The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me-Chapter 478: Side Story - The Social Gathering (2)

After wandering the ballroom for several dozen minutes with the lost child...

“This is strange.”

“What’s wrong, Kania?”

“I can’t see them.”

After several mishaps where people mistakenly thought the lost child was my secret child, Kania begrudgingly used her black magic once again. But this time, she frowned.

“If they were nearby, I would definitely be able to see them. But for some reason, nothing shows up.”

“Maybe try expanding the range?”

“I’ve already expanded it to the maximum,” she said, shaking her head slightly, her expression growing more serious.

“Wherever they are, if they were within the Empire, I should at least be able to catch a faint silhouette... but there’s nothing at all.”

“If that’s the case...”

“It seems like something may have happened to the people this child was with.”

She concluded.

If what Kania said was true, then it was quite concerning. Could the people who were in this very ballroom just moments ago have suddenly vanished? Something was definitely off. Perhaps we should strengthen the security.

“Or maybe it’s just because my mana has been completely tainted with darkness.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Since all my mana turned into black, regular spells don’t work as well anymore. It could be a side effect.”

“Hmm...”

“Or maybe the connection between this child and their companions is weak. There are many reasons it could be, especially since it’s not a higher-level spell.”

From Kania’s explanation, it seemed like there could be a variety of reasons. Hopefully, none of this will cause any problems for the coronation ceremony tomorrow.

“By the way, the kid seems to have calmed down quite a bit now. Maybe it’s time we ask about his companions’ names?”

“Huh?”

“If we get their names, we can check the guest list and identify them.”

Now that I thought about it, I had just been keeping the kid close without pushing too much to avoid overwhelming him.

But now, it seemed like he was no longer as terrified.

“.........”

Although the kid was still trembling, he had stopped crying. It might be the right time to ask some questions.

“Hey, little one.”

“I wanted to ask you something...”

“Thank you for helping me.”

The boy suddenly said, bowing his head.

“Huh?”

I blinked, confused as he gave his thanks.

“B-But... I think I can look for her by myself now.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Y-Yes, I’m sure. Please let me try.”

“Well, it’s not really a problem... But are you really okay? This place is quite big.”

I scratched my head at the boy’s sudden change in attitude.

Then he suddenly clenched his fist in determination.

“I... I want to become brave and strong like you, Hero!”

“Like me?”

“I... I’ve been weak and sickly since I was born... and scared all the time... My sister always had to take care of me...”

The boy, now trying to sound as confident as he could, stood on his tiptoes and looked up at me.

“But... I can’t live like that forever... Like you said, I’ve been holding onto a toy and crying like a baby...”

“Hmm.”

“It’s so embarrassing, even to me! I’ll never do something so childish again!”

“Is that so?”

“Fufufu... Fufu–ouch”

Kania, who was stifling her laughter behind me, earned another sharp pinch from me as I turned back to the boy with a slight smile.

“If a man decides to solve his own problems, then I guess there’s nothing I can do but support him.”

“Th-thank you...!”

“But instead of running around looking, it’d be quicker to tell that maid over there her names. Just wait in the lounge, and I’m sure she’ll come find you soon.”

“Thank you for the advice!”

With another bow, the boy hurried off toward the maid I had pointed out.

“Just in case, we’ll check on him later at the lounge, but for now we should...”

“Fufufufu.”

“Kania, seriously, enough.”

“Ah, sorry...”

Watching the boy’s retreating figure, which felt strangely familiar, I began to move again, giving Kania another sharp pinch for her continued smirking.

“Anyway, it’s time to head in.”

“Yes, it seems things are about to truly begin.”

The moment we had been anxiously awaiting, both anticipated and dreaded, was just around the corner.

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The night before the Empress’ coronation marked a grand social gathering—an event where key nobles and their heirs, who would shape the Empire’s future, gathered to mingle and form connections. While the official purpose was to foster such exchanges, there were hidden, less peaceful agendas lurking beneath the surface.

The root cause of this unrest lay in the presence of certain high-ranking nobles. Though many had been reformed after the Great Purge, and several families had never indulged in ostentatious displays, the old traditions of the Empire ran deep. Despite the efforts of Clana and myself to swiftly dismantle many corrupt practices, the rigid mindset of the upper echelons, especially among those who had received thorough aristocratic education, couldn’t be easily eradicated overnight.

As a result, this gathering still bore the influence of those ancient traditions. It was a time when the worthy and the expendable would be separated—a delicate and somewhat unseemly process, elegantly disguised as a noble occasion.

However, there was some consolation in knowing that, unlike in the past when nearly all nobles participated in such events, the number of attendees had significantly dwindled.

“Hmm, hello there,”

“Oh, pleased to meet you. I’m from the Marquis of Holind...”

It seemed that with fewer participants than before, this “Great Purge” process had shifted from the realm of adults to that of their children—particularly the young ladies.

“Most of these are familiar faces.”

“Of course, they’re from prestigious families.”

“But there are quite a few unfamiliar ones as well.”

“Indeed, perhaps it would be wise for some introductions to be made.”

Both Serena and Roswyn noted the subtle snickers and condescending glances being thrown around.

New blood and lower-ranking noble families found themselves subject to quiet mockery and thinly veiled ridicule. freewёbnoνel.com

“Um... well...”

One of the newcomers stammered.

“Sorry, could you speak up? I can’t hear you.”

“Could you speak a little louder?”

“O-oh...”

It was a petty and embarrassing display, but an effective one nonetheless.

“I... I’m the second daughter of the Isis Trading Company...”

“A trading company? How fascinating.”

“Are merchants being invited to social gatherings now? My, how times have changed.”

This subtle bullying was more than just an idle pastime; it was a strategy to establish power dynamics, form alliances, and solidify connections among the upper echelons.

And now, with the dissolution of the two dominant noble factions—those led by Frey and Roswyn—the power vacuum created a perfect breeding ground for such behavior.

“I-I’m sorry...”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

“I-I think I’ll be leaving now...”

“Oh, what a shame. We had so much we wanted to ask you.”

It was clear how the situation was unfolding.

Lesser-known families, merchant families, and other lower-status groups began to shift nervously, eventually gathering at a distant table.

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

“Seems to suit the situation perfectly,”

As those deemed unworthy moved to a far corner, the high-ranking nobles exchanged satisfied glances and prepared to engage in more meaningful conversations.

“Now that the rabbles have left... shall we finally discuss more important matters?”

“Speaking of, our family had a little conflict with that trading company earlier...”

“Oh, I’ve brought some fresh chamomile tea...”

Just as a new power bloc seemed poised to rise in place of the previously dominant factions, the door to the ballroom creaked open.

- Creak...

The gathered noblewomen paused, their eyes shifting toward the door.

“W-Why are they here?”

“A-Ah...”

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Not long after...

“...Ah.”

As Frey entered the ballroom with Kania by his side, he froze, staring ahead with a dazed expression.

“Hmm, this is...”

What lay before him was a scene that made cold sweat run down his back just from looking at it.

“”...””

At the right table of the ballroom, for some reason, Serena and Roswyn were sitting with icy expressions, emitting an intense chill.

“””....”””

Nearby were Aishi and Eurelia, both with stern expressions, the Horizon sisters and Miho tilting their heads in confusion, Arianne looking somewhat lost, and Alice, clearly restless.

“”...???””

Meanwhile, among them, the young ladies from lower-ranking noble families either wore confused expressions or were trembling with awe and emotion.

“Ah, um...”

To top it off, for reasons unknown, Vener stood stiffly at attention beside the table, looking completely tense.

- Shudder, shudder...

At the left table, several young ladies from high-ranking noble families sat huddled together, their heads bowed, trembling in fear.

“...This is... a total disaster.”

After carefully observing the situation, Kania quietly commented with her usual calm tone before asking in a low voice.

“So, it’s time to choose. Which table will you be going to?”

Frey, dripping with cold sweat, quickly turned toward the left and answered.

“I’ve always been a fan of green tea, you know? And that green tea over at the left table looks pretty tasty.”

“It’s chamomile tea.”

“Yep, yep. Chamomile tea. My favorite.”

Frey stammered, trying to cover up his slip-up.

“But you actually prefer coffe– ouch.”

Kania started to say, only to be silenced with a quick pinch to her side.

Even as the painful twist went through, the chill from the right table continued to intensify.