I Was Banished From the Hero Party I Raised

23. Auction Banquet (3)

-Tboob, tumble.

With the sound of heavy shoe heels echoing through the hall.

Ian appeared in a suit.

The white shirt, navy blue jacket and pants, and brown shoes were simple compared to the typical aristocratic attire.

Only the vest (vest) embroidered inside the jacket was splendid, but compared to other aristocratic gentlemen, it was too modest.

The neat outfit matched Ian’s personality perfectly.

Rather, it would not suit Ian if he wore gold rims like ordinary aristocratic men and puffed up his clothes to look taller.

“Huh… .”

Helena grabbed her heart and turned back.

Kati admired the scene in a daze, and Mercy licked her lips.

“Hmm… .”

He fidgeted with the cravat (tie) strung around his neck as if he was uncomfortable.

The black cravat draped over his shirt collar matched his ferocious look.

Lucia looked at it with narrow eyes and muttered softly.

“… Wow.”

“I can’t get used to it no matter when I wear it.”

Compared to the reaction of the party, Ian seemed very uncomfortable.

Thanks to the neatly combed hair, the thick eyebrows were clearly visible.

Vivian looked at the scene, then turned her head while covering her cheeks with both hands.

“What if you don’t wear it often?”

Ruby caught up and adjusted the tightness of the collar and cravat.

“Did you have a good time wearing it?”

“I don’t really think so.”

“It suits you so be quiet.”

“Hmm.”

Ian frowned slightly.

He knew too.

That Ruby’s favorite things to decorate include herself.

I’ve been asked that before.

He seems to be far from Ruby’s aesthetic taste, but why is that?

In response, Ruby refuted that people like Ian are valuable because they are rare.

“Would you like to stand between the two?”

Ian stood between Vivian and Lucia.

Lucia stared up at Ian, while Vivian only glanced.

I knew he had a good physique, but it was hard to tell from his usual clothes.

However, when it was properly dressed like this, it looked different.

“You really don’t recognize me?”

Lucia said softly.

“I don’t think it’s to that extent. It’s not like I’m wearing makeup.”

“No, really. To be honest, the difference is the biggest.”

“Hmm… .”

Ruby sat down and stood up, observing the three of them from different angles.

Helena, who had come to her senses, stiffened beside him and looked at Ian.

“I like the picture. I’m sure this will stand out the most there. yes.”

“I have no desire to stand out… .”

“Shall I follow you myself? Or would you like to take our kids?”

Ruby wasn’t interested in Ian’s opinion.

“… Please do as you please.”

“Ugh. It’s not a lot of people, and it’s not that many hands. I’ll let some of the kids follow.”

“All right.”

While Ruby went to recruit manpower for a while.

Vivian called out to Ian timidly.

“Yeah… . Ian… .”

“yes?”

“Wait a minute… .”

Ian bent down, and Vivian whispered carefully in his ear.

“It suits you so well… .”

I was so embarrassed that I relayed it in a whisper, but it looked different to others.

A very red face.

A shy, yet slightly excited expression.

Tiptoe for a friendly whisper, and Ian slightly leaning over her.

It was a perfect composition to misunderstand.

“thank you. Vivian is also a good match.”

Kati watched the two of them silently.

“This is the list, and I told them to arrive exactly on that schedule.”

Ruby handed over a list of staff to help.

As soon as Ian received it, he headed to the changing room.

“Ugh!”

Mercy immediately caught up and blocked it.

“Where are you going right away!”

“Don’t you know how frustrating this is?”

“I can’t because my eyes aren’t stuffy.”

“… what do you mean by that I didn’t wear it to look good on you.”

“Ahhh! I don’t know!”

“You can’t take it off.”

The voices of the others flew behind Ian as he turned around again.

“Joe, it would be nice if you wore a little more… .”

“you’re right! So precious to see… No, that’s rare! rare! Isn’t it a pity to just send the cases away!”

“okay. Let’s show you a little more of what you’re already good at. I am also proud.”

[master.]

“… … .”

Ian didn’t answer and tried to move on.

At that time, Ruby’s whispered words pierced my ears.

“Maybe they’re doing that on purpose to look expensive.”

I forgot to say that and almost didn’t change.

Ian immediately came to his senses and explained.

“First of all. I hate this stuffiness of not being able to flexibly respond to attacks at any time.”

“master. I have… .”

“Second, it’s uncomfortable to wear a suit because it seems like you’re pretending to be cool.”

“It’s not pretend, it’s really cool… .”

Vivian, who was muttering something, hurriedly covered her mouth.

Ian, who couldn’t hear it because it was so soft, strode back to the dressing room as if the explanation was over.

Lucia whispered as she watched him walk away.

“Isn’t it because you’re ashamed?”

Mercy nodded.

“It would be half right. You complimented me every time I wore it before, right? It has always been there.”

“I don’t think it would be easy to see Ian dressed like that. That’s too bad.”

“So it is. There are times when I don’t wear a suit at some banquets, so it’s even more precious… .”

No matter how much the group felt sorry for them, Ian hardened his heart.

***

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue in front of the mirror, tying cravat.

This was a guest room prepared in Fiorene Castle.

The day has come to attend the auction banquet.

‘stuffy… .’

It was a banquet invited by the imperial family, and I couldn’t wear it casually.

Because of that artifact, you can’t not participate.

The situation and clothes were frustrating, but it was inevitable.

Ruby’s attendants did my hair, and I could wear my own clothes, so the only ones left were Lucia and Vivian.

Suddenly, when you’ve finished tidying up.

[master.]

Katy called me.

[May I come in?]

The guest room was again divided into several rooms, and I was alone in a small room there.

It’s natural.

‘yes.’

I didn’t know what was going on, but I allowed it.

I also changed all my clothes.

Kati opened the door and came in, staring at me without saying a word.

“… I know it doesn’t suit me either, man.”

Kati was neither positive nor negative.

Without saying anything, he just walked up to me, grabbed my left hand, and lifted it up.

“Why are your hands?”

“finger.”

“finger?”

Kati took my hand and folded it all except for the ring finger on my left hand.

Then, suddenly, he brought the ring finger to his mouth.

“What are you doing… .”

– Knock!

“Ouch!”

Without even asking what I was doing, I was bitten.

Among the recent bites, it was quite strong.

This will leave marks.

“… Are you sick?”

I asked while gently rubbing the bitten spot.

“No, what… . Being sick is not the problem, what is it?”

“sorry. just… .”

Kati, who looked down at my hand, added quietly.

“I was a little nervous… .”

“Are you anxious? what?”

“it’s nothing.”

“No, what is it?”

Kati shook her head and slowly backed away and tried to leave the room.

“no! speak up! What does anxiety have to do with being bitten?”

In the end, Kati didn’t answer until the end.

… what the hell is this

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Judging by the look on his face, it doesn’t seem like a major and serious problem.

If it was a problem of that level, I would have talked about it.

Then for what reason… .

“Ian? I’m ready.”

I heard Lucia’s voice outside.

Okay, let’s focus on what needs to be done right now.

*

I showed the invitation to the manager in front of the large door and entered the banquet room.

As soon as the door opened, bright music and colorful lights poured in.

A red carpet was spread, and a male attendant dressed as a butler walked around holding a tray.

The nobles who laughed and chatted and greeted each other freely picked up a drink or food from the attendant’s hand.

“Wow… .”

Vivian’s eyes lit up and she looked around.

“Ohh… .”

Lucia nodded in admiration.

There is still a little while before the actual auction begins.

I checked the auction items with the manager before coming in, so I just have to wait.

The artifacts I wanted were definitely on the list.

“I-Ian, maybe… Are you dancing… ?”

Vivian asked, glancing at the center of the ballroom.

There were a number of aristocratic couples lightly dancing to the music with their partners.

Before the full-scale auction begins, a free ball is held, and the stage was right there.

It is also a place where the moderator will bring out the items and introduce them when the auction begins.

“No, I don’t like dancing. I don’t even know how to get out.”

“Can I learn? I learned to ballroom dance.”

Lucia asked with a smirk.

“I have no intention of learning… .”

I could see Grace far away from my answering gaze.

The organizer, she was sitting alone in a high seat looking down at the banquet hall.

Contrary to his usual immature chick-like appearance, the figure sitting upright and looking down even looked solemn, unlike his appearance.

It might look more like that because of the neatly tied up hair and the voluminous dress.

Next to him was Leon of Aegis, dressed in armor, who seemed to have come as a protector rather than a companion to the banquet.

“First, let’s say hello to the organizers.”

Vivian and Lucia approached the princess.

When she found me, she smiled broadly.

The authoritative look that had been watching the audience until just now disappeared like snow melting.

“Ian!”

“Meet the poor princess.”

Vivian and Lucia also greeted me.

“Up to Ian-sama’s two warriors.”

Grace even sent her off as she got down from her seat.

“I’m really glad you came. I’m sure you’re aiming for the auction, not me anyway, right?”

“Isn’t it worse if the princess is the goal?”

“There is no reason not to!”

“… Anyway, thank you for inviting me.”

“It was nothing. I hope you enjoy it to the fullest and win the bid for the item you want.”

I’m going to say goodbye like that and go back and wait.

“Ian.”

Grace asked, extending her hand gracefully.

“Please, would you like to dance with me?”

“… … .”

oh

Could it be that you didn’t expect this to happen?

What a request from the princess.

I don’t know how Grace usually behaves at banquets, but it doesn’t seem like she’s actively enjoying it from the way she’s been sitting until now.

She even asked for a dance… .

‘I still have to refuse.’

Not to mention that I don’t like dancing.

There is even something I said to Lucia and Vivian, but if I accept this here, it will no longer be… .

“Does it sound good?”

Lucia hinted.

“No, that’s right… ! To dance with the princess, how many opportunities will there be like this?”

Vivian agreed.

Looking back, I seem to have seen the two of them having a silent conversation in a brief glance.

… Is it because of the mood?

“Isn’t it a waste to come to a place like this and not dance?”

“okay! Might be a good experience… .”

Grace smiled broadly and tilted her head once.

it means what to do

“I might step on the princess’s feet.”

“Gladly.”

I was going to wait until the auction started… .

“… It’s an opportunity to step on the princess’s feet to your heart’s content, and you can’t miss it.”

I took Grace’s hand.