I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 129
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 129
“There isn’t much time left until the banquet. Many people will be waiting, so let’s go back.”
“If I go… if I go, you’ll just avoid me again.”
At Rene’s words, Eden’s body stiffened and he couldn’t say anything for a moment.
“That’s…”
“It’s true, isn’t it. Why are you avoiding me! We can get along like we used to!”
Rene’s voice, mixed with sadness, sorrow, and anger, grew louder and louder.
“To return to those immature days, I am too insignificant a person compared to Her Highness the Princess.”
“Why are you doing this!”
“Since we’re talking about it, I would appreciate it if you could refrain from meeting like this. Her Highness the Princess should live in a higher place.”
At Eden’s words, Rene’s body froze cold.
“Un… Uncle? What on earth are you saying? Are you saying you won’t see me now…? How can you do this to me, Uncle?”
A bitterly cold expression with a trembling, low voice.
But Eden’s resolve didn’t change.
“It must be this way. This is the path for me, and for Your Highness.”
“When did I ever want such a thing… Don’t joke around. Did Father threaten you or something?”
“It’s not like that. I thought about it and made this judgment myself.”
With betrayal, anger, and fear, Rene’s hands trembled like thin twigs.
“You… you selfish person. You only think about yourself. Fine! Live well! Live well!”
Rene forcibly held back the tears that were about to burst out and turned around.
She secretly hoped he would hold her back, but there was no movement from Eden.
“Bad person.”
In pain as if thorns were piercing her body, Rene bit her lips tightly and fled from the spot as if escaping.
“Was it really necessary to do that?”
The corridor was enveloped in silence, and not long after, Rosen opened the door and came out.
“It was something I had to say eventually. If you don’t cut it off cleanly, the pain just continues.”
“What I mean is, was there a reason to push her away? Even if not like before, you could get along well. His Majesty isn’t stopping it either.”
“Master.”
Eden turned his head and met Rosen’s eyes.
“I hate my life. I’ve come to know it even more clearly this time.”
Knowing what he was talking about, Rosen couldn’t give any answer.
“I just want to live disconnected like this and die quietly. If that end helps the Empire, then I’ll have done my job.”
“If your thoughts are that firm, I won’t say anything more.”
“Please take good care of Rene. Even though she looks like that, she has a weak heart and is probably hiding somewhere crying.”
“The person who knows that. Tsk tsk, how wicked.”
At Eden’s words, Rosen clicked his tongue as if displeased.
“You’re right. I’m truly a pathetic human being. I’ll see you again if we can meet next time.”
Eden bowed his head in greeting and left.
Left alone, Rosen sighed and shook his head.
“Human lives that don’t even last long are so complicated and troubled.”
Even though it had been over 100 years since he started living with humans, their pace was too fast for Rosen to adapt to.
* * *
“I am Lorentina Hawl, the eldest daughter of Hawl County. Counting it up, it’s been 2 years since we last met, and you’ve grown so splendidly.”
As soon as I arrived at the banquet hall, just as Father predicted, countless unmarried women came rushing over.
And among them was my eldest brother’s former fiancée, who was also in Paran’s memory.
“It’s been a long time. Have you been well?”
“Yes, I almost married a strange person but narrowly escaped, so I’m living somewhat more comfortably.”
“Ha… haha, I see. That’s really fortunate.”
A strange person, that would naturally be my eldest brother.
‘It seemed like Tems treated his fiancée well though.’
In this random lottery world, Lorentina in front of me was pretty enough that it was natural for Tems to treat her well.
“I was really worried about marrying that sinister man, but I was so happy.”
A truly genuinely happy expression.
It seems Paran’s memory of him treating her well was somewhat wrong.
“Now that won’t happen, so you can leisurely find a new partner.”
“Yes, but have you decided on your first dance partner, Young Master?”
“The first dance? It’s undecided.”
The first dance that signals the start of the banquet.
I know that who you dance with here has quite significant meaning for unmarried men and women.
“Then how about with me, someone you’re acquainted with? Since you don’t have much banquet experience, I’ll help you.”
Having been my eldest brother’s fiancée, Lorentina, who knew the family circumstances well, made a proposal.
‘Hmm, that might not be bad.’
Though this is my first time seeing her, looking at all of Paran’s memories, he had met Lorentina quite often.
‘Right, let’s go comfortably with someone I know.’
It didn’t take long to make up my mind.
“Then let’s do that…”
“Oh my! Aren’t you Lieutenant Paran Oclo?”
Just as I was about to accept, a very glamorous woman with a high voice approached and grabbed my arm.
“Who…”
“I’m Seyrin Estel of the Estel Marquis Family! I thought you were gallant since the victory parade, but you’re much more handsome up close.”
“Ah, thank you.”
What man would dislike appearance compliments from a beauty?
I nodded while feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I heard you haven’t decided on a first dance partner yet, how about with me? I’d like to learn a bit more about you, Young Master.”
Her eyes curved as she proposed in a sweet voice, definitely a fox-like beauty.
“Lady Seyrin, I’m sorry but Young Master Paran is with me…”
“Huh? It doesn’t seem like he’s accepted yet. Isn’t that right, Lieutenant?”
Lorentina tried to intervene, but Seyrin turned her head sharply and cut her off.
Then she threw the question at me.
Both their eyes turned toward me, and this situation was quite awkward.
‘Damn, was the banquet such a difficult place?’
While I was pondering how to answer for what felt like a year per second, a voice that would save me was heard.
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Princess are entering! Everyone show proper respect!”
With the solemn knight’s voice, the door to the high table opened.
The conversation naturally ended, and I turned toward where the door was.
‘Wow, how splendid.’
The siblings entered with their arms linked.
Though they weren’t heavily adorned, each jewel and their aura were of a different class.
‘But siblings entering with linked arms, that’s impressive?’
Isn’t it common sense that normal siblings would hate even touching each other?
‘Maybe they’re enduring it because it’s a public occasion.’
Well, only the two of them would know the truth.
“She’s truly beautiful.”
Lorentina beside me looked at the Princess and murmured softly as if enchanted.
‘Her beauty is indeed unbelievable.’
Delicate features as if God had poured all his care into them.
With makeup added to that, she was beautiful enough to believe she was a goddess.
‘Plus she looks tired, giving her a decadent beauty.’
What’s certain is that she’s the most beautiful being I’ve seen in my life.
‘But what does it matter, the person inside. Tsk tsk.’
Of course, though some feelings were resolved to some extent at the dining hall last time, first impressions don’t disappear easily.
“The Sun and Moon of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress are entering!”
A voice that seemed at least two tones higher than when announcing the Crown Prince echoed through the banquet hall.
At the same time, the men knelt on one knee, and the women in dresses bowed their waists so their heads faced the ground.
Thud! Thud!
Two sets of footsteps could be heard in the silent banquet hall.
Naturally, they belonged to the imperial couple.
“Everyone may rise.”
Only after permission was granted could we lift our heads and take in the sight of the imperial couple.
‘They really went heavy on the formality.’
If the Crown Prince and Princess had light attire to enjoy the banquet, the imperial couple was definitive.
‘They absolutely won’t be dancing or anything like that.’
Jewels adorning the thick coats completely.
I guarantee they’ll stay in that spot until the banquet ends.
“Before starting the banquet, today is a celebration of our Imperial Army’s remarkable victory.”
The Emperor giving his opening remarks.
Everyone perked up their ears as if they wouldn’t miss a single word.
“Today, I will drink this first cup for the soldiers who are dedicating themselves in various places. To the Empire’s victory.”
“To the Empire’s victory!!!”
The Emperor, who gave much shorter opening remarks than expected, coolly poured the wine into his mouth.
And so the banquet began in earnest.
Naturally, I…
“Young Master Paran… Huh? Where did he go?”
Escaped.
“Derick, there you are. I’ve been looking for you for a while.”
“Brother!”
Since I’d definitely become a target again if I stayed alone, I stuck close to Derick’s side.
“It’s quite peaceful here.”
“Haha, that’s right.”
Since there were only soldiers around Derick, I felt I could relax here.
“I was just standing around carelessly and almost got surrounded, which would have been a real disaster.”
“Brother, you’re one of the main characters of this banquet. Just enjoy yourself, why did you come over here?”
“I’m not really into that stuff. It drains my energy.”
Earlier, watching two women have a power struggle made me feel like my blood was drying up.
“I guess since brother is the military type, banquets definitely don’t suit you.”
Derick nodded as if he understood, but he was greatly mistaken about something.
‘What does being a soldier have to do with disliking banquets?’
I wanted to correct him, but I didn’t have the leisure for that and there were many soldiers around.
“I’m just tired. More importantly, haven’t any ladies approached you? You seem like you’d be really popular.”
Honestly, though I received a first-class military decoration, objectively speaking, Derick should be the more popular catch.
‘We have more money, but our family’s reputation doesn’t even compare. He’s also younger and has a bright future ahead.’
A talent who would 99% certainly follow the Imperial Knights path, you could say he’s a guaranteed winning lottery ticket.
‘On top of that, he has a good personality and is quite handsome too. How could anyone resist that?’
If I were a noble father with a daughter, I would have started marriage talks first and thought later.
“Me? Haha, there’s nothing like that for me. My match wouldn’t be in a banquet hall like this.”
“Ah, are you already engaged? I’ve never heard such talk.”
“Not yet. But our family’s rule is that we must take a woman who wields a sword as a partner. Everyone knows that, so there’s no reason for them to approach me.”
“Ah…”
I didn’t know there was such a reason.
“In the past, the range of choices was, how should I put it? Extremely narrow, but these days many women are enlisting, so honestly I’m looking forward to it a little.”
Derick seemed somewhat excited about it.
He really is a man after all, I suppose.
“Are there any specific criteria for that?”
“There’s no clear standard, as long as Father approves.”
“You need to get approval from the Imperial Knight Commander…?”
In some ways, that might be one of the hardest approvals to get in the world.
“It’s not what you’re imagining. Just something like ‘she’s serious about the sword.'”
“Ah, I see.”
If properly evaluated, Derick would have to live as a bachelor for life.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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