Chapter 132. Preparation (2)
Guided by the butler, I walked through the corridors to the upper floors of Elsyde’s Fortress. This time, the executive office wasn’t my destination.
Entering the library as directed, I found a grand room filled with books neatly arranged on shelves, exuding a refined atmosphere.
I frowned slightly, surprised. I knew the fortress was vast, but a place like this? Who’d summon me here?
“Enoch Elsyde.”
A poised voice called, and a striking woman standing inside glanced at me.
Dressed in a sleek black uniform, she wore a matching black cap.
I flinched slightly. A familiar face—one I’d rather avoid.
“Sir Teano.”
Removing her cap and holding it to her chest, she bowed with precision.
“It’s been a while since our joint mission.”
The Nemesis knight’s formal courtesy had a way of making others tense.
I nodded, speaking.
“I heard you summoned me here, Sir Teano. What’s the matter?”
“Yes. It might take a while.”
She gestured to a plush library chair. I sat silently, stealing a glance at her.
Teano took the seat across the table. Morning sunlight cast shadows over her long purple hair.
Our eyes met directly, and I nearly looked away.
Honestly, facing her alone still unsettled me.
Especially those piercing indigo eyes, as if trying to see through me.
“I heard the rumors, Enoch.”
“Rumors?”
“That you escorted Saintess Amelia in Pangaeon on a nomination mission and made her your follower family.”
“It just happened. Word spreads fast.”
Teano shook her head, as if it were obvious.
“Yes. Frankly, I was shocked. Others likely were too.”
So that’s why it spread so quickly.
I swallowed a wry smile.
Rumors about me recruiting an Order figure were probably fueling heated discussions somewhere.
No matter. It didn’t concern me.
“Noted.”
“Such a calm response. Recruiting a member of the Order is remarkable, let alone the Saintess…”
Teano showed genuine admiration.
Meeting her gaze, I realized something.
She still suspected me, but her scrutiny had softened compared to before.
It didn’t seem like she was here to probe mission irregularities, like last time. Thinking this, I glanced around.
“Why the library?”
“Visiting your room felt impolite.”
Puzzled, I tilted my head. She added, turning slightly.
“Most Elsyde direct descendants have assigned reception rooms for formal meetings, but you only have your residence. So, out of courtesy…”
I understood instantly.
Right. No wonder I was treated this way—proof I wasn’t exiled for nothing. I swallowed a bitter feeling.
Maybe I could request a reception room later, but it was uncertain until tried. What a hassle.
Though this knight and Nemesis still suspected me, being summoned like this felt like a loss.
“No need for a library, is there?”
“I personally like this place. It’s quiet, with few visitors, so I come often.”
“Often?”
“Yes. For the books.”
She smiled faintly, glancing at the shelves.
“Books reveal unknown worlds. I enjoy novels, essays, and even comics.”
With a serious face, she spoke surprisingly innocently, hands folded on her uniform skirt.
I blinked, stunned. I’d pegged her as a stern deputy commander, not someone with this side.
Remarkable.
I grasped her point. Leaning on the table, I sighed lightly.
“I understand. If it’s too much trouble, you can visit my room directly.”
I knew Nemesis suspected me, but wandering corridors exposed me to countless gazes—a huge risk. If meetings were unavoidable, her coming to me was better.
“My room… Well…”
Teano looked away, flustered, then nodded.
“Understood. If that’s fine, I will.”
“If you prefer, keep summoning me like this.”
“No, it’s not that I dislike it.”
Clearing her throat, she blushed faintly, avoiding my gaze.
“Honestly, I was just surprised. I’ve never been invited to someone’s room.”
I tilted my head.
Maybe a count’s direct descendant casually inviting someone to their room seemed odd by convention.
I coughed into my fist, asking subtly.
“I’d like to get to the point. Why did you call me?”
“Oh, my apologies.”
Snapping to attention, she widened her eyes, straightening. She handed me a sealed envelope from the table.
The high-quality black envelope, sealed with blue wax bearing Elsyde’s crest, felt luxurious. Elegant white cursive read [Special Invitation].
“What’s this?”
“An invitation to a special banquet.”
“Special banquet?”
Puzzled, I asked. Teano looked surprised but, realizing something, explained kindly, lowering her lashes.
“In the Elsyde count’s house, it’s customary to host a quarterly banquet honoring those with outstanding mission achievements.”
“So this is the invitation.”
Was there such a description in the original story?
I stared blankly at the invitation.
Banquets and feasts felt foreign.
Even in the original, such mundane details were likely minor notes in follower family [detailed records], not memorable.
Recalling, I confirmed it existed. I tilted my head.
“You’re delivering this personally?”
“Though customary, as the event is hosted by the head of the house, delivery by Nemesis, their direct subordinates, is protocol.”
“…”
“Normally, the commander would do it, but with them absent, I’m handling it this year.”
She added, closing her eyes briefly, “There’s also the issue of participant list security.”
Then she stared at me.
“You could be happier, Enoch. It’s proof your deeds are highly valued.”
“No matter how I look at it, my mission volume pales compared to other direct descendants or family mages.”
“Perhaps. But…”
She answered promptly, as if obvious.
“The Main House values reputation.”
“…”
“Your rising reputation is undeniable.”
Reputation.
A timely reminder. I swallowed another wry smile.
‘Reputation’s becoming a real issue.’
A good reputation wasn’t inherently bad, but attracting too much attention was risky for someone like me.
I knew my actions—exemption mission, joint mission, recruiting Sirocco, escorting the Saintess, and making her my follower family—were too conspicuous to go unnoticed. Exaggerated, they were near-legendary.
Expecting no gossip was naive.
But I couldn’t sit idle.
My prominence was excessive.
It was time to advance my reputation management plan to the next phase.
A plan to subtly adjust my reputation, diverting excessive attention.
The perfect stage for that was…
“I’ll attend the banquet.”
“A wise choice.”
Teano nodded uprightly.
I smiled inwardly. I’d prepared for this. With my best card, if things went as planned, I had nothing to fear.
“Oh, and Enoch Elsyde.”
“Yes?”
Her call snapped me back. She leaned forward.
Her indigo eyes gleamed in the morning light through her hair.
“What are your plans for the Nemesis exam?”
She meant the first test I took for the joint mission.
I tilted my head.
“Is that about official participation?”
“No. Just my personal curiosity. Sorry if it was rude.”
It wasn’t rude, but I used her apology to gauge her intent. Why mention the second test now?
The question didn’t linger.
Teano spoke honestly.
“The second test’s start date is still pending, but your participation in the first test still has participants and others buzzing. Nemesis would be lying if we said we weren’t interested.”
With so much attention, Nemesis cared about my participation.
Not surprising, but unexpected.
“I didn’t think Nemesis, Elsyde’s elite, would care about public opinion.”
“Even Nemesis isn’t immune to public sentiment, especially for non-covert matters.”
She shook her head.
“Once the second test’s details are set, you’ll be formally notified.”
“I see.”
“Yes, you can decide then. An answer then will suffice.”
“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Checking a wall clock, she widened her eyes, embarrassed, and looked away.
“…Sorry. I got carried away.”
“It’s fine.”
“Good, then.”
Relieved, she exhaled softly, smiling quietly at me.
“Talking was surprisingly pleasant, Enoch. I must return to knight duties. Excuse me.”
She pulled an invitation like mine from her pocket, waving it lightly.
“I’ll look forward to seeing you at the banquet.”