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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Heroes' Welcome
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In the imperial palace of Auraria, the heroes who had defeated the Mad Dragon and returned from their long journey were given a grand welcome.
And the four heroes who had come to Auraria instead of returning to their home countries received even more attention.
“But why have they come to Auraria?”
“I don't know the reason, but doesn't this mean that among the five empires, our Auraria is the best? Perhaps they'll even decide to settle here.”
“His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased.”
“I was just looking for a match for my daughter... This is perfect.”
The ministers of Auraria whispered among themselves as they watched the heroes at the banquet.
It was only natural, as all four of them had made enormous contributions in the recent war.
An old nobleman, a minister of Auraria, watched them intently.
He was the same minister who had just mentioned looking for a match for his daughter.
He seemed to be pondering which of the four men would be a good match for his daughter.
He'd even heard that one of them had been personally recognized by the Holy Emperor for his immense divine power, leaving a strong impression.
*That must be him.*
The old nobleman's gaze fell upon Griffith.
His chilly expression was a flaw, but judging by the looks from the women at the banquet, it seemed to be part of his charm.
But he was destined to become a man of the temple. The nobleman had no desire to send his daughter to the temple.
The old nobleman's gaze shifted to the man next to him.
*The Crown Prince of the Hresvelg Empire, wasn't it?*
It was Oscar.
The old nobleman marveled. He was a handsome man, as if drawn by an artist.
A Crown Prince—that was even better. His daughter could become the empress of an empire.
At that moment, the old nobleman's eyes met Oscar's.
“......!”
The old nobleman, startled, quickly looked away. His gaze was so chilling it felt as if he had locked eyes with a ghost.
*...That one won't do.*
The man's aura was so cold one might suspect him of being a demon. He could instinctively feel the danger.
The old nobleman kept his head bowed for a long moment before looking up again.
The next person he looked at was a man named Calix, a renowned mercenary.
The old nobleman dismissed the thought and turned his head. Calix had lost his sight in both eyes during the battle with the Mad Dragon.
Though it was said he hadn't lost his vision completely...
*I can't have a son-in-law with a physical defect.*
The old nobleman made his cold assessment and averted his gaze.
*It seems that man would be the best choice.*
Romeo Rosebery.
Although he had renounced the throne, he was still royalty. Moreover, he was beautiful in appearance, and his frequent smiles suggested a pleasant personality.
After the banquet ended.
People began to move about freely, holding champagne glasses, eating dessert, and conversing.
The old nobleman seized the opportunity, picked up a champagne flute, and approached Romeo.
As he drew near, Romeo greeted him first, as if he had been waiting.
*He has good manners, too.*
The old nobleman smiled inwardly with satisfaction and continued the conversation with him.
As they chatted about this and that, the topic somehow shifted to a strange place.
“Lellia? Lellia... hmm...”
The old nobleman mulled over the name Romeo had asked about, then exclaimed, "Ah!" as if something had come to mind.
“You must mean that princess! The daughter of the late Princess Iris!”
At his reaction, Romeo smiled gently and drew out the story.
“Is there anything you know about her?”
“That princess... she went missing several years ago, I believe. I recall His Majesty sent soldiers to find her at first, but soon gave up... Since she left the imperial palace on her own two feet, well, he must have decided to let her live freely.”
“Missing...”
“It seems she left of her own accord to avoid a political marriage. His Majesty magnanimously ordered the search to be called off. From what I've heard, she lived in a tower at the edge of the forest until then.”
Without realizing it, he was spilling everything he knew.
It was strange how easily the words flowed, as if he were drunk.
Belatedly, the old nobleman tried to broach the subject with Romeo, asking, "By the way, is there anyone you're promised to..."
But when he came to his senses, the blond man was nowhere to be seen, no matter how hard he looked.
It was as if he had been bewitched by a fox.
