Chapter 63

"I think it suits you very well."

That was Sati's first words when she saw me in my formal attire.

Well, I can't really count on that.

This girl would probably say the same thing no matter what I wore.

However, how uncomfortable and tasteless the clothes worn at a ball by nobles are.

In the modern world, I could just wear a suit, but in this world, that's not possible.

Draped in overly decorated clothing, enjoying a ball with nobles and wealthy merchants is something I'm not really looking forward to.

I haven't been to such lavish places very often.

In my previous life, of course, I had no connection to parties, and in this world, I have no connection to them at all.

Demons basically don't do such meaningless things.

They might have drinking parties, but they don't hold balls or engage in witty conversation.

"Sati, is it customary to tell some witty party jokes in such settings?"

I asked Sati, just in case.

She used to be a maid for the lord of a city called Arsenam, so she might have some knowledge of such things.

I thought.

Sati replied.

"Sati doesn't really understand the kind of talk that goes on."

Apparently, the topics of conversation at parties are mostly about politics, economics, and war, but more than that, they are about gossip among nobles and wealthy merchants.

"Seems like people's love for rumors and gossip doesn't change, no matter where you go."

It probably happens naturally when people gather.

That great nobleman looks like a gentleman, but he has female slaves attend to him every night.

That noble son is the envy of women, but he's actually a homosexual.

That lady is having an affair with a strong male slave.

I don't know which of these are true and which are false, but they are probably whispering such things to each other.

The thought of going to such a place now makes me feel depressed.

It's because I'm sure I'll be the subject of gossip.

The official reason for this ball is to celebrate my engagement to Yuria.

Eltoria was joking, saying, "Convenience is necessary," but such a pretext is probably needed.

I will definitely be the center of attention.

The invited nobles and wealthy merchants will surely whisper about me.

"How did that young man manage to get into the Octave family?"

Explaining the situation would be troublesome, and I can't tell the truth anyway.

I should probably just smile and say something inoffensive to the nobles and wealthy merchants, but the thought of such meaningless time lasting for hours makes me feel exhausted.

Sighing even before the event starts, I look at Sati to distract myself.

She was also in formal attire.

Sati had refused, saying, "It's not my place, and I'm just your maid," but Eltoria strongly urged her to attend, saying,

"You are the benefactor who took my daughter's place. I would like you to attend."

And I also strongly encouraged her to attend.

The last time, when Sati took Yuria's place, she looked quite good.

Her usual simple maid's dress suited her well, but she is naturally beautiful.

A dress like one a noble daughter would wear suited her well.

Besides, Sati is a girl.

Even if she says, "It's too much for me," she must be happy inside.

—Probably.

It might just be a man's arbitrary imagination, but girls are supposed to love balls and dresses.

If we return to Ivalice, there might not be such opportunities in the future.

Letting her enjoy it to the fullest is also my duty as a master.

I owe Sati a lot.

Thinking this, I accompanied Sati to the party venue.

The party is not held at Eltoria's mansion but at the reception hall in the center of Zenobia.

This means that the party is an official one hosted by the leader of Zenobia.

My first impression when I saw the reception hall of Zenobia was,

"Money is where it is."

It was built in a style reminiscent of medieval Gothic architecture, with sculptures placed everywhere unnecessarily.

There are many sculptures modeled after the gods of various sects, but the most distinctive feature might be the many sculptures of the commercial goddess Anmenica, as this is a country of merchants.

Anmenica is a female deity, which might make her easier to sculpt.

Sculptors are men, after all.

It's more enjoyable to sculpt a beautiful woman than a rough man.

While thinking this, I saw the names of the sculptors, and they were all famous dwarf sculptors.

"Zenobia really has an abundance of money."

I muttered this again as I entered the reception hall.

The reception hall was impressive not only on the outside but also on the inside.

Artworks and crafts were placed everywhere.

The paintings hanging here and there were by famous masters, and the vase Sati casually touched was a valuable item brought from a distant land called "Seika" in the far east.

It probably costs as much as a commoner could live on for several years.

So I kept quiet.

If I told her the price, Sati would probably start shaking and drop the vase.

Eltoria would probably laugh it off, but I would feel bad.

Even if I become the deputy commander of the Demon Army or a noble, the commoner's sense of value is hard to shake off.

—While thinking this, Hans, the butler of the Octave family, appeared and bowed respectfully.

"Master Ike, the preparations for the ball are complete. Dignitaries from various countries and cities have gathered."

"…A ball, does that mean I have to dance?"

Unfortunately, the concept of social dancing doesn't exist among demons.

Goblins and orcs might show lively dances when they drink, but they have no form and are all improvised, changing each time.

For demons, dancing might be a subject of ridicule.

Sefiro, for example, loves dancing and recently enjoys watching the dances of performers he has invited.

In any case, I have no talent or experience in dancing, even from my previous life. I didn't have the hobby of watching dances like Sefiro.

What should I do at a ball?

"By the way, Mr. Hans, I can't dance. What should I do?"

Yuria, dressed in a bright red dress, answered.

"Allow me to lead, if I may."

"No, it's not that level. I've never danced in my life. I might step on your feet, Yuria."

"That's exactly what I did to a nobleman from a neighboring city the other day. But it's fine. No matter how many times I step on your feet, I won't dislike you, Master Ike."

Even though she says that, my heart doesn't feel any lighter.

I'm embarrassed to display my poor dancing in front of everyone, and stepping on a girl's feet is even more embarrassing.

Is there no way around this? I'm seriously worried when Yuria takes my hand.

"Come, Master Ike, it's impolite to keep the guests waiting. We are the main characters of today's party, so we should hurry to the venue."

She pulled my hand.