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Silence filled the room.

I couldn't tell if it was the shock of me saying I would attend the banquet or if they were just surprised that I would go to Count Warrug and deliver the invitation without complaint.

In that strange atmosphere, I calmly continued my meal.

Count Millennium and the Countess looked at each other for a while before speaking.

"Raymond."

"Yes, Father."

"You've changed a lot."

"It's just that I have a goal now."

A goal to survive. In the end, either I kill the novel's main character or I die.

One or the other, no third option. I had the goal now to kill the main character before I died.

And if I didn't find a way to get out of here, I wanted to have a good life.

"Are you serious about attending the banquet?"

"I am."

"If you attend the banquet this time, you will have to go to the hunting grounds."

"I will."

I did not avoid Count Millennium's gaze.

Looking into his eyes filled with complex feelings, it was only then that I could fully grasp the situation.

It must have been a great shock to Raymond when Xerion got into an accident at the banquet four years ago. From then on, he chose to be absent from the event.

'This time… I have to attend.'

Only then would I have one more chance to get Beatrice over to my side and Selina while I was at it.

I will achieve nothing if I don’t act.

That was the natural order of life.

"Okay. Then we’ll leave the preparations to you."

"Yes."

"And about delivering the invitation to Count Warrug... I'd better go with you. We will go this afternoon, so be ready by then."

"I understand."

I gave a short answer.

Perhaps he couldn't get used to my respectful attitude as Count Millennium shook his head, looking disconcerted, and focused back on eating.

He didn't yet know that this change was just beginning.

***

I spent the whole day learning about the Warrug Household.

I recalled the characteristics of Count Warrug's family and the description of Selina that I had read in the novel.

Perhaps because Selina was also a character who tried to stop the main character during the fall of the kingdom, the novel described her in relatively in-depth detail.

'A woman with clear silver hair and blue eyes.'

The novel had described her that way. To add to that, another characteristic was highlighted as well.

'A beautiful woman with clear silver hair and blue eyes.'

Even though the novel hadn't said anything about Beatrice's beauty, Selina was noted to be quite beautiful.

So how amazing would she look if the novel emphasized her appearance?

I should be able to recognize Selina at a glance, even though it would be my first time meeting her.

As I was thinking about my plan...

"Young Master, you're ready."

Alice took a step back, and I looked in the mirror.

They tried to present me as a member of the esteemed Millennium Household, and my wizardly garb made it all too clear.

Basically, the Millennium Household solely produced combat wizards. That's why I was wearing a robe that would be comfortable in battle.

"Not bad."

I felt awkward, but it wasn't too bad to look at, so I nodded and turned away.

I headed for the Gate, but a voice calling from behind stopped me short.

"Raymond."

"…Yes, father?"

I didn't know why the word 'Father' felt so awkward, but without paying mind to it, Count Millennium naturally moved into step alongside me.

"When we get there..."

"Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble."

"...Okay."

Count Millennium, staring at me quietly, replied and moved in front of the Gate.

I noticed the two apprentice wizards I had beaten up a while ago standing respectfully at a distance.

They looked pretty cute, so I laughed. As I looked them over, one of them hurriedly lowered his head when his eyes met mine.

"Activating it."

I heard someone speak.

And when I opened my eyes, I saw a place I had never been to before.

The scenery was not that inside the Millennium Mansion. Decorative swords were hung all over the walls, exuding an atmosphere that would intimidate an opponent.

"Welcome, Gerard."

"Bane. It's been a few months."

Bane, the head of the Household of Warrug, and Count Millennium warmly greeted each other.

I had read that they were old friends, so it wasn't strange to see them greeting each other warmly.

Count Warrug's gaze turned to me while I watched them.

"I didn't know your son would come too. If I had known, I would have brought Selina with me."

"I apologize for not giving you notice beforehand."

"No, I am sorry."

Count Warrug said that and turned to me. I bowed my head slightly in greeting.

"My name is Raymond Millennium."

"Why are you being so formal? The whole kingdom knows you are Raymond Millennium."

Laughing, Count Warrug replied. But even as he said that, he glanced at Count Millennium.

It was apparent Count Warrug also knew how Raymond used to be and asked with his eyes what the reason was for this changed attitude.

Count Millennium just smiled.

"First… let's go inside. We shouldn't stay out here like this."

Count Warrug flashed a smile before leading us into the lounge. After that, they shared some formalities.

"I want you to attend the banquet jointly hosted by the Millennium and Skylar Magic Towers."

"Of course, I will go."

Count Warrug replied with a big nod.

After all, he knew what Count Millennium was here for and didn't intend to break old traditions.

I took out the invitation and handed it to Count Warrug at that point, thus concluding my role here.

After listening to the trivial conversation, I waited for the perfect time to open my mouth.

"I… I want to look around the mansion since I haven't been here in a long time."

"Look around as much as you want. Butler, take Raymond on a tour of the mansion grounds."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Count Millennium glanced questioningly at me, but I tried to ignore it and followed the butler.

I had no desire to watch the older men's conversation that would take forever. Now I had to implement the plan I came here for, so I walked around the mansion at a quick pace.

But it wasn’t easy to find Selina.

Eventually, I asked the butler, who was following me around and briefing me about the mansion’s many rooms.

"I also want to take a look at the training field. Is that possible?"

The butler thought for a moment and then replied.

"The 1st field will be difficult because the knights are using it, and Lady Selina is using the 2nd. I think it's possible if you just want to watch."

Found her.

I couldn't help but be glad that I had finally found where she was.

"Then let's go there."

The butler quietly bowed his head.

***

There was only one person in the vast 2nd training field. Looking at her wearing leather armor and a sturdy helmet. I felt like something looked strange.

She looked a little different from what the novels described.

'Is it because I haven't seen her face properly yet?'

But it wasn't really that because I wasn't talking about the description of her physical appearance.

Could it be that her talent hadn't ignited yet?

'She seems... clumsy?'

Selina was swinging her sword, but I felt that her movements were a bit weird.

It was very awkward how her sword went out first, and the tips of her toes followed much later.

"Hmm."

After I tilted my head and made a small noise, Selina stopped swinging her sword and glanced over to the butler and me.

With a flourish, she removed her helmet, revealing a mane of shimmering silver hair. It was only then that I got a proper look at her face. 

And in that moment, I fully understood the lofty beauty standards set forth in the novel.

Anyone would consider her beautiful the moment they see her.'

No one on Earth could even be compared.

I slowly approached her. She looked at me and tilted her head.

"Young Master Raymond Millennium came to deliver this year's banquet invitation."

"Oh, so it is today."

Selina muttered with understanding and held out her hand. I reached out and shook it.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Selina Warrug."

"...I'm Raymond Millennium."

"I've been wanting to meet you since you stopped attending the banquets just when I started. I didn't know I would meet you like this."

Selina said with a small smile. It was a formal, tight-lipped smile, but my eyes couldn't help but wander to her lips. Raymond was currently 18 years old, and Selina was 17 years old. She radiated a maturity and beauty that took me aback, despite my own status as a man in my late 20s.

'Rather than that...'

That wasn't important now.

"You seemed to be practising swordsmanship."

"I'm a member of the Warrug family, after all."

I scratched my cheek at her explanation.

After a moment of hesitation, I told her how I had felt a little while ago.

"When you were swinging your sword earlier, it seemed that your feet followed a little later… Is that how it should be done?"

Her eyebrows twitched at my words, and her expression shifted.

I couldn't tell if I hurt her pride or if there was some other reason, but Selina’s voice was sharper than before.

"I guess you know a bit about swords?"

"No, it's not like that."

I shook my head. I knew very well that Raymond was a genius when it came to swords.

But if she asked if I knew anything about swordsmanship, the answer would have to be no. All I knew was what was in the novel.

"You came to the Warrug Household and yet criticize my swordsmanship. You are an interesting fellow."

Selina watched me with strange eyes. Had I offended her?

Her brow twitched. I decided to apologize because no good would come out of getting on her nerves.

She was 17 years old, after all. I needed to be careful with every little word.

Especially if it was someone that I had to bring to my side.

"I didn’t intend to..."

I cautiously responded, but Selina held out her sword.

"That was the basic royal swordsmanship. If you know, would you like to try it?"

She asked boldly.

I wanted to apologize and say no. But for some reason…

My heart raced when my eyes fell upon the sword she held out. My hand moved on its own to grab it.

Selina grinned and stepped back to give me a chance to try it.

I slowly raised the sword. And...

The sword howled.