SWNOVELXO Chapter 390
The following day, thanks to Shione’s consideration, Aheira was able to get some time off during work. While she went to chat with Herrel, Shione and I took a moment to discuss the letter laid out before us.
“So, this is the banquet invitation sent to you by Princess Rephelia?”
“That’s right. It just arrived last night.”
“Is it because you’re directly under the royal family? It seems the central nobles are quite interested in you. After all, the Karpel Barony connects the central and western regions.”
“With the royal family’s favor, they might think that if they include me, they could expand their connections to the west.”
Of course, there were rumors circulating that I wasn’t very knowledgeable outside of martial arts.
It could be a trick by the central nobles trying to catch an easy prey like the clueless Baron.
Still, it is a fact that the aristocratic power following the royal family is quite strong. I mean, I was invited to a social gathering hosted by the Duke Rephelia!
So I was contemplating how to accept this situation.
“…If I hadn’t preemptively set things up, I would have been inundated with competitors from the central nobility.”
Why did the topic suddenly shift to that?
“Leaving such a gathering would be undesirable. I’m fortunate I got a recommendation from Payosha Young Master. I almost would have gone alone, you know? No, it would have been better if I got engaged instead… No, on the contrary—”
Shione, who seemed to be resolving to make a significant decision, looked at me with a burning determination.
With a face glowing with that resolve, she said to me.
“That means we can go to the social gathering together.”
“Even without an invitation, you surely planned to take me along as your escort. I was already thinking about what gift I should prepare for the head of the gathering.”
“Of course! I meant we can actually enter the banquet room together.”
Shione, crossing her arms, tilted her chin slightly upward.
“Even without making our engagement public… it’s better this way. If we keep going together, everyone will catch on eventually. So you absolutely must not leave my side. Understood?”
It seemed she wanted to appear fierce about it.
But honestly, she resembled a little squirrel angrily holding on to a nut, claiming it for herself.
So, I answered with a small chuckle.
“Don’t worry. If we don’t stick together, we’ll end up getting picked off one by one.”
“…Picked off one by one?”
“When the social gathering happens, word about Your Highness Shione will already spread throughout the kingdom. And as a new face under direct control of the royal family, I can’t help but become a center of attention at the gathering.”
“Ah.”
“The issue is particularly with me. Since you are now the master, those of questionable status won’t easily approach you… however, I’m just a Baron. If I stay separated, all sorts of people will flock around me.”
If I fail to guard Shione’s side and get swept away in the tide of nobles, I would have to endure dizzying rhetoric that could potentially make my ears bleed to finally break free.
And—
“Besides, Shione has always been shy around strangers. If I fall away, there’s a chance she’ll just be drinking alone in some corner.”
“Huh? That’s not true!”
“Even if you say that, I still vividly remember how you couldn’t even speak to Princess Rephelia during Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
“…Shut up.”
She might handle lower-ranked nobles easily, but when it comes to nobles of similar or higher status, she tends to struggle a bit.
“It seems there will be much information regarding demons at this social gathering. We must build connections and engage with high-ranking nobles who possess credibility. I will assist you.”
“Well, if we’re lucky, we might even hear about the Empire or the kingdoms in the Eastern Continent. The central nobles… especially the informants of the Duke Rephelia could compete with the royal family in terms of standing.”
If luck were on our side, we could gather more information than Adelhaite previously shared with us.
“That means I also need to have a proper formal attire made. Could you help me with that?”
It was time to prepare for the banquet.
*
After concluding the discussion about the social gathering, I left Shione’s room and headed to meet with my tailor.
“I need to restore the wrecked shooting range.”
I felt genuinely happy that Shione had become the master.
However, it was rather sad to see the shooting range that Diolia secretly spruced up for the Knights’ Order being damaged.
Of course, Shione being the master, good-hearted Diolia would say that such minor losses didn’t matter at all.
But seeing her blankly staring at the half-destroyed shooting range while chuckling seemed far from the dignified knight’s demeanor.
“Ainel and Siabel said it was a celebration so they’d splash out some money.”
Even though they claimed that, Diolia’s grief over the lost shooting range couldn’t simply be dismissed.
But it was also true that a chance to make it even better had arisen.
Given that, I began to think it might not be a bad idea to gather the best of the special mission team and collaborate with them to create the kingdom’s finest archery training ground.
If it turned out well, I had thoughts about later establishing one in my own territory as I walked along.
“Oh, Baron!”
Hearing a voice calling me from behind, I paused for a moment.
“It’s you, Herrel. Did your conversation with Aheira go well?”
“Yes, it was a fun time as we connected well. She seems to be quite knowledgeable about you, stating that you had informed her about some matters regarding Your Highness.”
“Though I’m currently a Deputy Commander, I was still a personal attendant. Like you, I ought to provide the right information to my juniors.”
“It’s an honor to be called ‘senior’ by the famous Karpel Baron.”
From the moment she was expelled from the Count’s House, she must have thought she would never receive such treatment again, living instead as a sinner.
Her previous experience as a maid was finally being acknowledged, and it seemed she found it quite moving that someone from the next generation recognized that time.
Her bright smile was soon replaced with a serious expression.
“I apologize for hindering your steps, but I heard that it was none other than the Baron who led Miss Shione to where she stands today.”
Her tone turned formal, and within her calm voice lay a solid determination.
“Therefore, I wish to show my utmost gratitude… and I would like to give you a small gift. Could you spare some time for me later?”
“Of course. Once the shooting range repairs are finished today, I’ll be sure to call for you.”
“Thank you…! I’ll come right away when you call!”
Her satisfied response followed as she left, brightening the atmosphere.
“Deputy Commander, let’s recreate the best shooting range in the kingdom together!”
“You seem particularly energetic today. Did something good happen?”
“The lord promised to introduce me to a great match if the shooting range repairs go well. How can I not feel energized over that, haha?”
“If it’s the lord, they would surely point out a good partner for you. What a privilege.”
“That’s right. With the Deputy Commander here, it’d be difficult to not create a magnificent shooting range. You’re truly a stroke of good fortune, a harbinger of luck.”
Diolia’s enthusiasm was contagious, but—
“Sorry to interrupt, but… the lord called for Baron Karpel.”
“Ah…”
Thus, Diolia’s spirit quickly faded away.
*
“Did the lord also call for Your Highness Shione?”
“Of course. What would they want? Did you miss the call?”
“I just heard from the servants that I was called to the office.”
When I was told to head to the lord’s exclusive library, I met Shione on my way, who explained the reason for today’s summons.
“It’s about the shrine we found and the deciphered ancient texts. They requested us to come since it’s quite an important matter that requires soundproofing.”
Because of the deciphered ancient texts…
Considering how sensitive the contents were likely to be, I thought they would discuss it with Shione first, but I never expected to be called along as well.
However, thinking there must be a reason, Ainel welcomed us.
“You came right away upon being summoned. How is Shione feeling today?”
“I feel like she’s even more revitalized than usual. Always seems quite bright and spirited.”
“It seems she organized her energy quite well yesterday. Now I feel relieved. Baron Karpel, please come this way. Let’s enter.”
“Excuse us.”
Stepping into the already familiar library, I took a seat next to Shione as Ainel produced a book that was prepared for us.
“The reason for today’s summons is about the ancient texts that the special mission team retrieved from the demonic realm and the architectural structures we discovered during this expedition. Siabel and Sion will need to know eventually, but for now, I think it’s essential for you and the Baron to be the first to hear this.”
“The ancient texts brought by the special mission team were filled with forgotten histories. But they are all shocking, so—”
“Until the Count’s House is thoroughly prepared, this information must not be shared anywhere. So before we delve into the topic, I want to ask you.”
She gently placed the deciphered text on the table.
“Princess Shione Shianella and the Deputy Commander of the special mission team, what are your thoughts on the widespread cults across the continent?”