Chapter 4 | The Assassin Gives Warning
The next day, we went to House Gephis’s villa in the royal capital.
The tea party was being held in a large courtyard. Possibly because House Gephis was known for its military prowess, the area also functioned as a training ground, and there were people at the event crossing swords and working up a sweat.
Most of the attendees were young and accomplished nobles. They craved power and attention, and they probably wouldn’t have been satisfied by simply chatting over tea.
“Why didn’t you two wake me up until it was almost time to go? I had to rush through my makeup,” Dia complained as she straightened her dress. She looked at me reproachfully.
“I was taken by your adorable sleeping face,” I answered.
“Um, you two slept together yesterday, and I thought it might be wrong for me to enter your room,” said Tarte.
“W-well, I can’t be angry with you two if you put it like that.”
Satisfied, Dia looked at her reflection in a hand mirror. She didn’t usually wear makeup, but this was a special occasion.
“You’re so beautiful, Lady Dia. You look like a fairy,” Tarte praised, and I was inclined to agree.
She was wearing a sky-blue dress that didn’t reveal much skin, but it accentuated her beauty wonderfully. Her makeup gave her a more mature look for her age, too.
Many partygoers were unable to take their eyes off her. That made me proud as her boyfriend, but I had to stay wary of any creeps who might try to approach her.
“Thanks. I’m sure you’d look lovely in a gown, too, Tarte. You’re rolling in money from your Holy Knight’s salary, aren’t you, Lugh? Buy Tarte a dress,” Dia commanded.
“I will. I’m certain you’d look great, Tarte,” I agreed.
“N-no, you can’t. I’m a servant. And dresses don’t look good on me,” Tarte objected, flustered.
“There’s no rule that says servants can’t don something nice once in a while. All right, let’s do it. We’ll have you wear a dress at the next party. How about I have Maha prepare an extravagant gown just for you?” I suggested.
The outfit Dia was wearing had also been arranged by Maha. You didn’t see dresses this nice very often, even at parties in the royal castle attended by noted noble families. Money alone wasn’t enough to obtain a garment like this—you also needed proper connections and preparation.
“Um, that would really be a waste. Dresses just don’t look good on me.”
“You’re beautiful, Tarte. I haven’t seen a single servant better looking than you at any of the social functions we’ve been present at in the castle. And more than anything, I want to see what you’d look like in a dress,” I stated.
“Yeah, drop the modesty, Tarte. You’re gorgeous. Also, you have big boobs. Really, really big boobs. Super mega boobs. You would look good in something revealing,” added Dia.
“Ah-ha-ha-ha, thank you very much,” responded Tarte with obvious unease. Her face twitched at the repetitious use of boobs.
Dia had a complex about her chest. I’d seen her staring wistfully at a low-cut gown when she was picking her outfit.
After a while, the three of us reached the center of the courtyard where Naoise and his followers were gathered.
“Thank you for coming, Lugh,” Naoise said.
“I was interested to see what kind of party you would put on, Naoise,” I replied, only saying as much to be polite. My biggest concern wasn’t Naoise; it was the voluptuous, grinning woman behind him. She was currently surrounded by young knights.
The men at the party were already losing themselves over Mina’s seductive charm. Even those who had been taken by Dia’s beauty and stalking us from a distance now only had eyes for the demon.
The strength of her pheromones truly was something.
Mina grinned and waved, and I responded with a slight bow. Dia’s grip on my arm tightened, and Tarte tugged at my sleeve.
“Do you mind if I introduce you to everyone?” asked Naoise.
“I suppose that would be fine,” I answered hesitantly.
Naoise shepherded me to the highest point in the courtyard.
“Attention, everyone, I have someone I’d like you all to meet. This is Lugh Tuatha Dé, a school friend of mine, as well as a Holy Knight and slayer of demons.”
Upon Naoise’s words, all present turned to look at me, adoration plain in their eyes. Because they were still young, they didn’t gaze upon me with greed or self-interest, as most aristocrats would. Instead, they resembled children gawking at a knight in a picture book.
Judging that to be the sort of vibe expected of me, I decided to indulge them a little.
“Yes, I’m Lugh Tuatha Dé. I’ve been appointed a Holy Knight, and I am currently fighting demons.”
Every attendee outranked me in the social hierarchy, but I still used my casual speaking tone. The audience expected me to be a living legend. Humility was not what they wanted. My self-introduction was brief, but it still sent a wave of excitement racing through the venue.
“I called Lugh Tuatha Dé here today so he could learn of our existence. Auguide Order, assemble!”
Upon Naoise’s command, the young men at the party gathered in perfect formation.
“Draw your blades!”
Each person introduced himself and drew his sword, holding it still in front of his chest. The introductions moved from one side of the group to the other, traveling like a wave.
It was a beautiful performance, and the display made it clear that the troop had undergone intense physical training. Their total lack of extraneous movement was a testament to their many hours of practice.
There was no doubt that everyone here was decently skilled with a sword and had a good teacher. Naoise had likely arranged that.
“We are the knights of the Auguide Order! We devote our swords to the peace of the kingdom!” Naoise exclaimed at the end of the demonstration. All of the young nobles looked quite proud of themselves.
…Ah, I see. That’s what’s going on here.
Auguide was a chivalrous figure from an old fairy tale. That they had chosen that name told me a lot about the collective mindset of the youths who had joined Naoise’s league.
“Lugh, this is my knighthood, the Auguide Order. All gathered here are either sons of noted families who own villas here in the royal capital or capable talents whom I found at the Royal Academy. I brought them together, gained the sponsorship of House Gephis, and earned official recognition as this country’s second company of magic knights.”
With the demons having returned, monsters were reappearing at a much higher rate. Typically, each region fended off the creatures on their own, but with the recent increase in numbers, that had become difficult. Many areas were asking for help from the kingdom, and the Royal Order was presently dispatched throughout the country.
However, even the resources of the Royal Order were limited, and there was no way they could aid everyone. That must have given Naoise his idea.
He’d searched for potential in aristocratic youths who had not yet inherited their house and commoners who bore no ties of obligation, and he had found a way to put them to use.
The central government had no reason to object to a new company of knights if House Gephis was funding it. What’s more, the organization was the brainchild of Naoise, one of the hero’s companions.
“Our group is still small. However, every knight here is strong and brimming with passion. We already have a few triumphs under our belt, and that will only continue as time goes on. One day, we will be more decorated and respected than even the official Royal Order,” boasted Naoise.
So this is how he intends to change things in Alvan.
I doubted Naoise had merely been inspired by a knight from an old fairy tale like the others. It was more likely he was using the name to manipulate the sense of honor these young men felt.
No matter the era, playing to feelings of righteousness was an effective tool for controlling impressionable minds.
“So are you inviting me to join the Auguide Order, too?” I asked.
“No, I am not. But when the next demon appears, we will fight with you. That is why I wanted to introduce you to everyone today. Given that the hero can’t leave the royal capital, you are the world’s greatest hope, and it is our duty to support you.”
The members of the Auguide Order nodded proudly.
Playing a role in defeating a demon would certainly boost the Auguide Order’s reputation. If all went well, they could come to hold more influence than the Royal Order. I understood Naoise’s line of thought. Because I thought of him as a friend, I chose my next words carefully.
“I don’t need your help. Don’t get involved in our fight against the demons. You’ll get in my way.”
At my statement, the courtyard went silent, and Naoise’s face stiffened.
I knew this would happen, but I’d had no choice but to say as much. If I hadn’t, it would have been only a matter of time before these men lost their lives. They may hate me for it, but at least they’d survive. None of them understood they were playing at being saviors. Reality wasn’t some fairy tale.
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