Finally, the battlefield called a garden party!
This mission is even tougher than fighting an intermediate dragon!
Belial is wearing a black jacket under a dark red coat. The gold embroidery is lavishly applied, and under the gold buttons, the vest underneath is also covered in intricate embroidery. The white shirt at the collar is blindingly bright. All the decorative jewels are diamonds and rubies.
So flashy! Too flashy!! Those jewels are unnecessary for a daytime party!
He does like to stand out, doesn’t he…
As for me, I’m in a knee-length dress that gradients from white to purple, with a shawl the same color as my pale lavender hair, embroidered with gold. The embroidery has some magical elements scattered in the design.
My accessories are a pearl necklace and ruby bracelets. Thank goodness, I look fairly conventional. The hairpin I used to tie up my hair is a bit flashy, though, with fine gold craftsmanship and scattered gemstones, which is a little concerning. But more than that, the demon next to me is already attracting attention just by existing.
Ekvar is, as expected, wearing a white outfit with gold embroidery, topped with a white shirt. His contrast with his navy blue hair gives him an oddly serious impression. He’s wearing a slender sword at his waist, with the emblem of the royal guard subtly hidden under it.
“Lady Iriya , should I call you ‘Lady’?”
“I’m not at that age anymore…”
Somehow, that feels a bit awkward.
“Then, ‘Madam’?”
“…Please just call me ‘Lady’.”
He put me in a tight spot with those two options. But honestly, I can’t think of any better alternatives.
“Then, my Lord, shall we proceed?”
Belial is fine with this. I’m used to it.
Since I’m the one accompanying him today, I give a light bow and wait for him to pass by, following him closely behind.
“…You seem to be used to this, Lady.”
“As expected. I’ve always been bad at these kinds of things, but since the Duke insisted on participating…”
Hannes looks resigned.
The Duke’s estate, where the event is being held, has a very large garden.
There are wide tables set between neatly trimmed hedges, with various dishes on top. Servants walk around with trays of drinks and serve the guests.
At the edges of the garden, there are several tables and chairs, along with parasols for shade, and guests are free to sit wherever they like.
I follow Belial, whose long strides make a clicking sound as he walks, aiming for a table where we can see the surroundings. Ekvar is accompanying us on the opposite side. He certainly carries himself with the poise of a noble.
I take a glass of drink and sit down, taking a sip.
It’s delicious, as expected from a Duke’s estate. The women around seem interested in Belial. He’s a noble who obviously has wealth, and he carries himself confidently with a handsome face and a tall stature. The only problem is his nature and mindset—those inner qualities are the only things that can’t be seen from the outside.
“My Lord, may I bring you some food? What would you prefer?”
“I leave it to you.”
“Then, I shall excuse myself as well.”
He gives a light bow, and Ekvar walks away. Instead of going for food, he heads towards the women.
“What a wonderful outfit. It suits you so well, the beautiful lady you are. Which family do you belong to?”
“Well, I’m someone you’ve never met before.”
That’s how Ekvar ’s suspiciousness is laid bare.
I pick out a small cake and some glass desserts from the table and turn around to look at the seat where Belial is waiting.
“What is your name?”
“I cannot say, for I am a secretive one. Let me only say that I come from a distant land.”
“And your companion, is she your lover…?”
“No, she is a sorceress in my service.”
Women were flocking around Belial, engaging in conversation. It made it difficult for me to approach.
As I was pondering what to do, Hannes came over and spoke to me. Kimejes was standing right beside him.
“Ekvar and Belial seem to be fitting in very well.”
“Yes, Ekvar is nobility, after all. Though, the Lord is a bit too flashy…”
“Even so, Ilya, you’ve blended in quite well. You certainly don’t seem like a commoner.”
“If I appear that way, there’s no problem. I’ll take it as a compliment.”
It seems like he came to me because he felt out of place in this environment full of nobility. I can understand that feeling well. I think I’ve finally gotten over my own discomfort.
Ekvar seems like he’s just enjoying a chat, but in reality, he’s gathering information. I’ve been fooled by him before.
“By the way… last night, you mentioned doing magical research with Lord Sevillion. Could it be… Sevillion Osa Arens?”
“Oh, you know him? Yes, that’s him.”
I can’t believe someone in Chenkaslar knows his name! Oh, even Ranvalt in the defensive city knew about him. Writing magical books really boosts one’s fame. When I confirmed it, Hannes looked very pleased.
“I also have his magical book! He’s quite a popular author in Chenkaslar . It’s not sold in the royal capital, so I bought it in the defensive city. Ahh, I’d love to meet him someday…”
He’s looking at me with sparkling eyes, like someone completely in awe. It seems that Sevillion’s magical books are becoming famous here in distant Chenkaslar .
“I hope we can all meet him someday.”
“Yes!”
I truly hope we can research together again someday, and perhaps have long discussions about magic all night… It would be nice if that dream came true.
It wouldn’t be good to leave my seat for too long, so I ended the conversation and we three returned to the table where Belial was. When the women noticed, they quickly scattered.
Now that I think about it, there are two sorcerers and a Marquis-class demon in our group. Maybe they’re scared? Kimejes being Marquis-class seems to be fairly well-known around here.
They probably didn’t realize they were approaching a demon of a higher rank than a Marquis.
“Lord, are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, it’s not bad.”
It seems that Hannes has decided to call him “Lord” now. Kimejes had decided to stay quiet to avoid giving away any flaws, and that was the right decision. It would be a huge problem if a Marquis-class demon showed humility.
“Lord! Look at these lovely sweets. They all look delicious, which one would you like to try?”
I sat down and presented the finest sweets I had selected to Belial.
At some point, the host, Duke August, came over to greet us, and we spent some time chatting like that.
“…Kimejes, don’t you think you understand this better? What do you think of that one?”
“…I believe they are an uninvited guest.”
Kimejes quietly gestured toward a man standing nearby. He was a tall man, about thirty years old, with a gentle expression, talking and laughing with a woman.
But after being pointed out, I began to feel like something was off. What’s this strange feeling?
“I shall not act this time. You handle the situation.”
His relaxed posture and the way he casually sipped wine seemed like he was waiting for a show to begin.
“What do you mean, Kimejes?”
“Hannes, that man is not human. He’s a monster… a dangerous one.”
A monster disguised as a human. There are usually two main reasons for that: either they want to blend in with humans, or they want to eat humans. The fact that he’s dangerous suggests the latter.
Did someone unknowingly bring him along as a partner?
“Hannes-sama, can you cast a spell to reveal his true nature?”
“…I’m sorry, unfortunately, I don’t know such a spell.”
“Then leave it to me. Can I count on you to use a binding spell?”
“Of course!”
We assigned roles and I told Kimejes, without moving my face.
“Kimejes-sama, please inform the Duke and assist in protecting the women and other guests.”
As soon as he heard this, Kimejes quickly went to the Duke. I think Belial’s command to “handle the situation” is what prompted him to move.
Normally, he wouldn’t need to listen to a request from someone who wasn’t his contract partner. It would be different from Hannes, though, who wasn’t used to dealing with situations like this.
I tried to make sure the enemy didn’t notice my movements and searched for Ekvar with my eyes. Just then, our gazes met. He must have noticed that Kimejes was moving alone and was checking the situation.
He slowly blinked and sharply directed his gaze toward the suspicious man, then subtly made a gesture with his hand as if cutting his own neck. Just that was enough for Ekvar to nod and increase his vigilance.
When the Duke received the report, the action began.
We stood up and faced the target. Kimejes went to the woman who had been talking to the monster, and the Duke’s guards, disguised among the guests, stepped forward to protect her.
“Malice blending into the shadows of the crowd, spreading the stench of guilt, you who would harm me, you cannot hide. Let the crimson mirror of heaven shine upon all and reveal you before me. Sunnyfog!”
Once the spell activated, the human-like figure was enveloped in smoke and gradually transformed. His body grew twice as large, his suit ripped, and his physique became bulky and grotesque. His skin turned a dark greenish hue, and he howled with a large mouth and sharp eyes.
“Ruahine… It really is a cannibalistic species!”
A scream echoed through the venue.
Without a moment’s delay, Hannes cast his magic.
“Criminals and sinners, be bound by chains of sin! Twisting vines, bind your target! Tie them up and capture them! You are now my prisoner! Castadi!”
Thick vines erupted from the ground and entangled the giant Ruahine, restraining its movements. But it continued to thrash about, trying to tear the vines apart.
Ekvar rushed in from the left, slicing upward and cutting the creature’s belly diagonally. With his sword now in his right hand, he quickly jumped and severed the creature’s head.
It was a swift end.
“…It’s no fun when the enemy doesn’t move.”
Ekvar waved his sword, splattering blood, then wiped it off lightly before sheathing it.
The sudden event caused some confusion in the venue, but as the enemy was defeated, the guests gradually began to calm down.
Through the crowd, Duke August hurried toward us.
“Impressive! I never expected such a dreadful thing to be among us. Thanks to you, no one was harmed, and my reputation remains intact. I must thank you!”
With this, I suppose I’ve earned the protection I was promised.
I imagine that Hannes participating in such events is also a precaution, in case something goes wrong. Having injuries at a party hosted by a Duke would certainly cause a scandal.
“I’m honored to have been of help.”
“It was quite the entertainment. I think we should excuse ourselves soon.”
Well, for Belial, it was just a bit of entertainment.
Ekvar then approached, for some reason placed his hand on his chest, and knelt before me.
Wait! He’s supposed to be Belial, right? Why is he kneeling in front of me!?
“My lady, are you unharmed?”
Ah, I get it…! Sorcerers tend to be nobility, right? He must be posing as the daughter of a lower noble who serves a high-ranking noble! I feel tricked.
“…I’m fine. It seems the Lord is about to depart.”
As we were about to leave, the butler guided us to a different exit, where the Duke’s carriage was waiting. It was quite noticeable. So, we’re leaving the town…!
We’ll ride since it’s prepared for us…
Inside the carriage, Ekvar cheerfully declared:
“As expected, if I’m going to serve someone, it should be a woman!”
