Chapter 92 – Exhibition (4)

April 25th, 2023

I gazed at the backs of Cecily and Marie as they left, saying they were going to have a private conversation.
When I asked how long it would take, they said it would take a little while and urged me to view the exhibited works until then, as they walked away. 

I could guess roughly what they were going to talk about based on the situation just now, but there was no room for me to intervene, so I had no choice but to stay put.

They would return eventually, as I enjoy the exhibited works, but I couldn’t help but become curious. 

“Hmm…” 

What would it feel like to be left alone after starting with three people? I stared blankly at the spot where Cecily and Marie disappeared, then looked around.

Although I was left alone by chance, there were still many passersby going around the village.
They all seemed to be busy enjoying the exhibition and festival without a break.
This meant that there were few people who cared about me being alone.

‘Well, let’s go for a walk first.’

Since Cecily said it would take a while, it would be better to look around than to just stand there.
I started to enjoy the artworks one by one, which I hadn’t seen yet, as I moved my steps. 

If sculptures were lined up on both sides of the street like buildings, the art pieces were exhibited all over the village, providing a variety of sights.
Artworks were not the only things exhibited at the exhibition.

“A nobleman is above the common people, and a king is above the nobleman, and a kingdom can exist because there are both.
However, what supports that nation is strictly the common people.
That means that in front of the common people, whether it is a king or a nobleman, they are nothing.
But Lord Crost, you are mocking the foundation of that nation just because you are bothered by them.
It is truly the behavior of a true nobleman.
Isn’t it so?”

“Shut your mouth! How dare you mock me?!”

“Mock? I just stated the facts.
I heard that if you poke at the truth, people get angry.
But it seems like that statement is true.”

There was also a theater company performing on the central stage set up in the middle of the village.

Just to let you know,  the Matrics Theater wasn’t the only that joined the exhibition, and there were occasional actors who pursued theater as a hobby, even if they were not part of a theater group. 

The fact that the performance space was set up in the village square might make some people think that the voices would not be audible due to the people passing by more than in other places.
However, thanks to the special work done, the actors’ voices came across vividly in my ears. 

Moreover, although not on the same scale as the Matrics Theater, the actors’ performance skills were outstanding, making it immersive.

For these reasons, there were quite a few people who came to watch the play.
Judging from their clothing, most of the people sitting in the chairs placed in front were nobles, while those standing and watching from behind were commoners.

‘I wonder what are the nobles thinking while watching this?’

The play currently being performed by the theater group is from the early part of the eighth volume, representing the lives of both the nobles and the commoners.

In the scene, they target Xenon, who poses a threat to their privileges, and make him fall into a trap, but instead, they end up being played by him.
One might think that most of the people watching the play are commoners, but surprisingly, a considerable number of aristocrats were also watching it.
They were not showing any signs of discomfort and were entirely focused on the play itself.

Honestly, I was worried that it might be uncomfortable as the original writer, but luckily it seems that everything turned out well.
In fact, even the aristocrats said that they had many thoughts after watching the early part of the eighth volume, so perhaps it was part of it.

‘Even if they cause a commotion, the security guards will stop them, so there shouldn’t be any problems.’

I thought as I stood far away, watching the play and then decided to move my footsteps to look around as there were too many exhibits to focus only on the play.

Before long, I came across a piece of artwork that caught my eye.

“Someone actually drew this.”

In South Korea, there is a very famous meme called the “Hectopascal Kick.” It depicts a scene where a girl delivers a dropkick to a boy who is going crazy, and the phrase “Hectopascal” itself is so random that it has become a meme.

I described that scene in detail in Xenon’s Biography.
The protagonist and heroine Mary appears confidently, kicking bad guys with a dropkick.
In a world where most of the descriptions were plain, it was an exceptional first appearance that left a lasting impression on countless readers.

‘It’s really well drawn.’

Although the art style may be different because it is set in medieval times, except for that, it was 100% identical to the Hectopascal Kick I knew.
From Mary’s purple hair fluttering as she delivered the dropkick to the expression on the gangster’s face as he was hit by it, the composition, characters, and expressions were all perfect, exactly like the Hectopascal Kick itself.

‘Are there other reincarnators besides me?’

I had thoughts that didn’t even make sense.
To find out who the owner of this piece of art was, I lowered my gaze to the bottom, where a sign with an explanation was hanging.

First of all, the artist’s name is Karl Zvazsa.
He is from the Minerva Empire, not the Ters Kingdom.
The reason why he chose to draw this scene among many others is that it reveals Mary’s personality and identity at once.

Furthermore, it is said that he draws his works in a comical manner to make people laugh, unlike other artists. 

“Karl Zvazsa… I should remember this person.”

I took out my notebook and pen, storing in my mind the work of Karl that matched my mental image of Hectopascal Kick.
It was in case I forgot the name.
As I might have to mention the names of some artists after the exhibition is over, it was essential.

“Phew~” 

“Huek?!”

While I was writing down the name in my notebook, someone blew into my ear.
I couldn’t help but let out a strange scream, feeling ticklish and shivering.
I turned my head to check who did this to me.
As soon as I confirmed the face of the culprit, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“…Adelia noona?” 

“Haha.
Nice to see you here.”

It was Adelia, who had left the mansion earlier than me to go to the exhibition.
When she greeted me with a cheerful smile, I was surprised.
Adelia usually dressed simply even on weekends, but today, she seemed to have put extra effort into her outfit for the festival.

Her short brown hair, grown to the neck, and her beauty without any makeup remained the same, but her outfit was like wings, with a brown vest worn over a white shirt and leather pants that revealed her elegance, perfectly expressing her unique style.

Her cheerful and energetic charm, which was not diminished at all, was still the same as when I saw her at the academy, even though her clothes were different.

“Where are the others? Why are you wandering around alone?” 

Adelia asked me with her characteristic husky voice, putting her hand on her waist.

I rubbed my fingers on my ear, which was still tickling, and answered curtly.

“They have something to do.
Why are you here, Adelia noona? Weren’t you with my sister?”

“Well, I was originally.
But Nicole disappeared in the blink of an eye.”

“…Did you get lost?”

“It’s not that.
I’m not lost, I lost Nicole.”

I chuckled at Adelia’s audacity and impudence as she claimed to have lost Nicole when we were in a narrow territory and there was an exhibition going on.
I couldn’t even imagine how it would have been at the academy.

Adelia seemed to be embarrassed by my laughter and nervously scratched her cheek while chuckling.
It seemed like she thought it was unreasonable even though she had just said it herself.

“Anyway, will you accompany me for a while until we meet Nicole? I’m really bad with directions, so I can’t even go back to the mansion.”

“Walking together is fine.
But is it so severe that you can’t even return to the mansion?”

“I’ve wandered around all day while trying to find the dorms at the academy.
Impressive, isn’t it?”

“That’s not something to be proud of.
Anyway, are you enjoying the exhibition?”

“I am enjoying it, but…”

Adelia hesitated at my question, then smiled brightly.
I felt an indescribable sense of discomfort from her smile.
It seemed forced, and I became even more suspicious after seeing her genuine smile just a moment ago.

“Yes, I’m enjoying it without any problems.
You don’t have to worry too much.”

“Hmm…I see.”

“How about you, cutie? The exhibition is being held in your territory.
Aren’t you happy?”

She quickly changed the subject, and though I had a vague idea of the situation, I decided to pretend I didn’t know.

But I was still curious, so I continued the topic to get a few more details.

“Of course I’m happy.
It’s the first time our territory has been so lively in our history.
Especially seeing everyone, regardless of their race, enjoying the festival is the proudest moment for me.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I saw some demons as well as werewolves.
I was really surprised.
Demons usually try to hide their identities and act cautiously.”

“That’s all thanks to Xenon’s Biography.
How did you used to think about demons before Xenon’s Biography came out, sister?”

“I didn’t really have any thoughts about it.
Whether it’s demons or nonsense, I was too busy trying to survive on my own to care about others.” 

She spoke as if it was nothing, but I couldn’t just let it go.
It gave me a glimpse into Adelia’s past, even if it was only a fragment.

It seemed like her past was more complicated than I thought.
I heard that people who laugh a lot often have many hidden wounds within themselves.
Perhaps Adelia was the same.
I watched her smile brightly, and then quietly asked her a question.

“By the way, where is your hometown? My sister told me you come from a faraway place.”

“Oh…there is such a place.
It’s a village without a name, so it’s hard to describe.
It was also lucky for me to get into the academy in the first place.”

Adelia replied, putting her hair behind her ear.
Her gaze shifted to the right, and I could tell she was lying.
Her beauty alone was enough to prove that she wasn’t an ordinary person, and it was clear that she had some connection to nobility.

I glanced at her as she lied and spoke in a calm voice.

“That’s too bad.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a shame that you can’t enjoy festivals with your family because of the distance.”

“Family…”

Adelia murmured meaningfully and chuckled, then softly answered with a hint of nostalgia in her husky voice.
The huskiness of her voice added to the poignancy of the moment.

“Right.
As you said, this kind of festival should be enjoyed with family.”

“… …”

“It would be so much fun.
Chatting with your siblings, enjoying delicious food with your parents…”

Adelia’s voice was different from her usual firm tone, and even her usually husky voice sounded softer, conveying a subtlety that could even sense the sadness that had been suppressed in her heart.

Could it be that she had lost her family in the past? Otherwise, it would be impossible to make such a facial expression.

As someone who had also lost their family in a past life, I knew what kind of expression that person would make.
Just like Adelia, looking up at the sky and reminiscing about the past.

It was a time when it was just an everyday occurrence, but looking back, it was a happier time than any other.
The family who were stronger allies than anyone else.

While Adelia was lost in her memories, I waited for her to wake up while pretending not to notice.
I didn’t want to force her to recall memories.

“Um…”

But why is she suddenly looking at me? Adelia, who was looking up at the sky with a nostalgic gaze, seemed to have come out of her reverie and shifted her gaze to me.

As Adelia, who stared at me with her sky-blue eyes, pierced me with her gaze, I wondered about her intentions when she grinned and finally spoke in a low voice.

“It would be so nice to have a little brother like you.
I think I would find you cute every day.”

“You’re starting to talk like my older sister…”

“Ay, don’t be so defensive.
Didn’t I say I would treat my younger sibling well? And if I had a cute younger sibling like you, I would just want to spoil them? I think I know why Nicole cherishes you so much.”

“Oh please, stop it.
I have a girlfriend, you know.”

“But not right now, just let me touch you a little.
Hm?”

“No, you can’t.”

I firmly rejected Adelia, who was clinging to me like a pervert.
Adelia, however, seemed a bit disappointed at my resolute rejection, probably because she was sincere about wanting a younger sibling like me.

“Ugh, are you really doing this between us? That’s too much.”

“What do you mean by ‘between us’?”

“Between a friend’s younger sibling and their friend?”

“That’s what other people say.”

“Don’t you think that’s too shameless?”

“I guess that’s not something you should say, considering you threw the first punch when we first met.”

“…I’m really sorry about that.”

Adelia and I chatted while looking around the exhibition, occasionally buying street food.
Of course, I paid for everything.

Adelia had originally intended to pay for it instead of me, but as a nobleman’s son, I wanted to refuse at least that.

Due to this, Adelia tried to subtly touch my cheeks and express her gratitude, but when I became unresponsive, she withdrew with disappointment. 

“By the way, when will your girlfriend and the demon princess come back?” 

“I don’t know.
They said it would take some time… Huh?

It happened while I was walking around, casually eating chicken skewers.
I noticed a crowd of people gathered in one particular area, arousing my curiosity.
Adelia seemed to have a similar reaction and gazed in the same direction, muttering with a puzzled voice. 

“Is there any spectacle?”

“It’s highly likely.
Shall we go and see?” 

“Let’s do that.
I was getting bored anyway.
Haam.”

Adelia quickly finished the remaining meat on her skewer and tossed it backwards without looking, perfectly landing it in a nearby trash can. 

I briefly made a strange expression at her skilled technique of throwing the skewer without looking, but then shifted my footsteps towards the crowd.
As I got closer, I could hear their conversations clearly. 

“The royals from the Ters Kingdom have come?” 

“Yes.
Two of them, the Crown Prince and Princess.” 

“Wow.
It’s quite an event for our empire to have Ters Kingdom’s royals visiting.”

 From what I could deduce from their conversation, it seemed that the royal family from the Ters Kingdom had come to visit.

I was curious about what they looked like, so I craned my neck to get a better look at their faces, but there were too many people around to make it difficult to see.
Eventually, I gave up, thinking that I would have to see them if the opportunity arose. 

However, I realized belatedly that Adelia’s reaction was not normal.

“Those guys… came here…?”

“Adelia noona?”

Did she experience some kind of shock? Adelia’s complexion rapidly turned pale, and her sky-blue pupils began to shake aimlessly.
Even when I called her name and shook her arm, Adelia remained rooted to the spot.

“Noona.”

“… …”

“Noona, snap out of it.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Eventually, I forcibly brought her back to reality by pulling her cheek.
Adelia was startled by the pinch and blinked her sky-blue eyes a few times.
Then, with a vacant expression on her face, she looked at me before exhaling deeply and smiling widely.
It was a forced smile that felt very awkward and fake.

“Uh, sorry.
I spaced out for a second.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Not at all.
I’m suddenly feeling dead tired.”

It is clear that there was a problem as they spoke nonsense.
I thought of the Ters royal family, who were probably beyond the crowd gathered around.
Perhaps Adelia is related to them.
It is highly likely because she showed a reaction like she lost her soul as soon as she heard that royalty from Ters Kingdom came to visit.

‘There seems to be more complex circumstances than I thought.’

Escaping from here quickly would be good for me and especially for Adelia.
I held Adelia’s hand, who was still confused.
I felt Adelia flinch as I held her hand.

“… Cutie?”

“Let’s go somewhere else.
It would be difficult to squeeze in here with so many people.”

“Um… Can I stay here for a while?”

“Why?”

“I want to check something out.
It’s my personal matter, so you go alone.”

Adelia asked me with a trembling voice.
And she still had a pale complexion, trembling pupils, and started to sweat on her cheeks.

Adelia is already showing symptoms of anxiety attack.
If this goes on, we don’t know what might happen to her.
People cannot remain sane when they are in extreme anxiety.

For her sake, and because I could get tangled up in unnecessary complications, I firmly refused. 

“No, we can’t.
Do you know how noona is doing right now? Whatever is going on with them, it’s better for you to stay calm.” 

“No, absolutely not.
It’s a very personal matter, so keep your hands off.
It will be just for a moment, just to check okay?”

Adelia grew anxious and started to hit my hand, but I didn’t budge and pulled her closer.
Perhaps because her anxiety was getting worse, she couldn’t put up much of a fight.
I couldn’t just ignore her because she was Nicole’s precious friend, even if I would have ignored her if she were a stranger.

“Take a deep breath and try to calm down first.
I can feel your heart rate fluctuating just from holding your hand.” 

“Is it that bad?” 

“Why don’t you try placing your hand on your chest and thinking for a moment?”

Adelia followed my suggestion and put her hand on her chest.
Then, a little belatedly, she realized her own condition and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
At that moment, I tried to let go of Adelia’s hand. 

“Adelia Unni?” 

A lively and somewhat husky voice entered my ears.
Both Adelia and I turned our heads in the direction of the voice.
The first thing that caught my eye was her sky-blue eyes, unlike the deep blue of Marie and Rina, but a light shade of aquamarine.

Next to the girl were a man and a woman.
They all had unique characteristics with sky-blue hair and eyes that emitted charm.
As their hair was a contrasting red color to mine, they seemed even more mysterious.

“Adelia Unni!”

A doll-like cute girl with twinkling eyes shouted Adelia’s name loudly, causing a momentary pause in the situation.
Adelia trembled and stepped back in surprise.

Just as the girl was about to approach Adelia, someone grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.
The owner of the hand was a woman who stood beside them, dressed in a uniform that could be worn by a knight rather than a dress.
She had tied her hair in a ponytail, and her mature charm was subtly spread.

“You can’t do that.”

“Huh? Hiliya Unni?”

The girl looked at her questioningly as the woman in uniform spoke in a concise and gruff tone.

Although the girl was puzzled, the gaze of the woman named Hiliya was fixed solely in one place, and it was definitely not a friendly look.
It was, in fact, at the level of contempt.

I slowly turned my head towards the direction of her gaze.

“… …”

Adelia’s sky-blue eyes, just like those of the people in front of her, shook aimlessly.

thump – thump – thump

Even though I was holding her hand, I could clearly feel her heart beating wildly.