Chapter 35. Sophisticated Aesthetic Sense
A cold silence, sharp as an awl, pierced the air in the mansion's corridors.
As I walked through this corridor and arrived at the bedroom, I tossed the documents I had carried all the way here onto the table.
Then, from a corner of my heart, a small anger started to simmer.
It wasn't a burning anger like a volcano but a quiet rage, like waves that occasionally crash upon the shore.
I had a rough idea of why such emotions began to sprout.
It was because.
"It seems like I'm completely becoming you."
Actions, thoughts, memories.
All of these are based on 'Yi Shihu'. However,
Emotions.
When delved deeper, the realm of 'instinct' seemed to bear a shade more akin to 'Yulian'.
'... How can I feel nothing?'
That suspicion became apparent when I discovered Lazlot was a spy for the Dawn Society, and again when I threatened him.
When I tried to recruit him by holding onto his weaknesses, my heart and mind were unbearably calm.
As if behaving this way was perfectly reasonable.
'Considering Lazlot is a spy for the Dawn Society, it's certain he's an indefensible criminal.'
Even so, I didn't feel a shred of hesitation in grasping his weaknesses and shaking him around.
'If it were 'Yi Shihu', I would not have...'
"Come to think of it..."
I raised my head and looked into the mirror. Seeing the reflection of a 'slit-eyed villain', a scoff escaped my lips.
"I've been referring to myself in the third person."
I never thought I'd find myself pondering identity issues like some adolescent forming a self-concept.
What frustrated me more was that even while grappling with such concerns over identity, my mind and heart remained as calm as a tranquil sea.
"What's important now isn't debating identity; it's what I need to do next."
A valid point.
Nodding in agreement with my own muttered words, I was about to hang my clothes on a hanger...
Knock, knock—!
My attention shifted to the unexpected knock at the door.
"Come in."
At my response, one of the maids from the mansion entered.
With a slightly stiff face, she bowed respectfully, then slowly raised her head and spoke.
"M-Message from the main household has arrived."
The main household?
The words puzzled me, and I tilted my head.
To Yulian, the main household would mean the Cryphart family, one of the four venerable imperial families.
'Being part of a collateral line and infamous, the relationship with the main household isn't good.'
The relationship between 'Yulian' and the Cryphart family wasn't so much hostile but rather strained with lingering resentment.
This was a well-known fact, understood without me having to voice it. So, why contact from the Cryphart family now?
"It is about the wedding of Lady Rinia Cryphart, your sister, Sir Yulian. The head of the family has expressed a desire for all family members... to attend."
To me too?
While that thought surged up my throat, it seemed more likely a formality.
Even though Yulian is 'Frason', he's still a member of the Cryphart family.
"Should I respond as before, stating you cannot attend due to other commitments?"
"Yes, if you could do that for me..."
Before I could finish the sentence, a thought about 'soul stones' emerged in my mind.
This remnant thought form of the 'Demon God' that appears only in tri-horned demons or higher, peculiarly takes the form of a gem.
Its brilliance was such that it wouldn't be surprising if nobles, infatuated with noble items, used it as a luxury.
Thus, players of 〈Let's Kill the Devil King〉 occasionally obtained soul stones not only from demons but also from humans.
'Wasn't there a soul stone with the Cryphart family?'
Considering the wealth and military power the Cryphart family possessed, there's little fear of it being snatched by the Dawn Society. Still, one must be prepared for anything.
"All right. I will convey that to the main household..."
"No, I've changed my mind."
"Sorry?"
"I will attend the upcoming wedding. Could you please convey that to the main household?"
"O-Oh... Yes!"
Perhaps she understood the circumstances to some extent, as the maid appeared momentarily at a loss for words.
Though she nodded in response after a brief pause, her eyes betrayed a sense of unease.
"And could you handle this on your way out?"
To her, I entrusted a set of documents.
These were related to the 'Genmel Orphanage' and were things I brought from the Blind Eyes' office to handle personally.
"Please burn them."
"Understood."
After offering a respectful bow as she had when she entered, the maid exited, and I moved towards the wardrobe.
Even if relations with the main household weren't good, it was essential to dress appropriately for the wedding's banquet.
Because that was the etiquette in noble society.
"Ugh... I forgot."
As I opened the wardrobe, the colorful clothes within overwhelmed me.
Again, I was left despondent by 'Yulian's experimental fashion sense.
There were garments that could pass as formal wear, but the colors were enough to make anyone squint.
"At least it's not pink..."
I had previously muttered similarly in front of the wardrobe. The cobalt blue coat was somewhat decent but still didn't appeal to me.
'Well, I suppose it doesn't matter.'
No matter what I wear, as long as it's 'Yulian', people will accept it. As I thought that and was about to close the wardrobe door,
"... Isn't this line of thinking very 'Yulian'-like?"
The philosophical point that had briefly occupied my thoughts resurfaced.
This body is 'Yulian', but the soul is 'Yi Shihu'.
With my martial prowess stabilized to a certain extent, I could afford to assert my preference in clothing.
Right, that much should be acceptable.
Surely.
While my aesthetic sense may not be exceptional by others' standards, it's certainly better than someone who would hang a pink suit in their wardrobe.
***
"That concludes the basic lecture on Fifth Elemental Studies."
Formally concluding her lecture, Aileen gathered her books and left the lecture room.
Once people disappeared from the hallway, she let out a deep sigh.
"Ugh... I'm tired."
Her face plainly showed signs of fatigue.
Considering the high standards of the Bayer Academy, pre-and post-preparation for classes alone were enough to drain anyone's energy, but she had never felt this exhausted before.
The source of Aileen's current fatigue wasn't from the academy, but rather the research on the gem that had caused a stir in the Magic Tower.
The 'soul stone'.
"I never thought I'd live to be grateful to Yulian for taking the Moonstone."
This year, Aileen was the only one among the 'Barco'-rank mages dealing with the gold element who hadn't submitted a personal thesis.
Thanks to Yulian taking all the Moonstone, Aileen was searching for a new subject when the sudden imperial commission regarding the 'soul stone' piqued her interest.
The more she examined the 'soul stone', the more she found it fitting as a new thesis topic.
"Whoever it was, I'm eternally grateful!"
Cutting her sleep time, she immersed herself in research.
Since she couldn't afford to neglect her Academy classes, faint dark circles began to form under Aileen's eyes.
"You've worked hard, Aileen. Are you planning to visit the Magic Tower again today?"
As she arrived at the Elements Office, a professor gently asked, offering to carry the books she had brought.
He was a male professor at the Academy, in charge of elemental studies just like Aileen.
Though not from one of the grand families, he belonged to a renowned mage family, and his face bore an expression of goodwill.
Aileen, hiding her fatigue, nodded with a grateful smile.
"In that case, would you like me to escort you there? I cannot allow a frail lady to carry such a heavy burden."
"Oh my, really?"
When Aileen responded positively, the male professor quickly followed up with his offer, looking elated.
Aileen, feigning surprise with wide eyes while smiling, responded.
Her actions stemmed not from genuine warmth but rather from something every woman is said to have, a sort of social skill; or to put it bluntly, a feigned innocence.
"Well then, as you suggested—Oh!"
Just about to leave for the Magic Tower with the male professor, Aileen suddenly remembered that she had to attend an upcoming banquet.
It was the wedding of Rinia Cryphart, the third daughter of the Cryphart family, one of the four great imperial families.
Though it was a bit strange that she, being a collateral member, was invited to the wedding, the Cryphart family loved showcasing 'noble dignity,' so she thought it must be their way.
"I apologize. I appreciate the offer, but I have other engagements today, so I won't be able to visit the Magic Tower."
"Oh, is that so...?"
Expressing his disappointment, the male professor received her apology, while Aileen made her way out of the Bayer Academy.
Putting off her trip to the Magic Tower for the soul stone research, her next destination was the most renowned comprehensive clothing store in the capital.
A gigantic clothing store created by the partnership of the 'Heinrich Family,' one of the four great families, and the golden merchant Hakkel.
Named 'Hundred Garments Emporium' because it boasted a hundred different brands, covering a variety of types.
'So extravagant...'
It was Aileen's first visit, and she was taken aback by the dazzling attires, the high ceilings, and the immense size of the establishment.
'I just came to buy a few ceremonial outfits...'
From dresses to casual wear, the sight of various brands gathered in one place sparked an interest in shopping, even in Aileen, who had initially thought she'd simply purchase some attire for the banquet.
'Since I'm here... maybe I'll look around a bit.'
So thinking, she moved further into Hundred Garments Emporium.
Starting from small accessories like cufflinks and buttons to formal suits.
From ballgowns to everyday wear, the sight of so many brands gathered under one roof sparked her interest in shopping—even though she’d only intended to buy a few evening outfits.
"Huh?"
While admiring the scale of the clothing store, someone familiar caught Aileen's eye.
Yulian Cryphart Frason.
Thanks to a few recent encounters, it wasn't as uncomfortable as before, but he was still an undoubtedly awkward opponent.
Not quite close enough to greet, or even exchange pleasantries comfortably.
Aileen thought it best to pretend she hadn't seen him and focus on her shopping.
'But why is he looking at normal clothes for once?'
Though she made a resolution to ignore it, she was undeniably a bit intrigued.
Yulian, famed for his flamboyant colors and daring fashion, was now selecting subdued formal wear.
'Could it be he's attending Rinia Cryphart's wedding, just like I am?'
Well, regardless of how bad the relationship is or if he's a collateral member, they're still from the same family. It would indeed make sense for him to be invited.
'Wait a minute...'
As she pondered upon it, Yulian was looking at a black-hued coat recommended by a staff member.
Considering the outfits Yulian usually wore, it was a perfectly ordinary piece of clothing.
However, a mark embroidered on the left chest part would be highly inappropriate for the event's host.
'The Royalty of Febrance.'
The so-called mark of noble massacre.
Back when knights, attached to the imperial household, executed nobility under the alleged crime of contempt, this was the mark they bore.
Though its significance had faded over time, owing to its attractive design, many designers adopted the motif, and it became a widely used symbol besides its original meaning.
Nevertheless, despite the passage of time, for the 'Blind Eyes', prominently displaying such a symbol at a banquet hosted by the Cryphart family posed a danger.
The 'Blind Eyes' is an imperial-connected body, carrying out the Emperor's command to eliminate nobility, while the Cryphart family stands as one of the grandest noble families in the empire.
Considering Yulian's collateral status and his infamous reputation for slaughtering without discrimination, him appearing with the 'Royalty of Febrance' insignia at the banquet?
'Oh, come on, surely, even for Yulian, he wouldn't make an open provocation...'
Shaking her head and trying to convince herself it couldn't be, she observed as he seemed to be on the verge of trying on the formal attire.
Leaving behind her resolution to pretend nothing was amiss, Aileen ended up approaching to speak to him.
"Are you planning to declare war on the Cryphart family?"
Clacky Corner:
Aileen for the save...