BSS 89

Chapter 89

“Presenting His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, Emperor Eron de Khan Megalopropolis!”

It was just as I was absentmindedly picking at my ear. Finally, it seemed the main guest of the day had arrived.

“I guess I should go.”

I glanced toward the party hall as I spoke.

“Undine, I have to return to the party, so keep him occupied for me.”

[Yes, Master. How long should I keep him?]

“Until the party ends.”

Glurg! Ugh!

“I’ll let him go when I get back.”

Rashamu was trapped in the water, but since it was so clear, he could still meet my eyes.

He made desperate gestures and motions begging to be freed, but if I were going to release him that easily, I wouldn’t have trapped him in the first place.

“Make sure he can breathe occasionally so he doesn’t die.”

[Understood!]

Undine’s cheerful response made me inexplicably happy.

“That guy is the brother of your enemy. Remember? The terrible fellow who once split you in two with his sword.”

[Ah, that swordsman?]

“Yes! The redhead.”

[I don’t really consider him my enemy…]

“Undine, my enemy is your enemy, right?”

[…Of course! Then he’s your enemy! A bad person!]

Even while I was joking with Undine, Rashamu struggled desperately to escape the water. Once submerged, it was almost impossible.

Because my growth meant Undine’s growth too, and Unbreeding had become much more robust than before.

Besides, without being able to breathe, he couldn’t exert his full strength. Struggling in water that absorbs shock was completely pointless.

Hopefully, Rashamu would realize that soon.

Before leaving the balcony, I gave him a brief farewell.

“Goodbye, Prince Pedri.”

Glurg!

“Make sure to give my regards to your brother.”

I blew a heartfelt kiss and lightly made my way toward the party hall.

I wasn’t scared, even though I had trapped the son of a noble duke in the water. I would return to Dimitri after the party, so we’d likely never meet again. And there was no way the palace knights would cry and spread rumors that they were bested by a woman.

[Hehehe!]

[Master, you suddenly seem very cheerful.]

[I feel great.]

[If that fellow had a charge against him just now…]

[He forgot about me! And the fact that he’s a redhead!]

[It looks like you just took out the grudge you had against Rovenin.]

[What? You think I’m that crazy…? Well, now that you mention it, maybe I am.]

Rai could be sharp sometimes.

Stepping out from the balcony, I saw the emperor ascending the podium.

On it sat a golden throne.

Beside the throne, palace knights were standing in formation, the only ones allowed to carry swords at this party.

Unlike Rashamu, who wore a party outfit, they were clad in armor, and their gazes were sharp.

They vigilantly watched to ensure no one approached the emperor unnecessarily.

The restriction on weapons was, first and foremost, for the emperor’s safety, and also for the safety of the other guests.

The stakes of this party were such that even if one-tenth of the attendees disappeared, it could seriously affect the continental political balance.

‘By rank alone, I might be the lowest-ranking guest here.’

Being the daughter of a baron put me barely in the noble category.

I casually walked toward the podium.

The invited guests had gathered in front to hear the emperor’s speech, and I had to find King Dekel III among them.

[Rai, find the king.]

[It’s hard, there are too many people. Can I lift my head a little?]

[Of course not.]

Among the sea of elaborately dressed people, finding the king was painful to the eyes. I muttered to myself as I pushed through the nobles.

“Excuse me. Just a moment, passing through.”

Everyone was too focused on the emperor to make way. Forcing my way was difficult because they held glasses in their hands.

And my dress and heels made movement extremely difficult.

[Ugh, I hate this dress. It’s so uncomfortable. And these shoes are awful.]

[There’s nothing to be done during the party.]

[It’s pretty, but I never want to wear it again.]

I complained to Rai as I looked around for familiar faces.

Finally, pushing into the center of the crowd, I managed to spot the king.

I tried to move closer as much as possible, and our eyes met. He gave a short nod, signaling that I could stay there, but I wanted to do at least a little of my duty as a retainer.

“From this moment, His Majesty the Emperor will deliver his commemorative speech. All attendees, please focus.”

Damn. I was so close, but now I couldn’t move.

It was proper etiquette to stand still while the emperor gave his speech.

Tch.

I crossed my arms and watched the emperor. I should have grabbed a glass of champagne—it was probably going to be a long one…

“Today, at this gathering…”

Just as the emperor began to speak, before he could even finish a sentence.

Boom!

A sudden, heavy presence filled the air.

Almost simultaneously, a violent surge of mana—a wave, if you could call it that—pressed down over the entire party hall.

Those who couldn’t sense mana had no idea what it was and collapsed instinctively.

Something suffocating wrapped around the hall, pressing down. I panicked, thinking, “Who’s crazy enough to use such a large-scale spell in front of the emperor?” and turned my head toward the source of the wave.

A subtle vibration traveled through my feet. The ground rumbled under an unknown force.

Thrum!

Boom!

Bang!

The earth’s roar grew louder. It sounded like the footsteps of something enormous.

I couldn’t even guess what it was—until I heard Rai’s voice.

[Dragon!]

Crack!

Before I even processed what he meant, the ceiling began to collapse.

Rubble and chandeliers fell overhead. My god!

“Kyaaaah!”

A woman screamed hysterically. I understood why.