Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

28

The day of the party.

Max arrived stiff as a robot at the Helian Mansion in the heart of Julia for the party.

Outside the ballroom, I waited for Veril, instructing Eonia, who had come as my escort.

“You know the drill, Eo. Don’t reveal your true identity.”

“I will keep that in mind. I am Rania for now. Not Eonia, but Rania, who used to wander when not by Als’ side.”

Eo beamed with joy at having chosen herself over Yumirna’s mentor.

“I hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”

As a precaution, I decided to have her wear a helmet to conceal her face. Once her identity was revealed, the guards, after inspecting Eo’s face, issued a permit even with the helmet on.

It was natural for Eo to freeze as if struck by lightning upon seeing her face.

“Eo stands out more than me.”

As the commander of the Kurabel Empire’s guard, she had a dignity that could make most nobles step aside. I didn’t know if they would mistake her for a high-ranking noble and flood her with dance requests.

While instructing Eo, Veril appeared.

“Als! Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I just got here too.”

A composed man stood behind her.

“And who is this…?”

“Oh, this is Jade. A mercenary who works for us on our territory. He’s here to help with the upcoming competition.”

“Hmm.”

Jade was an aging mercenary, but he didn’t exude the air of a seasoned warrior.

He seemed more like a mercenary who focused on tasks like hunting or searching for missing persons rather than engaging in wars. Eo seemed to have assessed his level and chuckled.

I nudged her side and shook hands with Jade.

“Who’s the person over there?”

Veril smirked, looking at Eo.

“Seems like someone new. Maybe if she takes off the helmet, I’ll recognize her too?”

“She probably won’t. She just started working recently. Her name is Rania.”

Eo straightened up politely, holding her waist.

“I am in the presence of Lord Alse. They are called Rania.”

“Wow….”

Unable to contain her admiration, Beryl let out a sigh.

“A servant from a noble lineage? How did a noble-born servant come from the Ilaine family… Oh, no. I’m not belittling your family.”

“There are some circumstances. But more importantly, let’s go inside. Rania, you can wait here and enter last.”

“Jade, too!”

After signing the guestbook, we chatted while waiting to enter.

I thought we arrived quite early, but perhaps due to our minor nobility, we kept getting pushed back in line.

Those who clearly arrived later than us were entering first.

“Move aside. You’re in the way.”

The one saying this was Kate, who had proposed to me as her partner yesterday.

She was accompanied by Casper, who was pretending to be Wade, as her partner.

“Hmph.”

Kate huffed in displeasure and entered the party venue.

Beryl sighed in relief.

“Alse, did you do something wrong to Kate?”

“Well…”

“You should be careful. If they mention Lord MacMillan, even the Helian faction will tread carefully. Kate is on the same level as Erena.”

Didn’t they say even a tiger listens to me?

“Who’s on the same level as whom?”

“Oh…! Erena.”

Erena was partnered with the officer Ruan Chase.

“You look beautiful today, Erena. And Ruan, you look great too….”

Beryl blushed as she looked at Ruan, not knowing what to do.

“Oh, I see. I see.”

Erena seemed satisfied with that reaction and smiled.

“More importantly, Beryl. You knew Lord Ilaine.”

“Yes, our families are close.”

“How long have you known each other?”

“Since I was three. Why do you ask?”

“T-three years…!”

Erena shivered with excitement.

“…I have one thing I want to ask. Have you ever made a mistake like forgetting a name?”

“Me?”

“Lord Ilaine.”

“I don’t think so. Why would you suddenly ask that…?”

“It’s nothing. Hmph!”

Erena fanned herself back and forth, expressing her displeasure towards me.

To her, Ruan said, “We can discuss the rest at the party; for now, let’s go inside, Miss Erena.”

“I understand.”

As the two left, Beril took a deep breath.

“You seemed tense! Did you expect Lady Erina to show up suddenly? And, and there’s Luan over there.”

“Luan Chase….”

If the Helian faction had Shindong Casper Millias, then the Salleon faction was said to have Luan Chase.

“If Casper leans towards strategy, is he more on the martial side?”

Judging by the tingling sensation as he passed by my side, he seemed quite skilled.

“Why are you standing there, Als? Let’s go in.”

“Oh, right. Let’s go in.”

It seemed like our turn had come. Beril and I made our way to the party hall.

◈

The participants at the party were divided into three main layers.

The first consisted of adults. The second, young individuals looking for potential matches. And the third, those who had just reached adulthood.

While there were real young children aged 5 to 12 at the party hall, they were there primarily to eat and play, thus not considered part of the main group.

I belonged to the third layer.

However, even within this third layer, there existed another hierarchy, which was the authority of the noble families.

A sort of caste system, if you will.

Belonging to the minor nobility, Beril and I sat at a corner table, unable to mingle with the main group, quietly having our meal.

“Uh… I really can’t find a way to fit in.”

Beril looked dejected, unable to leave the table.

I felt grateful for her company at the table. Since a while back, meaningful glances had been directed at me.

“As expected. There are eyes watching me.”

Was it someone from the Helian Marquis’s side? Or perhaps the misdeeds of the Milias Viscount.

Apart from that, a few young individuals were sneakily glancing in my direction. If Beril wasn’t sitting at the table, they might have boldly approached me.

“It doesn’t really matter, right? Our role was just to fill the seats anyway.”

“Well, that’s true….”

Beril kept her gaze fixed on Luan without wavering. She seemed like she wanted to strike up a conversation.

Finally gathering the courage, she headed towards Jade, who had arrived with guests.

But just then, before anything happened, a young individual approached.

“May I have a word with you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Since causing a scene at the party would be highly inappropriate, I had to respond.

From that point on, other young individuals who had been observing us started coming over, forming a group around us.

“Who is the gentleman behind you?”

One of them asked, glancing at Eonia.

“He’s a martial arts instructor I personally hired. His name is Rania.”

“A martial arts instructor?”

“I’m aspiring to become a military officer.”

“Oh, I see!”

Even though it wasn’t a particularly exciting conversation, the young individuals chuckled lightly.

The number continued to swell, perplexing the car, when Max, who had seen the gathering of children, approached, clearing his throat.

“Lady, would you honor me with a conversation?”

I thought Max possessed some kind of superpower.

The children who had gathered dispersed in an instant.

“Why am I the only one in this situation…?”

Max left, shoulders slumped.

Thanks to the peace gained, I spent time feeding Eo.

It was during those moments.

“Al’s Ilain.”

A man of imposing stature approached stealthily, speaking with a commanding voice.

“It’s the Lord’s summons. Come with me for a moment.”

“If you speak of the Lord, who do you mean?”

It was easy to guess who it was.

“You need not know. Stop the nonsense and come with me.”

“I refuse.”

“What did you say?”

“If there’s a task, have the decency to come here yourself. Don’t send lackeys.”

“Lackeys…? You impudent brat. I said it’s the Lord’s summons. It means someone you can’t even dare to face lightly.”

“If you think I’m impudent, are you talking about yourself? Or… are you talking about yourself?”

“What…!?”

The man stiffened, unable to move a muscle under the pressure.

“How dare you threaten Lord Al’s safety. You little…!”

Sensing he was no match, the man trembled like a frog facing a snake.

“Rania, that’s enough.”

“Sigh.”

After Eo intervened, the man took a deep breath.

“Cough! Cough!”

“All right, I’ll let it go this time. I wanted to have a conversation once. Please go ahead.”

“Who are you?”

“Haven’t you heard from that Lord?”

“…”

Seems like he hadn’t heard.

The man swallowed hard and began to lead the way. He kept stealing glances at Eo, looking completely deflated.

He led them to the reception room inside the mansion.

“You’ve arrived.”

There, Count Milias Hufak was waiting.

* * *

Jozette Milias. A key figure of the Helyan faction, a prominent figure even within the Calipher Kingdom.

Having outwitted everyone around, he said to me, “Welcome, Wade. Is this the first time we’ve spoken directly?”

“….”

“Ah, don’t even think about regretting it now. Since Ironheart told me everything.”

“Is that so? What business do you have with me?”

“It’s about gaining an advantage.”

He instructed his son Casper Millias to impersonate Wade.

This was a very risky move. If the lie were to be exposed, it would lead to great embarrassment.

“He must have thought of a way to handle that part.”

That was my existence.

“You, won’t you work for our family? I promise to treat you well without any regrets. Both you and your family, of course.”

“And all the profits Wade has made will go to Casper, right?”

“Is that something to regret? It’s just about benefiting each other.”

It was like asking for a faceless singer.

“As I expected.”

This was the path for Casper, impersonating Wade, to survive without any trouble. Making Wade be on his side.

And Marquis Millias had himself.

In the eyes of the Illein family I belonged to, we were nothing more than insignificant beings.

“In a few years. By that time, my son will surely become a great general. At that point, you can go your own way.”

I will never allow that. By then, he will surely try to silence me.

“Hmph.”

“What’s that laughter for?”

“Are you underestimating me too much?”

“What?”

“It seems like you’re mistaken thinking you’re above me.”

“….”

Jozette narrowed his eyes.

“So, you’re saying you’re not?”

“Well, superficially, yes.”

No matter how skilled he may be, I am still a kid, and our family is at the bottom even within the kingdom.

But that’s just on the surface.

The Wade that existed beneath the façade. The Wade now, after ending the Triumvirate War, is different.

“Jozette Millias. I could get rid of you at any moment if I wanted to. Make sure you understand your place.”

“What!?”

“…Eonia.”

At that moment, Eonia’s energy was released, overwhelming the protest.

“What!?”

Jozette paled at the released energy, sinking to the ground. There were no guards around him. It was beyond his wildest dreams to think someone would attempt an assassination here.

“What are you trying to do right now? If you harm me…!”

“Just ask Juras to handle the aftermath.”

“Juras!?”

“Why do you think I worked in Crossing?”

Working in the Crossing Republic, Wade. It can be inferred that this has created some connection between Crossing and Wade.

“In reality, it’s not that kind of relationship at all.”

There’s no evidence for the other party to see this as a bluff.

Then, bluffing becomes a great weapon.

“Eek!? W- wait! I…!”

As Eo approached, Jozette crawled disgustingly, clutching her buttocks.

“Eo, stop it.”

“Fine.”

Eo stood behind me mechanically. His appearance seemed very harsh, but I knew.

He was internally reveling in having carried out the splendid orders.

“Well. Even for someone like Sir Juras, handling this level of aftermath might be burdensome. And… it seems like those on that side could be a hindrance.”

As I spoke towards one side of the wall, laughter erupted from there.

Soon, the hidden door in the wall opened, revealing two men.

“I thought we had concealed our presence as much as possible, was it a mistake after all? So, Dugnan, you don’t need to follow. You didn’t get caught because of you.”

“….”

It was Marquis Regnat Helian and the First General, also known as Grand General Dugnan.

Eo remained vigilant towards Dugnan, ready to draw his weapon at any moment. Dugnan, too, gazed back at Eo, fully prepared.

“L-Lord Regnat!”

As if unaware of his presence, Jozette’s eyes widened.

“How on earth…!”

“This is my mansion, Jozette. Naturally, there would be a few crude devices like this. Have you forgotten who guided you to this anteroom? Moreover, get up quickly. The dignity of a noble might get tarnished.”

“Ugh!”

Jozette quickly got up.

Regnat smirked at him, then shifted his gaze to me.

“Nice to meet you, Alz Ilain. Or is it better to call you Wade?”

“….”

Unlike the typical commoner-like Jozette, the intimidation emanating from Regnat was on a different level.

“But do you know that your statement of seeking the power of Crossing constitutes a treason?”

“I didn’t think you’d take a joke so seriously.”

“Well, that might be true.”

Regnat chuckled.

“I’ll apologize on behalf of this rudeness. Although it wasn’t my doing, it happened within my faction.”

“What does that mean…?”

“I mean to maintain a good relationship with a capable individual like yourself.”

He knew.

Pressuring me won’t bring any benefits.

If the Helian faction were to pressure me, I had options.

I could simply join the Salion faction, or, if necessary, truly seek the power of Crossing.

“If you want to avoid that. It’s not a good thing for capable individuals like you to stick with those incompetent Salion folks.”

“So that’s why. The people from the Salion faction are unaware of my true identity.”

“Yes, I managed to silence them one way or another. If they found out, they would have approached you no matter what.”

In that case, the only person in the Salion faction who knows my true identity is Erina.

“What about Casper Milias?”

“He’ll likely meet his own end soon, won’t he? He must pay the price for impersonation.”

At this, Jozette burst out, “What are you saying, Lord Regnant!”

“What am I saying? It means you should bear the consequences of your actions. Why did you make Casper impersonate Wade in the first place?”

“That’s…!”

“Well, you thought you could handle the aftermath somehow, didn’t you? Since handling it is now impossible, you must face the consequences. Isn’t that right? Well, now you can probably salvage it to a certain extent without too much disgrace.”

“Argh!”

“Let’s end it here. Wade, you should be fine too.”

This was a kind of agreement.

Pressuring with the fact that my identity is Wade won’t happen, so don’t get involved with Crossing or Salion.

“It’s a reasonable proposal.”

After all, eventually, I will create a new nation with the protagonist.

Until then, the agreement with the Helian Duke will serve as a good shield.

“Very well. Let’s maintain a peaceful relationship in the future.”

“Sure. Then, let’s go enjoy the party.”

He will surely keep his promise. But I cannot predict when he might consider other options.

So, it seemed necessary for me to create a stronger shield.