Chapter 198 - Conspiracy (14)

[Magic Sword Hunters are targeting the ball.]

The next morning, the warning message was completed.

This is an issue that should not be taken lightly. Should I inform the Eternia administrators about this? What will happen to the ball if I do?

Will I end up disappointing the two girls who have given me permission?

There were also a few questions. One was why this problem was conveyed only to me.

Sion also carried a magic sword. Yet, why did they specifically warn me?

In any case, this was undoubtedly important information that Sion needed to know as well.

I hurriedly prepared to go out.

After preparing a meal for Trisha, I went upstairs and knocked on her room door.

There was no answer, and the door was locked.

"Trisha? Are you sick?"

She didn't respond to my call.

"I'm going out first. I've made food, so eat before you leave."

***

Before the sun had fully risen, I stopped by Rigved to pick up Sion's custom-ordered clothes. Then I headed back to the Witdruff Hall dormitory in the living quarters. I sat for a while in the lounge in front of Sion's designated seat by the fireplace.

I called for Sion through a maid while wearing my mask, but she didn't appear for a while.

Instead, Luna greeted me.

She wore that clumsy mask she had used before and sat across from me.

She just sat there without saying anything.

"..."

"..."

I spoke in a low voice so others couldn't hear, "Luna."

"...Yes."

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

"...I don't remember after you carried me on your back."

"Nothing happened after that."

"...The children told me everything."

And so, my well-intentioned lie was immediately seen through.

In fact, Luna had mumbled, "Damian shouldn't see," about thirty times while on my back.

Luna fidgeted with her mask to check if it was properly worn.

I guessed the reason she wore it was probably because she felt embarrassed.

Such impulsive behavior wouldn't change my impression of Luna. I wanted to convey this thought directly, but I wasn't sure if she would accept it.

Just then, Sion, who had received my call, casually walked out towards the lobby.

She stared at the two of us from a distance.

"Luna, see you later. I'll fix your mask then."

"...Okay."

She noticed that I had other business and vacated her seat.

Sion watched Luna leave with a sour expression and then sat in the seat Luna had occupied.

"You two seem close. Judging by the matching masks."

I reflexively answered coldly, "Don't touch Luna."

Sion's eyes widened slightly.

And after a moment, her expression fell as if disappointed.

"...I don't pounce on just anyone."

She said that, but it needed to be believable.

Then I handed her what I had prepared.

Sion checked the contents of the letter and frowned.

"That pitiful dance party won't even get to start."

"You're also a magic sword owner, do you know why your master didn't inform you?"

Sion fell into thought for a moment.

"It's probably because I'm not a real threat."

"What do you mean?"

"They all know that even if someone forcibly takes it, it won't function properly. Plus, they wouldn't want to create trouble by messing with a Sword Master's disciple. But your sword..."

"..."

"It's a sword even my master has never heard of. I don't know where you've been poking around while I haven't seen you, but it's certain you've provoked the Magic Sword Hunters."

That means my information had spread for some reason, but where could it have leaked from? The Principality? An Eternia insider? Or someone close to me?

"How strong are Magic Sword Hunters?"

"They're not a specific group. We just call anyone who approaches to become the owner of a magic sword a Magic Sword Hunter. And magic swords don't settle with one owner. Most magic swords continuously churn through humans until a proper owner appears. Magic Sword Hunters aim for that."

She spoke as if the magic swords had their own will. I hadn't felt the will of my magic sword yet. Well, thinking back to my wooden sword, its existence didn't feel so absurd...

Sion stared at me straight and said, "Has your sword settled?"

"What do you mean?"

"A magic sword that hasn't settled with its owner will continuously attract Magic Sword Hunters. This won't be the end."

"Are you saying my magic sword might try to kill me?"

Sion nodded.

"How can I tell if a magic sword has settled?"

"You can feel it. A settled magic sword will save your life, and the opposite will drive you to death. If it's the latter, it will emit an ominous aura to kill its user."

It was a vague explanation. But I could understand what it meant.

A sensation that only those who had used a magic sword could know. It was something one could feel with their body.

And I could be certain about my magic sword.

From when I left Haman to the journey in Barbisia. My magic sword went through all those life-threatening crises with me and saved me.

If it wanted my death, it wouldn't have responded to my call. My magic sword was completely united with my will, like an internal organ.

Rather, what I wasn’t sure had settled was... the wooden sword. I didn't know if it was a magic sword or what, but anyway, that thing had shown unpredictable, impulsive behavior.

"There's no doubt about my sword at all."

I placed the custom dress box I had brought on Sion's lap and stood up. It was to report the Sword Master's warning to the academy administration.

Sion looked at the box strangely.

"What's this?"

"Your dress. The ball is coming soon, so don't dress too plainly and accept invitations moderately."

Sion answered coldly with a disgusted face, "I didn't ask for this."

I wasn't forcing her, and it wouldn't hurt me if she didn't wear it.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it."

"..."

***

Professor Candinella handed the Sword Master's letter back to me and said, "The ball won't be canceled."

"Then should I leave the ball?"

She shook her head.

"You won't be leaving the ball either."

"How are you interpreting this warning?"

Surely she wasn’t just ignoring the Sword Master's warning.

"The Sword Master probably had a strong desire to test you."

"Are you saying the warning written here is false?"

"No, what's written is true. But you don't need to take action."

"..."

I'm confused. What exactly is she planning? She was trying to reassure me.

"You don't need to worry. We've also received intel about the Magic Sword Hunters."

"..."

She smiled at me. Professor Candinella's attitude lacked any sense of crisis, to the point where I wondered if this was okay.

"A guest has come and agreed to become Eternia's mercenary for your sake."

"A guest?"

"Yes. Someone who has some connection with your teacher. Would you check on Trisha's condition instead?"

"Did something happen to Trisha?"

I had been worried about her sudden disappearance since yesterday.

"An official document came down saying not to let Trisha attend the ball. It seems... because many outsiders will be attending the ball. They're obsessively concerned about safety. She seemed very disappointed."

It didn't seem to be an internal decision of Eternia.

"..."

So that was why she had been holed up in her room. I had a strong feeling something was wrong. I'd try to comfort her in my own way, but it seemed it would be difficult for her to recover from her disappointment.

***

Whether it was because Lilith was teaching well or dancing was easier than I thought, I had become quite proficient at moving my body to the rhythm and stepping.

And Lilith seemed to feel similarly.

"...You learn fast."

"Can we move to a higher level with music now?"

Lilith, who was dancing with me body to body in the dark forest, rested her head on my chest. Then she relaxed her body completely and entrusted herself to me.

Still, her dance line didn't collapse. That was because I was leading completely.

"...There's no need to go higher. If you dance any better than this, women will dislike it."

"Why?"

"...Because it will seem like you've been with too many women. Your skills improved too quickly."

"..."

"If you just remember the rhythm, you'll be able to apply it to any music. With this level of learning ability, adapting to music won't be a problem at all."

If being too proficient was an issue, I could pretend to be clumsy when needed. I always wanted to do my best when learning.

"There are still a few days left until the ball. I'd like to learn more if possible."

"...Then I'll teach you the last dance."

Lilith stood on her tiptoes. Then she pressed her cheek against mine.

Because our faces were so close, I could hear Lilith's breathing very clearly in my ear.

I tended not to lose my composure easily, but even I found this close contact stimulating.

She matched her rhythm with me again and spoke in a small voice like a whisper, "...Have you found a partner?"

"Yes."

"This... is a dance that shouldn't be done if it's just a partner relationship."

"...Then?"

"It's only allowed for lovers."

That made sense. If someone saw this, it would be a very embarrassing sight.

"..."

"Learning this might come in handy someday."

Lilith's breathing was irregular. Being pressed against each other, this couldn't be hidden. She was clearly also strongly stimulated.

***

After finishing the lesson, Lilith stepped back a few steps to tidy her clothes and pack her things.

"I've taught you everything I can teach."

"Is this the end then?"

Lilith thought for a moment before answering belatedly, "...Yes."

Then she took out a fist-sized silver box from her pocket and handed it to me.

"What's this?"

"It's a music box. If you need music, you can dance to this."

"...Is there anything you need in return?"

"No. Just come and say hello to me once at the ball. That's enough for now."

***

On a quiet moonlit night after finishing my daily routine, I waited for someone inside the greenhouse.

After waiting for a long time relying on a single oil lamp, someone carefully opened the greenhouse door and entered.

A clumsy mask on the face. Golden hair. It was Luna.

"You came?"

"Yes."

Luna came to my side and sat in the chair I had prepared in advance.

"Are you going to wear that mask at the ball too?"

She nodded.

I thought so. Amateurish products were not acceptable. That was my occupational disease.

And I wanted to prevent Luna from getting hurt again because of the mask.

"Can you give me the mask?"

"Okay..."

She took off the mask and placed it in my hand.

I examined the condition of the mask. It showed signs of being diligently worked on, but the eye holes were asymmetrical, and it was too big and thick for Luna's small face.

I immediately took out a carving knife from my pocket and started refining it. The reason I called Luna to the greenhouse was to fit the mask for the ball.

Luna just watched me without doing anything.

"If you're bored, feel free to look at the paintings."

"...I like doing this too."

The night deepened.

And so we prepared for the approaching ball.