I changed into my military dress uniform and set out.
Since I was a member of the military, I had nothing to be ashamed of. If I didn't fit the dress code for the occasion, Wifey or the maids would surely have pointed it out.
For this outing, I swapped my shirt and shoes for incredibly high-end versions. The wristwatch was apparently expensive too, though I didn't know enough about them to really tell. Both the dress uniform and the shirt had been given a luxury hotel finish.
Staring at the total cost of my outfit, I felt a deeper sense of dread than I had right before fighting the Zorks.
Wait, what? Walter and his merry band didn't wear off-the-rack clothes in the first place? Everything they wore was bespoke?
You've got to be kidding me...
Do civil officials really make that much money? I didn't think my father's salary was quite that good...
Oh, it’s corruption. Right. Figures.
The car was made by a luxury manufacturer—not the type that flaunted its wealth, but the kind that commanded respect. At first glance, it looked like something a wealthy socialite would drive, but it was essentially a bulletproof armored vehicle with reinforced impact resistance. If someone crashed into it, their car would be the one getting flattened. If the driver really pushed it, it could reach race-car speeds.
Even the driver was a soldier who used to be a professional racer. I felt like we were implicitly advertising to the world that my life was being targeted. It actually was, of course, but even if it weren't, the plan was likely to insist it was just to put pressure on Walter.
Furthermore, our car was sandwiched between Piggett and the others in serious military vehicles. The bloodlust radiating from them was incredible.
...Yeah, I should just stick to having a pleasant conversation with Wifey.
"Wifey, that dress suits you."
"Is that so? You have also gained a more intrepid look in your eyes, Lord Groom. You are starting to look the part in that military dress uniform."
Apparently, that was the correct dialogue choice. It felt like I was playing a galge.
"Hey, Wifey, what exactly am I supposed to do?"
"Nothing. Just enjoy the banquet."
"Is that really okay?"
I meant... like, was I supposed to half-kill Walter or something? Was that not part of the plan?
"Lord Groom, you do not understand your own value."
"My value?"
"Lord Groom, you are the Savior Hero. There is meaning in you simply being by my side."
"I haven't even saved half of the empire yet, though."
That was the plain, unvarnished truth. There were barons, viscounts, and counts by the thousands, and their territories remained almost entirely untouched.
"You recaptured the Imperial Capital and reclaimed the primary sectors. That alone makes you a Savior Hero."
Thinking, I guess that's how it is, we arrived at the venue. It was a facility owned by the Imperial Conscription Insurance Association. Originally built by the Empire as a State Guest House, it had been sold off to the association due to aging. Recently, amidst the chaos of the Imperial Capital's collapse, it had been restored to its original construction-era appearance—using the Empire's money.
In other words, it was a brand-new facility that had just been completed. It masqueraded as a private building, but in reality, it was a state-run establishment.
We passed through a large, Japanese-style gate and headed inside. The State Guest House was a massive Western-style building in the Meiji-era style. It lacked the suspicious atmosphere typical of most Imperial architecture and was actually quite refined.
...See, you guys can do it when you try! Listen up, military department! You see this? This is what you call design! You lot think everything is fine as long as you slap red and white banners on it!!!
"Wow, this garden... it’s gorgeous... I want to look around later..."
"Lord Groom, you have such refined, understated tastes..."
The venue inside the State Guest House was equally elegant. Seriously, they really could do it when they tried!
Inside were the remnants of the Duke Association who hadn't participated in the expedition, along with some unrelated dukes. High-ranking officials from various government offices, as well as influential marquises and counts, were also in attendance. There were few minister-class individuals; apparently, they had died in droves during the expedition, and their successors hadn't been appointed yet.
From the military, only General Takakura and I were present. It was a blatant case of being given the cold shoulder.
Once inside, I spotted Thomas and went to greet him.
"Today..."
"No need for formal greetings. We're close enough for that, aren't we?"
Thomas laughed as he patted me on the shoulder. As expected of the personable Thomas.
"Veronica, that dress looks good on you."
"Thank you, Elder Brother."
In the venue, pompous nobles and civil officials were engaging in empty chatter about the war. The fact that I could tell the conversations were hollow was likely because my own knowledge was finally catching up. I thought they were idiots, but I didn't have the energy to arrogantly lecture them about patriotism.
When my eyes met with those of the nobles, they for some reason scurried away. Even the remnants of the Duke Association fled upon seeing me. What was that about? It felt like I was being feared to an abnormal degree.
"Leo-kun, did you see that? The dukes are running all over the place."
When Thomas said that, Wifey took on a delighted expression.
"As expected of my Lord Groom. The small fry flee from your gaze alone!"
Now, the fact that I was an extremely friendly person was public information. After all, that Fairy had broadcasted my sexual fetishes to the entire world! Though, for some reason, the general public treated it as a deepfake created by an AI. Nobody believed it was real!
And yet, here we were. There wasn't a single thing about me that should be terrifying. I wasn't like a Zork...
...Wait a minute.
"Wifey, put those people who fled under surveillance."
"What is the matter, Lord Groom?"
"If they're terrified just by looking at me, maybe they're actually Zorks in disguise?"
"Hmm, that makes sense. Brother?"
"Understood. I'll have them watched."
As the small fry retreated, a female moderator arrived at the front of the venue. I thought she was beautiful, and Wifey immediately elbowed me in the ribs. Recently, she had started to get just a little bit jealous.
"A greeting from His Highness Walter."
Walter arrived. He didn't look very energetic. While we were gone, he was supposed to have been solidifying his power base in the Imperial Capital. I'd expected him to be acting all high and mighty, thinking he'd finally gained the upper hand.
Walter's greeting, consisting of nothing but boilerplate phrases, came to an end. Beside Walter stood a beautiful woman.
"That is Alexia, the daughter of Duke Endo," Wifey whispered.
"...I see."
She was a stunning beauty. Truly. And yet, my heart didn't stir at all. Even though she had missile-like chest armor...
...Huh? Missile-like chest armor?
"Wifey. Can I say something that makes absolutely no sense?"
"What is it? You have been acting strange for a while now."
"Even though she's a beauty... my heart's main cannon isn't responding. It’s exactly how I felt when I looked at Kevin."
"Lord Groom, what are you blathering about?"
Indeed, my heart's Galactica Magnum 44 was completely silent. I was in the depths of Sage Time.
"That Alexia girl... has she always been a woman?"
Seriously, only Kevin's face came to mind.
"Lord Groom, what are you—Your only basis is her chest!?"
Yes, it was just the chest. That massive chest. That was my only lead. The evidence was flimsy beyond belief, and I was fully aware that I sounded insane!
"...To... to think you would be moved with her chest as the only evidence... ha, hahaha... But it is your intuition, Lord Groom. It must be correct... sigh..."
Wifey let out a massive, weary sigh.
...I'm sorry. For always being a disappointing husband.
"What are you two talking about?" Thomas asked, looking confused.
"You see, Brother, the Lord Groom suspects that Alexia might be an enemy spy."
"What?"
"He was almost killed by a Humanoid Zork once. He says she resembles it."
"...If Leo-kun says so... then it's probably true. Understood, I'll investigate it."
Even Thomas had begun to believe me unconditionally. Please, stop the situation where I'm the only person left doubting myself.