"Klye… what are you going to do about that?"
"She's always been the type to follow along wherever she goes, huh."
"That's— that's not the problem here, and I don't think this is the time for that!"
Well, it's not like I can complain — she followed us here on her own. I didn't order her to come along, and Citry isn't a child, so she can handle herself. The most I can do is… jump in and help if she gets found out.
Just to be safe, I checked whether any other members had shown up, but besides Citry, I couldn't see a single ally in sight. Anthem was enormous and impossible to miss — though it's not like there wasn't a way to shrink him, his appearance was still unmistakable at a glance, so he wouldn't come to a party like this. Lucia didn't seem to have come either. Even I wouldn't mistake my own sister's face.
Oh, Gaark's here. As always, that suit really doesn't suit him…
Eva was clearly anxious, but my own tension was starting to ease up somewhat.
His Majesty the Emperor was the center of attention. Surrounded by nobles and Hunters alike, he showed no sign of glancing our way.
Most people were here for the networking. The tables were crammed with lavish dishes that hardly anyone had touched. It looked like time would fly by just eating and drinking.
Perhaps noticing me staring toward the Emperor, Eva leaned in and whispered: "When are you going to pay your respects to His Majesty?"
"Huh? I'm not planning to."
"!? You— you can't do that! What are you thinking!?"
Well… I was thinking I'd rather not go. I don't want him remembering my face or my name, and over the past five years Luke and Liliz have probably spread enough rumors to ensure he's heard of me too. If I have to go through the receiving line I will, but if not, I'd rather slip away quietly. And honestly, if I just keep my mouth shut, things seem like they might work out fine.
"Listen, Eva. Look at all those extravagant dishes and desserts on the table."
"…Huh? Yes, they're all laid out, aren't they?"
Thanks to fending off those swarming old men, I'd managed some drinks but hadn't touched the food or desserts at all.
"I plan to conquer every dish and drink on this table."
"???? Why?"
"Because… I want to. I'm too nervous to be all that hungry, but it catches your eye, doesn't it?"
"…You're absolutely not nervous, are you?"
I am. People don't usually approach someone who's busy eating.
I caught Citry's eye and gave a small wave. She looked momentarily startled, then broke into a smile and waved back. The person beside her was a portly old man.
"The head of the Primus Magical Research Academy. Citry's old haunts."
It was one of Zebuldia's premier research institutions. Its head would surely be a member of the nobility. Knowing that, I looked more carefully, and I could see a certain dignity in the old man's face beneath his long beard.
Impressive, for an Alchemist — to have such a wide network. Still, I'd never heard that he attended these gatherings before. Maybe he'd been going out of consideration for me.
Nibbling on food and sipping drinks, I wandered toward unoccupied corners. Naturally, without drawing attention.
Eva faithfully followed me around as I acted suspiciously while trying to look completely natural.
"You can go on ahead, Eva. Why don't you work on some networking? It's dangerous being with me."
"Thanks to a certain someone, I've already made more than enough connections. ……Dangerous? What do you mean by that?"
I mean, I'm the type magnet for trouble.
"Go pay respects to the Emperor in my place."
"You're going too!"
"Fine, fine. I'll go later."
His Majesty was still surrounded. I could see Ark chatting away with his usual warm smile. If I lined up there, I'd be put on full display like a prize exhibit.
A man with real confidence truly is different. His bearing was befitting a hero. I wished I could be more like that.
Brushing off Eva's nagging, I went through one unrecognizable high-end liquor after another.
Then, the moment I picked up a particular glass, my eyes went wide.
I didn't recognize the brand, but it was a glass of red wine. I glanced around, sidled up to a nearby table, and — perhaps sensing my presence — a brown arm slipped out from below. I handed the glass to it and took the empty one back.
How did Liliz even move around under there…?
"Is something wrong?"
"No… I thought I saw something mixed in."
"…Eh?"
"They're probably testing my resistance as a Hunter. Classic move."
"Huh… right…"
What a pain. I had no idea what was mixed in, but it was almost certainly something nasty.
For Hunters who traverse forbidden lands, poison resistance was an essential skill. Phantoms and Monsters used it, and sometimes it was even in the air.
That ability was indispensable for tackling high-level Treasure Halls, and to develop it, Hunters would sometimes voluntarily drink poisons. Mana Material worked wonders for building up resistance to toxins.
I had zero poison resistance myself, but in exchange, I had Treasure Weapons. The ring on my right index finger — the True Silver Crown — was a Treasure Weapon that detected any substance that would affect the wearer. The Barrier Ring didn't neutralize poisons mixed into food and drink, so this ring was truly one of my lifelines.
The silver ring on my right index finger would darken and emit heat when the wearer neared poison. Seriously — here I thought this was just a normal party, and they spring a test on you without warning. You really can't let your guard down.
"That's absurd… shouldn't we report it?"
"No, no — think about it calmly, Eva. There's no way poison would be mixed into the refreshments at a party the Emperor is attending. Security for the White Sword Gathering should be far tighter than any ordinary event."
"That's… well, I suppose you're right."
Eva looked troubled. Maybe she'd never encountered food or drink laced with poison before.
As for me, it had happened with Citry's cooking.
"There are plenty of high-level Hunters here. Anyone who'd try something like this would have to be an absolute idiot, and the hosts would be even bigger idiots for not catching it with all their precautions. There's no way something like that could happen at a prestigious gathering. Leave it to me — I'm basically a professional at this sort of thing. ……Ah, this one's bad too. I've always had terrible luck."
When I approached the table, an arm extended once again. I handed it the wine glass. Liliz had resistance to most poisons, so she'd be fine.
This was probably a tradition. "Oh, she's drinking poisoned wine without flinching — what a Hunter!" That kind of thing. After all, the people handling this expected to be dealing with high-level Treasure Hunters, so anything could happen.
I looked around, but no one else seemed to be eating or drinking cautiously. Either I was the only one who noticed the danger, or everyone besides us had built up poison resistance, or the hosts were carefully making sure only the Hunters received the tainted drinks.
In any case, causing a scene here would only draw attention and be in terrible taste. I lightly touched Eva's glass — no poison in hers.
Still, if things kept going like this, Liliz would get to enjoy plenty of drinks today too.
Fortunately, the food seemed untainted. I kept slipping the poisoned wine to Liliz under the table while savoring dishes whose names I couldn't even pronounce.
The chocolate dessert in particular was exquisite. I'd have loved to take some home as a souvenir.
Once I'd sampled everything, I was happily passing the poisoned wine to Liliz beneath the tablecloth with practiced ease when, without warning, a guard knight approached with a grim expression.
"You… what have you been doing this whole time…"
This is bad. This is really bad. I'd let my guard down since no one had confronted me until now, but apparently I'd been spotted the whole time.
"…I've been wondering, but do knights not know how to speak politely? I am a guest, you know."
In my panic, I said something foolish. The knight's already stern expression twisted like a demon's.
"…Shut your mouth! Hey — there's someone under the table!"
Eva's face went pale.
Before I could react, the tablecloth was yanked up, and Liliz — in the gorgeous dress she'd been so proudly showing off earlier — was revealed before countless staring eyes.
Liliz looked a little pale. She scowled furiously at the knight in front, then hurled the empty wine glass at him.
Shouts and screams erupted. My chest clenched tight. I felt like I was going to throw up everything at once.
It's fine. Worst case, I just flee Zebuldia. As long as I'm alive, I can start over.
The knights closed in, and the invited Hunters gathered around. Liliz was pointed at with a sword, swaying as she forced herself to stand.
Would a prostration apology work? Probably not.
Gaark — still in that ill-fitting suit — stared wide-eyed, glaring at me with a terrifying expression. My heart was pounding like crazy.
Am I going to be arrested? Sentenced to hang?
"Liliz!? Hey, Klye — what the hell is going on?"
"…………"
I remained silent, dropped to my knees, and performed a full, heartfelt, soul-deep prostration right there on the spot.