Chapter 113

Court Social Gathering (2)

The tea party had ended inconclusively. But the social gathering as a whole was far from over.

A court social gathering was not a single-day affair. Meetings and events with different themes continued over several days. The first day featured a casual tea party to allow everyone to get acquainted. Today, the second day, brought a banquet where those connections could be deepened.

Panels adorned with lavish gold leaf and enormous portraits decorated the hall. Each table was covered with an intricately embroidered white cloth and laden with exquisite food. The nobles sat at their respective tables, conversing.

“Have you drawn up the export plan I mentioned yesterday?”

“I'm still considering it. We will need the royal court's approval, after all.”

“There are already rumors that several houses are preparing similar goods. You will have to move quickly.”

“Hmm...”

“If you're having difficulty, why not leave the negotiations with the royal court to me?”

“Oh...! Would you be willing to do that?”

“Provided we reach a firm agreement on sharing the profits.”

These discussions went deeper than those at the tea party. Just as the nobles were bargaining back and forth over their interests...

CRAAASH!!

The sudden noise froze the entire banquet hall. Seraphia, who had been helping herself to food, looked toward its source in surprise.

‘Brother...?’

... For some reason, Adrian was standing right where the noise had come from.

* * *

I had learned of their plans for the banquet while sneaking into Queen Marceline's bedchamber.

[“It's an aphrodisiac mixed with a hallucinogen. It was made to react only to the Great One's Authority, so it will be impossible for outsiders to determine the drug's true nature.”]

[“The Great One's Authority?”]

[“It means the other nobles will be perfectly fine even if they ingest it. You needn't know the details.”]

The Great One's Authority that Luseria had mentioned referred to the Elixir of Infinity. Seraphia had incapacitated the Royal Knights at the palace. Luseria probably saw that and became convinced Seraphia had taken the Elixir of Infinity.

Except Avarus was the one who had actually consumed the Elixir of Infinity, and I had eaten Av...

No, I had used Predation[S+] on him.

So Seraphia would be fine even if she ingested the drug, but...

‘There's no need to give them information for free.’

Court society was ultimately a place for young noblewomen of marriageable age to introduce themselves. In the process, they could expand relations between their houses and, if the opportunity arose, find a match. Naturally, noblemen who might become those matches also attended.

In short, I was qualified to attend too.

So I joined the banquet, used Predatory Instincts[S] on all the food, and identified what had been laced with the hallucinogen. Then I waited for an opening and, making it look like an accident, smashed all the wine containing the substance from the Negative Dimension.

CRAAASH!!

The deafening crash echoed through the banquet hall, scattering shards of glass everywhere. Red wine soaked the carpet, leaving an utter mess. The atmosphere froze in an instant.

“Wh-what?”

“What on earth...?”

Bewildered voices rose from all around. Every noble's eyes and attention focused on me.

For nobles who prized dignity and decorum, this would have been humiliating as hell. But what did I care?

I was already the worst of the wastrels anyway.

“Th-that wastrel bastard!”

An absolute fucking wastrel.

* * *

Alex, the third son of House Segretus, was in a foul mood. The reason was none other than Adrian, who had come to the banquet.

‘What's that wastrel bastard doing here...?’

How dare a wastrel like him attend such an occasion? Alex wanted nothing more than to yell at him to get the hell out.

After all, there was Iliana. He had heard that Adrian was sponsoring that lowborn bitch. Who the hell did he think he was, sponsoring some worthless girl their house had cast out?

It was a challenge to a marquis's house. More than that, it was tantamount to disregarding the house's authority and honor. Yet...

[“Contrary to the rumors, he is a calculating man. He is not someone you can handle, so do not act rashly.”]

Alex's father, Marquis Segretus, had ordered him to proceed with caution.

‘Why would he say that...?’

Though his pride had been wounded, Alex had nodded.

Marquis Segretus, the kingdom's Chancellor, was the most clearheaded person Alex had ever known. And so he had merely been grinding his teeth when...

CRAAASH!!

An opportunity presented itself. Adrian had made a complete mess of the banquet hall, living up to his reputation as a wastrel.

Alex seized his chance.

“Th-that wastrel bastard!”

He sprang to his feet and shouted, then strode over to Adrian and berated him.

“Do you have any idea what you've just smashed?”

“What was it?”

Yet Adrian remained perfectly calm. Surely he knew of House Segretus. And still he was so brazen, refusing to yield an inch. Alex grew even angrier and raised his voice.

“It's a premium wine given the name ‘Divine’ because it is said to have received the blessing of a god!”

As Alex's voice shook the banquet hall, murmurs spread among the nobles.

“La Brillard Divine!”

“How could he waste something so precious!”

Reactions erupted from every direction. They seemed to support him, which eased Alex's mood a little. This would cement Adrian's reputation as a wastrel even further.

“... I didn't know that.”

“Ha! Is saying you didn't know supposed to settle everything? You have to take responsibility!”

“I'll take responsibility and pay for it.”

“Pay for it? You think you can take responsibility with mere money?”

“What do you want me to do, then?”

“Because of you, the other nobles have lost the priceless opportunity to taste that rare wine, and you dare try to settle it with money—!”

“Well, I can't exactly call this a replacement, but...”

Suddenly, Adrian produced a wine bottle from inside his clothes. Unlike wine, its contents were a deep brown.

“This is called peanut wine.”

“Peanut wine?”

Alex had never heard of it. Even the name sounded cheap and tacky. Wine was made by fermenting grapes in the first place. What did peanuts have to do with it?

POP!

But as the cork came free, a rich, nutty aroma wafted out. Alex swallowed in spite of himself. Adrian poured the wine into a glass and casually offered it to him.

“Would you like a taste?”

“Ha! So you're trying to dodge responsibility with some unheard-of swill!”

Alex practically snatched the glass and gulped it down—

“...!!!”

His eyes flew wide.

What in the world was this flavor...?

It began with the sweet aroma of ripe berries, spreading gently across his palate. Just as he became intoxicated by the fragrance lingering in his mouth, the nuttiness of peanuts followed. The flavor enveloped his tongue, making its full-bodied presence known.

And how smoothly it went down! It flowed like the caress of velvet. What of the lingering finish? Wasn't it like feeling the strength of the solid earth?

This wine, a harmony of elegance and intensity, was—

“Perfec... No, I mean—!”

Flustered, Alex stumbled over his words. In his head, he kept repeating, ‘It's garbage. This is nothing but garbage.’

But he simply... couldn't bring himself to say it.

This fantastic, flawless flavor. He couldn't possibly... dismiss it as garbage. That would insult the wine. Worse, it would insult Alex himself.

His lips smacked and his fingertips trembled. Just as those alone were giving his true feelings away...

“Could I try some as well?”

A noble who had been watching nearby approached. The other nobles stirred.

“Isn't that... the crest of House Gabriel?”

“House Gabriel? Then...”

“The kingdom's largest wine-producing territory?”

“Could they have brought the La Brillard Divine too?”

Adrian readily offered him the peanut wine.

“Th-this is!!”

Naturally, the look of astonishment that came over his face was inevitable.

* * *

To be honest... I hadn't expected this at all.

Bringing out the peanut wine had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. I had originally intended to smooth things over with monster meat: Prime-grade Rex meat. I had brought a few kilograms in my Inventory, just in case.

But then I suddenly remembered my promise to Adlan. I'd brought out the peanut wine on impulse, and yet...

“Me too! Let me try some too!”

“Me as well, my lord! Please, let me have just one taste!”

... I really hadn't expected this.

“Th-this flavor is unbelievable...!”

“How can anything taste like this!”

The response was nothing short of explosive.

“This sweet, nutty richness!”

“Perfectly smooth, without a single rough edge!”

“This isn't merely a spirit. It's an inspired work of art!!”

Noble dignity went straight to hell. For the first time in the kingdom's history, I witnessed the extraordinary sight of a banquet hall descending into utter chaos.

“Do business with our house! Please!!”

“We'll meet whatever terms you propose! Just make sure you supply us first!”

“We'll give you our house's entire trading company!!”

Demand for peanut wine among the nobles had gone beyond running wild. It had gone berserk.

‘... Adlan, just what the hell have you made this time?’

... Even I was at a loss for words.

* * *

The banquet hall had been turned upside down. Only after the Royal Knights intervened did things finally settle down. By then, however, the banquet's formality and dignity lay in pieces. The fine food and decorations had been wrecked, and nobles had begun scuffling over who would go first.

In the end, the banquet could continue no longer.

The following day's event was a salon. A form of cultural exchange, the salon provided an opportunity to build intellectual networks across diverse fields, including magical studies, philosophy, and art.

That did not mean the subjects discussed at salons were always lofty, however.

“Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“They say the kingdom's soldiers can turn one second into ten.”

“That's beyond nonsense. You're practically barking.”

“Have you grown tired of learning human speech and decided to learn dog instead?”

While some traded utter nonsense, others exchanged bizarre questions and answers.

“If a god allowed you to ask a single question, what would you ask?”

“Why do mosquitoes exist?”

“I hear gods are holy. If I poke one, will I leave a hole?”

“Do you still have twelve ships left, my god?”

“My lady, do you know why physical therapy helps people recover from injuries?”

“Hmm? I'm not sure.”

“Because it physically fights off what ails you!”

“... Ah. I see.”

Some relationships fell apart over insipid jokes.

“Well... you see, Murren. Sometimes you make jokes that only you understand. That's what losers do. Don't you agree, Lycan?”

“I agree. In other words, jinx!”

“You're just as... Ugh.”

“What? Don't give up on me.”

Scenes like these were unfolding all around.

Being a salon at a court social gathering did not guarantee lofty, dignified conversation. Of course, not everyone was like that.

“I'm worried about the residents of my territory. They're going hungry because they insist potatoes are only fit for dogs and pigs. People are starving to death every month. I don't know what to do...”

“In that case, try spreading a rumor that potatoes are a luxury food eaten by nobles.”

“You mean spread a false rumor that potatoes are precious?”

“Exactly. Then post guards around the potato fields, and everyone will go mad for them.”

“Does that really work?”

“Just trust me and give it a try.”

Many also exchanged territorial policies in pursuit of development.

In any case, the court mage Floyd had a simple assignment.

[“Approach Seraphia Whitewolf, instill elitist beliefs and ideology in her, and stir up her emotions.”]

The sophisticated term was psychological domination. Put simply, brainwashing. The technical term was manalighting.

Manalighting gradually manipulated another person's thoughts and emotions through finely calibrated magical power.

Once someone fell under its influence? They could neither recognize it nor break free through their own will. A mere sixteen-year-old girl could be brought under his control in an instant.

‘Ah, there she is.’

Floyd casually began walking toward Seraphia.

But then...

“Would you happen to be Lord Floyd?”

Someone suddenly stepped into his path.

“You're... the wast—no, Adrian Whitewolf?”

“That's right.”

“Why are you...?”

“Your paper on manalighting, Lord Floyd. I found it deeply impressive.”

“Huh? But I've never even presented it to the academic community—”

“Especially the method of manipulating the flow of thought described in the introduction. Your interpretation of the seventh of the Twenty-Three Problems of Arcanis.”

“Wait, how did you—”

“It was truly revolutionary. I was in awe the entire time I was reading it.”

“What I'm saying is—”

“So I'd like to ask you a few questions in person. Do you have a moment?”

“I'm rather busy right—”

CRUNCH!

“You do. Have a moment. Don't you?”

... Some deranged wastrel had grabbed hold of him and showed absolutely no intention of letting go.

* * *

The event following the salon was a concert. Renowned court musicians were invited to give operatic and orchestral performances. There wasn't really anything I needed to interfere with here.

[“This instrument contains the Great One's voice. It will react to the Great One's Authority, allowing her, unlike the other nobles, to hear the Great One's whispers.”]

[“The Great One's whispers?”]

[“You needn't know the details.”]

And so elegant music filled the concert hall.

“What a gentle, refined melody...”

“The royal ensemble certainly lives up to its reputation.”

The nobles danced to the music, socializing and strengthening their connections. All of them were captivated by it.

But I had used Predation[S+] on Avarus, who had consumed the Elixir of Infinity. To me, it sounded entirely different.

【K’thulhu z’garoth, tharanoth k’lithak】

【Y’ha-nthlei durin】

【Adrianth k’luthak, shuggoth】

The Inexplicable Terror of the Unknown, the Sovereign of the Abyss. It felt as though he were whispering to me incessantly.

But every time he did...