Chapter 90: Trash

“I deeply apologize for what just transpired, Vionette Crimvane and Noa Ravel.” Kaimon executed a low bow, his face etched with sincere regret.

“It’s okay,” Vionette replied softly.

The shadows had vanished from her face, replaced by a devastatingly beautiful yet hollow smile.

She shook her head slowly. “It just means that… we’re too low-class for their ranks, right?”

She’s furious… Kaimon realized, observing her tone with narrowed eyes.

“So, we hope you won’t mind if we just go ahead and make some… tiny, little ‘adjustments’,” she finished, her eyes cold. “We’ll be heading somewhere a bit quieter for now. Please excuse us.”

Without waiting for a reply, they turned and walked away. Elina and Lina hurried after them, their previously cheerful excitement extinguished into fear.

As their silhouettes faded into the distance, Kaimon turned toward the maid beside him. The young woman simply shook her head.

“Tell Hemios to immediately triple the security forces and keep a shadow on King Lockwane at all times,” Kaimon ordered. “Remember my words well: an event like this… it shall never happen again. Not if we want our kingdom’s pride to survive the week.”

The maid bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. My apologies.”

---

“Damn those jerks! They even got me involved!” Elina spat at the grass as they walked, her brows knitting together in irritation. Her crimson dragon tail lashed back and forth behind her, cutting through the air like a whip.

They continued away from the chatter of the crowd until Vionette finally came to a halt near a scenic bluff, bordered only by a weathered wooden fence. The capital city stretched out far below them, a sea of thousands of flickering lights.

Placing her hands on the wooden rail, Vionette leaned forward and gazed up at the sky.

“Big Sis Vionette… are you okay?” Lina asked, stepping closer.

Vionette dipped her chin, allowing her long hair to cascade freely to the whims of gravity. Yet, in stark contrast to her drooping tresses, the corners of her lips curled upward into a thin, darkly amused smile.

A melodic laugh, laced with malice, slipped past her lips.

She turned around completely and pressed her pale palms over her face. Through the narrow gaps between her slender fingers, only her blood-red eyes were visible, dancing with wrathful flames.

[Warning! The Host and the user Noa Ravel are in a state of wrath!]

[Warning! Forcefully activating Mind Fortress…]

[Notice! Mind Fortress has successfully calmed user Noa Ravel!]

[Error! Mind Fortress has failed on The Host!]

[Advice: Please calm down!]

Shut up, system. You think you and a fucking skill can control my mind? With a thought, she dismissed the system windows floating in front of her face.

Noa inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes, pausing for a single beat before exhaling the tension away.

He looked over at Vionette with a smirk, his hand casually drifting toward his side to activate [Reserve]. “Should I just go and kill him? Why did you even stop me before, anyway?”

“Since Crimvane was originally supposed to be devoured by Aurelyth, I expected some barking from these royals. But… Lockwane Rellion, you fucker just wanted to talk about my family, huh?” Her fingers tightened, her nails digging into the skin of her face. “I’ll kill you… but not right now.”

The dragon girl stared at the ‘powerless and fragile’ princess, swallowing hard. I’ve never seen her like this, and I definitely don’t want to in the future either.

“Why not right now? Even if Gergrain complains,” Noa’s eyes wandered lazily back toward the distant party, a reckless, bloodthirsty edge sharpening his smile, “we can just kill them too~”

“No, that’s not the reason, Blackie.” Vionette, finally calming down a fraction, shook her head. She dropped her hands from her face, exposing her features. “Though it wouldn’t really bother us much, most of the higher-ranking kingdoms will still continue to underestimate us and keep making annoying shit like this. And besides, we still need to make a somewhat ‘good impression’ on Gergrain’s king.”

Lina stared down at the grass beneath her boots. Then, her gaze snapped back up to Vionette. “Do you mean that…”

“Yes. Now that a perfect path has opened up for us…” Vionette smiled, a beautiful yet chilling expression. “It’s better to get rid of all the trash once and for all, and secure our place in this event.”

“Are you sure you’re okay now?” Noa asked, placing his hand gently atop Vionette’s head.

Vionette looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, but this time, the cold, emotionless void in her gaze had melted into warmth.

She reached out, taking his right hand, and comfortably rested her head against his shoulder, pulling him closer to ground herself in his familiar warmth.

“You two, go and have some fun somewhere else for a bit,” Vionette instructed, turning toward the younger duo. Then, looking specifically at Lina, she added, “Remember, don’t do anything reckless even if you run into trouble… for now. We’ll all gather back together when Kaimon gives his speech, kay?” She smiled gently.

“Okie~” Seeing Vionette return to her usual demeanor, Lina gave a bright thumbs-up.

“You got it!” Elina grabbed Lina’s arm and sprinted away from the scene as fast as she could.

Noa and Vionette watched the two girls disappear into the sprawling crowd. Once they were completely alone, Noa hopped up to sit on the wooden railing behind them, and Vionette followed suit, perching just beside him.

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close against his side to ensure she wouldn't lose her balance.

“By the way, what were you looking at without even giving any attention to that idiot earlier?” Noa asked, glancing sideways to look down at her face.

She didn’t speak right away. Instead, she simply closed her eyes, burying her face comfortably into his shoulder before murmuring against the fabric of his clothes.

“…It’s something you ran into earlier today, nothing too important. So… just stay like this for a bit.” She brushed her soft cheek against him with a contented smile.

“Okay,” Noa murmured, tightening his grip on her as the night wind swept past them.

And system, don’t act on your own again without my permission.

[Understood!]

…

Kaimon Rimuald stood in the center of the garden, his presence drawing the scattered participants around him into a wide circle.

“To the honored guests of Gergrain—welcome,” Kaimon said, his resonant voice projecting effortlessly across the grounds as he smiled at the diverse faces of the assembly. “Tomorrow, our academy officially opens its gates to a brand-new generation. Yet before titles are formally announced, before students clash in the arenas, I wished for all of you to stand beneath the same sky for at least one quiet evening.”

A moon elf with long, elegant ears and cascading light blue hair tore her gaze away from Kaimon, her silver eyes locking onto the Crimvane group as they quietly slipped back into the edge of the circle to listen to the speech.

“Kings and wanderers, distinguished scholars and legendary warriors, humans, demons, elves, beastkin, and those who belong to no nation at all,” Kaimon continued. He turned his body to acknowledge every faction before his gaze finally lingered on The Strayed standing in the corner.

One demon from The Strayed—bearing dark red hair, high-quality dark armor, and a tattered cloak pulled over his shoulders—nodded in return.

“The world beyond these stone walls is vast. And despite that immense vastness, tonight has miraculously brought all of us to this very place. So for this single evening, I ask that you leave your politics at the edge of these gardens. Perhaps you will discover lifelong rivals here tonight. Perhaps unexpected allies. Perhaps nothing at all.”

As Kaimon continued, Lockwane and Itheira joined the crowd. Both of them stared directly at the Crimvane group, their faces twisted into arrogant smiles.

Sensing the invisible static radiating between the two factions, the minor royals standing near the Rellion rulers quietly stepped back, clearing a slight distance.

“Even so… I believe understanding another existence, even briefly, holds immense value.” Kaimon slowly raised his glass of wine toward the starlight. “Gergrain deeply thanks you for accepting our invitation. Now then… enjoy the night.”

The entire garden erupted into a polite symphony of applause and refined smiles. Everyone celebrated the conclusion of the speech, maintaining their aristocratic dignity by refraining from any loud shouting or unseemly cheers.

…

After the crowd dispersed and everyone returned to their original positions, Kaimon directed his footsteps straight toward the Crimvane group.

Seems they’ve finally calmed down, Kaimon thought to himself, letting out a quiet sigh of relief as he approached.

“I apologize again for what happened earlier. It was my mistake to allow such an event to occur on my grounds. But rest assured, anything like that will never happen again under my watch,” Kaimon said, executing another formal, respectful bow.

Noa and Vionette, both casually swirling crystal glasses of wine in their hands, turned to face him. Behind them, Lina and Elina were aggressively chugging glasses of various colorful drinks.

“If you are still not satisfied with my word, I am more than willing to offer you proper compensation for the insult,” Kaimon added, gesturing with an open palm.

“No need, Kaimon.” Vionette shook her head smoothly, taking a light sip of her drink. “I also do believe that something like this will never happen again.”

Sensing the ominous edge beneath her sweet tone, Kaimon thought, It seems like things are already out of my hands.

He then gestured to the familiar figure standing behind him. “This is one of my highest-ranking servants, Harn. He already accompanied you on the carriage ride here, so I believe he will be best suited to personally serve your needs while you remain in Gergrain.”

“It’s an honor to meet you again, Your Majesties… and the young ladies,” Harn said, bowing flawlessly to Noa and Vionette before offering an equally respectful nod to the younger duo.

<Why are we the only ones getting a butler? Is it because we didn't bring any ourselves?>

<That's just a cover-up, you moron,> Vionette’s mental voice was an amused purr.

<Ohhh… so they're trying to keep an eye on us?>

<Yeah. Both Crimvane and Rellion aren't connected to Gergrain, and neither side is exactly righteous either. So usually they won't care what happens between us, but if it happens on their land...>

<It'll ruin their reputation,> Noa finished the thought.

“Oh my, it’s so kind of you to lend us one of your best subordinates,” Vionette said, her lips curving into a warm smile as she looked back at Kaimon. “We will happily accept his company, then.”

“Yeah, it will definitely help us look after these two troublemakers, too,” Noa chimed in with a lazy grin, jerking his chin toward Lina and Elina.

“And, Harn, you can call him whatever you want,” Vionette added, pointing her thumb toward Noa. “But don’t call me ‘Your Majesty’ from now on, and especially not ‘Queen’. Just calling me ‘Princess’ or ‘Lady’ is enough.”

The butler paused for a moment. Then he replied, “…Yes, my lady.”

Why does she still insist on calling herself a princess, rejecting the title of queen when she has already become one? Kaimon wondered.