Young Lady's Birthday Celebration
As time marched forward, our endeavors yielded various forms of progress.
In my own pursuit, the mastery of the Longsword of Light consumed my days. With unwavering determination, I immersed myself in the challenges posed by this technique. Every swing of my sword carried my resolve to conquer it, regardless of the persistent obstacles.
Despite my persistent efforts, the technique remained a formidable challenge, a testament to the hard work and dedication needed for mastery. Yet, I pressed on undeterred, utilizing each practice as an opportunity to inch closer to success.
Meanwhile, Rudeus's commitment to mastering the Beast God language under Ghislaine's guidance bore result. His linguistic pursuits reached a milestone with his successful grasp of the language's intricacies.
However, a surprise arrived when Roxy presented him with a package. Curious, we opened it to find a letter and a book within.
We checked the letter and read its contents.
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Dear Rudeus and Reine,
I received your letter and was surprised to hear that you both are now eight years old. It's hard to believe how much you've both grown.
Becoming a tutor and a sword instructor for the mayor's daughter in Fittoa, and even getting to know Sword King Ghislaine—I can hardly reconcile these images with the mischievous twins I knew. You've both changed so much.
As for me, I'm still struggling with the prince, as always. Some things never change. But let's get to the main point.
You mentioned wanting to learn the Demon God language. I know it's a challenging task, with unique grammar and scarce learning materials.
So, I took it upon myself to create a textbook just for you, which I wrote by hand. It took quite some time, and I hope you'll treasure it. I might cry if I see it being sold in a bookstore, though.
Speaking of which, the prince recently bought a figurine that looks exactly like me. It even has a detachable robe and captures my features down to the mole. I'm starting to worry that some kind of curse might befall me soon. It's quite unsettling.
I'll write to you again if everything turns out okay. Please take care.
Best wishes,
Roxy
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The letter carried Roxy's distinctive warmth and humor, reassuring us that she was doing well, despite the ongoing challenges she faced.
After reading her message, Rudeus held the book in his hands with a mix of gratitude and excitement. We open the book and the pages contains phrases in Demon God language and its Human language translation.
"Wow, brother. Looks like Roxy really worked hard for that book," I remarked, voicing out my surprise.
With a fond smile, Rudeus placed the book safely aside. "I'll make sure to treasure this book she worked so hard on."
"Absolutely, it's a wonderful gift. Although there's one thing from the letter that's been bothering me," I mentioned, a grin forming on my face as my playful anger rose.
He picked up on my expression, growing visibly anxious. "What is it, Reine?"
My smile spread wider across my face with a hint of bloodlust in my eyes. "You didn't mention that the figurine's robe is detachable, did you~?"
His anxiety grew, and he began backing away from me. "Wait, Reine, let me expla-"
SMACK!
Before he could finish, I delivered a well-aimed smack to his cheek, cutting off his explanation.
Men could be insufferable at times.
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Putting aside the annoying incident involving the figurine, our focus returned wholeheartedly to Eris's dance practice.
Guided by Edna's guidance and with Rudeus's dedicated assistance, Eris's progress in her dance practice was nothing short of commendable.
I also contributed by providing a third-person perspective on partner dancing, using myself and my brother as an example.
This approach not only aided Eris's understanding but also allowed me to acquire some dancing skills myself, preparing for any unforeseen dance requests during the celebration.
As time flowed, the day of the celebration drew closer. Just before the day of the event, Eris's dance moves finally fell into place. A sense of accomplishment filled the air as she executed each step with grace and precision.
"And with that, I believe you can manage well tomorrow, Lady Eris," Edna announced, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.
Eris's eyes sparkled with excitement upon hearing the news. "Really?!"
"Of course, milady," Edna confirmed, a wry smile adorning her face. "Your consistent practice under Master Rudeus's guidance and the assistance of Master Reine have certainly paid off."
"But wait," my brother interjected, his concern surfacing. "I won't be Eris's partner tomorrow. Will she be alright without me?"
Seeing his genuine worry, I stepped in to reassure him. "Don't worry, brother. Eris has made remarkable progress. Right, Miss Edna?"
Edna's wry smile conveyed her avoidance of a direct answer. "Indeed, the important thing is for the young lady to remember her practice and give it her all."
Eris nodded resolutely, her determination shining through. "I'm ready for this!"
Rudeus exchanged a glance with me, his concern still apparent. I offered him a slight shrug, unsure about the specific cause of his worry.
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On the next day, the much-anticipated day of Eris's birthday celebration finally arrived, transforming the manor into a breathtaking scene of grandeur. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the festivities commenced.
Nobles from both the local region and distant corners of the Asura Kingdom gathered at the manor, dressed in splendid attire that spoke volumes about the significance of the event.
The manor's hallways glittered with brilliant hues and an air of extravagance, reflecting the exquisite decorations and dynamic banners that adorned the space.
For the occasion, I wore a lovely dress provided by Mayor Philip, which complimented the festive environment. The fabric cascaded gracefully, glittering in a turquoise hue reminiscent of the sky above. My hair was also meticulously braided and styled to match the celebratory theme.
Rudeus, too, embraced the festive spirit, wearing a well-tailored suit that exuded sophistication. His hair was slicked back, and his detailed outfit in deep blues and blacks harmonized seamlessly with the refined ambiance.
In the midst of this enchanting scene, my brother's voice cut through the atmosphere with an unexpected inquiry. "I wonder if they have any rice in here."
Pausing to observe the banquet spread before us, I noticed a conspicuous absence of rice-based dishes. "It's rather unlikely, brother. Rice isn't a staple within this region."
Rudeus nodded in agreement. "You're probably right. Expecting rice in here is..."
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for gracing us with your presence today!"
Before we could delve further into our conversation, a commanding voice pierced the air, capturing our attention. Turning our gaze towards the source, we saw Lord Sauros stepping forward, followed by Eris and Mayor Philip.
The assembled crowd hushed as Lord Sauros continued, his voice a blend of authority and warmth. "Today, we gather to celebrate the tenth birthday of my granddaughter Eris! We have prepared a splendid array of delectable dishes from across the Asura Kingdom. Please, indulge and enjoy the festivities!"
Eris, elegantly dressed in a white gown with beautifully styled hair, curtsied gracefully to the crowd.
In response, the room erupted in applause and cheers, a collective demonstration of the attendees' gratitude for Eris's presence.
Rudeus and I enthusiastically joined in, swept up by the joyous atmosphere that permeated the celebration.
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Following Lord Sauros's introduction, the line of nobles commenced their greetings to Eris one by one. Each noble offered their birthday wishes with the appropriate etiquette, to which she responded with grace and elegance.
"Happy birthday, young lady," one of the nobles greeted respectfully.
Eris responded by lifting the hem of her gown and bowing in a dainty manner. "Thank you."
As the greetings continued, my attention shifted to my brother, who had a worried expression on his face. It was clear that something was bothering him, and I decided to address the matter.
"Hey, brother. Why the long face?" I inquired, leaning in slightly to speak to him.
He glanced at me, responding with concern evident in his tone. "I'm just worried that Eris might eventually lose her patience and accidentally punch someone."
I couldn't help but stifle a quiet laugh at his worried statement. "Come on, brother. Have a little more faith in Eris. She's learned to control her anger, at least most of the time. And besides, even if she gets frustrated, I highly doubt she'd resort to punching someone."
"Okay then, I'll trust your judgment on that," he conceded, a hint of relief in his expression.
As we continued to observe the festivities, I heard a familiar voice calling out our names. "Master Rudeus, Master Reine."
Turning our attention, we found Edna making her way toward us. We offered our greetings with bows, and my brother inquired about her well-being.
"Hello, Miss Edna. How are you holding up?" Rudeus asked as we bowed in return.
Edna's gaze shifted toward Eris with a slightly worried expression, mirroring my brother's earlier concern. Sensing her unease, I decided to address her worries as well.
"Miss Edna, if you're concerned about Eris, please rest assured, she'll be just fine," I reassured the elderly lady.
Edna responded with a weary smile, seemingly surprised by my quick understanding of her concerns. "My, you're quite perceptive, Master Reine."
"Well, reading the room is kind of my specialty," I admitted with a playful grin.
clap! clap!
A loud clap interrupted our conversation. Lord Sauros was once again vying for the crowd's attention, preparing to make an announcement.
"Alright, let's move on to the main event!" he exclaimed energetically. "If you wish to endear yourself to me, step forward and dance with my granddaughter."
In essence, Lord Sauros informed the attendees that whoever dances with Eris will gain his favor and approval.
The nobles gossiped with excitement over the announcement, and one of the young noblemen confidently approached Eris.
"May I have this dance?" he inquired, extending his hand to her.
Eris appeared somewhat hesitant but ultimately accepted his offer. "S-sure."
With Eris taking his hand, classical music filled the air. The two began to dance gracefully on the free space, and the routine initially went off without a hitch.
However, I couldn't help but notice one persistent issue from Eris's practice – her impatience.
Her steps grew faster than her partner could keep up, resulting in a misstep that caused them both to stumble and fall to the ground.
A collective wince rippled through the observers as the impact resonated. Edna couldn't help but cover her eyes in embarrassment, and it was clear that this was not the outcome anyone had hoped for.
"What's wrong, Eris? Get up!" Lord Sauros's voice carried across the room, his tone a mix of concern and frustration. "Don't tell me you can't even dance?"
The unfortunate incident drew the attention of the attending nobles, and whispers of criticism began to circulate.
It was evident that the event had taken an unexpected turn, and I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Eris. This terrible situation needs to be address immediately before Eris loses her composure.
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Faced with an unfortunate turn of events, I quickly realized that Rudeus was the best person to address the situation. He and Eris had been practice partners for quite some time, and their familiarity might help salvage the situation.
Although my personal feelings urged me to root for Sylphiette and Roxy in terms of a deep relationship with my brother, I recognized that this wasn't the time for personal biases. I had to put those feelings aside and prioritize the success of the celebration.
With a determined expression, I leaned toward him and started persuading him in a hushed tone. "Brother, I think you should do it."
His surprised gaze met mine as he whispered back, "Do what?"
I nudged him gently and subtly pointed toward Eris. "Dance with her, now."
Rudeus appeared hesitant initially, but he eventually nodded in agreement and stepped forward.
"You've got this, brother," I whispered quietly, trying to boost his confidence.
As he approached Eris, he extended his hand and spoke, "May I have this dance?"
Eris seemed perplexed by his unexpected offer, and the assembled nobles began to whisper and gossip upon seeing Rudeus step forward. Even Mayor Philip seemed concerned for some reason.
Despite the whispers and potential negativity, Rudeus and Eris embarked on the dance floor together. The initial steps went well, but an accidental trip threatened to mar their performance.
To everyone's surprise, he managed to catch Eris just in time and seamlessly continued the dance, averting a potential disaster.
Then I noticed Rudeus whispering something to Eris, likely offering reassurance.
Eris closed her eyes, and brother began making clicking sounds at intervals. The clicks seemed to prompt Eris to pause her movements before resuming again.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but be amazed by this ingenious approach of navigating the situation.
Their dance continued, and I observed them enjoying the moment. The genuine smiles on their faces stirred a mixture of emotions within me – a blend of envy for their connection and fondness for the two of them.
As the music reached its conclusion, so did their dance. The room fell silent, and everyone seemed at a loss for words. However, I couldn't let the moment linger in silence.
clap, clap, clap!
My hands began to clap almost instinctively, catching the attention of the crowd. Encouraged by the response, I couldn't help but shout out, "Bravo! Bravo!"
The silence was broken, and the attendees joined in with clapping and cheering, showing their appreciation for the performance. It was a relief to see the positive reaction from the audience.
Then, unexpectedly, Lord Sauros lifted both Eris and Rudeus onto his shoulders, a proud smile on his face. "As expected from someone with the lineage of the Greyrat family! Wonderful!"
His enthusiastic laughter resonated through the room, and the duo then exchanged a smile as they looked at each other.
Watching this scene unfold, I whispered to myself, "I'm very sorry, Sylphy and Roxy. It looks like you two have some competition."
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Amid the ongoing festivities, I took the opportunity to approach Rudeus, who was deep in conversation with Edna. I wanted to express my admiration for his quick thinking and creativity during the dance.
"Hey, brother. That was quite a performance you put on," I praised, my voice filled with genuine admiration.
Rudeus grinned, his modesty evident in his reply. "Thanks, Reine. Your encouragement meant a lot too."
Curiosity piqued my interest, and I decided to dig deeper into their unique dance approach. "By the way, brother, what was with the clicking noises? They seemed to serve a purpose."
Edna, standing nearby, chimed in to provide further insight. "Master Rudeus explained that he incorporated feints into their dance routine."
"Oh, really? How did that work?" I inquired, intrigued by the concept.
Rudeus took the opportunity to explain, his voice tinged with pride. "I used the clicking noises as signals. They acted as feints, causing Eris to pause her movements briefly, similar to avoiding a feint strike in swordsmanship."
Impressed by his innovative approach, I commended him. "That's quite clever, brother. You managed to address Eris's impatience by incorporating swordplay in such a subtle manner."
Eris joined our conversation with her characteristic enthusiasm. "I know, right? Rudeus is amazing!"
"It seems like you two make quite the team," I noted, offering a smile to acknowledge Eris's dedication and hard work.
As we continued chatting, a group of noble girls suddenly surrounded Rudeus, bombarding him with questions about his age, interests, and various other topics. Their keen interest in him was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but feel a hint of annoyance and frustration.
Meanwhile, a cluster of noble boys approached me, attempting to engage in polite conversation with an air of gentlemanly demeanor. Their attention created an odd sensation in my chest, and I felt my cheeks warming.
Just as the situation was becoming increasingly awkward, Mayor Philip's voice cut through the scene. "Rudeus, Reine."
We turned our heads to face him, and he addressed us with a mixture of sternness and leniency. "It's fine to stand out a little on this special day, but remember not to draw too much attention."
However, just as the mayor was about to walk away, he left us with an unexpected and slightly inappropriate remark. "And if you two decide to take things further with them, don't forget about contraception."
The statement caught me off guard, and I felt a rush of embarrassment. A quick glance at Rudeus revealed him sporting an amused and somewhat perverse grin.
Seeking to prevent any further awkwardness, both Eris and I simultaneously smacked him on the back of his head before swiftly pulling him away from the party scene.
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After the excitement of the celebration began to subside, we retreated to the calm of my brother's room. The group consisted of Rudeus, Eris, myself, and an unexpected guest—Ghislaine, who had followed us.
With gifts in our hands, Rudeus and I were ready to present them to Eris. An air of anticipation filled the room as we exchanged glances before proceeding.
My brother took the first step, holding two wands. "Eris, Ghislaine, these are for you."
Eris looked at the wands with confusion. "What are these for?"
"According to my master, magic tutors give wands to their students as gifts," he explained. "It's a bit late, but take them nonetheless."
"Eh? Can't I get one of those instead?" Eris gestured toward one of the figurines Rudeus had crafted.
As Eris reached for a figurine, Ghislaine knelt before my brother and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you for the gift, Master Rudeus. I accept it with appreciation." She received the wand with a warm smile.
I turned to Eris, a mischievous grin forming on my lips. "So, Eris, are you having second thoughts about my brother's figurine?"
Eris hesitated briefly before shaking her head, setting down the figurine and accepting the wand. "No, I want the wand too."
She then decided to mimic Ghislaine's graciousness. "I humbly accept the gift. Thank you."
I stepped forward, holding a broadsword. "Eris, I have a gift for you."
Eris's eyes widened with curiosity as she accepted the sword from me. "A sword? Thanks, Reine! But where did you get this?"
I went on to explain how my original plan was to give her my bracelet but that a mysterious encounter with Fracta had led to a change in my intentions.
Ghislaine's interest was piqued, and she approached to examine the sword more closely. As she unsheathed the blade, her brows furrowed in recognition. "This sword... I've seen it before in the Holy Land of the Sword."
Her revelation surprised both Eris and Rudeus. "You have? But that's impossible, right?" Rudeus questioned.
Ghislaine nodded, her tone serious. "Indeed, it should be impossible. This blade was meant to be sealed within the mountains long ago."
An air of unease settled over the room as we considered the implications of Ghislaine's words. Could the appearance of this sword be linked to the mysterious events that had surrounded us?
Nervously, I asked, "Does this mean something bad, Ghislaine?"
After a moment of consideration, Ghislaine reassured us. "I don't believe so. If anything, the sword's appearance could be a sign of change and opportunity."
Eris's excitement overtook any concerns as she held the sword with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Well, whatever it means, it's a cool sword! Thanks, Reine!"
With my gift presented, Eris turned her expectant gaze to Ghislaine, who seemed slightly perplexed.
"Ghislaine, I think Eris is waiting for a gift from you," I pointed out.
The beast-woman appeared momentarily flustered, as if unsure of what to offer. However, she eventually removed a ring from her finger and handed it to Eris.
"This is an amulet that has been passed down in my family," Ghislaine explained. "It's said that wearing it will protect you from evil men during the night."
Eris accepted the ring with delight. "Can I really keep it?"
"Yes, it's just a superstition," Ghislaine confirmed, reassuring Eris.
Sliding the ring onto her finger, Eris's smile radiated joy. "I'll cherish it."
Witnessing her joy, I couldn't help but appreciate the sentiment of receiving such treasured accessories. While I had initially planned to give her my bracelet, Fracta's warning had deterred me from removing it from my wrist.
Suddenly, Rudeus interjected with curiosity. "Ghislaine, you mentioned a superstition. What's that about?"
"Oh, right. You mentioned something about protecting from evil men," I chimed in.
Ghislaine turned to face us and began to recount a story. "Ah, that. You see, there was one night when I couldn't sleep. Paul came and invited me to a-"
""Actually, never mind. We don't need to know,"" Rudeus and I interjected simultaneously, not wanting to know the full story.
In that moment, I couldn't help but share a glance with my brother, a mutual understanding passing between us. Father could be truly insufferable at times, especially when it came to this kind of certain topics.
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When the following morning arrived, I gradually opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep within my brother's room. The sight that greeted me was my brother and Eris sleeping soundly on either side of the bed.
Not wanting to disturb their slumber, I carefully extricated myself from the bed and quietly left the room.
Walking through the hallways, I noticed two figures in the courtyard below. Intrigued, I picked up my pace and headed in their direction to find out what was happening.
As I reached the courtyard, I discovered Ghislaine and Fracta engaged in a conversation, an unusual pairing to say the least.
"What's going on in here?" I inquired as I approached the two of them.
Ghislaine turned her attention to me, her expression serious. "This person has a message to deliver."
My gaze shifted to Fracta, their masked hides their inscrutable expression.
With a sigh, they began to speak, their voice carrying an air of seriousness. "This city will be reduced to ruins when the calamity strikes in two years."
A shiver ran down my spine as I processed Fracta's words. Their warning was cryptic and filled with foreboding, leaving me with more questions than answers.
"What is this calamity you are talking about?" Ghislaine questioned cautiously, her eye narrowing as she studied Fracta.
In response to her question, Fracta's gloved hand pointed overhead, drawing our attention upward.
As we followed their gesture, our gazes settled on an anomaly in the sky—a small black dot that seemed to be hovering ominously.
Perplexed and anxious, I couldn't help but inquire, "What is that?"
Ghislaine removed her eyepatch, revealing a unique green eye with intricate patterns. She observed the sky with her special eye, her brow furrowing in concentration. "It seems to be emitting traces of mana."
A sinking feeling began to settle in my chest as realization dawned. "Wait, does that mean... is that the..."
Fracta's voice cut through the tension, confirming my fears. "Yes, that's the calamity."
The weight of their words hung heavily in the air, the ominous dot in the sky serving as a harbinger of a future that appeared bleak and uncertain.