Chapter 101: I couldn’t remember a cliff right away

I couldn’t remember a cliff right away

By the time we arrived at the residence of Count Drist, many guests had already arrived.

The venue for the party is the reception hall at the Count’s residence. The hall is as spacious as it can get and its interior are extravagant. From all this, the financial power of the existence called aristocrats could be perceived.

When we disembarked in front of the main entrance, four people including me who will be part of the security details part ways with Faima. We head to towards the person in charge of security of the residence.

Escorts other than those attending party guests are required to speak to the supervisor once. If not, everyone will move as they please and things will get out of control.

The supervisor is an imposing middle-aged man with a shaved head and a stern expression.

「Are all of you perhaps the escorts of the young lady hailing from Yulfilia? I am the one charged with the protection of the Drist household. I have already heard the details from Zest. My best regards for taking care of security on this day.」(supervisor)

Since we had already notified the number of personal escorts and those who are not, the meeting with the supervisor didn’t take too long.

With a bitter smile on his deeply carved face, he told us that some guests brought more than twice the number of people reported in advance.

「……I feel reluctant to say this but I sincerely ask of you not to cause any problems. Even though your master is a state guest, she is after all a foreigner. Should any of you behave untactfully, it will become a diplomatic issue.」(supervisor)

「…………We are grateful for your advice.」

After saying that, Agatt glares at me.

Oi oi, don’t look at someone like they’re a problem child, couldja. If it were me, I’d conduct myself skillfully in a way that wouldn’t land me into trouble. After all, covertly doing outrageous stuff that would land me in hot water is my specialty!

The large door leading into the hall are for guests, so we enter the hall through a small door for servants.

Taking a step into the hall sent me into the [world of aristocrats]. Although the party hadn’t officially commence, the venue is already crowded with nobles, all of whom are dressed in fine clothes and glittering ornaments.

Everywhere I look, gentlemen and ladies with smiles on their faces seem to be enjoying their conversation but watching the scene somehow made my insides squirm.

「……What’s wrong, Kanna-dono? Quite the grim face you have there.」(kakurd/skelia)

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「Just a little bit under the weather.」

When you hear about a noble’s party, there is the image of it being glittering but in reality it is not. Rather, if the impression on the front is bright, wouldn’t the shadow created by it become darker as well?

「To me, it looks like each and every one of them have nothing but ulterior motive.」(kanna)

「For their first time, most people attend a party with sparkling eyes but your reaction is rather like a old stock that has been wandering the high society{party} for many years.」(agatt)

Those are the words of Agatt who is both impressed and amazed.

It wasn’t until I became sensitive to the subtleties of emotions that I started to curse this sensitivity.

When I’m walking in a crowded street during daytime, there’s actually a lot of emotions going around. I didn’t care because there was no unity. In this place however, it’s chock full with nothing but those trying to probe the other party while donning a mask of a smile.

To put it in terms of taste, a close comparison should be like the moment you put a food inside your mouth, it would be sweet but the subsequent boundless bitterness would continue to last long afterwards. It’s hard to describe exactly.

I didn’t really care when I attended parties related to Ayana but for the current me, it feels very vivid. Even someone who couldn’t read the subtleties of emotions as prominently as I can would be able to sense this vortex.

From all this, it’s perfectly understandable why Faima isn’t good at parties. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

「We shouldn’t be dawdling around the entrance. Let’s get into position.」

I nod after hearing Skelia’s words. So long as I’m here for work, I can’t exactly say [I don’t like the atmosphere, gonna skip.]

Mission – [Wallflower].

Mission content – [Become a pattern on the wall].

Mission guideline – [Strongly bear in mind that I’m a wall and the wall is me].

「Can you bastard not live without frolicking at every opportunity?」(agatt)

「Great job finding out what I’m thinking. Want a candy as a reward?」(kanna)

「Am I a child to you!? ………Well, if you want to give it to me, I’ll take it.」(agatt)

As if.

Agatt is gradually looking like a kid who’s growing as fast as he can. And because of his refreshing ikemen look, the gap is incredible. I’m starting to think that as he is now, he might be very popular with some [huge] onee-san.

………When the party is over, I must have a serious talk with Rand. Before Agatt gets [eaten] by carnivorous girls.

We each go to our designated position.

Security guards bunching around in one place aren’t a nice sight during the party. Because of that, each individual are separated some distance apart.

It’s also a mean to disperse and broaden surveillance range. In this world where there are no convenient tool called a surveillance camera, human’s eyes are relied upon.

About 10 minutes later, a nobleman walks to the most prominent position at the inner part of the hall, an area furnished with a fireplace and paintings. He’s a ryuujin with blue hair and bifurcated horns. Based on those features, he should be the family head of Drist Household.

After delivering an introduction speech arranged in flowery words, he announces the commencement of the party. As for the content of his speech, I ignore most of it because it was boring, just like a uselessly long speech from a principal in a school’s morning assembly.

Could someone praise my perseverance for not falling asleep while standing.

The hall began to bustle with activity as music started to flow with the commencement. Looking at the source, a group of people with musical instruments are performing.

『Now then, where might our fair lady be……』

When I looked around, I’m fortunate enough to spot Faima from the area I’m in charge of. Naturally, Rand and Kiska are standing by her side.

Apparently, Faima is in the middle of a conversation with a well-built nobleman from this country. Even as her fear of strangers getting worse, Faima is continuing to converse with a smile on her face. Maybe it’s thanks to her upbringing.

However, when I observe her carefully, I could see her expression is slightly stiff.

『Then again, she sure looks more like a princess than a young noble lady by dressing up like that.』

Her beauty is clearly giving off a superior brilliance compared to other women around her.

In addition to the man currently talking to her, there are a few people here and there turning their faces towards her direction. Some are genuinely interested in an ojou-sama from a foreign country while many are fascinated by her beauty. If I hadn’t known her beforehand, I would’ve been smitten by her beauty as well.

At this point, I belatedly realized that she had taken over my line of sight.

Dear me, am I an adolescent?

Oh wait, I am in the height of puberty.

Faima, who was talking to the man, exhales a bit and casually looks around.

In the process, her gaze met with mine. Though there’s quite a distance between us and there were a lot of people within the gap, we were able to recognize each other.

When I wave my hand in a small motion undetectable by the surroundings, a carefree smile adorns her face, unlike the one she had just before. She also waves back a little and then makes her way to the inner part of the hall.

I never thought that changing one’s outfit will change their impression so much. It wouldn’t be strange to fall in love with her at first sight if I were an innocent youth.

Suddenly, Real came across my mind.

When she changed her clothes from her armor to a one piece, my impression of her did a 180. If it ever comes true again, I’d like to worship that figure once more. Ah, in that case, even if it’s not a one piece, a dress like the current Faima could alsoーー

I imagined that much and realized that my cheeks are burning hot.

『Crap………My reasoning.』

Faima in a dress is already quite destructive, but Real’s figure in one would be in a whole different dimension. If merely imagination could damage me this much, can I keep my senses if I actually see it in reality?

I shouldn’t be this pure but when I see Real as a [woman], I can’t seem to control my feelings.

ーーIt will be a little while longer before I could clearly express this feeling of mine in words.

In order to drown out the figure of a silver haired beauty in a dress from my head, I try to deceive myself by looking around the hall.

Since I’m in the wallflower-mode anyway, wouldn’t it be interesting to be an eccentric wallflower.

Such dangerous thoughts is smoldering in the corner of my head while the party continues on.

To this moment, I’ve been hailed by nobles several times now. Details include giving directions to things such as, [where is the toilet] or [I want to rest in a secluded place].

Due to the three days of speech practice and the person in charge of the residence taught me beforehand about [places inside the residence that will be asked by nobles], I replied to those nobles word-by-word. In one way or another, I’m able to cope even though it was a hasty last minute preparation.

「Pardon me. Can I have a moment?」

I’m being hailed again. This time is also a very beautiful woman. Only a part of her is disappointing in my opinion but other than that, she’s truly a first class beauty.

「What would it be?」(kanna)

「The heat is affecting me. Is there someplace quiet where I might cool myself with the night breeze?」

「If that is your wishーー」

This was also taught by be person in charge of security, so I was able to answer easily. However, the woman looks a bit troubled.

「……Excuse me, I cannot seem to memorize it. This may be an inconvenience but could I trouble you to guide me?」

Looking closely, the woman’s cheeks are slightly flushed. Rather than the heat of the venue, I’d say she is drunk from the alcohol served. Though she’s a guest, she will be in trouble if she walks around the residence as she pleases. Even more so while being tipsy.

「Please wait a moment, I will inform other security personnel.」

I excuse myself from the woman and make my way to the nearest security guard. In order to leave my post temporarily, I have to inform the others. A nearby security guard gave me an immediate consent after hearing the story, so I gave my thanks and went back to the lady.

「Apologies for the wait. I shall be your guide.」

With the woman in tow, I quietly walk out of the hall. Even though there’s no electric fluorescent lights, the passageway inside the residence are sufficiently lit{red} with magic tools, so we won’t lose sight of our own feet.

It’s becoming increasingly eerie and desolate, perhaps due to the lively voices that can still be heard from the hall.

Shortly after, we arrive at a garden inside the residence. There’s also a bench by a small fountain. The place is devoid of people other than the two of us. Guess it’d be a good spot to rest by herself.

「How about here? I believe here would be a good place to cool down quietly.」

I said so and turned around.

「……Yes, thank you, Shiroyasha-kun.」

The moment I hear her voice from behind, I fell into an illusion that my body and mind are being grabbed tight. My heart is beating violently and I can hear my blood flowing.

In an instant, about 10 ice cones are manifested in the air and aligned, trained at the [woman]. If someone were to look at the scene, they’d think none other than I’m going on a rampage.

However, despite being at the pointed end of a number of cones, the woman didn’t break her smile.

ーーclap-clap

On the contrary, she’s clapping her hands to praise me.

「……Oh dear, excellent. If your reaction had been delayed a little later, I would’ve [killed] you but to think you’d enter battle ready state so soon.」

The woman whose tone has changed keeps smiling.

However, the presence she’s exuding is completely different from the time when she asked for direction. Hidden inside the elegant lady is a ferocious shadow reminiscent of a [beast].

I don’t know where she hid it but a huge amount of mana can now be clearly sensed. I’m in a state where I could launch the ice cones at any time but I stopped moving. Instinctively, I knew that if I carelessly tried to make a move, I’d fall into the worst possible development.

「……How did you recognize me?」

「It’s not particularly a mystery. Your alias is famous among adventurers in this city. The person who greatly contributed in resolving the mine incident. Also the one who has a personal connection with the A-rank adventurer, One Who Answers the Future{Fragarach} and the guildmaster, a former S-rank adventurer. Not being the talk of town would be stranger. ーーMost of all.」

The woman rubs her left arm. As if there’s something precious to her engraved there.

「That was what I found out after looking into it but all those aren’t why I’m interested in you.」

「Sorry but I don’t have a dangerous beauty like you as an acquaintance.」

「Oh my, did you forget? Even though you hit me with such a big and hard thing.」

「Can you not say something so scandalous!?」

She’s beautiful for sure but I’m not hungry enough to put my hands on a woman with such a dangerous vibe. Much less when she’s flat like a cliff………

「Oi, did you imagine something rude just now?」

It seems that she has a keen intuition. She’s glaring at me with eyes full of pure bloodlust.

Only at this moment I remembered that this woman looks familiar. I didn’t notice it before because she was awash with a sharp blade-like aura. But now with my memory unearthed after looking into her [eyes], I could sense the [presence] lurking within her mana.

At end of the mine incident which resulted in me being called [Shiroyasha], I came across one of the [mastermind]. A woman wielding six swords. But that woman was……

「You’re kidding me. That massive ice shell couldn’t bring you down!?」

「Did you finally remember? What a terrible man you are. And yet here I am, never once have I forgotten about you since that day.」

That sounds like a cliched pick up line from a man. However, in the case of this woman, it’s scary because it sounds like a real catchphrase of a [murderer] with no room for metaphorical expression.

「Because I was once affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild, you might’ve already known my alias but I’ll introduce myself anyway. My name is [Heavenly Sword Shreia]1. Alsoーー」

She pause for a while and then declares…

「One of the Pillars of the Great Blessing{Arc Bless} Society.」