As I nodded, Jeff explained the upcoming schedule to me.
A few more people would be entering, and finally, the First Prince and the Third Prince would enter together. After declaring the official start of the party, he would call me forward.
At that time, I was to share my impressions of participating in the festival along with my prepared remarks.
“It’s fine to cause a scene, but please make sure it’s something manageable.”
His tone, assuming I would cause a scene, was irritating.
If you know that, then let me skip this speech! Why do you insist on putting me in front of everyone?!
Just because it’s the Duke of Partlan’s order?
...Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about that. Okay.
After Jeff left, many more people continued to enter the party hall.
Among them were several familiar faces.
Villains, heroes, passing NPCs, and those who had provided moving side stories. There were even some I wanted to meet personally.
It wasn’t strange at all.
To be invited to the Duke of Partlan's family means these individuals must possess something extraordinary.
Be it authority, honor, skill, or lineage, they had to be worthy of recognition from the Duke of Partlan.
Such people naturally hold significant influence on the continent, and when someone has great influence, it means they carry considerable weight, so I couldn’t help but be familiar with them.
As I recalled memories from the game while looking at the faces entering, I felt a bit of my anxiety ease.
Isn’t this just escapism?
Yes.
But what can I do?!
If I don’t escape into a fantasy, I feel like my heart will break!
Standing in the center of a party filled with people who hate me, I’ll have to spit out things like, “What a pathetic loser who loses to a girl! Disqualified as an adult! Disqualified as a human!” I need some kind of escape!
<Girl.>
‘What?!’
<Do you know that man over there?>
Hearing the old man’s words, I lifted my head and spotted a man glaring in my direction.
If he were a stranger, I would have dismissed him as a creepy guy, but this time it was different.
I knew that man.
His face was even more sinister than I remembered, but that was all. How could I mistake someone who appeared as one of the story bosses from the kingdom?
He was the strongest knight in the kingdom in the game.
Filled with endless pride in his strength, he met his end in a pathetic struggle.
Tabol Demesil.
‘He’s probably the captain of the kingdom’s knights...’
That was likely.
With Benedict here, he wouldn’t have earned the title of the strongest in the kingdom, but he probably hadn’t lost the position of captain either.
<Just to ask, did you do something to that man?>
‘Why do you ask?’
<He wouldn’t be looking at you like that otherwise.>
Indeed, Tabol’s eyes were fierce. They seemed to harbor a deep-seated hatred.
...Lucy. What have you done? Did you provoke that scary uncle?!
It’s obvious. He probably said something like, “You pathetic weakling, how dare you challenge my dad? That’s hilarious.”
He’s someone who would openly insult the king, so he wouldn’t hesitate to say anything to the captain.
Having become accustomed to this kind of situation, I half-resignedly glanced away from him.
After all, he was someone I’d have to deal with later. What does it matter if I get a bit of hatred now?
Not long after that, the final guest to cap off this grand party made his entrance.
The first to enter was the Third Prince, Arthur Soladin.
As he stepped in, everyone applauded, but the reception was generally lukewarm.
Arthur was more accustomed to this kind of thing than I was, so he must have sensed the lukewarm reception, yet he approached the duke with a stoic expression and completed his greeting.
Then came the highlight of the party.
The First Prince, Rene Soladin.
As he entered, the welcoming cheers were of a different caliber than when Arthur came in.
The applause echoed throughout the hall. The eyes of excited people glistened. Cheers erupted.
Everyone was doing their utmost to make an impression on someone who was half-confirmed to inherit the throne in the future.
Among them were those who were clapping out of obligation, but they were either uninterested in power or were hoping the Second Prince would become king.
“Thank you for the invitation, Duke Partlan. It’s been a while since I enjoyed myself.”
“I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Your Highness.”
After the ceremonial greetings, once the First Prince stepped back, Duke Partlan stood in the center of the stage and waved his hand lightly.
As soon as that brief gesture ended, a magic circle appeared before him.
Amplification magic.
The same kind that Joy used during the last field trip.
At that time, Joy had struggled for dozens of minutes just to create that one. The Duke created it with just a flick of his hand.
As expected, he’s one of the kingdom’s major powers.
“Ahem.”
As the duke cleared his throat, all eyes turned in his direction.
No one dared to look away.
“Good evening, everyone. I am Duke Partlan, the host of this party.”
I felt the same way because the duke starting his opening speech meant he was going to put me on the execution platform.
As I swallowed hard, watching the duke express gratitude to the attendees, his gaze landed on me.
“Before declaring the official start of the party, I must first introduce someone. This person has earned a glorious title at our Partlan festival. Given that so much has happened, I believe everyone knows who the protagonist is, but please act as if you don’t, as I wouldn’t want to feel embarrassed.”
The moment I had never wished for even once in my life arrived right before me.
Taking a deep breath and checking my attire, I rose from my seat.
As I did so, murmurs began to ripple out from the crowd surrounding me.
While the contemptuous voices were certainly not friendly, I hadn’t expected any goodwill in the first place, so I didn’t pay much attention.
Instead of wasting my energy on them, I focused on the old man’s voice in my ear.
<As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll say it once more. Keep it as concise as possible. Pause between your words and speak calmly. And...>
Ugh.
I’m so nervous.
I felt like I was going to choke on my anxiety.
I wasn’t this anxious even when I went to meet Karia.
Hey, trashy deity! If you’re going to be unreasonable, can’t you at least make it something difficult and dangerous?! I really feel like this isn’t my thing!
If you’re going to make me be unreasonable, make it something I can overcome with my gaming knowledge! Please!
“Duke Partlan, may I ask you to wait a moment?”
While I was foolishly wondering if I could find some calming medication, a voice emerged from the crowd.
It was a deep, low voice that was naturally attention-grabbing.
As I turned my gaze along with everyone else, I easily spotted its owner.
His imposing figure was hard to miss among the crowd.
“Before that, I have a question.”
Tabol.
The one who had been glaring at me with hatred just moments ago.
“What is it, Captain of the Knights?”
“The purpose of the Partlan festival is to prove oneself through victories in various contests, is it not?”
“Yes, that is correct. As someone who has earned the title of 'Butcher' in the past, you know this well.”
“Then if someone participated in the festival using dishonest means, that record would not be acknowledged.”
Even though I was inexperienced in politics, I could understand what he was trying to say at this point. The hostility directed at me was impossible to misunderstand.
“What are you trying to say?”
The duke’s voice was low.
It was a voice that could weigh heavily on a person’s shoulders.
Yet, even in the face of that voice, Tabol merely shrugged.
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“The title of ‘Butcher’ in the Partlan festival is indeed a glorious one, so it must be determined with fairness and integrity.”
“Captain.”
Even I, who struggled with politics, understood this situation. There was no way those who moved in high society would fail to grasp it.
Despite the warning in the duke’s voice, the party hall remained silent.
Instead, it was filled with murmurs.
It was as if everyone expected this to happen, with hostility and sarcasm pouring out.
“In other words, if one has sullied the values of fairness and integrity, they cannot only fail to earn the title but must also receive due punishment.”
“Tabol.”
Bad rumors spread like a plague.
They quickly seeped into people’s minds.
The infection that started with Tabol rapidly spread throughout the party hall.
Before long, the murmurs drowned out all other voices.
“I raise a suspicion here. The girl named Lucy Alrn, who has been selected as this festival’s butcher, did not earn her title through legitimate means.”
While Tabol feigned concern for fairness and integrity, anyone could see that his intentions lay elsewhere.
His gaze was fixed on one person alone.
Duke Partlan.
Me.
But most importantly,
Benedict Alrn.
Lucy’s father.
The one who should possess the title of the strongest in the kingdom that Tabol once held.
Tabol looked at him and smiled.
At that moment, I fully understood his intentions.
At first, I had tilted my head in confusion.
Why was he attacking me?
No matter how much resentment he held against me, this was too overt.
He was trying to insult me in front of everyone.
Wasn’t he challenging my family and Benedict?
Even the First Prince was concerned about Benedict, so didn’t Tabol fear him?
But now, I understand.
He didn’t hate me.
He hated Benedict.
He despised the warrior who possessed talents greater than his own.
Therefore, he didn’t care who stood behind me.
He had been looking at Benedict from the very beginning.
“Is this a legitimate suspicion?”
“Of course.”
“Are you prepared to take responsibility if your suspicion is unfounded?”
“My answer remains the same as before.”
“Can you prove it?”
“That is something the lady must do.”
As Tabol closed his mouth and turned his gaze away, the duke turned his head, and the crowd’s eyes followed suit.
All those gazes.
Sharp as needles.
Heavy with reprimand.
They pressed down on me, attempting to crush me.
<This situation is not good. Regardless of the truth, the crowd is preparing to condemn you.>
The old man spoke.
The very act of raising a suspicion was problematic.
Whether I denied it or not, the crowd had already labeled me a dishonest person.
Why? Because my reputation, Lucy’s, was in the gutter.
They thought I was a person who could easily do something like that.
<That damn fool. He’s targeting you. Whether it’s true or not, he’s trying to tarnish your image. To respond to this... Girl?>
‘Yes? What is it, Grandfather?’
<Why are you smiling?>
Grandfather, you’re really sharp.
You might think it’s a forced smile due to the Mesugaki skill, but you noticed that I was genuinely smiling.
Well, it’s not something I have to hide. If you’re curious, I’ll answer.
‘If this happens, I won’t have to step onto the stage!’
<...Huh?>
Whether I receive or lose the title of festival butcher is none of my business!
After all, the trashy deity’s quest has ended.
It doesn’t matter whether I take it or not; there will be no penalties!
Of course, I’m innocent! I didn’t use any dishonest means!
But what can I do when so many people are sending me cold stares?
I can only accept responsibility for the sins of my past and refuse the award, right?
Nice job, Tabol!
You’re giving me sweet items in the game and helping me out in real life!
You really are the best boss!