Chapter 34
On the evening of the tenth day since the announcement of the Houkijisu Tournament had spread throughout the Empire—
A grand banquet was held in the Imperial Palace, marking the official beginning of the competition.
It was a night where the music never ceased, and the wine and food never ran dry.
Brilliant chandeliers illuminated the high ceiling, and beneath them stood the princes, young lords from renowned families, and beautiful ladies, all gathered in splendor.
The banquet that opened and closed the Houkijisu Tournament every year was among the most important events of all. The reason for this was simple—connections and camaraderie.
Most of those gathered here would, in as soon as ten years or as late as thirty, become lords ruling territories across the Empire. The hall was, quite literally, half filled with nobles and half with power.
After all, the more friends one had, the better. With so many Houkijisu from across the land gathered in one place, there was no better day to forge connections than today.
If one lacked any ties, this was the perfect chance to find one. If lucky, one might even strike up a friendship with a noble heir from another region—
Or perhaps, if fortune truly smiled, encounter a charming young lord or a beautiful lady.
Tonight was a golden opportunity to make all of that happen—
The long-awaited day of reckoning for those who had anticipated this moment had finally come.
It was then that Yuwon and his companions arrived.
“Whew, I’ve never been to something like this before. The atmosphere’s incredible.”
Hastings looked around curiously, as if he were witnessing something fascinating. Seeing that, Yuwon let out a small laugh.
“Come to think of it, I wouldn’t have pegged you as just a bookworm, Viscount. You seem like the type who’d get along well with people. It’s surprising that this is your first tournament.”
“Our family has been bookworms since the founding of the Empire. We’ve served as librarians in the Imperial Library since the very beginning. We’ve never really had ties to this sort of thing.”
“…Hmm, with your social nature, I’m sure the social circles would have welcomed you anytime.”
“I’m just a bookworm, but thank you for thinking so highly of me, Your Highness.”
Hastings smiled shamelessly as he said that. Yuwon smiled back.
“Well, since we’ve come all this way, let’s enjoy the evening.”
“Haha, how could I refuse?”
Standing beside them, Renania joined the conversation.
“Hmm… well, it’s not that special, really. Sure, it’s grand in scale, but aside from that—it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
Renania Valaris, the Queen of the Southern Social Circles, tried to act as if she weren’t nervous.
‘It’s obvious she’s nervous… she’s just trying to hide it.’
Others might not notice, but to Yuwon, it was plain as day. Her effort to appear composed struck him as endearing, and a playful glint flickered in his eyes.
“As expected of the Queen of the South’s social circles. I suppose you’re most familiar with events like this, Lady Valaris… Still, if I may offer a word of advice, I suggest you don’t let your guard down.”
At Yuwon’s subtle tone, Renania widened her eyes.
“Don’t let my guard down? Why?”
“Haven’t you heard the saying? That in the capital, people will steal your nose the moment you blink?”
“Well… I’ve heard it before, but everyone here seems nice. Ah—wait, I get it. You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
Though she seemed to catch on, Yuwon feigned ignorance with a perfectly straight face.
“Well, if that’s what you believe, Lady Valaris, perhaps you’re right. Still, you’d best be careful. They say every man in the capital harbors a serpent in his heart.”
“Sure, sure. You’re definitely just teasing me, but fine, I’ll play along. But what about you, Your Highness? Aren’t you the very one who stands at the top of all these capital-dwellers?”
The lighthearted question pricked at Yuwon’s chest.
A serpent hissed within his heart—so faintly that only he could hear it.
“…What do you think, Lady Valaris?”
“In my opinion…”
“The Crown Prince is entering!”
A loud voice rang throughout the banquet hall, announcing the Crown Prince’s arrival.
Renania, who hadn’t finished her sentence, closed her mouth at once.
The attention of everyone in the room instantly turned toward the source of the voice. The Crown Prince entered the hall.
“Wow, it’s really the Crown Prince… I’m so glad I came!”
“How do I look? Am I okay?”
“You look the best, don’t worry!”
The young ladies of the noble families forgot all decorum. Desperate to catch even a glimpse of the Crown Prince’s face from afar, they stood on tiptoe, fluttering with excitement.
Hastings frowned slightly at the commotion.
“Quite a flashy entrance.”
It was the complete opposite of Yuwon’s own arrival, which no one had even noticed.
“Well, he wouldn’t be the Crown Prince for nothing. This much is to be expected. Now, shall we find our seats—”
“This way, Your Highness!”
Before Yuwon could finish, Terrien’s voice called from the far corner. He raised his hand high to signal his location.
He must have slipped away and secured a seat while they were distracted.
“Shall we go over there, then?”
“Let’s.”
Yuwon and Hastings began walking toward Terrien’s table. Renania, momentarily distracted by the crowd, followed a beat later.
“Wait for me!”
And then—
Slip—!
Was it because she hadn’t worn heels this high in a while, or because she’d been distracted? Renania’s foot faltered, and she stumbled.
‘Uh… what?’
In another second, she’d fall in a clumsy heap. Her mind went blank—
Tap—
Swift yet gentle, Yuwon’s hand caught her wrist, steadying her before she could fall.
“Huh?”
It happened so quickly that Renania didn’t even have time to realize what was going on.
Instead of tumbling to the ground in disgrace, she found herself standing upright, albeit a little awkwardly.
She blinked, bewildered.
“What just…?”
“Who said you could be left behind? What’s the rush?”
Yuwon chuckled softly.
Ten minutes later, after they had taken their seats, Yuwon sipped his wine lightly and glanced around.
‘Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.’
To his eyes, the banquet hall was divided into sections—not by walls, but by invisible lines of faction and influence. It was as if the space had been measured and partitioned with precision.
‘As expected, the Crown Prince’s side is dominant, both in influence and in numbers.’
From the Crown Prince down to the Fourth Prince, the factions were clearly gathered around each royal. Just as Yuwon had predicted.
As he observed them, his keen hearing caught snippets of nearby conversation.
“Haha, congratulations, Your Highness! Once this tournament ends, the succession will be settled completely. Congratulations in advance!”
“Oh my, you’re absolutely right. Once this is over, everything will finally be clear. Just look at how everyone’s seated—the lines are already drawn, plain as day…”
‘Enough. I can’t listen to this any longer.’
Such words didn’t only come from the Crown Prince’s faction.
Every prince’s group spoke in a similar tone, merely changing the subject of praise.
‘Except for ours.’
Compared to the others, the table where Yuwon sat was desolate—pitifully so.
A table that no one approached. Even Hastings, usually so sociable, had pulled a book from his coat and started reading, while Renania wore an unhappy expression, perhaps because her ankle still ached from earlier.
In truth, her grim look had more to do with something else entirely, but that was none of Yuwon’s concern.
‘And Terrien’s like that, too….’
Terrien sat right beside Yuwon, his nervousness obvious to anyone who looked.
Seeing that, Yuwon smiled faintly.
‘Well, I suppose someone who grew up as an illegitimate child wouldn’t have had much experience with gatherings like this.’
A bastard—unacknowledged by his own family, denied even the right to bear their surname. Terrien could hardly be familiar with grand assemblies filled with noble heirs.
‘It’s probably his first time since leaving the Academy. So for Terrien and Hastings, it makes sense… but Lady Valaris—that’s unexpected.’
He had thought Renania, titled the Queen of the Southern Social Circles, would be different. Yet she made no move to stand out, sitting there with a slightly sulky look.
“Well… it’s not all bad, I suppose.”
“Pardon, Your Highness?”
Hastings, distracted from his book, looked up abruptly. The soft music and layers of conversation had drowned out Yuwon’s muttering.
“Just talking to myself.”
Yuwon smiled lightly and took a sip from his glass.
“Then, as of this moment, we hereby declare the commencement of the 183rd Aphahiel Houkijisu Tournament!”
A voice boomed from the center stage, announcing the official opening of the banquet.
The true festivities had begun.
Women’s faces glowed with excitement, while men bore expressions of tense anticipation and expectation, their eyes flitting about in search of a partner to approach the dance floor with.
“May I have this dance?”
“Ah, yes… of course.”
Men began weaving through the hall, inviting ladies to dance. Drawn by their hands, young noblewomen left their small clusters one by one.
Not everyone was eager to dance, however. The true powers of the night sat in their corners, deep in serious political conversation.
“Come to think of it, the Southerners have been rather noisy lately, haven’t they? I hear the Vallonin Family, the second most powerful house in the South, has been working hard to connect with the Central government. Until now, the South has only ever grumbled and complained, but never acted so directly, has it?”
The man who was asked responded casually.
“Noisy or not, they’re just the barrier to the Great Southern Jungle. Since when have Southerners ever been treated as real nobles? Perhaps back when monsters still roamed the world. Forget them. Getting involved with those sweat-scented Southerners would only sully us.”
“You’re right. My thinking was shallow.”
“Well then, instead of wasting time on that, you’d best make up your mind soon. Once this tournament ends, it won’t be easy to decide where to stand.”
“By… ‘make up my mind,’ you mean…?”
The man frowned slightly.
“My, my. You know what I mean. How could there be five suns in the sky? It’d be best to choose before it’s too late. Competing with other regions isn’t the issue now—that comes later. The fact that the tournament schedule was even adjusted means something’s brewing.”
He glanced around cautiously, then subtly pointed his eyes toward where the Crown Prince was seated.
“We don’t know what stance the North will take yet, but our family… has already decided.”
The man across from him caught the implication and gave a small nod.
“I see. I should speak with my father soon, then.”
“Yes, that would be wise. Now’s the time to choose which banner you’ll stand beneath. I hope our valuable connection continues for a long time to come.”
Smiling, the man lightly patted the other’s shoulder.
While some paired off to dance and others whispered over politics—
Yuwon focused on the music. The melody filled his ears completely. His chosen form of entertainment for the evening had begun.
‘Starting tomorrow…’
As if trying to sink into the sound, Yuwon slowly closed his eyes. The music became sharper, clearer.
The Imperial Orchestra’s performance—polished and perfected for this very night—sounded like the drumbeat of war.
The sharp cry of violins sliced through the air like arrows flying past his ears.
Bows swept over cellos and double basses, humming deep notes that vibrated through his chest.
The resonant drums pounded like the synchronized steps of marching soldiers, thudding against his heart.
A scene of battle painted itself across his mind. A bitter smile crept onto his lips.
‘No matter how I try, I can’t forget.’
Just the briefest memory brought sensations as vivid as reality—
The scents of lavish cuisine, the heavy perfumes sprinkled by the nobles for the evening—
And, slipping between them, memory forced its way in.
‘The good days are over.’
The scent of blood, etched into his memory, felt almost real. The metallic tang lingered at the tip of Yuwon’s nose.
An hour passed since the banquet began. With the flowing drinks and laughter, the atmosphere had reached its peak.
“Is that the White Dragon Sword?”
“To think that the Guardian Sword left by Grand Marshal Geiorn would choose the White Dog…”
For some time now, subtle yet undeniable gazes had turned toward Yuwon.
In truth, their attention wasn’t on Yuwon himself, but on what hung at his waist.
‘So they’ve finally noticed the White Dragon Sword.’
The privilege of a prince—to carry the Guardian Sword anywhere except before the Emperor.
At Yuwon’s hip hung a relic left by a hero of legend, an artifact spoken of only in myths.
Over an hour had passed since the banquet began—more than enough time for the first round of serious conversations to circulate.
‘And now, I’m the next topic.’
Yuwon found the attention tiresome.
‘Plenty of flushed faces already. Time to take my leave before the drunk fools start causing trouble.’
He set his glass down, a premonition stirring that some intoxicated fool might soon test his luck.
“I’ll be leaving now. Staying any longer won’t end well.”
“Ah, already, Your Highness?”
“Yes. I’m rather tired tonight. And refusing every dance invitation is starting to draw too many looks.”
“As you wish.”
At Yuwon’s words, Hastings, Renania, and Terrien all wore the same expression—relief. Different answers, but identical feelings.
At that exact moment, as if waiting for it, a man stood up from a distant table.
He wasn’t one of those who had been stealing glances at the White Dragon Sword—he had been openly eyeing it with greed.
“…Too late.”
“Pardon? What do you mean—?”
Before Hastings could ask what Yuwon meant, the man strode confidently across the hall.
Step—step—
He headed straight toward the Fifth Prince’s table, where no one had dared approach before. The movement drew every eye in the room.
Yuwon turned his head, meeting the man’s gaze.
‘A member of the Tindal Family, huh?’
A familiar face—one Yurion had known. The man stopped before Yuwon.
“Well, well… this is disappointing. Leaving already without even greeting me, Your Highness?”
So the insect had come.
A moth drawn to the flame—too foolish to know whether it was flying into flowers or fire.
‘To Fisk, the Yurion he knew must’ve seemed like a flowered path. How terribly you underestimated him, Yurion.’
But Yurion was gone now. That flowered path had been burned away—by Yuwon.
He was fire. Yuwon was the flame itself.
Yuwon smiled thinly. The fire flickered.
“Were you looking for me?”