The party is held in the royal castle.
In one of the halls that was made for large-scale parties.
A long table.
The seating arrangement is predetermined.
It is a venue that I thought would be impossible to prepare in only 10 days.
With all the preparations complete, the only thing left is to welcome the guests. I steady my resolve.
As members of the entrance staff, Eris and I stand guard near the waiting room entrance, keeping an eye out on the attendants.
The waiting room is not particularly small, in fact there is a buffet party here.
Those who have a look of expectation.
People who held an expression of anxiety.
Such people had arrived at the venue early.
They’re in the waiting room. What will they do after they hear Ariel's story today,
or what kind of response for support in the Grabell Faction will result from it?
The outcome of this story amuses them.
They’re just here for the entertainment. There’s not a person of note in the midst.
They have less impact in either case, merely small fries.
The first big fish appeared somewhat late.
Philemon Notus Greyrat.
He is accompanied by his escort and eldest son. He has the eyes of someone who’s likely to curse me who is at the entrance.
And told me.
"..........Fun, did you think that you can return to the Notus House now, after abandoning it?"
It was an unexpected question.
"I’ve never even thought of that."
"That much should be obvious, and don’t think you can throw that Greyrat name around willy nilly."
"Eh, oh, yes"
After speaking those prearranged words, Philemon made a short appearance in the waiting room.
Before disappearing into a private room reserved for the upper nobility.
"What was that about ......"
Eris is angry.
Come to think of it.
Some time ago, when I was in Eris’s house.
I was told to keep my head down as well.
Well, back then I never thought much about that.
What if the House Paul bowed his head to wasn’t Boreas, but Notus?
And what if I was the home tutor for someone on Notus’s side instead?
Those people would probably want to keep me down…
Just as well.
Indeed, Philemon is the younger brother of Paul, and thus my uncle, but he will be killed by Ghyslaine later.
Since he’s an asshole to me, that won’t hurt.
Starting with Philemon, the main stars of this 『Party』 appeared one after another.
Parents and two attendants from Tris’s house also came.
Then the rest of the four major lords.
Euros, Zephyrus.
And, Boreas.
Boreas's current head ...... What was his name again?
Is it Thomas or was it Gordon....?
I remember it being the same name as a certain locomotive train. [1]
Ah, that right. It was James.
He also brought his eldest son along.
As for the face, I guess he is more like Sauros than Philip.
He also has a stocky figure.
But his face was considerably haggard.
According to Ariel’s story, he resigned his ministerial desk job, and seems to have become a lord.
As a lord who lost his territory, I heard that he has been in a considerable predicament.
Still, it takes more than that to crush the house,
Perhaps because the land remains even though the territory is lost.
Or, it’s thanks to James’ hard work.
...... Do your best.
The reconstruction of the Fedoa territory has not progressed.
However, James has been doing everything he can, it can be seen from his haggard face.
He was also impacted by the Metastasis Event.
A desperate man, but he survived.
A person who was directly involved with the Metastasis Event would understand the meaning of survival differently.
Anyway, I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know those involved in the Metastasis Event.
"......"
Rather than to me...... he gave a glimpse to Eris who is standing next to me, before going back towards the private room again.
And finally.
Senior Minister Darius came later than anyone else.
He’s followed by one escort.
When Darius sees me, he quickly looks away in fear.
The escort sees me and approaches me.
Finally seeing him in a well lit area, he really has a funny looking head.
In casual wear, with a hair shaped like an inverted satellite dish.
Four swords lined his waist.
“It’s the first time meeting you.
My name is North Emperor Auber Corvette.
I go by the name of 『Peacock Sword』 on the streets."
When I took a glance at his feet, I confirm that he is standing firmly with both feet.
There is no sign of him limping when he walks.
He seems to have fully recovered.
If he used a healer from Asura Kingdom, I suppose that level of injury is recoverable.
"Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard of your name. I’m Rudeus Greyrat."
"『Quagmire』...... No, I wonder if it would be better to call you『Dragon's Dog』?"
So in other words, Orsted is the 『Owner』.
A nostalgic name.
Woof~woof.
However, to say something like 『Dragon's Dog』,
Doesn’t sound what a sleeper agent of Hitogami would say...
"Whoops, pardon me...... I heard that you have been ambushed several times on the way here."
"....Ah, yeah."
"To assassins who used foul tricks, you’ve fought them off brilliantly."
You’re calling it foul yourself…?
In a joking tone, he is laughing.
But Auber’s eyes are not smiling.
"Next time, in a head-on match."
For a brief moment, he shows a serious face that doesn’t match his looks, after that Auber takes his leave.
Just now seemed like a declaration of war.
I think that he made me his #1 or #2 target.
In that case, maybe he is the third apostle after all.
First Prince Grabell won’t come to a waiting room like this.
He’ll head straight to the venue.
With this, the cast is complete.