Chapter – 89
As Victory Memorial Day approached, delegations from other families also began arriving at Decaron one by one.
The delegations from four families—the Plague of Belmark, the Arcane Noble Family Belvedere, the Bloody Belvedere, and the Wild Bwanga—had come to Decaron.
Adding the Loren family to this, a total of five out of the twelve noble families of the United Kingdom were attending the Victory Memorial Day event.
Moreover, with the Crown Prince personally visiting Decaron, this event required even more attention than usual.
And that wasn’t all.
Not only nobles from the subordinate families of the twelve great families but also countless minor nobles gathered, making Decaron extremely crowded.
Amidst all the internal and external commotion, Carlisle stayed holed up in his room, not moving an inch.
He absolutely hated things that were bothersome, noisy, and chaotic.
Instead, Carlisle discussed future plans with Borodin, the chieftain of the Unforgetting Hammer tribe, in his room.
“For the time being, let’s focus on mining Magestone coal, and I’d like to build one armory in Decaron.”
“An armory to produce weapons or armor?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Our tribe will provide the dwarves’ technical prowess to produce the best weapons and armor.”
“Good.”
It went without saying that weapons and armor were crucial in war, so Carlisle was very satisfied with Borodin’s cooperation.
Since dwarven technology was overwhelmingly superior to human technology, it was a given that Decaron’s military strength would become even stronger.
“Ah, and. There’s something I’d like to request.”
“Yes, Young Master. Please, speak freely.”
“Can you make something similar to this?”
Carlisle showed Borodin something as he asked.
“Hmm. This is a very crude item.”
“Is that so?”
“If made like this, not only is the stability poor, but the power is also hard to rely on.”
“You dwarves are knowledgeable even about things like this?”
“To pioneer mines, one must be skilled in these areas as well.”
“Ahh.”
Carlisle nodded as if he understood.
“Then, can you make it the way I want?”
“How do you mean?”
“Here.”
Carlisle held out a parchment detailing his requirements.
“There’s nothing difficult about it at all. While this specific concept is new, the technology itself isn’t unused.”
“But I need it within two days.”
“It’s possible.”
“Good. I’ll leave it to you then.”
“Please, rest assured.”
Borodin bowed respectfully and left the room.
“Look forward to it. I’ll give you a proper gift.”
Carlisle thought of the Crown Prince and smiled a sinister smile.
* * *
The Victory Memorial Day event was held grandly.
As befitting one of the most prominent events not only in the North but also within the United Kingdom, its scale and splendor were considerable.
A festival took place, and people, whether Northerners or outsiders, all ate, drank, and commemorated repelling the barbarians’ invasion.
Of course, during this time, Carlisle remained holed up in his room, quietly passing the time.
“Young Master, Chieftain Borodin has completed the item you requested.”
“Is that so?”
At Maranello’s report, Carlisle jumped up.
“Then, let’s begin.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Deliver the item.”
“Understood.”
“Be careful. It must never be seen by anyone. There are likely eyes and ears of the Royal Family everywhere.”
“I will keep that in mind, Young Master.”
Maranello immediately went to Borodin, received the Magestone trap Carlisle had requested, and then left the inner keep via a secret passage.
The place Maranello headed to was a shabby inn.
“Drink, drink!”
“Pouuur it!”
“Let’s drink till our noses are crooked!”
As it was the festival period, a raucous party was in full swing in the tavern on the first floor of the inn.
Maranello, with his hood pulled deep over his head, approached Kudo and his group, who were drinking.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“Hoh.”
Kudo smiled meaningfully.
“Northern Knigh….”
“Shh.”
Maranello cautioned Kudo.
“I have something to discuss separately, so please spare a moment. I ask this as a favor.”
“Well, alright.”
Kudo nodded and said to Marder and Wilson.
“I’ll be back after a quick talk, so please keep drinking. I’ll return shortly.”
“Sure.”
“Hurry back.”
After moving to a different location.
“What brings you to seek me out? A mere soldier like me.”
“I have a request for you.”
“A request… That’s an expression I haven’t heard in a long time.”
Kudo smiled, bowing his head as if amused.
A sinister glint flashed between Kudo’s narrowed eyes.
Maranello smiled brightly.
“It’s not that kind of meaning, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Then what is the meaning?”
“It’s a request from the Young Master.”
“Ah?”
“Here, a letter detailing the request.”
“Hmm.”
Kudo read Carlisle’s letter and tilted his head as if he didn’t quite understand.
“I roughly get the gist of it, but why exactly is he requesting this?”
“Please don’t ask for details.”
“Just do as you’re told, is that it?”
“You know full well that’s not the intent.”
“That’s true.”
Kudo grinned and said.
“I believe I know the request details even without you saying them.”
“At night. Without a soul knowing. No traces, of course, and clean up afterwards.”
“You know the drill well.”
“The payment?”
“Here it is.”
Maranello placed a pouch full of gold coins on the table.
“Hoh. Quite generous for such a trivial mission.”
“Kyun kyun!”
The fox next to Kudo also cried out, seeming pleased.
“When would be good?”
“Tonight would be best, if possible. Everyone’s attention is on the festival right now.”
“I’ll depart immediately.”
“Don’t let anyone discover you. Maintain secrecy both when leaving and entering Decaron.”
“Of course.”
Kudo nodded as if it were obvious.
“Please convey my regards to Private Carlisle.”
“I will do so.”
Maranello left Kudo’s room immediately.
“A request, a request. Just what kind of scheme are you plotting, Private Carlisle?”
Kudo muttered to himself, recalling Carlisle’s face.
* * *
The final day of the Victory Memorial Day event.
A grand party was held in the inner keep of Decaron.
With not only the blood relatives of the Sigurd family but also delegations from other families and even the Crown Prince in attendance, the party’s splendor was beyond description.
“Oh my!”
“They said the young master of the Belvedere family was the continent’s most handsome man, and it wasn’t an exaggeration!”
“I’ve never seen such a handsome man before….”
Amidst it all, the one who received the most attention from the women was Serdian van Belvedere, the eldest son of the Belvedere family.
He had been famous for his good looks since a very young age, and now, as an adult, he was acclaimed as the continent’s most handsome man.
Furthermore, he exuded the unique decadent charm characteristic of the Belvedere family, making his aura both dangerously and fascinatingly alluring.
And Serdian himself was well aware that he was the continent’s most handsome man, so he subtly enjoyed the women’s attention.
‘Parties are enjoyable, as expected.’
Serdian smiled secretly, feeling the women’s gazes focused on him.
But that was only for a moment.
Serdian suddenly noticed something strange and frowned.
A few women passing by showed no particular interest in him.
‘What’s this?’
Serdian was flustered by the unfamiliar situation and became very curious about the reason.
After all, it was normal for him to be the center of women’s attention wherever he went.
‘Is it because the women of the North are said to have such strong and fierce temperaments?’
But that couldn’t be it.
Aesthetics were a natural human instinct, transcending age and region.
Nevertheless, realizing that women who appeared to be from the North weren’t looking at him with particular awe, Serdian couldn’t contain his curiosity and stopped one of the passing women.
“May I have a moment of your time?”
“Ah.”
“I am Serdian van Belvedere. Your name is….”
“Knight Helen. It’s an honor to meet the young master of the Belvedere family.”
“Ah, so it’s Sir Helen.”
“What can I do for you….”
Serdian’s mood soured again.
Normally, when he initiated conversation, the other person would be too flustered and overwhelmed to know what to do, but this knight named Helen was not like that at all.
Instead, she seemed distinctly wary, to the point where Serdian, who had spoken first, felt awkward.
‘She must be just too nervous.’
Serdian took Helen’s unenthusiastic reaction as a sign of nervousness and asked her.
“Forgive my impertinence, but I’d like to ask you one thing.”
“Please, speak.”
“By any chance, what thoughts did you have when you saw me?”
“I didn’t have any particular thoughts.”
“Hmm.”
Serdian said, slightly flustered.
“Just in case, let me ask. What do you think of me?”
“I’m not sure why you’re asking that so suddenly.”
“The thought occurred to me that perhaps I don’t appear to be a particularly attractive man here.”
“Ah.”
Helen smiled a slightly cold smile, as if she understood what he meant.
“If you’re speaking about the level of your appearance, I think you are very handsome, Serdian-nim. I think it’s not for nothing that you are praised as the continent’s most handsome man, but….”
“But?”
“Cal……”
“……?”
“Cal… Phew.”
Helen took a deep breath, as if finding it difficult to spit out the words, and then spoke.
“In my opinion, I think Young Master Carlisle is much more handsome.”
“Carlisle… You mean that Northern brute?”
“Correct.”
“Keuk.”
Serdian’s face twisted sharply.
Of course, it was true that rumors circulated about the Northern brute being handsome.
But Serdian had believed that was just the ignorant chatter of Northern bumpkins.
“I’ve heard your answer clearly.”
“Yes, then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Helen smiled coldly and turned her back on Serdian.
“That country bumpkin has no taste. There’s no way that brute could be better looking than me……”
Just then.
“Oh my, oh my!”
“Wow.”
“I’ve never seen someone like that in my life.”
Buzz, buzz!
The atmosphere in the banquet hall, which had been calm, instantly stirred, and everyone’s gaze was drawn towards the entrance.
‘What is it?’
Wondering what was happening, Serdian pushed through the crowd towards the entrance and, for the first time in his life, received a great shock.
A truly handsome man stood there.
Blonde hair so light it was almost silver, jade-like skin, mysteriously captivating purple eyes, a perfectly straight nose bridge, and lips curved in a slight sneer.
Even with an expressionless face, he was such a superb handsome man that the words “he’s handsome” sprang forth involuntarily.
“Young Master Carlisle van Sigurd is entering.”
“……!”
Only then did the people realize that the identity of this sculpted handsome man was [that brute], and they were utterly astonished.
While rumors about the Northern brute’s good looks were rampant, no one expected that Carlisle’s revealed appearance would overwhelmingly surpass even Serdian, known as the continent’s most handsome man.
“Ah, how annoying.”
Carlisle spat out the words and took a step forward.
“Why do I have to come to a place like this and become a spectacle?”
“Since we’re here, why not just enjoy it?”
“Enjoy what? It’s just bothersome. Ugh.”
Carlisle shuddered as if breaking out in hives from everyone’s stares.
But the people, especially the women, couldn’t take their eyes off Carlisle.
The level of Carlisle’s beauty, dressed impeccably in the Sigurd family’s formal attire, was such that one couldn’t look away even if they wanted to.
*Shiver, shiver…!!!*
Serdian trembled with a sense of inferiority he felt for the first time in his life.
He had never even dreamed of the thought of being surpassed by someone in looks… .
Be that as it may, Carlisle, as if Serdian wasn’t even worth his notice, simply walked forward with a haughty expression.
