Chapter 93

■ Chapter 92. Exhibition (4) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

I watched the backs of Cecil and Marie, who had left to share a personal conversation, from a distance.

I had asked how long it would take, and they said it would take a while, so I should look around the exhibited works until then, and they walked away.

From the situation just now, I can roughly guess what they will talk about, but there’s no way for me to intervene, so I can only stay still.

Even if I enjoy the exhibited works, I can’t help but feel curious.

“Hmm…”

We started out as three, but before long, I was left alone. I stared at the place where Marie and Cecil had disappeared and looked around.

Although I ended up alone, there were still many people coming and going in the town. Everyone seemed to be engrossed in the exhibition and enjoying the festival.

This means that almost no one pays attention to me being alone.

‘Let’s take a look around first.’

Since Cecil said it would take a while, it’s better to look around than to just stand still. I moved my steps and began to appreciate the works I hadn’t seen yet.

If the sculptures are lined up on both sides of the street like buildings, the artworks are displayed throughout the town, offering various pleasures. Moreover, not only artworks are on display.

“Nobles are above the commoners, and the king is above the nobles. The kingdom exists because of the state, but the state is supported by the commoners. In other words, nobles and the king are nothing before the commoners. Yet, you, Count Krost, are defaming the foundation of the state just because it offends you. Truly, this is the behavior of a true noble. Isn’t it?”

“Shut up! How dare you mock me?!”

“Mocking? I just stated the facts. I heard that people get angry when the facts are pointed out, and it seems to be true.”

There is also a theater group performing on a central stage set up in the middle of the town.

To clarify, the Matrix Theater Group is not the only one visiting the exhibition, and there are also actors who perform as a hobby.

One might think that the voices wouldn’t be heard well due to the many people coming and going in the town square where the stage is set up, but the actors’ voices are vividly heard, as if they have undergone special processing.

Moreover, although the scale is not as grand as the Matrix Theater Group, the actors’ performances are excellent by my standards, making it easy to get absorbed.

For these reasons, there are quite a few people enjoying the play. The people sitting in the chairs in front are mostly nobles, and those standing at the back are commoners, as I can infer.

‘What are the nobles thinking about this?’

The play currently being performed by the theater group is from the early part of Volume 8, a scene that represents the light and dark sides of the nobility.

It’s a scene where, feeling threatened by Zeon’s privileges, they set a trap for him but end up being the ones trapped.

Although most of the audience might be commoners, a considerable number of nobles are also watching. They show no signs of displeasure and are focused on the play itself.

Honestly, I was worried that the original author might feel uncomfortable, but fortunately, it seems to be a groundless concern. In fact, the nobles have said that they had many thoughts after watching the early part of Volume 8, so this might be one of those thoughts.

‘Even if they cause a commotion, the guards will stop them, so there shouldn’t be a problem.’

I stood at a distance, watching the play, and then moved to look around elsewhere. There were too many exhibited works to focus only on the play.

Soon, I discovered a work that caught my eye.

“There’s someone who drew this.”

In Korea, there’s a very famous meme called "Hectopascal Kick."

It’s a scene where a girl gives a dropkick to a boy who is causing trouble. The scene itself is impactful, and the term "Hectopascal" has a strong feel, making it a meme.

I described this scene in detail in Zeon’s chronicles. The heroine, Mary, makes a grand entrance by giving a dropkick to a gangster.

In a world where most descriptions are simple, this was an extraordinary first appearance, leaving a deep impression on many readers.

‘It’s really well drawn.’

Although the style is different due to the medieval setting, it’s 100% similar to the Hectopascal Kick I know, except for that.

The scene of Mary giving a dropkick to a gangster, with her purple hair flying, and the gangster’s expression as he is hit, with his arms crossed.

The composition, characters, and expressions are all perfect, embodying the Hectopascal Kick itself.

‘Is there another reincarnated person besides me?’

To the point where such an absurd thought arises. I lowered my gaze to see who the owner of this artwork was.

There was a sign with a description, like the sculptures I saw earlier.

First, the artist’s name is Karl Zvass. He is from the Minerva Empire, not the Ters Kingdom.

The reason he chose to draw this particular scene from many scenes is to reveal Mary’s personality and identity at once.

Additionally, unlike other artists, he drew it comically to bring a smile to the viewers.

‘Karl Zvass… I should remember this person.’

I stored Karl’s work, which matched the Hectopascal Kick in my mind, and took out my notebook and pen to avoid forgetting his name.

It’s essential to mention some artists’ names after the exhibition ends so that people know I attended.

“Phew~”

“Huh?!”

While writing the name in my notebook, someone blew into my ear. The tickling sensation made me shiver, and I couldn’t help but let out a strange scream.

I scratched my ticklish ear and turned my head to see who had done this.

When I saw the culprit’s face, I couldn’t help but feel astonished.

“…Adele?”

“Haha, we meet here?”

Adelia, who had left the mansion earlier to visit the exhibition, looked at me with her usual cheerful smile, and I wore an expression of surprise.

Adelia usually dresses simply even on weekends, but today, perhaps because it’s a festival, she seemed to have put more effort into her outfit.

Her brown short hair, which she had grown to her neck, and her naturally beautiful face remained the same, but her outfit, with a brown vest over a white shirt and leather pants that revealed her legs, expressed her unique style.

Her cheerful and lively charm, which I had seen at the academy, had not faded at all.

“Where are the others, and why are you wandering around alone?”

Adelia placed her hands on her hips and asked me with her characteristic husky voice.

I was still scratching my ticklish ear and replied curtly.

“I had something to do for a moment. What about you, Adele? Weren’t you with our sister?”

“Originally, yes. But while I was distracted, Nicole disappeared.”

“…You mean she got lost?”

“No, she didn’t get lost. I lost track of Nicole.”

That’s what people say when they get lost. I chuckled at Adelia’s shameless response.

Our fief is relatively small, so it’s hard to imagine someone getting lost here, especially after seeing how she was at the academy.

Adelia, noticing my chuckle, scratched her cheek and laughed, perhaps realizing that her words didn’t make sense.

“…Anyway, can you accompany me until I meet Nicole? I’m so bad with directions that I can’t even return to the mansion.”

“Accompanying you is fine, but not being able to return to the mansion is a bit extreme, isn’t it?”

“I once wandered around the academy all day because I couldn’t find my dorm. Isn’t that impressive?”

“That’s not something to be proud of. Anyway, are you enjoying the exhibition?”

“I am, but…”

Adelia hesitated slightly at my question and then smiled brightly. I felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort from her smile.

It felt forced, and the contrast with her genuine smile a moment ago made me even more curious.

“Yes, I’m enjoying it without any problems. You don’t need to worry too much.”

“Hmm… I see.”

“What about you, cutie? Since this exhibition is being held in your fief, aren’t you happy?”

Her question, trying to change the subject, made me realize she had some issues, but I decided to pretend I didn’t notice.

Still, I was curious. I continued the conversation to get more details.

“Of course, I’m happy. This is the first time our fief has seen such vitality. Especially, it’s gratifying to see everyone, regardless of race, enjoying the festival.”

“Oh, right. I saw not only beastmen but also demons occasionally. I was really surprised. Demons usually try to hide their identity.”

“It’s all thanks to Zeon’s chronicles. What did you think of demons before Zeon’s chronicles?”

“I didn’t really think much about it. I was too busy taking care of myself to worry about others.”

Although she said it casually, I couldn’t just let it pass. It gave me a glimpse into Adelia’s past.

It seemed she had a more complicated past than I thought. I’ve heard that people who laugh a lot often have deep inner wounds.

Perhaps Adelia is one of them. I watched her, who was smiling brightly, and then spoke quietly.

“By the way, where is your hometown? I heard from our sister that you live in a place far away.”

“Um… It’s a place like that. It’s a village without a proper name, so it’s hard to explain. Actually, getting into the academy was a stroke of luck.”

Adelia answered, folding her arms behind her head. Her gaze was directed to the right, indicating she was lying.

Her beauty, which couldn’t be that of a commoner, and her clear connection to nobility, were evident.

I glanced at her, who was lying, and continued in a calm voice.

“That must be disappointing.”

“What is?”

“Not being able to enjoy the festival with your family because you live so far away.”

“Family…”

Adelia muttered meaningfully, then chuckled and answered softly, with a hint of nostalgia.

Her husky voice made the nostalgia even stronger.

“Yeah. As you said, festivals should be enjoyed with family.”

“… …”

“It would be so much fun. Chatting with my siblings and buying delicious food with my parents…”

The atmosphere and voice were completely different from the usual Adelia. Her usually husky voice was lower, creating a subtle mood, but the suppressed sadness in her heart was also palpable.

Perhaps she had lost her family in the past. It’s impossible to make such a face otherwise.

I, too, had lost my family in my previous life, so I know what kind of expression a person makes. She looks up at the sky, reminiscing about the past, just like Adelia.

Those were ordinary days back then, but looking back, they were the happiest times. My family, who were the most reliable allies.

I waited silently while Adelia was lost in her memories. I didn’t want to force her out of her reminiscence.

“Hmm…”

But why is she looking at me all of a sudden? Adelia, who had been looking up at the sky with a nostalgic gaze, seemed to snap out of her thoughts and turned to look at me.

When I noticed her smiling and speaking softly, I felt a bit puzzled.

“If I had a brother like you, it would be great. I could show you affection every day.”

“I don’t really like people who are as rough as you.”

“Come on, don’t be so cold. I’m good to my siblings, you know? And if I had a cute brother like you, I’d want to protect you. I understand why Nicole cherishes you.”

“Hey, keep your hands off. I have a girlfriend.”

“Not right now. Just a little touch, okay?”

“No way.”

I firmly refused and stopped Adelia, who was acting like a pervert. Adelia, who seemed to be joking, was pushed back without much resistance.

Still, it seemed she was serious about wanting a brother like me, as she looked quite disappointed when I firmly refused.

“Tsk. Is this how we treat each other? That’s too much.”

“What do you mean by ‘us’?”

“Like a friend’s sister and a friend’s friend?”

“You call that a ‘man’?”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“Not from someone who threw a ball at me on our first meeting.”

“…I’m really sorry about that.”

We chatted while looking around the exhibition, and occasionally bought street food. Naturally, I paid for everything.

Adelia tried to pay, but as the son of a lord, I didn’t want to let her.

Because of this, Adelia, grateful, tried to touch my cheek, but I warned