Chapter 4 – The Mage Sings at the Banquet -Noah-
Cannons fired, sending celebratory blasts high into the sky.
Five years had passed since the Great Collapse. As the signal celebrating the capital’s reconstruction echoed, cheers erupted from the citizens below the castle walls. It was the day of the Memorial Ceremony.
Arl stood alone, looking down at the hopeful scene from a window in the Imperial Castle.
“No problems so far, it seems…”
“—Master, sorry to keep you waiting.”
A voice called from behind him. Arl turned. Standing there was Kirsi, dressed in the formal white robes of the White Whale Academy of Magic, <Noah>. She was further adorned with glittering accessories, clearly dressed up for the ceremony. More than ever, she truly looked like the ‘Saint’ she was called.
“It took a while to get ready,” she said, her expression as placid as ever. “The castle handmaidens helped me. Does it look weird?”
“You look beautiful. It suits you very well.”
“Nhehe… thanks.”
Kirsi blushed slightly at Arl’s straightforward compliment and stepped closer, tilting her head to look up into his face.
“Master, are you a little nervous? Worried about the Serpents?”
“Hm? Ah… no.”
Now that she mentioned it, Arl realized his shoulders were tense. Being back inside Eldstrom Imperial Castle, the heart of the Empire, his old stomping grounds… it wasn’t easy. There was the obvious concern about his identity being exposed, of course. But also…
—The last time I was here was that stormy night, five years ago.
“I never thought I’d come back here,” he murmured. “Maybe I was just lost in thought. Careless. I need to focus.”
“It’s okay. You look cool even when you’re spacing out, Master.”
“Uh… huh?”
Kirsi clenched her fists in front of her chest and puffed out her cheeks slightly, emphasizing her point with surprising force. Arl managed a weak, uncertain smile. Just then…
‘—Hmph. For a troublesome fanatic, she has a good eye.’
A smug telepathic voice echoed in Arl’s mind.
‘There is indeed a certain nutritional value one can only obtain from watching Senpai’s thoughtful profile. Personally, I find the weary, pained expression he gets when overworked quite alluring, but—Hah! I bet those fanatics have never even seen it.’
What is she even talking about now? Arl sighed internally, careful not to let it show. He wished he could dismiss it as auditory hallucination, but the source of the voice chose that moment to appear.
“—Welcome.”
Kei, the telepathic commentator, strolled into view, a polite, practiced smile fixed on her face as she executed a graceful knight’s salute.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. The esteemed Master of the White Whale Academy, <Noah>, and Saint Kirsi-sama. My name is Kei, a knight assigned to be your guide today. Please, allow me to escort you.”
Publicly, Kei was an Imperial Guard, Princess Eilfina’s personal protector. Her role as Arl’s covert operative was a secret, hence the charade of a first meeting.
‘Kuhuhu, talking to you face-to-face while secretly connected like this… This feeling! This superiority, knowing Senpai’s secrets that those fanatics don’t! It’s intoxicating!’
‘…Kei.’
‘Ooh, such a cold glare. Don’t worry, I’m performing my duties perfectly. No suspicious movements within the castle so far. You’ll be attending the ceremony while keeping an eye out for the Serpents, correct? Allow me to lead you to the venue.’
Arl shot her another glare, which she ignored completely.
“Now then,” Kei announced formally, “the venue for the Memorial Ceremony’s reception—a buffet-style gathering—is prepared in the Grand Hall. As our guests of honor, I shall take full responsibility for guiding you there.”
Following Kei’s lead, Arl and Kirsi began walking down the castle corridor. Imperial Guards and handmaidens stopped and bowed respectfully as they passed.
“We seem to be attracting a lot of attention.”
“Everyone is looking forward to the performance by the members of <Noah>,” Kei explained simply. “Magic is song, and mages are singers. We heard that <Noah> will be performing a celebratory song for today’s ceremony. As one of the renowned Three Great Organizations protecting the capital’s order, your singing will surely be a fitting highlight for this glorious festival.”
‘—Which is just the pretext Senpai used to insert himself and his organization into the ceremony. Honestly, the nobles kicked up such a fuss. ‘Who does this civilian organization think they are?’ But in the end, they couldn’t ignore the influence of <Noah>, the ‘heroes of the people.’ Public opinion is a useful tool, isn’t it?’
“…We’re honored,” Arl replied, ignoring the telepathic commentary. “We will do our best to meet expectations.”
Beside him, Kirsi nodded firmly, determination in her eyes.
“Leave it to me. I’ll sing a great song praising Master’s magnificence.”
“No, the program is a song celebrating the capital’s reconstruction.”
“Fufu, the Saint-sama has such a wonderful sense of humor,” Kei chimed in smoothly.
‘Excellent spirit,’ Kei added mentally. ‘A hymn praising Senpai? Must record. Need to prepare a phonograph.’
The combination of spoken and unspoken conversation was giving Arl a headache. He quickly changed the subject.
“…But this ceremony includes not just nobles, but members of the Imperial family, correct? The capital is still rife with criminals. How adequate is the security?”
“Rest assured. In addition to checkpoints at all entrances and patrols within the castle, a large-scale magic barrier has been deployed to prevent teleportation intrusions. Furthermore, surveillance-type magical tools have been installed throughout the venue.”
As she spoke, Kei glanced towards the ceiling. Arl followed her gaze and saw a butterfly fluttering, scattering phosphorescent powder. It was clearly artificial. The butterfly-shaped magical tool landed gently on Kirsi’s head and spoke in a synthesized voice.
『—Registered magical waveform confirmed. Identification… Kirsi of the White Whale Academy, <Noah>. Please enjoy the ceremony.』
“Cute…”
Kirsi’s eyes lit up like a child’s as she gently played with the butterfly on her finger.
“It’s a magic measuring device,” Kei explained. “Everyone possesses magic power, to varying degrees, and each person’s waveform is unique. All attendees’ waveforms have been pre-registered. If an uninvited guest appears, alarms will sound, and the guards will respond immediately.”
‘Well, it’s just a modification of the castle’s standard defense system,’ Kei added telepathically. ‘We’ve just increased the number to over a hundred units. You registered your magic power back when you were an Imperial Knight, right, Senpai? We’re reusing that data. Oh, don’t worry. The name registry has been altered; your identity won’t be revealed.’
Kei gave Arl a subtle wink. Acting like that is just going to make people suspicious… Arl thought, but they had arrived at their destination.
“Right this way.”
Kei slowly pushed open a pair of massive, thick doors, revealing the bustling ceremony venue. It was the castle’s Grand Hall, vast and high-ceilinged. Tables laden with colorful food were scattered throughout the space. Nobles and lords from various Imperial territories mingled, enjoying the standing buffet.
And among them—were two familiar faces, Kirsi’s designated rivals. Prima, leader of the Silver Wolf Knights, <Fenrir>. Rosetta, president of the Firebird Merchant Guild, <Blacksmith>.
One group was present as reinforcements for venue security. The other was attending as a major sponsor of the ceremony’s operations. Kirsi didn’t know it, but both organizations had been inserted into the event by their Master, Arl, specifically to counter the Serpents‘ anticipated plan.
“Well, well. Fancy meeting you here, Saint-sama.”
“<Noah>’s Saint… So you were invited too.”
Prima and Rosetta spotted Kirsi and immediately scowled. Arl could feel a subtle tension ripple through the hall as the leaders of the three constantly feuding organizations came face-to-face.
“Hello. It’s good to see you both looking well today.”
Kirsi, however, simply smiled back coolly, an air of surprising composure about her. Even Arl was taken aback. Prima and Rosetta visibly recoiled, looking suspicious.
“…An imposter?”
“I didn’t know disguise magic was a thing…”
“Mm, that’s rude,” Kirsi replied calmly. “Today is a memorial, a celebration of the capital’s recovery. I came to sing a congratulatory song. We shouldn’t fight like usual today.”
“Ugh, typical Saintly platitudes. Just because you look a bit more grown-up doesn’t mean…”
“You’re still just a kid inside, aren’t you? You’re the most eager to fight out of all of us…”
Her rivals eyed her skeptically. Kirsi’s demeanor was unusually appropriate for the formal occasion. Arl himself was wondering why a fight hadn’t broken out yet. Kirsi quickly revealed the source of her composure—by looking up at Arl with a happy, possessive expression.
“Because Master is here today. I’m going to be on my best behavior. Right, Master?”
“…And you are <Noah>’s Master?”
Prima glanced skeptically at the person standing beside Kirsi—Arl. The Master adored by the White Whale Academy. If she and Rosetta knew his true identity, a nation-splitting war over him would erupt on the spot. But—
“That’s… quite a unique outfit you have there?”
Prima merely raised an eyebrow. Standing beside Kirsi wasn’t her beloved Master, but a mysterious man whose face, from the nose down, was completely hidden by an elaborate mask.
Kirsi puffed her chest out proudly.
“This is my Master. Isn’t he cool?”
“Well, taste is subjective… I suppose it’s a very ‘mage-like’ look.”
“That’s prejudice against mages,” Rosetta retorted. “He just looks suspicious.”
Arl wilted slightly under the mask at their harsh assessment, but removing it was out of the question. This disguise was vital. Getting Kirsi to agree to it hadn’t been easy. She’d initially insisted on showing off her Master’s ‘real face’ to everyone.
—’Kirsi, there might be people in the castle who recognize me from my past.’
—’But you wore a mask when you were an Imperial Knight, didn’t you?’
—’Well, yes, but… better safe than sorry. And… I’d rather… not show my face to anyone but you.’
—’…!’ Kirsi’s eyes widened. ‘You… want to show your face? Only… to me?’
—’Uh? Ah, yes. Something like that?’
—’Okay. If it’s… our secret. Just between us. Nhehe.’
He wasn’t sure what part of that had appealed to her, but she’d readily agreed. Never mind the fact that he went maskless within <Noah>’s headquarters all the time.
“—A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Arl consciously altered his voice from behind the mask. He tried for a tone that was both formal and slightly friendly.
“I am the Master of <Noah>. I hear my organization is often indebted to yours. I hope we can deepen our relationship today.”
“Indebted? Oh yes, you certainly are,” Prima replied, her voice dangerously sweet. “Coming here and greeting us so politely… you have quite some nerve, don’t you?”
“Seriously,” Rosetta added. “Only the Saint’s Master would dare. Insults are usually answered with bullets, you know?”
“W-Wait, that’s not what I meant!”
This was going terribly. He’d completely misjudged the distance. As Arl flustered, Kirsi stepped protectively in front of him.
“Stop taking it out on him. Just because your own Masters aren’t here… Are you jealous?”
“Wha—! W-Who said I was imagining having a dinner date with my Master!? Or that I’d be showing him off to everyone if he was here!? Definitely not me!”
“Th-That’s right! The Boss trusted me to represent him today… I-I’m definitely not thinking about how cool it would be if he were here to see me in action!”
They were both protesting far too much. It was incredibly awkward, knowing their Master was right here. Kirsi, however, decided to rub it in, linking her arm possessively through Arl’s. The soft sensation startled him, but Kirsi just looked smugly at the other two.
“Master and I are very close. See? We can even link arms like this.”
“W-Well! If my Master were here, we’d be just as close! He’d probably put his arm around my shoulder possessively and say, ‘Got business with my maid?’—Treating me like his property!”
“My Boss is amazing too! He’s probably so possessive he wouldn’t even want other people looking at me! He’d say something like… ‘Only dress up like that for me’—and never let me go!”
Their wishful thinking was rapidly turning into slander against Arl’s character. Whispers started rippling through the crowd, questioning the ‘Master’s’ dignity. No, wait, why are all your fantasies about me being some kind of possessive tyrant!? Arl wanted to shout, but he couldn’t break character. All he could do was twitch behind the mask.
“Mm. Master looks strong, but he’s actually really needy and—”
“Ahem!“
Arl coughed loudly, trying to cut her off. But the girls were now on a roll, competing to praise their respective Masters.
“H-Hmph! I don’t know how great your Master is, but he can’t beat mine!”
Oblivious, Prima launched into a description of her Master.
“My Master is a master of hand-to-hand combat! His knife-hand is harder than steel, his kicks can shatter boulders! He’s so strong—he could probably even beat the 12th Seat Imperial Knight, ‘Scorpion Hunt’!”
“!?”
“My Boss is just as amazing!” Rosetta jumped in. “He’s a master gunman who can even fight monsters! He’s definitely as strong as the 7th Seat Imperial Knight, ‘Magic Bowstring’, the feared demonic archer!”
“!? !?”
Getting carried away and comparing their Masters to the legendary Imperial Knights might seem merely disrespectful or perhaps amusingly boastful to outsiders. But to Arl, the actual former Imperial Knight hiding his identity, it was pure torture. He was sweating profusely under the mask. Please, stop saying reckless things— He shot a desperate look at Kirsi.
“…Mmph. Master is amazing too.”
She wouldn’t be outdone. Kirsi snuggled closer, pressing his arm against her chest for emphasis.
“There’s no mage in the entire continent as skilled as my Master! He’s a versatile genius who knows every field of magic… Just like the 2nd Seat Imperial Knight, ‘Whale Caller’—”
“—Haha! Now, now, that’s hardly an appropriate comparison, is it?”
A condescending laugh cut through the air. A nearby noble, who had been listening in, approached them, glass in hand, his face flushed with drink.
“Forgive my interruption. I couldn’t help but overhear your… rather audacious claims. Allow me to offer a small correction.”
“Mm… What?”
Kirsi and the others tensed, sensing the malice beneath his polite words. The noble ignored them, spreading his arms wide.
“Your Three Great Organizations are indeed impressive. We are all grateful for your efforts in maintaining order these past five years. However, the true symbols of the Empire remain the Imperial Knights, even if their seats are now empty.”
He took another sip from his glass.
“‘Scorpion Hunt’ and ‘Magic Bowstring’ are heroes who will be spoken of for generations. And above them all stands the 2nd Seat, ‘Whale Caller’. The Annihilator of Monsters, the strongest mage on the continent. As a fellow mage, I am in awe of him. He is truly beyond compare.”
His mocking gaze swept from Kirsi to Arl.
“No matter how skilled your ‘Master’ may be, to compare him, to even mention him in the same breath… You should know better. It reflects poorly on both his dignity and yours.”
“—!”
“Kirsi.”
Arl placed a hand on her shoulder as she bristled with anger. The noble chuckled.
“Well, well. The Master seems to have more sense than his charge. Quite commendable, considering you lead such a vulgar organization.”
“…Don’t you dare… insult my Master.”
“It’s merely the truth. You people run around curing anyone cursed by monsters, don’t you? Nobles, commoners, paupers… indiscriminately. How foolish! Magic should be reserved for the worthy. Bestowing it upon just anyone devalues it.”
His eyes, filled with genuine contempt, fixed on Kirsi.
“Don’t get too full of yourself, you failure from the Astron family. Though, I suppose a Master who associates with the likes of you must be flawed himself—”
The noble never finished his sentence. Kirsi’s magic power exploded outwards. Anyone sensitive to magic would have been blinded by the sheer intensity. Her fury manifested as raw, untamed power, a torrent aimed directly at the man who had insulted her Master—
“H-Hiiiieee!?”
—But an instant before it hit, the magic dissipated, neutralized mid-formation. The noble, also a mage, clearly understood how close he’d come to death. He collapsed to the floor, paralyzed with fear. Countering magic before it’s even fully cast… it was a feat of incredible skill. Mages throughout the hall stared in disbelief.
“…I thank you for your… excessive praise.”
Ignoring the commotion, Arl addressed the nobleman he had just inadvertently saved.
“However, the praise belongs not to me, but to Kirsi and the members of her Academy, who rebuilt this city. Unlike you, they understand the difference between pride and arrogance. They are my pride—girls who worked tirelessly for the reconstruction, never resting on their status.”
“Wh-What!? How dare you—!”
“Now, if you are truly a nobleman worthy of respect, I trust you understand how to conduct yourself at a celebratory occasion.”
The mood in the hall had shifted. Regardless of the details, the crowd now saw the noble as someone who had disrupted the festivities with his drunken arrogance. He glared, sputtered for a moment, then clicked his tongue and stormed out of the hall.
An awkward silence descended. Prima, Rosetta, and the other guests looked around uncertainly. Arl bowed deeply to the room.
“—My deepest apologies for disrupting the celebration. Please, continue to enjoy the festivities.”
He took Kirsi’s hand. Without a word, he activated a teleportation spell. In the blink of an eye, Arl and Kirsi vanished from the Grand Hall.
Join the Discussion