Chapter 45

The celebration of the Crown Prince's birthday was a dazzling display, almost as if it were meant to show off.

Indeed, it probably was meant to show off.

The hall, brighter than the daytime, was filled with the children of various nobles, most of whom were visibly amazed by the elaborate music ensemble, the intricate dishes lined up at the side, and the tastefully displayed artworks that didn't obstruct the view.

The older nobles and the children of dukes managed to suppress their amazement to some extent.

The children, urged by their guardians, stepped into the hall one after another. Some were intimidated, but they couldn't help but follow the confident back of a boy who walked ahead of them.

His spine was straight and firm, each step solid and resolute. He didn't appear nervous, but his serious face was focused straight ahead.

It would be premature to judge him as aloof. After all, he had shown kindness by helping a baron's child who had fallen.

"That's the son of 'Piercing Array.'"

"That's the son of the Count of Tryan, impressive indeed."

The adults, impressed, compared him to their own children.

The subject of their conversation was Chaff Tryan, the heir of the Tryan family, who, at thirteen, was already seen as a promising young man.

His father, the Count of Tryan, was a well-known general who, with a force of two hundred cavalry, had charged through the enemy lines four times, earning him the title "Piercing Array Tryan."

True to his father's reputation as one of the kingdom's fiercest generals, Chaff was tall for his age and showed signs of developing strong muscles. Though his face still retained some youthful features, he would likely be described as handsome in four years.

The Tryan family was politically neutral, so both the Church faction and the Mage faction were paying attention to the heir. This time, it seemed to have piqued even more interest.

After their evaluations, the adults turned their gaze to the entrance.

After seeing Chaff Tryan, the children were hesitant to step forward, fearing comparison.

However, a small figure took a light step forward.

If Chaff Tryan was the embodiment of strength, this one was the embodiment of gentleness.

With a calm smile, he accepted the gazes of the gathered nobles and moved quietly, like a calm lake. His pale skin and slender build, along with his adorable young face, made him seem almost like a girl.

It would be premature to judge him as easy to approach. He had shown a shrewdness by casually kicking the shin of a malicious marquis's son who had tried to trip him.

"That's the son of 'Fat Pig.'"

"That's the son of the Count of Kleinzelt, a miracle's gift..."

The adults sighed bitterly, acknowledging the mystery of blood.

The subject of their conversation was Sora Kleinzelt, the heir of the Kleinzelt family, who, at seven, had been considered hopeless until recently.

His father, the Count of Kleinzelt, was a well-known fool. In an attempt to lead a night raid with a force of a hundred cavalry, the horses had collapsed under the weight of the count, and he had ended up fleeing from a hundred enemy infantry, earning him the title "Fat Pig Kleinzelt."

Despite being the son of the kingdom's most foolish count, Sora was remarkably composed and showed an intelligent gaze that seemed to be evaluating the adults in return. Though his face still retained some youthful features, he would likely be a delight for women in ten years.

The Kleinzelt family was politically aligned with the Church faction, but rumors suggested that Sora had a close relationship with the Duke of Bartz, a leader of the Mage faction, which made him a point of interest for both factions. This time, it seemed to have piqued even more interest.

The children, mistaking the adults' sighs of disappointment for their own, entered the hall, and the music began, signaling the end of the evaluations.

Sora, who was immediately taken to meet a senior of the Church faction, was careful not to show his inner contempt for the fat lord and smiled warmly.

When the senior, who was wary of Sora rather than the fat lord, tried to probe him, Sora deftly handled the situation with childlike behavior, successfully planting even more suspicion.

By engaging in small talk with the children of Church faction nobles who were dissatisfied with the Church, he could spread their distrust and create division within the faction.

It wouldn't be easy to succeed, given that his opponents were seasoned veterans, but if Sora could make them believe he was a spy for the Mage faction, it would make it easier for the Kleinzelt family to leave the Church faction.

If his opponents were perceptive enough, they would realize that Sora was not to be underestimated and would act more cautiously.

—There might be some harassment, but assassination is unlikely.

Sora understood that the best course of action was to float between the factions like a bat, showing his competence to both sides and ideally creating a conflict over his scientific knowledge.

"Oh, it seems His Majesty the King has arrived."

The fat lord, with a greasy smile, looked towards the back of the hall.

Against the backdrop of a luxurious tapestry with the royal crest, the middle-aged king and the Crown Prince, who had just turned ten, appeared side by side.

Everyone in the hall bowed in unison.

Sora thought it must feel good to look down on such a scene, but the Crown Prince was so tense that he had no room to enjoy it.

"Everyone, some have come from far away. Thank you for your hard work. Today, my son has turned ten—"

The king continued his long speech, and the bowing continued. Just as Sora began to worry that some might faint from anemia, the speech finally ended.

The nobles, starting with the dukes, went to offer their congratulations. The Kleinzelt family's turn would come after even the barons had finished their greetings.

Sora had heard rumors that the royal family was not fond of them, but the blatant treatment made him feel oddly refreshed.

When it was his turn, Sora and the fat lord approached the king.

The king narrowed his eyes and observed Sora.

Given that Sora was close in age to the Crown Prince, he deduced that he was being watched closely. Sora, who rarely used it, put on his best smile and offered his congratulations to the Crown Prince.

Sora had no intention of challenging the royal family, but he wasn't so well-mannered as to genuinely smile at someone who clearly disliked him.

In the end, it was a compromise, but his seven years of honing his acting skills were enough to make the Crown Prince blush.

Noticing the Crown Prince's embarrassment, a few of the children glared at Sora, as if to say, "You did a good job."

Sora, having exchanged a few words with the Crown Prince, left the scene.

The celebration had just begun.