Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 706: Central Meeting [3]

The next day.

“Alright, this isn’t too bad.”

I stared at my reflection. More precisely, at the formal attire I had on. A simple black suit, trimmed with subtle gold embroidery. It wasn’t extravagant by any means, yet something about it held a strange, compelling allure.

“…It could just be my face.”

Julien’s face was extremely handsome. To the point where any clothes could fit me without a problem.

In that sense, the simple suit was probably the best choice since the clothes didn’t need to stand out so much.

’Yeah, I’m also going to a very important formal meeting. Can’t be over the top.’

“Hoo.”

I took a deep breath and fixed the clothes.

They were perfect and well-ironed. There wasn’t really a need for me to do any fixing.

And yet…

“Maybe here. I should fix this part.”

…I couldn’t help but find any little flaw to be glaring.

“Maybe I should redo the tie? Maybe the knot isn’t a good one?”

I pressed my hand against the head of the tie.

Taking another deep breath, I tried my best to calm myself down, but the more I did, the more I seemed to notice flaws with my clothing.

’What the hell.’

I was more nervous than I previously anticipated. Of course, it wasn’t because of the meeting or anything like that. I couldn’t care less about that.

It was that…

“Alright, get it together.”

I clenched my teeth and slapped the sides of my face.

’Good thing Leon isn’t here to see me like this. If he were here, I can only imagine what would happen. My best bet is that he’ll laugh at me at first before getting pissed off at how slow I am.’

Somehow, I was really starting to miss Leon.

He was a useless knight, but… Things were less lonely without him.

Aside from Noel, I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. It used to be Pebble, but I hadn’t seen Pebble since the incident a while back. Everything I tried to call for Pebble, I would just be met with silence.

If not for Owl-Mighty telling me that everything was okay, I’d already be worrying.

’There’s also Wobbles, but… I honestly have no idea where Wobbles has gone.’

Wobbles wasn’t exactly a will. I couldn’t tell where it was.

As far as I was aware, it had started roaming around the surroundings, slowly getting fascinated with the world outside of the Mirror Dimension.

“Good thing that I still have a coral with me.”

I could connect with Wobbles at any time so long as I used it.

To Tok—

“Young Master.”

Just then, the door knocked and I turned my head.

The door opened to reveal the face of a maid.

“The Carriage is here.”

“…I see.”

Nodding at the maid, I grabbed a few things off my desk and followed her out of the estate. As I did, a large black carriage greeted me at the entrance.

Waiting for me was a middle-aged man with long, graying hair and a neatly kept white mustache.

He bowed politely upon seeing me as he opened the door of the carriage a moment later.

“Young Master.”

“Mhm.”

Stepping into the carriage, I nodded at him while settling myself down on the nice cushion on the inside. Peering through the window, I tried to look for any sign of Noel. However, regardless of where I looked, he didn’t appear.

’I guess he must’ve already left.’

The thought made me feel a little empty, but in the end, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the side of the carriage as it started moving.

In a way, I had already seen this coming.

*

Located not far from Bremmer, the capital of the Empire, Central’s main headquarters stood in a more secluded region, tucked away inside a small forest.

Despite its remote location, the structure was towering and imposing, rising above the treetops with a gleaming white domed roof and tall pillars flanking its sides, making it hard to miss.

“We’re here.”

The carriage came to a stop at the entrance of the forest.

Coming out of the carriage, I looked around me to notice that there were other carriages parked. Looking around, I noticed a rather grand carriage. It must have arrived at the same time, because just as it came to a halt, a glint of purple hair shimmered in the sunlight.

Evelyn stepped out.

The moment she stepped out, several eyes immediately fell on her. Not just because of her appearance, but because of the status of her family.

The Verlice family had long outgrown their modest Viscount title. Since securing the trade deal with the Kasha, their influence had surged dramatically over the past year. It was only natural that they got a lot of attention.

That being said, it wasn’t like I wasn’t getting a little attention either.

I was getting quite a lot of it myself.

“….Oh.”

As if noticing me, Evelyn stopped and looked at me.

Behind her, a man with tall and sharp features appeared. He had a neat beard, well-combed purple hair that matched his violet eyes. He was a man I had seen before.

Evelyn’s father, Viscount Damien Verlice.

Walking up to me, he greeted me with a smile as he looked around.

“So it seems that Viscount Evenus couldn’t make it.”

“…Unfortunately not. He’s rather busy right now.”

“Haha, I can see that.”

The Viscount laughed heartily.

“He’s been causing quite the stir recently. I’m not surprised that he sent you here instead of going himself. I’m sure things are going to be somewhat tough for you once we head inside.”

“…Right.”

I was somewhat aware of this. But it didn’t particularly matter to me. I had faced worse things. A bunch of arrogant nobles wasn’t something that particularly scared me.

What did scare me, however—

’No, let’s not think about it.’

I shuddered just thinking about it.

“Should we get going?”

Hearing the Viscount’s voice as he pointed toward the forest entrance in the distance, and feeling the weight of so many eyes fixed on us, I couldn’t help but agree. The atmosphere had grown uncomfortably tense.

“…We should.”

I was the first to step forward. At the forest’s edge, a narrow footpath revealed itself. Twisted branches reached out to block our way more than once, and rocks scattered across the ground made the path rather annoying to walk.

On several occasions, Evelyn tripped on the rocks, forcing a few small curses under her breath.

This caused the Viscount to frown on several occasions.

“Who taught you to speak like that?”

“Why are you swearing? Stop swearing. That’s unbecoming of someone of your status.”

The sight was almost comical. So much so that I nearly laughed out loud on several occasions. Somehow, I held myself back just in time.

’As expected, Kiera isn’t really the best of influences.’

Evelyn looked miserable the entire walk, and it was only once we finally managed to arrive at the main building that she looked reinvigorated.

“Welcome.”

Greeting us at the entrance of the building were several servants. They looked normal at first glance, but the moment I caught sight of them, I couldn’t help but pause and eye them better.

’They’re very strong.’

I couldn’t quite tell how strong, but it was enough to make me grow serious.

’They really didn’t hold back with the event.’

Not only were the servants strong, but the building was a lot larger and imposing than I had previously anticipated. Standing by the entrance where several white stairs greeted my sight, I had to crane my neck in order to get a full view of the building.

It was massive.

“May I see your invitations?”

I pulled out the invitation letter Noel had given me before I arrived and handed it to the servant. He smiled warmly and motioned for me to follow.

“Please come in.”

Nodding, I stepped into the venue.

The moment I stepped inside, the first thing I noticed was the pleasant, aromatic scent that hung in the air. The temperature was refreshingly cool, and as I looked around, I saw the space filled with people dressed in elegant formal attire.

I had been to many banquets and meetings in the past, but this one felt different than the ones in the past.

It felt… a lot more formal than the other ones.

The people present didn’t look as lively or excited to be present. They weren’t even talking a lot as they all huddled on their own grounds to talk amongst each other. However, the moment I came in, I noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere as the previous noise died down considerably.

For a moment, the surroundings turned quiet.

From looks of shock, to the narrowing of eyes. I could see a lot of different reactions from some of the people present.

’Judging from the faces that a few are making, they probably are the people who were aware of my death. They’re probably shocked by how I’m not dead.’

I couldn’t blame them. If I were in their position, I’d also react the same.

Tuning out the surroundings, I scanned the room in search of familiar faces. It didn’t take long to spot one. A visibly uncomfortable figure, awkwardly adjusting her clothes as her expression twisted with each attempt.

’So Kiera is also here…’

As if also noticing me, she stopped for a moment and then frowned.

Then… After what felt like a very long time, I saw her open her lips and mumble, ’What are you looking at?’

I just smiled and looked away.

’It’s her, alright.’

There were other people whom I was somewhat familiar with. Some from the Academy, and others were nobles whom I had met in previous banquets.

The overall atmosphere remained tense as I wandered through the room, eventually making my way to the food area. I began sampling some of the dishes they had prepared, grateful at least for the quality of the food.

’It’s definitely good.’

Looking around, my eyes eventually fell on the sweet area.

“Hm?”

Stopping for a moment, my eyes fell on the chocolate fountain. For some reason… it looked rather familiar.

’Well, not surprising. They are all probably made from the same brand.’

Pushing the thought aside, I reached out to grab another bite, only to pause as a sudden commotion drew my attention. I turned my head toward the source, only to freeze the next moment.

There, I watched a figure enter the room, closely trailing another. The soft click of heels echoed through the space as they stepped inside, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.

All noise ceased in that moment as a tangible pressure bore down on everyone present.

Staring at the two, I felt my stomach sink as her head slowly turned and our eyes met.

As if noticing something, her lips pulled up ever so slightly, and the sinking feeling grew even more pronounced.

Sighing to myself, I closed my eyes.

’Well, shit.’