* * *

The Demon God War.

The most terrible catastrophe of all, brought about when dark sorcerers exploited the chaos immediately after the world war to gather the death and despair overflowing throughout the world.

Limon had risked grievous injury to cut down the Demon God with a move that nearly destroyed them both. Yet when the Demon God rose from the dead and devastated Europe, every European fell into despair.

With even Limon, the last Sword Master, laid low, they believed no one could stop it.

But the witches of the twenty-seven magical lineages gave them hope by stopping the Demon God with the Great Barrier of London.

Thanks to them, Limon was able to drag his half-dead body back to defeat the Demon God, then pursue it around the earth thirty-seven times before finally destroying the fleeing god for good.

Everyone in the world cheered that day. The Europeans, who had suffered directly at the Demon God's hands, even turned the anniversary into a festival.

That was Walpurgis Night—a celebration spanning no fewer than four days, regarded as the greatest event not only in the British Empire but throughout Europe.

"Barkeep, another beer over here!"

"I'm busy drinking too, so pour it yourself, customer. Don't you know it's Walpurgis today? Everything's self-service! Self-service!"

During those four days, ordinary work was forbidden in Europe after sunset. Every restaurant provided food free of charge, and everywhere, people of all ages and genders played, ate, drank, and shouted in a riot of revelry.

The rules had been established to recreate the joy of the Europeans who cheered on the day the Demon God fell.

As a result, London was now overflowing with crowds everywhere, from its streets to its restaurants and parks.

"Welcome, Sir Alfred."

"Oh, thank you for your hospitality, Countess Rose."

"Thank you for honoring us with your presence."

"Hahaha! You flatter me, Countess Rose."

House Seaserpent was no exception, though there were three differences.

First, unlike elsewhere, it maintained quiet and order. Second, everyone was dressed splendidly in tuxedos, uniforms, gowns, and the like. And third, every guest was a face frequently seen in newspaper articles, on television, or online.

"There can't be anyone in London who would refuse the honor of an invitation to House Seaserpent's Walpurgis Night ball."

"You praise our house's modest gathering so highly that I scarcely know what to say."

"As modest as ever, Countess Rose. In any case, I'll go enjoy the party now. Let us speak again later."

After a hearty laugh, the uniformed man called Alfred cut their conversation short and headed into the party.

Though his manner might have seemed rude at first glance, Rose smiled wryly. She knew this was his way of showing consideration by not monopolizing the hostess's time.

"Good evening, Countess."

"To be invited here..."

"To have the opportunity to greet you like this..."

But Rose's smile soon vanished.

This was Walpurgis Night. There was no shortage of guests invited to the estate, and not all of them were considerate of her. In particular, dealing with one person after another who clung to her in hopes of making a slightly better impression or exchanging a few more words inevitably wore her out.

Yet she never let her fatigue show. She simply greeted her guests with her usual courteous bearing and perfect smile.

"Hey, Countess. What are you doing?"

Perhaps her efforts had paid off. Just as she thought she had finally worked through the line of guests, Rose turned around.

She gazed for a moment at Limon, the insolent-eyed young man leaning at an angle against the doorway, then answered.

"As you can see, I am welcoming my guests."

"I'm asking why you're doing it yourself. Isn't this what you have servants for?"

"Because I believe it would be discourteous to have someone else welcome those who have come at my family's invitation."

Limon frowned at her answer. Folding his arms as though something deeply displeased him, he tossed out a question.

"I don't care if you go looking for trouble like a proper member of the Blue Dragon Clan, but are you sure you're up to it?"

"Is there any reason I would not be?"

"Your complexion alone says you're not."

"... I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

Though inwardly startled, Rose answered calmly, outwardly maintaining her usual earnest expression.

Limon narrowed his eyes at her, then spoke quietly.

"If that's really what you want, I won't interfere. But take it easy. What are you going to do if you push yourself too hard and collapse?"

"There is not the slightest chance of that happening."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. So please stop worrying about me and concentrate on preparing for your performance later."

"Well, if the countess says so."

Limon gave a short, dry chuckle. He pushed away from the doorway and sauntered into the party.

Watching him go, Rose unconsciously wore a conflicted expression.

'... I truly cannot understand that man.'

Her recent lack of sleep had indeed left her in poor condition. That was why she had used psionics to regulate her condition perfectly and improve her complexion, even applying a little makeup just to be safe.

How had that man seen through all of it and remarked on her complexion? She simply could not understand.

'It does seem as though he's hiding something else...'

Lost in thought to the point of forgetting her fatigue, Rose soon shook her head.

Since Limon was investigating the witch murders among the twenty-seven magical lineages, she had already suspected he was no ordinary person. But that was all.

Whether he was a high-level player concealing his identity, a magician, or even a legendary magic knight, he was no one she needed to worry about. As the Blue Dragon Clan's princess, she commanded countless master-level experts and elite knights.

It would have been another matter if he were an absolute being capable of changing the world single-handedly, such as a Monarch or a Great Witch.

And so Rose quickly put her thoughts about Limon aside.

It was shortly afterward that the person she had most eagerly awaited—and least wanted to welcome—arrived at the estate.

"Hohoho. Thank you for inviting me again this year, Countess Rose."

"It is I who should thank you for coming, Lord Karl."

An ornate robe enveloped his body. A crystal orb crowned his long staff. His shoes, his accessories—unlike his usual attire, everything the old man wore was a top-quality item. He looked less like a guest than a general riding alone into an enemy stronghold.

Rose smiled at Karl, the Monarch of Magic, certain that she would not be able to enjoy tonight's ball.

* * *

"What a murderous atmosphere."

Watching the ballroom with his arms folded, Limon read the subtle mood around him and muttered under his breath.

Julia, who was drinking juice beside him, answered.

"Of course it is. It's Walpurgis Night."

"How does that explain it?"

"What's happening outside recreates the celebrations after the Demon God War ended, but this ball recreates the Grand European Conference."

"I'm asking why they bother recreating something so pointless. It's a festival. They could just enjoy it."

"I suppose the people at the top have their own reasons."

"Reasons, my ass. All they've got is their lofty pride that won't let them be treated like commoners."

Limon snorted.

After the Demon God fell, representatives of the devastated nations had attended the Grand European Conference with their countries' very survival at stake. As an observer, Limon had witnessed firsthand what a complete shitshow that conference had been. This high-and-mighty ball felt like nothing but a sham to him.

But Julia, who had no way of knowing that, smiled wryly at his words.

"There is a certain amount of empty ceremony, but this ball is still an important occasion. They say all of Europe's major affairs are actually decided here."

"I know that much."

Limon answered indifferently.

Everyone gathered here belonged to the highest echelons of the British Empire and the nations of Europe. Considering that this was House Seaserpent, it would be no surprise if a single joke exchanged here determined international affairs.

The Blue Dragon Clan, which controlled the British Empire, possessed that much wealth and authority.

'Though it looks like things aren't going their way today.'

The problem was that the Blue Dragon Clan was no longer the only force wielding influence in Europe. The number of people gathered around Karl made that clear.

Of course, Rose had far more people around her. But the fact that Karl was attracting so much attention at a party held in House Seaserpent itself demonstrated his influence.

'... But what's with this atmosphere?'

Limon narrowed his eyes.

He, too, had once been revered as an absolute being and attended more parties than he could stomach. That made it easy to recognize the battle of nerves between Rose and Karl, as well as the way the people gathered around each were keeping one another in check while pretending to converse amiably.

There was nothing strange about that. It had been inevitable from the moment Karl decided to attend the ball.

Yet the Sword Master's keen senses detected something oddly out of place in that tense standoff.

'It's almost as if they're waiting for something...?'

As he watched Karl occasionally turn toward Rose with a peculiar smile, his expression doubtful, Lucas appeared in the ballroom.

Wearing a uniform instead of his usual armor, he spoke urgently to Rose the moment he arrived by Teleportation.

"Your Highness, I have an urgent report."

"... What is it?"

"At present, in the city of London..."

The party was still underway, and more than a few people were watching. Rose's expression stiffened, apparently sensing that something was amiss from the way he delivered his report without regard for any of that.

Just as Limon raised an eyebrow upon hearing what Lucas whispered into her ear—

"Good heavens! What a bizarre occurrence!"

An exclamation rang through the ballroom, blatantly calculated to draw every eye.

"What has happened?"

"Everyone, please remain calm and hear me out."

As though even that were not enough, the old man tapped his staff against the floor to request everyone's attention.

With a profoundly grave expression, Karl announced the report a guild member had rushed over to deliver moments earlier, almost at the same time as Lucas.

"I am told the Misty hours have begun in London."

"That's impossible...!"

"Is what you just said really true?"

The ballroom stirred as people reacted in shock and confusion, as though they had heard something unthinkable.

It was only natural. Evening had already fallen, and the sun had set. It was far too late for the Misty hours to begin.

The claim was so unexpected that quite a few people looked at Karl suspiciously. But their suspicion did not last long.

"Fog!"

"Good God, it really is...?!"

Seeing fog thicker than clouds begin to swirl beyond the windows, they could not conceal their alarm.

"Everyone, please calm down. This is merely fog."

Even amid the commotion, Rose remained composed.

Quite apart from the fact that no bell had rung, the absence of any magical aura in this fog made it clear that the Misty hours had not begun.

But only a handful of people realized that. Most could not hide their unease as they watched the fog billowing outside. As far as they knew, fog this thick was impossible outside the Misty hours.

That was also why Limon looked doubtful.

'Hmm. I don't sense any magical aura.'

'But it's far too suspicious to be natural fog.'

'The work of a spirit? No, even most high-ranking spirits couldn't do this.'

'That leaves a skill? But to pull off something like this with a skill, even a monarch-class player couldn't do it alone...'

Limon paused abruptly.

Then he frowned at Karl, who alone was leisurely stroking his beard amid the chaos.

Only then did he realize: this was a ball attended by all of London's dignitaries, yet not a single high-level player from the Magus Guild had attended this important occasion.

'... That fucking bastard?'