Chapter 141
Today was the day of the opening ceremony, the first event of the Thanksgiving Festival.
From early morning, Asil met Bjorn and Lilibet at Count Erzébet’s estate to explain today’s plan.
“The Emperor and the Pope will give congratulatory speeches at the opening ceremony. I heard Karon will bring out the Basian then.”
“How did you find out such information?”
Bjorn asked in surprise, astonished by the high-level intelligence that an ordinary information guild could never obtain.
“A smart human helped me.”
In truth, it was information that Jet, who was monitoring the Great Temple, had brought on his own accord without even being asked.
Since Jet had asked to keep the matter of the White Shadow a secret, she brushed it off vaguely.
“So, Oppa and Unnie have to come out with Aether today too. When I give the signal, appear with a ‘Ta-da!’, okay?”
“Hmm, I’m not quite mentally prepared yet. People probably think we’re all dead, right?”
Lilibet chuckled as she spoke. Contrary to her words, her expression showed no worry at all.
On the other hand, Bjorn had a truly concerned face.
“You’re too optimistic.”
“And you worry too much, Oppa. What’s the problem? I can even handle Aether this well now.”
“Mm.”
The human-form Aether, who was beside Lilibet, nodded. It was a sign of agreement with the master’s words.
“Now, even if I use my power sincerely, Lilibet won’t die. Even if she were to die, to that person over there who is the next master candidate—”
“I think it’s best if our Aether doesn’t say anything.”
Lilibet cut him off as Bjorn’s complexion darkened rapidly.
“Anyway, if you’re really worried, let’s stand before the people together. People think you’re Aether’s master anyway, Oppa.”
“I suppose so.”
Bjorn’s expression relaxed slightly.
“Fine, let’s go up together. Just in case.”
“By the way, Edenber.”
Asil, who had been quietly listening to the twins’ conversation, spoke to Edenber, who had also been staying silent.
Edenber had come to the Count’s estate at dawn following Bjorn and Lilibet today, even though there was no special reason.
“When are Father—no, the former Duke and Rune coming?”
Once the Divine Beast Thanksgiving Festival began, Rune, the Divine Beast of the Monlepe ducal house, would also have to make an appearance, but he was still absent along with Ikart.
Regarding this, Selena had asked to find out at least roughly when they would be arriving.
“It’s a bit uncomfortable for me to ask the Duke of Monlepe directly……. You know, right?”
Because she had been running away whenever Edenber appeared to avoid the original work’s buff, they had now become very awkward with each other.
Well, regardless.
Edenber, thinking of Ikart, narrowed his brows slightly.
“He’s in the capital. He’s just not appearing before people.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. He said he had something to do. He’ll show up on his own when that work is finished.”
Somehow, an aura wafted out indicating he didn’t want to talk about Ikart any further.
Because of that, Asil couldn’t ask more.
Instead, to change the subject, she straightened the handkerchief that was tucked crookedly into the pocket of Edenber’s formal jacket.
“This is crooked.”
“……Thank you.”
Edenber blushed slightly at the black crown of her head visible right under his nose.
While he hardly even smiled when with other people, his expressions were quite varied when he was with Asil.
Seeing this, Lilibet’s eyes flashed.
“Ho-oh……”
I want to separate them.
I want to separate them to make Asil part of our family!
So she was just watching for the right timing, when suddenly the door burst open and Snowa barged in.
“I’ve been waiting since earlier, just when are you coming out…… Why are you making my sister do the work of tucking in a handkerchief?”
Then, he very naturally separated Asil from Edenber.
‘Right, I should get close to that white-looking young master!’
Then I’ll be able to protect Asil from the Duke of Monlepe!
Lilibet’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Snowa.
Meanwhile, Asil, who had been dragged out by Snowa, also talked with Arcian about today’s plan.
“When I give the signal, Daddy, you appear grandly and speak while mixing in Dragon Fear like you did back then. Got it?”
“I understand. Our Asil is truly sincere about helping her friends. You’re my daughter, but you’re just so, so kind.”
Arcian, smiling tenderly, stroked her head.
Because that touch was so warm, Asil reflexively shook her head and intentionally rubbed her head against his hand more.
Briana, who was watching the sight of the close father and daughter with envious eyes, asked a question.
“Asil, do you perhaps not need Mommy?”
“Um, Mommy is……”
Not needed……
But she felt like Mommy would be upset if she told the truth.
So, as if it were a truly important mission, she straightened her back and gave instructions maturely.
“I’d like you to keep an eye on Karon. Auntie Aether is there, but just in case.”
“You mean monitor him so he doesn’t do anything foolish? Fine, if he does even the ‘f’ of foolishness, Mommy will peck his head!”
“What about me?”
“Kkyu?”
“Kkuruk?”
Snowa, Todori, and Baembaem, who had been listening quietly, chimed in asking if there was anything for them to do.
“Just watch.”
“…….”
“Watching is the hardest part. Watch closely and tell me your impressions afterward. If you don’t speak at length, I’m going to pout.”
“O-okay. I’ll watch diligently!”
“Kkyuu!”
“Kkuk!”
At the mention of pouting, the three of them hurriedly changed their expressions. All three were Asil-enthusiasts who wouldn’t lose to anyone.
Thus, Asil, having given missions to all her family members, opened her hand satisfyingly.
“Let’s do our best! Fighting for today!”
“Fighting!”
“Fighting!”
“Kkyuu!”
“Kkuruk!”
After they all stacked their hands one by one, they raised them up all at once.
Asil’s family was heading out in full force once again.
The central plaza of the capital was packed with people.
Half were spectators gathered to see the Emperor, the Pope, and other Divine Beasts—whom they might see once in a lifetime—and the other half were knights gathered to guard the VIPs.
It was a crowd so large there was no room to step, but the first day’s schedule was proceeding smoothly.
Though there was an incident where Fear, unable to endure the Pope’s boring congratulatory speech, tried to breathe fire to singe his hair.
He was dragged inside by Asil, who was waiting in advance, with his mouth held shut.
And after a short time passed, he came back and sat in his original spot with a very well-behaved attitude.
Seeing this, Eokaste was very satisfied.
“As expected, my eye was not wrong. By the way, the Marquis of Skya……”
Her gaze shifted toward Karon.
Thanks to the surrounding nobles moving away as if they didn’t even want to go near him, he was showing the miracle of creating empty space even amidst the massive crowd.
Originally, he should have been undergoing investigation at the Great Temple as a target of divine punishment, but thanks to the major event of the Thanksgiving Festival, he was moving about freely for this one day.
“Hmm……”
Originally, Eokaste had intended to wash her hands of the Thanksgiving Festival preparations long ago.
It was because she had no intention of dancing to Karon’s manipulation, which sought to use the Thanksgiving Festival as a backdrop for reinstatement.
However.
She had come this far because of Lady Erzébet’s words to watch a little longer.
After that, a black dragon called the messenger of God appeared at the Marquis of Skya’s mansion.
Up to this point, it was very entertaining.
It was also quite fun to watch the Crown Prince wandering around with a face turned inside out by the unusual turn of events.
I wonder how this day will turn out.
Eokaste looked forward with an intrigued gaze.
Her father, the Emperor, was slowly finishing his boring congratulatory speech.
Meanwhile, there was someone waiting for the Emperor’s speech to end, unable to even breathe properly.
“Whew……”
It was Karon.
He had checked and rechecked his preparations until he came here today, but the tension would not subside. Both his hands were filled with cold sweat.
It was because everything of his depended on this moment today.
‘Doing it right after the speech ends is best for drawing people’s attention.’
With that thought, he focused his mind on every single word of the Emperor.
Of course, not a single bit of the content entered his ears.
How much time had passed like that?
“—With this, I hope everyone can joyfully enjoy the Thanksgiving Festival being held after a long time.”
Finally, the Emperor’s long, long speech ended.
Karon signaled to the hidden, waiting High Priest of Skya.
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