Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. When I was in elementary school, I was taught that rain falling on a clear day is called a "fox's wedding." I remember it somehow conjured an image in my mind. For some reason, it was of a fox-eared girl in a kimono.
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"Long time no see, Count Pendragon."
"Indeed, it has been a while, Countess Litton."
The day after the ball, I attended a tea party hosted by Countess Emma Litton, a friend of the Marquis Ashinen's wife—the prefect's wife of the labyrinth city—and a powerful noble in the Royal Capital.
"When we first met, you were just a noble rank, but now your titles are almost equal. I fear you might surpass me next year."
The countess spoke in a tone that was hard to tell if she was serious or joking.
"That won’t happen. My title won’t rise any further than it is now."
"Oh? Then you really won’t become a direct retainer of His Majesty or His Highness Prince Soltric?"
She looked surprised, her eyes wide at my words.
With her extensive information network, she must already know, so perhaps she was verifying whether my information was correct.
Apparently, my choice was so surprising that even the countess, who already knew the background, was taken aback.
I was led to sit at the central seat of the tea party, a place reserved for ladies of high rank close to the countess.
The early topics revolved around Hero Hayato and the demon king slaying.
It was the same content I had shared at the First Prince’s salon yesterday but restructured to emphasize what the ladies would find more appealing.
It was well received, so I considered that a success.
"Lord Satou, you were in the South Sea during the divine punishment, right? Did sea monsters attack as well?"
"Yes, I saw a giant kraken as big as an island fighting against the local army."
"Did you, Lord Pendragon, take part in the fight?"
"I only provided a little assistance. My ship was equipped with cannons."
Though I didn’t actually use them.
"Well, you certainly proved your valor there."
"In the central and southern parts of the Shiga Kingdom, Hero Nameless and the golden knight order were the main forces."
"I see. I would have loved to see that."
I had checked a bit with distant vision magic but only caught fragments.
I should have had the brownie attendants carry recording equipment.
"The western continent’s countries are still in chaos due to the monsters’ chain rampage from the divine punishment."
"There hasn’t been much news about the Saga Empire in the continent’s north."
"That country has many military airships and formidable knight orders."
"And many holy swords and relics left by past heroes."
I see, so except for the western continent, things are stabilizing.
The Weasel Empire in the east was thought to be destroyed, with only Dejima Island remaining.
In reality, the outer districts of the Weasel Empire still exist, though few seem to know that.
"Let the gentlemen handle these heavy topics."
At the tea time arrival, the countess changed the subject.
Though I am a gentleman too, she seemed to exclude me from that group for some reason.
"Lord Pendragon, did you charm many last night?"
The countess who attended the ball yesterday brought up this topic.
She must know about the horde of little girls I was surrounded by yesterday – how cruel.
"I heard Lord Bistal also gathered the finest beauties from his clan, but did any meet your standards, Lord Pendragon?"
The countess asked with a smile.
She seemed aware of the prank from yesterday.
"There were many unique individuals."
I want to question Duke Bistal where he gathered them all from.
"One of my lovers told me—"
A sultry noblewoman at the same table started speaking sensuously.
"—there are rumors again about the Holy Relic Animated Armor."
She winked at me.
She must know about the wager I made at the First Prince’s salon.
"Well, Lord Pendragon?"
Since she prodded me so alluringly, I recounted the story from yesterday.
I explained how I bet the diamond key with a joke circuit on the Holy Relic Animated Armor, while other nobles wagered rights and mines.