Chapter 169

The spacious banquet hall echoed with lively noise from all directions.

As I was observing my surroundings and moving forward, I overheard one of the leading Rangers explaining,

“The banquets in our Duchy are different from those of other countries.”

“The biggest difference is that they are held outdoors. Of course, if it’s cold or the weather is bad, they take place indoors.”

True to their word, the venue for the Arpen banquet wasn’t a separate hall but the Plaza in front of the Royal Castle itself.

This wasn’t the only peculiar thing.

It was quite a sight to see whole pigs and deer being roasted—something you wouldn’t easily find at banquets abroad.

And then, some folks were sitting right on the ground, having a drink. The mix of nobles and commoners had Noah wide-eyed in surprise.

It was understandable for her to be shocked.

After all, this was her first banquet in Arpen.

As she was absorbing this astonishing scene, the Rangers continued their explanation.

“In our Duchy, there is an Obligation of Military Service.”

“To continuously suppress the ever-emerging Monsters, every citizen must enlist in the military—regardless of gender—once they reach adulthood.”

This was something Noah was already aware of.

That’s why the original Delia also returned to the Duchy after graduating from Arsen Academy and served in the military for three years, gaining practical experience.

“So, in cases where individuals have served in the same duration or place, it’s common to see such familiar interactions.”

“Of course, this only applies to banquets.”

If this kind of behavior were displayed in official settings, it would be considered an insult to the nobility.

After wrapping up this explanation about why such scenes were only witnessed at banquets, the group moved on to the next area.

“That place is where the dishes are served.”

“The cuisine at a banquet hosted by the Arpen Royal Family is known for its deliciousness. The chef’s skills are exceptional.”

A table full of delicacies.

This was Ulan’s favorite sight.

As he was swallowing his saliva from the delicious smells, the Rangers added,

“If there’s a specific dish you’d like, just let us know, and we’ll pass it to the kitchen.”

There was no need for that.

The table was already overflowing with appetizing dishes before him. Just as he was smiling contently, he noticed more dishes being brought out.

“We should load our plates before the crowd gathers.”

“Good thinking.”

Ulan’s eyes sparkled.

As he piled the food high on his plate, something suddenly caught his eye.

A bright golden stew.

It was a dish both of them were familiar with.

“That’s……”

“Oh, it’s Honey Spider Stew.”

Delia’s absolute favorite dish.

As long as one could get past the fact that spiders were used as an ingredient, it was a wonderfully sweet stew.

However, there was something odd.

Most of the Rangers were completely ignoring the Honey Spider Stew. Perplexed, Ulan tilted his head.

“Aren’t you eating this?”

“Huh? Which one are you talking about?”

“The Honey Spider Stew.”

As soon as Ulan pointed at the stew, the Rangers burst into laughter.

“Haha, you’re quite the jokester.”

“How could anyone eat bugs?”

This reaction was unexpected.

Noah looked baffled and asked,

“But I heard it’s a traditional dish?”

“Well, yes, technically it is…….”

“In truth, it’s more accurate to call it an Absurdity for times when food is scarce.”

“If there’s nothing else to eat, you’d survive on something like that.”

The Rangers added further explanations.

Despite being a polarizing dish, it was included in the banquet as it symbolized the Rangers.

“But a symbol is just a symbol.”

“No one actually likes it.”

“If someone enjoys it, their taste buds must be malfunctioning.”

Noah awkwardly smiled, thankful that Delia wasn’t there.

A while later, the Rangers, with plates piled high, politely bowed their heads to bid farewell.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

“Enjoy your meal!”

It was likely their way of wishing them a pleasant meal.

Once the Rangers disappeared, Ulan and Noah wasted no time digging into their food.

After a considerable amount of time passed and their bellies were pleasantly full, they sensed someone approaching. Shortly after, a soft voice nudged their ears.

“Excuse me.”

It was an unfamiliar voice.

So quiet that it could be easily missed if one wasn’t paying attention. However, Ulan caught the voice and soon located the source.

“Hello.”

“You are….”

A youthful girl seated in a large wheelchair.

Ulan recognized her face.

Where had he seen her? As he silently racked his brain for memories, Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.

She was someone she immediately recognized.

“Are you enjoying the party?”

The girl was the other princess of the Arpen Duchy and Delia’s half-sister, Rudine Arpen.

5.

Rudine in her large wheelchair approached them and respectfully bowed her head, awkwardly smiling as if feeling shy.

“I still can’t properly express my gratitude. Helena told me you two made Healing Potions.”

After finishing her reply, she looked at the maid beside her, Helena. Then, she bowed her head again to Ulan and Noah.

“Thanks to you, I can move again, and I was able to meet my sister. You have both done me a great favor. Thank you.”

After conveying her heartfelt thanks, her expression lit up.

But that was short-lived; an awkward look crept onto Rudine’s face.

“Um, Ulan…?”

It was only for one reason.

From the moment she started thanking him, Ulan had been staring at her intently.

It was a gaze that felt a bit overwhelming.

“Is there something on my face?”

So, she asked casually, wiping around her mouth with a handkerchief, just in case. But then, an unexpected response returned.

“Can I hold your hand?”

“H-hand?”

Rudine’s expression turned to one of surprise.

Meanwhile, Helena gave a furious look, as if disapproving of Ulan’s intent.

Yet, somehow catching on to Ulan’s words, Rudine nodded hesitantly.

“It’s okay to hold hands, but….”

Before her permission could even finish, Ulan grabbed her wrist.

He then activated his Spirit and slowly infused it into Rudine’s body.

“Ugh.”

It felt like being tickled by feathers.

Rudine flinched slightly, her shoulders jumping.

After a brief moment, Ulan finally withdrew his hand.

“Just as I thought.”

His shimmering crimson eyes glowed softly as he confirmed his deduction.

“You have the qualities of a Warrior.”

“What? A warrior?”

Rudine gasped in disbelief.

Not just her, but even Helena, who had been watching Ulan attentively, and Noah, who had remained silent beside them, all looked astonished.

It was natural.

Just looking at Rudine’s physique, she didn’t seem anything close to a warrior. However, Ulan stood firm, unyielding in his conviction.

‘A body optimized for the Spirit.’

Her body excelled in absorbing and accumulating Spirit energy from the atmosphere.

True, she looked a bit frail from her time bedridden, but her skeletal structure was quite impressive.

She was truly the embodiment of a warrior’s physique.

Unlike Delia, who inherited the blood of a fairy, it appeared Rudine bore a strong resemblance to Erhent’s lineage.

‘Naturally, she must have become a shut-in.’

The bodies of warriors and mages were fundamentally different.

If she were to forcefully learn magic in her current state, she would instantly face an overload, leading to a magic rampage.

As Ulan understood the reason Rudine had experienced a magic overload, Noah gazed at both Rudine and Ulan with a dazed expression.

‘A warrior’s qualities…?’

That couldn’t be right.

Because in the original story, Rudine Arpen had a horribly underwhelming status screen.

‘F grade with no traits.’

Her character was rated at the lowest possible F grade.

There was nothing remarkable about her talents; she was merely a typical extra character. This was the Rudine Arpen that Noah remembered.

Thus, she blinked at Rudine with a face filled with disbelief, hoping to uncover the truth through her status screen.

After a moment, when her status screen appeared, Noah gaped in shock.

“……!”

[Name]: Rudine Arpen

[Age]: 14

[Rank]: A

[Trait]: Blessing of the Great Warrior

This was understandable.

The person who had clearly been an F grade in the original story had now risen to A grade. In other words, she had transformed into a Named Character overnight.

‘Could she have been a hidden character all along?’

This was yet another Hidden Piece.

In the original, there were those who only revealed their true potential when certain conditions were met.

However, Noah had never seen such a dramatic transformation before, leaving her gazing at Rudine in awe.

Just then, an unexpected hush fell over the surroundings.

The King of Arpen, Erhent, had made his entrance.

Consequently, the previously boisterous atmosphere in the banquet hall rapidly dissipated.

As everyone’s attention turned toward the stage, a girl suddenly appeared.

A silver-haired girl dressed in a pure white gown. Upon spotting her, Rudine exclaimed excitedly.

“Ah! It’s my sister!”

Waving her hand joyfully.

Delia, who was walking the stage, seemed to have noticed Rudine as she smiled gently.

As silence enveloped the hall, Erhent’s proclamation began.

‘Just as I anticipated.’

The Arpen Duchy had birthed a High Mage, likely allowing them to gain an advantage in the future war against the Monsters.

However, there was one unexpected point.

‘But he didn’t mention Ulan.’

Erhent had designated Ulan as the Master.

Not a single word about Ulan was mentioned. Although a little puzzled by this, Noah soon realized why.

‘After all, today’s protagonist is Delia.’

Erhent’s aim was likely to focus all attention and blessings on Delia. After finishing his speech, he raised his glass high and exclaimed,

“Since this is a joyful day, I hereby permit you all to indulge in copious eating and drinking tonight!”

“Waaaah!”

“Long live the King!”

Once the official announcement concluded, the banquet hall erupted back into its lively atmosphere as if it had never quieted down.

A little later, the star of today’s banquet approached.

“…I’m here.”

A tired-looking girl.

It was Delia Arpen.

However, one thing that was different.

“Huh? Where’s your dress?”

“It was uncomfortable, so I changed and came.”

Currently, Delia was wearing the clothes Noah had picked earlier instead of a dress.

“And, I like this better.”

Because Ulan had said it suited her well.

After finishing her reply, she flashed a shy smile and then turned back to the group.

“What were you all talking about?”

Curiously inquiring, the group recounted their earlier conversations. Moments later, after hearing the whole story, Delia gasped.

Her face was one of surprise.

“A warrior’s qualities? In Rudine?”

“Yeah, she has a body suitable for the Spirit.”

Ulan nodded in agreement.

On the other hand, Delia tilted her head in confusion.

“But Rudine is….”

Her body is weak. She had been bedridden for a long time.

But a warrior’s qualities? Could Ulan be mistaken?

As those thoughts crossed her mind, Rudine, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.

“But I feel kind of happy.”

“Happy?”

“Yeah, because until now, nobody ever told me I had talent or potential.”

Rudine smiled ruefully.

But that smile was short-lived as she brightly continued,

“Plus, it feels like now I have a reason to stand by my sister.”

“Even without that, you don’t need a reason to be near her….”

“No, this is a qualification I have chosen for myself. I want to help my sister too.”

Rudine shook her head.

Then, with a face illuminated as if grasping a glimmer of hope, she declared,

“I’m really going to work hard.”

“Rudine….”

“So, cheer for me, okay?”

Her face was now full of life.

The girl who had despaired for years while bedridden. How could one ignore her now that she was reigniting the fire of life?

Delia smiled gently.

“Yeah, Rudine, you can do it.”

“Hehe, yes!”

With that cheerful response, the group continued to share various conversations. Most were about the events that had transpired at Arsen Academy.

And thus, the dialogue continued.

The atmosphere brightened more and more.

6.

As it neared midnight, the banquet showed no signs of winding down even as the night deepened. Staring at the now rowdy banquet hall,

“What are you looking at?”

A familiar voice rang out.

Noah had appeared and sat beside Ulan.

At that question, Ulan pointed towards the large campfire and replied,

“It just seems like a nostalgic sight.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, it’s similar to the prairie.”

As Noah pointed out, the Arpen Duchy’s banquet bore many similarities to the prairie festivals.

Perhaps that was why?

Ulan wore a reminiscent expression.

As he gazed at the raging flames while lost in thought, Noah spoke up.

“Speaking of which, school resumes soon.”

Only three days remained of the break.

If they took the carriage, they needed to depart by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Nodding silently to himself, Ulan muttered with a bitter expression.

“……I’m sorry to Ivella.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because I couldn’t keep my promise.”

He had promised to visit Count Deorg’s territory during the break, but he hadn’t been able to fulfill it.

On the other hand, Noah thought differently.

“That’s unavoidable. You failed the re-exam, and even if you had passed, you still needed to come to the Arpen Duchy.”

If they hadn’t come to the Duchy, they might not have been able to save Delia. Thus, Noah nonchalantly added,

“So you can just say the truth.”

They would surely understand, after all.

Although she was extremely jealous, her feelings for Ulan were even stronger. So Noah maintained a nonchalant expression.

“Well, that’s a relief, but….”

“It’s okay. I’ll tell you too.”

Noah beamed with a smile.

Her answer was reassuring just to hear. As Ulan nodded silently, suddenly, someone approached them.

“Excuse me, Miss Noah.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but do you have a moment?”

It was Helena, Delia’s personal maid.

At her sudden words, Noah tilted her head in confusion.

“I have time, but… why?”

“Actually, Princess Rudine wants to ask you something urgently.”

“Me? What is it?”

“I’ll tell you the details once we get there.”

Something to say to me? What could it be?

Noah’s face grew puzzled.

This was an unexpected development that hadn’t existed in the original story.

Swept up by rising curiosity, she immediately got up from her seat and followed Helena.

Meanwhile, at that moment, as Helena walked ahead, she blinked toward Delia, who was accompanying Rudine.

As if sending some kind of signal.

Seeing this, Delia nodded.

After a brief moment, she rose from her seat and stealthily approached the now-alone Ulan.

“Um, Ulan.”

“……?”

“Are you free for a moment?”

Delia spoke tentatively.

She looked as if there was something she wanted to say. Ulan asked, puzzled.

“Is there something you need?”

“No, it’s not anything serious….”

After a brief pause, she continued almost in a murmur.

Her voice was softer than a mosquito.

“…I want to go somewhere with you.”

“Somewhere you want to go?”

“I’ll tell you while we go.”

With that, Delia reached out her hand.

As if beckoning him to follow.

Ulan tilted his head in confusion but followed her without asking any further questions, since she wouldn’t call for him for trivial matters.

After leaving the banquet hall, the two headed towards a hill behind the North Tower.

It was a somewhat secluded spot, away from the crowds.