Chapter 4: the banquet (1)

""Looking for me…?""

Truthfully, Markus asked while already knowing what Syph had to say since he's currently using a limited version of the [eyes of the puppeteer] to take a short look into the near future, which is why his left eye was now dyed with a faint purple hue combined with the natural crimson red rather than completely purple like if he were to use the full effect of the skill.

This was also one of the exploits that wasn't possible to utilize in the game with it's limited ability to portray the true depth of this world's magic but since the game for Markus has now become a reality, that limitation is eliminated.

With this weakened version of precognition Markus can't read into every possible quantum function and understand the cause and future consequences of every action like if he were to use the true authentic thing since, unlike an omnidirectional sensory this version is more like a tunnel vision, like looking through an adjustable scope, he can see far, wide, close but not see everything at the same time from every angle and range.

But the good thing is with this version the high cost in mana is almost completely nullified, there also no limitation for how many times he can use it in one day and unlike the true eyes, this version allows him to look through every future outcome one by one at his own pace rather than cram the full picture into his head and putting Markus at risk of a seizure.

This was the fruits of Markus's 2 years of painful experiments and research, thanks to this world's extremely extensive and dense yet to be discovered information on magic, a normal person would probably spend the entirety of their life studying this ability with no success but Markus had managed to almost completely master it in just 2 years of his life which speaks volumes about the amount of talent and dedication he had.

"You aren't allowed to carry weapons to today's banquet, what do you plan to do?"

Apparently Syph was under the impression that even Markus needed a weapon just in case of unseen misfortunes happen to befall the banquet today.

Markus was unable to understand the intention of Syph's question since honestly even if Markus was stark naked and surrounded by a horde of magicians and knights trying to kill him, Markus would still come out on top .

""It's not like I'm dependent on weapons for combat, I have magic as well as multiple other ways to defend the young lady such as martial arts""

Markus offered some assurance to Syph to alleviate her worries.

((but if you're concerned I can always try bringing in a concealed weapon))

"Is that so!? I see…I've been too focused on your swordsmanship so I forgot about the fact that you're also exceptional at magic and close combat, please forgive me"

""It's okay, I didn't really expect anything ese from you anyway""

Markus asserted, intending to tease Syph a little.

"Hey!"

""Just kidding...""

Syph is always like this, a complete battle junkie that ignores everything that isn't related to swords this is both her strong and weak point, sometimes even the Marquis had to reprimand her for focusing too much on developing her swordsmanship and not worrying about other important things in life, actually Markus felt as though she only became the head guard of the Rosewood to get stronger, the moment she believes being here isn't beneficial for her anymore she'll leave with no hesitation and go back to be a wandering mercenary constantly on the search for the next opponent to fight or student to teach, in the game that was how she met Reinhart and Markus.

((I can do more than just magic and close combat, but if I also used weapons in addition to those, people would get suspicious of the number of skills I have, so I'm should keep a low profile))

Markus thought, not wanting more attention than what is necessary or useful to him.

""There will be many escorts other than me, right? I don't think there will be an attack""

Markus posed a reasonable question.

((And even if there was, I would see it coming from a mile away and know exactly how to resolve it since even with this suppressed eye, I can still perceive what can and will happen during the next 3-5 minutes ))

But the true reason for his lack of worry is because of the fact that he can foresee any problem that will come their way and solve it with an almost 100% success rate.

((The 11 year olds can attend with only one escort by their side at the banquet. The escorts aren't allowed to carry weapons, but if you can use magic, there will be no problem. And there are still many other ways you can fight without weapons...))

Markus justified his train of thought.

"No, that's not the problem. What I'm worried about is the treasured sword of the noble sons"

Syph said, explaining the reason for her worries.

""Isn't that still not much of threat for us? not even mentioning the matter of the young lady receiving a powerful magic artifact from her father before going to the banquet while conversely, today's 11 year old sons, holding a treasured sword, are powerless since they only receive their gifts after the banquet, there are usually multiple measures that have been put in place for an important event like this so isn't that less reason to be worried?""

Displaying a complete dismissal of Syph's worries, Markus said.

The nobles of this country attend the evening party hosted by the emperor at the age of 11, they are then recognized to be "adults" and are given a special gift that they take on with them for the rest of their respective lives, while females are given their gifts beforehand, males only receive their gift after the banquet was over, this is too prevent certain unruly noble sons from bothering the ladies since there were some incidents of so called "aggressive courting" in the past.

((I don't know the detailed system, but it seems that the rare treasures, materials and valuable artifacts produced from the various proceedings the empire partakes in are almost monopolized by the nobles, the ones that the nobles don't use are passed down to the guilds and citizens, but considering that anyone can become a noble in the empire with sufficient achievements dedicated to the improvement of the country or with backing from a pre established house, this system is not that unfair as it would first seem to be I suppose...))

((The young lady should receive a magical artifact from Marquis Rosewood before today's banquet. Neither I nor the young lady herself know what the magic item is))

"No, no! The enchantments applied to their swords is quite considerable even without the use of individual ability and magic, that is a cause for concern"

Syph explained.

""Enchantments?""

Markus acted like he didn't know what that was.

"You don't know? My sword also has magic that increases its power"

Syph explained.

""Really?""

Markus then asked Syph to explain in more detail. It seems that when Syph and Markus had their match, she was using a fake sword, so magic wasn't applied on it. In a real battle, she wields a much more powerful sword, it seems. Though, she wasn't carrying it right now. Carrying a big sword inside the mansion would indeed be too much.

"What kind of magic can you apply?"

Markus asked, interested in using this as future reference if he ever wanted to try enchanting.

"Let's see… Not only can you increase the sharpness and impact, but you can also extend the length of the sword to some extent. Or you can also increase the physical strength or stamina of the wielder. But of course, there are limits to it. The effects should be about the same potency as a intermediate spell"

Syph relayed that lecture on the basics of enchanting to Markus.

""Huh...""

"And it can also be applied to armor, but it must be metal"

""Does that mean the armor you're wearing right now is also magically enhanced?""

"That's right… is what I'd like to say, but armor is impossible"

Syph suddenly had a depressed look on her face.

""Impossible?""

"It costs too much"

""Hou""

((Which means that those who have the [enchanter] class are rich))

Sensing a potentially profitable business that he might need to invest in, Markus marked a new class that he needed to obtain on his bucket list.

""I'm impressed""

((So, there is an assistance from magic, huh. Does that mean Syph-sensei's fighting style relies on the premise of using that assistance? No, she was an exceptionally powerful fighter even with a fake sword, not to forget that she hasn't reach her full potential like in the game yet… What if she had the magic assistance on top of that? …I guess I shouldn't try to stop her attack with my bare hands in that case))

Markus remembered the time when he defended against Syph's sword strike with his hands.

"The high level enchantments can only be afforded by the nobles or the knights. Though, I have heard that first-rate adventurers equip armor with magical properties"

Syph told Markus what she knew about the how widespread are the use of enchanted items.

""I suppose it would cost a ridiculous amount if you wish to apply magic to full-body equipment?""

"I think it would easily exceed 100 gold coins. Still, compared to your monthly wage, that price is cheap. Surely people with such a philosophy use them"

Since Markus was tasked with the protection of the lord's daughter, his anual payment exceeds even that of Syph's, about 300 coins a month.

((Equipment worth over 500 million yen(5million usd), huh… I think it would be better to just display it at home))

"Anyway, it is not unlikely that a noble son, who got his hand on a treasured sword for the first time and in a restless state, wouldn't try to brandish it. Be careful"

Syph warned Markus with an absolutely serious face.

"Okay, thank you for your advice"

"But don't get too worked up, we will also be on standby outside the venue"

Syph then raised one hand to wave goodbye, and left.

((Armor magic, huh… I'll keep that in mind))

The young lady was taking a really long time to get ready. When dusk approached, and Markus was stifling a yawn, the door finally opened.

Rouche, The maid chief cast a sharp look at Markus.

"Markus-san, please don't say anything rude"

And she immediately said that to Markus

""Do I really look like a thoughtless man?""

Markus retorted.

"I'm afraid of boys because they are unmindful of what they say"

((Well you're not wrong but...I'm not that insensitive am I?))

From the perspective of the chief maid Rouche (25 years old), Markus is a child.

"Compliment the young lady properly. You will be the first man to see the young lady dressed up for the first time"

Rouche carefully instructed Markus

""Understood""

"That said, you shouldn't give indirect compliments, and straight compliments aren't good either"

"...…"

((Which one is it?…Aren't there too many orders?))

"Markus-san. Today is a very important day for the young lady. I would appreciate your cooperation"

""Sure...I guess?""

""Sure...I guess" is not good enough, I need you to be absolutely certain"

The maid chief reached her hand and fixed the emblem on Markus's polar tie that was slanted.

"You are also a very handsome and attractive man when you keep quiet, don't say anything extra at the banquet"

((Aren't I always quiet?))

Markus didn't really speak much in the first place so he didn't really understand why Rouche was telling him this.

""Understood""

But nonetheless he gave Rouche his word to not do anything flashy or say anything unnecessary.

((That's the first time I was called a handsome man, isn't it?))

Markus's standards for appearance was very poor, so to him, his appearance was just average but apparently he was considered extremely good looking for the people of this world.

When Markus entered the room after the chief maid, He saw the Sophia sitting on a chair in the center of the room.

"—Markus?"

When the young lady turned around, even the unfeeling Markus lost his breath, at least for an unnoticeable moment.

Her platinum lustrous hair, which was combed more carefully than usual, shot off a glitter. It flowed down smoothly without getting caught in the lamé dress, which brings out the platinum blonde hair's beauty.

Because she was wearing a strapless dress, the young lady's delicate shoulders were exposed and you can see the fine skin texture of her smooth, white skin.

The young lady's face, which gave an aura of strong-will, was applied with light makeup, and her lips were applied with lipstick matching her light red dress.

The young lady's pupils which were highlighted by eyeliner–her magic eyes are now blue instead of red like earlier, Markus was always wary of those things, since there was a chance that it would affect him mentally.

As someone with the divine blood of a high elf inside of her, Sophia's eyes were very special as it changed colors corresponding with her emotions and every color activated a different magic affect on those she looked at.

""Yes, milady?""

Despite being in the presence of such a divine beauty, Markus's natural apathy kicked in and cancelled out the seductive aura shot off by the growing young lady.

There is a word called [Peerless Beauty].

It is derived from what is called [Peerless Isolation] and this comes from a passage in a Chinese book.

"Peerless Isolation"-a lonely existence (beauty) that is unparalleled in the world.

After that, it continues like this.

"One-side a castle"-When she looks over one side, a castle goes to ruin.

"Other-side a country"-When she looks over the other-side, a country goes to ruin.

If the young lady continues to grow like this, the country might even start fighting for her and go into ruins. The thought sent chills down Markus's spine.

((It seems that I can't let you out of my sight just yet, my little lady))

Markus was genuinely worried about what this dangerous beauty would lead to in the future especially in the hands of someone with Sophia's temperament.

But no matter what something was very clear to him, he better not do anything that would turn them into enemies, less he face certain destruction.