Copy Skills with Affinity! - Chapter 16

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Natty

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Copy Skills with Affinity! ◈

Chapter 16: Banquet

──────

The change in Weaver of Fate's bond form was new to Aiden Kellermain, but something else shocked him even more.

- Additional copyable skills have been unlocked!

That message was what mattered.

He had looked through Katia's skill list several times before, but when he checked it again after seeing that message, the list was absurd.

'... Well, would you look at that.'

Aiden scrolled down the list, muttering to himself.

He had only checked because he wanted to see what skills had been added.

'... She has every class?'

Even in the game, the major characters all grew along different paths, and the roads they took changed accordingly.

Noel and Katia might already possess terrifying strength, but they were still people standing at the starting line. As the main scenario progressed, their specialties would differ depending on which field they chose.

For Noel, for example, there were paths focused on swordsmanship, physical enhancement, or even magic, turning her into a magic swordsman.

But the skills newly added to that list covered every one of those specialties.

'Normally, once a specialty is chosen, they can't learn anything else...'

Even Weaver of Fate could only copy skills that its target currently possessed.

But now, simply because the nature of their bond had changed, the pool of skills he could copy had grown enormously.

It was as if he could copy these people's entire futures...

"Your Highness, I mean..."

"I'm not going back."

"..."

"More importantly, give me the adjutant position."

Before he could continue that train of thought, a blunt voice landed directly in front of him.

As if the shocking declaration that she would not return to the Holy Empire was not enough, Katia's next demand was enough to make Noel clutch at her own throat.

Katia had learned that Aiden Kellermain's adjutant position, which involved always accompanying him to official functions, was vacant. Her demand for it was relentless.

As a result, an awkward confrontation had continued for some time.

Calling it a confrontation was generous, though. Noel was desperately trying to persuade Katia, who let every word go in one ear and out the other.

"It makes no sense for royalty from one nation to behave that way in another, Your Highness. By custom, culture, and administration..."

"Adjutant."

"I have kept telling you, this would not only create difficulties for the Empire. It would also put Pope Seonghwa in the Holy Empire in an awkward position..."

"Adjutant."

"..."

"Adjutant."

"Please hold back."

Aiden said that last part when he saw Noel's hand slowly reaching toward her scabbard.

Katia could not die anyway, but Noel's movement looked sincere enough that Aiden thought she might actually cut her down.

'... Still, this is better than them trying to kill each other not long ago.'

Compared to the mood back then, this was practically cute.

It was fortunate Noel had such a good temperament. She was treating someone who had caused that kind of madness without holding much of a grudge.

"To begin with, isn't this whole situation a little strange?"

Whether Katia understood Noel's state or not, she laced her fingers behind her head and spoke indifferently.

"You two will be attending all sorts of official events as a married couple from now on. How were you planning to handle those schedules without an adjutant?"

"..."

She had a point.

Come to think of it, Noel had said she would choose an adjutant before, but had postponed it because she wanted to find someone capable.

"Isn't it strange? Servants are one of the best ways to display one's status. At your rank, not having any is enough to draw disapproval."

"Is it really that serious?"

"... It's common knowledge in high society. Lionheart, how have you been treating your husband?"

Good grief.

It was strange enough to hear the word common sense come so casually from Katia's mouth, but Noel clearing her throat as if embarrassed was even stranger.

"Before attending official functions, I can help with escort duties and miscellaneous matters myself. I simply have not found anyone who meets the proper standards yet."

"Whatever the circumstances, if you deliberately go without one, people around you won't look kindly on it."

Katia tapped her cheek as she continued.

"Like I said, sending him into those places alone without even an attendant damages both your reputation and your husband's. You know that, don't you?"

Apparently, Noel had no strong rebuttal. She pressed her lips together and fell silent.

"... Then I should avoid taking Mr. Aiden to such functions whenever possible."

"If you don't even bring your future husband to high society events, what do you think people will say? Wild speculation about your marriage will spread everywhere."

"That is something I will handle myself. Neither Mr. Aiden nor I want him getting entangled in major affairs unnecessarily."

... No.

Aiden looked at Noel as she stubbornly continued, practically unable to believe what he was hearing.

"I don't want to burden you that much."

Thinking about it again, this person could be so inflexible that he sometimes wondered whether it was all right.

Yet Noel's eyes curved softly at his words, as if she had heard something entirely unexpected.

"What? But..."

"Can't we just attend together? Isn't that why you're going to marry me, so you won't be troubled by things like that in the first place?"

"... That is true, but."

"Then you should make use of me. Don't I need to do my part too?"

The marriage had begun in a manner close to kidnapping, but Aiden could feel every time how earnestly Noel tried to help him.

Money, convenience, everything. It felt as though Noel always did her best for Aiden even beyond what was stipulated in their contract.

It would not be difficult to give something back.

He had heard that Noel had hired him because an officially vacant husband's position would cause trouble in various ways.

"... Ah."

But after hearing him say that, Noel hesitated.

Her lips moved soundlessly.

She seemed to be considering what to say for quite some time.

"Thank... you."

"..."

Aiden found himself speechless at the reaction of someone who seemed unaccustomed even to receiving kindness.

It was not even kindness. It was only natural, yet she seemed uncomfortable with that too. It was unbelievable.

'How did she end up with a personality like this?'

How could someone with that much ability and that high a position have so little self-esteem? It was fascinating.

Aiden sighed inwardly and continued.

"Then if you're uncomfortable with Her Highness serving as an adjutant right away, couldn't you just attach anyone as a servant for now and attend the event?"

"That is absurd."

Neither of them even considered the idea worth discussing.

"An adjutant is someone who remains in close contact with you almost constantly. No amount of vetting is excessive. There is a reason no one has been selected until now."

"The easiest professions to use when assassinating an honored guest are cooks, tailors, secretaries, and adjutants."

"..."

This might have been the first time he had seen the two of them agree so completely.

If they dismissed the idea together like that, then it truly had to be dangerous.

"... So we can't just place anyone in the role of adjutant."

"Exactly. That is why I said I would do it. What are you hesitating over?"

At Katia's words, Noel gave her another sharp sideways look.

"Are you not taking this too lightly?"

"The Imperial Palace's regular banquet is coming up soon. You have to attend that one at least, regardless of the others, don't you?"

"Even so, Your Highness becoming Mr. Aiden's adjutant is an entirely different matter..."

"... No."

Aiden cut in before Noel could finish.

He rubbed his chin, apparently calculating something in his head.

"Actually, that may not be as bad an idea as it sounds."

"..."

Noel looked at Aiden as if she had just been struck on the back of the head.

"What on earth do you..."

"If royalty is the problem, then we can deceive them."

"Pardon?"

"As long as we don't get caught, there are ways around it. At the very least, we can conceal her face."

"Oh, you do understand after all."

Unlike Katia, who smiled brightly as she spoke, Noel put a hand to her forehead and spoke with difficulty.

"... Mr. Aiden, I feel as though your attitude has changed from before."

"No. We need to leave people with a good impression."

"... What?"

"It is our first event together. Shouldn't we make it go well?"

"..."

Noel stared at Aiden with wide eyes.

She looked as though she had never imagined she would hear words like that from him.

Aiden, who had spent all his time avoiding trouble, was now welcoming someone who was obviously nothing but trouble.

But Aiden could not let what Katia had just mentioned pass him by.

Other official events were one thing, but he could not ignore that particular schedule.

'The Imperial Palace's regular banquet...'

In the game, it was originally only mentioned as an event that existed. But if one looked into the details, its importance increased considerably.

Not only members of the imperial family and influential nobles, but also powerful figures from other nations frequently attended.

It was highly likely that people central to the main scenario would appear there.

Because...

-Skill Info

◈ Weaver of Fate

You alone know the truth of this world. Form bonds with important figures in the Main Story to gain new rewards!

... This meant he could make very good use of it.

Now that he needed to actively involve himself in the main scenario, collecting useful abilities as quickly as possible had become even more important than before.

And he already knew the first people he should target.

'The shrine maiden. And the prince.'

Urgan's shrine maiden, who would have come from the Tribal Alliance.

And the Empire's legitimate heir to the throne. The suitor clinging to Lady Noel, and the reason Aiden was here in the first place.

They were major figures with enormous influence over the main scenario.

"... Mr. Aiden."

Noel spoke again, looking as though her head ached.

"I trust in your abilities, Mr. Aiden, and I am glad that you wish to consider me. But noble society is a battlefield in many ways. People can seize upon the smallest thing, so would you reconsider?"

"When you say they will seize upon something, what do you mean?"

"Etiquette, custom, and even subtle looks and gestures. It is a place where attempting to tear others down is practically tradition. Anyone who has never been to such a place would find it difficult to have a good experience."

"..."

Aiden tilted his head slightly at the way Noel spoke as though chewing out the words.

It was rare for her to express such a negative opinion so immediately.

How should he put it?

"Forgive me if this is rude, but have you had bad experiences?"

"... I cannot say I have good memories."

Aiden gave a bitter smile at Noel's stiff reply.

That made sense. Given her personality, Noel probably had lived entirely apart from backroom schemes, delicate personal relationships, politics, and such things.

And if that was the case...

"Then I will help boost your confidence."

"... Pardon?"

"I will make sure no one can look down on you."

It was time for him to be of help to Noel as well.

'I need to remain on good terms with this person from now on anyway.'

... He did not want to view people as skill vending machines, but his relationship with Noel would still be a major pillar of Aiden's future survival.

From that perspective, helping her was by no means a bad investment.

Besides.

Etiquette? Custom? Reading the room?

If it were a place where violence clashed against violence, that would be one thing. But if those were the weapons used there, then it was practically Aiden's home ground.

After all, what had he done for a living?

'And...'

He knew of an ability that would give his talents wings.

-Skill Info

◈ Weaver of Fate

『 Lionel XIII 』

- Bond: Level 1

- You can copy 1 skill.

The copy opportunity he had received from the Emperor before.

It was time to use it.

[ Copying Special Skill: Imperial Bloodline. ]

▣

In high society, where there was never a quiet day, stories about countless people inevitably drifted about in tangled threads.

That was even more true of an event as grand as the imperial banquet, where people gathered from across the Empire.

They said some noble lady had rejected someone. They said a powerful noble somewhere was having an affair...

Places like this were hubs for the whispers where gossip scattered in every direction, but one subject had made today's banquet especially lively.

"They say His Highness the Prince will attend the banquet today?"

"How fortunate that we will be able to behold that handsome face once more!"

There were many kinds of men admired by high society, but it would be fair to say no one was as perfect in every regard as the prince.

Status, ability, appearance, and even his age. He was still very young, yet his position within the imperial family was extremely secure.

It was hardly strange that his attendance alone became a topic of conversation.

At the mention of his name, bright smiles and cheerful chatter spread among the noble ladies.

"Ah, there is one more interesting matter."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I heard that Lionheart herself will be attending today with her spouse."

"... Ah, is that so?"

The mood at the table became strange, the complete opposite of before.

"Lionheart... She is an impressive knight."

"Of course."

That was what they said, but their faces carried smirks and subtle displeasure.

She was an impressive person.

At that age, building such a position through her own efforts was undeniably remarkable.

But...

"... So she really does have a groom. I heard she got married, but I thought it was a false rumor."

"I wondered who would ever like such a violent woman, but it seems there are men with unusual tastes after all."

The noble ladies, who had little interest in complicated political affairs, did not have much respect for Lionheart, the knight who represented the nation.

Even the fact that she had earned merit in a war that had turned the entire continent into a mire did not particularly move them.

Despite her position, she was also firmly regarded in high society as arrogant, old-fashioned, rigid, and someone who never properly opened her heart to anyone.

From Noel's perspective, she had merely remained neutral because she did not want to be swept into any faction. But that was none of their concern.

And above all...

"Let us see just how wonderful this husband is. Who does she think she is, rejecting His Highness the Prince's proposals so often..."

The noble lady who had inadvertently voiced her true feelings fell silent under the glares pouring in from those around her.

Everyone here knew that openly saying such things would draw too much attention.

Yet no one spoke in opposition, so they seemed to agree with the sentiment itself.

From their perspective, it was deeply aggravating that Noel had repeatedly rejected the prince's proposal, something they themselves could never dare approach.

"Lady Noel Astria Seamus of Imperial Capital Command is entering!"

Speak of the devil, and the person herself appeared.

The noble ladies all covered their mouths with fans and looked down arrogantly at the person entering through the doors.

The first thing they noticed was Lionheart, striding into the hall with her usual expressionless face.

"... A uniform again?"

"How old-fashioned. We already knew she had no sense when it came to choosing clothes, but she could at least pretend to make an effort."

She did not even intend to follow the basic dress code. As expected, she was arrogant.

Having shared those impressions, the noble ladies soon turned their attention to the person beside her.

And then...

The sight of the groom entering arm in arm with Lionheart...

"..."

The noble ladies who had been criticizing Lionheart with such contempt moments earlier all fell silent at once.

They were probably all thinking something similar for an instant.

... No wonder her standards were high.

If the chance to marry a man like that had been open to her until now, that assessment would be understandable based on appearance alone.

He was neither a handsome man carved like a statue nor a great magnate draped in luxury goods. In the first place, things like that could not provoke this reaction. Such people were everywhere in high society.

Rather...

Under ordinary circumstances, the person standing beside Lionheart would not even have qualified as one of them. He was closer to the kind of commoner people would mock for appearing at a place like this.

But...

He had the same aura one might sense from the prince they had just been discussing.

The same dignity felt only from members of the imperial family.

At a glance, he gave off the atmosphere of someone who clearly did not belong among ordinary people.

"H-His first impression is... rather acceptable."

"Hm. Hm."

When someone said that with an awkward cough, everyone else reluctantly exhaled in agreement.

But their evaluation was not over yet.

Simply looking dignified did not make him a husband of high standing.

Without proper ability or lineage, he would merely be all show and no substance.

As each of them entertained those thoughts, the hall guards stopped the people trying to enter.

"The identity of the person beside you is...?"

Lionheart's escort was well known to be Lady Stella, her adjutant. Yet no one knew the identity of the figure beside her, clad in full armor including a visor that concealed their face.

The guard's restraint was understandable.

"Adjutant."

At the brief word from Lionheart's spouse, an unmistakable proof of identity rose from the armored figure.

A colorless flame. A small but unmistakable supernatural power.

There were two kinds of people who wielded divine power: royalty, and paladins bound to royalty by vows.

That person could not possibly be royalty, so the figure standing there had to be a paladin.

And the instant that conclusion was reached...

A silence far deeper than before fell over the hall.

It was probably because not only the noble ladies at the nearby tables, but everyone else in the hall who had been watching the scene closely, had been shocked.

"... D-Divine power..."

"A paladin of the Holy Empire is serving as an adjutant...?"

Paladins were vital personnel used to guard the Holy Empire's royalty. They were the Holy Empire's strongest fighting force.

Using one as an adjutant clearly proved that the man was treated, at the very least, as someone on par with Holy Empire royalty.

It was an extraordinary luxury that even most powerful nobles could not enjoy.

"..."

The sound of someone swallowing dryly rang clearly through the hall.

Perhaps everyone had understood with certainty from that one display.

The man standing there might be...

The most important man in this entire hall.

▣

-Skill Info

◆ Unique Ability: Imperial Bloodline

Members of the imperial family, born with noble blood, naturally wield an inborn charisma that captivates crowds. When noticed by many people, your Charm increases dramatically.

In addition, you automatically resist certain forms of mental interference, and some actions occur automatically while this effect is active.

... As expected.

Copying this had been the right choice.

Aiden looked at the window floating before him with that thought.

-System Message

[ The majority of the people in this location are paying attention to you. ]

[ Many people feel favorably toward you. ]

[ Conditions are optimal for using Weaver of Fate! ]

... Exactly.

Aiden whistled inwardly when he saw the messages.

It had been worth taking such care with his appearance. It seemed leaving a strong impression through Katia had worked as well.

'All that remains is...'