Published: September 9, 2025
※ Attached in the afterword is an excerpt of character introductions.
※ 2014/09/14 Typo corrections made.
※ 2014/09/15 Some revisions made.
This is Satou. It seems that uninvited guests exist in every age. It would be nice if there were subtle ways to show that one wants them to leave, like the Kyoto “ochazuke (bubuzuke)” story from the Edo period.
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“Welcome, Sir Pendragon.”
Shifting my gaze from the formation of wyvern riders flying across the sky to the elderly gentleman greeting me, I offer my thanks.
This is the mansion of a noble invited to an afternoon tea gathering.
The friend of Marquise Ashinen and a prestigious family that has been counts since the founding of the kingdom.
In such a noble family, someone like me—an honorary knight who appeared out of nowhere—would probably be looked down on even by the servants, but at least the elderly gentleman shows no sign of such disdain.
I have the servants bring in the sweets and gifts for the countess.
Since I owe them for gathering information about the auction attendees and customers interested in precious pearls, I brought luxurious furs sourced from the labyrinth, cloth woven with labyrinth spider silk treasured in the Royal Capital, and handmade elegant accessories.
The accessories are modeled after the famous brand Nifati from my original world, adjusted with Arisa’s input, so although the original cost was only three gold coins, their value has become about ten times that.
Of course, the author’s name on them is one of several pseudonyms I use.
Guided by the old butler, I pass through the main building and am led to the afternoon tea venue in the garden.
At the venue, twelve female knights in their twenties, led by a level 35 knight, stand guard.
They all wear shiny armor decorated for ceremonial purposes.
The male knights are handsome, and the female knights are stunning enough to fit a stage better than a training ground.
Several tables are set up in the venue, and nearly thirty noble ladies are enjoying the tea party. There are also some male nobles, but they are few.
It’s a larger gathering than I expected.
“Welcome, Sir Pendragon. I heard from Rethel—you are truly young.”
“Thank you very much for inviting me today—”
After exchanging the usual greetings, I am invited by the countess to one of the tea seats.
She calls me by name without any honorifics, befitting her close friendship with Marquise Ashinen.
All the women at this table are over forty, and by their expensive accessories and clothing, it’s clear they are high-ranking noble ladies.
“Everyone, Rethel wasn’t able to return this year due to her duties as prefect, but instead, her friend has come.”
After the countess’s introduction, I announce myself and distribute small boxes as tokens of friendship to the ladies—separate from the gift for the countess.
Of course, these are a grade lower than the countess’s present.
“Oh my, gifts for us too? As Rethel’s favorite, you are quite thoughtful.”
“Oh my, how lovely they are.”
“What kind of gemstone is this? The red is deep for a ruby; could it be a fragment of Blood Jade?”
I feign surprise that the viscount’s daughter, a keen judge, discovered it, which confirms it.
One of the materials I received from True Ancestor Van, Blood Jade has fewer uses compared to Blood Orbs, so I fashioned it into earring-type magical ornaments that maintain good health.
According to the references I consulted, they also help with stiff shoulders and lighten women’s monthly discomfort.
—Huh?
The market value of the gift has increased.
When I made it in the Labyrinth City, it was around ten gold coins, but each time the ladies at the party showed each other earrings with different designs, the price rose, now about ten times the original.
Come to think of it, the accessories I gave to Marquise Ashinen and her husband before also commanded a strange price.
Though the value is too high for a simple tea party gift, I’ll let it slide since it’s the first time.