Chapter 295

The party spread like a plague. No one could stop the raging momentum, and in fact, no one even thought of stopping it. Even the most stubborn and rigid people joined the party today, celebrating the day the world was saved. The high nobles of the empire, who had been unable to hold a ball for various reasons, finally decided it was time to clean up their dusty ballrooms and invite guests to a party.

Elegant ladies, escorted by men in formal attire, danced gracefully, while noblewomen covered their mouths with fans and engaged in light conversation. Older gentlemen gathered in one corner, playing games or reading newspapers, exchanging opinions. When their throats grew dry, they sipped on wine that was as expensive as melted gold.

This ballroom, where the most noble gathered, was not a place just anyone could enter, unlike Evan Brown’s party venue. Only those with grace, dignity, and authority received invitations. Only elegant people who could understand beauty and nobility could step foot here and enjoy the party.

“At some point, everything started going wrong. How did this once-great country come to this? Tsk, surely this great disaster is heaven’s punishment for breaking the laws and traditions.”

Of course, these “elegant people who understand beauty and nobility” were not the ones who held direct power in the empire. Those with any real authority were not enjoying the party but were instead scrambling to rebuild the empire’s administration, which had all but collapsed. These people, so to speak, were already behind the times.

In any case, as times progressed and the empire’s administrative system strengthened, nobles were no longer the highest status. Though they could live a life of wealth and honor through inherited family fortunes, their prestige had greatly diminished compared to the good old days.

In fact, it wasn’t just the empire; everywhere in the world was the same these days.

They were merely respected, but their influence had waned. Some countries provided pensions based on titles, but nowadays, no noble, not even a duke at the top of the peerage, could dictate national affairs.

“It’s all thanks to those foolish people who don’t know the rules. Your words are truly wise, Duke.”

Duke Gogon, though not of royal blood, held the title of duke due to his family’s long and storied history. However, he wasn’t entirely pleased with these changes. Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to try to turn back the tide of time and advocate for the past.

He didn’t have such grand ambitions; he merely voiced his complaints. In any case, his family, though pushed out of power, still held vast lands and considerable wealth. They had suffered great losses in this disaster, but at least they didn’t have to worry about making ends meet.

“A party should be elegant and dignified. Where is the party in uneducated people shouting and making noise? Such things would never have happened in the past.”

As Duke Gogon watched the scene of the party he hosted from his seat, someone suddenly entered. He narrowed his eyes and observed the boy for a moment.

A boy around ten years old, strikingly handsome. The reason he stared at the boy was simple: the moment he appeared, a chill ran down his spine.

‘What is that?’

Even with his eyes wide open, the boy looked no different from a young noble. Beyond grace and dignity, there was an eerie aura about him. He was clearly an uninvited guest, but something about him felt off.

The problem was, despite the boy’s strong presence, the duke had no idea who he was.

‘This isn’t a funeral, so why is he dressed in such dark clothes? Is that the fashion among young kids these days?’

He instructed the butler beside him to find out which family the boy belonged to. The butler nodded and hurried off. If the boy were from a family the duke knew, he would have heard about him by now.

‘Ordinary commoners would shrink and cower in a place like this, but he doesn’t seem fazed at all. Is he a noble I just don’t know about?’

The uninvited guest had such an unusual presence that everyone assumed he was the son of some noble attending the party.

But as the butler began asking around, more and more guests realized no one recognized the boy. Whispers spread, and gradually, more eyes turned toward him.

“Boy, whose son are you? What is your father’s title?”

Without the butler needing to intervene, one of the guests blocked the boy’s path and spoke. When no answer came, the guest scoffed and called over a maid to scold her. He ordered her to escort the boy out and then left to enjoy the party.

“Boy, you can’t just barge into a place like this. You’ll get in trouble. Go on, get out.”

The flustered woman tried to push the boy out, but he didn’t budge. It was as if she were trying to push a massive boulder; the small figure didn’t move an inch. The maid, feeling a chill, stepped back without realizing it.

“You’re not invited here! You need to leave. Get out now!”

Perhaps trying to hide her embarrassment at being intimidated by a child, the maid finally raised her voice in anger. But the boy remained silent, standing still. Only then did everyone find it strange and began to stare at him.

“No need to cause a scene on such a fine day. Step aside. Hey, you there, take him out. Throw him out the door and sprinkle some salt.”

A passing guest stopped the maid and called for security. Soon, burly young men approached, their chest muscles bulging as they grabbed the boy’s arms and tried to drag him away.

But he didn’t move. Even as they pulled with all their might, nothing changed. The more they struggled, the more confused they became, just staring at each other.

“A mage? Is he a mage? But I’ve never heard of magic like this.”

“Whose child is this? If his parents are here, take him away.”

As the men’s faces turned red from exertion, the guests began to chime in. Was this young mage playing a prank after learning some magic? The security, trying to resolve the situation peacefully, began to lose their temper.

“Damn brat…! Hey, bring a rope. Let’s see if he still won’t leave after this.”

The apparent leader barked orders, and soon other guards brought a thick rope. They tied the boy up tightly, and now several strong men lined up, pulling on the rope as if in a tug-of-war. The scene was so bizarre that it was hard to tell if this was a ballroom or a sports event. Everyone clenched their fists, watching the astonishing spectacle.

These were all experienced party-goers, but they had never seen a tug-of-war at a party before. Duke Gogon, sitting in his high seat, looked down in disbelief. The elegant ballroom had turned chaotic in an instant.

“Those idiots, getting paid hefty salaries, and this is what they do? A bunch of grown men can’t even drag out one little kid!”

In his seventy years of hosting parties, this was a first. It was a disgrace. A complete disgrace. What was he to do?

Those incompetent fools still hadn’t dealt with the boy. Then, perhaps one of his servants, growing impatient, finally shouted.

“Fine! The kid’s asking for it. He must have learned some magic and is playing tricks. Let’s see if he can still use that magic after a beating!”

“Wait, what are they doing? Are they insane? Hey, butler, someone, stop them! Now! What’s going on? Is no one here?”

They could have ended the matter with just a bit of embarrassment, but the servants had gone too far. Duke Gogon, watching from above, stood up in shock.

Those madmen, perhaps overheated, were now grabbing clubs and charging at the boy. Those barbarians! Were they really going to solve this with violence in front of everyone?

In front of all these eyes?

In front of so many watching eyes?

Were they just thugs? Did they think this party was a bloodbath?

So, even though he knew it was too late, he had no choice but to leave his seat and descend the long staircase. By the time he reached the bottom, the boy was about to be beaten.

“Oh no!”

As the clubs came down, the duke instinctively closed his eyes, imagining the gruesome scene. But the next moment, horrified voices echoed from afar.

“Gasp…!”

“W-what is this…?!”

The clubs shattered, the whips broke, but the boy remained unchanged.

No, something had changed.

The boy finally smiled and giggled.

“Am I not welcome?”

At the sound of his voice, it seemed as if wailing could be heard from somewhere. The musicians dropped their instruments, and people backed away in fear. The sound alone was enough to chill their hearts. This was no mage.

Rather, from the beginning,

He wasn’t human.

“Why am I not welcome?”

Crash! The grand chandelier lost its light and fell. But there were no screams or gasps. Instead, a strange, cold sensation crept up their legs.

In the dim light of the lamps, at the boundary between humans and darkness, there were… things. Small, red lumps crawling toward them.

Waaah, waaah, waaah…

The growing wails soon filled the once laughter-filled ballroom. As if pleading, the sound now rang in their ears.

The red lumps that appeared here and there crawled on tiny arms, moving their eye sockets to look at the guests. Only then did the people realize who had come as guests that night.

“You’re having so much fun, so why?”

Even demons don’t harm humans without reason.

At the very least, they have some reason, however hard to accept, like finding it amusing.

But that thing, it was beyond reason.

Something so twisted that it couldn’t be saved.

A god that toys with humans for no reason.

Thus, the Death God is not a being humans can understand,

And to deal with the Death God, one must think like the Death God.

“Not welcome? Who said such a thing? The servants were just inadequate in their hospitality! You are welcome. Very welcome. I am the host of this place.”

Duke Gogon stood up, closing his eyes tightly. Inside, he prayed to the Three Divine Gods and even to the minor gods he usually ignored, but for now, someone had to buy time until help arrived.

He wasn’t a particularly devout man, so he doubted the gods would come to his aid now.

The temple, or someone else, had to notice the situation and come to help. Until then, he had to stall for time.

The child finally smiled brightly.

“Am I welcome?”

The moment he saw those abyss-like eyes, he knew. It felt as if every hidden thought had been laid bare.

But it was too late.

“Let’s have some fun together. What are you doing? Play the music again. Now!”

Was it just his imagination that he might not leave this place alive tonight?

Praying for someone, anyone, to come and help, Duke Gogon decided to proceed with what might be the last party of his life—a party that didn’t feel like a party at all.