The reactions were certainly tremendous. The explosive response of the nobles who saw Vincent transformed into a baby in an instant was self-explanatory, and even the children, who somewhat knew of Delina’s capabilities, alternated their gaze between the infantile Vincent and Delina.

“Could you even do such a thing?”

Noah and Ashud, who had been watching the two up close, knew this was no trick. Noah’s lips curled in apparent interest, and Ashud still blinked in astonishment.

“Yeah. A family secret.”

Soon after, Delina placed the infant Vincent back into the box. Even as a baby, Vincent’s monotonous face remained unchanged. At least he wasn’t crying.

“Stay quiet here for a moment, okay?”

Prepping for her next act, Delina glanced at Noah, who grinned, knowing it was his turn.

“So, what am I doing?”

“Prepared something you’d like.”

Having hired her for a high price, it was only fair to make full use of her. Delina dragged a large chair and seated Noah on it.

“You just have to sit still.”

Seated, Noah faced the nobles. Beside him, Delina whispered.

“Should I expect something I’d like?”

“Yes, just don’t cry from happiness.”

With full assurance, Delina took something out from her bosom. It was a necklace. A small bead-like object was attached in the center.

“Now, please focus on this necklace for a moment.”

Finishing her words, Delina began to sway the necklace slowly from side to side. Naturally, the nobles’ eyes followed the necklace.

“Yes. Keep watching this necklace. Yes, exhale slowly and inhale… Now, you’re gradually becoming susceptible to my suggestion…”

Using the necklace to avoid arousing suspicion was a good idea. Noah, of course, looked skeptical but amused. However, the nobles were deeply engrossed in Delina’s words.

“Now, when I say one, two, three, you will be entranced… One, two, three!”

As soon as she said three and employed her power, the nobles’ attention was drawn to Noah. Instantly, their eyes changed, and they rushed toward him.

“Money! Take my money!”

“Gems! My gems are better!”

“This cane is invaluable! Passed down through generations!”

Each noble offered valuable items to Noah, some even tearing off their own jewelry.

“Take mine!”

“And mine!”

Those who saw Noah were busy kneeling and offering money and gems. Those who couldn’t see him looked on in astonishment. Meanwhile, Noah, in the midst of this chaotic scene, said…

“Alright, one at a time.”

He looked perfectly at ease, accepting money and jewels. Observing him, Delina clicked her tongue.

“Move aside! I’m first!”

“Who are you to decide! I’ll offer first!”

Obviously, she couldn’t let this continue. Delina hastily shook the necklace as she saw the quarreling nobles.

“Now, one, two, three, and you’ll snap out of it. One, two, three!”

The spell broken, the startled nobles began to realize what they had been doing.

Then they looked at the money and gems in their hands, letting out gasps of both astonishment and dread. Meanwhile, Noah, who had risen from his seat, also wore a satisfied smile.

“I knew I could count on you.”

“Right?”

“I’ll cut your hiring fee.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You deserve it.”

It wasn’t just Noah who looked satisfied. Delina could see it too. Edwin, who was looking at me with the most radiant eyes.

“…….”
Delina tried her best to ignore Edwin’s gaze, but eyes were coming from elsewhere as well. Estelle, who was also looking at Delina, wrote something in her notebook. Delina hoped it was not some sort of “human experimentation notebook.”

Delina shifted her gaze again. Soon, she saw Bellion, whose reaction she was most curious about. And Delina knew. The corners of Bellion’s lips, visible under his mask, were slightly raised.

‘He’s smiling!’

The moment she saw Bellion’s smiling face, surprise and pride flashed in Delina’s eyes. Filled with newfound confidence, she turned her head towards Ashud.

“……What are you trying to do?”

Having watched the previous performance, Ashud approached Delina with a cautious look. Delina, now completely at ease, merely smiled.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to do anything weird. I will apply the same ability to you as to Zen. You can do whatever you want.”

“You expect me to jump around like that fool?”

“You don’t have to do exactly that. You could do dagger-throwing or something similar. Just don’t feel pressured. And a simple greeting will suffice.”

The performance had already been successful enough just by what had been shown earlier. Moreover, it had become an issue that Ashud, a royal, had participated.

“This is the last performance.”

It was just as Delina was about to use her ability on Ashud. She suddenly felt a heat from behind and turned around in horror.

Ah!

Vansent, who had somehow crawled out of the box, was holding the gun Delina had been carrying earlier. Flames erupted as Vansent instinctively pulled the trigger. He began waving the gun around.

“Stop it! It’s dangerous! Put that down!”

In this precarious situation, Delina quickly lunged at Vansent. Just then, the long jet of flame covered a monkey that had been playing nearby.

“Eeek!”

Startled by the heat, the monkey began tossing whatever it was holding, hitting Zen, who had been bouncing around, squarely on the head.

“!”

It was something Zen could easily have dodged, but he didn’t. Seeing this, Delina’s mouth fell open.

‘Could it be…?’

“Zen! Come down now!”

Sure enough, Zen, who was struggling to contain his overflowing energy, was on the verge of fainting. Upon hearing Delina’s shout, he descended. Yet another object struck Zen’s face.

“!”

Zen, drained of strength, collapsed in front of Delina. She caught him but lost her balance, stumbling backward. Callix, who had noticed the commotion, left the target area and approached Delina.

“Hold on, you shouldn’t be coming yet…!”

Struggling to stand, Delina hurriedly opened the window to cancel Callix’s ability but was rebounded by his invisible wall.

Suddenly spun around in place, Delina felt a strange sense of coolness and touched her face. She soon found a fallen mask and wig nearby.

‘Ah.’

Delina, now exposed to all the nobles, glanced around. But it wasn’t over yet.

“……!”

Blinded by a bright light from behind, Delina reflexively squinted and turned. She found the source of the light. She was horrified inside.

It seemed she had accidentally activated another keyword while being repelled by Callix. Ashud, affected by the Sunshine Man keyword, stood in the middle of the banquet hall, emitting light from his entire body. Realizing he was glowing, he glared at Delina, filled with rage.

“You, you… how dare you make a fool of me like this…”

“……No, that meant you should become the most shining emperor in the empire… Ah!”

“Don’t come near me!”
Fury clouded Ashud’s eyes, and it didn’t take long for him to lunge at Delrina.

Of course, Delrina, who wanted to live more than anyone else, began to run desperately. Meanwhile, baby Bansent continuously waved his arms, spewing flames from a gun; the monkey started to toss various objects, ripping through the stage; Zen lay on the floor, passed out.

As Callis, who had an invisible wall around him, walked around, all objects were pushed away, making a loud noise. Noah was occupied, sitting in a massive chair, chuckling and enjoying the spectacle.

The performance had devolved into complete chaos, and the nobles began to stir, their expressions entirely different from before. That’s when someone’s hearty laughter echoed.

“Ahahahahaha!”

At the same time, Delrina, who was running away from Ashud, was lifted into the air.

“Ah, thanks to you, I really enjoyed the show.”

“……?”

Only then did Delrina realize that she was being held by someone’s arm. She lifted her head to see the man who had lifted her. A voice came down from above.

“Kid, I’ll take you with me.”