Askan, who had come close, silently stared at me, then smiled mysteriously.

“Yes. So it’s better for you to stick close to my side.”

Although the atmosphere was different from the warm atmosphere of the Arwen Empire, I thought the Kahlua Empire had its own splendor and uniqueness.

But all those positive thoughts were now canceled.

Bugs? Bugs!

It was simply impossible for there to be bugs in the palace, let alone the imperial palace. With a tense expression, I was wandering around nervously.

“The Emperor and Empress of the Hwangje Empire are here!”

With the loud voice of the announcer, Helsion and Seluna appeared in the banquet hall.

Helsion, fully dressed for the occasion, looked majestic like an emperor, and standing beside him, Seluna was a beauty who stood out with her innocence.

As I was discreetly observing Seluna, Askan, who noticed that, whispered to me.

“Do you see the one standing to the left of the empress?”
In response to Askan’s words, I turned my gaze to the left of Seluna. A particularly small and petite old man caught my eye.

As I nodded, Askan whispered low enough for only me to hear.

“That person is Maroco Viscount. It’s good to remember his face.”

“Got it.”

“No matter what happens, avoid meeting the Empress and Viscount Maroco separately. They are skilled in hypnosis, and you might be caught off guard without knowing.”

Although I was familiar with the content from reading novels, I stared intently because I didn’t expect Askan to give me a warning in advance.

Askan, interpreting my gaze, opened his mouth again with a worried expression.

“If by any chance an unavoidable situation arises, remember this.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t smell anything, don’t hear anything.”

I had taken thorough precautions not to fall under hypnosis, but I nodded my head while paying attention to Askan’s words.

Being cautious about everything wouldn’t hurt.

Then it happened.

As Helsion and Seluna took their seats at the Emperor and Empress’s designated places in the banquet hall, the announcer came forward and shouted loudly.

“Here is Calpelliver, unveiled for the first time in a public place. Let’s all enjoy the magical sword of the glorious Kahlua Empire together.”

Finally, it seemed like today’s party was formally beginning.

Ssshh—

As the red curtains, thought to be decorations, were lifted, a single sword came into view.

The figure of the sword inside the crimson scabbard was majestic. Moreover, the jewel adorned in the center was undoubtedly a magical gem made in ancient times.

It was intriguing. Even at a glance, it felt like an extraordinary sword.

While staring at the Excalibur, which I had only seen in novels, I suddenly looked up at Askan standing next to me.

Askan was an indifferent man in everything. Whether he was a boy or now, he had a personality that didn’t show particular interest in anything.

But not this time.

I sensed greed in Askan’s eyes as he looked at Excalibur.

Although we had separated in the middle, the time I had known him was long. I couldn’t fool my eyes even if others didn’t know.

While I couldn’t conclude that he was corrupted just by this, I could feel that, like the original novel, he desired Excalibur.

‘Why does he want that sword?’

The unasked question lingered in my mouth.

Whether he wanted the honor of possessing the magical sword representing the Kahlua Empire or aimed for world destruction as in the original, I wanted to know according to Askan’s true intentions.

The story would undoubtedly change based on Askan’s true feelings.

Soon, people started approaching to get a closer look at Excalibur.

At that moment, the announcer who revealed Excalibur spoke in a thunderous voice.
“I plan to offer the honor of directly drawing Excalibur to only one person in this place. If you wish to participate, please raise your hand.”

It seemed like an event prepared by the royal family as they unveiled Excalibur.

Swiftly, without a moment’s hesitation, I was the first to raise my hand.

I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Askan looked at me with an unexpected expression. He seemed to not have expected me to step forward to draw Excalibur.

In addition to me, numerous people raised their hands to express their intention to participate. It was natural since I wasn’t the only one curious about Excalibur.

There were so many applicants that it seemed challenging to choose, but unexpectedly, Helsion, sitting on a chair made of gold, stood up and precisely pointed at me.

“Lady Brellof of Arwen, come here.”

The rumor of my arrival in the Kahlua Empire had already spread widely. Even those who had murmured in the banquet hall, sensing my identity, became aware of me as well.

Specifically, they learned that I was the rumored genius in magical engineering and the continent’s top weapons master.

Murmurs filled the banquet hall, which had momentarily fallen silent.

Everyone was looking at me, discussing things about me.

“Lady Brellof from the Arwen Empire has indeed come to the Kahlua Empire as rumored.”

“I heard it as a rumor, but she really looks beautiful.”