Ch 108
“You really are an unbelievable guy.”
“Suddenly?”
The blond, tanned Saint unexpectedly began speaking with a bored expression.
“To be honest, I was pretty confident.”
“Whatever it is, it seems like you can keep that confidence up? Looking at the young ladies in the garden, they were all captivated by you. That young lady earlier, too.”
Rona thought for a moment, then smiled happily.
“They’re cute young ladies.”
Wow-ack.
Lisir was secretly impressed by that sight.
It was a sight that wouldn’t look out of place even if you said the line, ‘cute baby dog.’
What do you call that again?
Prince Character?
That’s why women fall for him.
If I did that, would women go crazy for me?
Ah, yes, they would go crazy. In a different way.
Truly a former nymphomaniac and Golden Sun.
Just because you add two dots and draw a line doesn’t mean that status disappears.
Lisir felt a strange sense of defeat at the Golden Child’s overwhelming masculinity, and continued the conversation.
The two of them talked about what had happened.
The story of how the work he had started to train his healing power somehow gave him the opportunity to showcase his specialty（?）, leading him to build his influence.
…and Lisir’s story.
“Yes, yes. You won. I was foolish to try to beat you, even if only for a moment. Satisfied? Are you satisfied now?”
“…I didn’t say anything?”
That’s how they unintentionally exchanged feelings of defeat.
“Sir Eron!”
“See, I told you! I said they went this way!”
A group of young ladies appeared, and upon discovering Rona, they beamed.
Then, their gazes turned to Lisir.
“Oh, who is that person?”
Rona didn’t miss it.
Several women looked at Lisir, their eyes shining with curiosity.
The expression of the woman who had maintained a fresh and shy smile throughout her conversation with Lisir changed.
“Ah, I am Lisir.”
“Sir Lisir, you say? Uh… it’s a name I think I’ve heard before? Did we perhaps meet before?”
“I don’t know. Since I’m not someone who usually has connections with such gatherings.”
“What is your relationship with Sir Eron?”
Master-servant relationship.
Knowing that telling the truth would undoubtedly cause a commotion, Lisir glanced at Rona before speaking.
“We are friends. My wandering around looking for this friend has somehow muddied the waters of this place. I deeply regret my actions. I intend to finish my business and quickly escape.”
“Oh my.”
“You’re an interesting person.”
Lisir didn’t know.
How attractive the title of Eron’s friend was to them.
As the gazes directed at him intensified.
“What’s going on?”
Rona intervened.
She approached the group of women and created her unique atmosphere.
“Are you interested in my friend?”
“Yes? Oh…”
“No, it’s not that…!”
As Rona approached and spoke with her impressive atmosphere and voice, their caution immediately crumbled.
Lisir was completely driven out of their interest.
Their fervent gazes were fixed on the young noble before them.
“…”
Rona smiled in relief and spoke to Lisir.
“Then, I’ll be going now. Let’s talk again later. If you need my help, call me. I told Pien that I’d call when things are settled, so stay at the mansion until then. I’ll tell Karia.”
“Oh, Sir Eron!”
“Let’s go together!”
Having delivered her rapid-fire speech, Rona quickly led the group away.
“Is this the Golden Sun?”
Unable to understand the psychology behind Rona’s actions, Lisir was overcome by a strange sense of defeat.
✦✦✦
After parting ways with Rona.
I returned to my room and rested.
‘I can’t get used to this.’
As I lay quietly on the bed, the days I had spent immersed in training while making time for leisure recently came to mind, and my body felt restless.
I tried to ignore the blue lotus that kept appearing in my vision and fell into thought.
‘Come to think of it, what will happen when this matter is resolved.’
What had started as an attempt to score points with the council member had snowballed into something ridiculously large.
In the process, I unintentionally accumulated several merits.
According to what Rona mentioned in between our conversations, the City Council is currently keeping a close eye on me.
In a complicated yet positive way.
They’re apparently agonizing over how to reward me for my contributions to this matter.
‘Could it be, something big is coming?’
Perhaps, achieving my goal of settling down in Bondales might be accomplished much faster and more grandly than I anticipated.
As an illegitimate child from a noble family, though not among the high nobles, who used to eat scraps of attention, to become close friends with council members in a major city like Bondales.
As I actively worked towards normalization, strength and status came to me naturally.
To be rewarded for living honestly.
Could there be such a fulfilling life?
Tracing back the beginning of this dreamlike situation, that face comes to mind.
‘Damn it, Master again. Since I’ve thought of Master, I have to worship.’
I recalled Master’s unique fluttering laughter and voice and had my worship time.
-My disciple~
Come to think of it, how are Master and Duran doing these days?
If I get the chance, I want to show them the sight of an illegitimate child who has grown admirably.
And if I have the strength, I want to give Master the despair of ruin.
Could I, perhaps, now wield power on par with Master’s?
“Power… Sword Qi…”
It’s embarrassing that I gritted my teeth and ignored the blue lotus.
My heart pounded, and my whole body was filled with exhilaration.
The sensation when I unleashed the Sword Qi.
The superhuman realm I had reached, even if only temporarily, surpassing my limits.
Until now, I had simply regarded power as a means to rise in the world.
I didn’t fully understand the psychology of those who obsessed over power itself.
But now, I understand a little.
As such, the realm I briefly touched was extremely alluring.
Sword Qi.
And the power to unleash it.
I felt a desire to make all of it completely my own.
“Klana, could I please use the Sword Qi just once?”
-Good idea.
The sulking murderer answered immediately.
I nodded.
‘If I do, I’ll die.’
Don’t be hasty.
Since there’s nothing I need to risk my life for right now, training is something I can freely do once my body recovers.
I suddenly wondered.
What is my current realm?
“Klana.”
-What is it?
“What is my current realm?”
-Didn’t I tell you during your training? You’ve just reached the mid-level of the 6th Rank.
“Could you check again?”
-Seriously. Do you think a realm is like a growing body? At your current level, you should aim for progress in years. Even reaching this level at your age is close to a miracle.
“My constitution is a bit unusual.”
-Nonsense.
Klana said that, but manifested as a spirit and appeared before me.
The petite, sparkly mode murderer put her arm on my body and gauged my strength.
She had an unhappy expression, as if she was being forced to do something meaningless.
“?”
A question arose on her face.
“How is it?”
“No, wait━”
“It’s a matter of constitution, so calm down and just tell me the results.”
“Mana beginning to merge with the will… Clearly, you’re on the verge of the 7th Rank…”
7th Rank.
It was an unrealistic level for my original self.
“No…”
Even the Head of the Family, who seemed like a god when I was in Vendel, was 6th Rank, and Sir Melthas was also 6th Rank.
‘So, I’m soon going to be at a higher realm than the Head of the Vendel Family and Sir Melthas—is that what it means?’
It didn’t feel real.
“No…”
Should I say it’s a similar feeling to Klana, who has been muttering blankly since a while ago?
I didn’t think much of it when I was growing rapidly on my own, but now that I’m comparing myself to figures who feel like huge walls to me, the feeling is different.
I suddenly wondered.
‘What does it feel like to reach the 7th Rank realm?’
The superhuman realm.
It was another name for the 7th Rank realm.
From the 7th Rank onwards, they are said to be something other than human, a being of a higher level.
Naturally, the most recent 7th Rank being I met, Gaderok, came to mind.
Then my head tilted involuntarily.
It’s not something I should say, having barely won because that guy was careless, but I didn’t feel that level of presence from Gaderok.
Was it because it was power obtained temporarily through an improvised method?
“Klana, do you remember Gaderok?”
-You mean the wizard from the Blue Tower in Vendel. I remember him well.
“Yes? The wizard from the Blue Tower?”
-Yes, the magic he used is clearly from the Blue Tower faction.
“Uh… ah, that’s not important right now. Klana, how does that Gaderok compare to other 7th Ranks?”
-He’s a defective product.
“…Is that so?”
-Did that make you confident? You’ve gotten a swelled head. Remember that most of those who die a dog’s death are in a similar state to you right now.
“Oh…”
Klana’s reproachful yet generous warning only piqued my curiosity.
7th Rank.
If I get the chance, I really want to witness their presence and power.
But-
‘Where on earth do I find a 7th Rank ability user.’
Council members. Tower Masters.
I pride myself on playing in the relatively large waters of a relatively large city like Bondales.
Even so, I have never met a proper 7th Rank yet.
‘Though I might have had contact without knowing it—’
“Ah.”
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
I took out a certain parchment that I had kept deep within my luggage.
It was a disposable Death Note I had received in exchange for helping the Assassin Guild Master.
“Klana, what kind of realm would an Assassin Guild Master be at?”
-I can’t even guess what crazy idea you’re having.
“If I use the Death Note the Assassin Guild Master gave me as a summoning tool, would that be a great offense?”
-…
“Ah, that’s right. I thought so too. This is not it.”
Thus, my wish to witness the 7th Rank seemed to be dashed—
But a sudden opportunity arose.
It was that night.
After having dinner in bed with the meal I received from the maid, I was about to fall asleep when Rona visited my room.
“Did I disturb you?”
“No. I was just about to go to sleep, enjoying the privileges of a patient.”
“Privileges of a patient?”
“Eating in bed.”
“Ah…”
“Anyway, what’s up? This late at night?”
“Don’t, don’t misunderstand…! It’s nothing strange!”
“?”
“…No, forget it.”
Rona spoke of her business with a look of strange self-loathing.
“The owner of this mansion is holding a banquet, and I wanted to ask if you’re planning to attend.”
“If it’s the mansion owner—the Golden Barley Trading Company Guild Master?”
If I’m someone who plays in relatively big waters,
the Golden Barley Trading Company Guild Master was someone who played in extremely, incredibly big waters.
His business encompassed not only Bondales but also countless cities across the continent.
Perhaps he’s even connected to the ruling nobles of this world?
“Yeah. Apparently, a valuable guest is scheduled to visit the mansion, and they’re planning a grand banquet to celebrate a major deal.”
“And I’m supposed to attend?”
“What do you think you lack?”
“Well… my parents’ love as a child?”
“…That’s too deep.”
“A little shallower? Then, let’s see—what is there.”
“Forget it. Listen. You’ve also risen to the ranks of the city’s influential figures. The position you’re in now, or the position you’ll soon reach, is one that takes outsiders years, even decades, to achieve. By meeting countless people from the bottom and gradually building a foundation. But you rose to that position in one go. Without even having a chance to make an impression on others. Look at this morning.”
“This morning?”
“There were so many people in the garden, yet not a single person recognized you. You, who deals with heretics and criminals, and is known as a person of interest within the City Council.”
“Oh…”
“So, this is your chance to make a proper impression on the people of the city. And at the same time, network with the big shots from outside who will be attending the banquet.”
Truly, the prince of high society.
I was awestruck by the Golden Child’s appearance, speaking smoothly and showcasing the demeanor of a true professional.
“It does sound appealing… but can I just join such a gathering if I want to?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll tell Karia.”
“Damn, those handsome guys. The world is easy for them.”
“Handsome…”
It was a word choice reflecting the Golden Child’s desire to be seen as a man, but the reaction was strange.
Rona chewed on those words with a strangely unhappy expression.
“Or beautiful?”
“…Do you think I’m beautiful?”
“If you’re not beautiful, then who is?”
“…”
Was it my imagination?
It seemed as if the corners of the Golden Child’s tightly closed lips twitched for a moment.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m neither a woman nor a man, after all.”
I nodded, suitably playing along with Rona’s setting.
“Ah. Rona. By the way, who is that valuable guest who’s supposed to come to the banquet?”
Then, the Golden Child mentioned an unexpected big shot.
“A Tower Master.”
✦✦✦
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