“Senior. How do I look? Do I look like a noble young lady?”
Luna twirled around happily in the dress provided by the castle, showing it off to me with excitement. Despite her youthful appearance, undeniable because of her age, her inherently cute face gave her a certain air of being a cherished young lady from a distinguished family.
“Not bad. I think just wearing that will be more than enough.”
Of course, while she may look like a noble young lady on the surface, the moment she opens her mouth, Luna’s true self would become apparent. But I didn’t bother pointing it out. Let Luna do as she likes. I could easily cover for her to that extent.
“Hehe, Senior looks really pretty too! You really do look like a noble young lady!”
“I really am a noble young lady.”
Though I had been kidnapped at a young age and grew up as an assassin, I am originally from a noble family. In fact, I’m the sole survivor of a house that has fallen, personally granted a viscount’s title by the Emperor. Not just some noble daughter riding on her family’s prestige but a noble in my own right.
Ah, if we have to be precise, technically I’m not a noble young lady because the contents are male.
However, thanks to my muttering being mostly inaudible, Luna simply started looking around for accessories that would match her dress without responding. Watching her, I smiled softly to myself and also prepared some suitable accessories.
*
“Viscountess Elysia Frentz and her entourage have arrived.”
As we entered the salon mentioned in the invitation, someone who appeared to be the host’s attendant opened the door for us and announced my arrival in a voice pitched just right for those inside to hear. However, since the host had only officially invited me, Luna, who had come along, was only introduced as part of my entourage without her name being mentioned.
It’s fine; I didn’t bring an uninvited guest intending to cause any trouble. Besides, we were already a bit late for the appointed time.
While it’s polite to arrive slightly early to such engagements, this wasn’t the kind of rigidly scheduled, ceremonial party but rather a more relaxed gathering. Moreover, I had already asked the old butler to confirm the list of attending young noble ladies, and aside from the hostess, there was no particularly influential person I needed to be wary of.
Was it because she hadn’t expected me to come, or did she already know and that’s why she acted this way?
As soon as I entered, I noticed all the young noble women gathered in clusters conversing, their gazes immediately landing on me. After identifying my face and status, they began whispering among themselves.
Though feeling a bit like an exhibit, I disregarded their attention and stepped inside with measured elegance, the sound of my heels clicking on the floor. Reacting to each one individually would only make me seem small.
My purpose was singular: to gain the favor of the noble young ladies and give power to the Emperor. Unless they crossed a line first, I saw no need to raise my guard prematurely.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Lady Elysia.”
A woman approached from a group chatting in the middle of the hall.
“My name is Lizelia Endive. Feel free to address me as you wish.”
She was the host of this party, the one who had invited me. Knowing guests like me, she likely came forward to greet me first. However, I had already recognized her before she approached.
After all, she is the daughter of the Head of the Endive Dukedom—not from a secondary branch but the main line— and, if my information is correct, distantly related to the Emperor himself.
Above all, the reason I already know her face is because she was one of the assassination targets during the time when I used to work as an assassin in my previous life.
The reason she became a target was because she is the daughter of Mila Endive, the Head of the Endive Dukedom. In a similar vein, it might be said the reason I assassinated Yuli was also connected to her.
Mila Endive, the Great General.
She wields the title of Sword Master and holds supreme command over the empire’s entire military. Moreover, the independent knight group under her command is known as the final shield protecting the royal family and the Emperor, so much so that no one knows the true identity of its members.
However, fortunately enough, I did not assassinate either Lizelia or Mila in my previous life. Their story is a somewhat unfortunate one; before I could even attempt the assassination, Mila had already perished on the battlefield fighting demons. As a result, there was no longer any reason to target Lizelia.
On a brighter note, a few months ago, I eliminated the upper demon responsible for Mila’s death—though I doubt I’ll ever be able to tell them this—but I consider it sufficient atonement for my failed assassination attempts.
“It is more I who should thank you for inviting me to such an occasion, Miss Lizelia.”
“Then I’m glad to hear it. Please enjoy yourself.”
With that, Lizelia moved with her group to one of the most lavish tables in the salon. Though it might be considered impolite to leave her guest alone, her demeanor carried an air of aristocratic elegance that made such actions seem more regal than rude, perfectly matching the atmosphere I sensed from the invitation alone.
However, I didn’t know anyone here, so what exactly would I have to enjoy at this kind of party? Of course, unless you count Luna, who was happily mingling with the young attendees nearby.
When I turned my head, I realized Luna, who should’ve been by my side, had vanished. Glancing around, I found her happily chatting with some children her age. Concerned that Luna, who lacks knowledge of noble etiquette, might offend others, I considered going over—but was relieved to see the young girls surrounding her seemed to be welcoming her.
It would be absurd for me to intrude on such a scene at my age, trying to ruin their interaction. With Luna occupied, I had nowhere else to go, so I slowly made my way toward where Lizelia had seated herself. Though our initial meeting was merely formalities, after which she quickly left with her group, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to press a little harder this time.
After all, the purpose of my presence here is to win over the noble young ladies.
Especially if I can gain the support of Lizelia, daughter of the mighty Duke Mila, it would be a reward surpassing even having all the young ladies in this room on my side.
As if it were meant for me, one chair at the table where Lizelia had settled remained conveniently empty.
“Miss Lizelia? Would it be alright if I take this seat?”
I had already planned to sit regardless of her response. So, before she could even give her permission, I pulled out the chair, sat down, and posed my question. After all, it’s easier to act first and seek forgiveness later, rather than request permission before proceeding.
“…Go ahead.”
See? She ultimately gave her consent, albeit a little gruffly. It was somewhat disappointing, but the important thing is that I had managed to take a seat beside her.
“Elysia-sama! Don’t worry about Lizelia-sama like this! Believe it or not, she was delighted upon hearing yesterday that Elysia-sama would accept the invitation!”
One of the women seated at the table noticed my concern and called out to me. Her words were quickly contradicted by Lizelia’s own denial.
“That’s nonsense!”
Of course. It was only for the sake of enhancing the social gathering. How thrilling it would be to have a hero attending—it would be an achievement no other social gathering in the continent could claim.”
Indeed, that makes sense. As a hero, my deeds aren’t widely known to the public, and it’s understandable why a duke’s daughter would have little interest in a mere viscount.
“Still, aren’t you the one wearing that sword at your waist—is it a holy sword?”
Apparently, referring to me as “Elysia-sama” felt too courteous for her; she had downgraded it to just “you.” It seems she was already in a bad mood about my uninvited appearance, and some misunderstanding only exacerbated her irritation. The only reason she hasn’t immediately asked me to leave, I suspect, is due to the prestige of my title as a hero.
She only glanced at the holy sword at my waist with a cold sidelong look.
“Yes, would you like to look at it?”
It seemed she was somewhat interested in the holy sword, so I untied it from my waist and placed it gently on the table. However, instead of engaging further in conversation, she merely scrutinized it for a long while without saying anything. The other young ladies, on the other hand, curiously gathered around the sword, and the holy sword’s faint vibration elicited both surprise and continued fascination from them.
“Needless to say, I clearly labeled this as a tea gathering in the invitation, yet you come armed without basic courtesy.”
Apparently, her intent in inquiring about the holy sword was not out of genuine interest but rather to criticize my behavior.
Thus, I immediately apologized to her.
“I sincerely apologize for that, Miss Lizelia.”
Despite knowing it is improper, the reason I have the holy sword with me is because I am a hero.
“Yet before anything else, please understand. I am not just a young noblewoman; I am both a viscount protecting the empire and a hero safeguarding the continent. The holy sword is not merely a weapon—it’s what empowers me to carry the title of hero. Even though I’m currently dressed in this attire and drinking tea, I cannot possibly separate myself from it.”
Even when facing the Emperor, the holy sword will never leave my side—until the Demon King is vanquished.
“It’s similar to how Miss Lizelia fights in the battlefield of high society, wielding your beauty as a sword, isn’t it?”
Some might question why we are likening social gatherings to battlefields, but truly, these are arenas where sharp words and actions are as lethal as blades. Among the nobles, countless are the conflicts. Each word spoken towards an opponent is often sharper than any honed blade.
“Please understand that just as separating Miss Lizelia from her beauty is impossible, separating me from my holy sword is equally unfeasible.”
Hence, I appeal to her for understanding. Maintaining a firmness yet softened tone, but without any trace of servility.
Fortunately, she seemed to lack a rebuttal, merely gazing at me with wide eyes.
