Advent of the Three Calamities

The venue was starting to fill.

I could see a lot of familiar faces entering the place. Be it those from this Empire, or those from other Empires.

Nobody appeared to want to miss this announcement.

“H-hoo.”

Taking a steady breath, I forced myself to calm down. My gaze lingered on my arm, the faint sting still present, before shifting to the knife next to me. The blood still stained its sharp end as the cut on my arm slowly began to heal.

I leaned back on the chair, feeling the lingering pain at the back of my head.

I wasn’t doing this because I wanted to. This step was something that I had to do. It was necessary.

“…I should be recovered enough.”

Swiping my hand and putting everything away, I stood up, staggering a couple of steps before collecting myself. Turning towards the nearest mirror, I looked at my own reflection and paused.

“I look like shit.”

With my hair plastered to my forehead and my complexion unusually pale, I looked dreadful.

it looked like I had just recovered from a high fever.

I smelled myself.

“Thankfully, I don’t smell.

it was important that I didn’t smell on this occasion. I wasn’t worried about my appearance since I knew that I’d be fine in no time, but I certainly couldn’t smell bad. “Human…” Just then, several figures appeared on the balcony of the room. Turning my head, I saw a cat, an owl, and a crab.

The sight made me smile.

What a lineup.

“You guys are here.”

It had been a while since I had last seen them all together. Owl-Mighty and Wobbles had been doing their own thing lately. Especially Wobbles, as it had been going around the entire Empire, exploring the world.

Given its strength, I wasn’t worried about its safety.

“…You called us here. Did something happen?”

“No, nothing much. I just wanted to see the three of you.”

on

_—

“Is the human okay?”

I could see the confusion in their faces as they looked at me. It was quite a funny sight. Chapters first released on novel✦fire.net

I brushed my hair back and walked to the balcony, leaning against the cool marble railing. The night breeze brushed over me as I watched people gathering below, making their way into the venue.

“It’s been quite some time since I got to know the three of you. Maybe not so much with Wobbles, but with Owl-Mighty and Pebbles, it’s been a long while.”

I thought back to the past. To the Dragon that had once terrorized the small town of Elinor, and had later almost corrupted my entire mind, to the three that had cast an illusion and almost devoured me and everyone within it.

Thinking about how I met the two of them, I couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

“You both really almost had me killed…”

An awkward silence settled in, broken only when I let out a quiet chuckle and turned my gaze to the distant moon.

For some reason, I felt at peace at the moment.

I wasn’t nervous about what was to come or the big announcement. I just felt at ease.

“I need the three of you to do me a favour.”

The three stayed quiet, but I could feel from their silence that they had picked up on something in my body language.

In its own way, this was my farewell to them.

“…1ll very likely be gone for a while.”

Before any of the three could say I word, I continued.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone for, but I’l be gone for a while. In the meantime, I’d ike to ask a favour for the three of you.”

Pulling my gaze away from the moon, I finally looked at the three of them.

“I want the three of you to head into the Mirror Dimension and stay as far from the main world as you can. I don’t know for how long, but Il let you know when it’s safe to return. This place…” I paused, my chest tightening, “…this place is going to change a lot. It’s better if you’re not here when it happens. Focus on growing stronger. If you can, lend your aid to An“as or Anne. I’m sure they’d welcome you. When the time comes, I’ll find each and every one of you. I can promise you that.”

I found the way I was speaking to be funny. It was almost as if I was speaking like I was going to die and never come back. That was the furthest thing from the truth. I wasn’t going to die, nor was I leaving for good.

In fact, everything would probably resolve in a matter of minutes for me.

But that was the problem…

That only applied to me.

Holding onto the handrail and leaning back, I closed my eyes gently. I basked in the silence and breeze until I opened up my eyes again.

“Another thing.”

I opened my lips, expressing my last order to them.

“…Unless you know it’s me, don’t even think about interacting with me.”

ox

“Fancy seeing you here, Princess.”

The moment Aoife stepped into the venue, chandeliers casting their glow across the polished marble floors, she was immediately swarmed by nobles. Butlers and maids drifted about in the background at the same time, serving drinks and snacks to the guests present.

“It’s a great pleasure to be in your presence, Princess.”

“..Itis nice to see you, Princess.”

Aoife felt nauseated by the smiles of the nobles around her. They felt both greasy and unpleasant.

And yet, she didn’t show her disgust.

Instead, she smiled at them while interacting with one individually. Had it been the her of the past, she would’ve most likely dismissed them with a cold grunt, but she was different now.

Unlike in the past, she couldn’t afford to dismiss anyone.

It wasn’t just a matter of appearances; each noble, no matter how insignificant they seemed, carried a potential advantage in the looming battle for the throne.

She simply couldn’t afford to dismiss everyone. And hence, she found herself in a rather troublesome situation.

Thankfully, in times of need, there were a couple of people who could help her.

“Oh, shit!”

+x Splashtsx

Wine spilled on the floor.

“Hiak!”

+x Splash–1*

Even more wine spilled, hitting the dresses of several of the nobles present.

immediately, all eyes turned in the direction of the culprit as a white haired girl stood frozen on the spot, her eyes fixed on a particular noble whose entire clothes had been drenched in wine.

I.

Kiera rubbed her apologetically.

“…Sorry, I thought you were trying to touch my butt. It was just a reflex.”

Aoife’s lips twitched upon hearing Kiera’s words, but she still took the opportunity created by her to slip away. In the end, she managed to find a more secluded spot where a lock of purple hair greeted her sight.

“You two saved me there…”

“Hm?”

Evelyn blinked and shifted her gaze to Aoife, taking a slow bite of the snack in her hand. Then, spotting Kiera in the distance struggling to help a noble to their feet, realization dawned on her as she nodded and spoke with her mouth full.

“Ohm. Nwo, povroblem.”

So she didn’t help…

Aoife felt a sudden urge to slap Evelyn, barely restraining herself as she glanced around. Her gaze eventually settled on a familiar figure, and, as if sensing them too, Leon began making his way toward them.

His complexion didn’t look very good, but as he arrived before them, he managed to force out a smile.

“How have you been?”

“…As best as I can be. Things did get better for me after Julien won the Rite, but it also made me a lot busier.”

The Rite offered her a chance. A small opening she could exploit to gain ground in the succession battle. That was all it was.

it didn’t advance her; it only created the possibility of advancement.

If she failed to seize it, the gap would vanish.

That was why she was so busy. She had been spending all of her time taking advantage of the opportunity presented to her. This was also the main reason why the Empire had been so quiet over the past month or so. It was because of the secret battles that had been going on between her and her brother.

“Thankfully, I’ve managed to capitalize on the opportunity given to me. I’ve still got a lot of things to do, but I can’t afford to miss this event.”

Aoife’s expression turned extremely serious.

“This moment might be a turning point for the future. I have to be extremely vigilant and try to get the fiancé on my side. If I can get the Rosenberg Household on my side, then the succession battle is as good as over.”

Aoife’s fists clenched as she spoke, her heart pounding against her chest under the weight of the moment.

She couldn’t afford to miss this chance.

This was a massive turning point in the battle.

Seeing her like that, Leon’s lips twitched. If only she knew…

“Now that I think about it, does anyone know who the mysterious fiancée is?” As Evelyn chimed in, Leon’s lips pressed even more tightly.

Aoife shook her head.

“No, there’s been no news yet. I’ve tried my best to find out, but came up empty. The Duke seems determined to keep it a secret. Whoever it is, they’re likely strong, powerful even, and probably her age or older. I’ve cross-checked several names, and a few stood out. I’ve already made contact with them to establish connections. I’d rather be safe than caught off guard.”

Leon’s face twitched a couple of more times.

If only they knew…

“Whatever the case is, he’s someone that we must have on our side at all costs.”

The three continued their conversation, and eventually Kiera joined in, keeping the dialogue going. Aoife and the others even asked about Julien, but Leon just shrugged. “He’s most likely sick.”

In truth, he didn’t know as well.

He was just as curious as they were, but recalling their recent conversation, his heart grew heavy.

His instincts were still screaming at him, but having promised Julien to act like nothing had happened, he could only keep going.

Even if it was eating at his mind with every second that passed.

And then—

“Welcome, everyone.”

A voice rang out across the venue, capturing every eye. Suddenly, a man appeared at the center, his striking white hair and sharp, handsome features commanding the attention of everyone present.

With a smile that seemed neither kind nor overbearing, Orson’s gaze swept the surroundings.

A heavy and suffocating silence followed suit.

In that moment, everyone held their breath as they looked at the Duke.

His presence meant the start of the announcement.

The very reason they were here, and the very knowledge that could shake the very foundations of the Empire.

Feeling the weight of the moment, Orson smiled.

I wonder what faces they’ll make when they find out who itis.”

He could already imagine it as his lips pulled up further. For some reason, he was starting to enjoy himself. (More chapters in Buyers club for TMT)