My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 156

§ 156. Merit Ceremony (1)

Cyan was quickly able to enter the inner part of the Imperial Palace.

It was all about confirming his identity without any special procedures.

Well, he was practically the main character of this merit ceremony, so it was understandable.

‘The treatment is completely different from before.’

He used to be ignored so much when he visited the Imperial Palace.

Now, he was receiving the best treatment possible.

It was proof that Cyan’s position had risen that much.

‘But it shouldn’t be this much.’

He didn’t deserve to be treated this well.

At least they should have done a body search.

This was almost like treating a member of the Imperial Family.

You couldn’t do a body search on a member of the Imperial Family.

The sudden intervention of the Emperor, too.

The event that he didn’t even ask for, too.

Even the attitude of the Royal Knights he had just seen.

‘What the hell happened?’

Cyan shook his head.

As he was lost in such thoughts,

“There is still time before the official start of the event. In the meantime, please enjoy the banquet with the other guests.”

A strange voice was heard next to him.

It was none other than the chief secretary who was assisting the Crown Prince.

It seemed that the preparations for the event were still in full swing.

He didn’t really want to go to the banquet, but he didn’t have anything else to do in the meantime.

Cyan moved towards the door that the chief secretary guided him to.

The chief secretary said to Aaron, who was following behind.

“The White Wolf Knights, please follow me. I will guide you to your lodgings.”

Then Aaron hesitated for a moment.

His purpose was to guard and watch Cyan.

“You don’t have to worry about us. We will stay with the Young Master.”

“This is a banquet hall for the guests of the event. Unauthorized persons are not allowed to stay here.”

Despite Aaron’s words, the chief secretary flatly dismissed him.

In fact, they were called guests, but they were practically the most prominent nobles of the Empire.

It didn’t make sense for knights to attend such a place.

Moreover, this was none other than the Imperial Palace.

Even Elan Dure had to keep what he had to keep [maintain decorum and follow protocol].

A moment of silence.

“…Then we will step back for a moment.”

In the end, Aaron bowed his head and stepped back.

Aaron disappeared out of sight, following the chief secretary’s guidance.

Only then did Cyan open the door to the room.

With a click, the scenery of the room was reflected through the crack of the door.

The figures of several nobles mingling under the splendid chandelier.

The servants were walking around, handing out glasses,

And the sounds of conversations formed a backdrop like background music.

The atmosphere of a perfect banquet hall.

It seemed that everyone was related to this event.

Cyan was the one who solved the Northern Affairs [a crisis or conflict in the northern region of the Empire].

But there were those who secretly helped the North.

Just the fact that they supplied supplies after the Northern Affairs was enough.

No matter how much Cyan brought all the supplies from Ruben and released them.

It wasn’t enough to cover all the areas of the North.

Ruben was said to have a bumper crop every season, but it was just a single territory.

Of course, the output was almost equal to that of a county.

Also, if Cyan hadn’t released the supplies, the North would still be in disarray.

Anyway, it wasn’t something Cyan did ‘alone’.

‘But there are quite a few.’

Anyway, there were quite a few nobles.

Not as many as the Founding Day event, but close to it.

Well, thinking about it, it was natural.

This kind of event could be seen as an opportunity for the nobles.

A golden opportunity to make acquaintances with other promising nobles.

Even this time, the Emperor himself hosted the event.

In short, only nobles who could say, ‘I have some clout,’ could participate.

“It is an honor to meet you, Count Jerin. I am Baron Duple.”

“Baron Duple…? Are you perhaps managing the land of iron ore…?”

“Haha. Compared to Your Excellency, I am just a miner.”

Nobles would not refuse such a position.

In the banquet hall, such nobles were forming groups and chatting.

The nobles in the center were looking for various benefits.

The nobles on the outskirts were dreaming of advancing to the center.

They were subtly showing each other their cards and chatting.

‘Is this a banquet or what.’

Cyan looked around the banquet hall and shook his head.

Then, he quietly headed to a secluded spot.

Ruben, located in the Dark Forest.

In a way, it could be said to be the most remote of the outskirts.

But Cyan didn’t really want to advance to the center.

What would he do if he advanced to the center?

It was obvious that he would have to engage in political fights.

If he was interested in politics, it would be different.

Cyan had no intention of getting involved in politics at all.

Also, he didn’t have any nobles he was particularly close to.

Moreover, he didn’t really like such a noisy atmosphere.

“Let’s just stay quiet and leave.”

Cyan moved to find a secluded spot.

Cyan was in a place out of sight.

“Hoo…”

Cyan let out a long sigh.

Even though he was in a quiet place, he could still feel the noisy atmosphere.

“What’s so good about this kind of place.”

Cyan shook his head.

“Anyway…”

Cyan immediately took out his smartphone.

And ran Mobile Lord.

[Emergency maintenance is in progress.]

[Some services may not be available during maintenance.]

[We apologize for any inconvenience.]

He could see Mobile Lord undergoing emergency maintenance.

Mobile Lord fainted after spending nearly 80 million gold.

Considering that it fainted after spending 31 million gold last time, it was an understandable reaction.

“I thought it would hold out, though.”

But Cyan thought it would hold out.

That’s because Mobile Lord was stubbornly holding on even after spending about 60 million gold.

So he had 20 million gold left.

Since he had to spend the money anyway.

Cyan poured all the remaining money into instant completion tickets.

But he didn’t know it would faint like that…

“I couldn’t even use the Fame Points.”

Because of that, he couldn’t use the Fame Points this time either.

Cyan checked the Fame Points he had accumulated.

[Fame Points in possession] – 135,000 P

He had accumulated a whopping 135,000 points.

These were the points accumulated from the Northern Affairs and this time in Elan Dure.

He still couldn’t understand why they were accumulating like this…

Well, anyway.

Points worth 13.5 million gold in cash.

With this, he could strengthen Arnaise’s special ability 13 times.

He could add Arnaise’s special ability effect 13 times.

But.

[Emergency maintenance is in progress.]

[Some services may not be available during maintenance.]

[We apologize for any inconvenience.]

Due to the emergency maintenance, he could not use the Fame Store right now.

“It’s not like there’s an expiration date.”

Cyan shrugged his shoulders once.

This wasn’t a big problem.

It didn’t matter much if he used it after the emergency maintenance was over.

The real problem was this.

“Don’t tell me… they’re not going to give instant completion tickets as compensation for the maintenance, are they?”

It was none other than the compensation for the emergency maintenance.

Based on his past experiences.

The compensation for emergency maintenance was an instant completion ticket.

That too, an instant completion ticket for all the facilities and research he had spent money on before the emergency maintenance.

It was the most suitable compensation for the purpose of compensation.

He even used this compensation when he turned Ruben upside down.

But not this time.

This time, it was a compensation he absolutely didn’t want to receive.

Compensation my ass [sarcastic expression of disbelief or annoyance].

It was nothing more than useless garbage.

This time, he had bought all the instant completion tickets!

“Wait, don’t tell me Mobile Lord was aiming for this?”

Thinking about it, it was a plausible hypothesis.

Mobile Lord was on the verge of fainting at the time of the 60 million gold spending.

It wouldn’t be strange if it fainted, not kidding.

Nevertheless, Mobile Lord held on until the end.

So Cyan thought it would hold out this time.

But what if all of this was to make Cyan buy instant completion tickets?

So, what if Mobile Lord held on until Cyan bought instant completion tickets?

What if it was for Mobile Lord to tease Cyan?

“…”

He wondered if that could be the case.

Somehow… he suddenly thought that Mobile Lord might do that.

Because of what Mobile Lord had done so far.

“If you give me instant completion tickets as compensation for the maintenance, I’m really going to…”

I’m going to soak you in a toilet.

No, looking at it last time, it didn’t like the cold.

Then I’ll have to soak you in a cold toilet.

Cyan shouted at his smartphone.

“I’m as angry as 100 million gold right now!”

There was no one around Cyan.

But Cyan shouted as if he wanted someone to hear him.

“I’m as angry as the equipment of the next grade after SSS grade!”

I don’t know what that is!

Cyan continued to shout at the black screen of his smartphone.

“I’m not as angry as an instant completion ticket─.”

“Excuse me…”

Suddenly, he heard someone calling Cyan.

What is it? Just a moment.

Cyan turned his gaze.

And looked at that place.

There stood a beautiful young lady.

It was a face he had never seen before.

But looking at her dazzling dress, he could immediately tell that she was a young lady from a noble family with clout.

The fact that she was at this banquet hall was proof of that.

“Are you perhaps Cyan… Young Master?”

“I am.”

Cyan nodded at the young lady’s question.

Then the young lady opened her mouth again with a bright expression.

“Hello. I’m Herin Moltke, the second daughter of the Moltke County.”

“Moltke County…?”

It’s a name I’ve heard somewhere…

“My father is serving as the aide to the Imperial Chancellor.”

“Ah.”

Cyan nodded.

No wonder it was a name he had heard once.

And as expected, it was not a low position.

“I’m Cyan.”

Cyan introduced himself concisely.

And in a way, it was an introduction that could be felt as rude.

That’s because the first introduction between nobles was to attach the surname to let them know the family.

Like Herin’s introduction just now.

There are two cases where the surname is not attached.

The status is commoner or the family has fallen.

And either way, it was a matter of falling dignity.

It wasn’t that Cyan didn’t know that, but Cyan didn’t use the surname Elan Dure.

That’s because he was about to throw it away now.

‘The mansion must be in chaos by now, right?’

It would be in chaos, no, it would be turned upside down.

They would be bloodshot trying to find the person who embezzled.

Of course, it wouldn’t have been revealed yet that it was Cyan’s act.

Well, maybe… it might have been revealed.

But what, what can I do.

‘I’ve already used it all up.’

Anyway, Cyan would never go back to Elan Dure again.

But Herin, who didn’t know that fact, was not.

However.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Herin didn’t show any discomfort, simply offering a bright smile.

Her innocent smile had the power to captivate people’s attention.

A time when her beauty was in full bloom.

Herin wasn’t so oblivious as to not notice the attention gathering around her.

That’s why Herin was confident.

That Cyan would also be somewhat swayed by this smile.

Herin smiled and slowly approached Cyan.

However.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

Cyan didn’t show any particular reaction.

Instead, he turned his gaze to something strange he was holding in his hand.

Something small and square.

Something reflecting only a black screen.

Cyan brought that something to his lips and said.

“If you give me an instant completion ticket, I’ll tell Sera to prepare a freezing latrine!”

He was just spouting words that made absolutely no sense.

“······”

Herin was momentarily at a loss for words.

After seeing that, what could she possibly say?

Herin could only stare blankly at Cyan.

Whether he knew Herin’s feelings or not.

“I’m as angry as 10 million Fame Points!”

Cyan just kept whispering to Mobile Lord [Likely a reference to a mobile game or app].

Because there was nothing more infuriating than receiving an instant completion ticket!

“I clearly said it! I’m as angry as an SSS-grade next-level equipment!”

Even though I still don’t know what that is!

Cyan continued to shout at his smartphone.

However.

“Excuse me, are you perhaps Cyan… Young Master?”

Another voice calling out to Cyan was heard again.

And this time, it was a different voice from before.

So, someone other than Herin was calling Cyan.

Before he could wonder what was going on.

“I am Arin Truel from the Truel barony.”

“I am from the Redusri earldom…”

Turning his gaze, he saw countless young ladies gathered there.

It seemed as if all the young ladies in the banquet hall were flocking to Cyan.

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. My father has been praising you so much.”

And then a string of words from the young ladies.

“······ What is this?”

Cyan really wondered what was going on.

He had taken a seat in a quiet place because he disliked the hustle and bustle.

But in an instant, the young ladies of noble families were surrounding Cyan.

“If it’s not too much to ask, would you mind if we talked?”

“I heard you don’t have a lover…”

The voices of the young ladies kept ringing out.

At the same time, the young ladies began to cling to Cyan.

“W-What is this?”

Cyan was momentarily flustered.

He couldn’t understand why the young ladies were doing this.

That’s because Cyan’s image in society was utterly ruined.

A good-for-nothing from the marquis family, an incompetent loafer.

Or a rebellious son of the marquis family.

In short, he was no different from trash.

Of course, Cyan’s image was quite good among the common people.

Especially in the western and northern parts of the empire.

And in the Elan Dure marquis territory, he was almost like Arnaise [Likely a revered figure or local hero].

But in the noble society, Cyan’s image was literally shattered.

But the scene before his eyes now.

“Would you like to visit our territory sometime?”

“It can’t compare to the Elan Dure marquis territory, but…”

Cyan couldn’t understand the situation at all.

Young ladies filling his vision.

Dressed to the nines, they were all young ladies from families with some fame in the empire.

All those young ladies were flocking to Cyan.

Because of that, all directions were blocked.

He wanted to get out of his seat, but he couldn’t see a way out.

‘Should I use Mahon Muyoungbo?’

Kyle’s footwork, Mahon Muyoungbo [A special movement technique, likely from martial arts or fantasy setting].

If he scattered his body into darkness with Mahon Muyoungbo, he could escape from here.

Even Kendrick, a master-level, had missed the gap for a moment.

He had to use Mahon Muyoungbo to escape from here.

As Cyan was seriously contemplating.

“I wondered what all the commotion was about…”

A sweet voice was heard from somewhere.

And a somewhat familiar voice.

Turning his head slowly, he saw a woman standing there.

Blonde hair resembling sunlight, along with a bright atmosphere.

But a cold impression contrasting with it.

The empire’s princess, Elena.

With Elena’s appearance, the attention of the young ladies, including Cyan, was focused.

Not only that, but the attention of everyone in the banquet hall was focused in an instant.

“We greet the princess.”

“We greet the princess.”

“We greet the princess.”

Soon, all the people in the banquet hall paid their respects to Elena.

Elena nodded her head once.

And indeed, was the princess a princess after all.

Even though it was just a nod, dignity and grace flowed out naturally.

Soon, Elena looked at Cyan.

And after scanning the young ladies surrounding him.

“It’s nice to see you again here, Young Master Cyan.”

She smiled brightly at Cyan.

The bright atmosphere added to her innocence, making her look even more attractive.

Soon, Elena opened her mouth towards the gathered young ladies.

“I have something to talk about with Young Master Cyan… I hope you all don’t mind?”

The young ladies couldn’t answer Elena’s question.

From the beginning, it couldn’t be seen as a question asking for permission.

No matter how much the young ladies of the noble families were said to be something.

It was only a word that was used among nobles.

In front of the princess, there was no such thing as nobles.

“Ah, that…”

“So…”

“T-That’s…”

The young ladies stammered and couldn’t easily speak.

Elena turned her gaze to Cyan, leaving those young ladies behind.

“Then let’s go, Young Master.”

Soon, Elena moved her steps.

Cyan stared at the dumbfounded young ladies and followed Elena.

Elena stopped at a quiet place in the banquet hall.

Well, it couldn’t really be called a quiet place.

It was just that they couldn’t come near this place.

Cyan was Cyan, and Elena was having a conversation alone with a noble man?

The attention of the banquet hall was already focused on Cyan and Elena.

The murmuring and commotion, as well as the glances, couldn’t be called quiet at all.

Still, it was much more comfortable than the chaotic scene just now.

Cyan took a moment to catch his breath and said to Elena.

“Did you have something to say to me…?”

“No.”

“······?”

Cyan tilted his head without realizing it.

Wasn’t she the one who said she had something to say and called him here just now?

“You looked uncomfortable.”

“Ah.”

“I also thought you might cause an accident if I left you alone.”

Cyan nodded slowly.

As Elena said, he was just about to use Mahon Muyoungbo to escape.

It wasn’t that it was an accident, but…

Well, anyway.

“Thank you for helping me.”

Cyan let out a long sigh.

Then Elena said with a knowing expression.

“I was wondering if I was interrupting a good time, but I’m glad I wasn’t.”

“A good time? I was dying of discomfort as you said. I don’t know why the young ladies suddenly gathered…”

“Considering Young Master’s image in society, it’s a natural thing.”

“What image are you talking about?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

Cyan tilted his head at Elena’s question.

And Elena was dumbfounded by Cyan’s reaction.

Because he really didn’t seem to know.

Well, this man was originally like this.

Elena sighed softly and said.

“There’s no harm in forming a relationship with a promising talent like Young Master, right?”

“So, are you saying that all those young ladies gathered to form a relationship with me?”

“Of course.”

“Why me specifically?”

“That’s─.”

Elena stopped speaking and pressed her lips tightly.

Does he have to know only if I explain this?

Of course, Cyan’s reputation in society was terrible.

That’s why the attention Cyan had been receiving so far was mainly contempt.

But after the Northern incident, that evaluation was completely reversed.

Isn’t there even a saying that he is the new star of the empire?

What more explanation is needed here?

“Weren’t you supposed to hate me for being a good-for-nothing?”

But the person in question is just spouting such nonsense…

If he was doing it on purpose, he wouldn’t be hateful.

But Cyan, whom Elena had seen so far, really didn’t know.

“Just know that.”

Elena shook her head slightly.

“In that sense, did you have any young ladies you liked?”

“No, I didn’t. And I’m not really interested in these things.”

Elena slightly widened her eyes at Cyan’s answer.

A strange look. Soon, Elena opened her mouth again.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Are you not interested in women, Young Master?”

“It’s not that I’m not interested, but… it’s more accurate to say that I can’t be interested.”

Because he was busy earning gold to spend on cash.

This damn Mobile Lord never stopped even if you poured gold into it.

Especially now that he had to prepare for a full-scale war with Elan Dure.

There was no time to think about dating or marriage.

“Still, if you’re a man, you’d be drawn to such outfits at least once.”

Elena slightly turned her gaze and looked at a young lady in the banquet hall.

The sight that followed Elena’s gaze.

There was a woman with a voluptuous body.

The woman was wearing a dress with a deeply cut line below.

And every time she moved her body, her collarbone and chest were revealed.

It was definitely a sight that caught the eye at least once.

As expected, male nobles were glancing at her every time the woman passed by.

Cyan shook his head and said.

“Not all men are like that. And that kind of style is not my taste. It feels somewhat… cheap.”

“That’s the charm that young lady has. Having prejudice against a woman’s attire is clear sexism.”

“If you put it that way, what the princess said to me about being a man is clear sexual harassment.”

“Then you can take responsibility and get married. There’s no problem if we get married, right?”

“······”

Cyan was momentarily speechless.

Well, there’s no problem if we get married.

Why is the story suddenly going that way?

“Puh!”

Elena burst into laughter at Cyan’s appearance.

Looking there, Elena was laughing, hiccupping.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it because of your dumbfounded expression.”

Even while saying that, Elena was hiccupping, shaking her shoulders.

Anyway…

She was a strange princess in many ways.

“Well, anyway. Thank you for getting me out of that place.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

“In that sense.”

Cyan continued as soon as Elena’s words were finished.

“Could you help me with one more thing?”

“One more thing…?”

Elena’s head tilted slightly to the left.

Cyan nodded slowly and opened his mouth again.

“Would you like to go to Ruben with me after the event is over?”