“…What?”
My mind went blank for a moment.
Just now I had called up the character sheet for the empire’s 1st Prince, ‘Yustasio Wiblet Leonor,’ but nothing happened.
…Character Sheet.
I tried calling it again in my mind.
Still no sheet appeared.
“…No, what is this really?”
“Aiden-nim? Why are you suddenly talking to yourself?”
Clara tilted her head, looking at me in bewilderment. But I didn’t have the leisure to explain it one by one.
The crown prince of the Wiblet Empire, Yustasio, was a handsome man with bright platinum-blond hair and dignified, mature features. His actual age was around forty, but he looked younger than that at first glance.
His appearance matched exactly what I had heard. There was no sign of anyone around feeling any discomfort.
I turned to the group and asked.
“Epio, Plebelziam. Do you really think the crown prince is the man who kidnapped Visanya?”
“…There’s no doubt.”
[Epio is right. It’s exactly the same wave as that suspicious masked bastard. Are you doubting my ability?]
A sharp voice rang in my head.
If Plebelziam, who could finely distinguish the wave of each individual, was this certain, it definitely wasn’t something to pass over lightly.
“Hmm…”
I fell into deep thought.
Why wasn’t Yustasio’s character sheet showing up?
From what I understood, there were several conditions for viewing character sheets through the Tripper System, my privilege as a possessor.
─First, the target had to fall within the category of “intelligent life forms.”
This included not only humans but also beastkin, fairies, machine god tribe members, and various fantasy species. High-performance automatons with AI didn’t have character sheets.
─Second, the target had to actually exist nearby for the character sheet to be viewable.
Specifically, it could only activate within the range my senses could perceive. Indirect observation like communication magic, telepathy, or image reproduction via the <Armchair> spell couldn’t grasp the target’s information.
For confirmation, I looked at Clara beside me.
<Clara Rephindarx Aldemar> [Level: 31/73] [HP: 03][STR: 02][AGI: 04] [MP: 27][Mental: 08][Sense: 11] [Divinity: 07] [Traits: Dragon Priestess (S+), World Resonance · Sun (S), Prodigy (S-), and 3 others] [Skills: Sun Cathedral Faith Magic (S), Blake Self-Defense Art (B), Advanced Weaving Technique (C), Sleight of Hand Magic (D)] [Description: 13 years old, Dragon Priestess formerly affiliated with the Sun Cathedral. After leaving the cathedral without permission, she is currently staying with the Blispiel Clan under the alias “Clara Elbrid.”]
As you can see, character sheets for people other than the crown prince appeared without issue.
The fact that Yustasio’s sheet wasn’t outputting properly meant it was violating one of the two conditions above.
In other words, the crown prince over there was…
Either an illusion created by hallucination magic or something.
Or not a proper living being.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, one possibility flashed through my head like lightning. It was an idea only a possessor like me, who had memorized the original work’s knowledge, could come up with.
Whether this guess was right or wrong, I’d know by checking once.
“Nano Eater, can you use <Armchair> on the crown prince? As secretly as possible so the people around don’t notice.”
[Using the spell secretly is possible in itself. However, to properly exert its effect in that state, I need to get close to the target.]
Immediately afterward, Chesa spoke with a puzzled expression.
“…Aiden, <Armchair> is a search magic that can only be used on objects. It has no effect on living humans.”
“I know that too. But there’s a possibility it will work on that crown prince over there.”
Suddenly Chesa brought her face close. She, carrying a pleasant scent, whispered to me.
“…Did you see it in a prophetic dream?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I understand.”
Chesa quickly caught on.
This was why the prophetic dream excuse was convenient. It was a means to explain any complex or subtle situation in one go.
I looked toward the table where the crown prince was sitting. As the legitimate heir to a great empire, he was surrounded by influential figures and close aides from various regions, conversing with them.
It would be difficult for someone like me, who had no prior acquaintance, to approach.
…How should I approach this?
While I was pondering, I saw a familiar face moving busily. It was Loreno of the Pecheli Clan, who had just approached me earlier and given cryptic advice.
He went around speaking to people scattered throughout the banquet hall, then shortly afterward led all of them toward the crown prince.
“…What?”
“Loreno Pecheli of the Pecheli Clan greets you, Duke Nabara. I believe we exchanged greetings once at the Labur Principality banquet four years ago—do you perhaps remember my name?”
“Haha! How could I forget an executive of the famous four great clans? It’s good to see you again.”
Duke Nabara’s tone seemed to praise Loreno at first glance, but his gaze was lukewarm.
‘A troublesome figure from the clan that spectacularly failed in business.’
‘The third son who can’t even reach the toes of his older brothers.’
Those were the labels stuck to Loreno after his withdrawal from Umbril. The cunning duke before him was surely laughing at him inwardly.
Loreno ground his teeth.
Just two years ago, everything had been smooth sailing. The reason things had gone wrong was entirely because Aiden had removed the Giant’s Sword through some stroke of luck.
Loreno said to Duke Nabara.
“…I heard that Your Grace is displeased with the Wiblet Empire so readily extending the hand of reconciliation to the Blispiel side.”
“…Personally, I do think our empire’s dignity was damaged by that incident. However, since it was something His Majesty personally proceeded with, as a subject I can only believe and follow.”
“Truly the loyalty befitting one of the empire’s greatest nobles. But shouldn’t we give that reckless young upstart a proper harsh initiation once?”
“…What do you mean?”
“The Sub-Master of the Blispiel Clan was a notorious troublemaker in the Stroke Principality until just before his fifteenth birthday, they say. He didn’t even learn noble etiquette at all.”
“…Indeed.”
It was certainly a major weakness in such a formal setting. Duke Nabara sensed Loreno’s blatant malice and let out a small laugh.
“This time, I’ll cooperate with you.”
Afterward, he gathered several Wiblet Empire nobles who were displeased with the Blispiel Clan. They whispered among themselves for a moment, then headed to the table where Yustasio was.
Duke Nabara, as representative, proposed.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. How about setting up a social dance floor to build closer ties with the distinguished guests participating in this banquet?”
“Social dance?”
“Yes. I believe it will help liven up the banquet’s atmosphere. His Majesty will surely enjoy it as well.”
Starting with one count beside Duke Nabara chiming in, several nobles nodded. With dozens agreeing as if it were natural, the flow quickly turned the dance floor into a fait accompli.
Yustasio had no reason to refuse.
“Do as you wish.”
A short while later, a servant approached Aiden and bowed politely.
“Sir Stroke, this is a suggestion from His Highness the Crown Prince. Please take the stage with your partner.”
Hearing those words, Aiden looked toward where Loreno and the nobles were. They were all sending him sneers.
“Understood.”
Refusing here would damage the imperial family’s dignity, so there was no choice.
“Young Master…”
Linia bit her lip with a pale face. While the others might not know, she was well aware that Aiden was not only ignorant of etiquette but completely clueless. Even after his complete reformation on his fifteenth birthday, he hadn’t paid any attention to noble etiquette education and had focused solely on swordsmanship.
If he showed an unsightly appearance in such a large setting, both Aiden and Chesa would become objects of ridicule in high society for a long time.
Aiden shrugged.
“What are you so worried about?”
“…Young Master, where on earth does your confidence come from?!”
The skills were injected into my head by the great god, so there’s nothing to worry about. Trust me for the dance, Linia.
I stroked the head of the half-sobbing Linia.
“Let’s go dance for a bit, Chesa.”
“…Yes.”
Her face was slightly flushed.
Flutter
Chesa’s violet dress fluttered with the brilliant movements.
“Huh…”
One of the nobles watching our dance opened his mouth in astonishment. There was no sneer as someone had expected, but rather something close to pure admiration.
“I didn’t have high expectations since they were supposedly stiff northern nobles, but… this is beyond imagination.”
“I know those two have rarely shown themselves in northern high society, but did they perhaps learn it as a hobby?”
Among the skills I had acquired was Ancient Empire Advanced Court Etiquette (B).
Since I obtained it through a draw, it was at the “Mastery” stage from the beginning, and it included techniques for social dancing.
In fact, Chesa’s proficiency as a thoroughly educated noble lady was the one that fell short, but through the <Link Sense> spell sharing every sensation, we were literally one body.
Although the dance we were showing now was quite impressive, it wasn’t at a level that would astonish the empire’s greatest nobles to this degree. Trends come and go, and this dance carried the ancient empire-style etiquette that was rare in the current era, so it must have felt fresh to them who were feeling mannerism.
Suddenly, the ceaselessly creaking instruments stopped, and accordingly, our dance also halted.
Clap clap clap clap
“Excellent, excellent.”
Emperor Eliodoro applauded in admiration, sending us applause, and Chesa and I were once again summoned before the emperor.
“Seeing you again, the reason you gave for declining the marriage proposal earlier was no empty talk. As emperor, I have seen many dancers with shining talent alone, but this is the first time I have seen a man and woman who understand each other’s breathing so well. If the legendary creature, the Firebird, were reincarnated, wouldn’t it look like this? No more words are needed.”
This uncle is quite sharp.
Is this the dignity of the emperor ruling a great empire?
I slightly admired him and bowed my head.
“You flatter us.”
“…It is an honor.”
Glancing sideways, Chesa’s cheeks—already flushed from the intense exercise moments ago—were now even redder from heightened emotion.
“If a father has even the slightest affection for his daughter, he would not dare suggest a marriage proposal after seeing the two of you.”
Muttering those words, the emperor suddenly stood up from his seat, frowned, and shouted loudly.
“Attend! If any imperial noble who sees the scene at today’s banquet still proposes marriage to the second son of the Stroke family, I will have no choice but to regard him as presumptuous and judge him! Therefore, if any of you have such thoughts, engrave this in your minds!”
“We receive Your Majesty’s command!”
A resounding voice echoed through the banquet hall.
At the same time, the expressions of several nobles twisted.
Satisfied, the emperor nodded and sat back down on the elevated seat.
It was a rare and precious sight. If you have any particular request of me, I will specially grant it for the rest of my life.
“…I would like to have a separate meeting with the imperial family members.”
If it is not too much trouble, I would like to build personal connections with the imperial family.
“If you wish, I can arrange a meeting anytime.”
“Would it be all right to meet His Highness the Crown Prince right after the banquet?”
“It is sudden, but… if that is your request, then I understand.”
This was an unexpected windfall.
Chesa and I bowed to the emperor and returned to our seats.
On the way, I caught sight of Loreno’s face—the one who had arranged the social dance floor. His expression was truly a sight to behold.
I gave him a slight wink as thanks for the assist, and he left the banquet hall with a face boiling with rage.
Our group of six entered the reception room of the crown prince’s palace. There, Yustasio greeted us with a few escort knights.
“I heard you asked His Majesty for a private audience with me.”
“That is correct.”
“So, what business does the real power of the clan that has made its name resound in the central region have with me? I cannot even guess.”
Epio stepped forward and stared intently at Yustasio. Then, with a calm expression, he asked me,
“Who is this child?”
“This child’s name is Epio. He is a boy with talent beyond description. I have been introducing him to influential figures from various regions.”
“Hmm, I will remember that. But that is not your only business, is it?”
“Actually, this boy said he saw Your Highness on the street the other day. I told him several times it must be a mistake, but he seems firmly convinced.”
“Me? On the street?”
Yustasio laughed as if it were amusing. Then one of the escort knights behind him stepped forward and spoke.
“His Highness has not left the imperial palace for nearly a month. He has been preparing more diligently than anyone for His Majesty’s birthday celebration. Anyone in the crown prince’s palace will give the same testimony.”
“I see. Epio, it seems you were mistaken after all.”
Epio frowned slightly.
But he soon stepped back obediently.
Afterward, I exchanged various trivial matters with Yustasio before returning to our lodging.
“Chesa. How was it?”
“…<Armchair> worked on the crown prince.”
“As expected.”
The same wave as the Praszkeak boss.
Character sheet viewing function failed.
Successful activation of the <Armchair> spell.
The conclusion drawn from these was one.
“That guy is a fake.”
And the identity of that fake crown prince was… an arrangement left behind by Irumokwi, a member of the Five Heroes.