266: Satā and Vī as seen from the outfield ※

This time, the story is told from the perspective of Haruwatto Simeakaha, who appeared in the previous episode.

Essentially a background character's perspective. Please note.

No, no, leaning toward yes but pending...

My name is Haruwatto Baron Shimieakahoko.

I am a member of the Baron Shimeakahako family and recently obtained my adulthood certification.

Today, I attended the imperial-sponsored matchmaking ball in search of a future partner, and have just concluded my greeting to His Majesty the Emperor, who has recently acknowledged me as a legitimate child—Lady Vilijaniela En Banilagengroot.

Now, I've moved near the wall, scanning for a suitable male candidate as a potential partner... This is proving quite difficult, though.

The gentlemen who immediately strike me as suitable are mostly already engaged—seemingly here with their partners to announce their engagement. Meanwhile, for those not yet engaged, more beautiful and assertive women have already begun their advances, naturally surpassing me.

Interrupting that... I'd kindly ask to be excused.

Hmm, it might be safer to just keep the name and face on file for now and handle the investigation and relay later, once we're back home.

Though I feel a bit guilty toward Lady Viridiana, who went to such trouble to make us look our best, today I'll prioritize social etiquette...

Found a suitable partner yet, Tote?

What do you need, Tarko?

"I thought that two flowers, rather than one, would be better if they were of moderate size. Gathering five or six together would probably have the opposite effect, though."

"So you haven't given up after all. I see. I'll spend a little time with you as a neighborly favor."

Just as I was thinking that, I was spotted by my childhood friend, Tarkotton Baron Simewkars, and ended up spending time together.

I understand what you're saying, and since it's Tarko, being around him wouldn't be painfully uncomfortable, so I guess it's fine.

"Still, Tarko. Isn't that attitude toward Lady Vilijianira a bit disrespectful? I know you were classmates back in university, but even so, don't you think you should show a bit more respect?"

If I were truly disrespectful, I’d already be dragged off behind the scenes. Satsu-sama and I are partners in mutual improvement, so this is perfectly fine. Besides, even if I can’t be as capable as Satsu-sama, I still need to find a suitable partner if I’m to assist in the future.”

This childhood friend… unlike those two other childhood friends of hers, she’s undoubtedly talented, but does she even know what words like “arrogant” mean?

As I nibbled a small piece of meat drizzled with what seemed to be a uniquely prepared sauce from Lord Isay Meets' household, I couldn't help but glare at Tarko.

The nobleman... perhaps because it's just the two of us now, I feel his gaze has increased, yet he shows no sign of approaching to speak.

"Satya."

"I understand."

"Oh, look, Satya-sama and Lady Viridiana are dancing."

"Looks like it."

And then, Lady Viridiana begins to move.

It seems the two of them will be dancing in the next song as well.

Seeing this, numerous couples come to claim the space for dancing, considering it a great honor to dance alongside them.

Some of them are even known far and wide for their exceptional dancing skills.

Once the shifts are complete, the music changes, and the dance begins...

"......"

Those perceptive guests in the hall catch their breath in unison.

"This is... quite a surprise, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's a dance meant to be just like the textbook—exactly as written in the manual."

Lady Virijanila, being acknowledged as the Emperor's illegitimate child, certainly knows how to dance.

Everyone knows—and believes—that she can dance well enough not to fall short in this setting, even if she's not among the elite.

Then what of her partner, Lord Sata?

In one word—exactly textbook-perfect.

But this isn't just any textbook—it's an advanced one. Her movements go beyond merely following the textbook; they're as if she's trying to become the textbook itself.

Anyone gathering information about Lord Sata would never dare underestimate this fact.

"Lord Sata was supposed to be an artificial human created by Seiryō Corporation. That means the knowledge installed during manufacturing would be biased toward mod operations and testing, with only basic military and daily life-related information included—certainly nothing about dancing. She shouldn't have had any prior experience with dancing in her life. Yet she's able to move like this now... that must mean..."

"Her learning and adaptive abilities must be exceptionally high, wouldn't you say?"

Artificial humans are created with a purpose.

Therefore, the knowledge necessary for that purpose is installed from the beginning.

The more people who know this, the more astonished they will be by Lady Satā's dance.

Whether she's been practicing since long ago or not, she's dancing a performance worthy of Lady Viridiana—without even needing Lady Viridiana to cover for her.

Just this dance alone is more than sufficient to demonstrate how extraordinary she truly is.

"Fufu, well then, Totem. You don't know that you referred to Lady Sata as a synthetic human, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'll collect the information fee later."

"Pay me then—tell me already."

And the reactions of the participants when they witnessed such a dance—those were, to me, of vital importance.

Anyone still stunned now either failed to gather intelligence or looks down on Lady Sata—completely unacceptable.

Those who reacted similarly to me had gathered roughly the same information, and while still surprised, had regained their composure—decent enough.

And those who remained as calm as Tarko… either they're skilled at hiding their emotions, or they possess even more information than I do.

It's frustrating, but Tarko truly is exceptional.

"Actually..."

"!?"

Thus, I learned that Satā-sama was actually an alien monster, that Virijianira-sama was in a state approaching obsession, and that, in a sense, I had been lured into an engagement under her manipulation.

In addition, Tarko had cooperated with Virijianira-sama’s plan, in exchange for her and her group visiting the restaurants connected to the Shimiekahoko Baron family.

I can't understand why he introduced his own home instead of mine... but more importantly, what matters is that Sata-sama is an alien monster.

A marriage between an alien monster and a royal family would be nothing short of a major news story—if true.

And given that kind of information, I can certainly understand why Tarko remained so composed.

The impact is simply too overwhelming.

"Well, even if we can't manage to find someone as suitable as Satā-sama, we still need to find a good partner, don't we? Otherwise, we might not be able to cooperate with Lady Vilijianira in the future."

"Yes, I suppose we should look a bit more seriously..."

In the meantime, the dance starring Lady Vilijianira and Satā-sama came to an end.

If someone still thinks Satā-sama doesn't match up to Lady Vilijianira after seeing that dance, then they must be blind—clearly beyond discussion.

Yes, giving us such a straightforward criterion is helpful; I can only be grateful to Lady Vilijianira.

While thinking this, I refreshed my throat with juice alongside Tarko, then set off to look for a man who might be a suitable partner.