Chapter 291
I decided to put aside the matter of them nearly developing a new fetish for the time being.
After that, to ensure safety, I used the Transfer Pendulum multiple times to bring Sharia and the others to the outskirts of the royal capital, Motchi Hill, and from there, I contacted His Grace the Duke to have them taken into his care.
The details of the situation and the future plan have been discussed.It seems that supporting opposing forces by rival nobles is almost an unspoken rule among the aristocracy of this world. When I explained the circumstances, he readily agreed.
Furthermore, when I mentioned I would train them as a disruption force for a resistance organization, His Grace prepared a safe house and a temporary name for them.They would be under surveillance by the dark operatives, but in future developments, they could become a trump card.I suppose he judged it would be beneficial for him in that regard.
When asked what to name the organization, I asked them for their hopes, and they said 'Liberation Army'. Let's just keep it between us that I suspected there was no deeper meaning, right?
While we were deciding on such organizational policies, time flew by.
"It suits you, Liberta-sama.""Does it? I feel like I'm a bit short, though. Maybe I should wear Secret Boots or something?""No, I believe your current attire is quite sufficient."
When preparing for a soirée amidst a busy schedule, it helps to have someone assisting you.While Ingrid was once a noble lady, the Grulé family is also a lineage specialized in support.
She taught me everything about the soirée arrangements, the noble houses I should remember, and the manners expected at the soirée.Under Ingrid's tutelage, I, who am not exactly a fish out of water but am switching from my accustomed equipment, changed into the soirée attire prepared by His Grace, the Edelgard Duke.
It wasn't a flashy outfit like what nobles usually wear, but a simple-colored attire that understood the minimum necessary etiquette.In other words, it was clothing that indicated the lowest rank at that soirée.If I were accompanying Miss Iris or Miss Esmeralda, it would be better to dress more elaborately, but unfortunately, I am still an unknown commoner.
While my combat ability is second to none, in terms of status, it's quicker to count from the bottom.Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I lightly touched my styled hair, and just as I was thinking I was all set, a knock sounded.
"Come in."
When I responded, the door opened, and His Grace the Duke entered.He wasn't wearing his usual office clothes but was clad in a garment abundant with decorative threads and ornaments, and he confidently had Lotus-san with him.One could only say he looked accustomed to it.
"It suits you, doesn't it?""You think so?"
Even if His Grace says it suits me, it only sounds like a compliment.However, for nobles, such compliments are part of everyday conversation.
They hide their true intentions, conceal needles within beautiful words, and prick each other little by little.Having witnessed such scenes many times during my FBO days, I can't help but be a little skeptical even if it's genuine.
"Ah, compared to those brats who don't understand that their power is their parents', you are a hundred, no, ten thousand times better.""As the one being compared, I have mixed feelings."
Perhaps sensing my emotion, His Grace smiled as if he'd thought of a little mischief, leaving me no choice but to wryly smile at his words.The children of nobles, regardless of gender, often don't behave very nicely towards commoners.
Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris are exceptions and in the minority.The Edelgard Duke's faction is relatively decent, but the tendency to look down on commoners is still strong.
One could say they are 'better' simply because they don't look down on them.Even if compared to such noble children, I can only shrug.
"My, Father, please don't be so mean to Liberta."
Perhaps because it was between men, we were having such a casual exchange, but Miss Esmeralda, who appeared from behind His Grace, scolded her father.For a moment, I was captivated by Miss Esmeralda, clad in a blue dress that suppressed exposure and emphasized purity.
Her posture while scolding her father was hardly 'pure,' but it made her feel more human.
"W-well, I didn't mean to be mean!"
Receiving this admonishment from his daughter, His Grace began making excuses with an embarrassed expression.It was an expression unimaginable in the original story, making me feel warmly amused.
"Really, both Father and Sister, you're making Liberta uncomfortable."
Watching their little argument, Miss Iris finally appeared, showing a troubled face mixed with exasperation.
I had seen my favorite, Miss Iris, in a dress before.In FBO, she preferred wearing crimson dresses, often with provocative designs.To put it bluntly, her attire screamed 'villainess.'
However, her current appearance was the complete opposite.She wore a dress whose color seemed chosen to coordinate with her sister, and her earrings matched.
Just seeing her in an outfit she would never have worn in the original made me want to pump my fist in victory.Seriously, for a fan, just seeing the scene of His Grace being cornered by his two daughters with a troubled expression is enough to make one drool.
"Liberta-sama.""Hah!?"
I was so captivated that I almost lost focus for a second, but thanks to Ingrid, I managed to recover without the three noticing.
"Your Grace, it is time we departed.""Hmm, is it time already?"
Lotus-san seemed to be the only one who noticed, but she pretended not to see and urged us to move to the carriage.The venue for the soirée is the royal castle.
When the four dukes gather, the possible venues are limited.One of them, and the most frequent, is the royal castle.
We board the carriages from the mansion; two carriages are prepared.One is for His Grace the Duke and the Duchess, and the other is for me, Miss Esmeralda, and Miss Iris.
One might wonder about having only one escort for the combination of Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris, but Lotus-san is also in the same carriage, so the balance is maintained.
"So, Lotus-san. Is the Boldrinde Duke attending the soirée as planned?""Yes, I have received reports that his carriage is heading towards the venue.""In that case, is *he* also...?""Yes."
The travel time becomes a sealed room where we won't be overheard.The intelligence gathering by the dark operatives continues until just before this soirée begins.Surveillance is conducted on the participants' information and movements, and that information is sent from Lotus-san to His Grace the Duke.
Of course, the other side is also gathering information on us, but currently, it seems the Edelgard Duke's camp, which I'm assisting, is a step ahead, as information leaks have decreased.
"......"
Among the information reaching Lotus-san was that Jakaran is also attending.I have no idea how he managed to win against the slimes or how he escaped.
However, the fact that his attendance is confirmed means that these two will definitely become decoys.
I glanced at the two ladies; both Miss Esmeralda and Miss Iris sat with straight backs, quietly.
They maintained a dignified attitude as nobles.There's no doubt that at Miss Esmeralda's level, she could easily brush off the current Jakaran.I understand not feeling anxious about that, but what about Miss Iris?
"How is everything progressing?"
Due to lack of time, I left the training to Nell and the others, having them instruct her.According to what I heard, she's steadily leveling up and is currently at Class 3.They understand, per our contract, not to disclose the details.
His Grace is very pleased that Miss Iris's body is becoming sturdier the more she trains, but I heard they are observing the situation because the quest to obtain the Hero job is somewhat special.In terms of strength, she still seems uneasy about fighting Jakaran.
"To be frank, are you not anxious?""Not at all."
There wasn't enough time to beat around the bush with her, so when I asked directly, she immediately replied with a smile.
"Father is here, Mother is here, Sister is here, Lotus is here. And above all, Liberta, you are here. I feel no anxiety about that."
While I can neutralize a violent instrument like Jakaran if I'm here, that's a separate issue from the fear of being exposed to violence. However, regarding Miss Iris, I knew from FBO that she has a strangely strong nerve in certain aspects.
Considering that, I can understand and accept this calmness.
And if my favorite places her trust in me, then I have no choice but to strive even harder in this mission.
"I'm counting on you.""Leave it to me.""Liberta, you are escorting *me*, you know?"
Vowing to respond to her trust, I bowed my head, only to be addressed by Miss Esmeralda, who wore a slightly sulky expression. Seeing this, Miss Iris giggled.
"Yes, of course, I will give my all for you as well.""Then that's fine."
The curtains are closed, so I can't see the outside, but I know we will arrive at the castle soon.At a soirée where many nobles gather, who knows what might happen?At the very least, one troublesome appointment is definitely scheduled.
From there, we engaged in some small talk and reaffirmed the precautions for the soirée until the carriage stopped.The door was opened from the outside, and I immediately stepped down, gently offering my hand to the door.Miss Esmeralda, taking that hand, descended, followed by Lotus-san, who then took Miss Iris's hand.
The appearance of a ducal house is conspicuous.Especially when two beautiful ladies make their entrance.
And when the young man escorting the elder sister, Esmeralda, is an unfamiliar face, the gazes of the nobles converge at once.
*Who is he?* They whisper among themselves.Being looked at with strange glances is one thing, but being targeted with murderous glares from the younger generation of noble offspring is honestly bothersome.
Without averting my gaze, I walked confidently, met up with His Grace the Duke, and entered the venue.
"His Grace, the Edelgard Duke, and the Edelgard Duchess, entering!!"
Recalling the staging from my FBO days, I realized ducal houses get such announcements upon entry. Following His Grace the Duke, we also entered the venue.As expected of an event led by the royal family, the venue could only be described as magnificent and dazzling.
Numerous nobles gathered in this single hall, and it was immediately apparent that the nobles here were not monolithic but divided into several factions gathered together.
The factions of each duke, and the royal family.
Roughly speaking, these are the five factions.Among them, the Edelgard Duke's house and the royal family are on good terms.
The remaining three ducal houses were thought to maintain a neutral distance, but the faction nobles of the northern Boldrinde Duke and the eastern Matthias Duke had already begun interacting.I thought something was up since the Locust General incident, and now they're starting to make overt moves.
That carriage I saw while escaping Hokshi was not a mistake; it was genuinely the Matthias Duke's carriage.I had already relayed that information to His Grace the Duke.
He predicts that they likely brought in the Matthias Duke to prevent information about the audit within the Boldrinde Duke's territory from being obtained.
This means our plan to form a encirclement from the start has been thwarted.Now, how to break this situation from here? While thinking this under the gaze of the young nobles in attendance, I sensed a particularly intense, murderous glare.
"......"
Slowly tracing the source of that glare with my eyes, I found Jakaran, just as expected.
Even though I beat him up quite a bit, he's tough enough to attend the soirée. Pretending not to notice Jakaran's gaze, flanked by women on both sides, I quietly waited for time to pass.