Chapter 94
It was a party hosted by a certain noble.
Until the moment he stepped into the banquet hall and exchanged greetings, Aquila Reschenhardt had known the noble’s name. The instant he turned away, however, he forgot it.
The man was nothing more than an extra—irrelevant to the main scenario and unrelated to any side quest.
The things Aquila needed to remember, and already remembered, were so vast that there was no space for such insignificant names.
What mattered was that the host of this party belonged to the faction of the Second Prince.
Of course, there were a few who had a foot in other camps.
It was the height of the social season; the hall was crowded. Not only were alliances being reinforced through polite exchange, but attempts were also being made to probe opposing factions.
Moreover, it was the Second Prince himself who had extended the invitation.
Which meant that Tirgan Delvion would be attending this party.
Everyone who had set foot here surely had a purpose—whether to exchange even a single word with the Second Prince or simply to confirm his presence.
As for Aquila, he belonged to neither category.
He had come only because he could not refuse the invitation extended by a prince.
Of course, there was also the intent to observe the atmosphere among the nobles at this particular time.
‘The idle nobles of the capital……. More importantly, were perfumes always this headache-inducing?’
From the moment Aquila Reschenhardt entered the hall, he captured countless gazes at once.
It was because his red hair seemed to burn even beneath the chandelier’s light, because he wore a brooch engraved with the form of a dragon, and because he was a Reschenhardt…… yes, that was precisely why.
House Reschenhardt was said to rarely leave the Dragon’s Nest in the North.
Though Astia Reschenhardt was currently in the capital, she served in the Imperial Knights, and thus the nobles had never properly seen her within a ballroom.
“Quil. Do not touch the alcohol.”
“……I will not.”
And now, though not exactly intimate, there stood another with a similar face—hair drenched in the hue of red wine.
For the nobles, it was a rare spectacle.
Even those deeply invested in the party, and those attending merely out of obligation, could not help but pay attention.
“My. How can hair be that red, like a rose? It is quite enviable.”
“The siblings truly resemble one another. Their mother was said to have met the head of House Reschenhardt when he was still a mercenary…….”
“Oh my. Is that the gray-haired guard behind them that person? The one who once stood alongside Lord Lexenbert…….”
“Goodness. His Highness the Second Prince certainly has extensive connections.”
Whispers rustled through the air.
Some reached his ears, others did not—but it was certain that the Reschenhardts were the center of attention in this hall.
Neither Aquila nor Astia, however, paid much heed to those around them.
Merely showing their faces here already constituted a political gesture, but that did not mean they had any intention of joining the Second Prince’s faction.
The problem came next.
Partly due to the sharp, distinct aura unique to the Reschenhardts, and partly because the siblings did not welcome approach, no one dared draw near.
The crowd was dense, and perhaps because his name had not been on the list, Astia had grown complacent.
When she realized someone was approaching them, she attempted to send Aquila toward the terrace—but it was too late.
Parting the sea of people and striding forward boldly was an older man.
***
“To think you would make me walk all the way over here, tsk!”
He had thin, dark blond hair slicked neatly back. Though clearly advanced in age, he still possessed an imposing build.
The moment his peculiar blue eyes turned toward Aquila, Aquila knew who stood before him—without even hearing his voice.
‘The former head of House Ludovica. Celsia’s father.’
Ding!
【!Fanatic Alert!】
【A follower of a Corrupted God is nearby!】
At the window that appeared immediately, Aquila clicked his tongue without meaning to.
‘……House Ludovica, the group that worships the Night God. Has my passive been upgraded? The window appeared at once.’
His black eyes swept over the older man as though assessing him.
Unlike when he had encountered members of the Guild of Darkness, he appeared outwardly normal—just as Gilesha had.
“We formally delivered a letter to House Ludovica and made it clear that we have nothing further to discuss.”
Astia stepped forward, extending one arm as if to block him, positioning herself in front of Aquila as though shielding him with her back.
“That may be the stance of House Reschenhardt, but it is not the stance of House Ludovica.”
A faint crease formed between Astia’s brows—an expression rare for her.
By order of her father, Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt, she had been warned to ensure that Ludovica did not approach Aquila.
For nearly three months, House Ludovica had not shown itself anywhere.
Yet after Astia had formally sent a letter exposing Celsia’s atrocities in detail, they began moving aggressively—as if they had been waiting.
They must have heard that Aquila Reschenhardt had come to Denimarad, but somehow, even at yesterday’s gathering in the Imperial Palace, a member of Ludovica had appeared.
And now, even at today’s party…….
Whoever it was, they seemed to have a well-informed and discreet individual handling intelligence.
For Aquila, however, it was already clear why Ludovica was here.
They were fanatics of the Night, and members of the Second Prince’s faction included them.
Astia’s expression grew colder still, like the chill of the Frost Forest.
Yet she was attending this party as the Acting Head of House Reschenhardt.
Under normal circumstances, she would not have hesitated to act threatening or unyielding. But now, her precious younger brother stood behind her.
Astia lifted her chin and turned her cold gaze away from the former head of House Ludovica.
“Let us go, Quil.”
Moreover, this was a nobles’ banquet hall.
It was nothing like when she had gone alone to House Ludovika.
So she chose to ignore him rather than engage.
“Even if you are of a different mother, our Houses are connected. And yet you behave without manners……. You truly resemble your arrogant father.”
Even at the insult toward Lexenbert, Astia did not so much as blink.
With all eyes in the hall upon them, there was no need to create an opening for criticism.
As Astia urged him onward and he moved reluctantly, Aquila cast a sidelong glance at the former head of House Ludovica.
‘His name. It would be helpful if someone would say his name…….’
To open the keyword information window, he needed the name—but they were refusing to engage him at all.
As though reading Aquila’s thoughts, the former head of House Ludovica proved persistent.
When he stepped forward, Cahena Wegnin and Shen moved in behind Aquila, flanking him protectively.
“Do you think I would harm him? I merely wish to speak. Aquila, Aquila Reschenhardt…….”
But the moment he spoke Aquila’s name, the man faltered.
The area around his eyes—so like Celsia’s—twitched, and his irises began slowly turning crimson.
That reaction felt strangely familiar to Aquila.
‘……Honestly. It is not as though I can go around telling every fanatic not to say my name.’
As Aquila shook off Astia and Cahena’s grasp, about to speak—
“How very noisy.”
A cold voice sank into the center of the hall.
With that voice, the whispers and the uneasy tension in the air fell silent at once.
“Is there a problem?”
A man emerged between those stepping backward.
Hair the color of cherry blossoms.
Eyes like steel tempered countless times.
His gaze fell not on Aquila—but on the former head of House Ludovica, who had been about to raise his voice.
“I asked if there is a problem, Sir Zertirion Ludovica.”
“……There is no issue.”
Zertirion placed a hand lightly against his chest and bowed his head.
It seemed he had nearly succumbed to madness, only to regain his senses at the man’s sudden appearance.
Ting!
【Opening information on the keyword ‘Zertirion Ludovica’!】
【Updating information to the keyword ‘Ludovica’s Long-Standing Wish’!】
【Zertirion Ludovica — Former Head of House Ludovica, fervent fanatic of the Night, bloodline prepared for the Night.
Actions prior to the 30th iteration: One of the bloodlines leading a House long prepared to fulfill the ‘Revelation of Night.’ Initiates proceedings through a contract with a predecessor of House Reschenhardt.
Special Note: After Celsia Ludovica is executed, he is later brought to account. Beheaded by Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt.】
‘So Ludovica is indeed among those carrying out the Revelation of Night. Just how many of these bastards are hiding across the continent?’
Aquila frowned at the window before him.
It was now certain.
The incorporation of Celsia into House Reschenhardt had been planned long ago.
‘House Reschenhardt’s strength is formidable. But would one normally prepare to such an extent merely to destroy a single House?’
While Aquila’s attention lingered on the System window rather than the scene before him, the standoff between Zertirion and the man continued briefly.
“In that case, withdraw for now. I have matters to discuss with the bloodline of House Reschenhardt.”
“But my discussion is not yet—”
“If you are a knight, perhaps. But I will not have another opportunity to converse so freely with the warriors of the North. I ask that you yield.”
Though framed as a request to yield, it was a flawless dismissal.
Zertirion’s expression flickered with displeasure, but he quickly bowed his head to conceal it.
“……As you command, Your Highness Grancer.”
Even as the former head of House Ludovica, he could not refuse the man before him.
At a time when the First Prince had fallen into disgrace and the Second Prince was expected to secure the position of Crown Prince, this man—the Third Prince, Grancer Delvion—had expanded his influence at a frightening pace, rising to stand equal in prestige with the Second Prince.
As though he had been waiting for this very moment.
Eyes cold as forged steel fixed upon Zertirion.
Under that frigid gaze, the former head of House Ludovica had no choice but to retreat.
Even he retained enough reason to know he could not create further chaos in such a crowded place.
Having dealt with Zertirion, Grancer shifted his gaze to Astia.
“Sir Astia Reschenhardt.”
“I greet Your Highness Grancer, Third Prince.”
She was not here as an Imperial Knight, but as the Acting Head of House Reschenhardt. Instead of kneeling, Astia stood straight and offered a formal greeting.
“And you must be Aquila Reschenhardt. If you have the time, would you spare a moment for conversation? Five minutes will suffice.”
“As you wish.”
Aquila bowed politely in return.
His voice, though courteous, was far lighter and more composed than Zertirion’s had been.
The Third Prince studied Aquila with the same cold eyes before turning and leading the way.
Without sparing anyone else a glance, they moved together toward the terrace.
Left behind, Zertirion watched Aquila’s red hair recede from sight.
But there was another watching Grancer and Aquila ascend from the staircase.
“……Grancer.”
The Second Prince, Tirgan Delvion, ground his teeth and swallowed the name.
He had been waiting for the right moment to descend—but had completely lost his chance because of Grancer.
‘After my elder brother, now you seek to steal my place as well!’
A savage glint flickered briefly in Tirgan’s frail-looking eyes before vanishing.
Silently, he followed the faint sway of a red blade with his gaze.