IBVO 23

Chapter 23

Bachelier tried hard to calm his slightly excited mind.

“I want to feel the healing power, spoken of only in legends, with my own hands.”
“That cannot be allowed!”

Many opposed his going out into the world. Long ago, for some reason, the LeSan family—called minstrels—had cut themselves off from society. And they had their own rule: no matter what happened, never appear in front of people.

But Bachelier thought that following this rule meant failing the mission given to the LeSan family.

He could not understand wasting the ability given to help others and feel the healing power.

So he broke his family’s rule and came all the way here.

“….”

To think someone with the legendary healing power truly existed—he could hardly contain his curiosity.

He wanted to meet the Saint, who he had only heard of, in person. He wanted to see and feel that energy with his own eyes. He had wanted it so badly that it felt like his throat was burning.

Looking around the banquet hall, Bachelier quickly asked,

“Where is the Saint?”

He thought he would be drawn to her energy as if by fate. That made his expectations even higher. When he sought the Saint, the emperor stepped forward.

Normally, at banquets or social gatherings, she would be in the most noticeable spot—but today, she was hard to see.

“Hmm, strange. Hey.”

The emperor looked around, and seeing it wasn’t working, he signaled a servant standing nearby.

“Find the Saint and bring her straight to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant disappeared quickly.

Bachelier’s presence changed the atmosphere of the banquet hall instantly.

The women were completely distracted, staring at his appearance.

While waiting for Ashley, the emperor tried to ease the awkwardness by asking Bachelier,

“What is that lyre for in your hand?”
“Oh, this?”

Bachelier lifted the small lyre. Made of wood, it looked somewhat plain.

“This is also why we are called minstrels.”
“Oh, does it have some special purpose?”
“We use it to control the energy called healing power through music.”

The emperor’s eyes widened.

“Wow, incredible!”
“Yes. Sometimes, if the energy goes out of control or has problems, it helps guide it to function properly.”
“Oh! Is it possible, then, to restore lost Saint power?”

Bachelier frowned.

“Healing power doesn’t disappear easily. That’s why it’s called the choice of the gods.”
“I see…”

The emperor stroked his chin, giving a slightly awkward smile at Bachelier’s explanation. Bachelier found it strange, but he only wanted the Saint to appear in front of him.

After waiting a while, the entrance to the banquet hall grew noisy, drawing everyone’s attention.

From the commotion, the emperor knew Ashley had appeared.

“Oh! She’s coming now.”

Today, Ashley looked even more stunningly dressed than usual, and people admired her.

Her dress, made of layers of smooth dark blue fabric, flared beautifully from the waist. The hem was embroidered with gold thread, glinting like stars whenever she moved, reminiscent of the night sky.

“My, the Saint looks even more beautiful today.”
“Oh my.”

The noble ladies whispered to each other in admiration.

Ashley walked gracefully to the emperor and bowed first. Though slightly formal, no one criticized her.

“Oh, Saint, welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“You waited for me? I should have come a bit earlier.”

Ashley laughed exaggeratedly.

“Ah, yes. This is Bachelier. The minstrel I most wanted to introduce to you.”

Ashley flinched slightly at the mention of him but composed herself and greeted him calmly.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Ashley Blairus.”

Bachelier’s face lit up noticeably. He stepped forward as if to greet her and suddenly extended his right hand.

“?”

Ashley stared at him, confused. Realizing his action looked strange, Bachelier awkwardly explained,

“Oh, in our LeSan tribe, we greet by joining hands like this. I should have explained better.”
“Ah…”

Ashley did not seem eager to shake his hand.

“We don’t greet like that…”
“Saint! Still, this is something rare. You were invited, so… please.”

The emperor chided her.

However, Ashley knew that by physical contact, the minstrel could sense her energy. She could not reach out recklessly.

“….”

She wanted to avoid the contact, but if she refused, the emperor would suspect her.

Moreover, she had confidently told the count that her Saint power was intact, despite Ariadne’s warning. She still believed her power would return, which is why she attended the banquet today.

‘My power isn’t completely gone…’

Still feeling uneasy, Ashley hesitated, standing quietly. She could not skip the banquet either. Avoiding it would spark rumors that her power had disappeared. She planned to attend but simply avoid contact with the minstrel. She was thinking of excuses to not shake his hand.

Then suddenly,

“Ah!”

Someone bumped into Bachelier, nearly making him fall.

Ashley quickly raised her hands to stop him. Bachelier, pushed forward, had no choice but to hold her hands to stay upright. Unintentionally, it looked like Bachelier was holding both of Ashley’s hands.

“Diego!”

The emperor shouted angrily, recognizing the man nearly falling behind Bachelier. His eyes looked furious. It turned out it was Diego, who had appeared alone.

“Oh my, so many people at a banquet… Are you hurt? Huh?”

Diego, feigning calm, steadied himself and helped Bachelier regain balance. Luckily, neither had fallen completely.

“Hey. Are you okay? Hey?”
“You are not to treat him carelessly, Diego!”

The emperor looked even angrier.

But Diego replied nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.

“Oh. Is he as important as the Saint? I didn’t know.”

He smiled innocently, scratching the back of his head. The emperor sighed deeply and looked at Bachelier.

“My son is reckless. I apologize on his behalf.”
“….”

Startled, Ashley quickly pulled her hands away from Bachelier.

Bachelier, however, remained frozen, still holding his hands in the air as if stunned.

“Why… what is this?”
“….”

Bachelier’s face showed obvious shock. After a long moment, he finally spoke with a puzzled expression.