WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Irevi

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 95: How Old Are You This Year?

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The day after clearing the dungeon.

The clearing of the Undead Dungeon caused a stir on a scale that dwarfed the previous two.

First, the vast Ronwood Plains, once the Empire's greatest breadbasket before being contaminated by demonic energy, returned to Imperial territory.

On top of that, the demonic energy blanketing the eastern Empire, from the Ronwood Plains all the way to the Kokokus Desert, where the Fifth Abyss was located, vanished.

That meant the supply and travel routes to the front lines had opened all at once.

Overnight, the Empire's eastern defensive line had ceased to be a front line and become a forward base for advancing toward the Fifth Abyss.

The people of the Empire cheered wildly at the string of victories against the Evil God.

At the center of that excitement were these names.

'Red Scales' Alicia Cyrus.

'Saintess' Mine Rose.

'Heir to the Ultimate Divine Sword' Aren Bright.

And fifty-three others.

Thanks to Regnar's consideration, I was included among those fifty-three others and avoided the attention of the Imperial people.

Still, even he couldn't stop the rumors.

There was talk that when Sunlit Gale deployed to bring back those of us who had cleared the dungeon, Duke Ren had appeared in person, taken one person with him, and leisurely disappeared.

Ordinary Imperial citizens might not know who that person was, but at least at Ruidel, there was no one who didn't.

Stories about me had already begun spreading beneath the surface, and even the instructors started watching themselves around me.

Only Adeline treated me as usual, looking half proud and half bitter.

A few days later.

"Congratulations, hero of the Empire."

"One of the other fifty-three, actually."

Richard sat across from me at the café while I sipped my drink.

The moment he sat down, he placed the Shattering Spear I'd given him on the table as if to show it off.

After deciding to become an Academy spearman, Richard had improved considerably.

He'd raised his spearmanship to a level close to the swordsmanship he'd displayed in the original game.

Thanks to the Shattering Spear, he was getting fairly high results even within the Raid Corps.

More importantly, though, he was starting to develop some common sense.

It was something I'd realized through our repeated interactions. Richard was easier to reason with than expected, and he wasn't as bad as I'd thought.

He still had a rude habit of treating commoners like idiots, but at least he no longer crossed the line.

Was it because of me?

Either way, it hadn't been intentional, but somehow he'd become one of the few male friends I had at the Academy.

"Anyway, why are you here? Want to see the new Shards I got?"

"No... I only came to ask whether you'll attend the victory banquet."

"Victory banquet?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. The victory celebration banquet at the Imperial Palace."

I really didn't know, so I only blinked.

Reading my expression, Richard tapped the shaft of his spear with a finger.

"You're slow on the news. The Imperial Family is preparing a grand banquet to honor the heroes of the Empire. If things go well, you may even meet His Majesty."

"Can I go too? I'm one of the other fifty-three."

"I heard that, following the ideals of His Majesty Cyrus, the Founding Emperor, all Academy students will be invited. I found out early because I have connections, but it will be officially announced soon."

Cyrus, the Founding Emperor, had hoped Academy students would cooperate and pierce the Evil God's heart.

Even if we were lumped together as “the others,” six Academy students had participated in this raid, so it made sense.

The timing was roughly right too. In the original game, the victory party was held after the third dungeon was cleared.

I'd even bought a gift to give Aren.

But why the Imperial Family?

And why a victory banquet?

In the original game, it had been a modest party among students in the Academy's grand auditorium.

Why had it suddenly been upgraded to an Imperial victory banquet?

'Is it because Alicia was involved?'

It seemed so. The Imperial Princess had personally led the raid.

"Thanks for the information, but is there any point in asking whether I'll attend?"

Since the Imperial Family was hosting it, I'd have to go even if I didn't want to.

"...Well. I only came to get a definite answer. Someone wishes to see you."

"Who skips an Imperial victory banquet?"

"I heard you didn't attend the victory banquet after clearing the First Abyss either. Because of that, everyone who wanted to get acquainted with you at a banquet without its main guest went home disappointed."

Back then, practicing Just Guard had been more important.

Anyway, once I said I would attend, Richard held out his palm as though his business was finished.

He wanted Shards.

When I handed him around five Tier 2 Shards, he placed a pouch of money on the table and rose from his seat.

"You don't have to keep paying me for these."

"...Hmph."

I had plenty of money now.

Still, the arrangement somehow made me feel guilty.

As Richard turned to leave, he added something.

"By the way, who is your partner? If you haven't chosen anyone, I could introduce you to a suitable young lady."

"...?"

"You don't mean to say you don't know? It's an Imperial victory banquet. Entering in male-female pairs is basic etiquette. Haah... This is why commoners..."

After sneering at me, Richard left the café.

I stared at my now-cold drink and tapped my temple.

'Partner.'

There had been a party event in the original game where Aren brought a partner.

The event and cutscene changed depending on which heroine she brought, and it was also possible to raise Affection Levels.

It just hadn't been the victory party.

The main event of the original victory party was Richard picking a fight with Aren, getting on Alicia's bad side, and being thrown out.

There had been no event about bringing a heroine along.

My head hurt.

Since it was being held at the Imperial Palace, not only students but many influential figures from the Empire would attend.

Entering a place like that with a specific person as my partner was practically a public declaration that I had joined that woman's side.

Regnar's face came to mind again.

If he wasn't going to stop this, why had he come to see me in the first place? And why had he punched me? It was unfair.

'Should I just go alone, etiquette be damned?'

Part of me thought I could get away with it.

After all, the Baronet title was only for show. In reality, wasn't I just an uncultured commoner?

Richard had never taught me anything about Imperial etiquette.

Good.

'I could introduce you to a suitable young lady.'

No.

If I hesitated, I'd end up forcibly tied to some young lady from the noble faction whom I'd never even met.

What the hell was I supposed to do about this?

'Ah.'

Come to think of it, there was someone I could ask at a time like this.

⁎⁎⁎

Trickle.

Amber tea filled the teacup.

It was jasmine tea prepared by Adeline.

"That's right. An official notice came directly from the Imperial Family yesterday. I was planning to announce it by tomorrow anyway... But Richard told you himself?"

"Yes."

"Wow... I've heard about it now and then, but did you really charm the Dain House's troublemaker? Seeing it in person is fascinating."

'I only collected friendship fees from him.'

I was in Adeline's instructor's office.

This had nothing to do with my knowledge of the original game. I couldn't say the conclusion I'd reached on my own was necessarily right.

So I decided to ask an adult in a position similar to mine. Adeline, who had been born a commoner and received an honorary title.

As the jasmine tea went down my throat, I watched Adeline prepare cookies beyond my cup.

'I thought she might interrogate me about Renee's ability.'

Surprisingly, Adeline didn't ask a single question about it.

I had no intention of bringing up something she hadn't asked about either.

"...So I wanted to ask for your advice. Haven't you had an experience like this too, Instructor?"

"Of course I have."

"Can't I just go alone?"

"Going alone would be the worst option."

She shuddered with a look of disgust.

"That's like charging into a battlefield with 'Claim me' written across your back. High-ranking nobles will pester you all night trying to introduce their daughters, and eventually someone will snatch you away."

It was obvious she was speaking from experience.

"I went through something similar. So at the next banquet, I took a special measure."

"What special measure?"

"I wore a sword."

She's insane.

No.

"...Can you do that? I heard His Majesty might attend."

"Of course not, but what would an uncultured commoner know? Someone should have taught me."

On that point, we understood each other perfectly.

And it seemed like a decent idea.

'I have devoted my life to the sword.'

It had a nice martial arts novel feel to it.

"Then..."

"But that doesn't apply to you. I was already the Empire's Greatest Sword back then. And I wasn't involved with any men... but you're involved with quite a few people now, aren't you?"

"...Then why did you even bring it up?"

"To tease you."

Damn it.

Adeline leaned slightly toward me.

A mischievous smile played on her lips.

She'd clearly come fully prepared to make fun of me while I was in trouble.

This wasn't going to help.

"Excuse me."

As I tried to stand, Adeline grabbed me.

"Is there really no one who comes to mind right away?"

There were. Too many, that was the problem.

"If you're worried because of political affiliations, shall I tell you a simple solution?"

"Pardon?"

"You can go with me."

Adeline shrugged calmly.

"No one will be unaware that I'm your teacher. There will be less chance of pointless rumors, and my name carries some weight too."

Now that she mentioned it, she was right.

I couldn't logically refute her.

"Would that be all right with you?"

"I don't mind. I needed a partner anyway. I'd have to go with either Kruus or Instructor Calux, but neither of them is any fun."

She set down her teacup and grinned.

"What do you think? You won't find a better partner, will you?"

The Empire's Greatest Sword and my teacher. Whether it was the Imperial faction or the noble faction, it would be hard for them to try anything foolish in the face of those two facts.

Adeline symbolized the Empire's military might itself, regardless of political alignments.

"Good. Then it's settled."

Adeline nodded in satisfaction, apparently taking my silence as agreement.

'No, it isn't settled yet.'

What was this? Why did it feel like things were suddenly progressing without any regard for my wishes?

"Right. Do you have formalwear?"

"No...?"

"Huh... What am I supposed to do with you?"

Adeline looked at me with a pitiful expression.

"Don't tell me you were going to wear your training uniform? Even I wore formalwear when I appeared before His Majesty with a sword at my hip."

"..."

"You should have at least one proper formal outfit made... Wait... What time is it now?"

After checking the time, Adeline clapped her hands.

"The timing is perfect. I was going to buy you a set of formalwear anyway. We can go now."

No. Excuse me.

Just as Adeline grabbed my arm and tried to force me to my feet.

Click.

"What? You were here? I've been looking everywhere for you."

A wild Alicia appeared.

She entered the instructor's office as naturally as if it were her own room.

Then she looked back and forth between Adeline, who was holding my arm, and me, who was being held by Adeline.

For some reason, her gaze was ice-cold.

"What are you two doing right now?"

"Your Highness."

Instead of avoiding Alicia's gaze, Adeline pulled my arm closer as if to show off.

She pulled so hard it felt like my arm was about to be yanked out.

"Coincidentally, I have business with Halibal as well. Very urgent business."

"If it is urgent business..."

Alicia tapped her cheek with her fan as she continued.

"Could it be about the victory banquet?"

"Your news travels fast."

"Of course."

She strode up in front of me and stood opposite Adeline.

"I am one of the hosts of that banquet."

A sense of dread ran down my spine.

What were they doing now?

"Good timing, Halibal. Have you chosen your partner for the victory banquet?"

Before I could answer, Adeline cut in.

"We just decided. He will be going with me."

"What did you say?"

"I only intend to look after him as his teacher. This child is a commoner like me, so he knows nothing about etiquette and apparently doesn't even have formalwear. I was about to take him to have some clothes made immediately."

"Formalwear."

Alicia smiled softly.

"Then there is even less reason for an instructor to step in. The Imperial Family has decided to have the finest formalwear made for the 'leading figures' of the dungeon raid."

"Is there any need to spend Imperial funds on having an outfit made?"

"Kuhuhut. The Imperial finances are not so poor that an instructor needs to worry about them. The territory of the Ronwood Plains, which Halibal and I reclaimed, will greatly aid the treasury."

"I only worry that the Halibal I taught may have become a burden to Your Highness."

Adeline smiled back as she slightly lowered her head toward Alicia.

Yet somehow.

Both of them were smiling, but it didn't feel like they were.

As the two women's eyes met in the air, I could almost see invisible sparks flying between them.

"Instructor Adeline Windsor."

"Yes, Your Highness, Princess Alicia."

Alicia's lips curved into a captivating smile.

"How old are you this year?"

Footnotes:

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