37 Chapter 7: the banquet (5)

Honestly speaking, it was like another world.

((I knew that the Marquis's mansion was very expensive, and I also knew that the young lady's dress was incredibly expensive))

Markus's strong beggar's soul was cruelly being torn apart.

((When it is only that, I feel amazed, but when the space is dominated by wealth and luxury, it gets pretty overwhelming))

Although he wasn't getting cold feet or anything, he can't help but feel the pressure of fame and fortune slowly crush him, maybe the elite class of this world really was an entirely different breed.

"From House Earl Remy, Lady Alice arrives!"

"From House Earl Bullion, Lady Juliet arrives!"

"From House Earl Doyle, Lord Lyca arrives!"

A polished marble staircase led up to the entrance of the mansion. And it was constantly in a shiny state, as servants wiped it with a mop-like thing each time one person walked up.

Next to the double door with a gold handle, a servant with a good tenor voice announced the arrival of the nobles.

((It must be hard for him because he has to do it 22 times...))

Markus thought.

((Unlike Lady Sophia, the other lady was dressed in a super gaudy dress and jewelries, and accompanied by an escort donning dazzling metal armor, makes me think if it was fitted with LED or something))

When Markus saw that there were 20 more sets like this, he felt "yikes" instead of "amazing".

((On a side note, I had never really cared about the status of equipment until now, but after hearing about the armor magic from Syph-sensei...))

Markus continuously observed every equipment, using his [mana vision] to analyze their functions, structure and composition.

((They don't have enchanted weapons, but as for the armor…[Brightness Enhancement]? [Dirt Removal]? Are they dumb?))

But honestly, Markus was glad they didn't actually have a built-in LED.

((I guess, magically induced brightness would be the LED in this world… and it even consumes low mana))

Markus almost involuntarily clicked his tongue at the stupidity of these knights to waste an expensive enchantment something so flashy and impractical.

((But hey they wanted to look cool right? So I guess that's accomplished...))

Markus really couldn't approve of the amount of money these people were spending just to look flashy when they could be using that hard cash for much bigger and better things, but he knew little about the philosophy of the rich so he just kinda accepted it.

"I am counting on you, Markus"

""I will do my best""

Syph called out to Markus as he was thinking about LEDs to escape reality. He was the only escort without armor, and on top of that, he was lower in both age and height than the rest, but despite that Markus replied calmly as to not unnecessarily stress himself out.

Entering was not in order of arrival, but the person in charge of announcements called out one by one.

""Watch your step, my lady.""

Markus escorted Sophia with utmost care, gently cautioning her to not make any mistakes.

"Yes. Let's go, Markus"

Receiving Markus's hand, Sophia began to move with unfathomable grace and dignity, as befitting of someone with her lineage and ruinous beauty.

""...…""

Being this close to a being with this level of divinity when it comes to looks will make anyone a feel overwhelmed with unimaginable pressure, but Markus was someone with an ungodly amount of apathy so he didn't really feel any different.

Even still, Markus once again cut off his line of sight from Sophia, because he was still in fear of being affected by her magic eyes and recreating what happened in the game.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing that he has been doing this for a while now, Sophia was beginning to worry if something was wrong with Markus.

""No, it's nothing""

Not wanting to be the cause of Sophia slipping up on such an important day as today, Markus reassured her before walking towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

((I'm a little surprised by the young lady being back to her confident self))

And then, Markus climbed up the stairs right in front of Sophia.

As They passed by, it was quickly wiped with the mop-like thing. This made Markus almost feels as if he was dirty and the floor needs to be cleaned.

"F... From House marquis Rosewood, Lady Sophia arrives!"

When the announcer saw the young lady and tried to announce her arrival, he was a moment late. The reason was because he laid eyes on her.

((I understand. I understand you very well, if I was a normal person and the young lady appeared before me all dressed up with makeup, I'm sure I would scream. In fact, I would like to praise him for still keeping a straight mind))

Markus was not sure if "House Rosewood " has any special influence in the noble society, but the noisy mansion filled with esteemed and elite class guess suddenly became quiet.

There was a small space after passing through the entrance, connected straight to the venue of the banquet. They checked for weapons in that small space, but of course, Markus didn't bring any today.

((…There seems to be mana inhibition magic cast on the banquet hall))

Markus thought, sensing his mana becoming more restricted, the feeling was kinda like going through your daily life while always having weights strapped to your clothes, it was not a very nice feeling.

((But it is a strange sensation, It seems that only a certain amount of skills and magic were inhibited, and the rest were okay. For example, my [shadow step] was fine, but skills such as [Strength Enhancement] were disabled. I see… so it's possible to limit the use of certain skills in this way, perhaps combat type skills and magic were inhibited, but on the other hand, skills which were necessary for the servants in the venue to work are unaffected))

Markus analyzed.

A man wearing the Knights Order uniform, looked at Markus and frankly asked, "Are you okay going in without an armor?" so he immediately answered ""Yes"" and entered the banquet hall with lady Sophia.

((Wow…))

Markus exclaimed loudly in his head, which completely contradicted the outward dispassionate face he usually wore 24 hours a day.

The ceiling was high and a huge chandelier hung from the centre. It was about the size of two cars.

8 smaller chandeliers hung around the huge chandelier…even though it was "smaller", but it was still exceptionally big.

There were 4 round tables placed under the smaller chandeliers, and Markus wasn't sure if it is intended to be the dance floor, but nothing was placed under the huge chandelier.

((The hall was divided according to the color of the marble floor. The floor at the center of the hall was a blue circle… wait, blue marble doesn't exist, right? That spot seems to be made of a different stone))

Nonetheless, the reason Markus didn't look around restlessly even when in this sort of place is, he was strictly warned by the chief maid Rouche and the chief butler Cedric, to the point where Markus thought they might prepare a voodoo doll if he messed up. So he didn't even dare to turn his head around.

Children of nobles and escorts, who were already seated, have been fixed on them both.

"-That's the lady of House Rosewood"

"-she's dazzling..."

"-Wow, cute"

"-how can someone so pretty exists?"

"-Doesn't that dress look plain? Mine is better, right?"

"-Her escort doesn't seem lacking either"

"-I know right? So hot..."

"-they're both top tier beauties...what a pair"

Markus heard those conversations circulating. Most of them were leaning towards, "the daughter of the Cold-Blooded Lord is here."

Markus heard various things due to[Hearing Enhancement], but whether Sophia herself couldn't hear them, or maybe she had a steel mind that could ignore the annoying looks people gave her, the young lady proceeded smoothly, as the servant guided the way.

((She really has grown up splendidly, hasn't she?))

Markus wanted to give himself a pat on the back for accomplishing the first goal he had set out to do.

Markus observed the people at every table as they passed through. There were elves, dwarves, and beastmen. It was indeed a nation that accepted all races.

The table at the very back had 6 seats.

As Sophia took the first seat, there were 5 other vacant seats.

((Ohhh, I see… This is the "important people arrive at the end" custom, huh?))

Markus concluded after some careful analysis of the situation.

"From House Border Margrave Phrasesin, Lady Mira arrives!"

A girl with dark brown hair in an updo hairstyle and freckles around her eyes appeared. She should be able to remove it with makeup, Markus thought, upon closer inspection he realized :""That girl has no makeup"".

((Her silver-colored dress, which hides most of her skin, looked to be of an older design compared to the other ladies, but I can't hear even a single whisper of ridicule))

The reason?

Because an incredible escort followed after her. A berserker like escort wearing a gray bear pelt on his head.

This made Markus think:

((Is that really necessary? Is it a "border" appeal kind of thing?))

((By the way, the Rosewood family seems to have the second highest status among the marquis houses. The young lady was called to enter after the Earls, after all. While the Border margrave is also an marquis , they have a territory near the border and are allowed to have an army. The reason being the border is full of dangers. Therefore, they have a higher status than marquis however, they are not involved in central politics))

Lady Mira walked toward the table in the back, and suddenly stopped when she saw the young lady.

"Hyuu———"

She suddenly made a weird sound after catching sight of lady Sophia.

((…What is it now?))

Not even needing the [eyes of the puppeteer] to see that trouble is coming, Markus sighed.

"C-C-Cu-Cu-Cute-Cu–"

She was completely heart-struck by Sophia, captivated like a maiden in love.

"Calm down, Mira. You can say hello later"

The bear like escort whispered to Mira's ears

"Hyai...."

Lady Mira sat down on the drawn chair with an absentminded look, staring at lady Sophia all the while.

((I don't know what kind of protein shakes the Berserker escort consumes to develop that body with bulging muscles, but his eyes, looking over Lady Mira, is calm...hmm...an interesting pair I'd say))

Markus initially dismissed the guess of this banquet as unimportant since there wasn't any names of main characters that he knew from the game, but now since he was caught the banquet's mood he decided to pay just a little bit more attention to everyone.

"From House Marquis Mule, Lady Charlotte arrives!"

This time, the hall became heated up with a different atmosphere.

A young lady with long strawberry blonde ringlet hair appeared. Dressed in a frilly dress, and wearing heavy makeup that was too mismatched for her young face, she brought along a cool looking handsome escort with light blue hair.

((This man looks like he was rented for his looks to the table...))

Unlike the giant berserker escort of lady Mira, Markus didn't sense any threat coming from the knight that lady Charlotte brought along, so he promptly forgot that they both existed, but unfortunately, his lack of care for them didn't last long.

"…Wow!"

The cool-guy escort's eyes widened at the sight of the young lady.

((Hey fvck off you cunt! Get your own lady, she's mine))

Markus pretended like he didn't notice, but the fact that someone was eyeing his master in an improper way was slightly annoying him.

((But...I guess that's more of Sophia's problem rather than mine))

But then he remembered that it really wasn't his job to protect Sophia from these things (that was her father's job) so his annoyance faded just as fast as it appeared and he forgot all about the good looking guy again.

However, in contrast, Lady Charlotte turned a line of hostility towards the young lady, and then to Lady Mira.

"Ara, you're still wearing unfashionable clothes"

"Cu-Cute..."

However, Lady Mira was still looking at the young lady with an absentminded look.

"...…"

Lady Charlotte trembled, as she was completely ignored, but she turned away her face with an "Hmph!", and took her seat.

"From House Duke Jackson, lord Ethan arrives!"

((Oh, it's the Duke's house with blood ties to the emperor))

Markus thought, and looked that way.

Lord Ethan's amber-colored fluffy perm hair was intricately woven into several strands and hung down over his left temple. The strands were also adorned with beads made of gems.

He wore ceremonial clothes resembling a tailcoat, and you can see a misanga made of multi-colored threads on his wrist.

And the escort behind Lord Ethan a woman who was equipped with armor, but was smaller than everyone else, even slightly smaller than Markus himself. Her long hair tied behind her back, was the same amber-colored as Lord Ethan. Her short cloak, wrapped around the neck, was garnished with colorful embroidery.

((Seems like there will be something interesting at this party after all...)

""Lord Ethan is a halfling, huh… and his escort is also one? Interesting...""

Markus muttered unintentionally, despite her small stature, Markus could feel power radiating off of lord Ethan's escort..

"That's right. Duke Jackson's family has mixed halfling blood"

The young lady replied, having caught Markus's mutter.

Lord Ethan came to the table and smiled, looking at everyone. (He looks like a kind child…)) Markus thought.

Looking over to the person next to him, Markus noticed that Lord Ethan's escort was observing him, as though being on guard. The color of her eyes was amber.

((Please don't be on guard. I am a harmless boy…is what I'd like to say, but it's true that someone who is obviously as young-looking as me being completely unarmed would seem quite suspicious))

In return Markus also took a quick glance at her.

((Judging based on our appearances alone, the escort and I look about the same age, but considering the case with halflings, the escort is most probably older than myself))

Incidentally, ever since Lord Ethan arrived, a fancy scent has been drifting in the air. Markus doesn't know what it is exactly, but it is a perfume derived from flowers.

But Markus wouldn't get to enjoy that feeling of fancy-ness for too long as suddenly he received a vision from the [eyes of the puppeteer], a vision that would make him frown if he could express his emotions properly.

((It seems that something truly troublesome is about to happen))

Sighing Markus drew his face near Sophia's and whispered:

""Heads up milady, you might need to watch out for the next one""

"Huh?! What do yo—"

Before she Sophia could figure out what Markus meant the announcement voice rang out.

"From House Duke Rozier, Lord Luke arrives!"

As Markus looked towards the entrance, there was a boy who had blonde hair and red eyes.

In much of the same way that Markus saw in his peak into the future, Lord Luke, the target of other escorts' gazes, walked up to the table without following the servant's lead, and instead of his own seat, he approached Lady Sophia.

"Hey, daughter of House Rosewood"

He said, pointing his index finger at Sophia.

((Here it comes...))

Markus's exhaustion has already reached it's limit, and the banquet hasn't even started yet.

"I will make you my fiance. Come to my house tomorrow. I will introduce you to my father"

((Heart rate is rising, ears turning red, and his voice is trembling. Oh, I see. The boy had probably seen the young lady somewhere, so that is why he went out of his way to change his hair to blonde, and chose the banquet as a place to propose))

""I see. It's the awakening of young love, huh…how annoying""

And there you have it, the first case of traditional "aggressive courting" at the coming up age banquet.

((Why does everything have to be so hard for me?))

Markus sighed loudly.