Night hung low over the Asura Kingdom like a vast expanse of dark blue velvet.
Rudeus stood on his flying sword as the wind howled past his ears, only to be gently dispersed by an invisible barrier of mana the instant it neared his body.
As he drew closer to Roа, the largest city in the Fittoa Region, the Boreas mansion gradually came into view, looming in the darkness like a gigantic beast.
To avoid causing any unnecessary commotion, he lowered the sword into a deserted grove several kilometers from the mansion.
"Return-"
He pressed two fingers together, and the flying sword gave a clear hum in midair before turning into a streak of light and vanishing into his Magic Pocket.
He brushed the nonexistent dust from his clothes and activated his invisibility magic.
Under cover of moonlight, he deftly scaled the tall, heavily guarded wall, which might as well not have existed as far as I was concerned, and slipped silently back into his room.
After changing out of his traveling clothes, he opened his door and stepped into the corridor, only then truly sensing the storm that was about to break.
The Boreas mansion was usually lively enough, but now it had become a hive of frenzied activity.
"Move faster! Take this shipment of red crystal candlesticks from the royal capital to the main hall!"
"Hey, easy, easy! That's aged wine Lord Philip specifically requested. If you break it, even nine lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!"
"The carpet! Vacuum that carpet over there again! We absolutely can't let the noble lords see a single flaw tomorrow!"
Maids and attendants hurried back and forth, carrying all manner of decorations, expensive tableware, and incense that smelled of hair oil.
Alphonse, the head butler, stood in the middle of the hall with a thick booklet in his hand.
He shouted directions to everyone, his usually stern face now taut with anxiety.
Watching the bustling scene, Rudeus couldn't help rubbing his nose. As the young lady's tutor, he felt it wouldn't be quite right to stand by and watch.
So he walked over, casually sending out a stream of mana to steady the tall stack of silver serving trays in the arms of a young maid who had nearly tripped.
"L-Lord Rudeus?!"
The young maid jumped in fright. When she saw it was Rudeus, a blush appeared on her pale face, and she bowed, somewhat overwhelmed by his kindness.
"Th-thank you very much for your help!"
"No problem. It was nothing."
Rudeus smiled slightly, then turned to Alphonse, who was sweating profusely with worry, and asked:
"Butler Alphonse, is there anything I can help with?"
"I'm not very good at decorating a venue, but if you need heavy things moved or anything like that, I'm at your service."
Alphonse turned at the sound of his voice. When he saw it was Rudeus, his tense brow relaxed somewhat, but a helpless yet respectful smile soon appeared on his face.
"Oh, Master Rudeus, please don't put me in such a position."
Alphonse hurried over at a trot, waving his hands repeatedly.
"You are the young lady's tutor and an important guest of honor at tomorrow night's banquet."
"If we let you do this heavy labor, Lord Philip and Master Sauros would tear these old bones of mine apart."
He paused, then spoke softly in an almost pleading tone.
"Master Rudeus, you must be exhausted after spending these past two days preparing a present for the young lady, haven't you?"
"Take my advice. What you need most now is to return to your room and get some proper rest."
"As for tomorrow's banquet... all you need to do is put on your finest formalwear, sit back, and wait to see the young lady at her most radiant."
Well, it seemed he had been completely stripped of his rights as a working man.
But seeing how busy everyone was, as though they wished they could grow an extra pair of legs, he really would only get in the way if he stayed.
So he shrugged helplessly, politely took his leave of Alphonse, and strolled back to his room.
Lying on the soft bed, Rudeus gazed at the ceiling, the corners of his mouth lifting despite himself.
Tomorrow... I really am looking forward to it, Eris.
As night fell once more, the broad avenue leading to the entrance of the Boreas mansion
was packed solid with lavishly decorated carriages drawn by purebred magical steeds.
All manner of intricate noble crests were engraved on the carriages, proclaiming the visitors' considerable status and standing.
Noble guests from across the Fittoa Region and several neighboring territories had turned out in force.
He had changed into a well-tailored black noble's formal outfit, understated but by no means cheap.
He stood quietly in the shadows on the banquet hall's second floor, looking down on the world of extravagance and clinking glasses below.
The banquet hall was ablaze with light, its chandeliers powered by countless high-grade mana crystals, illuminating every corner as brightly as day.
Melodious orchestral music flowed through the air, but it could not drown out the clamor of countless insincere compliments and vain laughter.
"Lord Sauros! It's been a long time. You're as vigorous as ever! Under your rule, the Fittoa Region grows more prosperous by the day!"
"Hahahaha! Of course it does! I can swing a greatsword for another thirty years!"
In the center of the first floor, Sauros wore a magnificent formal outfit that looked ready to burst at the seams around his muscles.
He held a barrel of strong liquor in one hand and roared with unrestrained laughter.
At his side, Philip held an exquisite crystal glass.
A flawless smile, elegant and inscrutable as a fox's, graced his face as he skillfully handled the ill-intentioned probing and attempts to court his favor.
Watching the scene, Rudeus sneered inwardly.
The nobles moving back and forth, dressed as gaudily as peacocks-was it really goodwill for a little girl's birthday that glittered in their eyes?
It was blatant greed and ambition.
With the struggle for succession to the throne growing ever fiercer within the Asura Kingdom, the House Boreas Family, one of the four great high-ranking noble families, had naturally become the most powerful patron in everyone's eyes.
These people had come from far and wide for no other reason than to make themselves known to Sauros or Philip.
They were trying to gain a little more leverage to protect themselves or rise in status in the high-stakes gamble of the coming reshuffle of power and interests.
Just as the scramble for fame and profit below was nearing its peak and everyone was beginning to tire of socializing,
a clear copper bell suddenly rang out from the spiral staircase at the front of the banquet hall.
In an instant, the noisy hall fell eerily silent, and everyone's gaze turned as one toward the top of the stairs.
Then Rudeus's breath caught slightly, unbidden.
Surrounded by several maids, the undisputed star of the evening-
Eris Boreas Greyrat slowly came into everyone's view.