WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Ryuu

Editor: Ilafy

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ I Pulled Out Excalibur

Chapter 177

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The Banquet (2)

Najin and Dieta stood at the center of the banquet hall, which was filled with nobles and high-level officials from all across the Empire. Any one of them would normally be a leading figure in a gathering elsewhere, yet there they were, little more than supporting actors.

The Star of Dawn, Najin; the Snake That Swallows Gold, Dieta—they appeared side by side. Each had achieved feats so remarkable that many described them as revolutionary, and all in a very short time.

One had broken the long-standing balance among the Empire’s major trading companies in merely four months and firmly claimed a place at the top; the other had shattered a thousand years of established imperial “common sense” with unmatched talent. If one were to pick the two most famous people in the Empire at the moment, it would be those two. Naturally, they dominated everyone’s attention.

“Indeed.”

“They do make quite a picture…”

“What a pity. Word was that the chairwoman failed to woo him, so I was hoping…”

“Planning to hang pearls around a pig’s neck? That’s rather insulting to the pearls, I’d say.”

“Are you calling me a pig?”

“I’m calling the chairwoman the pearl.”

“That still makes me the pig.”

“Truth isn’t exactly pretty, is it? Must I spell it out?”

“Why do you keep calling yourself a ‘young lady’ when you’re not so young?”

Some of the male nobles clicked their tongues enviously at Najin, who had won Dieta’s side, while certain ladies in attendance glanced between their own partners and Najin, covering a sigh behind their fans.

Dieta lowered her gaze ever so slightly, listening intently to the surrounding chatter without letting on. Inwardly, she was thrilled. The banquet brought together many of the Empire’s most powerful people, as well as countless gossipers who would spread word of the night’s events across Camelot by the next morning.

By then, everyone would know who Dieta had chosen as her partner, and likewise, who Najin’s partner was. It felt good simply to attend the banquet with him, but the rumors that would inevitably follow put an extra spring in her step.

“A bit of a heads-up is necessary,” she thought. So many nobles had been eyeing Najin; even more had discreetly offered marriage proposals or were clearly fishing for them. She was effectively telling the poachers to back off.

She wanted her actions to say, ‘He’s my partner, someone I’m so close with that he accompanies me to a lavish banquet. Surely, no one with dignity and culture would try to steal a person who is already spoken for—right?’

She cast Najin a quick, sidelong glance. Interpreting her look in his own way, he smiled softly the moment their eyes met. Her breath almost caught in her throat, but she steadied it just in time, answering with a calm smile.

The banquet continued. Different circles of influence broke off into their usual gossip. Lesser nobles scurried about—trying to curry favor with high-ranking officials—while private negotiations and rumor-mongering spun through the air.

Suddenly, someone arrived late. A fair amount of time had passed since the banquet began, yet nobody dared take offense. After all, who in their right mind would complain about a Pillar of the Empire?

Cipria Gachevskaya, the Master of the Platinum Tower… Her blonde hair draped down her back, and she waved cheerfully at Dieta.

Wearing a platinum-colored dress, she lifted its hem slightly and smiled. “This dress you sent me is lovely,” she said. “I haven’t been to a banquet in ages and had no idea what to wear… but you saved me. I feel like all I ever do is accept your gifts.”

“I’m happy it suits you,” Dieta replied.

“You look wonderful.” Cipria’s eyes naturally drifted to the young man beside Dieta, someone she already knew by name. “Ah, you’re…”

“My name is Najin. It’s an honor to greet the Empire’s Fourth Pillar.” Najin bowed his head politely. Cipria was the one who had personally evaluated him when he qualified for the title of Sword Seeker, so in a way, they had met before.

“I’ve heard plenty about you. You know Nayuta, the Master of the Grey Tower, right?”

“Yes. We’ve met once.”

“She and I were classmates in the Academy, and I swear she never stops talking about you. She keeps saying that, once you get one more star, she’ll give you a new name. She’s apparently been brainstorming a bunch of possibilities…” Cipria gave a somewhat wry smile. It clearly said, ‘You know what I mean?’

Najin recognized she was referring to Nayuta’s infamous, dreadful naming sense. He couldn’t help smiling awkwardly in return. Indeed, he would be quite happy to avoid receiving one of those over-the-top names.

The banquet continued in full swing, and at one point, a light dance was announced for guests to move onto the floor with their partners.

Even though Dieta already had a partner, many people still asked her for a dance. She politely turned them all down. Naturally, she only had one partner in mind.

After Najin offered his hand, they stepped out onto the main floor together.

“You know, I keep thinking the same thing…” Dieta said as they danced, letting out an incredulous laugh. “You haven’t actually studied dance, have you?”

“I did have a brief lesson or two during my stay with the Trebache family.”

“That was only a few hours, right?”

“I pick up some things quickly.” Anything that involved movement came easily to Najin. Mimicking even the motions of Transcendents wasn’t beyond him; copying a dancer’s steps required no extraordinary effort.

Dancing with him, Dieta felt pure enjoyment. They were the center of attention. Admiration and envy poured in. It was a moment straight out of a fairy tale or romance novel, and it was happening in real life, with her as the main character. She couldn’t deny it was a little intoxicating.

After a while, though, Najin tensed abruptly. Dieta blinked. His gaze, which had been focused on her, had turned elsewhere. She followed it.

Click.

He was looking at the entrance to the banquet hall, where an uninvited guest had just arrived. Not just uninvited, but completely unexpected. Dieta wasn’t the only one who reacted with wide eyes—the other trading heads did the same.

After all, nobody had extended an invitation to that person, yet there they were. A hush fell over the party.

“…Eurypylus?” Someone muttered.

Eurypylus was better known as ‘The Lighthouse Keeper of the Starlight Order.’ He was the great warrior of the Starlight Order, who served the “Lighthouse that Illuminates All Things,” the star the order worshiped. He was also the keeper of the sacred tower that symbolized the Starlight Order itself. For centuries, he had been immovable.

He had suddenly appeared in person at a social gathering?

It had been about fifty-seven years since he last showed himself in public. A hush swept the hall as he stepped forward.

Click.

He stopped in front of Najin, raised one hand, pointed, and said, “You’re Najin?”

Najin did not immediately reply to the question. Instead, he simply met Eurypylus’s gaze.

‘Pure white.’ That was the first phrase that came to mind. The newcomer’s hair was white as snow, and all his clothes were pure white as well. Everything about him was white, save for the gold of his irises.

Eurypylus… Najin recognized the name and appearance. He had researched it, so he also knew who the man was: the Starlight Order’s central champion, on par with the Executioner of the Starblood Sect or the Star Incarnation of the Starbody Society. Eurypylus was the Lighthouse Keeper, the highest-ranking warrior of the Starlight Order.

‘Starlight Order…’ Just thinking of that group made Najin uneasy inside. He revealed no sign of it outwardly, only glancing at Dieta.

She shook her head and formed words silently with her lips, “He wasn’t invited.”

After a brief pause, Najin spoke. “Yes. I am.”

“I have something to say to you. Over there, in that garden. This place is hardly suitable for conversation.” Eurypylus gestured toward the garden. Without waiting for an answer, he started in that direction.

Najin, however, did not follow. “I decline.”

Eurypylus stopped and turned, his expression shifting for the first time. He frowned.

“I have nothing to discuss with you, nor do I have any desire to humor an uninvited guest.”

“Don’t you know who I am?”

“I do. You’re the Lighthouse Keeper, correct?”

“You know, and still—?”

“Why should your title compel me to do as you say?” Najin’s tone suggested he found the whole idea absurd. “I’m not a priest of the Starlight Order,” he continued, “and this is not the sacred ground of your faith. We’re in the Empire, at a banquet, and you have appeared without an invitation. To follow you outside would be an affront to both our hosts and the other guests here, don’t you think?”

Najin furrowed his brow. “Your manner implies I must obey your every word. I find that rather unpleasant.”

The Starlight Order had more followers than any other faith. Its “Lighthouse Keeper” was second in rank only to the order’s god itself—a true giant of the religion. Najin was fully aware of that.

Most people would follow such a figure’s request without complaint, fearing consequences or simply out of respect, but he didn’t need to worry. He was already on poor terms with the Starlight Order, and even if he acknowledged the Lighthouse Keeper’s authority, he had no reason to bend to it.

“I refuse.” It was a blunt rejection, bordering on arrogant. Some might consider it grounds for insult, yet he was not acting thoughtlessly, nor was he simply lashing out in blind hatred for the Starlight Order.

He had pointed out that it was the Empire. He was in Camelot, the capital of the Empire, under the protection of Gerd Isabalt, the First Pillar. For Eurypylus to issue commands like that was tantamount to challenging Gerd’s authority.

Moreover, the capital was well within Gerd’s reach. If the Lighthouse Keeper wanted to force matters, he would be inviting Gerd’s immediate reaction. Najin’s expression seemed to say, ‘Feel free to try, if you think you can.’

“…” Eurypylus’s frown deepened. He glanced skyward at the eight stars shining in the night—Gerd’s newly risen star among them.

It appeared he was aware of what Najin was trying to say. He scowled at Najin again and gave a faint stomp of one foot. A ripple of energy spread from where he stood, blocking sound around them so no one else could eavesdrop.

“You’re rather insolent. You think another star’s protection means that star belongs to you?”

“That’s better than venerating a star without knowing what it’s up to, isn’t it?”

“So you’re mocking our beliefs?”

“Mocking? That implies you have something to knock down. I see nothing worth lowering—it’s already on the ground.” Najin curled his lips into a wry smile.

Eurypylus’s gaze narrowed further. “What makes you so—”

“Once again,” Najin cut him off, “this is the Empire. Are you sure about this?”

“You tell me. I am the Lighthouse Keeper of the Starlight Order. Even if Gerd defends you, do you truly believe he’s willing to risk a conflict with the entire order just for your sake?”

“Is that a threat?”

“A statement of fact.”

Najin gave an exasperated laugh. “Well, it seems the Empire’s First Pillar sees things differently.”

High above, eight stars gleamed atop the First Pillar’s tower.