Chapter 1371. An Unexpected Debut (6)

I was staring at First Life Commander Jin.

‘This bastard... what on earth is he doing here?’

Judging by the fact that he disguised himself to participate, it seemed that he hadn’t been invited. After all, this event was strictly for the Union of Kingdoms and a few nobles from the Empire. Naturally, I had to assume there was a reason he was here. A member of the Five Tiger Generals wouldn’t come here in disguise for no reason.

‘There’s definitely something going on.’

The fact that the hexagram gate dropped us here at this moment gave me the answer to that question.

It wouldn’t have dropped us here just for a simple party. It wasn’t hard to predict that something was going to happen at the debutante ball, and I had been preparing for it, but seeing First Life Commander Jin in disguise confirmed that my conclusion wasn’t wrong.

He wasn’t the only one. Among the attendees, I also saw officials from the Republic.

At this point, I had to cautiously speak to Second Life Commander Jin.

"So... do you have any guesses, Commander? It feels like their forces are overkill if they just came to keep the Empire and Union in check."

— You’re probably right.

"You think there’s a mission?"

— I don’t want to give a definite answer... Of course, they wouldn’t be happy about the Empire and Union forming a blood pact, but I also don’t understand why they came to the ball themselves.

"That’s what I mean. Of course, it’s concerning... but for a commander like you who likes to sit around to come here just for that... Although you did come to Laios yourself before... I can’t help but think they’re here to stir up trouble. Isn’t that right? You like war, Commander. The Republic seemed desperate to fight at this time. Am I right?"

— We each have our own reasons.

"Anyway, please tell Chang-Ryeol to do some digging. We can’t make the crowd wait too long."

‘He’s looking at me anyway.’

It didn't have to be only Lee Chang-Ryeol doing the digging. I could handle it, too.

‘Good.’

This was perfect timing, as I was trying to raise the Black Rose Salon’s level to force my way into the high-class debutante ball.

I had no idea what identity he had assumed, but there was no reason this couldn’t be the First Life Commander Jin’s starting point. He was still watching this situation with a curious expression, and it wasn’t just him—everyone was looking at me.

As for those idiots who had accepted my duel, there was no need to say anything about them.

“It seems that... Miss Peneloti is quite skilled at chess,” one of the idiots said.

“

Hahahahaha!

”

“

Puhahahahaha!

”

‘Wow... these guys are hopeless.’

“Then, shall I briefly explain the rules...?” one of the idiots offered.

“I know all of them!” I answered.

‘Why the hell would I have suggested playing with you guys if I didn’t know how to play? You rule-obsessed idiots.’

“Are you really sure about this?” the idiot asked.

“Yes! But what about the stakes...?” I asked.

“

Hahaha

. Right, we agreed to a bet. In that case, how about this? If I win... I would like to share the honor of dancing with Miss Peneloti with all the gentlemen here... Isn’t that a good bet?” asked the idiot.

‘That’s already pretty harsh.’

“Wait a minute! That’s ridiculous!” Lady Paint chimed in. The problem wasn’t dancing with those ugly, obnoxious fools. The real issue was that there were too many nobles here, and if that condition was enforced, I would have to devote half of the debutante ball to those losers.

There was no way the idiot who set the condition was unaware of that. He was probably holding a grudge from being mocked just a while ago.

‘Seriously pathetic. Damn. Pathetic. The future of the Union of Kingdoms looks grim.’

It seemed that he had been nursing that grudge in his heart, even though I hadn’t refused him directly. I noticed Lady Pastel cautiously lifting a wine bottle, but the pure and kind Lady Peneloti hadn't realized their pettiness and nodded.

“Lady Peneloti. T-this isn’t right. Making this kind of... malicious condition all of a sudden. You might not know, but... if you accept this condition...” Lady Paint paused.

“It’s okay, Lady Paint! I-I’m pretty good at chess,” I reassured her.

“

Eh

? That’s not the problem right now... it’s them!” Lady Paint argued.

“...”

“Now... may I hear your part of the bet, Lady Peneloti?” asked the idiot.

“I...

Ah!

Could I tell you after the match? Honestly, I don't know what to bet on...” I asked.

“

Hahahahahahaha!

Sure, you can do that.

Hahaha

!” The idiot laughed. “

Hahahahahaha

... I never knew you could make jokes, Lady Peneloti."

“This is going to be interesting. I look forward to playing with you,” I asked.

“May I take over for you, Baron?”

‘So he was a baron, huh?’

“I can’t miss such a fun opportunity. I’ll handle it myself,” the baron answered.

Bored nobles with nothing to do naturally loved events like this. They gossiped daily about what had happened at the ball, so unless it was a scandal, they enjoyed hearing rumors of their own stories.

‘These fools don’t understand honor.’

If things went according to their plan, many rumors would spread. Of course, those rumors would be heavily dramatized. Tales like how the arrogant and ignorant-of-her-place Lady Peneloti was taught a lesson, and how the gentlemen who tried to manipulate the ball were punished, would circulate as classic “re-education” stories.

They’d chew, tear apart, and savor countless juicy behind-the-scenes tales.

In the end, all of that would ultimately benefit the baron. I was sure of it.

After all, Lady Peneloti was the third daughter of a penniless viscount family and a cursed young lady at that. It was easy to imagine him becoming a reckless troublemaker, relying only on his appearance and grace before the morning sun even rose.

The baron seemed to have enough influence and ability, and the people around him looked pretty trashy. The frown on the First Life Commander Jin's face told me the answer as well.

‘These guys don’t have an ounce of honor.’

Even the somewhat normal First Life Commander Jin was looking at the baron and his group with a clearly disdainful gaze, but he himself wasn’t exactly honorable either.

Rather than pretending to play the role of the black knight, he seemed more interested in the sudden wager and in Lady Peneloti.

Just then, the baron fished a handkerchief out of his pocket to cover his eyes. He snickered and laughed mockingly even as he tied the handkerchief tightly.

“

Ha... ha... heh... hahahahahaha!

There’s really no need to cover your eyes, Lady Peneloti,” the baron said.

“I do this to concentrate better,” I told him.

“Won't it be better to just let her be? She said she focuses better this way, Baron,” one of his lackeys suggested.

“True, covering the eyes does help one concentrate.

Ha... hahahaha

. Lady Peneloti, you really are an interesting person,” said the baron.

‘This is a performance, you idiots.’

“Then... once you’re ready, you can go first, Lady Peneloti,” he offered.

“Okay. I look forward to playing with you,” I said.

‘Your smirks... I’ll make sure they'll cheer for me.’

The idiots set up a sign so the crowd could clearly see. They were so kind that they walked up to me for some knuckle sandwiches, but I still found them obnoxious.

Quietly, he extended his hand and said, “E2 to E4.”

“....”

“C7 to C5,” I said.

In my mind, the board began to take shape. The faint pieces in my mind started moving on their own. Every time he spoke, the pieces in my mind would shift. Soon, it became clear that these guys had received some kind of education related to chess.

“....”

‘They know the basics.’

If they had no idea how to play chess at all, a blindfold game wouldn’t even be possible.

It was safe to assume that they had some knowledge and a sharp mind. Sure enough, he was following an opening move that was popular on the continent. They had to have studied it quite extensively.

“Knight to D4.”

“...”

“Knight to D3.”

“...”

“Pawn to C4.”

As time went on, or more precisely, when the real battle began, it became painfully clear that this guy was all show.

‘Wow. Damn, where did that confidence come from?’

What on earth made him strut around like that?

The phrase “an empty cart makes the most noise” suited him perfectly.

They had huddled together, laughing and chattering, so I thought he had a hidden move, but the so-called hidden move was nothing and was completely worthless.

It didn’t even seem familiar to him. Just a little pressure, and he was barely keeping up. He hadn't spent more than two seconds per move, so it was probably already a limit for him to visualize the board in his head, and yet he kept falling further and further behind.

In contrast, the beautiful and intelligent Lady Peneloti continued the game flawlessly. Gradually, our surroundings grew quiet. The fools mocking me endlessly and loudly were now quiet.

Their fluttering mouths had ceased moving as if someone had stuffed something in them.

“

Huh...

”

“What... is this....”

On the sign created by a mage, the current state of the match was probably being reflected at the moment. The baron was utterly defeated, unable to make a proper move. He ought to have conceded long ago, but pride kept him from doing so, and in the end...

“Checkmate,” I announced.

“...”

“Did... I win?” I asked.

“...”

“...”

I didn’t hear a reply; it was an unspoken confirmation. He had no choice but to stylishly remove the handkerchief, of course, avoiding any cocky or provocative expression. It was only proper to wear a bright smile to show that the match was fun for him.

‘Look, fools. This is Aina Peneloti.’

“

Waaaah!

Lady Peneloti!”

“

Kyaaa!

Lady Peneloti!”

“A-amazing, Lady Peneloti.”

The first to cling to me was Lady Pastel, followed by Lady Palette, who reeked of

fresh

tobacco.

‘Ah, stay back a bit, Lady Palette.’

“It was revolutionary! Lady Peneloti! Truly revolutionary!”

‘No, stop it with the revolutionary. I’m afraid you’ll get taken away.’

Naturally, my opponent looked like he was at a funeral.

“W-what... the...”

Even so, he seemed to want to salvage some pride...

“

Hahaha

... well... well played, Lady Peneloti. I... I’ve lost,” the baron admitted.

Pretending to have lost on purpose made him look pitiful, almost pathetic.

“

Ha... hah

... the Baron... must’ve felt sorry for Lady Peneloti.”

“B-but Lady Peneloti was impressive as well.”

“Amazing...”

‘Seriously, just shut up.’

“Then... I’ll consider myself the loser in the wager, Lady Peneloti. If there’s anything you wish for...” he said.

“I want to play one more time!” I shouted.

“What?”

“I’d like to play one more time, if that’s okay? That’s what I’d like to ask for...” I told him.

“...”

“This time, I want to play against all of you at once,” I said.

“W-wait, Lady Peneloti... there are...”

‘Five people?’

It’s really easy.

“You can bring your own boards. I don’t mind,” I said.

Without waiting for their response, I once again covered my eyes with the handkerchief.

“....”

And then...

“Checkmate.”

“...”

“Checkmate.”

“...”

“Checkmate.”

“...”

“You’ve lost.”

“...”

“Checkmate.”

Once again, I removed the handkerchief and faced forward. I saw First Life Commander Jin behind them, watching with obvious amusement.

“Interesting...” he muttered.

‘Did you just... say "interesting"?’

“Fascinating,” he said.

“...”

“...”

‘Having... fun yet?’