My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 36

§ 36 – Founding Day Event (3)

The Charlot Empire’s Founding Day event was a grand affair, lasting a full week.

Of course, there weren’t events happening every single moment of that week.

The official event schedule wasn’t that packed, surprisingly.

However, the nobles’ personal schedules were incredibly tight.

The venue was a central gathering point for families from all over the empire.

It was the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with nobles they were usually interested in meeting.

So, even if there wasn’t an official event scheduled,

it was common for nobles with close ties to rent rooms and hold their own private gatherings.

And among those gatherings, there were different levels of prestige and exclusivity.

A massive hall located inside the Imperial Palace.

Under the dazzling lights that shone like the sun,

nobles in elegant suits and dresses roamed the hall.

Lavishly prepared food and the sounds of cheerful laughter filled the air.

Servants bustled around, offering drinks,

and the murmur of polite chatter formed a constant background hum.

The perfect banquet atmosphere.

But looking closer, the social dynamics weren’t always so simple.

“Regarding the leather we produced this season, the head of my family is considering opening up new sales channels because the yield was higher than expected…”

“Then, how about trading with our family? Our estate isn’t far from Lehinard.”

“Hmm… this isn’t a matter to be taken lightly… I’m not sure what the head of my family will think…”

“Hahaha. There must be something in it for you. How about we discuss this further after the banquet, in a more private setting?”

A subtle battle between nobles.

They were subtly engaging in a silent war of nerves, each vying for advantage.

Just then.

“The Crown Prince and the Saintess are entering!!”

A shout that echoed loudly throughout the banquet hall erupted.

It was none other than the Imperial Palace Secretary’s announcement.

The buzzing noise of conversation stopped abruptly.

At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

And after a moment.

The doors of the banquet hall swung open, and a man appeared.

A handsome blond man in a neat, formal uniform.

No one present didn’t know who he was.

“We greet the Crown Prince.”

“We greet the Crown Prince.”

All the nobles in the banquet hall paid their respects.

“Everyone, please rise.”

At Konrad’s words, the nobles raised their heads.

And naturally, their gazes shifted to Konrad’s rear.

It was because of a certain person mentioned in the Secretary’s cry.

Saintess Aria.

She, who had never appeared in public before, was the subject of intense interest among the nobles.

In a way, she was someone they wanted to befriend even more than the Crown Prince.

Above all, rumors said she possessed beauty that transcended humanity.

As ambitious and energetic individuals, they couldn’t help but be curious.

With such anticipation, they turned their gazes back.

But.

“······ Hmm?”

“······ Huh?”

Something… was strange.

That was because, behind the Crown Prince, there wasn’t a Saintess but some…unassuming man.

A man with a somewhat dim-witted aura about him.

‘Was it a Saint instead of a Saintess?’ some wondered.

Just as they were thinking that.

“Sian···?”

A voice was heard from somewhere.

Only then did people realize that he was the youngest of the Elanndur family.

Sian Elanndur.

And just then.

A woman appeared behind Sian.

A beauty that could only be described as a miracle.

People immediately knew that she was the Saintess, Aria.

That’s why people couldn’t help but be even more bewildered.

The Crown Prince and the Saintess.

They could understand the two of them entering together.

But this third person.

“Why is that good-for-nothing here?”

It shouldn’t be Sian.

Well, let’s say that’s possible, somehow.

But the sight of him next to her was impossible to explain.

None other than Sian and the Saintess.

“You said you hated it and left. What’s with coming back?”

“Let’s get the facts straight. Did I *want* to come?”

The sight of them bickering from afar…

Didn’t they seem quite close?

“······”

“······”

People didn’t know how to react to this.

Whether they knew the people’s feelings or not,

Konrad took a step forward in front of the crowd.

“Thank you for coming a long way to celebrate our millennium Founding Day…”

And then he began a long speech.

To summarize it simply:

Thank you for coming, and I’m glad to see you all.

Let’s lead the empire well together in the future.

It was a speech filled with flowery rhetoric.

Sian stood awkwardly behind the Crown Prince.

To be exact, he couldn’t find the right moment to escape.

Above all.

“If you didn’t want to come, then what is this all about?”

He couldn’t focus because of Aria, who was whispering incessantly next to him.

‘Does she put divine power in her voice too…?’

Just how strong was her divine power?

He could feel divine power even in her voice.

Because of that, his mana was going wild.

It was as if it was shouting, ‘Get rid of that seductive woman right now!’

Sian subtly pushed Aria, who was whispering next to him, away and said.

“I happened to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, and he told me to come with him, so I had no choice but to follow—Augh!—him.”

As he spoke, the mana began to rage even more.

Sian desperately tried to keep his composure, not wanting to show a disgraceful appearance in front of the assembled nobles.

“So, you’re blaming the Crown Prince?”

“Blame? It might be an excuse for you, but not for me. I didn’t want to come with you either.”

“What? I wanted to come with—.”

“Shut up. I get a headache just looking at you, okay? So please stop shoving that annoying face of yours in my face.”

“You really!”

Aria couldn’t contain her anger and raised her voice.

The Crown Prince, who was giving a long speech, was surprised and paused.

“Hmm? Is there a problem?”

“It’s nothing. It just felt like a bug flew in suddenly…”

Then she flashed a noble and elegant smile.

Combined with her breathtaking beauty, it looked like a work of art.

As expected, people in the banquet hall were visibly captivated.

But Sian really couldn’t even muster a fake laugh.

“What bug?”

“Be qUiEt…”

Aria whispered quietly, clenching her teeth.

This time, it was quite loud,

but it seemed like only Sian could hear it.

Was this also part of her divine power?

The mana was going crazy, so it seemed like that was the case.

As he was trying to soothe his dizzy mind.

“Well, then, I hope everyone enjoys the banquet.”

Konrad’s speech was over before he knew it.

Sian thought this was his chance and said to Aria.

“You don’t like me, and I don’t like you either. Let’s not pretend to know each other anymore. Let’s count to three here and separate. Don’t even acknowledge each other if we run into each other on the street. Got it?”

One, two, three.

Swish.

Sian turned around without hesitation.

He didn’t see what Aria did,

but the mana was calming down, so it seemed like she was turning around and leaving as well.

‘If I hang out with her, I feel like I’m getting childish.’

One way or another.

She was truly a harmful existence.

As he was about to leave.

“······?”

Sian could feel a strange sensation.

He looked around.

The nobles in the banquet hall were all looking at him.

Everyone seemed to have a blank expression on their faces…

“······ What is it?”

Sian wondered what they were staring at.

#

Sian avoided people’s gazes and took a seat in a secluded area.

It wasn’t like he had any nobles he particularly wanted to befriend.

He was just planning to kill time and leave.

As he was observing the scene of the banquet hall alone.

He noticed a few striking figures.

First of all, the Elanndur siblings.

Roswell, Nathan, and Kai.

‘Kai came too.’

However, Durak and Isabel were not present.

Perhaps the two of them went to the banquet hall hosted by the Emperor.

Kai was standing alone on one side of the banquet hall.

Unlike Roswell and Nathan, who were surrounded by many nobles.

Kai was alone, like a lone wolf.

A genius among geniuses, hailed as the star of the empire.

And possessing a face that wasn’t lacking in any aspect.

Because of that, young ladies were hovering around, trying to find a way to talk to him.

However, they couldn’t easily overcome Kai’s intimidating aura.

Well, even when Sian was still living with the family,

he hadn’t talked to Kai much.

Unlike Roswell and Nathan.

Kai didn’t have much interest in Sian.

In the first place, they lived in different worlds.

‘He’s still the same.’

Sian chuckled softly.

The next striking figure was Lorsilt.

Panat Lorsilt, also called the star of the empire.

He was a wizard who had reached the 6th Circle [a high level of magical proficiency].

Sian couldn’t exactly distinguish between wizards and knights in terms of power.

But wizards of the 6th Circle were generally compared to those in the early stages of becoming a Master [an extremely powerful and respected figure].

In other words, he was Kai’s rival.

Therefore, the power structure of Elanndur and Lorsilt was:

The heads of the families, Durak and Egrid.

The stars of the empire, Kai and Panat.

It could be explained simply like this.

Unlike Kai, Panat was actively talking to a few people.

And the third striking figure.

As expected, it was the Saintess Aria.

Aria was surrounded by people, to the point of being almost buried by them.

Not only the men in the banquet hall,

but almost all the nobles were standing there, eagerly trying to talk to Aria.

And Aria didn’t frown at any of them.

As if she were a benevolent saintess.

She was putting on quite the act.

Glance.

At that moment, Aria’s gaze met Sian’s.

Soon, Aria’s mouth widened into a smile.

It was as if she was saying, ‘See? I’m originally this kind of person.’

‘I told her not to pretend to know me.’

Sian turned his gaze away.

And the final striking scene.

The grand finale.

“Last year, one of the secretaries of the Imperial Palace bought land near the capital. It was specifically to enshrine his deceased parents.”

It was none other than Crown Prince Konrad.

Konrad was elaborating on the circumstances of a certain incident.

Sian had heard that it was quite a headache for the Imperial administration.

“The problem is that there were a few old houses near the land. The secretary bought all the houses and made an agreement with the residents to vacate the premises after the harvest last year.”

“But last year, there was a famine, and the people living in the houses couldn’t find another place to move to. So, the secretary tried to force the people out, but the residents were begging for just one more year.”

“I’m worried about what to do…”

Konrad was asking for opinions on this matter.

That in itself was understandable.

The people gathered here were the talents who would lead the empire in the future.

It was valuable to hear their insights.

The problem was.

“Sian, what do you think?”

The person asking for that opinion was none other than Sian!

When Sian had taken a seat in a quiet place in the banquet hall,

Konrad had come to find Sian for some reason.

And he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving!

Even though Elanndur and Lorsilt were present.

Even though the Saintess was there.

Konrad didn’t seem to want to leave Sian’s side.

Thanks to that, the center of attention in this banquet hall was.

Not Elanndur, not Lorsilt.

Not even the Saintess.

It was none other than Sian.

Sian stared at Konrad quietly.

“Should I side with the secretary, or should I consider the people’s circumstances? I’m very worried.”

He couldn’t understand what Konrad was thinking.

Sian slowly opened his mouth.

“Tell the secretary to have mercy.”

“But he didn’t break the law. In a way, it was the people in the houses who broke the law by not leaving as agreed. But I can’t just tell the secretary to have mercy.”

“Even if the secretary has mercy, he won’t be significantly harmed. Just a little… inconvenience for a year. But if the people are kicked out, they will eventually die of hunger and cold.”

“Hmm…”

Konrad pondered for a moment and asked again.

“Even if the secretary invokes the law?”

“Then Your Highness will have to use your authority.”

“So, you’re telling me to break the law too. Are you telling me to commit a crime?”

Konrad looked at Sian with intense eyes.

But Sian nodded without hesitation.

“Even if Your Highness commits a crime, you can’t let the people resent the country.”

“······!”

Konrad’s eyes widened.

Soon, his mind went blank as if he had been struck by a hammer.

‘Why is he like this?’

Sian really wondered what was going on in Konrad’s head.

Because it was a word without any special meaning.

He had just blurted out whatever came to mind.

So, he didn’t know what Konrad was thinking.

But he definitely didn’t mean for it to have such a profound impact.

“Hahaha! The more I talk to you, the clearer my head feels!”

But it didn’t seem like Konrad saw it that way.

And what that meant was one thing.

“Then how about this? So…”

Konrad wasn’t leaving Sian’s side.

‘Haa…’

When does the official event even start?

Sian sighed without realizing it.

And just then.

“Your Highness.”

A familiar voice was heard from somewhere.

Sian and Konrad’s heads turned naturally.

There, he saw a face that was quite familiar to Sian.

To be exact, a face he couldn’t *not* know.

“Who are you…?”

“I am Nathan of the Elanndur family.”

The third son of Elanndur.

Sian’s brother, Nathan.

He had been with other nobles until just now.

It seemed like he didn’t approve of Konrad sticking so closely to Sian.

“Ah! Nathan Elanndur. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Konrad greeted Nathan happily.

“I’m honored that you recognize me.”

“Who in the empire *doesn’t* know Elanndur.”

Konrad burst into hearty laughter and asked.

“Yes. What brings you here?”

“I came to offer Your Highness a request and a suggestion.”

“A request and a suggestion?”

Konrad nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

“There are many talented individuals in the empire gathered here, and it’s beneficial for them to build friendships with each other. But I’m worried that it might be a bit boring for those who are full of energy.”

“And?”

“So, I was wondering if I could put on a sparring match here to relieve that boredom. What do you think?”

“Sparring?”

Suddenly?

At the same time as Konrad’s question, Sian’s head also tilted.

Because it was quite unexpected.

Konrad also seemed to think the same way, and there was no immediate answer.

But that hesitation lasted only for a moment.

“Hmm… it’s not a bad idea to watch a sparring match. Good. Who are you going to spar with?”

Perhaps he was expecting a match between Elanndur and Lorsilt.

And that was the same for Sian.

There were other skilled members in Lorsilt besides Panat.

A sparring match between Nathan and another member of Lorsilt.

There was no more entertaining spectacle than that.

Above all, it would get rid of this clingy Crown Prince.

But Nathan’s answer was a bit unexpected.

“I’m going to do it with my brother.”

“Brother?”

Nathan was the third son of Elanndur.

There was only one person he could call his brother.

‘······ Me?’

None other than Sian.

“Are you talking about Sian Elanndur here?”

“That’s right.”

Nathan nodded and looked at Sian.

He was carefully managing his expression in front of Konrad.

But Sian could see the bitter smile hidden within.

That’s why Sian could understand why Nathan was suddenly acting like this.

It was related to what happened when he saved Jerry in the capital.

It seemed like he intended to humiliate him through sparring…

‘He said he’d see me later. That’s what he meant?’

Sian shook his head.

Nathan was a skilled expert in the middle class of knights.

On the other hand, Sian was a dullard who hadn’t even become a beginner.

The outcome was obvious without even fighting.

“Hmm…”

Konrad also knew that, so he couldn’t easily give an answer.

“What do you think?”

Soon, Konrad asked Sian.

At the same time, he thought he knew what kind of answer he would give.

Of course, rejection.

Sian, whom Konrad had personally experienced, was different from the rumors.

Good-for-nothing, unfilial.

He was far from these things.

Rather, he was a true nobleman who knew how to embrace people.

That was Konrad’s evaluation of Sian.

But one thing.

He couldn’t deny that he was an incompetent dullard.

That’s why the outcome of this sparring match was obvious.

So, Konrad thought that Sian would definitely refuse.

But.

“If you don’t use Aura [a knight’s life force]. I’m willing to do it on the premise that you accept one condition.”

The answer he heard was very different from what he expected.

“What?”

“I won’t use Aura.”

Konrad asked again,

and Nathan hurriedly opened his mouth in case Sian changed his mind.

“Also, I won’t use one hand.”

Nathan was even giving himself a handicap.

“Okay, then what’s your condition?”

Nathan smiled and asked.

Sian smiled back and said.

“Since we’re doing this, how about we bet money with real swords?”

#

The stakes got higher.

The news of the sparring match spread throughout the banquet hall,

and those who attended the banquet began to place bets.

And of course, the overwhelming majority of bets were placed on Nathan.

It was a sparring match that didn’t make sense in the first place.

Nathan, who was an expert in the middle class of knights.

Sian, who hadn’t even become a beginner.

No matter how much Nathan restricted himself by not using Aura,

and not using one hand,

it was a sparring match where the outcome was already decided.

So, everyone’s money was focused on Nathan,

and no one predicted Sian’s victory.

To be exact, except for one person.

Sian himself.

Even the money he bet on himself was a whopping 30,000 gold.

And the odds were a staggering 15 to 1.

In other words, if Sian won, 450,000 gold would fall into his hands.

But.

“Is he a good-for-nothing, unfilial, and now even stupid?”

“He’s doing something that makes absolutely no sense.”

“He’s just throwing away 30,000 gold.”

People just laughed at Sian.

That’s how the sparring match began.

“I thought you’d run away… you’re surprisingly bold.”

Nathan opened his mouth as if he was sneering.

Sian didn’t say anything special.

“And you’re going to do it with real swords. You have a good nerve. Even if I accidentally cut off an arm, it’s okay because there’s a Saintess here to heal you.”

Soon, Nathan spread his hand as if to invite him to attack anytime.

“I’ll give you the first move.”

“Then I won’t refuse.”

Sian didn’t bother to decline Nathan’s offer.

Sian calmly took a breath.

Honestly, Sian couldn’t confidently beat Nathan right now.

Of course, he wouldn’t lose easily.

He didn’t know if that would have been true before.

Currently, Sian was diligently learning the Mahonsura Sword [a powerful and ancient sword technique].

And he had gained a lot of practical experience from the battles with the monsters in Ruben.

But that alone couldn’t guarantee victory.

Nathan was a knight who was an expert in the middle class.

A knight superior to Lucas.

He was overshadowed by Kai.

Nathan was also a genius in his own right.

Even if he didn’t use one hand, it was still going to be difficult.

But.

If Nathan didn’t use Aura.

The story was completely different.

Why?

Sian slowly drew an S-grade sword [a sword of the highest quality].

It was what Sian had bought in the Beginner Growth Support Package [a special bundle of items for new players].

It was the first item he had paid for in Mobile Lord [the name of the game].

At the same time, even if he didn’t use Aura,

it was a strange sword that exerted the power of Aura on its own.

A chilling aura erupted from the pure white blade that shone in the light.

“Wait a minute…!”

Nathan, who felt an ominous energy emanating from the sword, seemed flustered.

But before he could fully react.

Chop (斬) [onomatopoeia for a slicing sound].

Sian’s sword was already approaching his eyes.

Kkwak Kwa Kwang! [onomatopoeia for a loud explosion]

An explosion erupted.

“······!!”

“······!!”

The eyes of the people who were watching the scene widened in shock.