Chapter 122: Changing Oshi?

“So this is Jeremy-sensei’s house…”

I stepped off the carriage and looked up at the Canon Viscount House’s Royal Capital residence standing before me in the lingering sunset.

It felt rather compact. Not flashy at all, it was like a good old-fashioned mansion.

The Canon Viscount House seemed indifferent to factional relations and appeared to be sending out invitations truly without discrimination.

In fact, the noble who entered the mansion before us should have been a Traditionalist noble.

There’s no way they sent invitations to all nobles, but what’s the criteria?

When I asked Father that question, he replied,

“Hmm… probably nobles who have specialized knowledge or experience in various fields. The noble who entered earlier is a Traditionalist, but he’s a renowned figure in the study of Imperial Kingdom literature.”

So that’s the criteria. It seems they invite people who are considered cultured figures, scholars, or experts.

“Eh? Then why were we invited?”

“Probably because they want to hear about you, Sakuraile. I’m sure they want to study the [Holy Sword] that houses the power of a god.”

Ehh…? Even if they say that, I don’t really understand it myself, you know? The [Holy Sword] originally came from Estelle’s ‘Gift’ anyway.

“Also, they might be interested in the Divine Beast-sama. Theologians would probably want to hear his story.”

『Nonsense. I am the little master’s guard beast, nothing more, nothing less.』

Since I’m attending, my guard, Kohaku-san, is also tagging along. Ritsu and Bianca aren’t coming. It was Father’s consideration that we shouldn’t bring them to an evening party while they are still apprentices.

Instead, Arisa-san and Tanya-san are here. These two are my guards, and Father and Mother have their own separate guards.

Once we enter the venue, their role is to stand by in the back, keep an eye on the surroundings, and check for any suspicious persons or objects.

“Lady Sakuraile!”

“Eh? Estelle?”

Just as I was about to go up the entrance stairs, Estelle, wearing a pastel green dress, burst out of a carriage that had just arrived.

From the same carriage, Estelle’s parents, Baron Euphonium and Yulia-sensei, stepped down.

“The Euphonium Baron House was also invited, huh.”

“Yes! I heard from my mother that Lady Sakuraile was attending, so I had them bring me along!”

Ah, the mother network. But why was the Euphonium Baron House invited? They shouldn’t be a scholarly family. Did they have something that caught their interest, just like us?

“The Euphonium Baron House is a newly established house this year. If they don’t know what kind of people the new nobles are, they won’t be able to decide how to associate with them, right?”

I see. So that’s how it is. Father’s explanation makes sense. It’s true that if you don’t know them, you won’t know how to interact with them moving forward.

But Estelle’s family is more of a martial arts family rather than an academic one, so it will probably end up being a relationship kept at arm’s length.

“You must be the members of the Philharmonie Ducal House and the Euphonium Baron House. Welcome.”

Guided by the house steward of the Canon Viscount House, we headed to the party venue.

On the way, stuffed animal heads were displayed everywhere in the hallways. Deer, bears, goats, wolves, boars, and various other animal heads were lined up.

Lined up like this, it’s a bit of a horror show…

Perhaps sensing my feelings, Father spoke with a slight smile.

“The previous Viscount Canon was a zoologist, I believe. That’s probably why.”

I see, so that’s why.

“Lady Sakuraile. Those deer antlers are sparkly and beautiful.”

『That’s a Crystal Deer. It’s a magic beast of a deer. Those antlers sell for a high price.』

In response to Estelle’s words, Kohaku-san, who was trotting at my feet, explained. So they have magic beast heads too, not just animals. They’re thorough…

Eventually, when we arrived at the party venue, several nobles had already started chatting with drinks in hand.

Compared to the parties at the Imperial Castle, it undeniably felt compact.

Even so, on Earth, it would be a party on the scale of renting out a hotel. Yet the atmosphere felt like a home party.

Father called out to a man near the entrance.

“Oh, it’s been a long time, Your Excellency Duke Philharmonie! And Madam as well! And over there must be Baron and Baroness Euphonium! Nice to meet you! I am the head of the Canon Viscount House, Gerald Spear Canon!”

The man who approached saying that was an uncle with glasses and a beard, over forty years old. His hairline had receded quite a bit, but he somehow looked like a doctor.

Umm, is this person Jeremy-sensei’s father, perhaps?

“It’s been a while, Viscount Canon. You didn’t come to His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday party either, so I thought you weren’t in the Royal Capital.”

“Hahaha! I was busy deciphering ancient documents, so I apologize, but I had to be absent. It finally finished just the other day, so I thought I’d host a commemorative party like this.”

Ah, so today’s party is that kind of party. A congratulations on deciphering ancient documents party? Did he find out something amazing?

“Oh, and this young lady here must be Lady Sakuraile, the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’! My my!? And this white tiger here, could it be the Divine Beast-sama!? To think you would deign to visit our house! What an honor!”

“N-Nice to meet you.”

『U-Umu. Pleased to meet you.』

Both Kohaku-san and I were a bit put off by Viscount Canon’s sky-high tension. This person’s eyes are a little bloodshot. He might have pulled an all-nighter. Wouldn’t it be better to sleep rather than host a party?

After Viscount Canon exchanged greetings with Mother, Yulia-sensei, and Estelle as well, he said, “Well then, see you later!” and went off towards newly arrived guests.

“He was somehow a very powerful person…”

“Hahaha, that’s him on a better day. Try bringing up history. His mouth won’t stop.”

That’s him on a better day… Viscount Canon is apparently a historian. The deciphering of ancient documents must be related to that.

Come to think of it, what Jeremy-sensei taught was Magic Beast/Monsterology. I wonder if he went down that path due to the influence of his grandfather or father?

While the nobles in the venue came over to greet our parents, Kohaku-san, Estelle, and I quickly slipped away and got drinks from a buffet-style table.

Apple juice, huh. Unlike the ones sold at convenience stores, the taste is a little murky, but this is delicious in its own way.

“The juice from Lady Sakuraile’s shop is more delicious…”

“You shouldn’t say that.”

Estelle bluntly voiced what I was slightly thinking in my heart.

Fortunately, it seems no one heard her, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Estelle’s palate has become refined too… It’s mostly my shop’s fault, though…

By the way…

I looked around restlessly, but there was no one who looked like Jeremy-sensei. Hmm, perhaps he hasn’t entered winter vacation yet? Did I make a wasted trip…?

Jeremy-sensei has already left the house, and he probably doesn’t have a noble title, but he hasn’t been disowned either, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to be at a party at his family home.

“Is something wrong?”

“Eh? N-No, I just thought there really aren’t many children here.”

I blurted that out to Estelle to cover it up, trying to maintain my composure.

Indeed, there are few children. Not completely absent, but truly sparse.

Moreover, since this party gathers people regardless of factions, it takes a lot of care to initiate conversations. It’s not good to get weirdly friendly with children from hostile factions.

The adult nobles were also glancing at us occasionally, but didn’t come to talk. They might be wary of Kohaku-san, a Divine Beast.

“Huh? Are you by any chance the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’?”

Suddenly, a frivolous voice came from above, and when I looked up, a young man of about twenty was standing there.

The young man, with ash-blonde long hair reaching his shoulders and wearing glasses, was peering at me with interest.

“And could that tiger cub over there be the Divine Beast-sama? You’re the young lady of the Philharmonie Ducal House, right?”

“That’s right, but…”

“I don’t know who you are, but isn’t it common courtesy to introduce yourself first when asking someone questions? Aren’t you being rude?”

Interrupting me as I was about to answer, Estelle stepped in front of the frivolous guy.

The frivolous guy let out a little whistle, as if joking around, and then bowed deeply and theatrically with a bow and scrape.

“My apologies. I am Gerald Spear Canon’s second son, Jeremy Canon. Young ladies, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Haaaaaaaah!?”

Hearing that name, an unbelievable shout involuntarily escaped my mouth. The young man in front of me, Estelle, and Kohaku-san all widened their eyes in surprise.

Eh!? This frivolous guy is Jeremy-sensei!? He’s a completely different person!?

No, now that he mentions it, there are traces… maybe? But I can’t feel Jeremy-sensei’s polite and intellectual tone, his mature dandyism, or his thoughtful and calm atmosphere at all!?

“You’re an imposter, aren’t you…?”

“Huh?”

“You’re his older brother, younger brother, or cousin pretending to be Jeremy-sensei!? Right? Admit it! You frivolous guy!”

“Eh? What what!? Why am I being suspected!?”

I jumped up and grabbed the frivolous guy by the collar. He’s an imposter, right!? Please tell me he’s an imposter!

“L-Lady Sakuraile!?”

『C-Calm down, master!』

Estelle and Kohaku-san, surprised by my actions, stepped in to stop me.

Eventually, Father and the others, hearing the commotion, came over and peeled me off the frivolous guy.

“W-What on earth is the matter, Sakuraile!?”

“That person! He lied!”

“Lied?”

When Father knit his brows and glared at the frivolous guy, he shook his head vigorously from side to side, indicating he knew nothing.

“Lord Jeremy, what on earth did you say to my daughter?”

“No, I… I also don’t know what’s going on… Suddenly calling me a frivolous guy, an imposter…”

Wait a minute, Father. What did you just say? Really? Is it really him?

“This person is Viscount Canon’s second son, Lord Jeremy. I’ve met him several times at parties. Sakuraile? Are you listening? Sakuraile?”

In Father’s arms, I was desperately holding back from fainting.

My Oshi… my number one Oshi… Why…? Why did this happen…?