Chapter 130: Invitation (2)
The chapter is finally here. And yes, I spent a lot of time in Dragonspine again, but I got so distracted by everything that I hadn’t even reached 50%, hahaha. Anyway, next chapter is on Monday, so enjoy Jude playing Princess Maker for now.
Terms used in this chapter:
Become a squid – Korean slang for someone who looks ugly or inferior in appearance when compared to a more handsome or beautiful person. So if a person with an average-looking face sits next to a person with a very beautiful face, the average-looking person becomes/looks like a squid.
And just a note: Regarding Cordelia’s hair color, it is color pink (just like in the cover art of this series). However, the author likes to use the Korean word for red to also describe Cordelia’s hair. If we go by color theory, pink is just a tint of red, so the author isn’t exactly wrong.
Emma Ficus.
She was the second daughter of Count Ficus, and never really liked Cordelia because of a very simple and plain reason.
‘Annoying.’
Cordelia’s very existence was annoying.
A pretty girl who looked like a doll and was even nice. She didn’t like the fact that Cordelia was truly nice and not pretending to be nice.
‘I’m excited on trampling her this year.’
She liked using Cordelia’s fiancé as a way to bully her because Cordelia was completely embarrassed about it, but the situation was slightly different this year.
‘Because you seriously dug your own grave.’
Were you so excited that your fiancé who couldn’t even go out much had become a bit healthy?
Cordelia had prepared a lot of things to be embarrassed about in the last two months.
‘Ah, I can’t wait.’
Emma Ficus trembled and sat in front of the dressing table as she looked at the mirror.
She saw a petite and charming girl with long pink hair.
In fact, the main reason why Emma Ficus disliked Cordelia was because of the color of their hair.
They had the same red hair, so they were always compared everywhere.
‘Good, good. I’ll seriously trample you this year.’
With a wicked smile that didn’t match her lovely appearance, Emma Ficus remembered what she had prepared.
Her father had prepared her new dresses and accessories, and she had a fiancé who was good-looking enough to be envious of.
‘Ah, I really can’t wait.’
I hope my birthday comes soon.
With an evil smile again, Emma Ficus looked at the mirror again.
Without knowing the fact that there was a man far away in Bailon who was looking forward to her birthday more than she herself.
***Five days later at Count Ficus’ mansion.
Sylvia Crossbell, the eldest daughter of Count Crossbell who belonged to the 12 northern families, unknowingly frowned.
‘She still has a flashy taste.’
At Count Ficus’ garden that was not just spacious but also vast, the banquet hall was excessively and flashily decorated.
Fresh flowers filled the banquet hall even though it was still winter, and a temperature control magic device made it possible to hold the event outdoors.
An ordinary noble would have been worried enough of their finances with just those two, but the quality of the various items used to decorate the banquet hall was also high.
‘One way or another, she’s a Ficus.’
It was a fact that Emma Ficus was strangely obsessed with Cordelia, but there was nothing bad with the relationship between the Chase and Ficus families.
Their field of activity was vastly different even if they both belonged to the 12 northern families.
Count Chase owned a magic tower but did not have a proper manor, so he maintained his influence with the power of his talent.
On the other hand, Count Ficus possessed not only the best granary in the north but also the best transit trading city, due to the fact that the Sillikones River Delta, which was called the lifeline of the north, was in his fief.
In short, he maintained his influence with the power of his outstanding territory.
Therefore, Count Ficus’ real rival was Count Crossbell and not Count Chase.
‘North is Crossbell, south is Ficus.’
Count Crossbell made colossal amounts of money through their financial business, while Count Ficus made huge profits through agriculture and commerce.
It was when Count Ficus began to enter the financial industry that the relationship between the two families with the most wealth out of the 12 northern families began to fall apart.
Naturally, when compared to Count Crossbell who already dominated the financial world in the north, Count Ficus’ financial business was like child’s play, but the Crossbells found it unacceptable.
‘It’s an annoying fact, but Count Ficus has the potential.’
It was currently at the level of a child’s play, but it was unknown when and how it would grow.
Count Ficus was no less than Count Crossbell when it simply came to their financial strength.
‘Haa..I normally wouldn’t want to come here.’
From Sylvia’s perspective, Count Ficus’ place was no different to enemy territory.
The Crossbell and Ficus families had, in fact, avoided ever meeting the other.
The Ficus family did not participate in the social gathering of the 12 northern families’ children.
But for some reason, Count Ficus always sent invitations to Emma Ficus’ birthday party.
Despite the fact that the distance between the two families’ territories were so far that it took several days to travel from one point to another.
‘Well, I can guess what their intentions are.’
Did we touch a nerve?
We’re just doing this much for you.
We sent you an invitation out of courtesy, but it’s up to you if you want to come or not.
Since Count Crossbell who was famous for his fiery personality could not let go of Count Ficus’ provocations, Sylvia had to fully dress up and attend Emma Ficus’ birthday party every year.
‘Although there is one more reason why I’m here.’
It was none other than Cordelia.
Emma Ficus had been strangely mean to Cordelia for a long time, and Cordelia was unable to properly defend herself because she had few lady friends due to the fact that she rarely went outside her home.
Her situation was perfect, so Emma lashed at her as much as she could.
‘This year will be more intense than last year.’
Sylvia couldn’t properly help Cordelia because Emma Ficus always attacked her with facts, but she was planning to protect Cordelia this year even if it was beyond her abilities.
She had to return the favor at Langesthei.
‘And..it will be a little different this year.’
Emma Ficus primarily used Cordelia’s fiancé to attack Cordelia.
Sylvia recalled what happened in Langesthei in the past and revealed an uncharacteristically evil smile.
Because she was looking forward to it.
“Oh my goodness, Lady Sylvia. You’re so beautiful this year.”
“Isn’t Lady Mia very lovely too? I’ve thought about this before, but you really have a good fashion sense. The color of the dress you chose is a perfect fit for you again.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Mia Ballun, the second daughter of Viscount Ballun, reddened her cheeks at Sylvia’s compliment, but there was no other girl who approached Sylvia except for her.
‘Because it’s Count Ficus’ party.’
It was basically a place where they were conscious of Count Ficus. All the invited families were also located near Count Ficus’ territory, so it was natural for them to not approach Sylvia, the young lady of the Crossbell family.
‘Mia is peculiar.’
But judging from the other young ladies’ troubled expressions while looking at her side, it seemed like Mia wouldn’t approach her next year.
“Wow, it’s Lady Emma.”
As Mia spoke with sparkling eyes, Sylvia gently moved away from her.
There was a high possibility that the lost child would be in trouble if Emma Ficus found out that she was close to Sylvia.
‘Anyway..the main character has arrived.’
Emma Ficus and her fiancé, Darren Filov, proudly entered the banquet hall.
It was annoying to admit it, but Count Ficus was a formidable opponent after all.
‘He isn’t just some nouveau riche.’
Although he had an inclination to be a nouveau riche, he knew how to properly spend his money because of his heritage.
Emma Ficus was wearing a light pink dress, and the design of her dress and her jewelry were all unusual.
‘Fairy.’
A lovely design that hid the shortcomings of the small and petite Emma Ficus and highlighted her strong points.
Emma Ficus was like a fairy, and Darren Filov who was dressed in white formal clothes decorated with gold thread was like a prince in a story.
‘She really stuck to a concept, huh?’
But it did look quite good on her.
All the young ladies in the banquet hall were seriously in awe.
“Oh my, is Lady Cordelia still not here?”
Emma Ficus lightly greeted the young ladies in the banquet hall and said while slightly fussing as if she had remembered Cordelia, and the young girls around her immediately responded to her words.
“I guess she’s late.”
“She seemed to be in a lot of trouble lately.. Could she have been banned from going out?”
“Maybe she’s late because of her fiancé..”
“Well, he must not be feeling well. He seems to have gotten a little better..but lately, he’s a bit.. he must have overdone it. Don’t you think?”
Emma faintly smiled and said, and the ladies promptly agreed.
‘Haa, seriously.’
It was such an annoying sight, but Sylvia decided to put up with it. Because it was meaningless for her to step in when the person being talked about was not here.
‘Why is she late anyway?’
Cordelia was never late for this kind of event.
Why is she late today?
‘Did something happen?’
Did something happen to Jude like they said?
She was half right and half wrong.
Their reason for being late was because of Jude, but it wasn’t because of a problem.
There was a reason why Jude deliberately made them arrive late.
There was a reason why he let all the young ladies gather first, and why he also waited for Emma Ficus, the main character for today, to show up.
“Lady Cordelia from Count Chase has arrived.”
Everyone’s eyes were gathered into one place after hearing the butler’s words.
It was natural to do that.
All of the ladies had arrived except for Cordelia.
“I guess she has only arrived now.”
“Is it because of her fiancé?”
Some young ladies openly gossiped to please Emma Ficus, but it was only for a moment.
They couldn’t talk any more about Cordelia.
Because they were captivated.
Because they lost their senses and were left gaping one after another.
“Wow..”
Mia Ballun blankly let out a voice.
Not only her but also all the young ladies who gathered in the banquet hall had dazed looks.
Cordelia Chase.
Her beauty had long been famous.
Everyone knew that she was such a beautiful girl that even those from the same sex would blankly stare at her.
But this time, it wasn’t that.
Simply saying that she was beautiful wouldn’t describe the sight in front of them.
“Cor..delia?”
Even Sylvia was captivated.
All that she could do was let out an astonished voice and blink her eyes.
A goddess.
An existence that was beyond human.
Dressed in a light pinkish white dress, Cordelia entered the banquet hall with an elegant smile.
Her reddish pink hair seemed to shine, and the accessories everywhere sparkled but wasn’t excessive as they even further made Cordelia’s beauty shine.
A truly overwhelming beauty.
‘W-what?’
Sylvia was the first to come to her senses and she blinked her eyes several times.
She had always been a pretty girl, but was it this much?
And when Sylvia came to her senses, she noticed something else.
‘They’re the same?’
The design of the dress Cordelia was wearing.
It wasn’t really the same. But the design concept was the same as Emma Ficus’ dress.
‘The color is similar too?’
Similar clothes.
So even if she hated to compare it, she had no choice but to compare the two.
The other young ladies came to their senses one by one and noticed it too. They unconsciously looked at Emma Ficus and at Cordelia again.
No one opened their mouths, but everyone knew.
The difference between the two could only be described as overwhelming.
Emma Ficus was a lovely girl too, but it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the current Cordelia was like a goddess.
She was taller and had a better shape.
They wouldn’t have known if her clothes were different, but Emma Ficus, the lovely girl who wore the same clothes, was quickly crushed and became a squid.
‘It’s not just the clothes.’
Sylvia’s sharp and discerning eyes began to take note of other things.
The accessories worn by Cordelia.
All of it were unusual. What was even more shocking was the fact that the location and number of accessories were the same as those of Emma Ficus.
‘All of it are superior?’
-You used gold? Sorry, but ours is platinum.
-Diamond? I beg your pardon, but ours is bigger and more beautiful.
That’s the impression I get?
‘It seems like you’ve made a decision.’
To crush Emma Ficus.
To completely erase Emma Ficus’ presence in this banquet hall.
And the person who came up with this plot also thought the same.
‘All according to plan.’
Jude wickedly smiled as he observed the banquet hall that was completely overwhelmed by Cordelia, who looked at Jude with confusion.
‘Jude, Jude. What is this? What’s going on?’
‘Yes, it’s just as planned.’
Jude had already figured out what clothes Emma Ficus would wear and what accessories she would use.
She was a character that appeared in a sub-quest once, so JudeWiki contained information about her.
‘I snooped around a bit too.’
Count Ficus spent a lot of money for today.
So it was inevitable that there would be rumors in the business circles on what kind of dress and accessories she would wear.
Perfection was achieved by adding the information he got from snooping around to his existing knowledge.
Jude had met the Fall Fairy Queen again to specifically prepare for the dress to be used today.
The dress and Magellan’s accessories were profusely blessed by the fairies.
And he added another weapon to her.
historical
‘Look, look at that shiny and smooth hair.’
Cordelia’s hair was much more beautiful than usual.
The reason was simple – because she used shampoo and conditioner.
‘There’s no shampoo and conditioner here.’
There were basic cleaning products like soap because it was a world where civilization was quite developed, but there was no shampoo and conditioner.
Ever since Jude had taken the Sun’s Necklace from Leisegang, he was doing some research on it and eventually succeeded in developing a shampoo and conditioner that was suitable for commercial use.
‘There is no woman who is not interested in beauty.’
I mean, if you were at least an upper-class woman, you would have no choice but to make yourself beautiful even if you were not interested in it.
The reason why Jude developed the shampoo and conditioner was simple. He intended it to be used as a bargaining material when they meet the royal family or the high-ranking nobles in the royal capital.
‘It’s working.’
Sylvia and the other ladies good at discerning had noticed the peculiarity of Cordelia’s hair.
What would happen if we approached them and offered them the shampoo and conditioner, saying that they can be like her if they used it?
And what would happen if we gave it to Cordelia’s friends in particular, and not to anyone else?
‘She’ll dominate the banquet.’
It might have begun as Emma Ficus’ birthday party, but he made it into the new Cordelia’s fantastic debut stage in the end.
And it was just the beginning.
Jude still had a lot of things he had prepared.
First was Jude himself.
“I am Jude Bayer. I greet all the young ladies whom I’m meeting for the first time today.”
When Jude stepped forward and courteously greeted them, small groans and screams spread among the young ladies.
Jude Bayer.
A man who occupied a place among the best looking characters in Legend of Heroes 2.
It was natural that screams spread among the women since Jude had went all out in dressing up.
‘And I match him too.’
He matched the clothes and accessories of Emma Ficus’ fiancé. Even their hair styles.
Jude’s plan worked again this time, and Darren Filov met the same fate as Emma Ficus as he was crushed and became a squid too.
‘It’ll be difficult if you croak with just this.’
Not yet. I prepared a lot of things, so don’t be crushed like this yet.
Perhaps Jude’s wish was heard, because Emma Ficus came forward with spiteful words.
She welcomed Cordelia while maintaining a calm expression.
“Oh my, you’re a good-looking person as I’ve heard. No wonder Lady Cordelia left such a letter.”
Such a letter.
Cordelia’s nighttime escape that she did several times.
Cordelia’s face turned red at that moment, and murmurs were heard among the young ladies. Emma Ficus’ face regained a bit of its color.
But Jude’s wicked smile had yet to disappear.
Because he naturally expected this to happen.
‘It’s about time they arrive.’
Those whom he invited for today.
Jude mentally counted down, and the sound of footsteps were heard at just the expected time.
“The Guardians of the Holy Cross has arrived.”
As soon as the bewildered butler’s voice ended, the elite members of the Guardians of the Holy Cross who were dressed in pure white entered the banquet hall.
“The Guardians of the Holy Cross?”
“My goodness, did they come here to congratulate Emma on her birthday?”
The Guardians of the Holy Cross protected the continent from the demons.
They never had a low prestige. In a sense, they were a group that held authority beyond that of the royal family.
Everyone’s attention were once again focused on the appearance of the Guardians of the Holy Cross who were dressed not in just their combat uniforms, but in their best ceremonial clothes. Their gazes were directed at a paladin of the Guardians of the Holy Cross, the good Sir Eindolph who was the manifestation of dignity, as he went to his destination with an unwavering attitude.
“Oh my, did they really come to celebrate Emma’s birthday?”
“The Guardians of the Holy Cross?”
Low voices were heard among the young ladies, and feelings of embarrassment and expectation spread on Emma Ficus’ face.
And Sir Eindolph knelt down to show his respect.
In front of Cordelia and not Emma Ficus.
“The Guardians of the Holy Cross greet our benefactor.”
“We greet our benefactor.”
The guardians behind Sir Eindolph courteously greeted at the same time, and a scene like those in religious paintings was created.
Cordelia turned to Jude in embarrassment, and Jude said with a smirk.
“Sir Eindolph, we just did the right thing. Please stand up. Cordelia would prefer that too.”
Eindolph slowly stood up at Jude’s words.
At the same time, surprise, wonder and an unbearable curiosity spread among the faces of the young ladies.
Why?
Why are the Guardians of the Holy Cross courteously greeting Jude and Cordelia?
But there was more to be surprised.
Jude signaled to Cordelia, who hesitantly proceeded with the plan she agreed to.
She transformed into an angel without bringing out her wings.
The atmosphere of Cordelia changed at that moment.
She was like a goddess even if she wasn’t, but the air around her began to really feel sacred now.
And the most sensitive to her change was the Guardians of the Holy Cross.
Sir Eindolph unconsciously blinked his eyes in awe.
“A-angel?”
The staging was a bit crude, but the effect was magical.
Cordelia was a woman given the title of an angel because a paladin from the Guardians of the Holy Cross ‘mistook’ her for one.
“N-no. I’m not an a-angel.”
Cordelia stuttered with a completely red face, and Jude’s smile deepened.
The reason why he called the Guardians of the Holy Cross here.
The reason why he promised to cooperate in the future and then requested that the Guardians of the Holy Cross be sent here today.
It was to clear the various rumors that had spread regarding Jude and Cordelia.
From teenage escapees who were head over heels with each other and repeatedly ran away, to newly packaged heroes who fought the demonic followers in the north and made a big enough contribution that the Guardians of the Holy Cross paid their respects to them.
‘Perfect.’
Sir Eindolph saw Jude’s eyes signal and began to speak in front of everyone about the activities of Jude and Cordelia in the north.
A lot of the events in the wild lands were naturally omitted, and his story had many dramatized parts here and there, but it was enough to reverse public opinion.
‘Good.’
Jude made a deep smile and turned to Emma Ficus.
He very much liked seeing her stunned face as her eyes blinked.
‘I don’t even have to do anything anymore.’
He could just leave the rest to them.
And it really went as Jude thought.
When the Guardians of the Holy Cross led by Sir Eindolph left, Sylvia spoke to Cordelia, and Jude advertised the shampoo and conditioner to Sylvia.
“You should try it too.”
The moment Cordelia handed over the small jar to Sylvia, a change occurred once again.
The young ladies who were only watching from the side had begun approaching her.
From Emma Ficus to Cordelia Chase.
The main character of the banquet completely changed, and that changed atmosphere remained until the end of the banquet.
And late in the afternoon.
Jude stared at the banquet hall and party that ended much earlier than expected, before he turned to Cordelia and asked.
“Were you satisfied?”
Cordelia’s eyes narrowed at his sly question, and she kicked Jude’s shin afterwards.
“Ouch! Why?!”
“What do you mean by why! Do you know how embarrassing it was?”
Especially when Eindolph was surprised and said ‘Angel?!’ while in awe.
Cordelia’s face turned red again, and cutely struck Jude on the chest with her fist.
“The shameful part is always mine!”
At least tell me in advance!
“Haha, but didn’t it go well?”
“That’s why it’s more annoying, okay?”
At Cordelia’s words, Jude snickered and quickly moved his feet. He moved to Cordelia’s side in an instant and hugged her slender waist.
“So, you don’t like it?”
“No, I love it!”
She actually felt sorry for Emma.
Nevertheless, all of her frustrations that had accumulated so far had been relieved at once.
“As expected of my Jude, right?”
“Yes, yes, it’s my Jude.”
Cordelia cheerfully laughed and soon tied her hair as she said.
“But Jude.”
“Yes.”
“Do you still have any shampoo and conditioner prototypes left? Besides the one we’ll bring to the royalty.”
“There is?”
“Then let’s give some to Emma too. Let’s carefully give it in a way that doesn’t offend her.”
No matter how much she thought about it, they seemed to have gone too far.
Today was her birthday after all.
Jude smiled again at Cordelia’s words and nodded his head.
“If that’s what you want.”
And he thought that her blood wasn’t the only one that was angelic.
Satisfied by Cordelia’s consideration, Jude stretched out his hand to escort her, and Cordelia gently held Jude’s hand.
And a week or so passed by.
When rumors about the shampoo and conditioner circulated among the young ladies in the north.
Invitations announcing the beginning of the founding commemoration at the royal capital finally arrived at Count Bayer and Count Chase’s mansions.