New Year Under Starlit Trails · Chapter 7
A Stir in the Ballroom
Host
...Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us at this year's charity gala.
This evening has treated us to one brilliant performance after another.
As we behold the elegant steps of tonight's distinguished dancers...
They evoke the legendary ball where the Star Savior and the heirs of noble families once danced in a pledge of harmony.
And among them all, the evening's most remarkable couple!
The honor goes to...!
Lady Asherah of House Stranis and the Journey Captain who accompanied her, Sir Your Name!
Noble A
...Incredible. To think that troublesome girl could look so beautiful.
Noble B
There were a few rough edges, but... their dance had a curious charm.
Asherah
We did it, Captain! They chose us as the evening's finest couple!
Congratulations!
You earned this after everything you put into it.
Asherah
Why are you saying it like that?
You're making it sound like I did this alone.
We won this together as a pair, remember?
This prize doesn't belong to me alone. It belongs to both of us.
Come on, hurry!
Asherah took my hand and led me onto the stage.
Epindel
...Well done, Lady Stranis.
Asherah
Hehe, what did I tell you? Hard work pays off.
Still... none of this would've been possible without you, Epindel.
I really appreciate it.
Epindel
...Well, naturally. You did have an excellent teacher.
Very touching. Now would you kindly stop clutching the Captain's hand?
Must you keep your hands clasped so tightly in front of the entire ballroom?
Asherah
Hm? Ah?! R-Right...!
Epindel
Ahem... Well then. Here is the relic you went to such lengths to obtain.
Honestly... I can't see what makes this worth all that effort.
Granted, it's remarkable that the pages remain pristine despite its age, but that's all.
Epindel carefully handed Asherah an old notebook.
Beaming, Asherah opened the notebook to find page after page of white paper without a single word written on them.
Epindel
You seem awfully pleased. Are you really that happy just because you got what you wanted?
Asherah
No, Epindel. That's not it.
Epindel
...What do you mean, that's not it?
Asherah
It isn't the relic itself that's making me happy.
Epindel
What do you mean? You only joined the gala because of the relic, didn't you?
Asherah
I had my doubts before, but now I'm certain.
Of course I'm happy to have a relic left by someone I admire. But more importantly...
What makes me happy is knowing that we challenged something that looked beyond us and made it through together.
Just like the Star Savior would have!
Epindel
*Sigh*... As ever, my lady, your reasoning is beyond me.
Asherah
Hehe! Maybe one day it'll make sense to you too.
Epindel
You do realize I didn't mean that favorably, don't you?
Asherah quietly gazed down at the notebook's blank pages.
Asherah
...To tell you the truth, I expected there might be some amazing secret written inside.
That the blank pages were just a disguise concealing an incredible power...!
Ahaha! But now that I have it, turns out it's genuinely just blank.
The weird thing is, it doesn't feel disappointing at all.
Perhaps I was wrong about what I was really looking forward to.
It wasn't the relic I was looking forward to. It was everything we went through to obtain it!
And that's why this feels so rewarding!
I couldn't have done this without either of you. Thank you, Captain. Epindel.
Epindel
...Well, I certainly didn't help you for the sake of receiving credit.
I only helped because I was afraid you'd ruin my gala.
So what are you going to do with that worn-out notebook? Have it preserved in a museum?
Asherah
Well...
We could use it as our logbook.
Let's make those empty pages the beginning of our story.
Asherah
Whoa... Captain, that might be the coolest thing you've ever said.
A relic of the Star Savior will carry the story of the Savior Party that follows in his footsteps!
Then you should be the one to keep it, Captain!
Delighted by the idea, Asherah clapped a few times and placed the relic into my hands.
The instant I touched it, a sickening pulse surged through my entire body.
Asherah... Something isn't feeling right.
An ominous feeling crept over me.
Security Officer
Stop! I told you that you can't just barge in like this!
Roberta
Pardon the interruption!
Lugh
Please excuse us.
Roberta
This is urgent, so I hope you'll forgive the disruption!
May I speak with the person responsible for organizing the gala?
Epindel
...That would be me. What is this about?
Roberta
We understand you're currently holding an item known as a relic left by the Star Savior.
The Orbital Search Team will be taking temporary custody of it for emergency containment and examination.
Where is the relic?
Asherah
Um... Well...
Roberta
Huh? Captain? Asherah? I didn't recognize either of you in those outfits.
Seems we caught you at an awkward time. My apologies.
We'll be gone once we retrieve the relic, so bear with us for a moment.
Asherah
No, it's not that...
You mean... this relic?
Roberta
...!
Asherah
C-Captain, something's wrong...!
What's wrong with this thing?!
The relic in my hands was shaking violently.
A massive shockwave tore through the ballroom.
The relic floated into the air, shrouded in a dark crimson aura.
Luna
Asherah! Captain! Are you two all right?!
Smile
The shockwave contains traces of a familiar energy source. This is...
Asherah
...Void energy...?
A terrible sound tore through the air as space itself cracked open, forming a rift.
Chains rattled out beyond it, wrapping tightly around the relic and dragging it toward the opening.
Roberta
Everyone, move!
Roberta shot forward like a flash of light and caught the relic in midair.
Ominous energy still writhed across its surface.
Roberta
*Sigh* Damn... Looks like we were one step too late.
What's going on?
Roberta
Tch... We were certain we'd finished analyzing it.
Roberta
Oh, nothing too exciting. We're just doing a general inspection of everything related to the festival.
There's just one particular item we need to take a closer look at.
Naru
Ohoho! You see, it has something to do with the Star Savior—
Lugh
Naru? Didn't I say that was confidential?
Roberta
We'd concluded it was nothing more than an ordinary antique with no unusual properties.
But our trainee, Naru... apparently noticed something that bothered her and conducted further research in her own way.
She warned us of a potential large-scale incident connected to the relic, so we requested another review from Polaris...
Then Lady Alicia ordered us to secure it as quickly as possible.
Alicia
I was told that its pages are completely blank.
...If so, that may be all the more reason to suspect that something lies hidden inside.
Roberta
...She believes it's likely an object sealing away a dangerous ancient entity.
Asherah
Then why did the seal break now of all times?
Roberta
We don't know for sure, but there was probably some trigger we weren't aware of.
Something must've set it off unintentionally.
Assuming Roberta was right, the trigger could only have been...
...Me?
Roberta
This is bad. We need to get everyone out of here first.
Lugh, you're with me. We'll secure an evacuation route and clear all civilians within the affected radius.
Tell Naru to call for backup from HQ immediately.
Captain, take everyone and move somewhere safe. It's too dangerous here.
As for this relic...
Roberta passed the relic in her hand to Epindel beside her.
Epindel
...
Roberta
I'm leaving it in your custody until the situation is under control.
And since we don't know what might happen, keep it as far away from that rift as possible.
I managed to interrupt it, but... whatever's on the other side clearly wants it.
Asherah
That rift's getting bigger by the second.
...At this rate, Voidborns might break through before everyone has time to evacuate!
Roberta
Damn it...! It's getting bigger and bigger...!
Voidborns will break through any second! Lugh, focus on protecting the civilians while we hold them off!
Lugh
Understood!
Asherah
There's no way you two can manage everything alone.
We'll handle the rift!
Roberta
!
Asherah
Everyone okay with that?
Absolutely.
Luna
Come on! After speeches like that...
Now I'd look terrible if I said we should get out of here!
Well, fine by me! Guess we'd better work off that free food!
Smile
Agreeing with Luna.
This opportunity may also yield valuable data on Void energy.
Epindel
...No. Leave this to me.
Asherah
Epindel...?
Epindel
Get everyone to safety. I'll handle the rift on my own.
Asherah
You don't have to do this alone—
Epindel
This gala was organized under House Orlan's name!
Whatever the cause, everything that happens here is House Orlan's responsibility.
...It should have been a flawless evening! And now those filthy, wretched creatures have dared to ruin it...
Their crime is unforgivable... and House Orlan shall pass judgment!
Luna
(Yikes... Now that's frightening.)
Smile
(...Agreed.)
Epindel
All of you are here as guests. Therefore, do not involve yourselves—
Old Gentleman
No, miss. You cannot do that.
Epindel
...I beg your pardon?!
Old Gentleman
Your greatest responsibility as host is not fighting whatever lies beyond that rift.
Your priority must be evacuating your guests swiftly and ensuring their safety.
You must not allow emotion to cloud your understanding of that duty.
Epindel
...Kgh!
Asherah
...He's right, Epindel.
We'll handle things here somehow. You focus on leading the guests to safety.
Epindel
...
Roberta
...! The rift is expanding! Get ready, they're coming!
Asherah
Epindel, go!
Epindel
...All right!
...Lady Stranis, I shall trust you to handle this.
I'll oversee the evacuation. Lead the way.
Old Gentleman
This way.
Roberta
Captain. Prevent anything from escaping the ballroom until the evacuation is complete.
I know it's a lot to ask, but hold out for us.
We'll join you the moment the evacuation is complete!
Asherah
A lot of Voidborns are about to pour through. Captain, you and I take the main hall.
Luna, Smile! You two take the hallways. Don't let a single one get through!
Luna
Got it!
Smile
Happy End, preheating complete.
Asherah
...Captain.
Let's do this.
Asherah
Here they come...!
Asherah
Take this!
Tch...! No matter how many we take down, more keep coming through!
We can't keep fighting like this. We'll exhaust ourselves before the rift does!
We have to come up with a plan.
There, one more down...!
Asherah
Don't let your guard down! They're coming again!
I kept my eyes fixed on the rift, ready for another attack... yet an eerie silence settled over it.
Asherah
Is it... over?
...No. It can't be.
We were almost at our limit. One more push and they could've overwhelmed us...
There's no way they'd stop now—
...!
Within the rift in space, a vertically slit red eye rolled open.
It gazed coldly down on the fallen Voidborns before staring at us.
Asherah
Is that... the dangerous ancient entity Roberta was talking about?
...Captain. Do you think we can beat that thing if it gets out?
We need to deal with it before it crosses over.
Asherah
Yeah... That's what I thought.
Still, if we give it everything we have, maybe we can—
Before she could finish, another shockwave rattled the ballroom.
Asherah
...What was that? Something about it wasn't right...
We can't waste any more time.
We should gather everyone and strike with everything we have!
Asherah
Luna! Smile!
Asherah's voice echoed down the hallway, yet there was no response... or even a sign of movement.
Asherah
Guys...?
She took a few steps toward the hallway before suddenly freezing.
Asherah
...Captain. Come look at this.
There's something invisible blocking the way.
When I reached out, my hand met resistance as though an invisible wall stood before us.
I swung my blade with all my strength, but it showed no sign of breaking.
Asherah
That last shockwave must've been what created this.
This is bad. We're cut off from everyone else!
Wait, there they are! Luna? Smile? Hey!
Luna
■■■■■■■! ■■■■■■■?!
Smile
■■■■, ■■■■ ■■■■.
Luna
■■■■■■■, ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ ■■?
Roberta
...■■■■ ■■!
Smile
...■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■'■ ■■■■ ■■.
Asherah
What...? I can't make out anything they're saying!
Could this be some kind of barrier...?
The creature on the other side struggled furiously, widening the rift as it attempted to break through.
Noble A
What do you mean we can't leave...?
I was assured that the main residence led to a secure escape route!
Butler
P-Please remain calm. There appears to be an invisible barrier of some sort across the way...
Noble A
Fine! Then surely there's an exit on the other—
Epindel
It's no use. I've already checked.
Noble A
Lady Orlan...! What is happening?
Epindel
...I'm afraid I haven't determined the full extent of what has occurred.
What I can confirm is that something akin to a Void Rift has formed a magical barrier around the entire estate.
In other words, it's an impassable barrier in both directions.
Noble A
...Then it must be because of that rift in the ballroom.
Noble B
Th-Then we're trapped here?!
Noble C
B-But if the barrier blocks both directions...
...Then we should be safe as long as we remain here, correct?
Epindel
For the moment, yes. There is no need to worry.
Whatever may come, I swear upon the name of House Orlan that everyone will be safe.
Noble A
Th-Then that's a relief.
Epindel
Yes. Assistance from Polaris should arrive before long, so please remain calm until then.
Old Gentleman
...Are you worried?
Epindel
...Whatever are you referring to?
Old Gentleman
You have been staring rather fiercely in the ballroom's direction this entire time.
Epindel
...
Since that barrier went up... we haven't heard a single sound from inside.
Old Gentleman
...I understand that your bond with Lady Stranis goes back many years.
One day, the responsibility of leading House Orlan will fall upon you.
You must act with clear judgment, not personal sentiment.
Bear in mind that your duty to House Orlan lies here, protecting the people entrusted to you.
Epindel
...Am I truly defending my family's honor by hiding away and waiting for danger to find us?
The Falconet of Orlan should meet its enemies head-on. Surely that would be far more honorable—
Old Gentleman
However unexpected this incident may be, your responsibilities as host remain unchanged.
By overseeing the situation yourself and ensuring the guests' safety...
You will help silence any unreasonable accusations made against House Orlan afterward.
Epindel
...That is reasonable. The relic remained under our care until this happened...
Our family must bear responsibility until the full circumstances come to light.
...Even so...
Asherah
I don't know what path will get me there yet.
It just occurred to me... that maybe the first step toward my dream is simply trying to face things the way he would have.
Asherah
What makes me happy is knowing that we challenged something that looked beyond us and made it through together.
Just like the Star Savior would have!
Epindel
...Entrusting the greatest danger to someone else...
While I wait from the rear for matters to resolve themselves.
...That is not my way of doing things.
Old Gentleman
This is not about how you wish to act. It's about the will of House Orlan—
Lady Orlan...?!
Epindel
It seems I can pass freely through the invisible barrier while carrying this relic.
If this relic is what binds the sealed entity...
Then the relic may also contain the power needed to suppress the entity within.
If there is even the slightest chance that's true... Lady Stranis and the Captain may be in danger without it.
Old Gentleman
But that is... nothing more than speculation!
Even the proudest falcon cannot fly forever against a relentless headwind.
Epindel
That may be true. Yet if there is any chance I am right, I cannot stand aside while they confront it alone.
If I judge the path to be right, then I believe there are times when I must fly forward. ...Even into the heart of a hurricane.
Old Gentleman
...
Allow this old servant to offer one final word of counsel.
A falconet is meant to soar proudly and alone above the world.
Once its sight is clouded by sentiment, its proud flight can only end in a fall.
Do not let your concern for one person drive you to a decision you may regret.
Epindel
...Indeed. A falconet must fly proudly on its own, with a clear view of all that lies ahead.
It cannot allow harsh winds to sway it. It must climb higher and judge the path for itself.
Old Gentleman
Then you understand. Therefore—
Epindel
And that is why I must go.
Now step aside. This is not a request, it is an order.
Father is absent from this place. In other words...
I, Epindel de Orlan, stand here as the representative of our family's will.
My judgment now speaks for the entire house. This is the will of the falconet, and thus of House Orlan.
Old Gentleman
Can you truly be certain this is the right decision?
Epindel
I may not be certain... but I know I will not regret it.
Should this end badly, the responsibility will be mine alone. I will hear no further objections to my decision.
The course a falconet takes is for the falconet alone to determine.
Old Gentleman
...Very well. I shall defer to your judgment.
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