Imperial Capital V-2

Having received a drink at the party venue, I head toward a corner of the room.

I just wish no one would bother me... But apparently, I'm marked. I'm constantly being approached.

Aleks is the same. Especially Aleks, whose adventurer rank is high. He's been asked to guard noble territories, and some seem eager to recruit him.

Most of the requests I've received lately have been along the lines of asking me to tutor their son in magic, or to develop magic-based tools using gemstones. It mostly involved magic-related tasks, with a distinct bias toward combat-related assignments.

Moreover, they've been offering unusually generous terms, making everything feel suspiciously too good to be true. There were even marriage proposals thrown in, which left me feeling overwhelmed.

Some nobles seem to believe magical talent is hereditary.

Matthew—no, Mr. Matthew—had neatly sliced through it all. I was truly grateful... After a while, the nobles who had finished their business moved on to their next targets. Even at a party, to these nobles, it was like a battlefield. It's exhausting...

Finally calming down, I leaned against the wall and took a brief rest.

"You're quite the popular man, Mr. Taro."

The man who spoke to me was a middle-aged gentleman.

He was short in stature and slightly hunched, but his well-kept appearance and the numerous medals pinned to his chest clearly indicated his status as a renowned nobleman.

"I apologize. I'm unfamiliar with worldly matters and don't recognize you."

Apologies for the delayed greeting—I'm Ivan Lucas. Well, since I don't appear in public, it's hardly surprising if you don't know me. I conduct magical research at the National Magic Institute. Occasionally, Mr. Tarou, you've been using peculiar magical stones or spells, haven't you? And, I might add, more than one at a time?

"Hehe, what are you talking about? I suppose I do use a few odd spells, but I'm sure the rumors have exaggerated things. I can't do anything particularly impressive, really."

"Once again, your modesty is admirable—indeed, no one easily reveals the cards they hold. Come by the National Magic Research Institute whenever you feel like it. With your adventurer rank and reputation, you'll certainly be welcome to visit."

The audience erupted into a loud murmur when those words were spoken.

"Oh, you've arrived, traveler of the wandering path—perhaps you've never seen this before. There she is, our new Empress Veronica Adams."

From the elevated platform at the center, a dazzling woman emerged.

Dressed in an elegant gown with a pale blue base, her vibrant golden hair neatly styled. She appeared to be about 160 cm tall.

I've heard she's only recently become empress and is still quite young. Several armed soldiers accompany her. She's surrounded by female soldiers, with a few noticeably strong-looking male soldiers among them.

Her gait exuded an air of noble dignity, yet her expression remained stiff—clearly tense. The new Empress was speaking with a group of portly middle-aged men.

Probably ministers or something. She was quickly surrounded.

Is that the rumored Empress... I’ll never have anything to do with her in my life. Ivan, who had quietly appeared beside me, had already joined the line of greetings.

I was too tired, so I excused myself from the seat.

"Phew... it really wears me out to pretend to be someone I’m not."

I stepped out onto the balcony. The winter night wind was quite cold, but it felt refreshing against my tired body and the warmth from the alcohol. Who would have thought that surviving with all my might just to stay alive would lead me to being invited to a noble's party? Life truly holds endless surprises...

From outside, I looked toward the venue and saw many people chatting together.

Emma was talking with the new empress. Amazing... I have no idea what I should even say, and frankly, I'd appreciate it if she'd just let me off the hook.

I turned back toward the outside and took a sip of liquor. The wind blew strongly, chilling my body. It was truly winter—bitterly cold. I quickly returned to the hall.

The party continued. I stayed pressed against the wall, calm at last.

Aleks was beside me. He had also been surrounded by nobles for a while.

"Taro, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to align yourself with some more conscientious noble from now on. With your abilities, you could easily succeed as a guard or even as a craftsman specializing in magic stones."

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"What's the point of continuing as an adventurer? You've already secured a reliable income and made your name known. With your skill level, I don't see much point in sticking with adventuring anymore."

"There's no point in continuing as an adventurer... I see."

The reason I keep being an adventurer...

"I think I've mentioned this to Alek before, but I'm a person from another world known as the Lost Realm."

"Yes, I've heard it. It's hard to believe at first, but after researching the Hero's Legend alongside you, I've become convinced it's real."

In this world, homeless wanderers are sometimes collectively referred to as "lost souls." However, most of them are simply people who left other towns for various reasons.

The idea that they came from another world isn't widely believed—though I only realized that later. The caravan I first encountered was genuinely lucky.

I still want to go back to my original world, but I also feel like I want to learn more about this world I've come to. It'd be sad if I returned and couldn't come back again. But I don't really know what'll actually happen. That's why I want to learn as much as I can about this world.

So, you're continuing as an adventurer? I guess you don't necessarily have to be an adventurer, though...

Hmm... I'm eager to find out how to go back, that's part of it. I know it's selfish, but I just want to be free. After all, I do have strong power... If Alex had this kind of strength... Yeah... maybe I should think about using it for someone else's sake?

"I believe that power should ideally be used for the sake of those who have none, which is why I continue as an adventurer. But I've also watched you risk your life to obtain that strength. I won't stop you from using it for your own sake."

"Is that so? What a strange turn of events. I'm sorry to ruin the party like this. But I guess it did give me a bit of confidence."

"No, I'm the one who started this, so there's no problem at all."

"That's right. It's a special party, so please enjoy yourself."

Not me and Alex. That clear voice came from behind. Standing behind me was the new Empress, Lady Veronica.