Chapter 66. Blessing in Disguise(1)
"We have arrived, Sir Yulian."
As Yulian was gazing out at the scenery from the back seat of the carriage, the coachman's voice brought him back to his surroundings.
What appeared before him was the mansion of the Godricht family, one of the four great families of the Adratan Empire.
The mansion was exceptionally large and grand, with crowds bustling even at the entrance.
Once the carriage door opened, and Yulian descended, a man who seed to be the butler hurriedly approached from the inside of the mansion.
"S-Sir Yulian! Thank you so much for taking the ti out of your busy schedule to visit! Young Master Alba will be delighted!"
-'You've received an invitation to the birthday party of Alba Godricht, the eldest son of the Godricht family.'
-'Understood. I will go then.'
-'What? Really?'
-'Since it is a fervent request from Commander Ordwin, I shall attend this once.'
With an invitation that arrived through Blind Eyes, I visited the birthday party of Alba Godricht.
The butler of the Godricht family greeted
with a polite deanor, though his eyes were filled with bewildernt.
'Well, Ordwin seed taken aback as well.'
Up until now, acting as 'Yulian' of 'Blind Eyes', I had only been involved in purging nobles and subduing demons, never touching any other affairs.
The fact that I was to represent 'Blind Eyes' seed a bit ridiculous to . Ordwin had explained it this way:
-'Either way, you are the representative of 'Blind Eyes'. Moreover, inviting you to the party demonstrates quite the daring spirit, wouldn't you say?'
Indeed...
Who would extend an invitation to the 'Smiling Executioner' for a party?
If I didn't attend, it would still showcase a bold move to have sent an invitation to 'Yulian'.
On the off chance that I accepted the invitation, they could boast, 'We are of this caliber.'
-'And, did you know? The eldest son of the Godricht family admires you.'
However, the words Ordwin added afterward were beyond my understanding.
Admire ?
Or rather, 'Yulian'?
It sounded like a demon speaking like a man.
'I simply cannot understand.'
Nonetheless, had they extended kindness towards , I made up my mind to establish a good relationship this ti.
In a situation where various plots were entangled and anything could happen, I had no intention of confronting challenges alone like the 'Yulian' in the ga.
Moreover...
'Forming a connection with one of the four great families is not easily attainable...'
Led by the butler, as I headed to the Godricht's banquet hall, my eyes caught sight of a bandage peeking out from under my shirt.
A wound inflicted by Pintel at the 'Twilight Fla'.
The slight pain was botherso, but compressing it with the bandage seed to alleviate it a bit.
'It's not noticeable at first glance, but on closer inspection, soone might notice.'
No one would likely think it was an injury sustained while acting as the 'Black Knight'.
"Is sothing the matter, Sir Yulian?"
Montarily pausing, I noticed the butler looking at
with a puzzled expression, though I bore the discomfort with a smile, replying casually.
"The artworks displayed here are truly impressive, but there seem to be many forgeries. Huhu."
"Ah, no! How could there be forgeries in our family...."
"Is that so? Let us proceed, then."
Leaving the flustered butler behind, I confidently strode toward the banquet hall.
***
The banquet hall was ticulously arranged, distinctly showcasing that the Godricht family dominated the social scene.
Using a do-like structure, partially open, they distinguished the interior from the exterior, creating a contrasting effect that left observers in awe.
"Sir, Sir Yulian! I never imagined we'd et here!"
While I was marveling at the interior, a stiff voice addressed .
Who are you......, oh! Bald head!
It was Allom Chorny, the vice-principal with whom I beca acquainted during my ti at the Bayer Academy.
A man whose shiny bald head is profoundly morable.
"I too didn't expect to et Sir Allom here."
"Ha, haha...! Our Bayer Academy has long maintained a deep connection with the Godricht family."
A connection with one of the empire's four great families.
It likely implies they are patrons. Although Bayer Academy is a national institution, it doesn't refuse sponsorship.
"As soone who is not easily seen at such gatherings, your presence makes it particularly delightful."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, haha!"
"But... It doesn't seem the sa for others?"
Allom's boisterous laughter gradually faded at my words. He also seed vaguely aware of the surrounding mood.
The cluster of nobles was glancing at
disapprovingly, whispering among themselves.
Among them were nobles glaring as if wishing
dead, likely those with connections to soone 'Yulian' had dealt with.
Their stares could kill.
Fortunately, by now, I had grown accustod to such sharp glares and no longer felt a significant aversion.
It wasn't the first or second ti.
"Ev-everyone seems a bit intimidated by your presence, Sir Yulian. After all, the na of the imperial 'Blind Eyes' is no ordinary one. Haha."
Allom tried to interpret the atmosphere optimistically, although he might have realized it was impossible.
"Oh, Sir Julius! It's a pleasure to see you here!"
Then with an awkward smile, allom quickly shifted his attention and t the greeting of another noble farther away.
I, leaving him behind, headed toward the do. I had just spotted an unexpected person there.
'...... Eleanor?'
As a bishop of the Dawn Society and a 'Barco-rank' mage who had reached the 5th-rank of shade magic, Eleanor D'Micelle had caught my eye.
However, it wasn't the sa appearance she had in the Dawn Society. She had altered her appearance using her signature 'shade magic' to attend the banquet.
Or rather, this was probably the genuine 'Eleanor D'Micelle'.
'Should I acknowledge her?'
... Thinking that, but nothing followed the thought into action.
The footsteps were discreet yet not particularly stealthy.
Had they exuded stealth and killing intent, I might have drawn my sword.
Pretending not to notice, I remained still.
"Isn't it a splendid piece? Sir Yulian? It's a work crafted by Eterona, a disciple of Corsius."
Turning my head slightly, a young man with a sowhat timid and ek deanor ca into view.
"E-Eterona was a disciple of the great painter Corsius, who exceptionally distinguished himself not in painting but in the realms of interior design and architecture. You, you must know him well, right, Sir Yulian?"
Indeed, 'Yulian' might be well-versed.
I, however, am utterly clueless.
But this kid must be the one.
'...... It seems this is Alba Godricht.'
The mont this frail-looking young man approached , the gazes from around subtly shifted.
Indeed, he was the star of this banquet.
Beside the young man stood a stern-looking man.
"Uh, master Alba."
The butler whispered, and Alba, realizing sothing, seed slightly flustered.
"I-I apologize, Sir Yulian. I should have greeted you first, but I was just excited to see you...."
The eldest son of one of the four great families of the Empire lies among the nobility dominating the 'social scene'.
'What a clueless fool he is.'
My first impression of Alba was not very favorable.
He ntioned we had t sowhere before, which was good to know.
This ant forming a connection shouldn't be too difficult. Having so shared experience would help carry the conversation.
'Could there be a connection between this ek young master and Yulian?'
It can't be the social scene. 'Yulian' never showed up there.
Judging by his lack of aura... he hadn't trained in swordsmanship either.
At best, they might have had a passing encounter at the royal palace.
"Yes, it has indeed been so ti since our encounter at the royal palace."
"...... Pardon?"
Seeing Alba's puzzled face, I realized I had blundered.
Could it not have been the royal palace?
"You, you an the last ti we t was at the symposium held by the Imperial Arts Association...?"
The Imperial Arts Association?
Hearing that na suddenly reminded .
It was a place listed in the countless invoices I received under 'Yulian's' na, where they extorted money labeled as 'mbership fees.'
"Are you suggesting I might be mistaken?"
"No, not at all. Sir Yulian wouldn't make such an error."
Despite his confusion, Alba waved his hand in denial, but my explanation continued.
"It isn't a mistake. The style of the venue held a resemblance to the 'royal palace.' I recall saying, 'It feels as though I'm in the royal palace.'"
After already initiating familiarity, there was no turning back.
Monts like this made acting as 'Yulian' excruciatingly awkward.
I had to shalessly cover my face and act high-handedly.
"Did you really say that?"
"It seems you don't rember?"
"... The royal palace's style is indeed a complex blend created by various architects and artists, and...ah!"
Alba seed to realize sothing, his eyes widening.
"Among the artists who contributed to the palace's construction, soone must have been responsible for that hall's design! Now I understand what you were conveying."
"Hehe."
Instead of answering, I flashed a brief smile.
Alba's intense gaze of admiration beca more pronounced.
'...... Could it be the atmosphere fostering it?'
Even when uttering absurd statents, they interpreted for .
Alba, recalling the events of that ti, began speaking hesitantly.
"Nevertheless, it is remarkable. I could never have imagined any stylistic connection to the royal palace..."
"Good day, Young Master Alba!"
As Alba continued speaking, a hearty voice interjected.
"... Sir Gerard."
"It is an honor to be rembered by you. Haha!"
Clean appearance and courteous deanor.
The air differed starkly from the thug-like atmosphere the night I talked to Pintel.
'The fellow was here as well.'
In the midst of my musings, Gerard briskly approached.
"I owe much to Lord Binran, the head of the Godricht family. Oh, Sir Yulian, you are here too. Hmm?"
Despite having approached with full knowledge, the fellow jested.
Turning with a curious expression, Gerard pointed to my side.
A place where the bandage had caused my shirt to slightly puff. Pointing at it with his finger, Gerard smirked.
"Seems like you bandaged up. Was it an injury from 'Blind Eyes' duty?"
"Yes, fools who besmirch the royal na aren't often those who can be reasoned with."
"Is that true? A-Are you alright, Sir Yulian?"
Listening to the exchange, Alba looked at my side, his face full of concern.
"Yes, it's nothing serious."
"That's good to hear. Still, if any movent causes difficulty, we can..."
"Young Master Alba."
It was the butler standing next to him who interrupted Alba's words.
"Conversations like these are delightful, but as the host of the banquet, wouldn't it be good to speak with other guests too?"
"Oh? But there's still..."
"I believe Lord Binran would want that as well."
Upon hearing reference to the family head, Alba lowered his head, looking sowhat subdued.
"I-I see. I'll be back later then, Sir Yulian, Sir Gerard too."
With a slight nod, Alba followed the butler toward the interior of the banquet hall.
His initial timid deanor wasn't just an illusion.
"A son who lacks confidence like that as the eldest; no wonder the Godricht family is ruled by concubines vying for attention."
Watching Alba's retreating figure, Gerard muttered under his breath.
The sight of him jovially laughing in front but gossiping behind the scene was awfully ridiculous.
"To think that soone proficient enough to wound soone of Sir Yulian's caliber, it must have been quite the formidable opponent."
I did not bother responding to that statent.
It was wearying to address each and every comnt, and getting tangled with this guy was botherso.
Just as I was about to leave without giving any attention.
"Could it be... was it Pintel?"
Stopping in my tracks, I slowly turned my head toward Gerard.
Indeed, the injury was from Pintel.
But when I sustained this wound, it was during my ti acting as the 'Black Knight'.
While the situation is enough to cause so internal panic, I had already received confirmation from Tenelon that the Dawn Society was unaware of this fact.
'...... Seems like you're not entirely certain either.'
Luckily, Gerard didn't seem fully assured. But still, bringing it up was probably his attempt to probe my reaction.
"If, hypothetically, that was true, what would you do?"
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