Chapter 52 - Friend (3)

The middle-aged person cleared their throat and spoke, "Please go ahead."

I asked politely, "What exactly is this Lark Club?"

"You must be from out of town. The Lark Club is Rigbed's oldest and most prestigious social club."

"Are there membership conditions? Is it possible to join now?"

The manager spoke with slight exasperation.

"I'm sorry, but willingness alone isn't enough. You need an introduction and recommendation from an existing member. And you must pass appropriate screening."

The noble ladies around glanced at my face occasionally.

I let my hand slip slightly from Liria's shoulder.

This was to make sure the Eternia-crested ring that Silveryn had lent me was clearly visible.

"Is even looking around not allowed for non-members?"

"We turn away other customers for our members' convenience. I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave."

"Did you hear that, Liria? Nothing we can do. We'll buy clothes elsewhere."

"Yes..."

I spoke to her soothingly, "Erzsebet isn't someone who would think poorly of plain clothing."

At the mention of Erzsebet, both Liria and the manager looked puzzled. Of course, they wouldn't understand since I'd mentioned it out of nowhere.

"...?"

"There's a place I was recommended to visit when preparing for the ball. If you're really disappointed, let's hurry there. If we delay any longer, the professor will be waiting."

Though the manager had mentioned other qualifications besides club membership, I deliberately didn't ask about them.

It was like making an uncertain gamble, but this was my best option.

In this situation, asking about qualifications and requesting confirmation would be like begging to stay in the clothing shop.

As an Archmage's disciple, I couldn't lose face like that.

I led Liria out the door and headed toward where the carriage was waiting.

She looked like she might burst into tears at the slightest touch.

"I'm sorry... I was just being greedy..."

Liria thought she had caused me embarrassment too.

In noble society, where honor was important, being turned away at the door would be considered quite shameful, but having not lived as a noble, I wasn't particularly hurt.

I became curious and asked. "Were you just going to look? Or did you really intend to buy something?"

Her voice grew smaller, thinking I was scolding her.

"Well... I thought I could buy it with what I'd saved from working... I really didn't know... I'm sorry..."

"Hmm, show me. How much have you saved?"

After hesitating briefly, Liria took out a small pouch from her chest and handed it to me with both hands.

I took it and looked inside.

It was quite heavy with silver coins. Considering Liria's age, it was a considerable amount.

But this wasn't nearly enough. Having maintained a living dealing in accessories before, I had some knowledge regarding pricing. High-end shops that checked qualifications and restricted entry had prices several times higher as a premium.

I returned the pouch to Liria and said, "This is far from enough. Use the money you worked hard to save for something more worthwhile."

"Yes..."

"And it's not over yet. Keep your shoulders back and walk proudly. And don't look back until we reach the carriage door, no matter who calls."

***

The young man and woman left quickly before the manager could ask any questions.

Manager Harvy was left with an odd uneasiness that was hard to express.

Erzsebet?

The name was spoken so confidently it felt disconcerting.

There were often cases where those who didn't meet the qualifications would try to show off by dropping the names of well-known nobles or high officials they claimed to know.

But for such a young man, isn't this too much? Claiming to know Erzsebet of all people?

It was strange.

He felt like he was missing something very important.

And that feeling soon became certainty.

After Harvy returned to his post, a noble lady approached and asked, "Who was that young man just now?"

"He won't be returning. If you were uncomfortable, I apologize on his behalf, madam."

"There wasn't some misunderstanding, was there?"

Harvy narrowed his eyes and said. "What do you mean?"

"I hear the Archmage's disciple is entering Eternia this year."

"I've heard about that as well."

"They say he's relatively favorable to social activities and, above all, quite handsome."

"Yes, that's true, but..."

Noble ladies who enjoyed showing off and gossiping were always at the center of social circles.

Though desperate bachelors and pot-bellied nobles thirsting for women frequently attended social gatherings, they were neither welcomed nor could become mainstream.

Young ladies were also regularly admitted, but they weren't particularly welcomed either.

The top recruitment priority was young, promising men with buzz around them.

Harvy had already received a list of persons of interest.

The aforementioned Archmage's disciple was the biggest catch in social circles, meeting all conditions. Several social clubs were already putting considerable effort into creating connections with him.

"So. As rumored, he had brown hair, was extremely handsome, and wore an Eternia ring... Did I see wrong?"

"He was wearing an Eternia ring?"

Harvy hadn't noticed this.

"Yes, and an Eternia faculty carriage has been waiting in the square out front..."

His head felt numb as if struck by a hammer, and cold sweat ran down his spine.

So the man I just turned away at the door was the Archmage's disciple?

Archmage. Damn it, the Archmage...! There’s a reason he casually mentioned Erzsebet's name.

This incident could be used as grounds to flatly reject future social club invitations.

In the worst case, the shop's prestige and relationship with the club...

***

Someone shouted from behind, "Wait a moment!"

Though Liria flinched slightly, I pushed her back.

"Keep going."

Liria silently followed my words hesitantly, not knowing what was happening.

We ignored the urgent request and approached the carriage.

I opened the carriage door first and gestured for Liria to enter.

As she put one foot in the carriage, someone shouted from behind again, "Please wait a moment!"

Only then did I stop Liria and say, "Liria, now."

"Yes?"

"Now turn around."

We both turned around together. The middle-aged person from before and two employees were rushing toward us hurriedly.

They stopped in front of the carriage and, though panting, tried to maintain dignity by keeping their backs straight.

"Ahem... there seems to have been a misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"We have maintained good relations with Eternia for a long time. This includes both graduates and new students. For decades, we have provided the finest clothing to those passing through Eternia. Our history with Eternia has been our long-standing pride."

"..."

The middle-aged person gestured to an employee beside them. Then, wiping sweat from their forehead with a handkerchief, they said, "This is a gift offered as a sincere apology for our rudeness."

The employee handed me a large, flat black box.

"This isn't necessary."

"No, please. If you have the chance, do visit our 'Mare and Acacia Flower' again. We'll custom-make a tailcoat for you free of charge."

Seemingly unsatisfied with my response, the middle-aged man became more enthusiastic.

"Our 'Mare and Acacia Flower' creates clothing with the finest fabrics imported from the Empire, made by Rigbed's most renowned tailors. I dare say you won't find better anywhere."

"I'll check next time."

"We sincerely hope to see you again. And we truly apologize to the lovely young lady as well. Since you seem busy, we'll take our leave now..."

The middle-aged man bowed politely and left with the employees.

Liria stood frozen in place with a dumbfounded expression.

"Get in first."

Only then did Liria climb into the carriage with stiff movements.

I handed the map Silveryn had drawn to the coachman and got into the carriage.

After tapping the window as a signal, the carriage slowly began to move.

I handed the black gift box to Liria.

"Open it."

"...What?"

After opening the box and checking its contents, Liria covered her mouth with both hands in shock.

Inside was the purple dress she had been eyeing.

"H-how..."

But I couldn't tell if her expression showed joy or shock.

"D-did you plan all this?"

"...Of course not."

***

The carriage stopped in front of a large building.

It was the building occupying the largest area I'd seen in Rigbed.

I got out of the carriage and looked up.

There seemed to be about ten chimneys, all continuously spewing steam.

A large, thick iron door firmly blocked the entrance, with sturdy-looking gatekeepers standing in front.

As I climbed the stairs and stood at the entrance, the gatekeepers blocked my way.

"Show your invitation."

I showed the Eternia ring and said, "I've come with Erzsebet's introduction."

The gatekeepers exchanged glances.

Soon after, they opened the door and let me in.