“The news is that Reinhardt has crossed the border. You are expected to attend the welcome ceremony as my guest, so prepare appropriate attire for yourself and your party.”
It was an order from the Empress Sister.
Although my actual identity is that of a secret escort, only the Empress Sister and I know this for now.
On the day of the ceremony, we must disguise ourselves as nobles who have simply been invited to the event.
Furthermore, an event hosted directly by the Empress in the imperial palace carries a weight that is different from other events.
The key figures attending will include the Empress sister, the Northern Duke, the commanders of the Fourth Legion, and other prominent figures from the Empire.
Lower nobles will be eager to catch their attention.
The lower-ranking nobles will be desperate to catch their eye.
This is undoubtedly an occasion that requires the highest level of decorum.
Moreover, for the children, this will be their first experience in such a setting.
“What should we do? So many important people are coming! If we mess up there, it would be a big deal! It would tarnish the name of Vermont…!”
“Mister, Mister! Can I draw the Super Super Strong Sword at the event? I hear there will be a lot of people! I want to show off in front of everyone…!”
“No.”
Julia and Charlotte’s reactions couldn’t be more different.
Julia, who could barely speak when the Empress visited Vermont, was now visibly tense.
Charlotte, however, was already too excited to sit still.
“Just do as you’ve been taught. The maids must have thoroughly instructed you on the etiquette and manners expected of nobility.”
“You mean suppress my personality and act like a fake doll?”
“Yes. That’s the sort of etiquette those empty-headed nobles insist upon. You’ll have to adapt to fit in. Standing out isn’t an option.”
“Oh! I totally get it!”
It seemed she understood well enough. Thankfully, they hadn’t forgotten.
Most of our maids were daughters of fallen nobles who couldn’t afford to keep them, or daughters of destitute houses, so they knew the etiquette.
Truly elite nobles don’t obsess over such superficiality.
As the saying goes, empty vessels make the loudest noise.
Newly wealthy upstarts and ruined houses cling to etiquette, so Charlotte and Julia would need to follow suit.
As their role was that of secret bodyguards, they couldn’t afford to stand out.
They needed to appear no different from typical noble children.
‘I don’t want other nobles to see Julia and Charlotte’s real charm…’
Of course, there was another reason, but I decided not to say it aloud.
“Should I wear the dress Aslan bought me before?”
“Ugh. I don’t like that one; it’s too long and frilly…”
“No, that’s actually on the simpler side for such an event. Usually, people wear something more elaborate. Get ready; we’re going out to shop for clothes now.”
“There’s something more elaborate?!”
“There’s something more elaborate…?”
Julia’s eyes sparkled with excitement, while Charlotte’s face fell in despair.
The same line but opposite reactions.
Julia hummed as she prepared, while Charlotte trudged off dejectedly.
“Considering their status as sl*ves, isn’t it acceptable if they dress a few levels less formally?”
“They’d lose confidence. Imagine they get there and find only they’re dressed plainly.”
“Didn’t you just say they shouldn’t stand out and act like any other noble lady?”
“That’s true, but standing out is different from being looked down upon. I’d never let that happen.”
“….”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ nods vigorously, saying that you are right.]
Sylvia frowned in confusion.
She couldn’t grasp why I didn’t want the girls to be looked down upon, yet didn’t want other nobles to see their charm.
Isn’t it natural for me to want to keep that to myself, to enjoy a subtle sense of superiority?
Why couldn’t she understand?
Sylvia’s confusion, in turn, confused me.
“Well, whatever. I’ve seen it enough by now. I’ll just wear my usual neat uniform.”
“No. You should dress up formally as well.”
“…?”
Sylvia tilted her head, then her face flushed a deep red as if something had dawned on her.
What was she thinking?
“Are you saying… I’m not going as a bodyguard but as a lady accompanying you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…!?”
Caught off guard, Sylvia blushed and covered her mouth like a bashful girl.
It was true but not in the way she was thinking.
“This time, I’ll have Yuri as my guard. But if a mere count appears with two guards, it might draw unnecessary attention. So, you’re going as an escort, not as a guard.”
“Oh…so you weren’t finally acknowledging me as a lady…”
“No.”
“That can’t be…!”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ scolds Sylvia, calling her behavior ridiculous for someone her age!]
I, too, felt a desire to scold Sylvia.
Why was she so fixated on being treated like a lady?
She seemed even more desperate than Julia, sometimes looking almost pitiable.
“Think about what kind of outfit you want to choose.”
“My Lord, about that… I’ve never worn formal attire, so I have no idea what criteria to use for selection. I think you’ll need to choose for me.”
“Why are you telling me? I have no knowledge about women’s clothing.”
“But you have extensive knowledge regarding children’s clothing, don’t you?”
“That’s because I have an interest in children’s things. Are you a child?”
“….”
As for the outfits for children, I had become somewhat of an expert after looking into various options out of sheer interest.
However, when it came to adult women’s clothing like Sylvia’s, I was practically clueless.
It was evident I could not help her, and upon realizing this, Sylvia’s expression turned to one of near tears.
“Waaah! My Lord only favors the children!!!”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ clicks her tongue and gives Sylvia a disapproving look.]
With that, Sylvia burst into tears and ran off.
The idea that I only favored children was natural.
If she was upset, she could always return as a child, a blank slate like a fresh sheet of paper. I’d be more than willing to raise her again.
***
Back gate of the palace.
The guards became distracted by the sight of a cargo wagon approaching, with a stranger on horseback leading the way.
With black skin and elongated ears, it was a clear indication of a Dark Elf.
Could this woman possibly be…?
“Stop! State your identity and purpose! This is the rear gate of the imperial palace!”
“Thank you for your hard work, guards. I am Sephiroth, the adjutant to General Reinhardt of the Fourth Legion.”
“…!”
Sephiroth.
A Dark Elf who had betrayed the Elf Kingdom’s rebel forces and defected to the imperial army.
She had displayed remarkable strategies and manipulations, quickly rising to the position of adjutant to General Reinhardt.
Rumor had it she tortured and interrogated her former comrades brutally, executing them without hesitation.
The guards gulped nervously.
“The reason I’m here is that the general wishes to have some cumbersome cargo delivered before his arrival. Here are the necessary documents and a list of the goods…”
As Sephiroth handed over the papers, the guards repeatedly checked to ensure the documents matched the cargo on the wagon.
“What is this?”
“That’s the game animals the general personally hunted on the way here. Perhaps you could prepare them for dinner.”
“Hmm…”
Upon checking, they found a pile of dead birds and beasts.
Since they were not alive, there should be no issue with their entry.
The documents were flawless, and while they felt uneasy, the guards found no excuse to refuse the cargo.
“We will take good care of it.”
“Very well. I’ll return shortly with the general.”
The sound of hooves echoed as the wagon entered the palace grounds.
Once Sephiroth confirmed this, she walked away from the palace, a sly smile creeping onto her face.
“How foolish. The Empire really underestimates the power of sorcery.”
The corpses of the animals that the guards had firmly believed were ordinary prey had been subjected to special treatment.
A form of sorcery that even ordinary people and mages couldn’t detect had been applied.
After some time, the spell inscribed on the hearts of the animal corpses would activate, dispersing the mana contained within them in all directions.
If there had only been one, the meager amount would dissipate into the air.
However, if hundreds of hearts were to burst simultaneously, it would be more than sufficient to transform the animal corpses into monsters.
‘From the palace’s storeroom, I’ll incite a monster rampage…!’
This was the first step in creating chaos.
Satisfied with the preparations for the welcoming ceremony unfolding step by step, Sephiroth couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
.
.
.
In the palace’s underground chambers, the guards busily rearranged the cargo boxes, and finally, with a loud thud, the door closed, bringing back the silence.
Creeeak, creak.
The skeleton soldiers, previously stiff, began to move freely, gathering around the cargo boxes.
“Clatter? Clatter?”
(What is this?)
“Clatter!”
(They’re freshly killed beasts!)
As the lids opened, the pile of animal corpses became visible, eliciting a vigorous reaction from the skeleton soldiers.
Such intact, undamaged corpses!
If these were left in the Demon Realm, one could never tell when they would suddenly rise and transform into monsters. Of course, this wasn’t the Demon Realm, nor was it an area with high mana density.
Still, the skeleton soldiers felt their memories from the Demon Realm surge back, their hands and feet trembling with excitement.
“Clatter clatter! Clatter!”
(I can’t take it! I’ll just twist their necks!)
“Clatter! Clatter clatter!”
(Yes, it seems habits are indeed frightening.)
As soon as the skeleton noble granted permission, the skeleton soldiers picked up the animal corpses one by one.
Then, with a crack, they crushed the spine connected to the neck, rendering them incapable of moving even if they transformed into monsters.
Finally, after desecrating all the corpses, the skeleton soldiers felt a wave of comfort wash over them and returned to their places.
