Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1379. An Unexpected Debut (14)

It could easily be mistaken for a scene from a movie.

The gentle music playing in the background suddenly stopped...

The nobles attending to their own matters perked up at the unexpected silence...

The once-noisy ballroom had fallen silent...

The attention of all gossipmongers was captured, and they became even quieter than usual.

This was a place filled with young, spirited people and those full of vanity, so incidents happened almost daily, but this incident wasn’t something that could be laughed off.

Part of the reason was that the hottest topic these days, Lady Peneloti, was involved, but the main reason was that Marquis Jayce and Duke Pinkrain were directly involved.

They weren’t ordinary nobles from some rural backwater, but high-ranking aristocrats.

While nobles generally valued their honor, such high-ranking nobles were even more obsessed with meaningless prestige. Pinkrain seemed to lack honor, though. He was the typical trash, so he was irrelevant.

Anyway, getting caught up in scandals, gossip, or incidents was considered dishonorable, so everyone maintained a cautious distance from each other, and this was customary.

This would become particularly more pronounced whenever high-ranking nobles were involved. This was a friction between true high-ranking nobles with titles and lands, not low-ranking nobles who relied on their flimsy authority to come here.

Hence, the spectators’ attention was instantly drawn to them.

‘Damn it, why does he have to make such a stylish entrance and cause a fuss? Seriously.’

“...”

“...”

“Wh-what’s going on?”

“I’m not sure... It's Marquis Jayce and Duke Pinkrain. It seems to have started because of Lady Peneloti.”

“Duke Pinkrain? Could it be...”

“It seems he got angry because she declined his offer to dance.”

“No way. Could it really be that?”

‘Yes, that “no way” is correct. Damn it.’

“There must be some other reason. Geez... At the last ball, too... Lady Peneloti seems to attract incidents wherever she goes. Tsk. At this rate, I wonder if she’s doing it on purpose...”

“T-that can’t be true.”

‘Yes, it’s not true.’

The murmuring crowd, Duke Pinkrain with his face flushed from embarrassment, Marquis Jayce quietly blocking my path, and Kim Hyun-Sung a few steps behind the two.

Everything looked as if someone had fabricated it.

‘Seriously, why did this guy even pop out in the first place?’

'Is he really that down bad for me?'

‘Truly impressive. Very impressive.’

It wasn’t unreasonable to think that perhaps I ought to have held back a little.

After just a bit of talking, that nerd seemed like he actually believed that we were real friends. Of course, the sudden appearance of a genius could make anyone feel tempted to obtain that genius, but I never imagined he’d defend me while acting in an un-commander way.

‘Don't you hate this kind of thing?’

'A romantic clash right in the middle of the ballroom? No doubt, this guy absolutely despises it.'

Unless he had some wicked scheme to make Lady Peneloti fall for him, how could he appear at such a picture-perfect moment?

‘Seriously, he’s such a sly fox.’

“Are you alright, Lady Peneloti?” Marquis Jayce asked.

“Huh? Ah... yes. I-I’m fine, Marquis Jayce. More importantly... are you okay, Marquis Jayce?”

“I’m fine as well, Lady Peneloti,” Marquis Jayce answered.

It flowed so naturally that it made me wonder if he had planned it himself.

Even with Kim Hyun-Sung just five steps behind, had he really thought his face would go unnoticed? His forced attempt at looking handsome had reached a point that was almost unbearable.

There was genuine concern in his expression and eyes, along with a boldness that seemed to be saying that he would endure such an awkward situation just to win Lady Peneloti.

Marquis Jayce turned to Duke Pinkrain and said, “You’re being rude, Duke Pinkrain.”

“Rude? I’m not sure what you mean by that...” Duke Pinkrain replied, and then he asked, “Aren't you the one who suddenly joined in my conversation with Lady Peneloti?”

‘Playing innocent, huh? This isn’t something tossed off lightly—it’s calculated.’

He could act this way because he understood the weight of his title. Regardless of what the Duke Pinkpig had said to Peneloti, he surely believed he could crush it with the power he possessed.

Even if others could hear them, he seemed really unconcerned.

‘He has already decided to plaster a thick layer of shamelessness on his face. There’s no reasoning with him.’

“I am neither blind nor deaf, Duke Pinkrain. Didn’t you speak words of insult toward her just because she declined your dance request?” Marquis Jayce questioned.

“Well... I think you misheard... Hey, Bohen,” Duke Pinkrain called out.

“Yes, Duke Pinkrain,” Bohen answered.

“Did I really say that?” Duke Pinkrain asked.

“As far as I remember, you did not, Your Grace,” Bohen answered.

‘Wow. What a complete piece of trash.’

“Kalheiratz,” Duke Pinkrain called out.

“Yes, Duke Pinkrain,” Kalheiratz answered.

“Marquis Jayce claims that I insulted Lady Peneloti...” he told him.

“I-I have never heard such a thing, Your Grace,” Kalheiratz said.

‘What a petty bastard.’

“Well? The other nobles nearby have just said that they don’t remember me saying such harsh words. Everything is a misunderstanding, Marquis Jayce. I was simply giving Lady Peneloti some... advice as an adult,” Duke Pinkrain said.

“Advice?” Marquis Jayce questioned.

“I told her to carry herself with a bit more decorum. For example, regarding some useless rumors that had spread before. It was hard to watch such a promising young lady get caught up in trivial scandals and gossip.

"And isn’t it you, Marquis Jayce, who knows it best as the subject of those rumors? Lady Peneloti, with her high pride, has yet to dance with anyone, and yet there are rumors stating that she spent a night with a stranger.

"As an adult, how could I stand by and do nothing?” Duke Pinkrain asked.

‘Wow. This guy really is next-level in every way.’

And on top of that, he was pretty clever.

‘He's perfect at playing ignorant and redirecting blame. And he’s surprisingly rational, which makes him even more annoying to deal with.’

Marquis Jayce was suddenly forced into a position where he had to make excuses.

‘Seriously, why the hell did you just pop out? You just jumped in without thinking, didn’t you?’

“Lady Peneloti is only just making her name in society. What could be worse than getting caught up in useless rumors?” Duke Pinkrain questioned.

“Rumors are just rumors, Duke Pinkrain. I won’t deny that I spent time with Lady Peneloti that day at the Black Rose Salon, but I can swear on my honor that nothing inappropriate happened,” Marquis Jayce said.

‘Wait, seriously? Why doesn’t he want to deny it?’

“Ah, is that so? So you’re not denying it?” Duke Pinkrain asked.

‘Ah, this sly bastard.’

It seemed that he cared less about protecting Lady Peneloti and more about the perks for himself. Sure enough, the murmurs from the crowd grew even louder. A huge scandal had just been uncovered.

“The other ladies of the Black Rose Salon were present as well, and any inconvenience to Lady Peneloti was entirely due to my own selfishness. I committed no act that could sully her honor, and I personally guarantee, in the name of Jayce, that she remains as virtuous as always,” Marquis Jayce answered.

‘You’re not Jayce, you idiot.’

“Hahaha. Marquis Jayce, you must really care for Lady Peneloti. Since you've guaranteed it, then I have nothing more to say...” Duke Pinkrain said.

“No, I’m not done yet, Duke Pinkrain. Don’t you have something to say to Lady Peneloti?” Marquis Jayce asked.

“Say what?” Duke Pinkrain asked.

“Apologize to Lady Peneloti," Marquis Jayce demanded.

“Me? Apologize?” Duke Pinkrain asked.

“For your rudeness toward her,” Marquiss Jayce said.

“I believe that matter has already been settled... Didn’t I say that you misheard?” Duke Pinkrain argued.

“But you haven’t heard Lady Peneloti’s side yet,” Marquis Jayce said.

“Ha!”

“What do you think, Lady Peneloti?” Marquis Jayce asked me.

Marquis Jayce’s soft gaze shielded Lady Peneloti.

She instinctively shrank back due to the fact that she lacked confidence in social interactions and was unaccustomed to such situations, but she was no fool.

She could tell right from wrong and wasn’t naive enough to do something that would put Marquis Jayce in a difficult spot. Marquis Jayce, on his part, clearly wanted her to take a small step forward, so she had no choice but to take a small step forward.

“Duke Pinkrain... you spoke to me in an insulting way. You never advised me to watch out for rumors or to mind my behavior... T-that’s a lie,” I said.

‘Lady Peneloti found her courage!’

“Haa...”

‘Lady Peneloti stands firm even in front of the crowd!’

“That’s what she said? What do you have to say, Duke Pinkrain?” Marquis Jayce said.

“It’s not worth listening to. It’s a lie. She’s lying. Marquis Jayce! She’s trying to insist that I behaved badly to protect herself! You said you would stake your name?! Then I stake my own honor and name! Her words are false! I swear to God with no shame at all! I have never spoken to her in an insulting way!” Duke Pinkrain shouted.

“...”

“You little—!” Duke Pinkrain shouted.

‘Here comes the scolding!’

“Speak the truth!” Duke Pinkrain demanded.

‘Oh, he’s yelling now?’

“Do you dare stake your family’s name and honor on what you just said?! Even if you do! What can anyone expect from the honor of some obscure family no one has ever heard of! Who would even believe your words?!” Duke Pinkrain shouted.

“...”

“...”

‘No way, right? Hyun-Sung heard that, too, didn’t he? It’s the perfect time for our Hyun-Sung to step in. All the other nobles would step back here, but Count Kim Hyun-Sung would jump right in.’

Hyun-Sung’s entrance would surely look even cooler if he were to step forward and change the atmosphere at this decisive moment.

“I believe her,” Marquis Jayce said.

‘Ah, damn it. Stop already.’

“I believe her, Duke Pinkrain,” Marquis Jayce repeated.

‘Don’t make it a touching moment. That won’t make me fall for you, seriously.’

“W-what?”

“No matter what you say, no matter what the others here think, I’m telling you I believe her,” Marquis Jayce said.

‘Could it be that Marquis Jayce has arranged for Duke Pinkrain's involvement?’

“Apologize to her. For the insult and for your attempt at sullying her honor by spreading unnecessary rumors,” Marquis Jayce demanded.

“M-Marquis... Marquis Jayce...” Duke Pinkrain stuttered.

‘It’s cheesy. Damn it, Marquis Jayce.’

“Hmph! I told you, I never insulted her! Marquis Jayce! And what?! Sully her honor? You are the one who dragged Lady Peneloti’s honor through the mud! You spent the night clinging to each other, and now... you're slandering me with absurd words! Truly, you are not worth the effort!” Duke Pinkrain shouted.

“I told you not to speak such filthy words, Duke Pinkrain!” Marquis Jayce shouted back.

‘Ah, just go away! Damn it! He really did involve Duke Pinkrain.’

“S-stay calm! Marquis Jayice!”

‘Damn it, stop making me look like a fool, Marquis Jayce!’

It felt like a duel could break out at any moment. Even First Life Commander Jin’s tension spiked, and he raised his voice along the script.

To anyone watching, he seemed like a righteous marquis refusing to tolerate injustice done to Lady Peneloti, but knowing his dark intentions, that impression was far from accurate in my eyes.

I felt like Commander Jin sneaking peeks at this scene was restraining the urge to smash the guy’s head in. At this moment, Second Life Commander Jin and my interests were aligned, which was an incredibly rare occurrence.

‘His mind must be running at full speed.’

I bet he was thinking about how to wrap up this incident, how to use it for a build-up, and how to bring Lady Peneloti into the Republic.

Pinkrain’s heated reaction was notable, but seeing the usually calm Commander Jin getting riled up like that told me that it was all an act. He definitely knew that stepping in this aggressively was a bad decision for him, yet he still chose to do that.

‘The damage is already done.’

The friction between Pinkrain and Jayce was one thing, but I could guarantee that, after this fight, the gossip that would dominate everyone’s conversation would be, “What exactly happened between Lady Peneloti and Marquis Jayce on that night?”

Even those whispering right now were probably discussing the same thing. Of course, Marquis Jayce had decided to handle the rumor personally and had even staked his own honor for it, but it was still an uncomfortable situation for me.

Just then, a familiar face caught my eye.

“What’s all this commotion? Aina Peneloti?”

“...”

“...”

I saw Marina Peneloti and Karina Peneloti. They were Alps and Belier, acting as my half-older sisters.

“U-unnis?”