Act 66

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“We’ve arrived, Sir Julian.”

As I was gazing out at the scenery from the back seat of the carriage, the coachman’s voice made me turn my head. What entered my sight was one of the four great noble families of the Adratan Empire, the Godric mansion. The mansion, notably large and majestic, was bustling with people from the entrance. As I opened the door of the carriage and stepped out, a man who seemed to be a butler hurried over from inside the mansion.

“Sir Julian! Thank you so much for making time during your busy schedule! Young master Arba will be very pleased!”

“It’s an invitation to the birthday of Arba Godric, the eldest son of the Godric family.”

“I see. Let’s go then.”

“Really?”

“If it’s a heartfelt request from Commander Odwin, I shall consider attending.”

Holding the invitation that entered my hands as “closed eyes,” I attended Arba Godric’s birthday party. The Godric family’s butler, who came out to meet me, greeted me with a polite demeanor, but confusion was evident in his eyes.

“After all, even Odwin was taken aback.”

Until now, ‘Julian’ as ‘closed eyes’ has only dealt with the purging of nobles and the subjugation of demons, avoiding all other trivial tasks. It seems a bit absurd to represent ‘closed eyes.’ To this question, Odwin replied:

“Regardless, you are the epitome of ‘closed eyes.’ Besides, they want to show that they have the boldness to invite you to the party.”

Indeed…

Who would invite the ‘laughing executioner’ to a party? Whether I come or not.

Showing off to others that they have the audacity to send an invitation to ‘Julian.’

And if I were to accept the invitation, it would be a display of ‘this is what we are capable of.’

“And do you know? The eldest son of the Godric family admires you.”

However, I could not understand Odwin’s added comment. Admires me, or rather ‘Julian’?

It’s as if a demon is shedding its horns to become human.

‘I simply cannot understand it.’

Nevertheless, since there is goodwill, I decided to take this opportunity to forge a connection.

With so many stories intertwined, in a situation where anything could happen, there is no way I’m planning to face it alone like the game’s ‘Julian.’

And…

‘A connection with the four great families is not easily obtained…’

As I was guided by the butler to the Godric’s banquet hall, I suddenly noticed a bandage peeking out from beneath my shirt.

The wound I received from Pintel in the Dusk Flame. The mild pain was annoying, but bandaging it felt somewhat better.

“It doesn’t stand out, but if one looks closely, they might notice.”

No one would think this injury was from playing the role of the ‘black knight.’

“What did you say, Sir Julian?”

As I paused briefly, the butler looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I endured the pain and smiled nonchalantly.

“The art pieces displayed here are indeed splendid, but there are many counterfeits, haha.”

“Ah, how could there be counterfeits in our family’s collection…”

“Is that so? Let’s proceed then.”

Leaving the bewildered butler behind, I confidently walked ahead into the banquet hall.

The banquet hall perfectly showcased the Godric family’s dominant presence in the social circle, immaculately maintained and impressive.

The space was divided into indoor and outdoor areas by a structure resembling a half-open dome, enhancing the contrast between the two environments. This setup prompted admiration from the onlookers.

“Sir Julian! I never imagined I would see you here!”

While I was admiring the interior, a stiff voice recognized me.

Who are you… Ah! The bald one!

It was Allom, the vice-principal with whom I had formed an acquaintance at Bayer Academy. His distinctly bald head was still quite memorable.

“I did not expect to meet Sir Allom here either.”

“Ha, haha…! Our Bayer Academy has quite a deep connection with the Godric family.”

Connections with the empire’s four great families mean patrons. Although ‘Bayer Academy’ is national, it does not refuse sponsorship.

“It’s especially nice to see someone like you at such a gathering.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, haha!”

“But… it seems not everyone feels the same?”

Allom’s hearty laughter gradually faded as he too began to sense the atmosphere around us.

The gathered nobles looked at me unfavorably and whispered among themselves.

The nobles who glared at me as if they wanted me dead were probably those related to the nobles ‘Julian’ had dealt with.

Their glares could kill.

Fortunately, I had become somewhat accustomed to these sharp stares, and they no longer caused me much resentment.

“Everyone seems to shrink back at the prestige of Sir Julian. After all, the name ‘Black Eye’ of the royal exclusive agency is no ordinary title. Ha, haha.”

Allom tried to put a positive spin on the mood, but it seemed he realized it was futile.

“Oh, Sir Yulius! I see you here!”

He gave an awkward smile and then made an acquaintance gesture towards another noble a little distance away, quickly moving towards them.

Leaving him behind, I walked towards the dome where I encountered an unexpected figure.

“Elenoa, is it?”

A bishop of the Dawn Society and ranked fifth in the hierarchy of shadow magic, ‘Barugo’ magician, Elenoa Demisel appeared before my eyes.

Of course, it was not the same appearance I had seen at the Dawn Society. Participating in the party, she had altered her appearance using her specialty, ‘magic.’

Or rather, that must be the real ‘Elenoa Demisel.’

‘Should I acknowledge her?’

But, that thought did not translate into action.

Quietly. Cautiously, but not stealthily.

Had there been secrecy and a murderous intent, I would have drawn my sword.

Pretending not to notice, I remained silent.

“Quite a fine piece, isn’t it, Sir Julian? This work was made with the help of Eterona, one of the disciples of Corusius.”

Turning my head slightly, I saw a boy whose demeanor seemed fragile and timid.

“Eterona, a disciple of the great painter Corusius, is known for his unusual talent in interior and architecture rather than oil painting, you know that, right Sir Julian?”

Yes, ‘Julian’ would know well.

I don’t know a thing, though.

But this kid must be…

…Arba Godric, it seems.

The moment this fragile-looking boy approached me, the surrounding gazes subtly shifted.

Indeed, he is the protagonist of this gathering.

And right next to the boy, a stern-looking man was tagging along.

“Ahem, Young Master Arba.”

As the butler whispered into his ear, Arba seemed to realize something and became slightly flustered.

“I’m sorry, Sir Julian. I should have greeted you first, but I was so pleased to see you after such a long time…”

The eldest son of one of the empire’s four great families.

And a member of a family that dominates the social circles, but…

‘What’s with this clumsy guy?’

My first impression of Arba was not very favorable.

‘It’s been a while’ means that we must have met somewhere before, which is good.

Then, building a connection shouldn’t be too difficult. If there’s some common ground, we can latch onto that to start a conversation.

‘The connection between this frail young lord and Julian.’

It wouldn’t be through social circles. ‘Julian’ has never shown himself in such circles.

And judging by his spirit… he’s not someone who has trained in swordsmanship.

At best, we might have crossed paths in the imperial palace.

“Yes, it’s been a while since we met in the ‘Imperial Palace.'”

“…Yes?”

Seeing Arba’s puzzled face, I realized my mistake.

Was it not at the imperial palace?

“Actually, the last time we met was at a symposium hosted by the Imperial Art Association.”

Imperial Art Association?

That jogged my memory.

Among the numerous dues notices flying in under ‘Julian’s’ name, it’s the place that extorts money under the guise of ‘membership fees.’

“Could it be that I am mistaken?”

“No, not at all. Sir Julian wouldn’t make such a mistake.”

Although Arba waved his hands in denial, I continued.

“It’s not a mistake. The venue of that symposium was indeed styled very much like the ‘Imperial Palace.’ I remember saying it felt as though I was actually in the palace.”

Now that I’ve pretended to know him, there’s no turning back.

It’s quite embarrassing to play ‘Julian’ at times like this.

I had to put on a bold face and act shamelessly.

“Was it so?”

“Do you not remember?”

“The style of the Imperial Palace… it’s a complex style created by various architects and artists… Ah!”

Arba’s eyes widened as if he had realized something.

“One of the artists who assisted in the palace architecture was responsible for that hall’s design! Now I understand what you meant.”

“Huhu.”

Instead of responding, I just gave a short laugh.

Arba sent me a look of deeper admiration than before.

‘Is it the atmosphere?’

Even if I blurt out nonsensical things, he interprets them in his own way.

Arba, recalling the event, hesitantly began to speak.

“That being said, it’s impressive. I could never have imagined… that it had anything to do with the architectural styles of the imperial buildings…”

“Hello, Young Master Arba!”

During Arba’s speech, a boisterous voice cut in.

“…Sir Gerard.”

“It’s an honor to remember my face. Haha!”

His neat attire and polite demeanor contrasted sharply with the thuggish vibe of someone I had spoken with one night, Pintel.

‘That guy was there too.’

As I was reflecting, Gerard approached with confident strides.

“I am always indebted to Lord Vinaran of the Godric family. Oh, and Sir Julian is here too, eh?”

Even though it was clear he knew and approached intentionally, he pretended otherwise.

Then, pointing to my side with a puzzled expression, Gerard indicated a spot where my shirt slightly bulged due to the bandage underneath.

Pointing at the spot with his finger, Gerard smirked.

“Wrapped up in bandages, I see. Hurt in the line of duty for ‘Closed Eyes’?”

“Yes, those who tarnish the royal name can only be dealt with in ways words cannot, such foolish beings.”

“Really? Are you, are you alright, Sir Julian?”

Arba looked worriedly at my side as he listened.

“Yes, it’s nothing serious.”

“That’s a relief. Still, if you’re uncomfortable, we can…”

“Young Master Arba.”

The interruption came from the butler standing next to him.

“While it’s good to mingle here, as the star of the banquet, perhaps it would be best to engage with many others too?”

“But I still have…”

“The head of the family would likely wish it.”

Upon hearing ‘head of the family,’ Arba bowed his head.

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll meet you both again later, Sir Julian, Sir Gerard.”

After a brief nod, Arba followed the butler deeper into the banquet hall. It seemed my initial impression of his timidity wasn’t mistaken.

“With a firstborn son so lacking in confidence, it’s no wonder the concubines in the Godric family are restless.”

As Arba’s figure receded, Gerard muttered to himself. He chuckled merrily in front of others but didn’t hesitate to gossip once they were gone.

“Considering someone of your stature, Sir Julian, to be wounded, it must have been someone quite skilled.”

I didn’t respond to his remark.

Replying seemed tedious, and getting entangled with this guy was troublesome.

Just as I was about to turn away and head somewhere else.

“Could it possibly be Pintel?”

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned my head towards Gerard.

It was true that Pintel had caused the injury.

However, at the time of receiving this wound, I was operating as the ‘Black Knight.’

Though it was a situation that could make anyone uneasy, I had already received confirmation from Tenellon that the Dawn Society was unaware of this fact.

‘Looks like you’re not sure either.’

Fortunately, I did not sense any certainty in Gerard’s tone, but him bringing up the topic was likely a test.

“I asked a member of the order who was captured with that rascal by the gendarmerie. I asked how he was defeated by that ‘Black Knight.'”

“Is that so?”

“He said the man was a formidable swordsman. Yet, Pintel’s attack managed to land just once, and coincidentally right there.”

Gerard glanced down at the bandage around my waist.

“Don’t you think it’s too perfect a coincidence to be just chance?”

Watching him, I chuckled dismissively.

“Huhu, if that were true, what would you do about it?”

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