Chapter 228 – 228. Harvest Festival (4)
●
Evenings in the Duchy of Tristan are quite chilly. Is this a phenomenon that occurs because it is adjacent to Kendrid Margin, the northern passage?
Marquis Bogart adjusted his coat and let out a short sigh.
As he walked out into the courtyard with the duke’s residence behind him, white mist was coming out from his exhaled breath.
Because he had seen everything he wanted to see, he seemed to have no hesitation in walking out.
“…It makes no sense that one can truly exert dominance over a demon.”
He muttered that and scratched his head.
“Is that what you think too?”
It looked like he was talking into the empty air, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Because there was a person who appeared expressionlessly from the shallow shadows right away.
Marquis Bogart snorted in bewilderment. Even though it is shallow, it cannot be this shallow, hiding in a shadow that has erased all traces of its entire body.
It is clear that the reputation of being able to infiltrate anywhere, even if there is only a small space where light does not reach, is not a lie.
“…It’s a skill worthy of someone working in a profession where there are only two people on the continent.”
Marquis Bogart continued speaking while looking at the two animal ears perking up above the other person’s head.
Bipeds, a race that suffers extreme discrimination within the empire.
It would be suicidal for such a race to be in the empire’s most representative noble territory, but to us, it’s not that strange.
“Nice to meet you, Grand Assassin. “This is the first time I’ve met you in person rather than a written award.”
“…”
“If you think about it, was one of the other Grand Assassins your family? “All of my blood relatives are very extraordinary-”
“Business.”
The seeds aren’t even working.
This is my first time meeting the author of the Grand Assassin, but the stiffness that felt in writing is not that different when I see his face in person.
“…That’s the target just now.”
Marquis Bogart looked inside the Duke’s residence and continued.
“You also checked it from afar, right? “What are you doing against the ‘devil’s vessel’?”
“…I will not accept requests to assassinate that man.”
That answer came back in a pitchless voice.
“They’ve already assigned an assassin from the Holy Emperor’s side. “I don’t want to get mixed up with people in the same industry.”
“no. “I’m not killing you.”
“…what?”
Then why hire an assassin? Although the answer was filled with such questions, Marquis Bogart smiled and continued his explanation.
“What that man did just now is just the beginning. Perhaps from now on, the activities of demons around that man will begin in earnest. And you are the only ‘human’ who can observe it in detail with a clear mind without being detected.”
“…”
“You know why I hired you, right?”
“…”
Although it was hard to see because his entire face was covered with a hood, Marquis Bogart smiled again and spoke to the person who was probably frowning.
“Infiltrate the academy. The closer you can get to that man, the better. “If there is any activity that stands out, please report it to me.”
After a brief pause, Marquis Bogart added with a meaningful smile.
“…If I do well, I might be able to run into your family.”
“…”
The other person, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth with a smile.
“I don’t care about that.”
“is that so?”
“okay.”
Again, just before disappearing into the shadows.
The other person spoke in a cold voice.
“Because you betrayed me.”
“…”
Marquis Bogart watched the other person disappearing with that sentence in silence.
‘…Betrayal.’
It is a familiar word to him as well.
It will become more like this in the future.
“-!”
Suddenly, as he thought that, he violently leaned his upper body forward.
A violent cough bursting from the stomach, accompanied by such terrible pain that blood pooled in the mouth.
“…”
He smiled bitterly and touched his mouth.
The fishy scent of blood was mixed with the white breath coming out of the mouth.
“…I wish you could hold on just a little longer. “You’ve done well so far, Bogart.”
Bogart muttered that and instinctively touched his own neck. This was something he always did out of habit whenever this phenomenon occurred to him.
However, the rocket that was supposed to be there was not in hand.
A locket containing a photo of him, Astrid, and Armin together.
“…”
also.
It was a good thing I gave it to Armin.
Every time I try to be weak, I feel like I’ve gotten rid of the bad habit of relying on that side.
instead.
He gritted his teeth and thought back to the phrase engraved on the locket.
“friend.”
In the future and forever.
Until death do them part, on and on.
“Just a little more, guys.”
not much left.
Now, it’s really just around the corner.
Until he fulfilled what he had promised them.
“…Just a little more, Astrid.”
Bogart muttered that and began to move forward with a shaky gait.
It didn’t take long for the figure to completely disappear into the darkness.
●
Cleaning up wasn’t that difficult.
The White Devil’s magical energy certainly has a negative effect on the human mind, but fortunately, it is only a single piece at the moment. The story goes that there are no serious aftereffects.
Those who came to their senses might wonder why the banquet hall was so quiet and why they were standing there blankly just moments ago.
‘…At least I got through it smoothly thanks to that.’
Thinking like that, I looked at His Majesty the Emperor, who was walking around the banquet hall and greeting nobles.
No matter how hectic or whatever it is, everyone has no choice but to pay attention when it comes to the ruler of the empire. This means that even if you feel strange, you have no choice but to act normally.
Thanks to this, the banquet hall seemed to regain its usual atmosphere, although not as much as before.
“Isn’t the atmosphere a little chaotic?”
However, that appearance must have seemed very strange to Elnor, who had just entered the banquet hall.
With those words, Elnor looked around with a strange expression.
“…Isn’t it because of my mood?”
I say those words with a smile that I worked hard to create.
Fortunately, this person showed up late because he had prepared something.
If Yuria, who had lost her mind, had been on Lucien’s side and had not immediately been sent to the dormitory and destroyed the evidence, it would not have been surprising if she had run amok and asked what she was doing in her house.
“…is it.”
Elnor tilted her head and answered like that, and walked towards me as if she was okay with that.
A pure white dress, earrings, decorations on top of her head, and even sparkly shoes.
“…”
To be honest.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
To the extent that I believe that the reason he didn’t show up at the banquet hall for a long time was just to look good.
“then.”
In that way, Elnor slowly extended her hand to me.
“Would you like to dance a song, Daoud?”
“…yes?”
Before I could say anything, I was grabbed by the hand by Elnor, who slightly twisted the corners of her mouth.
The place it takes you is the center of the stage. It is right in front of the stage where the orchestra plays. A place where like-minded men and women dance with each other as partners.
“…Elnor?”
He speaks while twitching his facial muscles.
Attention is already focused on those around us. Although I was dragged to the point where I was noticeable, the target was none other than Princess Tristan.
Since the person who hosted the party brought his partner with him, there was no way that attention wouldn’t be drawn.
“…”
And, to paraphrase that:
This is a declaration with a loud voice.
This man is my partner. Don’t touch anyone.
the problem is.
“Elnor.”
I whisper quickly in a low voice.
“It’s my first time dancing…!”
“I know.”
“…yes?”
“I brought you here because I was sure it was your first time.”
Elnor, who said that with a light smile, continued speaking in a cheerful voice.
“I will lead. “Just follow me.”
With those words.
Elnor naturally began to lead my movements.
When I was young, I learned dancing simply from my father, who said it was an aristocratic skill, but thanks to that, I was able to blend in naturally with those around me without standing out too much.
“This is my revenge.”
Suddenly, that voice came again.
“yes?”
“When you return to El Fante, there is a high probability that you will be promoted to District 3. There are many notable achievements. “Do you know what that means?”
A mischievous smile appeared on Elnor’s face.
“You are called ‘Gohak-kun.’ Treated exactly like frontline power in the field. What I am saying is that the events you will experience within the academy will now enter a completely different phase than before.”
“…”
That means.
“In the future, new events, opportunities, and countless experiences will come to you. and.”
Sharp turns.
The dance moves changed as if we were coming closer to each other, and at the same time, Elnor whispered in my ear in a sweet voice.
“Every time, I will take that ‘first’. Now, like I stole your ‘first dance’,”
“…”
“Think of it as revenge for stealing my heart.”
That’s right.
What should I say?
“…It’s a terrible revenge.”
This is a revenge that is truly unique to this person.
Thinking like that, I smiled bitterly.
[okay. But after hearing this, I don’t want to get caught anymore.]
‘yes?’
[There’s one ‘first’ that this person couldn’t take, right?]
‘…’
[What would happen if you found out who stole your virginity…]
No, whatever.
No matter how much I think about it, there is no real answer.
‘…Let’s think about that later, Caliban.’
I answer that and focus on dancing on stage with Elnor for now.
It’s clear that he dressed up a lot for this purpose. I can’t disappoint you.
Fortunately, even with my poor dancing skills, I was able to move smoothly thanks to this person’s lead.
‘…This time too, will it pass without any major problems?’
And, like those dance moves.
It looks like the incident may be over for now.
To be honest, I was nervous that something big would happen until I was invited to the Duchy of Tristan, but I’m glad that it didn’t get that bad.
“…”
well.
The only thing I’m worried about right now is.
Could it be that the emperor is looking at me and Elnor dancing on stage with suspicious interest?
like.
Like I’m jealous. With a hint of envy.
“…”
Cecilia XI.
He didn’t show any signs of that until the party was over.
●
“How was your outing, Your Majesty?”
Suddenly, such a sentence came to the emperor, who was walking silently with a cane.
As soon as we got close to the carriage, the swordsman sitting on the coach seat and holding the whip asked that question.
The emperor looked at him blankly.
He seemed to be thinking deeply about something. I just continue to look at him without saying anything.
“…your majesty?”
Rad frowned slightly and asked again.
“lard.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. “I’m listening.”
“Have you ever been to school?”
That’s a strange question.
But it’s not difficult to answer.
“no. “I was born and raised in the Knights Templar, so I never had the opportunity to encounter such a place.”
“Right.”
The emperor chuckled and continued speaking.
“I don’t have one either.”
“…”
After a moment of silence, Geomseong barely managed to ask an additional question.
“May I ask why you are suddenly curious about that?”
“You looked happy. “I mean Elnor.”
“…Is that so?”
Geomseong said that in a voice that sensed something uneasy.
I can speak with more confidence because I’m always there to help her.
Cecilia XI is a person who occasionally commits eccentric acts that shock those around her.
And the atmosphere she was giving off right now was like she was on the verge of doing something like that.
“lard.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“me too. “If I go to school, will I be able to form such a wonderful relationship with someone?”
“…yes?”
Rad asked in a horrified voice.
no way.
The emperor, the ruler of the empire himself.
Are you saying that you are now going to enter an educational institution under the empire?
A total mess worse than having the commander-in-chief enlist as a junior soldier in the military…!
“I just tried it.”
“…”
“If the emperor were to go to school, wouldn’t there be a skit like that? You’ll be blown away in El Fante. “There will be a lot of problems politically.”
“…Isn’t that right, after all?”
He smiled and took out an answer.
okay. As expected, I’m glad the emperor isn’t that crazy…
“Then, if you are going without the emperor…”
“…”
“…Hmm.”
“…”
“hmm. hmm. perhaps…”
Rad closed his eyes tightly.
For him, it was definitely force majeure.
●
fantasy,
