Chapter 274 – Right Before the Party

000

Upon arriving at the royal castle party with Riomes, Cleon could only exclaim while looking around.

After he started his adventurer life, he had visited the nobleman’s mansion several times, and he had seen the huge hall of the academy.

Comparing what he had seen so far with the party venue in front of him, all the “Luxury” And “Luxury” Things he had seen so far seemed a little less so.

In front of my eyes, there was a place that seemed to have been made by scraping together the luxury of a kingdom—no, an entire continent.

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling glowed golden and was adorned with dozens of jewels.

Inside, there was a magic stone that could produce magic on its own and supply power semi-permanently once magic was injected.

It was to the extent that Cleon could not even guess how much money it cost and how many engineers had to contribute to making that one chandelier.

Several of them are arranged in the venue at regular intervals, so the inside of the venue was as bright as outside in broad daylight, even though it was indoors, and there was no place in the large venue where light did not reach.

Not only the ceiling, but also the huge table on the ground, the curtains on the wall, and the carpet on the floor.

As it should be, everything seems to be of the highest quality.

“It’s amazing… As expected, the capital of the continent’s strongest country…”

Beatrix, too, looked around like Cleon, exclaiming words of admiration, as if the environment around her was all strange.

“Hmm. It seems to be a little more luxurious than when I came last year. As expected, the rumor that the interior decoration is changed a little bit every year seems to be true.”

“…No matter how much the kingdom has been ruled without major disasters since the empire disappeared… Is there a need to decorate it to this extent?”

At Riomes’ words, Cleon asked as if it was a bit difficult to understand.

Then, Riomes put on a thoughtful expression before answering Cleon.

“As Miss Bea just said, the kingdom is now the strongest country on the continent. After the empire collapsed, there were no countries that could hold it in check. The kingdom that subdued the empire that was the axis of evil naturally acts as the continent’s protector. I gained a position. So, to the diplomats, aristocrats, and royalty from other countries who gather in places like this, it is necessary to show the power of the kingdom – especially financial power.”

“As a show of strength, is it to deter neighboring countries from rebelling…”

“That’s right. Conversely, it can give us a sense of security that a country that is prospering like this is protecting us.”

Cleon said he understood, but she nodded his head a little hesitantly, as if he could n’t shake the feeling that it was too much.

“I understand that you have doubts, but please bear with me here. There are other nobles around you… And there are royalty from other countries like me.”

Riomes spoke to Cleon with a small smile.

Of course, Cleon knew that much, so he sighed and looked at Bea.

Perhaps Beatrix was still curious about the decorations around her, and at some point she took out a monocle for analysis from her pocket her and was looking at the surrounding furniture.

“Please take good care of Miss Bea.”

At Riomes’ words, Cleon nods his head once more.

“Bea. Today is not a field trip, it’s because you’re a guest at a party.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m sorry, senpai.”

Beatrix also hurriedly hid the monocle behind her waist her, perhaps coming to her senses her just then.

Fortunately, the number of guests gathered around them was still small and the full-fledged party did not seem to have started, so there was no attention focused on Bea.

“Then, I’ll say hello to the others first.”

Riomes said that while lowering his head slightly, then he left Cleon and Beatrix and walked out of the hall.

If she’s as strong as she is, she’ll be fine without an escort.

“Then… Shall we look for Aruru?”

“Bar, are you going to meet me right away? Phew…”

Beatrix let out a sigh as if a little nervous.

“You saw it once after everything was over at the academy, right? You don’t have to be so nervous.”

“Yeah, that’s right… But it’s the first time we’ve met in a formal setting like this…”

Cleon held her hand as if to calm her down a bit.

I could feel the warm, soft feel of her hands and the pulse of hers.

“Thank you, senpai… “

Beatrix lowered his head, blushing a little.

She was trying to calm her down, but on the contrary, her pulse her seemed to speed up a little.

Looking at her like that, Cleon shakes her head and tries to move forward, but then.

“…”

It felt like something was staring at her, so Cleon’s head didn’t turn and only her eyes her moved in that direction.

It wasn’t directed at Beatrix, but clearly directed at herself.

It was different from the killing spree of an assassin, but it wasn’t very pleasant.

However, there were many people who had nothing to do with them around here, and Cleon, who thought that she could not get caught up in it, led Bea to move around the venue in search of a place where Aruru could be.

While walking, I looked around at the people around me and noticed that there were many nobles from the kingdom, most of them were blond.

It was only natural that he attracted more attention when he was moving than when he was standing still.

Most of them look at Beatrix, who is standing next to Cleon, and then look away once they see Cleon leading her by the hand.

Indeed, what Riomes and Laila wanted was this composition, thinking the same thing while walking to the farthest part of the venue.

As Cleon expected, Aruru was standing there.

Beside her, Eustes was also present, and many nobles gathered around her to greet her as the daughter of her duchy her.

As if Aruru was accustomed to dealing with many people at the same time, she was conversing with the people around her with a relaxed smile on her face.

Among the crowds surrounding Aruru, there were people with faces that seemed to have been seen at her academy.

Since the full-scale party is yet to begin, he probably wants to catch her eye her as soon as possible.

“…Do you want to wait a bit?”

“I think that would be good.”

Cleon and Beatrix tried to keep their distance and wait until the crowd around them decreased a little.

At that time, next to Aruru talking, Eusthes, who was talking with a lot of aristocratic men like Hanryang, sighed and looked around, and suddenly found Cleon and waved her hand her.

“Cleon.”

After she quietly called her name her, Aruru’s gaze also turned to Cleon.

“Cleon…! Beatrix too!”

When Aruru also called out the names of the two, the nobles around them turned their attention to the two at once.

The two, who were not used to having so many eyes focused on them, felt tense in an instant.

With every step Aruru takes, it is a little admiring to see her crowd her naturally open up and make her way for her.

In an instant, she was faced with Aruru, who had approached her.

One day, the same red dress she wore when she met her father her also looked good on her.

“I heard from Layla beforehand. Welcome, Miss Beatrix. To the royal capital.”

“Ah, Aruru-sama. In many ways, the academy is indebted to you…”

Beatrix stuttered her words as if she was nervous like never before, but seeing her like that, Aruru held her hand while smiling bitterly at her.

“I don’t need ‘Sim’. We’re both nobles… And students at the academy.”

“That’s right. Even I, a commoner, call Aruru without honorifics.”

When Cleon said that, Beatrix nodded knowingly and carefully changed her name to her.

“…Ah, Aruru…”

“Okay. Then I’ll call you Bea too. I like this one as well.”

When Aruru smiled, Bea was also a little embarrassed, but she smiled quietly, as if she was relieved that she had someone she could call her name her openly like Laila.

And what about the nobles around them, there were also some who whispered a little when they saw Bea and Cleon suddenly appearing.

“…Aristocratic, gray-haired…? Perhaps, that Hutrus family…”

“I can’t believe it… I heard that both sisters are dead… More than that, isn’t the one next to the Dark Demon clan?”

Apparently, Bea’s family and Cleon’s tribe seemed a little harsh to the kingdom’s nobles.

Leaving them behind, Eustes comes closer and greets Cleon.

“Hey, Cleon. I was surprised when I heard earlier that you were coming to the party today.”

“It’s only for the sake of our escorts and bodyguards.”

When Cleon pointed at Beatrix, Eusthes looked at her like that, then replied ‘Yeah…’ And nodded her head.

Then, suddenly, Cleon looked down at the large bag she was holding in her hand her, and looked at Eustes again at the familiar energy he felt inside her.

“…Why is Misteltein here…”

When Cleon asked such a question in a slightly low voice, Eustes scratched his cheek awkwardly and answered.

“That-“

“I’ll answer that. It’s a bit too much to talk about here… Can I move to another room?”

Just as Eustes was about to explain why, Aruru interrupted her.

Apparently, there were a lot of people around, so it seemed that he wanted to avoid overhearing their words unintentionally.

Cleon also exchanges glances with Bea, then gives her a nod to Aruru.

“I’ll talk to them for a bit and come back. I’ll be back before the party starts. Please wait a little bit.”

As Aruru talked with a smile, the surrounding nobles also left one by one, making room for them.

“It’s very popular.”

“It’s not exactly me, but my title as a warrior and the trust in the Tromeia family.”

When Cleon says that, Aruru responds.

But Cleon shook his head.

“No, I think Aruru’s charm is his as a human being is greater.”

“Me too. Aruru.”

“…Thank you. Whoa. It feels good to hear that from Cleon and Bea.”

Aruru, who smiled bashfully, looked innocent, like an ordinary girl, not the aristocrat and warrior who had been dignified before.

As Eustes looked at Aruru and Cleon, he felt something complicated and followed them.

001

The four of them moved to a small room prepared right next to the venue.

Originally, it was a room prepared for diplomatic discussions that would be difficult to do in a public place, and for men and women who were in a mood to escape and use it, so the soundproofing was the perfect place.

As the party hadn’t started yet, I was able to come in lightly since no one was using it, but Aruru explained further that people would come in soon after the party started.

“I see… Have you ever been to Eustes?”

“No. There were many times I wanted to come in. Unfortunately, I never thought I’d come in like this.”

When Cleon asked, Eustes just shook his head.

Aruru looked at Eustes with a bit of pity, but Eustes only quietly replied to Aruru, ‘Please don’t look at us with those eyes…’.

“So… It’s always been a long time since Aruru always took Aaron Dyt with her, but why did she ask Eusthes to bring her holy sword to her?”

When Cleon asked such a question, Aruru looked a bit serious and talked to Cleon.

“Right now, there are unauthorized intruders in the royal capital. That too, through magic or some other means, they passed through the walls and barriers of the royal capital.”

The barrier spread over the royal capital detects all those who pass through the designated gate without passing through.

Only wizards with permission can come and go using the portal spell, as Lyla normally uses.

Everyone else was supposed to be filtered out by the barrier once.

However, the intruders this time blended into the royal capital without any sense of incongruity, as if a transparent liquid had been dropped into a huge bathtub.

The barrier of the royal capital was maintained by the best wizards on the continent, so it was somewhat detectable.

Even so, it was impossible to find out their identity or current location.

“It’s a situation where royalty and nobles from all over the continent have gathered because of the Victory Day party and upcoming parade. Among these, we can’t overlook the fact that there are people who cross the boundary of the royal capital.”

“…Did you ask Eustes to bring the Holy Sword so that he could deal with it no matter what? …Have you notified the royal castle?”

Aruru listened to Cleon’s question and she seemed to think for a moment, but then she shook her head.

“The only ones who know this right now are my father and I, and the wizards who are maintaining the barrier of the royal capital under my father.”

Cleon made a slightly surprised expression at Aruru’s words of hers.

“Why? The Royal Guard are the best knights on the continent. If we get their help, we’ll definitely be able to protect people more easily.”

As Cleon said, those in charge of guarding the castle were the elite of the knights and soldiers who played a great role in the war against the Empire, and the well-trained elite who were trained by them.

With regard to each individual’s martial arts skills, various answers could have been given to the question of who was the strongest on the continent.

In a group battle, anyone would talk about the Royal Guard.

However, the royal guard only receives orders from the king.

Even the Minister of Defense did not have the authority to give orders to them, and it was to stop at suggestions or requests.

“That’s… I think His Majesty has been recuperating for the past few months. He’s not attending this party and hasn’t met anyone.”

“…If the person who can give orders to the guards is in that state, the guards can’t move.”

“…It’s frustrating.”

Beatrix put what she felt into her mouth her, and Eusthes nodded her head in sympathy.

“If an incident actually happens, even the royal guards ordered to guard the castle will have no choice but to move. But the important thing is not to act after it happens, but to defend it preemptively. Cleon, Bea, will you help us ?”

After hearing what Aruru said, Cleon immediately nodded his head.

Beatrix also decides to accept Aruru’s request for her without hesitation when she hears that she can protect people with Cleon.

“Thank you. Both of you. …Because Beatrix is ​​a wizard, it might be okay, but did Cleon come unarmed today?”

“Because I never thought this would happen. Don’t worry, I can call Caliburn.”

As Cleon said that and tried to summon his holy sword beyond the imprint, Aruru grabbed his hand and shook his head.

“Like the capital, the capital has a barrier. Entering the castle with weapons from outside is against the law. If you are discovered, the royal guards will come to arrest you.”

“…How did you hand over that bag?”

“It says it contains my change dress and underwear.”

Cleon shook his head, remembering the guards who must have been taken aback by Aruru’s words of hers.

“You mean you let it pass?”
“It’s a bit too light to actually have a weapon in it.”

“But, if you’re senpai, borrowing Riomes-san’s martial arts…”

“…”

Certainly, she has the imprint of her dominance her, but there are so many things in her martial arts that her principle her is unknown, so even if she uses the power of the imprint, it is only a question of whether she can handle it properly.

Besides, Galatea, who will assist him, is not present.

Cleon pondered for a moment, but then shook his head.

“It’s okay even if you don’t have a weapon. If you have to, take the enemy’s and use it. … Borrow something from the Royal Guard.”

At Cleon’s words, Eustes looked at him as if he was a little dumbfounded, but Aruru answered Cleon with a small smile.

“That’s a Cleon-like answer. Don’t worry, if you said you came unarmed, I was going to lend you mine.”

As Aruru said so, she placed her hand on her own earring her.

Then, her blue crystal earring her changed once in Aruru’s hand her, and her identical shape earring her popped out as if it were being duplicated.

And, it was to hang it on one of Cleon’s ears her.

“… Arondaite is convenient.”

Cleon fiddles with the ringing earrings in his ears her.

[If you touch me too much, it’s embarrassing. Mr. Cleon.]

Then, realizing that Arondite’s voice could be heard in her own ears, she hurriedly lowered her hand.

“…That’s right. It’s sour.”

When Aruru said that and looked at Cleon, Cleon only let out a sigh as if asking for a little look.

“It seems like lovers matched their accessories…”

When Bea talks while looking at the two of them as if she is a little envious, Eustes nods her head.

“What. It’s not that wrong. Isn’t it, Cleon?”

“Please don’t tease me too much…”

When Aruru talked with a fresh smile, Cleon only smiled bitterly.

And just then, the sound of a bell ringing the hour was heard.

“…Ah, it’s about time. Let’s go back to the venue too.”

As Aruru explained that, she stood up from her seat her, and the other three also got up together, got out of the room, and headed towards the venue.

And when you enter the venue…

A podium on top of the stairs in the venue.

Where the host’s speech was being given, a handsome blond young man was seen standing and talking to people.

Similar to or slightly below Cleon… Maybe a little above Alvein.

The inside of the wall was shining with an intelligent and intelligent light, and a relaxed yet kind smile was on the corner of the mouth.

“…Is that?”

When I sneakily questioned Aruru, she answered as if she was a little surprised.

“Cassius Chaldearis. I’m the crown prince of the kingdom. My body is a bit weak, so I don’t show myself in public.”

Cleon listened to Aruru and nodded his head.

In other words, he was Amelia’s blood her, and he was the man who would rule this kingdom after the current king died.

“I’ve never heard of him.”

“He is the most popular person in the castle right now. Even if he doesn’t show up, he cooperates with the ministers to implement various policies for the people. See what it is.”

Cleon nodded his head once more as if feeling something similar to what Aruru had said.

He felt something different from the rulers Cleon had seen so far.

“And everyone. I would like to introduce one more person to you today. Although, my mother is different from mine, and there are various reasons… I don’t usually come out of the tower. She too, as a human being, I think it’s only natural that we’re together on such a fun day.”

When Cassius said that, Cleon and Aruru instantly became nervous.

“-No way.”

And then, when Cassius stretched out his hand and went through the curtain behind him.

Walking out of there was a short girl wearing a dress, her face covered with a veil.

The nobles, who were cheering for Cassius’ story, fell into silence at once.

“…Amelia…”

When Cleon muttered her name, a buzz echoed among the nobles.

“Now, now. Calm down. This is just my poor little sister, whose fate has been bound by her circumstances. Her father her is bedridden, so she can’t pay attention to the party, so I’m calling her to the event. Could.”

Cassius smiled and said so.

“I hope you like the surprise guest. Then, let’s start the Victory Day eve party from now on.”

Before anyone had time to argue, Cassius raised his glass.

“For the eternal peace and prosperity of the kingdom and the continent. Cheers!”

So, the party started.