The social gathering was a venue where nobles, scattered throughout the country, ca together.
Although nobles made up only about 0.05% of the Minerva Empire’s population, given the overall population size, that was still a considerable number.
While nobles sotis served as lords managing territories under the emperor’s authority, that was a rare case.
Most nobles functioned more like high-ranking officials with their own responsibilities and authority, and they ford the backbone of politics.
Commoners could also hold official posts or jobs related to politics, but they were still a minority.
Especially in politics, commoners had virtually no chance to break through.
At least, that was the case in the Minerva Empire.
The Kingdom of Teres, on the other hand, had a commoners’ assembly, allowing them to participate in politics.
But the Minerva Empire had not yet reached that point.
While there had been talk of introducing an assembly, it remained only that—talk.
Despite this, there were no complaints, primarily because the political and governntal systems had remained highly stable.
In any case, the social gathering was a place where nobles—powerful even without their own territories—assembled.
And since it was a party hosted by the empire’s sole ducal family, a wide variety of nobles had gathered.
From powerful counts to fashion trendsetters, renowned philosophers, and rising nobles steadily gaining influence.
Just as the world was filled with all kinds of people, so too were the nobles.
The only difference lay in whether they expressed themselves bluntly or with elegance.
“That pitch-black skin of yours hasn’t changed, I see.”
“And judging by that pale face of yours, you’ve been eating and sleeping well.”
Of course, there were always exceptions.
Most notably, nobles from military families.
Due to their nature, mbers of military families led rough lives, and even if they were taught etiquette, it made little difference.
More importantly, to fulfill their noble obligation of noblesse oblige, n were expected to serve as knights for at least five years.
Naturally, they were seasoned by real combat and had gone through countless experiences.
The Marquess of Matthius governed the northern region, while the Marquess of Gotz managed the southern seas.
Marquess Matthius had pale skin, whereas Marquess Gotz, befitting a sailor, had deeply tanned, bronze-colored skin.
The contrast in their skin tones stood out, but what drew even more attention were their uniforms.
They both wore the shoulder epaulettes reserved for commanders, and the uniforms themselves exuded dignity.
“By the way, is Marquess Clozet not coming?”
Gotz, a man whose thick brown beard made him resemble a pirate more than a navy man, looked around as he spoke.
Around them, beautiful nobles were engaged in conversation.
Yet, the one he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
Matthius twirled his wine glass in response.
The wine within spun into a small vortex.
“He’s not attending today. Apparently, sothing unusual is happening in Stavirk. I don’t know the details, but they’re buying up all kinds of materials, including iron.”
“Are they making weapons? They’re known to be good with their hands.”
“That’s not confird. But it’s worth keeping an eye on.”
Stavirk was a region known for active independence movents and was closely watched by the Minerva Empire.
Originally, due to its peninsular geography, it had been kept under control, but eventually it slipped free and began demanding independence.
However, since they couldn’t afford to pour valuable manpower into the region, they were simply keeping it in check for now.
“Commander.”
“Oh! Viscount Callas!”
At that mont, a man with thick lips and bright, alert eyes—Viscount Callas—approached, and Gotz’s expression brightened.
Standing between them, Marquess Matthius quietly closed his eyes, sensing that sothing was about to begin.
“How have you been? I heard the northern beastfolk are causing trouble again.”
“Thanks to your consideration, Marquess Matthius, I’ve been doing well. As for the beastfolk, sa as always. How about you, Marquess Gotz?”
“Don’t even get started. Between the pirates and smugglers, it’s been a headache.”
Gotz laughed heartily and waved his hand dismissively.
You might be wondering—
If the sea is associated with demons, why are they using it at all?
Why are there navies and pirates, when seafaring isn’t even well developed?
The answer is simple: the sea was worth risking one’s life for.
Humans are inherently adventurous and willing to face danger.
No matter how perilous the sea may be, the rewards were great.
Just like Columbus of Earth, long-distance voyages were still a dream, especially since the Minerva Empire had no need for them.
As long as coastal navigation was the goal, the risks weren’t too high—and the potential gains made it worth it.
Hence, trading ships existed.
“Still, nothing beats cannons! Blow up a ship, and they’re all fish food! Hahaha!”
“You know your stuff. Cannons are firepower incarnate.”
“Exactly! The only problem is how much gunpowder they eat up. But when it cos to wiping out pirates, nothing beats them!”
“Sigh…”
Hearing the two n glorify cannons from either side, Marquess Matthius let out a deep sigh.
Clearly, Gotz had fallen for the charm of cannons just like Callas had.
Previously, naval battles had involved launching flaming arrows, throwing spears, or ramming the enemy ship followed by lee combat.
But once cannons were introduced, the entire nature of warfare changed—it beca about firepower, not hand-to-hand combat.
‘Naval battles are one thing, but…’
In naval warfare, the ship is everything.
No matter how skilled a knight or mage, if the ship is damaged, they’ll be fish food.
Especially mages—on a ship, the rough currents made it impossible to focus.
So before cannons, victory was determined mostly by the crew’s combat ability.
But now, that had shifted.
“I don’t care if you like cannons, just don’t ask for favors. That goes for you too, Viscount Callas.”
“Aw, can’t you make an exception just this once? I an, our navy isn’t like ground troops—our ships are everything.”
“You’re better off using mages. It’s just that sea dogs like you have trouble employing them.”
Despite Marquess Matthius’s firm stance, Viscount Callas just shrugged.
He may have been chanting “Firepower! Firepower!” with his mouth, but he knew it was little more than a dream.
Just managing supplies was already enough to drive him mad.
The Minerva Empire was currently in chaos due to demon worshippers.
So dreams would have to wait—the imdiate priority was logistics.
“Looks like it’s about ti.”
Marquess Matthius murmured and took a sip of wine.
All around, nobles chatted and mingled.
So included his own son and retainers.
But the most important figure—the host—had not yet appeared.
About an hour had passed since the party began.
He assud they would arrive soon.
“Presenting the Moon of the Empire, Dmitri Hausen Requilis, and his household!”
As expected, the steward’s booming voice echoed through the hall.
All at once, the nobles turned their attention toward the entrance.
The star of the party was about to make his entrance…
“Huh?”
“Wait a second. Is that…?”
“Red hair? Is that really him?”
Alongside Dmitri, the head of House Requilis, whose silver hair symbolized the family, appeared a striking figure with red hair.
Dmitri was flanked by his wife Sarah and his eldest son, Kay.
Beside Kay walked Mari, their eldest daughter and widely known as Zenon’s fiancée.
And next to Mari was…
“…A completely unexpected guest.”
“Indeed.”
Isaac, with a soft smile on his lips, was approaching the hall.
★★★
I was so nervous I almost died.
That was my first thought as soon as I stepped into the ballroom.
Just like when I revealed my identity, I had prepared thoroughly, but it seed I couldn’t help feeling nervous when the mont ca.
If I had known it would be like this, I should’ve taken a calming pill. Ah, but they don’t have those here.
Anyway, my sudden appearance—especially considering I barely ever showed myself in public—completely changed the atmosphere of the party.
The lively mood from just monts ago instantly quieted down.
This was sowhat expected, to be honest.
Besides, I didn’t co alone—Mari’s family was with .
The one who handled the situation most skillfully was my father-in-law, Dmitri.
As if he had dealt with this kind of thing many tis before, he responded with smooth composure.
“Today is not only my birthday, but an even more special day. Because my son-in-law is here with . I know this appearance wasn’t planned, but please don’t be nervous. Today is, after all, a celebration of .”
His words were ant to divert attention that might have focused too heavily on .
As he said, today’s social gathering was held to celebrate Dmitri’s birthday.
People could just enjoy the party without worrying about .
My appearance was more like an unexpected surprise event.
Though, unfortunately, it was the kind of surprise that far surpassed even a golden goblin.
Even if Dmitri said all that, it was impossible to completely avoid attention directed at .
Not only Dmitri, but Mari’s whole family knew this would happen.
Still, that didn’t an they could ignore Dmitri.
As guests, everyone had to tread carefully.
“Sir Zenon…”
“It’s not Zenon. I’m Isaac Ducker Michelle. Just call Isaac.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. So, Isaac, when did you start writing?”
“I began writing around…”
That kind of question was simple enough to handle without issue.
Even Mari didn’t feel the need to step in at that level.
To be attending a party hosted by Duke Requilis ant that these people were either political heavyweights or major influencers in so field.
Most of them were masters at reading the room.
Also, given my reputation, they were hesitant to approach casually.
In situations like this, when it’s hard to ask sothing directly, what do they do?
“Young lady, may I ask a sensitive question?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
The young lady with heavy makeup glanced at , then began to blush slightly.
Mari flinched at her reaction, as a bonus.
I was smiling wryly at the scene when the lady quietly asked in a shy voice.
“I saw it in the papers once. That it’s like facing a beast with a massive weapon… is that true?”
“Hoho. It’s a little embarrassing to talk about that beside my fiancé. Shall we step aside for a mont?”
With that, Mari left with the lady who asked and so other won.
Then I heard them whispering out of earshot, followed by surprised gasps and side glances in my direction.
I tried to ignore them, but the intensity of their stares was hard to overlook.
Might as well just sip my wine.
“..…”
Delicious.
It’s even sweeter than the wine I had at the freshman welco party.
Though it still has the characteristic bitterness of alcohol, wine is, after all, a drink made from fruit. Naturally, it carries sweetness.
But unlike that freshman party, I planned to drink in moderation this ti.
I had completely blacked out then and created an embarrassing mory, so I needed to be careful.
Even if I lose control, Adelia will probably stop .
“Feeling awkward?”
As I sipped my wine, Adelia asked with a cheerful smile.
Though dressed plainly as my escort knight, she was as beautiful as any noble lady.
I glanced around at the now quiet surroundings and shrugged.
“Yeah, it’s awkward. I don’t usually co to places with this many people. Have you had a lot of experiences like this?”
“No. Back when I was part of the royal family, I wasn’t acknowledged. The freshman welco party was actually my first real social gathering.”
“That’s when you said you t Nicole, right?”
“Yeah.”
I rember hearing that Nicole t Adelia, who had been hesitating in her school uniform at that party.
That encounter led them to beco close friends, and eventually I t Adelia through that connection.
For Adelia, Nicole must be more than a friend—she’s practically a good-luck charm.
‘Not many people are approaching directly, huh.’
People were sneaking glances, but no one ca up to openly.
Even that young lady from earlier had approached Mari first, not .
It ant that just approaching took considerable courage.
Understandable, really.
If soone upset , their entire family line might be wiped out. Not that I would do such a thing, but almost nothing about was publicly known.
For now, they’d observe from a distance, trying to assess my personality.
I just needed to wait quietly until then.
“Brother-in-law.”
“Hm?”
As I stood around blankly, surveying the room, a familiar voice caught my ear.
Turning, I saw Mari’s older brother, Kay.
Like Mari, he had silver hair and blue eyes, a handso young man with a tall fra, recently graduated from the academy.
Kay was the heir apparent to the Duke of Requilis, soone all nobles would want to stay on good terms with.
Normally, he’d be surrounded by people, so it was surprising he ca looking for .
“Ah, yes. Is sothing the matter?”
“There’s soone who wanted to et you. Do you have a mont? Mari gave her permission.”
It seed soone had asked to et through Kay.
Since Mari approved, this person was probably safe—or soone she found hard to turn down.
I thought for a second and replied.
“Can you tell who it is first?”
“Marquis Matthius and Marquis Gotz. You’ve heard of them, right?”
I had.
Just before the party began, in fact.
Out of the three marquises who hold the rank of Commander, these two were among them.
Mari had warned to keep an eye on them.
Still, they should be more interested in Dmitri than .
They were military n with little political ambition, mostly just scrambling for funding.
So why were they asking to see ?
I was especially curious about Marquis Matthius, since his daughter, Aira, had clashed with in the past.
After a mont of thought, I nodded and accepted easily.
“All right. I’ll et them.”
“Thanks. Wait here a mont.”
Soon after, Kay returned with Marquis Matthius and Marquis Gotz.
“Pleasure to et you. I’m Gert Ben Matthius, in charge of the northern region. It’s an honor to et the hero who saved the world.”
“I’m Gulak Demon Gotz, serving in the southern seas. Pleased to et you.”
One looked like he had co straight from the wilderness, and the other like he had lived his whole life at sea.
Both carried the unique, imposing air of seasoned military n—strong first impressions.
Marquis Matthius, in particular, looked like a classic ‘Northern Duke’ straight out of a novel. The scar on his face and his lion-like mane of hair fit the image perfectly.
In any case, I needed to greet them properly.
I gave a polite bow and responded respectfully.
“I’m Isaac Ducker Michelle. It’s an honor to et two of the Empire’s defenders. But, this man here…”
The two marquises were both striking figures, but one man especially stood out.
He had no epaulettes on his shoulders, yet his thick lips and sharp, alert eyes gave him a powerful presence.
When I pointed at him, Marquis Matthius went, “Ah,” and introduced him in his signature dignified tone.
“Let introduce him. This is my adjutant, Viscount Callas.”
“Mar… Catel Callas!”
“…Marshal?”
It sounded like the kind of na that wouldn’t just supply a million-man army—but throw in ice cream too.
Reviews
All reviews (0)