Three groups of nobles arrived at the Marquis’s estate that evening. Almost the entire household had gathered to receive them.
Jin and his companions watched the arrival covertly from their guest room window.
“That lead carriage belongs to House Setena, followed by House Rasahn, and the last one is the House of Viscount Guarana,” Merine informed them.
Count Setena appeared to be roughly the same age as Marquis Kuzuma—an elderly noble with a head of white hair and striking blue eyes.
Viscount Rasahn was a middle-aged man, accompanied by a younger man who appeared to be his son.
“He’s a rail,” Jin remarked.
Among Jin’s friends and acquaintances, his close friend from four centuries ago, Reinhard, had been considered thin at 185 centimeters and 65 kilograms. However, the son of House Rasahn was taller and even more gaunt.
“He is approximately 188 centimeters and 60 kilograms,” Reiko stated, having measured him at a glance.
Last was Viscount Guarana. He looked to be in his late fifties, nearing sixty, and stood in stark contrast to the Rasahn boy with his obese physique.
(If he’s a lolicon on top of that, there’s really no hope for him...)
Jin watched the proceedings with a deep frown.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Welcome, Count Setena, Viscount Rasahn, and Young Master Vernon. And to you, Viscount Guarana.”
Madam Anna, the Marquis’s Wife, stood at the head of the household to greet the guests.
“Ah, Anna... no, Madam. Forgive me, I fear old habits die hard. Ahem. Madam Anna, I am honored by your welcome.”
As an old friend of the family, Count Setena had known Anna since her days as a lady’s maid, making his greeting naturally familiar.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Nakites Ahisa Rasahn, a viscount by the grace of the crown. This is my son, Vernon.”
“Vernon Latos Rasahn. I am at your service,” the young man added.
The final greeting came from Viscount Guarana.
“To be greeted by the Marquis’s Wife herself is quite humbling,” he said with a straight face that suggested he was anything but humbled. He was clearly aware of Anna’s background as a former lady’s maid and looked upon her with thinly veiled disdain.
“Is Lady Pamela in good health?”
“Ye-yes,” Anna replied.
“That is wonderful news.”
It seemed the rumors were true; he was indeed targeting the youngest daughter, Pamela. Jin wondered just how deep the man’s depraved proclivities ran.
Jin followed the entire exchange through Reiko’s relay.
“Ugh...”
He felt a wave of visceral disgust, particularly toward Viscount Guarana for targeting a child as young as seven.
Once the party had moved inside the Mansion, Jin asked Reiko to continue monitoring them using the Peeping Telescope (Peeper).
＊ ＊ ＊
The gala began at half-past four in the afternoon. It was a buffet-style affair.
As the appetizers were served, the guests mingled and conversed freely.
“...He claims to be feeling better, but is the Marquis truly recovered? He is a cornerstone of the administration who practically governs Blue Land; his health is a matter of great concern.”
“Indeed,” Count Setena replied to Vernon. “I received a letter only recently stating he was in quite a poor state, which had me deeply worried.”
“Is that so? It is a heavy burden for the family, especially since the Marquis only has daughters.”
Vernon, the son of Viscount Rasahn, was skillfully questioning the Count. He possessed a sociable temperament and a talent for drawing out information without causing offense.
“I, too, would find the loss of House Kuzuma a tragedy. I intend to do everything in my power to ensure their lineage continues, but...”
“The fact that the young ladies are still so small is the primary issue, I suppose.”
“Quite. Therefore, the succession would require an adopted son-in-law, though...”
“That must be a difficult path. To be honest, I was only brought here today because my father insisted.”
“Hahaha, you are an honest one....The difficulty lies largely in the fact that the Marquis absolutely dotes on his daughters.”
At that moment, Viscount Guarana approached, his flabby frame wobbling as he walked. He held a glass of wine in his right hand and a plate piled with food in his left.
“Count, it has been quite some time,” Guarana said, giving a slight nod with a neck that was barely visible.
“Ah, Guarana.”
“Do you have any word on His Excellency’s condition?”
Viscount Guarana was also clearly intent on fishing for information from the Marquis’s old friend.
“No, Vernon-kun just asked me the same, but I cannot say for certain. He seemed unwell a week ago, but since he is scheduled to appear tonight, I am hopeful he has taken a turn for the better.”
As they spoke, a voice projected through the hall. It was Anna.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Master of this house, Logres Win Kuzuma, shall now offer his greetings.”
The four visiting nobles turned toward the entrance in unison.
A pair of maid golems pulled open the large double doors.
“Oh...!”
Through the threshold came Marquis Logres, seated in a wheelchair pushed by the steward, Ques.
“Friends, I thank you for coming,” the Marquis announced in a clear, resonant voice.
“I had been suffering from Mana Overload Syndrome, but a brilliant healer visited me recently, and as you can see, I have achieved a total Healing.”
With that, the Marquis stood up from his chair.
“However, due to my long period of being bedridden, my physical strength has waned. I must focus on rehabilitation to regain my vigor in the coming days.”
The Marquis sat back down in his wheelchair.
“The healer in question was a gentleman dispatched by Sion-sama of All-Creation from the Nord Federation. Furthermore, I was provided with a most precious medicine.”
To emphasize his recovery, the Marquis stood once more.
“I have caused you much worry, but rest assured, I shall not be retiring for the time being. Once I have fully returned to my duties, I intend to host another party. I hope to see you all there.”
With that brief announcement, the Marquis made his exit, his wheelchair guided back out of the room.
The Marquis’s Wife stepped forward to address the guests.
“As you have heard, we thank you for your concern, but the danger has passed....The main course shall now be served. Please, enjoy the evening.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“...Or so he said, Father. Viscount Guarana and Viscount Rasahn look quite disappointed, frustrated even.”
“I see. So, is that case closed?”
Eating dinner in the guest room, Jin felt a sense of relief.
“Still, the world of the nobility is as murky as ever.”
With a small sigh, Jin finished his meal, reflecting on the fact that human society seemed the same in any era.
By eight o’clock that night, Reiko confirmed through the Peeper that the party was still ongoing. However, it was reaching its conclusion, with the final Te-e being served.
Jin had just finished washing up in the en-suite shower room and felt refreshed.
“It seems everything ended without incident.”
He offered a silent prayer of thanks to Sion. If she hadn’t reached out to him, things might have ended very differently.
“Father, there is one matter of concern,” Reiko reported.
“Yeah? What is it?”
“Inside the carriage that Viscount Guarana arrived in, there is an object that appears to be a golem. It is currently inactive.”
“Look into it more closely.”
“Yes....As I thought. It is definitely a golem.”
“I see... I wonder what he intended to do by bringing that here. Keep an eye on it for a while, just in case.”
The golem brought by Viscount Guarana weighed on Jin’s mind. Feeling a prickle of unease, he tasked Reiko with maintaining surveillance.