I Unleashed a Gossip Gallery in Another World - Chapter 21

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Irevi

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ I Unleashed a Gossip Gallery in Another World ◈

Chapter 21: Imperial Ball (3)

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The Imperial Mage Tower. The Top Disciple's Laboratory.

Normally, that space should have been noisy with the hum of magical tools and experiments mixing various potions.

Yet today, an especially heavy silence hung in the room.

“...”

That was because Eirin Durgel, who was practically the owner of the room, was sitting blankly without conducting a single experiment for some reason.

“Eirin, are you not feeling well today?”

“...Ah, Professor.”

“You're neglecting not only your experiments, but your thesis as well. Are you ill?”

Naturally, Lugnox, Eirin's supervising professor and one of the Mage Tower's senior mages, had watched her with concern before speaking.

“I don't think I've been sleeping enough lately.”

“Tsk, tsk. That's why I told you to take care of yourself.”

“I'm sorry.”

Lugnox was usually extremely strict with his disciples, but Eirin alone was an exception.

She was the youngest person ever to complete the Mage Tower curriculum and the top disciple of Lugnox, head of the International Mage Association.

Despite still being a first-year academy student, she was already writing her graduation thesis. She was a genius the likes of whom appeared once in a century, if that.

“Get some rest and sleep today.”

“...Yes.”

“I'm leaving work as well, so you may go home now.”

Even Lugnox, infamous for his severity, couldn't help being lenient with her.

[International Mage Gossip Gallery]

[✪Lugnox <<< If you think he needs to rein in the favoritism, hit upvote lol]

[✪I will kill Lugnox tomorrow. My reason is absurd. He rejected my thesis again this year.]

[✪Go ahead and reject my graduation thesis again this year lol. I'll just jump off the Mage Tower roof lololololol]

[✪If you see a sign saying Top Disciple's Laboratory, run. No such place exists in the Mage Tower... (Rest omitted)]

Of course, that attitude had drawn public outrage, so Lugnox was currently being enthusiastically cursed out in the recently created International Mage Gossip Gallery.

“Hmm.”

However, the moment he left the top disciple's laboratory and searched his own name in the Gossip Gallery, he merely muttered in an utterly calm voice.

“Even beasts can speak human language.”

To a great mage like him, Mage Tower assistants and curriculum students were creatures closer to beasts than people.

He had found a raw gem among those beasts who was worthy of inheriting everything he possessed. Expecting identical treatment in the first place was simply wrong.

‘To think they would envy such a kind child. The Mage Tower's standards have fallen far too low compared to the past.’

With that thought, Lugnox casually ignored the gossip about himself and walked on, sincerely wishing Eirin well as she surely faced great pressure lately.

“...”

But he would never know.

-Creak...

The instant he left the room, Eirin began grinding her teeth with a vicious expression she had never once shown him.

[Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery]

[✪That fucking princess lol. She's seriously clueless, tsk tsk.]

[✪Princess faction <<< If you think it's about to become a hot stock from today onward, hit upvote lololololol]

[✪Elrod <<< Even him being a little oblivious makes him feel like a second male lead. I like him hehe.]

[✪Any ladies waiting for the right moment to stand up and join the princess's table, hit upvote?]

Her eyes filled with posts about Elrod, who had become the gallery's star the instant he appeared, just as feared.

[Anonymous: (Breaking news) Hubby just stood up lol]

[Anonymous: Is he already going home? That would be awful;;;]

[Anonymous: Don't worry, everyone. He's heading toward the restroom hehe.]

[Anonymous: If I pretend to be drunk and follow him into the restroom now, will I get branded a crazy bitch? Urgent;;;;]

It was a deranged scene where Elrod's every move was broadcast in real time.

Yet Eirin alone couldn't join the biggest discussion topic since the Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery had opened.

[Graduation Thesis Presentation D-7]

As the note written in cute handwriting on her desk showed, the deadline for a thesis that would determine the course of her life was imminent.

“Fucking bitches...”

A chilling curse then slipped from the cherry-like lips of the delicate young girl secretly adored by countless male students.

-Tap, tap...

Soon afterward, a cute keyboard sound that only she could hear filled the top disciple's laboratory.

(Author: Mage Tower Top Disciple Eirin)

[Anonymous:Crazybitcheswereneverinterestedinthefirstplacebutsuddenlythey'rebeingsofuckingloud]

(Author: Mage Tower Top Disciple Eirin)

[Anonymous:I'veknownhimsincewewereyoungI'mdifferentIsleptnexttohiminsecrettooyoudirtybitcheswereneverinterestedinthefirstplace... (Rest omitted)]

Unlike the cute keyboard sound Eirin had personally set, the content was utterly horrifying.

[This account has been banned for <Identity Exposure>.]

[Unban Time: 168 hours later]

Fortunately, Eirin's rampage after losing her mind was immediately put down by Black Dragon Azrakan's fixed-handle banhammer, as Azrakan happily monitored the Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery.

>Troll Eraser: I'm watching you.

>Troll Eraser: Worship your brother to his face at home. Don't raise hell in the Gossip Gallery.

The response had been so fast that, aside from Azrakan, no one had even seen those cursed posts.

“Ghh...”

With even her outlet gone, Eirin's face turned pale as she viciously threw a magical tool from her desk against the wall and gritted her teeth.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Then, sweeping her disheveled pink hair aside, she began repeatedly slamming her head against the table.

“I was going to follow him because I knew this would happen...”

Without caring that her forehead had swollen red, Eirin bit her lip before reaching forward with an even more vicious expression.

“...”

For some time afterward, she left downvotes on every post about Elrod in the Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery.

“...!”

Then Eirin's eyes suddenly trembled.

[Anonymous: Who is heading to the princess's table right now???????]

[Anonymous: What is that bitch doing right now?????]

[Anonymous: Fuck lol. Has she decided she has nothing left to lose now? lol]

More and more women were approaching the unicorn-like man she had protected her entire life.

[Anonymous: Why is she suddenly heading over there too???]

[Anonymous:Thisisnotokaythisisnotokaythisisnotokaythisisnotokay....]

[Anonymous: If you're a guest of honor, then act like it and stay in your place. Why are you acting alone and causing a scene?????]

“Fucking... bitches...”

For Eirin, who had to stay up all night at the Mage Tower to meet her deadline, it was a sight she couldn't bear to watch.

‘How hard... have I worked for this...’

One day, she had suddenly been adopted into an unfamiliar count's family as a tool meant to provide for a direct family member she'd never met.

At first, she thought her life was over, until she saw that family member's face.

From that day on, Eirin's goal in life had changed.

The day when she would finally achieve a great feat and negotiate with the count to make that dream come true had been so close.

‘It's still, still okay...’

After blankly monitoring the posts for a while, Eirin forced herself to smile and muttered inwardly.

‘I raised his standards so high. A few worthless bitches clinging to him won't change anything...’

Having settled herself and quietly sighed, Eirin was about to focus on her graduation thesis once more.

[✪If you think we might be fucked, hit upvote lol]

A featured post rose through the Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery at a terrifying speed as it gathered recommendations.

“What is this...?”

Eirin had just been about to close the gallery. Deciding she would check only that and truly focus on her graduation thesis afterward, she clicked the post.

“...”

A brief silence followed.

“Ah...”

In that silence, Eirin opened her mouth in shock.

----------

[✪Title: If you think we might be fucked, hit upvote lol]

Author: Anonymous

(A photo has been attached.)

----------

At the princess's table in the photograph sat people even Eirin, a fairly well-known figure in the Empire, couldn't hold a candle to.

“...”

Eirin remained silent for a long while.

“Ugh...”

Then, with tears in her eyes, she took a cherished photograph from her drawer.

“Brother...”

Eirin reclined in her chair, endlessly repeating a word she had never once said in front of Elrod.

“Brother, brother... Brotheeer...”

That night, Eirin's tearful voice calling for her brother echoed through the Mage Tower's top disciple laboratory until late at night.

* * *

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“...”

“It's a little embarrassing... Hehe.”

Unable to bear Princess Ruabel's gaze as she kept stealing glances at me even after sitting down at the table, I finally rose from my seat and headed for the restroom.

(Author: Princess Ruabel)

[Anonymous: I deliberately met his eyes, and he looked away with that timid expression. So fucking cute lololololol]

(Author: Princess Ruabel)

[Anonymous: Ah, fuck, I seriously can't take this. Grrrr....]

Anyone would have done the same if they had seen the ugly thoughts being posted in real time, despite her innocent expression and concerned tone suggesting she knew nothing.

Troll Eraser: Stop exposing your identity, you fucking bitch.

ㄴ(Princess Ruabel):?

ㄴTroll Eraser: I don't care whether you vent your twisted desires or not, but stop mentioning things only you could know.

Fortunately, the princess's rampage settled down somewhat due to a warning from Azrakan, who had been watching the situation closely.

‘Big Sis Azrakan, I'm sorry I failed to recognize my benefactor.’

Honestly, I was reaching my limit, so much so that I wanted to kiss Azrakan.

“...Haa.”

Of course, other than Princess Ruabel posting less often, the situation hadn't improved at all.

[Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery]

[✪Elrod, you fucking bitch, get your ass out of the restroom already.]

[✪I'm an imperial palace maid, and I can hear sighing inside the restroom right now? Lololololol]

[✪No matter how much you hide, it won't change the fact that you're our husband, Elrod-bro lol]

[✪Elrod <<< If you're starting to get mad that he seduced us first and then ran away, hit upvote lolololol]

That was because, after much deliberation, I had belatedly witnessed the horrible state of the Noble Ladies Gossip Gallery I'd opened.

‘Did they all take drugs together or something?’

Apparently, while I had been lying in a grave, women's tastes had changed in a strange direction.

It would be different if I still had the sturdy body, muscles, and manly face I had during my days as the Hero.

But what was so appealing about this frail pretty boy?

‘Is this the bald head mod's doing?’

Had Emperor Rudric recognized my identity long ago and begun controlling the ladies with black magic to screw me over?

“...”

No, let's stop running from reality.

I didn't know what was happening, but if this continued, those beasts might steal my chastity.

“Phew...”

I wanted to run straight out of the Imperial Ball, but that was impossible.

If I did that, Father might truly lose his mind and enroll me in the academy this time.

‘It would be better to return to the princess's table...’

Rather than that, it would be better to return to the princess's table, where I only had to ignore one vicious troll, and kill time there.

“Ahem.”

With that thought, I finally left the restroom and started walking back toward the ballroom.

“...”

That was when I noticed that the atmosphere in the ballroom had somehow grown even quieter than before.

‘What is going on?’

Most of the ladies seated at their tables were hanging their heads and quietly grinding their teeth with cold expressions.

“Tsk...”

“Haa...”

The Crown Princess and the young lady of House Violetta, who had been trying to keep the ladies in the Gossip Gallery under control until moments ago, were no different.

‘What is this situation now?’

Wearing a bewildered expression, I nevertheless walked toward the table where the princess sat.

“Ah.”

Only then did I understand everything and freeze in place.

“Princess, trade tiaras with me!”

“C-can I truly receive such an honor?”

“Yes, of course!”

Unlike the princess's practiced innocence, a dazzlingly beautiful girl laughed brightly with a pure, heartfelt smile.

(Author: Saintess of the Holy Church)

[Anonymous: It's my first time having free time, so I don't know where I should sit....]

(Author: Saintess of the Holy Church)

[Anonymous: I need to make friends this time, and find out whether making babies is real....]

She was the Saintess of the Holy Church, who had posted those messages in the Gossip Gallery a little earlier.

“...Haa.”

Across from her, a seductive-looking young lady maintained an icy expression as she gathered every bottle of wine on the table to her side and drained them.

(Author: Lady Yurian)

[Noble Lady Gallery Eraser: I'll show you exactly how ugly a person can become this time.]

(Author: Lady Yurian)

[Noble Lady Gallery Eraser: Everyone, look forward to today's ball hehe.]

She was the Gossip Gallery's proud first slave.

Lady Yurian, the culprit who had sent me an indecent photograph and created a bizarre unwritten rule.

‘What the fuck is this?’

The spine-chilling part was that they were each taking seats at the table where I, with nowhere else to go, was about to sit.

“Ah, you've returned!”

That was when I unconsciously took a step backward.

“Please, sit down!”

“Uh...”