WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Natty

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Copy Skills with Affinity! ◈

Chapter 17: Banquet (2)

──────

“... My lady.”

Stella, seated beside her, spoke as if she had a headache coming on.

“I heard that man had no connections in noble society.”

“That’s what I know too.”

Noel answered in disbelief.

“I heard he was the husband of that ever-dignified hero, so I expected someone similar. But he’s quite the successful young man. When will you come to my estate? I’ll treat you well.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Viscount. Ah, Lieutenant General, you should join us later as well...”

Before them, Aiden was conversing with several people at once, a sociable smile on his face.

He spoke to the wily nobles without the slightest discomfort, even guiding the conversation. He looked entirely accustomed to this sort of gathering.

As if this was closer to his real profession.

Laughter never stopped around him. At first, people had looked warily at the mysterious man who employed an important foreign figure as his adjutant. But the longer they spoke with Aiden, the more they relaxed and conversed with him warmly.

Of course, Noel knew he was a con artist, a profession that surely required skill in dealing with people, but still.

‘... Was that really a lie?’

Noel scratched her cheek as the thought crossed her mind.

She had lost count of how many impressive things he had done related to fighting. It was obvious that such feats could only come from terrifying training in combat and the use of abilities from childhood onward.

People like that usually struggled in places where they had to deal with others. They could not possibly have much experience with it.

Like Noel herself.

She had always found events like this difficult. It was a talent she could only envy.

‘Mr. Aiden really is an amazing person...’

As she thought that, she wiggled her toes for no particular reason.

‘... It was a good thing I left it to the Central Intelligence Bureau.’

At this point, the question of what he had originally done for a living was becoming even more impossible to answer.

She recalled the background report on Aiden that she had requested from them and sighed inwardly.

Thank goodness she had that much. Otherwise, she would not have been able to guess who he was at all.

“So, how is married life with Lionheart?”

“I consider myself far too fortunate to have such a spouse. I live every day benefiting from her kindness.”

... Still, did he really have to go around saying things like that, as if he were determined to keep his promise to make sure she never lost face?

Noel sighed and emptied her champagne glass in one gulp.

To watch him say such embarrassing things in real time, she needed to dull her mind a little.

“Would you like another glass?”

“Ah, please...”

The moment Noel turned toward the source of that voice, coldness seemed to race through her veins.

“Are you enjoying the banquet, Lady Noel?”

“...”

“Is this the first time we have met in person since the battle with the Magic Kingdom? You have not changed at all.”

“...”

Ordinarily, Noel would never commit the discourtesy of ignoring someone who spoke to her so warmly.

But.

If it was this person.

The voice was polite. The attitude was courteous. Every movement carried grace and formality.

The person before her radiated such a noble aura that others could hardly approach.

Yet to Noel, this was the person she least wanted to meet in the world.

Even the next words proved it.

“Didn’t you find a suitable stand-in? He does not seem lacking, even as a fake groom.”

Casually.

The words drove into her like a dagger.

“Was my proposal truly so unpleasant? I am a little hurt.”

The other person spoke teasingly, and Noel barely managed to say his title.

There was fear in her voice.

“... Your Highness.”

The Prince.

Noel’s prospective husband smiled faintly.

▣

-System Message

[ The skill: Weaver of Fate is operating smoothly. ]

[ Rewards are granted in connection with the Bonds you gain from others. ]

[ Baron Lannister feels favorably toward you. ]

[ Viscount Klinsmann feels favorably toward you. ]

[ Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd feels favorably toward you... ]

‘That’s right, that’s right, that’s right...’

Aiden smiled inwardly as he watched the system windows update at his side.

He was simply standing there and talking with people around him, yet more and more people were developing favorable feelings toward him. It was like fish continually getting caught in a trap he had already set.

First impressions really were important. Since he had planted the idea that he was an important person, people were becoming fond of him on their own after only a little conversation.

‘It was worth dressing up beforehand...!’

It was probably the effect of Imperial Bloodline, along with having Katia as his adjutant.

Aiden himself was nobody special. He had just lived an ordinary life.

His ability to tailor conversation to the topic at hand, read people’s feelings, and say the right thing was certainly his own skill. But the skills and his choice of companions were what gave him a stage on which to use it.

Still, there was one concern. The form of these rewards was subtly different from the ones he had received until now.

-System Message

[ The targets’ Scenario importance is low. The number of skills available to copy is extremely limited. ]

[ Weaver of Fate is converted into “Points.” Once a certain number of Points has accumulated, the “Point Shop” will be unlocked! ]

... A Point Shop.

He had no idea what kind of function that was, but it was clearly not a bad thing.

The reason was simple.

‘I feel like I’ve spoken to quite a lot of people...’

He had spoken with at least dozens of people, but the shop still had not opened.

It must be stocked with incredible things if it required that many Points.

‘Still, shouldn’t they be here soon?’

He had not yet seen the people he was aiming for. One of the two should have appeared by now.

Fortunately, he did not need to think about it any further.

A familiar face was approaching from the side.

“Ah, Sir Aiden.”

“Chieftain?”

Dunadan U’zal, the Dragon Slayer.

Aiden had heard Dunadan was still staying in the Empire due to diplomatic exchanges. It seemed the chieftain had attended the banquet as well.

But what caught Aiden’s attention was the petite woman walking beside Dunadan with a thump, thump.

“This is...?”

He asked, though he already had a rough idea of who she was.

She was one of the reasons he had attended this banquet.

“My eldest daughter. Rania A’shan.”

At those words, the woman raised her head slightly and looked at Aiden.

Rania left a very fresh impression on him.

She was beautiful. Beautiful, yes, but...

Voluminous pink hair, an eyepatch crossing one eye, traditional Plains Coalition clothing hanging loosely from her body, tattoos running from her collarbone to her neck, an expression that suggested everything in the world was a bother, and a cigarette held cynically between her lips.

On top of that.

“Hi.”

A greeting delivered casually, accompanied by a small flick of her fingers.

“...”

She did not look anything like a priestess serving a god.

Not at all.

But Aiden did not particularly care about that.

“Priests of Urgan do not use honorifics for anyone except Urgan’s own divinity. It would actually be discourteous for her to do otherwise, so I ask for your understanding.”

“It’s fine.”

Dunadan’s excuse was already an established setting in the game.

Even considering the position held by Urgan’s priestess within the Plains Coalition, it was not strange at all for her to speak casually to Aiden.

Every divinity had a representative who carried out its will, and within the Plains Coalition, that role belonged to the priestess.

She had a direct line to the god she served. In both combat strength and symbolic importance, she stood among the highest ranks even among superhumans who wielded abilities.

Even the coalition’s high chieftain could not treat her carelessly. Perhaps she was worth more than Dunadan, the chieftain standing beside her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Rania.”

Aiden greeted her.

But no answer came back.

Instead, Rania silently stared at him.

Continually.

Without stopping.

Until even Dunadan, who had introduced her, began to look flustered.

Then.

-System Message

▶ You make contact with “Seonhwarun,” Rania A’shan.

▶ This is an important figure in the story. The Scenario will change somewhat depending on the influence you have on the target!

▶ Your Bond Level with the target rises to Level 1!

▶ It synchronizes with the skill Weaver of Fate!

... Just as expected.

Aiden knew that this person would be interested in him the moment she saw him.

It was only natural, considering Rania’s nature.

‘... I have taken on the protagonist’s burden, after all.’

Savior’s Vow, which he had taken upon himself not long ago, was a constraint that would naturally interest Urgan’s priestess.

“You know, you’re kind of interesting.”

As she spoke, the pupil in the eye not concealed by her eyepatch split apart.

Dozens, hundreds, thousands of colors filled it in an instant. Like a kaleidoscope, the colors spun fiercely in a spiral, fixed directly on Aiden as if they were looking into him.

“Can I be honest?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll just be honest.”

“...”

As Aiden fell silent at her free-spirited manner, Rania lit her cigarette and continued.

Honestly, Aiden had not intended to think much of whatever she said. He had already expected a certain reaction.

“There’s something pretty awful clinging to you.”

... He had not expected to hear that.

Rania tapped the corner of her eye, which still shone with complicated colors.

“... I mean the source of the ability you use. Even my Divine Eye cannot see it. There are only two cases where the source of an ability cannot be seen even with an eye borrowed from a divinity.”

“... What?”

“The first is someone like me, someone with a means to communicate directly with a divinity. Naturally, they possess similar power, so it cannot be detected. They cancel each other out. That would be the better possibility.”

Aiden blinked blankly, and Rania took a deep drag from her cigarette before continuing.

“You don’t serve a god, right?”

“...”

“You’re not a priest.”

“That is... correct.”

“Then it’s the second case.”

Rania smiled and patted Aiden’s shoulder.

It almost looked like encouragement.

“Hang in there.”

“Excuse me, what are you suddenly talking about...?”

“It is not widely known, but they do exist. Beings who can be more dangerous than the heavenly ‘gods’ that bestow abilities.”

The words fell without warning.

“You were marked by one of them as ‘mine.’ The power you are using now comes from it.”

“... What?”

“Because of the burden you took on yourself, you cannot escape it anymore. Poor thing.”

Rania lightly brushed Aiden’s cheek.

As if she pitied him. As if she felt sorry for him.

“...”

What exactly was this woman talking about?

The thought came naturally.

But there was one thing he could feel.

‘... I don’t think she is simply talking about wielding abilities.’

She was talking about something more fundamental.

It felt as though she was speaking of the origin of Aiden’s abnormality, his ability to copy other people’s skills at will and use several abilities freely without limits or restrictions.

As though it was the influence of something other than a god.

“So, hang in there.”

Rania grinned as she said it again.

“You’re going to have a rough time ahead.”

“...”

“If you’re still alive, let’s meet again later. I’ll help somehow when that time comes.”

Aiden listened blankly as Rania waved and wandered off in the opposite direction.

As if she had already said everything she had wanted to say.

“My daughter is somewhat unusual.”

Dunadan, who had quietly watched the entire thing, gave a bitter smile.

“Those who commune with divinities tend to display unusual behavior. Their very view of the world becomes different from ours.”

“... It does seem that way.”

Aiden muttered blankly, and Dunadan gave a small laugh and nodded readily.

‘Well, I got the skill, so that is enough for now.’

He had heard something rather ominous.

Still, he had gained her favor and could now copy one of her skills.

‘If she is Urgan’s priestess...’

She had a skill he would need soon.

If things had not gone well, he would have needed to make an enormous effort to raise her Affinity. Since it had gone so easily, he should consider himself fortunate.

“By the way, where did you leave your companions to wander around alone like this?”

“I sent my adjutant outside for a moment.”

“... Why?”

... Because Katia would probably cause trouble if he left her alone.

So many people had approached him that there had been a few strange ones among them. Given Katia’s temperament, it would not be surprising if she used Divine Power to break someone’s jaw when things went wrong.

It was better to separate her for a while than let her cause a disaster of that scale.

“There was a reason for it.”

“... Well, I suppose you have your reasons. Then where is Lady Noel?”

Aiden turned his head slightly and saw her standing with someone.

“Ah, she appears to be with the Prince. You don’t need to feel guilty for leaving her alone.”

“That’s a strange way to put it.”

“Isn’t the Prince the Empire’s treasure? A brief conversation should not be bad for Lionheart either.”

“That’s true.”

Aiden let out a quiet laugh and agreed.

Thinking of the Prince in the game, he truly was someone worthy of respect.

He was like the phrase saintly gentleman given human form. During the first act of the main scenario, Imperial Capital Rift, he was someone who would burn even his own life without hesitation for the people.

Of course, that was one thing.

The fact that the Prince was there was undoubtedly an opportunity.

The Prince was Aiden’s main objective for attending this banquet. This was unquestionably the perfect chance to take a skill from him.

“Still, I should go interrupt them. She’s my wife, after all.”

“Mm. Go and do well.”

Aiden exchanged that nonsense with Dunadan, then rose casually from his seat.

Then.

A strange feeling rose within him when Noel’s expression came properly into view.

‘Huh?’

Something was wrong with Noel’s manner.

Her hand was clenched so tightly that it looked as though her blood had stopped flowing. Her face had gone pale, and her shoulders trembled faintly from how much tension she held in them.

What it meant was clear.

This woman was currently afraid of the Prince.

The Prince who was supposed to be an unmistakably good person.

As Aiden realized that, the Prince, still unaware of his presence, spoke words that struck Aiden’s ears.

“Or is that too difficult a request for the ‘Butcher’?”

The strangeness intensified.

His tone was still kind, and his manner remained polite.

But Aiden could clearly read it.

A glossy, sticky, dark emotion, like mud in a swamp.

This man was clearly showing malice toward Noel.

“...”

Aiden stiffened for a moment at that realization.

Then the Prince noticed his presence and turned toward him.

In an instant, a smile appeared on his face, as if his entire personality had changed.

The malice he had shown Noel until moments ago had vanished without a trace.

This was the Prince Aiden knew.

A good person. Someone perfect in character.

“Ah, Lady Noel’s husband.”

The Prince spoke warmly.

“I’m glad you came. There was something I wanted to discuss with you.”

... Clearly.

Something was going very wrong.

▣

Strangely, the Prince had requested a private conversation with Aiden.

There was a terrace outside the banquet hall, made for two people to speak in private. The Prince had suggested they talk there.

Sitting in that place beyond the noisy hall made Aiden feel almost cut off from the world.

And even there, one man seemed to exist alone in another world.

The Prince sat across from him with his eyes quietly closed, projecting an overwhelming presence simply by remaining still.

‘So this is what it feels like.’

This was probably similar to how others saw Aiden when Imperial Bloodline was active.

“...”

Of course, that was separate from everything else.

There had already been several cases where the knowledge Aiden had from the original story applied differently in reality.

The biggest example was that there was no protagonist. Nothing could compare to that.

But if he had to name the next biggest difference, Aiden would choose the man sitting before him without hesitation.

‘... Was he originally like this?’

Aiden looked at the silent man across from him.

The atmosphere Aiden knew was still there. Goodness, flawless innocence, warmth, gentleness.

But he could not help feeling that those things had somehow changed.

Filling the gaps between them was a chilling level of rationality.

He was not the saintly gentleman from the original story. Now, he felt more like an iron-blooded ruler who would do anything for the people.

“Mr. Aiden Kellermain, correct?”

As Aiden considered that, the Prince’s gentle voice drifted over.

“... Yes.”

Aiden answered after a brief pause.

It might have been an overinterpretation.

But among everyone Aiden had met so far, this man was the only one who had not called him Sir.

As if the Prince already knew Aiden was not truly a knight or anything of the sort.

“It is certainly fascinating.”

The Prince continued.

“Ordinary people find it difficult even to meet the eyes of a member of the imperial family. With the exception of His Majesty the Emperor, who forcibly suppresses his bloodline’s effect, members of the imperial family rarely fail to overwhelm those before them.”

“...”

“People as ordinary as you are even rarer. You’re as interesting as the rumors say.”

... It seemed what Aiden had felt earlier was not an overinterpretation at all.

This man clearly knew several things about Aiden.

“May I ask what you want?”

Aiden had agreed to come outside for a private conversation, but the flow of the conversation felt wrong. His chest felt tight.

“What I want... Yes. There is something.”

“I’m listening, Your Highness.”

At that, the Prince opened his mouth without even blinking.

“Break off your engagement to Lionheart.”

The words came casually.

“In return, I will grant you anything you desire.”

They flowed from his smiling face.

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