Chapter 124 …
“This was mentioned in the history books? This party?”
Rita asked in surprise. Gide placed the invitation down and replied.
“It’s not explicitly detailed, but judging by the timing and characteristics, it seems to be this party.”
“What incident was it?”
“The incident at this year’s Founding Festival where Duke Adicle was attacked. The duke only sustained minor injuries, and the assassin wasn’t caught on the spot. That assassin easily revealed their backer—it was a noble wearing a silver mask with a red feather.”
“A mask.”
“And the duke reported that he saw someone wearing the same mask at a masquerade he hosted. There were several other witnesses at the party as well. Investigations revealed that the mask belonged to a collateral noble of the Blen Marquis family… but upon tracing, it turned out they were already dead.”
“……”
“Based on these findings, a conspiracy theory arose suggesting that Her Majesty the Empress used her political influence to plan Duke Adicle’s assassination. When it failed, she supposedly cut ties to cover it up.”
“I think I read about that incident. In the 1770 chapter of the history book.”
Lillyeta nodded, recalling the contents, and added,
“I also remember you jotting down ways to change that history. The plan was to send the Blen Marquis’s collateral family to a distant province under Olivia’s minor marquis authority, then place Gide’s loyal guards at the attack scene to capture the assassin personally.”
“Yes, the collateral family of the Blen Marquis would probably just be a scapegoat. The Duke faction would likely frame someone else to stage the assassination incident anyway. Of course, since the situation changed with our return, history might also change…”
“We can’t rule out the possibility of a similar incident happening as is. Someone else might wear the red-feathered mask at the duke’s party instead of the person Olivia saved in advance, so it’d be wise to attend and observe firsthand.”
Rita considered his words, and Gide smiled.
“That’s exactly it, Rita. Thanks to your invitation to the party, we can identify the person wearing the red-feathered mask in advance.”
“But if the person changes, wouldn’t the type of mask that gets pointed to the culprit also change? We should probably check the full guest list, see if anyone is connected to the Crown Prince faction.”
“Perfect. Let’s go together and observe.”
“This time, you’re not going to tell me to take it easy and just rest?”
“You’ll likely overexert yourself anyway, but if you go with me, it’ll be different. I’ll be your mount and crutch.”
He replied lightly, then continued.
“And Rita, staying home for a month just for rehab must feel stifling. Getting some fresh air like this isn’t bad. While we’re at it, you might as well show me your face.”
“Show my face?”
“Rita, we saw each other only two weeks ago. And if I hadn’t come looking, it would’ve been even longer. Don’t you want to see my face?”
“Why look at a face I already know?”
“That’s really harsh… It’s not like it’s exactly the same as before. How can you say you know it? Aren’t the two eyes close together new enough to still be interesting?”
Gide, pretending to sulk, leaned in close to her. As he said, her gaze met two golden eyes, still unfamiliar, shining beautifully at such a close distance. He whispered softly.
“I want to see you every day.”
Rita reflexively leaned back. His proximity made her unexpectedly self-conscious—a place she hadn’t paid attention to before.
Watching her quietly, Gide straightened up and pouted.
“Rita, your face still feels unfamiliar to me. Give me a chance to get used to it. Show me your face more often.”
“Alright, I get what you mean—”
“So, we’re going to the masquerade together, right?”
“Yes, together.”
Rita let out a long sigh and added,
“You’ll handle things well, but… it’s the duke’s party. We need to disguise ourselves properly so we’re not noticed.”
“Of course. You can look forward to it.”
He smiled with satisfaction.
The next day, May 31st.
A nightmare arrived without warning.
Rita immediately informed Hannah of the lineage verification results and connected her to Ethan along with the materials Olivia had organized.
“Hannah, from now on, this person will teach you who our enemies are, what a pledge means, and how to act as a spy.”
“……!”
“If your resolve doesn’t change after hearing, use the ‘Scales of the Deal.’ After that, we’ll explain in detail who we are and what our objectives are.”
After saying that to Hannah, Rita addressed a displeased Ethan.
“Please take care of Hannah, Ethan. Remember what I told you before.”
“Remember what?”
“That what you did wasn’t an apology.”
“……”
Having sent them off, Rita followed her routine from the past few days: rehab exercises, responding to endless social invitations with Leonhardt’s help, observing Reinhardt’s training briefly, and assisting Lindsey with Odd manipulation practice as a newly pledged member.
After dinner, she had tea alone in the office with her father, the duke.
Lillyeta chatted excitedly about guns with her father before opening her mouth at the right moment.
“Dad, have you ever talked like this alone with Leon?”
“You shouldn’t, Lilly. Leon isn’t interested in guns like you are.”
“I’m not talking about guns.”
“Hm?”
“Leon has been helping me respond to my invitations lately. He said he had free time and nothing to do.”
“……”
“He’s been handling family affairs for the past ten years. Suddenly stepping away from those responsibilities makes him seem unfamiliar. And… he looks tired, somehow.”
“Leon… looks tired?”
“Haven’t you ever felt that? Leon… even broke his engagement with Anne. And he just said he was okay. There’s no way he’s really okay.”
“……!”
The duke looked as if he had just realized something he had missed. Rita ended the conversation there.
“Just like you talked to me today, try talking with Leon too, Dad. I think he needs you.”
“I see… I missed that. Thank you for telling me, Lilly.”
The duke gave a weak smile and patted her head. Lillyeta hugged her father and left the office. Leonhardt was called to the office shortly after. Whatever conversation they had was likely necessary for both of them.
At the end of such a peaceful and slightly special day, Rita lay in bed practicing Odd manipulation, feeling a strange unease.
A familiar anxiety, similar to what she had felt right after returning and before meeting her companions. The sensation that something was about to erupt. An uneasy feeling that things couldn’t be this peaceful.
She could have dismissed it as her imagination, but having spent so much time on the battlefield, she didn’t ignore her instincts.
Above all, unlike right after returning, she now knew this world was not safe from demonic beasts.
‘Better do a patrol.’
Rita got out of bed, took the Tritoma-style musket Olivia had left, and quietly patrolled the Cream Dome.
Following her habit from the campsite, she checked entrances and expanded her sensing range to monitor her family’s presence and safety.
It was a time when everyone except a few guards were asleep. The family slept peacefully in their rooms—except Leonhardt.
She calmly widened her sensing range.
No presence in the bedrooms, music room, office, or garden. Leonhardt was nowhere to be sensed.
Unable to run yet, Rita walked slowly down the quiet hall toward another area. Her sensing range moved with her.
Near the banquet hall of the Cream Dome, she finally detected a presence.
Her eldest brother’s presence, weakened as if it could vanish at any moment.
Knowing her legs weren’t fully recovered, she couldn’t help but run.
Rita dashed and flung open the banquet hall door.
Inside, the dark hall carried the smell of blood, mingled with the scent of patchouli.
Moonlight through the windows cast bizarre silhouettes: a giant-like body with limbs stretched unnaturally, pitch-black skin like a reptile, hunched shoulders, and an elongated neck.
It turned toward the suddenly opened door. Its large head had a long, torn mouth dripping thick saliva.
And in its jaws—blonde hair.
Before her eyes, trained hands moved first. The jet-black gun erupted with fire.
