The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me-Chapter 477: Side Story - The Social Gathering (1)

“The time has finally come.”

“Indeed.”

Kania and I were currently riding in a carriage headed for the imperial palace.

“Tomorrow, Clana will officially become the empress of this empire.”

“Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday when she was tirelessly running around as a princess.”

Today was the day before the coronation, and the imperial palace was hosting a social gathering.

Not only were Kania and I heading there, but numerous other notable figures would also be making their way to the palace.

Incidentally, my parents and Aria were also attending. Mother was making her return to high society, Aria was making her debutante, and Father was going to meet the Magic Tower Master, an acquaintance of his.

But were Father and the Tower Master really that close?

It was true that Father had some association with the Tower Master, but that was mainly because of Mother’s connections.

I wondered why Father himself was eager to meet the Tower Master now.

“When Clana becomes empress, a lot of things will change.”

As I puzzled over the matter, Kania’s murmuring drew my attention.

“Yes, they certainly will.”

With Clana’s ascension, many things were bound to change.

Most unjust laws and unnecessary traditions would be abolished by imperial decree, and the corrupt military and bureaucratic factions that had taken root over the centuries would be thoroughly eradicated.

While some noble factions on the empire’s outskirts were stirring up trouble, the imperial army under Clana’s command was stronger than ever in terms of power, honor, and legitimacy, so it didn’t seem like a real threat.

To prepare for any unexpected situations, security measures in the capital have been significantly increased.

The coronation was a momentous event, and it warranted such precautions. That was also why I and the other heroines were entering the palace a day early.

“Don’t worry, young master.”

“Oh, right.”

Kania’s gentle voice brought me back from my thoughts.

I must have let my concern show on my face.

She could always read me like a book, to the point where it felt like the Curse of Unity had never really broken.

It was almost unnerving at times.

“You don’t need to worry about Clana abusing her power.”

“What?”

Her words caught me off guard.

Abuse of power?

Everyone knew Clana wasn’t that kind of person.

“Serena has already planned out legal safeguards and restrictions.”

“Um, what are you talking about...?”

“You won’t have to worry about anyone monopolizing you using authority.”

“...”

“If it comes down to it, I can always unleash my full black magic to overturn the empire...”

Yeah, I was going to pretend I didn’t hear that.

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“The great starlight that illuminates the empire, the eldest son of the Starlight Duchy, and the Second Hero...”

“I distinctly told them not to announce it like that.”

“... Lord Frey Raon Starlight has arrived!”

As we arrived at the palace, my least favorite proclamation echoed from the steward.

I had even taken down the family crest from the carriage to avoid this, yet somehow they still recognized me.

“That’s odd. When I was hiding in the shadows earlier, even the carriages of high-ranking nobles passed by without a word.”

As Kania spoke, I glanced out the window and saw the steward, who had just announced my arrival, grinning and waving at me.

“I can’t exactly get mad at a smiling face.”

“I’m sure there was no ill intention.”

True, there was probably no malice, but the result was still unfortunate.

“Look at all these people...”

“There certainly are a lot. It’s almost hard to get through.”

The crowd had flooded out of the ballroom and gathered outside.

I had anticipated dealing with a lot of people once inside, but I wasn’t prepared for a crowd so large that I couldn’t even enter.

“In the past, they would’ve discreetly stepped aside.”

“I think you’re misremembering. Plenty of people still tried to approach you back then.”

“Well, at least back then I could throw a fit.”

“Even then, there were still many who—ow.”

I gave Kania a gentle pinch on her side, interrupting her. She looked at me calmly as I spoke up.

“Hey, Kania. Can you hide me?”

“How?”

“Maybe cover me with black magic?”

“Black magic is still viewed negatively. It’s not a good idea to use it recklessly, especially in public.”

“Then how about just a regular invisibility spell...?”

“Ever since becoming the Demon God, all my mana has turned black. That wouldn’t work either.”

She replied as she leaned in close.

“It’s not quite the same, but I can serve as your guard.”

“...”

“Let’s head out now. At this rate, we won’t even be able to open the door.”

With that, the carriage door slowly opened.

“...”

Sticking close to Kania, I stepped outside, and countless eyes immediately turned toward me.

“Um, excuse me...”

Come to think of it, this was the first time I was appearing in public since everything had ended.

I hadn’t made any formal appearances after the victory, spending most of my time secluded with the heroines.

The public’s curiosity about me must have reached its peak.

- Shuffle, shuffle...

As expected, the crowd outside the ballroom began drifting toward me.

“Sir Frey, over here!”

“Please, look this way!”

Amidst the throng, I could even see reporters with the magical recording devices ready.

The crowd continued to edge closer, coming to a stop at a certain point.

“...He... llo?”

After a tense silence, I finally spoke, breaking the standoff.

- Roar!

The crowd that had been maintaining a bit of distance suddenly surged forward.

“Maybe I should use black magic after all?”

“Somebody help...”

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After being surrounded by the masses from the ballroom for several minutes, I finally managed to slip away to a secluded area of the palace with Kania’s help.

“Let’s wait here until the crowd calms down.”

“That sounds wise.”

I hadn’t realized that receiving so much attention would be so exhausting.

Still, the fact that everyone was treating me positively was a pleasant surprise.

There was a time when I could only dream of such acceptance, and now it was a reality. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

From now on, I could spend my life seeing smiles rather than scorn.

If that was the case, then perhaps I could endure the fatigue and meet everyone.

“Are you sure about that?”

“...Actually, maybe we should wait a bit longer.”

If only I didn’t have to deal with noble ladies trying to touch my cheeks as they swarmed me.

Wait, did Kania just read my thoughts?

“Uh, um...”

As I stared suspiciously at Kania, a sorrowful sound began to echo from somewhere.

“Sob... sob...”

“What’s that?”

“It sounds like crying.”

Indeed, as Kania said, I could hear the faint sound of someone crying from down the hallway.

“It could be dangerous. I’ll go first.”

“No, I’ll lead.”

This was a remote part of the palace where people rarely ventured, so I felt it was better for me to take the lead.

Even if Kania was capable of defending herself, she was pregnant with my child, so there was no way I could let her go first.

“Who’s there?”

I called out toward the end of the hallway.

“.....”

There was no reply. In fact, the crying stopped abruptly.

“Hmm.”

I kept my hand near the sword at my waist as I cautiously approached.

“Wait.”

“Young Master, it seems we don’t need to be on high alert.”

With Kania’s black magic sharing the sight ahead, I continued down the corridor with a puzzled expression.

“Sniff... sniff...”

At the end of the hallway, we found a young boy.

“A kid?”

“What are you doing here?”

The frail-looking boy, clutching a brown teddy bear to his chest, had a strangely familiar face.

“He looks like someone I know...”

“Where did you come from, little one?”

Kania asked the boy while I was lost in thought, trying to recall where I had seen that face before.

“I-I got lost...”

“Oh dear, how did that happen?”

“I was with my sister... and my teacher... but then it suddenly got dark, and they disappeared...”

Judging by his voice, he seemed to be younger than Aria.

Kania glanced at me.

“It seems he got separated from his group.”

“Looks that way.”

I reached out to help him, but the boy backed away, clutching his teddy bear tighter as tears welled up.

“Hey now, a young man shouldn’t be hugging a doll and crying. That’s no good.”

“Huh?”

“If you cry, horns will grow on your bottom! A real man should face hardships with courage—“

“Um, Young Master?”

Kania looked at me strangely.

“Pardon me, but didn’t you once—“

“Once what?”

“Hug a cat doll in bed—mmph!?”

Quickly covering her mouth, I turned to the boy with a friendly smile.

“So, where did you last see your family?”

“Huh?”

“We’ll help you find them.”

“Mmph... with a... cat doll... mmph...”

“Come on, let’s get moving.”

Why was I breaking out in a cold sweat?.

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Meanwhile, a short distance away in the garden.

“You... you scoundrel... what have you done to my disciple...”

“I merely removed an obstacle. No need to be so dramatic.”

An old lady, clearly worse for wear, was glaring at a mysterious figure standing in front of her.

“Do you even know who I am?”

“Hmph.”

“You’ll regret this. If you don’t release me from this confinement immediately, you’ll face a dreadful end...”

The elderly woman gritted her teeth as she struggled in her bound.

“I know exactly who you are.”

“What did you say?”

“Komern Philliard. The great Archmage of the Empire and The Magic Tower Master.”

“....!”

The old lady froze in shock at the figure’s words.

“Also known as the greatest stellar magician in history, a member of the second Hero’s Party, and mentor to both the Dragon Lord and the Incarnation of the World’s Principle.”

“Who... what are you?”

“And...”

“Who are you!!?”

As the mysterious figure removed her hood, the old lady was left speechless.

“...Someone who dared to break the world’s law and wield forbidden magic to undo a regrettable choice.”

“...You are?”

Her voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

“How do you know these things? And that power...?”

“Indeed, the magic I desperately need right now.”

The figure who had removed her robe to reveal herself was none other than the former first princess, Rifael Solar Sunrise, who was now gazing at the Magic Tower Master with a chilling expression.