Chapter 13

In the end, no one noticed that my brother and I had snuck out of the mansion. However, my father gave me a look that seemed to hold some deeper meaning, making me feel as though he might have known everything.

Well, whatever. If he doesn’t say anything, it’s the same as him not knowing. Plus, I did manage to catch a glimpse of the rumored genius noblewoman, so my brother dragging me out wasn’t without its perks. Although it won’t happen anytime soon, I’ll likely get to witness her true abilities in the magic combat tournament two years from now.

And now, the day of the King’s birthday celebration had finally arrived. At this moment, I’m in the process of changing into a stiff, formal suit. Since it’s tailored to fit my body exactly, it’s incredibly hard to move in. If I move too much, the seams at the joints might tear.

“Lord Kraze, you look wonderful!”

“Frill… Is it really necessary to keep the frills?”

“Oh, no, you can’t remove them! It’s the birthday celebration, after all!”

Sigh…

Up until now, I’ve been wearing clothes that were much easier to move in, so I feel especially confined. I’ve felt this sensation before… Ah, it’s like armor.

It’s similar to the feeling of wearing the padded undergarments beneath armor or chainmail. Back in my previous life, I used to wear it frequently, but having been reincarnated for eight years now, I had almost forgotten.

There’s also one other problem.

“Frill. What about my sword—”

“Of course, you can’t bring that!”

“Tch.”

For me, a sword holds special significance. I always want to carry it, ready for battle at any moment. But, it seems that won’t be allowed today.

Well, I can fight without a sword if necessary. I’ve trained in hand-to-hand combat alongside swordsmanship in both this life and my previous one. And with my fighting spirit, I won’t be left without options.

But surely nothing’s going to happen at a birthday celebration. Probably. Hopefully.

“Oh, wow! You always look cool, but today you’re especially dashing! As expected of my little Kraze!”

My brother came over, already dressed. Like me, he was in formal attire, his hair neatly styled. With his good looks, I’m sure he’ll catch the eyes of all the noblewomen. That is, until they get to know him better.

Incidentally, my hair is styled to show my forehead, while my brother’s bangs are left down. This was the work of Frill and Alma. Neither my brother nor I really understand hairstyles, so we just let them handle it.

Reluctantly leaving my sword behind, I finished getting ready and headed for the massive entrance. As I descended the spiral staircase, our parents were already waiting.

“Oh my! Rowen and Kraze, you both look wonderful!”

“Hehe, thank you so much!”

“Thank you.”

Our mother covered her mouth with her hand as she praised us. It wasn’t just flattery; her words were genuine. Though she may seem like a strong, always composed person at first glance, I’ve come to understand that she’s actually quite emotional, having spent eight years by her side.

“Alright. Let’s go,” said my father as he led the way, and I followed him out of the mansion.

We lived in a quiet area, away from the bustling streets and commercial district. The celebration was, of course, being held in the royal district, at a corner of the royal palace, which stands at the heart of the kingdom.

It was evening… no, the sun would soon set. Night would fall in a few more hours. I wondered what time we’d be back at the mansion.

“By the way… How long does the birthday celebration usually last?”

As I was musing, my brother voiced the very question I had been thinking. A complete coincidence, perhaps because we’re siblings.

It felt a bit strange.

“Hmm… It doesn’t go on for too long, usually around two hours,” my father replied.

“Two hours, huh… That’s kind of long. What do we do during it?”

“First, we’ll greet and mingle with other nobles. After a while, His Majesty and the royal family will make an appearance.”

“I see!”

The birthday celebration is an annual event, but my brother and I had never attended before. It’s not that we found it bothersome and skipped it; we were simply too young to attend.

Generally, once you’re invited, you must attend. However, as long as the household is represented, it’s fine. Up until last year, our father or both of our parents had been attending on behalf of our family.

So, even if my brother and I didn’t attend this year, it wouldn’t be an issue. But why are we attending? It’s because we need to make our presence known to the other nobles.

Connections and relationships are crucial in society. Especially in noble society, where those connections can greatly influence one’s life.

Our father understood this, which is why he brought my brother and me along. Other nobles likely thought the same. At least, that’s my assumption. Whether or not I’m right, I don’t know.

…Speaking of which, this carriage is extremely comfortable. There’s almost no uncomfortable shaking or jolting that would hurt my backside. Perhaps it’s because we’re riding in a noble’s carriage.

Or maybe it’s the road? This noble district feels far more well-maintained than the streets we traveled on to get to the capital.

In my previous life, the carriages I rode were all bumpy and uncomfortable… This one makes those old carriages feel like they weren’t even real vehicles.

As expected of the nobility, I should probably offer my thanks to the being that reincarnated me.

“Whoa, that’s amazing!”

“No way…”

I was gazing up at the royal castle, one of the great powers, the Eldoria Kingdom’s royal fortress. In my previous life, I had fought countless battles with monsters and faced beings far stronger than me, but… the presence this castle exudes was something else entirely.

So, this is what they call majesty. The castle walls and the capital itself were enough to symbolize the kingdom’s strength, but… this, in the innermost part, was the pinnacle.

“Shall we head in?”

The celebration venue was located within a corner of the castle. With a glance at the crimson sky, I followed my father forward.

I spotted a few magicians in the service of the castle and other nobles around us. Although I don’t possess magic power, my past life experiences allowed me to sense their strength.

In general, they were powerful.

That one word was enough.

The air they carried, their demeanor, posture, and the subtle movements of their bodies. None of them seemed weak; they all clearly possessed a certain level of skill.

But, well… I wasn’t overly impressed. Nor did I feel intimidated. If anything, out of everyone in this area, my father was the strongest.

Even with my current abilities, I felt that I could hold my own against them with the right approach. After all, I’d been training relentlessly for three years straight.

This confidence wasn’t unfounded. It was an accurate self-assessment based on my experiences from my previous life, where I survived countless near-death encounters.

“…”

We continued walking, eventually entering a building and making our way down a sparkling corridor. Our mansion was luxurious, but this corridor was on another level.

As I was admiring the splendor, my father turned back to us.

“Rowen, Kraze. Just remember, don’t get overwhelmed.”

With those words, he resumed walking. As I wondered what he meant, a massive set of doors came into view. Two servants stood by, and upon noticing my father, they pushed open the heavy doors.

“Ah…”

“…!”

As soon as we stepped through, my brother let out a small gasp, and I swallowed hard. But I quickly composed myself, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Kraze… You okay?”

“Yes. How about you, brother?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t bloodlust, nor malice or hostility. But there was an indescribable atmosphere swirling within the venue.

If I had to describe it, it would be the air that only those with authority possess. Or perhaps, the unique aura that nobles exude.

Either way, this was an unknown world to me.

“How fascinating…”

I muttered quietly, a grin spreading across my face.