“...”

“...”

“...”

Somehow, I managed to explain everything, but the awkward atmosphere didn’t seem to subside at all.

All of the people sitting around the table kept their mouths shut.

Meanwhile, the Empress, who had elaborated on her plan of using me as her ‘consort’, was smoking with a pipe in her mouth.

…A pipe?

I knew that Saintess Lucia also smoked sometimes, but unlike this person, she didn’t let out such a thick smoke.

Quite bold of her considering that she was someone bearing a rare curse in Sera.

“...Your Imperial Majesty, are you okay?”

“Hm?”

It seemed like I wasn’t the only one thinking that. Eleanor asked so with a hint of worry in her voice.

The Empress’ stared at her, as if wondering what she was trying to say, though.

“...Ah, are you talking about this?”

She took the pipe out of her mouth for a moment and smiled.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“...Pardon me?”

“If anything, I’ll die if I don’t smoke.”

“...”

She said before putting the pipe back in her mouth. Eleanor just clutched her head at the sight. She didn’t seem to understand what the Empress was trying to say.

Well, gotta say that it was a rare sight. Usually, it was me who’d suffer from a headache because of her, after all.

As expected from the Empire's Supreme.

[...How could you hyping up her dignity in that regard?]

Caliban grumbled, but I wasn’t joking. This scene literally showcased her dignity, that wasn’t an exaggeration.

Like, Eleanor had a ‘nobody’s more precious than me in this whole universe’ kind of mentality, to the point that she even tried to go up against Chancellor Sullivan. But even that Eleanor would give in to the Empress.

Maybe the fact that she had grown up with Cecilia the 11th ever since she was still the ‘Imperial Princess’ played a big part in this.

“...”

But, as close as they were to each other…

As I’ve said many times before, Cecilia the 11th’s death had a huge impact on Eleanor.

Enough to cause a cataclysm in the whole scenario.

“...Speaking of, you said that you’re going hunting?”

As I let my thoughts wander, Eleanor asked that question after struggling for a bit.

Unlike Iliya, those two were acquaintances.

That was why, even though she looked doubtful, unsure if the Empress was trying to do the right thing, she at least tried to ask a question. Meanwhile, Iliya couldn’t even try to say anything.

“I am. Is there anything you are curious about?”

“...Are you sure it is safe?”

There were two other questions behind this question of hers.

First, was it okay to do this, considering the current situation of the Empire?

Second, she was trying to ask about ‘my safety’.

I was going to be used as bait, after all. Guess she was worried about it.

“...Hmm.”

As she tried to come up with something to say, the Empress exhaled a thick smoke from her mouth.

Her dreary, brown irises, were soon fixed right on Eleanor.

“Let me be honest here. I’m not sure.”

“...”

Hearing that, Eleanor quietly closed her eyes.

“...I am aware that you are not someone who would risk someone else’s life meaninglessly, Your Imperial Majesty.”

She continued in a subdued voice.

“However, that man—”

“First of all, thank you for your appreciation, Eleanor. It really makes me feel that I did not live a useless life.”

The Empress said as she exhaled another dense smoke.

“But that man has already been involved in the matter, even if I do not take him with me.”

“...Pardon me?”

“The moment Chancellor Sullivan showed her interest in him, my interest was also drawn to him. There’s a high possibility that the Upper Nobles Association is also keeping an eye on him.”

She continued her words in a calm tone.

“I don’t know what they are plotting, but I know that it won’t be good for this man. Pulverizing them for good would benefit both of us.”

“...”

The Empress said to Eleanor, whose eyes were open wide.

“Moreover, the bastard who leads them… Seems to be very interested in this man personally.”

Is that how it is?

Thinking back, I was always connected to anything ‘Devil-related’ so far, not to mention that recently, I received a great deal of attention at the Hero Selection Ordeal.

Which meant that even if I didn’t become the consort or whatever, I was already standing out. I was pretty much vulnerable to dangers.

“That’s why I think it’ll be in your best interest for him to accept this offer, if possible…”

The Empress glanced at her.

“...But, the fact that you still have that sour look on your face, it means that there’s another reason.”

“...”

“It would be better to put away your jealousy.”

Cecilia the 11th said to Eleanor, who stayed silent.

This time, she also looked at Iliya, who had been silently listening to the conversation.

“I have no intention of taking him away from you two. Even a blind person knows how precious this man is to you two.”

“...”

Eleanor's eyes widened as she looked at the Empress, who wore a bitter smile.

“...In the first place, I do not have much time left.”

“What do you—”

Before Eleanor could even ask, a knock on the door cut her words off.

“...Your Imperial Majesty, are you inside?”

A familiar voice. It was the Sword Saint.

“My, Radu? What brings you here?”

“...Could you please stop entering external personnels’ accommodations without bringing any servants? Please consider how you’d put many people in an awkward position by doing this.”

“Surely they can bear with that for a bit. Payback for nagging me all the time.”

“...”

Really…? This is the Empress…?

This shameless, brazen woman…?

“...Anyway, I came here because I have things I need to take care of with this man.”

Exhaling a sigh, the Sword Saint spoke out.

“The Upper Nobles Association contacted us. They want to meet Dowd Campbell in person.

“...”

“...”

Everyone in the room fell silent at that sentence.

“...See?”

Cecilia the 11th inhaled the smoke that came out from her pipe while smiling.

“They immediately took the bait.”

Her attitude suggested that she had been waiting for this.

The Upper Nobles Association was founded mainly by the prestigious noble families of the Empire, save for the Tristan Duchy and the Kendride Margravate, who were the two Major Nobles in the Empire.

Compared to the Empress or the Chancellor, their authority was way weaker, but they were a united force and they still had a considerable influence in state affairs.

To put it simply…

The Empire was divided into two, Empress, supported by the two Major Nobles and the Chancellor, who reigned over the bureaucrats and working groups.

…Honestly, they half-assed this setting.

Like, it didn’t make any sense whatsoever.

The Empress and the Chancellor, the two stately people with the most authority, holding both the regime and the real power of the state, that one was already established. But, the other nobles, instead of joining either one, banded together as a third force and tried to ride both instead.

Anyone with a brain could tell how strange this was.

But there was bound to be someone who’d add such a crappy concept, ridden with holes, into the plot.

“Are you Dowd Campbell?! THE Dowd Campbell himself?!”

When the man held my hand with a twinkle in his eyes, I forced out a smile.

He had neatly-cut black hair, his eyes glinted with intelligence and his formal clothes were perfectly tidied up to match the palace’s standards. But even those clothes couldn’t hide his well-trained body.

Honestly, he didn’t seem like a noble at all.

Rather, he looked like a young athlete who put in effort on self-care.

“Aiyaa, I’ve always wanted to see you! It’s such an honor to meet you! I saw your performance at the Hero Selection Ordeal! Actually, I’ve been keeping my eyes on you even before that! Since the time when you cruelly provoked the Pope!”

But, this person who said such words with a twinkle in his eyes was definitely one of the upper-class nobles of the Empire.

Marquis Bogut.

A.k.a the ‘Lionheart’.

He was a war hero who had never lost a battle against Demonic Creatures, heathens, or even other countries.

“...”

Even Margrave Kendride, the Empire’s best shield himself, must’ve experienced defeat in a battle against someone, so was Gideon, and Caliban, who was sleeping in the Soul Linker.

But, this man…

He had beat all of his opponents with such an overwhelming gap that no one would question if he was called a genius.

Of course, this only happened because he had no conflict with someone on the level of the Sword Saint, but then again, if he did clash with the Sword Saint, a whole civil war would actually start.

In any case, this man was the most promising young noble in the Empire.

…It’s like this in the game too.

They even went on and said that if the few ‘constraints’ didn’t exist, this man would be the first person to wield the Holy Sword in this generation.

That was how much ‘talent’ that he had.

Too bad that those constraints were deal breakers.

“Welcome to the Imperial Palace! When did you arrive here? Have you eaten yet? Where are you assigned to stay?”

“...Excuse me.”

Being showered with those questions, I let out an awkward smile.

Even in the game he was one of the most rowdy bastards, but he was even worse in person.

“...Um, My Lord, it seems like the guest is feeling a little awkward.”

One of the men accompanying him intervened with a bitter smile. Marquis Bogut smiled widely while raising his forehead.

His actions were so exaggerated that it felt like a play.

[...He looks chaotic on the outside, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.]

…That's exactly the problem.

[Huh?]

Because it’s hard to tell what his intentions are.

Come to think of it, it was strange.

In the original game, the Empire’s Great Turmoil in Chapter 5 happened because of Sullivan, a key character who completely opposed the Empress.

But, Sullivan didn’t seem to have made any contact with the Upper Nobles Association.

Cecilia the 11th originally would’ve been preparing a political aggression to match Sullivan’s moves, but she was quietly focusing on me.

The back ground conditions for the ‘Great Turmoil’ to happen like in Chapter 5 were too insufficient.

“...”

But…

After getting into this world, there was one thing that I’ve learned. Every bad thing that was set to happen, would happen, no matter what.

…Since the Civil War is set to happen, then it will happen.

The problem here was…

‘Who’ would start it.

The perpetrators in the original game, the Empress and Sullivan, seemed unlikely to start it. Both of them were Devil’s Vessels, and they were focusing on me.

Which meant…

Since those two were out of picture…

There was one remaining candidate, that bastard…

“Sorry, I talked too much! The reason why I called out to you is because of this!”

He said, still with his chaotic vibe, as a letter, sealed with wax, appeared before my eyes.

“...This is?”

“An invitation! The Upper Nobles Association will be holding a social gathering in the Imperial Palace!”

The punk said while clasping the letter into my hand.

His eyes were sparkling. Receiving such a passionate gaze felt burdensome.

“I'm your number one fan, Dowd Campbell! I really hope that you’ll come! Alright, I’ll be going!”

“...”

He was such a chaotic guy.

Judging by how he only said what he wanted to say and stormed out, this felt especially true.

“...”

All of his followers were taken aback for a moment before following him. I looked at the letter in my hand.

Considering Marquis Bogut’s position, I couldn’t treat this invitation lightly.

Because nobody knew what kind of butterfly effect would occur after I dealt with this thing.

“...A social gathering, huh?”

I’ve never been to one before.

There was no reason for someone who was once a member of a Baron household and currently a member of a Viscount household to go to such an event exclusive to high-ranking nobles.

However…

…Making a shocking appearance.

As I recalled what I had been told before coming here, I let out a sigh.

-Bogut will probably give you an invitation to the social gathering that will be held in the Imperial Palace. Since it was obvious that he was interested in you.

I still remembered how the Empress puffed up smoke as she said so.

-Then, what if you make a shocking appearance? As shocking as you possibly can.

-...Sorry?

-I think you might need to.

-...Why is that exactly?

-The Upper Nobles Association is a group of punks, they’re all uncompromising prestigious families. The social gathering isn’t a mere social event for them. Their impression of you will change as long as you stand out. It will also increase the scope of information you can ‘gather’.

I remembered how the Empress answered me while grinning.

It made a lot of sense…yeah…

But how do I do that?

For someone from a Viscount household to attract attention at an event where high-ranking nobles gathered, it obviously wasn’t easy to do that.

[Actually, I have a good idea.]

Suddenly, Caliban said that to me.

[What if you go there together with the three of them, including Her Imperial Majesty?]

“...”

[Being an absolute trash is the thing you’re best at. Surely that’ll attract enough attention, right?]

He said while snickering. This guy was completely making fun of me, wasn’t he?

Are you really trying to make me bring the current Hero Candidate, Lady Tristan and the Ruler of the Empire herself with me?

Let alone attracting attention, they would think of me as a crazy bastard.

“...Shut it with you non—”

As I was about to retort to him…

I shut my mouth.

“...”

[...]

“...”

[...Why are you being all quiet?]

I ignored him and quietly thought about it.

For a while there, I was lost in thoughts, wearing a serious expression on my face.

[...]

“...”

[...]

“...”

[...Hey.]

“...”

[You’re not thinking what I’m thinking, right?]

Actually…

About that idea…

“Caliban.”

[You crazy motherfucker, don’t.]

“...”

[I said don’t.]

But, I haven’t even said anything.