are you a traitor? Or has your loyalty waned?”**

Now I understood why nobles dared not defy the Oh Yeong-je.

Having amassed immense power under the late Emperor’s favor—

They could frame any uncooperative noble as a traitor with impunity.

If the Emperor had delegated full authority to these greedy old men—

Their word *was* the Emperor’s, leaving nobles no choice but to obey.

Just as this realization struck, a woman beside Goldhelm stepped forward.

A tall woman, around 175cm, with black hair and crimson eyes.

Her ample… *assets* swayed as she approached the Oh Yeong-je.

**“Halt!”**

A knight blocked her path with his lance.

Goldhelm, still grinning nervously, paled and tried to stop her.

**“Reina, no!”**

Reina grabbed the steel lance shaft—

And with a sickening *crunch*—

What the hell? Did I just see that?

She bent *solid steel* with her bare grip?!

Like a hydraulic press, she then hoisted the knight by his throat—one-handed.

A fully armored grown man, lifted effortlessly.

Scowling, she addressed the other knights.

**“You dare point a lance at *me*?”**

**“Ghk…! Kkh…!!”**

The knight dangled, face turning blue, drooling as he choked.

Reina’s display of raw strength left me stunned.

Erika watched with interest, murmuring—

**“Reina… The Empire’s current ‘Peerless Under Heaven.’ The rumors don’t disappoint.”**

**“Peerless?”**

**“Indeed. If our Fox is peerless in intellect, that Reina is a monster peerless in martial might.”**

So she was stronger than Vivian?

I couldn’t even imagine Vivian losing…

**“But her lack of brains means she won’t live long.”**

While praising Reina’s strength, Erika coldly dismissed her other traits.

As if to prove her point, knights surrounded Reina with lances ready.

Yet Reina showed no fear—only a fiery smirk.

Even outnumbered, she slammed her captive to the ground.

Then, raising a hand, a weapon *shattered* through a window—

Spinning through the air like Mjölnir—

And landed perfectly in her grip.

A two-meter halberd, swung effortlessly like a toy before she took stance.

**“Who dares challenge me?!”**

I facepalmed.

Could she *not* see the nobles groveling?

And she was picking a fight with the Emperor’s own knights?!

This wasn’t just oblivious—it was outright stupidity.

Erika shrugged, vindicated.

**“See? I told you she wouldn’t last long.”**

**“Not my ideal recruit. Too dumb to win even winnable wars.”**

Even Cecilia agreed.

But Reina *was* a top-tier general, holding the “Peerless” title.

Leaving this unchecked would spell disaster—

**“STOOOOP—!! Boss, are you *insane*?!”**

A blue-haired woman burst in, dragging Reina by the head and bowing to the Oh Yeong-je.

**“So sorry! Our boss ain’t all there—can’t read the room!”**

**“Athena, *they* started it…!!”**

**“Shut it! You think I didn’t see your weapon fly in?!”**

A sudden sitcom unfolded.

Nobles watched, holding their breath.

Then one Oh Yeong-je drew a dagger—

And stabbed the *knight’s* eye.

**“Disgracing the Imperial Knights with this spectacle.”**

The blade sank halfway—20cm deep.

The knight trembled, brain surely scrambled, yet managed—

**“Ghk… My… apol…gies….”**

As the dagger was yanked out, brain matter oozed.

He collapsed face-first into a pool of his own blood.

The Oh Yeong-je then turned to Goldhelm—

Smiling kindly, as if scolding a child.

**“Worry not. The fault lies with our knight’s disgraceful conduct.”**

**“Hah…haha… Of course, my lord.”**

**“Did you think I’d execute the Empire’s ‘Peerless’ champion?**

**Our brave defender against northwestern savages? Perish the thought.”**

He patted Goldhelm’s shoulder—

Leaving bloody prints on the gilded armor.

**“…Just ensure your next ‘gift’ isn’t lacking.”**

**“……Of course….”**

The suffocating tension was unbearable.

But I had no right to intervene—

Neither the power nor the righteousness to protest.

So I just watched as Athena dragged Reina away by the ear.

Reina whined, clueless about her misstep, while Athena scolded her like a seasoned babysitter.

Amid this farce—

**“You. I don’t recognize you.”**

An Oh Yeong-je locked eyes with me.

With Erika nearby, I couldn’t risk offending him, so I bowed hastily.

**“I’m Cain.”**

**“Never heard of you.”**

Seemed my exploits at the ball—or even my wartime deeds—meant nothing to them.

Other nobles knew of my inventions, but these men were utterly detached.

**“A commoner?”**

**“Yes….”**

**“Tch.”**

He sighed, then raised his hand—

*SLAP*

A stinging blow rocked my jaw.

The force knocked me clean off my feet.

Dazed, I stared up at my assailant.

**“A lowborn daring to enter the royal palace is bad enough—now you *look* at me?”**

Now I understood.

Humiliated by Reina but unable to retaliate—

They couldn’t risk losing face by accusing her of treason.

So they played magnanimous.

But me?

A powerless commoner.

Perfect to vent on and restore their wounded pride.

The taste of blood filled my mouth—my cheek likely split inside.

**“On your feet.”**

As I struggled to rise, unwilling to burden Erika—

**“The fuck you think you’re doing?”**

**“How *dare* you.”**

Erika and Cecilia’s voices cut through—

Sharper and colder than I’d ever heard.