kscans

Chapter 251 - The Party

After finishing our early lunch, we were chatting with Lydia-chan when Arc returned, now changed into a white formal suit.

"Hmm, you actually look like a prince," Yoshino-san commented.

"I am a prince," Arc retorted.

He was, but Lydia-chan still had more of a royal feel to her. Was it her personality?

"Arc, Master and Kaede-sama gave me a gift." Lydia-chan showed the necklace to Arc.

"Huh? Really? Sorry about that."

"Don’t worry about it. It’s for my disciple. It’s the thought that counts."

"I still have no idea what she’s your disciple of… Anyway, thanks."

I didn’t know what she was my disciple of either. I just made her one because it was convenient.

"I’ll give you yours later, so come over tonight. I’ll even order pizza."

"Okay, thanks. I’ll come over to play games."

All this guy ever does is play games.

"Arc-sama, it is almost time…" Mia prompted Arc.

"You’re right. Everyone, His Majesty is waiting upstairs. Let’s go."

At Arc’s words, we left the room and went up to the second floor. When we entered the venue, the round tables were already laid out with food and drinks, and the King was sneakily sampling some of the dishes.

"Oh, so you’ve finished your preparations." The King noticed us and called out.

"Are the guests here yet?"

"They’ll be arriving shortly. I’m counting on you."

"Leave it to us."

We all nodded and went up onto the dais. Arc and Lydia-chan sat in their chairs, while Yoshino-san and I stood by their sides, respectively. Nanapon also stood next to me and drank an invisibility potion.

Finally, I took out a hair tie, gathered my hair, and pulled it into a ponytail.

"It’s the killer witch," Nanapon murmured, though I couldn’t see her. She was probably referring to the time with the kidnappers. I had my hair in a ponytail then, too.

"The witch of justice, if you please."

"There’s zero justice in you," Arc shot back.

"Shut up. Look, the King has gone to the entrance. It’s about to start."

"I know."

Arc’s exasperated expression shifted to a serious one as he faced forward. The entrance opened, and a bearded man came in. He shook hands with the King and began to speak with him.

"Who’s that?" I whispered to Arc while keeping my gaze forward.

"That’s how it works. The host greets each guest one by one. He’s the most important guest. That’s Lydia’s father."

So the bride’s father is first.

"Hmm… They don’t look alike."

"His Majesty and I don’t look alike either, do we?"

That was true…

After the King finished talking with Lydia-chan’s father, he clapped him on the shoulder. Lydia-chan’s father then entered the room, bowed to Arc, and stood before one of the tables.

One by one, male guests dressed in formal attire arrived, spoke with the King, bowed to Arc just as Lydia-chan’s father had, and made their way to a table.

"It’s all men."

"You’re a chatty witch… Today is only for male guests. The female guests will be invited later, with Lydia as the host."

Huh… I wonder if that’s a custom here.

"Are we the only guards? Isn’t the King in danger?"

The King was greeting the guests all by himself. Weren’t there any soldiers or security?

"It’s a demonstration of trust. Everyone invited today is a high-ranking vassal."

I see. So we were here because Arc and Lydia-chan were special. Well, they were just kids, after all.

More guests continued to arrive, but neither Nanapon nor Lydia-chan reacted to any of them.

Just as I was thinking everything seemed fine, the King finished speaking with the last guest and closed the door. That was probably everyone.

As the King walked toward us, I scanned all the guests. They were all men who were clearly over forty, and some were overweight. None of them looked particularly strong. With the anti-magic barrier in place, they couldn’t use magic, and since Nanapon hadn’t reacted, they weren’t carrying weapons. Lydia-chan was also unresponsive, so it was unlikely any of them had special skills. For now, we were safe.

The King ascended the dais and turned to face the guests.

"Everyone. Thank you again for coming today. I know you have all faced hardships since the recent incident, but thanks to your efforts, we are slowly returning to life as it was before. I am truly grateful."

When the King finished, the guests applauded.

"Indeed. Our dealings with Feire are going well, and I believe we will manage for the time being. Therefore, I have decided to name the next king. I will be sixty this year, and I wish to entrust the succession to my heir while I can still remember all your names."

The King told a joke that wasn’t funny, but the guests laughed anyway.

"Of course, the next king is this man, Arc. I will not be retiring yet, but I wish to gradually entrust him with more duties. I ask for the unwavering loyalty of all of you, the faithful vassals of our nation."

As the King said this, Arc stood up. A wave of applause, louder than before, filled the room.

"Indeed. I ask that you support this Frontier alongside Arc… and alongside our people. Let us work hard toward its reconstruction."

The King really named the country Frontier… He should have picked something else…

As everyone else applauded, I stood there dumbfounded. The King raised his hand.

"Today, there is one more piece of joyous news. The next king, Arc, will be joined with Lady Lydia, the daughter of Jiskarl."

Jiskarl? Was that Lydia’s dad from earlier?

"I want all of you, together with Arc and Lydia, to carry our future forward. Everyone, take a glass."

As the King spoke, maids entered from the doorway. They uncorked the wine bottles on the tables, poured wine into the glasses, and handed them out. Mia, who was among them, gave a glass to the King, then to Arc and Lydia.

"Where’s mine?"

"Huh?" Mia froze when I spoke to her.

"Don’t I get one?"

"Um…"

I’m her master. I’m going to join the toast. Besides, I’m thirsty.

"This damn witch… She’s so demanding."

"Mia, give her one…" the King instructed with an exasperated look. Mia quickly brought me a glass of wine. The maids then stood by at the sides of the room.

"Now, does everyone have a glass? Then, let us wish for the future of Frontier, and pledge to work together… Cheers."

"""Cheers."""

Everyone raised their glasses and began to drink. Arc and Lydia-chan, however, only took a sip before placing their glasses behind their chairs.

I drank my wine too. It was especially delicious since I was so thirsty.

"...I wish I had some." I could hear Nanapon’s whisper from behind me, but that was probably asking too much.

I finished my wine and looked over at Mia, who was standing in the corner of the room. Our eyes met, and I wiggled my finger at her.

Mia understood my intention and hurried over with a bottle to refill my glass.

"...Damn witch, don’t forget you’re on guard duty," Arc muttered while still facing forward.

"This is my way of celebrating you two. Oh, Mia, don’t go back to your post just yet. Stay here. This will be empty again soon anyway." I stopped Mia as she was about to return to her original spot.

"Y-yes, ma’am."

"Damn witch…"

Don’t make such a sour face. You’re the man of the hour. Look at Lydia-chan. She’s smiling like always.