Chapter 20 Hero X Extra

For now, I stopped thinking about Jullian.

I shook my head to dispel any distracting thoughts.

Seeing a maid carrying a tray of drinks, I took the glass that was filled with alcoholic drinks.

After taking a glass of alcoholic drink, I went to the balcony for some fresh air.

Leaning on the balcony railing, I looked at the scenery outside the mansion. Tonight, darkness is everywhere, but there are still two moons up in the sky that brighten the scenery of this night.

When the night air blows, they're hit every pore in my body. I enjoy every touch that the night breeze makes.

The glass containing the alcoholic drink is still in my hand. I drank a little of the alcoholic drink that I don't know what it is named for, and after that, the drink went down my throat.

Gulp!

Ahhh~

It makes me feel a little better.

While I was enjoying the drink in my hand, I heard someone coming towards me from behind.

I turned back, so I can look at the person who came towards me. It turned out to be Clarista. When I looked at her face, I was a little surprised to see that her cheeks were slightly colored pink.

She also had a drink in she's hand. Maybe she's a little drunk.

Between the two of us who stared at each other for a while, she was the first to start asking questions.

"Why are you here alone? ...Oh, did you feel inferior after Jullian caught everyone's attention?"

"There's no way I'd feel that way."

I disputed what she assumed. But it was true that everyone's attention was on Jullian right now.

Even though he only used his identity as the son of a Duke. Yeah, right now, he's not a hero yet. But he still got the attention of those old nobles.

Even so, it was understandable since all the nobles present here were low-ranking nobles.

They swarmed around Jullian to curry favor with Jullian. They knew that Jullian was the heir to the Arkie noble household. If they could get Jullian's attention a little bit, they could have an advantage.

I'm guessing, they probably think that way.

"You may not know this yet, but he is a candidate for the greatest Paladin Knight for the Church of Light. His future is bright. So it's only natural that those old nobles flock to him. I hope you don't feel jealous."

Clarista said it in a tone that sounded like she felt sorry for me. Apart from that, I also already know about the thing that she said.

As I recall, Jullian does have that kind of background. Also, since he had already performed the maturity ceremony, people must have seen Jullian's potential power, aka the main character's potential.

Likewise with Clarista, since she's a priestess of the Church of Light, I'm guessing she's well aware of Jullian's potential. Or, should I say that the reason Clarista was aiming for Jullian was because of that?

To confirm that, I immediately asked her.

"Isn't that the reason you like Jullian? You don't have to pretend like you're depressed when Jullian gets engaged to Willa. Even though what you are after is also similar to what the old nobles want, right."

I told her what her little secret was. But, she only raised her eyebrows slightly upwards. She didn't seem too surprised.

Her slightly surprised expression instantly returned to calm. She walked over to the balcony railing and looked at me from beside me.

"Fufufu, how did you know that?"

"...."

"The more I look, the more I realize that you are a mysterious person."

"Ignore that for now. What's the real reason Jullian came here?"

The question I raised was the crux of the real problem.

Most likely, the reason why Jullian had come here was closely related to the reason why things had gone differently from my previous life.

Clarista pondered for a while before finally answering.

I watched every word that came out of she's mouth. Every movement of her lips is clearly visible to my eyes. And the sound that came out of her mouth sounded clear to my ears.

"... Oracle. More or less, that's the reason."

She finished her answer there.

I don't know if that's true, but...

I lowered my head slightly and held my chin. 'Then... No. I'll think about it later.'

After answering my question, Clarista immediately drank all the drinks in her glass in one gulp.

Unfortunately, there was a bit of drink that trickled down from the corners of her lips. The drink dripped down. Walking along her smooth white neck. Until it disappeared into her clothes.

Because she was wearing a ball gown, her attire was now more revealing than the priestess robe she had previously worn.

"Ho~ what did you see?"

She seemed to notice my gaze on her body, but she just chuckled with a seductive smile. Not that I stole glances, I just saw it because it happened right in front of me.

Without responding to the look in his eyes, I only answered briefly.

"Nothing."

"Fuh~ even so, I was really sad to know that Jullian is here to get engaged to your step-sister."

"You don't have to worry. Most likely, I will break their engagement."

I just say what comes to my mind, therefore I didn't expect her to be that surprised.

And then she moistened her lips and said, "Ara~Ara~ Even if you do that, you won't necessarily be able to win my heart, you know. But at least, I thank you for your good intentions."

'Aren't you overconfident?' I can only say that in my head because I don't want to argue with her.

But instead, she averted her gaze with an added hint of a thicker pink tint to her cheeks. I think she's getting drunk.

Right now I had to get back inside the banquet hall before Baron Warwick announced the engagement between Jullian and Willa. So I didn't think about it any further.

***

"With this, I will announce that my daughter and Jullian Arkie will...."

"Wait a moment."

Baron Warwick raised his hand and was about to announce the engagement between Willa and Jullian. But I immediately stopped him.

I approached Baron Warwick, Jullian, and Willa, who was the center of everyone's attention. Behind me was Clarista following me.

My eyes fell on Baron Warwick's face. His face was dark because I interrupted him.

In the midst of everyone's attention, I opened my mouth to speak.

"Sorry, Father. But you have to cancel what you're about to announce!"

Instantly, everyone's faces were immediately shocked.

Willa made a slightly moved expression for some reason. Clarista covered her mouth in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Baron Warwick immediately let out smoke from above his head. His anger peaked at the top. I felt he was ready to eat me, but I ignored him.

You may be wondering, how can I be sure that Baron Warwick will announce the engagement between Willa and Jullian?

Even though it is not certain that what will be announced is the engagement between Jullian and Willa. But, how can I be sure? Of course, there is a reason for it all. The reason had to do with the secret of Jullian's power.

Ignoring Baron Warwick's anger, I approached Jullian.

"Are you the Young Master of the Arkie noble household?"

"Nice to meet you."

We get to know each other.

Look at the glow that comes out of the smile on his face. It sure can blow everyone away. If I didn't know his nature, I would definitely be deceived.

This is my first time interacting with him. Where, in my previous life, I could only see from afar. Even though his face looked younger, there was no mistaking that it was Jullian Arkie, the Main Character.

Returning his smile, I also showed a smile on my face, even though my heart was burning with the fire of anger.

I suddenly remember the moments of death that I experienced. Somehow, I managed to contain the anger in my heart. Yeah, though it's not easy.

Next, I patted his shoulder. My face drew closer, and then I whispered to him.

"You'd better stop what you're trying to do. Otherwise, I'll reveal your secret."

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"You don't have to pretend like that. I know about a secret of yours that you protect the most."

After whispering those words, I pulled myself back. Our gazes locked. Now, each of us knows that we are enemies.

And to me, this is a declaration of war against the main character of this world.

[Quest: Fight against Hero of Light.

Description: You must thwart the plans of the aspiring Hero of Light to get his first harem.]

[Rewards will be given after you complete the Quest.]