Before long, guests began pouring into the Pluto Ducal House.

Crescent, watching from the window of an adjacent building, couldn’t close her mouth in astonishment.

“…Wow. All these people came because of my débutante ball?”

Did so many people really need to gather?

She was already overwhelmed by the ballroom, which looked like a heavenly garden in the skies.

It was grand enough to rival a royal wedding venue!

‘Are débutantes for noble ladies always like this? And I’m not even a noble! Did they really have to spend so much money on my débutante ball?’

Crescent found herself worrying about the ducal house’s finances—something she had no reason to be concerned about.

It was like fretting over a handful of sand taken from an endless beach.

But there was something far more pressing on her mind: the dress she was wearing for the ball.

With trembling lips, Crescent lifted the hem of the gown slightly.

She had thrown a black hooded cloak over it, unable to imagine walking around the mansion in just the dress.

Even under the cloak, the creamy-toned gown glittered conspicuously.

‘This dress is way too revealing. My shoulders are freezing. It’s so tight around my torso, and these heels—what are they trying to do to me?!’

She wanted nothing more than to rip off the dress and change back into her training uniform.

After all, her training uniform, which she had worn for over six years, was practically a second skin.

Just then—

“My lady! There you are!”

She turned to see some of the staff rushing toward her, clearly having searched for her.

“It’s almost time for your big entrance! Let’s go!”

“…Alright.”

The moment had come.

There was no escaping it now.

With a resolute heart, Crescent followed the staff.

If this was happening, she would present herself with pride as a holy knight supported by the Pluto Ducal House.

Straightening her shoulders, she walked with deliberate steps, the sound of her heels echoing.

After all, the people weren’t here to see her specifically—they had come to attend an event hosted by the Pluto Ducal House.

She couldn’t afford to bring disgrace to their name. She had to show that the girl they sponsored was someone worth their support.

Steeling herself, Crescent removed the cloak as she approached the entrance to the ballroom.

Moments later, the doors opened, and a booming voice announced her arrival.

“Presenting the star of tonight’s ball, Lady Crescent Dallas!”

All eyes turned to her as she stood at the top of the staircase overlooking the grand hall. The crowd was enormous.

But Crescent showed no sign of faltering as she approached the rounded balcony.

Finally, she stepped fully into view.

She wore an exquisite gown of soft, radiant hues. The dress, layered meticulously with draped fabrics, sparkled as if dusted with stardust.

Its ethereal brilliance was something no ordinary atelier could replicate.

Since this was the debut of the ward of the Pluto Ducal House, only the finest gown in the empire had been chosen.

But to the onlookers, the dress itself was secondary.

The lady wearing it outshone the gown in every way.

“Oh my, how can this be…?”

“Who would have thought such a stunning lady existed in the North…?”

The crowd buzzed with awe and amazement.

They were genuinely impressed and astonished.

Crescent was understated yet dazzling.

Her golden hair, not overly bright, shimmered with elegant luster, and her jewel-like pink eyes sparkled every time she blinked, leaving a vivid impression.

Anyone who saw her even once would undoubtedly be captivated.

The guests in the ballroom couldn’t take their eyes off her.

No one had ever seen such a mystifying beauty—not in the North, and perhaps not even anywhere else in the empire.

“She’s absolutely breathtaking…”

“How could someone this beautiful already possess such extraordinary looks at just fourteen? What must she have looked like as a child? And what will she grow into?”

As Crescent began descending the staircase, every gaze remained fixed on her.

Each step she took was graceful and deliberate, her delicate figure moving as lightly as a falling feather.

The noblewomen in attendance stared at her as if even blinking would be a waste.

“Wait, isn’t she a holy knight? Can she really be a holy knight?”

“That’s what I heard, too, but does she really look like someone who wields a sword?”

“I can’t believe it either. She looks like she’d struggle to lift a fork, let alone a sword.”

“She’s just so beautiful. Simply too beautiful!”

Ding!

[‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ says that one punch from you would silence all their nonsense.]

‘Sylvester, please…’

[‘Yuri-Loving Druid Gabriella’ suggests wearing a crop-top version of the débutante dress to show off your abs. She thinks seeing your muscles would prove you could lift thirteen tridents, not just a fork.]

‘Gabriella, not you too…’

[‘From Maid to Saintess, Astina’ says watching you in society is far more entertaining than seeing you train. She’s thrilled you finally have a chance to flaunt your beauty!]

‘Oh, come on…’

Trying not to stumble, Crescent managed to descend the staircase without incident.

A flight of stairs that was only one story high felt excruciatingly long.

Finally reaching the floor, she approached where Reuben, Rearwin, and Miles were standing.

She could keenly feel the eyes of the crowd following her every move like meerkats.

As she stood beside them, Reuben greeted her with a warm smile.

“At last, we have the opportunity to formally introduce the intelligent, exceptional, and talented trainee knight of our family to you all.”

Thump-thump.

Crescent’s heart raced.

For some reason, hearing the words “the intelligent, exceptional, and talented trainee knight of our family” made her chest swell with pride.

Most of all, it signified that she was growing well as a holy knight.

The audience listened intently, their eyes sparkling with curiosity as Reuben continued.

“It has now been six years since Crescent became a ward of our family. During that time, she has received our full support in every way. But, truthfully, the Pluto Ducal House has received far greater benefits from her in return.”

“…!”

The crowd buzzed in astonishment.

Reuben’s praise of Crescent left them stunned.

Had they truly gained more from her than she had from them?

“Crescent was simply a child that Rearwin took in because she wanted to raise a daughter. But Crescent became a holy knight, bringing honor to our family and even saving our lives. In truth, it might not be that we supported her—but that she came to save us.”

“!”

“My goodness…”

The crowd’s astonishment deepened into disbelief.

Most of them already knew Crescent Dallas was an extraordinary girl.

The mere fact that she was the first female to be born with divine power in 150 years was remarkable.

But the Pluto family’s valuation of her clearly surpassed even those high expectations, leaving the audience in awe.

Among them, the most surprised was Crescent herself.

She barely managed to keep her expression composed, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

Reuben chuckled softly.

“I believe by now, everyone here understands. Crescent is not just a ward of our family. She is a gift from Adamas, a light bestowed upon the Pluto Ducal House. And so, our family wishes to honor her as such.”

Reuben paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle.

A gift from Adamas.

The crowd held their breath, sensing something monumental was about to be announced.

“As a first step, the Pluto Ducal House will formally adopt Crescent as the legal daughter of Miles and Rearwin.”

“…!”