Chapter 16: The Party’s Finale

“The acting Viscount Moeno Connel is a magician?”

“Yes.”

Since they had decided to join hands, Muno confessed the reason he needed Sir Karina’s help in front of Princess Roanna.

“Even if things go wrong and I fail to secure evidence, I want someone from another family to witness him using magic. It would be even better if that person is from Trian.”

The princess’s eyes widened at those words.

“Putting aside how you found out, you speak as if you’ve already caught the magician, Prince?”

“Ah……. Well. My father will be joining me as well.”

It was just an excuse.

“Ah, if the Knight of Gluttony himself steps up, then that’s understandable. I hear he’s hunted magicians several times as well…….”

What? My father?

I was flustered, but for now, I pretended to know and moved on.

Then, the princess continued, as if she had a hunch.

“Acting Viscount Moeno Connel……. Well, his master was a rather suspicious person as well.”

“Yes?”

“Viscount Moeno Connel……. He’s one of my grandfather’s closest aides, but ever since he noticed my ‘ability,’ he won’t even stand in front of me.

Well, many people do that, but he was particularly severe, I should say?”

Ah…….

It was absurd that she was now openly calling it an ability, but on the other hand, the bitter expression that flickered across her face when she said it bothered me.

As if noticing my expression, the princess quickly smiled again.

“It’s alright.

I’ve never seen anyone who knows about my ability and doesn’t avoid me, except for my grandfather and ‘him’. Oh, right.

There’s one more now. Prince Muno.

You noticed from a while ago, right? And yet you don’t seem to mind.”

“Ah, yes. Well, I don’t have much to hide.”

Actually, I have a lot.

From my past life to the ability of the Demon Devourer.

But.

‘So what.’

I just don’t avoid it because I know well that there are limits to that kind of ability.

Just from the fact that the princess didn’t notice when I was making an excuse about my father, I could already guess one thing.

‘Even if I only tell a part of the truth, she can’t detect the lie.’

And there would definitely be other restrictions as well.

Like a limit on the number of times it can be used per day, or that it consumes stamina with each use.

Well, this was something I could guess because I myself possessed a unique ability of a different kind.

I had heard that unique ability users were that rare.

“No. You are truly an amazing person, Prince Muno.”

“It’s nothing…….”

“Even my father avoids me. Well.”

“……It wouldn't be. Yes. Well, a person can be like that. Or they might not be.”

What am I even saying right now. Ugh…….

As Muno was looking for a place to rest his eyes and awkwardly smiling while rolling his eyes.

“Pfft.”

Starting with the princess’s laugh, smiles appeared on the faces of the entire party simultaneously.

“Ahahaha. Yes. Well.

There are some people who are nothing special.

That’s why I like those people. In that sense, I’m starting to like you anew, Prince Muno.”

“……As a knight, I assume?”

“Of course. I can’t steal my sister Karina’s man……. Ouch! Why did you pinch……!?”

Thanks to the princess’s banter, the heavy atmosphere lightened up in an instant.

And naturally, a conclusion was reached.

“Alright. If it’s about catching a magician, and if it’s about catching a parasite within Trian, then I should gladly step up.

Right, Sir Karina?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“On that note, Sir Karina’s glorious first date……. Kidding! Kidding! Don’t pinch! I’ll lose weight!”

The negotiation (?) was concluded all too smoothly.

But perhaps the laughter that erupted in succession from the balcony was too loud.

When they re-entered the banquet hall, they couldn't help but receive the simultaneous gazes of everyone else.

‘It’s not like that. Don’t laugh.’

Grrr.

Muno scowled and shook his head at his father and mother, who were looking at him with a pleased expression for some reason, and even deliberately walked away from the princess.

But his intentions didn’t seem to be properly conveyed.

Not just to his parents, but to others as well.

“Um, by any chance, are you and Lady Roanna in some kind of…….”

The moment the second daughter of the Baron Esnam family, who approached him as soon as he returned to his seat, trailed off, Muno felt the need to make his position clearer.

“Ah, no. Princess Roanna has no interest in me. We were just talking about another contract.”

“Ah, I see.”

The young lady’s face brightened, and she hesitated for a moment.

“Then, would you like to take a walk with me……?”

“Yes? Ah, no. I’m sorry, but I’ve been out for too long, so I think I should stay here for now.”

I thought I had politely refused with due courtesy.

But the young lady’s reaction was strange.

Tears welling up.

Uh……?

“How, could you……, sob.”

The young lady suddenly burst into tears, turned around, and ran out of the party hall.

“Uh……?”

As I was flustered, the murmuring around me grew louder.

“Tsk tsk, that’s…….”

“……He must not have a good personality.”

“To insult her like that.”

Insult?

‘Me?’

I’m sure there was nothing like this in the party etiquette I learned.

When I looked back in bewilderment, I saw my mother clutching her forehead and slumping into her seat.

‘No, what did I do?’

Is not going for a walk an insult? Isn’t it right for the main character to stay in their seat?

My mental state started to waver from that point.

And by the time the young ladies started approaching one by one and spouting ridiculous compliments, I felt like my soul was escaping.

“Prince Muno, you are even more noble and reliable than I heard in the rumors.”

“My, I feel like I’m going to be sucked into your obsidian-like eyes.”

“If you don’t mind, later tonight…….”

This was said by girls who were a mere sixteen to eighteen years old.

And one of them even.

“A toast to your beautiful eyes, Prince.”

……When she said that, goosebumps broke out all over my body.

‘I just want to punch her eyes black and blue!’

Putting aside the smell she exuded when she approached, the cheesy lines themselves made my flesh crawl, so I had no choice but to refuse firmly.

“I just look old for my age.”

“You seem tired. Please rest.”

“I’m not alright. Please sleep well.”

“Please quit drinking.”

I felt a little sorry for the contorted expressions of the young ladies every time I answered like this, but I couldn't help it.

‘A refusal must be firm.’

After all, the young ladies who came here were probably the second or third daughters, or even adopted daughters of their families.

They were just bait to lure the asset named Muno Drasen, who was an immediate military power and had infinite future potential, into their families.

Besides, no matter how extraordinary his talent seemed, they couldn’t rashly guarantee the future of an adopted son who would one day have to leave the Drasen family.

Their truly cherished children would have already been married off or were being prepared as a card to connect with other noble families.

When my thoughts reached that point, I couldn’t help but feel bitter again.

‘Right, this is that kind of world.’

A world where nothing was to my liking, except for the fact that one could become a superhuman through their own efforts.

Experiencing inconvenience in daily life was a given, and there were too many life-threatening elements.

‘Why was I reborn in this world?’

What did the god, or demon, who brought me here want from me?

Just as I was blankly staring into the air, finally recalling a fundamental question.

“You’re doing well.”

“……??”

“Sir Karina seemed to like it. Keep doing that from now on.”

Princess Roanna, who had suddenly approached my side, brushed past, leaving behind some strange words.

And belatedly, I noticed Karina glaring at the back of her head and following her, her neck flushed red.

“Haaah…….”

A deep sigh hit my ears next.

It was my father.

“You brat, is there really no young lady you like?”

“No. They all smelled terrible. Except for one…….”

“One? Who?”

The moment my father’s eyes sparkled, Muno realized his mistake.

He had unconsciously thought of Karina, who had just passed by.

‘Come to think of it, that’s right.’

He remembered the comforting scent he had felt when she passed by.

It made sense that she wouldn't wear strong perfume since she was a knight, but strangely, she also didn't have the unique stench of knights in this world.

I 괜히 turned my gaze towards the walking Karina again.

Seeing that, my father smiled meaningfully.

“The princess?”

“Ah, no. That would be a big problem, Father!”

“A big problem? Why?”

Seeing my father’s bewildered expression, I realized I had misspoken.

“Ah. That is……. I’ll tell you about that later. Anyway, it’s not the princess.”

“Hoo. Then this rascal, could it be that female knight?”

I flinched without realizing it, and that gave my father another opening.

“Hoo. This rascal……!”

However, the reaction that followed was quite different from what I had expected.

“Just like my son, his taste is……!”

……What?

I was bewildered, seeing my father who seemed pleased for some reason.

“Honey, what is he saying? Is there a young lady he likes?”

My mother, who had approached belatedly, poked my father in the side.

“It seems this rascal has his eye on a young lady who resembles you. Hehe.

Thinking that it’s definitely thanks to you taking good care of him, I feel somehow proud…….”

“Really?!”

Why is this story going this way…….

“Ah, no! Absolutely not!”

“……Are you saying I didn’t take good care of you, son?”

“Ah, no. That’s not it…….”

I wasn't like this in front of the princess earlier, but now, a cold sweat was trickling down my back.

But strangely, the more flustered I got, the more pleased my parents seemed to be.

“So, what’s that young lady’s name? Still, to have children, she needs to have a bit more flesh than me.”

“She’s a knight, so I’m sure her stamina is sufficient, dear.”

“Father!”

“A knight?”

“Hoo. Seeing this rascal’s reaction, it’s certain.

She even has the epithet Knight of the Gale, was it Katrina?”

“It’s Karina…… but that’s absolutely not it!”

“Oh. If she even has a title, she must be a promising knight. Well then, I have no complaints.”

“Mother!?”

“Ah. But if she’s a female knight, we’ll have to get the Count’s permission?

Well, it might be a simple matter if Muno joins the Trian Knightly Order…….”

“No. I said that’s not it!”

I wanted to see the world freely, but at this rate, I was about to get married.

Of course, if you asked me if I didn't like Karina, how could that be true…….

‘No, absolutely not! I want to have a proper relationship, not a political marriage……. I think.’

The moment the soul of a 40-year-old virgin, who had been single for 24 years in his past life and 16 years in his present life, confessed his honest thirst.

‘Hul…….’

I myself was stunned.

No one had read my mind, but just thinking about it was incredibly embarrassing.

‘What a relief I didn’t say it out loud…….’

Just as I was about to sigh in relief.

My eyes met exactly with the blue eyes of Roanna Trian, who was smiling at me from a distance.

……No way, right.

I didn’t even say it out loud.

‘It can't be, right?’

It shouldn't be.

Just in case, I felt a pang of guilt and my face flushed.

Ugh.

‘Ah. Fucking, embarrassing……. Fuck.’

I’m such a…….

“Ha…….”

As a sigh and a moment of self-reflection came, my father intervened.

“Ahem. Ahem. People are watching. For now, since our son has found a partner, let’s end today’s party here.”

As my father signaled to Palmer, the music that had been filling the banquet hall began to gradually stop.

“I guess he knows that his son was rude.”

“Well, it must have been frustrating for the Baron as well. It seems he wants to get him married off.”

“Well, let’s call it a day. For the sake of the hunt that will continue from tomorrow. Perhaps another connection will be made then.”

“Let’s do that.”

And as the nobles began to disperse, understanding the host’s intentions.

Ryan, only after receiving their greetings one by one, finally turned back to his son.

“Now, shall we talk in detail? About that young lady.”

“Yes. I’m so relieved, Muno.”

Muno bowed his head in front of his parents, who seemed to have arbitrarily reached a conclusion.

“No, really, that’s, that’s not it……. I’m sorry, but I really have no intention of getting married. Father, Mother. I’m sorry. Really.”

I felt a slight pang of guilt seeing my parents flinch at his confession.

How could I not know their concern for me.

But in his opinion, it was not yet time.

“I want to freely explore the world after I have repaid even a part of my debt to you, Father and Mother. Before then, I have no intention of getting married or relying on any place. I am sorry.”

I tried to confess my honest feelings again.

Seeing my parents sighing, my heart ached a little.

“Ah. Of course, until Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony, I will somehow repay the favor…….”

But at those words, my parents answered with a serious expression.

“Repay the favor, you don’t need to think like that, son.”

“That’s right. How joyful and happy we are to have a gentle son like you.”

“Live your life as you wish. As I’ve already said, I have no intention of forcing you.”

“That’s right. My son, I will always support you. But you have to invite us to your wedding, okay? No, if possible, it would be even better if you came back home for the wedding.”

Hearing the unexpected words from the two who were warmly embracing my shoulders, an unknown emotion suddenly surged up.

Feeling that indescribable warmth, the question about this life that had come to me earlier began to disappear.

‘Right, what does it matter why I came to this world.’

I have a family like this, which I didn’t even have in my past life.

“Thank…… you.”

The moment I was trying to hold back my welling emotions and force myself not to cry.

[When the moon rises, come to my room.]

A sinister voice echoed in my ears, and a gloomy energy seeped into my mind.

This bastard…….

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