SWNOVELXO Chapter 401
The social gathering of the second day of the Cult passed smoothly on the wave of a breeze, without any major incidents.
They had already found the people to interrogate yesterday, and since nobody suspicious had turned up even after looking around a bit more, Princess Rephelia had sent signs from the middle to just enjoy the moment.
It seemed they had judged things from their side, so Shione and I finally had the luxury to enjoy at least a decent meal.
“Have you tried the snacks over here?”
“Oh, that over there is meat, but this is dessert.”
Seeing her showcase her magic yesterday, it felt like her popularity had increased.
Shione was more careful than usual with her behavior, delicately placing a dessert in her mouth.
That one was fairly sweet; it must fit Shione’s taste. Stress relief for her is all about those sweet snacks.
“…this is really something.”
“Is it to your taste?”
“It’s not just to my taste; it’s beyond that. Our chefs need to step up their game.”
The Count’s chefs were also working with a degree of pride. If Shione spoke like that, they might be hurt even if they pretended not to care.
But certainly, the dishes backed by the Duke’s family’s resources were exceptional enough for me to notice as well.
As I raised the same item to my mouth, I scanned the surroundings.
‘That noble who’s going to be interrogated.’
Three nobles had shown strange reactions to Shione’s magic. One of those three was nowhere to be found at today’s gathering.
‘They said they would finish the interrogation before the Cult event ends.’
Even when I expressed my concerns about dragging someone in during the banquet, they said it would be alright; it seemed they had planned to sneak away with one at a time to interrogate.
If I count tonight and tomorrow as days to interrogate one more each, it seems we could investigate all three before the gathering is completely over.
While I was momentarily lost in thoughts about the informant.
“Baron Karpel, if it’s not too much trouble, may I have a word with you?”
Maybe the popularity from yesterday hadn’t faded yet; just as the nobles approached, itching to chat.
“Ah, it sounds like you have business with the Baron. In that case, I will step aside so you can talk comfortably.”
Thanks to Shione’s eyes glimmering with mischief, indicating she was teasing me, I ultimately had no choice but to engage with them for a time.
After a barrage of questions and discussions about the capital’s famous dessert shops and clothing brands, I finally managed to pull away from the table.
“So? Was the conversation worth it?”
“…There were good and bad outcomes. The good thing is I learned which areas have famous shops and which landscapes are pretty in various territories.”
“And the bad?”
“I doubt I’ll ever have any reason to visit those places.”
As I shared about the earlier discussions, I sneakily glanced at Shione to see how she was doing.
“By the way, it seemed you were talking to Evan Feiosha. How was it with her?”
Although she had written a recommendation letter for Shione, their relationship couldn’t be said to be at the level of having a personal chat.
“It was just some business talk. With news about the Demonic Realm’s development spreading, it seems the Feiosha Marquis wanted to secure a contract on this side. The conditions look quite good, so I just listened a bit.”
Finally, I could see joy beginning to sprout from Shione, who had been talking without much emotion.
“I heard that the Feiosha Marquis has a Spirit Stone.”
“A Spirit Stone? They managed to acquire one from the Great Forest, huh?”
“Right? So when I asked if they could sell it, they said if its value was acknowledged, they wouldn’t have to keep it.”
“That means—”
“I’ll buy it. The Spirit Stone.”
The Spirit Stone.
If I give it to Orna, she’ll immediately level up, and if I give it to Tania or Elvis, they can serve as a sort of backup battery for my mana.
“Are you really intending to buy it? I mean, it’s not likely to sell for a few pennies—”
“So, you won’t refuse?”
“I’ll gratefully accept it.”
Yeah, the Count’s family finally got a decent contract offer, and thanks to that, I would have the chance to handle the Spirit Stone again. These gatherings are where mutual gains happen. I finally felt that I was participating in the central noble gatherings, not just in my workplace.
However, one event for today’s social gathering was still left.
Princess Rephelia climbed onto the stage, just like Shione did yesterday, beginning to gather her mana.
‘There’s definitely a different vibe when using magic.’
While tuning her mana, the princess exuded a refreshing and vibrant atmosphere, contrasting sharply with her usual reserved demeanor.
Once her preparations for the magic she would use seemed complete, she slowly began to speak.
“Duke Rephelia is known as a prestigious magical family representing the kingdom. So naturally, the Duke’s banquet has to be even more special than this, right?”
Leona Rephelia’s magic engulfed the venue.
Whether it was an illusion or not, the hall’s appearance transformed dramatically in an instant.
The interior sparkled brighter and more elegantly than before, on par with the beautiful gardens tended by the Great Forest’s fairies outside. The pleasant fresh scent mingled with the intensified fragrant breeze, captivating everyone as the mood of the hall transformed completely.
“There are bound to be cute little guests appearing all around the hall and garden. It would be fun to leisurely seek out these little guests. Please enjoy yourselves.”
As soon as the princess finished her words, many birds started appearing in the trees of the garden, and small spirits floated around the beautiful hall ceiling. Countless creatures began to leisurely wander about.
Having wielded such monstrous magic, Princess Rephelia stepped down from the stage with a nonchalant expression. She immediately approached Shione and me.
“Did you enjoy the magic display?”
“I never expected the hall to change this much… so it was an illusion you used?”
“Yes, as the Young Lady mentioned, I primarily wove an illusion spell, and I’m glad everyone seems satisfied.”
“Impressive. I’ve never seen such a delicate illusion without a sense of artificiality.”
As Shione spoke while gazing at the floating spirits and small creatures, Leona smiled broadly, her lips curling up.
“When a magician is within their prepared domain, they naturally become stronger. I merely applied magic ahead of time for the event, crafting it to fit the gathering.”
Even though she said that, it was clear that she was pleased with the compliments.
The lively atmosphere continued until Leona Rephelia took a sip of the wine on the table.
“Of course, I’ve set up barriers so others can hear our conversation as if it’s a normal discussion, just in case. As long as this magic holds, anyone outside of three steps from me won’t hear our conversation.”
As she swirled the wine glass and savored its aroma, she slowly continued.
“Even if they do hear, they would have to interpret it as a normal conversation.”
The essence of illusions and mental magic.
No matter how intricately it is prepared over time, creating a space of this scale would certainly require deep understanding of magic. This could only be achieved thanks to the prestigious magical family of Rephelia, thus crafting such a space.
This very essence was Rephelia’s magic as well as a unique realm. Within the hall that had been cultivated with high magicians of the family over a long time, she could enjoy her leisure with the strongest self-assurance among all.
“The results of the interrogation have come in.”
She was already bringing up the results of the interrogation.
“I even know that two of them were present at the banquet today. Did you already find the answers?”
“It seems they appeared completely normal. But those two are fakes. They are elite magicians touted by the Duke Rephelia.”
I had completely believed those individuals were the real deal. Who would have guessed they were imposters?
It seems this was yet another instance where the hall’s special nature allowed for deception without causing unease.
“Those three are indeed traitors. However… the markings are rather tricky. If it weren’t for the Young Lady’s magic, it would have surely been troublesome.”
“Could you elaborate more on the markings?”
“They seemed completely unaware that the marks were inscribed upon them. Considering the level of magic, one could say it’s nearly non-existent, they wouldn’t have noticed at all. To be precise, it’s similar to magic, but it might be seen as a stamp left deep within through some murky energies.”
“A stamp…so have you uncovered what that murky energy is?”
“Unfortunately, not yet. It’s neither magic nor mana, nor divine power… However, one thing is certain: this energy was influenced by the Young Lady’s magic.”
As Leona Rephelia continued her dialogue, she suddenly fell silent.
Following her gaze, I could see people stealthily approaching us.
Now that it seemed wise to put a stop to these secretive conversations:
“…Other guests are approaching. In that case, let’s discuss that energy after the conclusion of today’s gathering. I have something I’d like to ask Baron Karpel.”
Her gaze, which had been fixed on Shione all along, now locked onto me.
“Baron, do you perhaps have knowledge in the arts of swordsmanship?”
Sword? If it’s swordsmanship—
“I’m not as good as I am with archery, but I can handle it to some extent. I’d say I can defeat someone at the entrance level of a Sword Expert skill.”
Since my secondary weapon is a sword, I had been using it when needed from the beginning.
Not only that, I’ve also taken a few lessons from Diolia and received some training from Siabel as well, so confident that I could handle things well enough to win just using a sword at that entry level.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask if you also have considerable experience in combat with humans?”
Suddenly, why this question?
“…I can’t say experience is minimal. Considering I have dealt with monsters, human battles cannot be compared, but I don’t think I’m weak in dueling.”
Having answered adequately, Leona Rephelia started showing signs of delight.
As she kept evaluating something in her mind, she abruptly tossed out a bomb.
“Baron Karpel, if possible, I’d like you to engage in a duel with a noble for the sake of this mission. Would it be too much to ask?”
They say friends end up resembling each other.
In my view, both Adelhaite, who throws a mission in this manner, and Princess Rephelia, suddenly requesting a duel, are not so different.