Evan D. Sherden. Turns Twelve (4)
"Did you clean all the carpets in the library? His Majesty will be going in there! Do you have to be given a memo in advance, to come in a little early? You can't arrive like this in the real ceremony!"
"Wow, look at Master's makeup! Oh, you haven't even started it!?"
"I don't know where and how to start because his original face is so perfect!"
Early in the morning of that day, all the servants of the Marquis were busy doing chores. The idea that Evan D. Sherden's 12th birthday party should be perfect was engraved in everyone's perception.
"Is the guard posture perfect?"
"His Majesty the King will be coming to this place. Everything must be flawless!"
"I have to confirm the identity of the cook coming from outside, right?"
It was not only the servants who were preoccupied, but the knights and soldiers who were responsible for the safety of the people of the Marquis and everyone who was coming today were also busy.
They had the responsibilities of security, police, detective, and prosecutors combined so they had four times as much work as everyone else.
"Oh, God… Hey, who was in charge of managing this great party? I have travelled the country for thirty years and seen many neat and stylish parties, but I have never seen anything like this."
"It's a wonderful venue that clearly reveals the authority of our Marquis…. Maybell did all of it? What can't that kid do?"
"How is our young Master able to find such talents?"
The Marquis's vassals were inspecting the venue and were trying to observe any objectionable elements, but there were no flaws.
They did not retreat in the face of any trouble.
This was the case with Evan and his subordinates. They did everything on their own, so there was no time for others to interrupt them in their work. In the meantime…
"Hello, we are the Lute Girls!"
"Where can we wait? Wow, look at this cool thing!"
"Performers, welcome to the mansion of the Marquis of Sherden. You can proceed inside."
"Look! Are they the Lute Girls!?"
"They are a very famous bard group of the Royal City. I have never seen them in person, but they have finally arrived!"
Young women with shiny appearances entered the mansion grounds. After having received Maybell's order in advance, the girls headed to the waiting room to receive information about the ceremony.
At that point, the vassals decided that this party was going to be more astounding than they had ever seen before. It was a very wise conclusion on their part.
"Uh, we are from the household of Baron Luhal. We feel extremely honoured by the invitation to the mansion of Marquis of Sherden today…"
"I will serve you as the host."
"Huh, that's a pretty classy host."
Event assistants such as the Lute Girls had already arrived. After a little more time passed, and as the timing of the party loomed nearer, outsiders invited by the Marquis began to arrive too.
Compared to Eric's birthday party, who was the first son of the family, the level of the party or the number of participants should have been small in numbers.
But it was the exact opposite today.
In particular, as the rumours of the King's participation in Evan's birthday party had spread, so did the number of the aristocrats who urgently wanted to participate in the party also increased dramatically.
"I heard that Baron Menbu couldn't come."
"But why the hell is His Majesty coming here? Have you heard anything special?"
"I heard that the King called the Marquis of Sherden and his second son to Royal City last year."
"Huh, not only the Marquis but also the second son… Young Master, who will be celebrating his birthday today, right?"
The nobles who had gathered together to wonder about the King's intentions finally concluded that there was something exceptional about the Second Master Evan of the Sherden family. Evan had become quite famous and was being regarded purely as a Sherden gem among everyone.
Of course, since the gathering place was the dungeon city, people were discussing the dungeon too.
"We're still blocked on the 45th floor, right? Before the last cataclysmic change, we had proceeded to the 50th floor, didn't we?"
"The phenomenon of the dungeon being completely overturned is a huge change. Even the structure of the dungeon changes alongside it."
"Yes, the dungeon's difficulty increases, and the environment reshapes too. And… these changes don't prove to be lucky for some people."
Some people were talking about the progress of the dungeon.
"Although the attacks on the dungeon have not been very fruitful recently, the development of the Marquis in the dungeon city still cannot be ignored. It was thanks to the Brotherhood Pharmacy created by the Marquis that we managed to survive the epidemic safely."
"Due to that, the death rate of explorers entering the dungeons has also decreased tremendously. I wish we had one in our city."
"Actually, that is exactly what I wanted to talk about with the Marquis today. When the pharmaceutical industry develops nationwide, many places can benefit from it."
As people were talking about the Brotherhood Pharmacy that had made the Marquis famous not only in dungeon city but also in other places, it was naturally followed by talks about the Brotherhood Bathhouse.
"Haven't you gone there yet? It's a hot water spring that makes you feel like all your body aches and pains are being drained from you. It is a lot different than the hot spring village. If you haven't been there yet, make sure you go there today."
"Huh, it has been a big success! Looking at its name, was it also created by the Marquis? That's great. Truly remarkable!"
"Oh, I see the Bishop over there. I have to meet him."
"Let's go together, then."
Of course, it wasn't just the nobles who had come to the party.
The battle guild and commercial guild's executives, the Bishops and other officials of the Earth Church, and of course, the employees of the Brotherhood Pharmacy were also present there.
"Look at the decorations on the ceiling! Wow! I'm sure they are more expensive than my entire salary."
"I still can't believe I came to a place like this…Oh, the sweets are delicious."
The Brotherhood Pharmacy staff glanced around worryingly, afraid that they would get lost if they were separated from each other. In the meantime, Bernard laughed at Hannah's admiration while he ate a snack.
"None of the nobles here are gangsters, so don't worry. As we are wearing the uniforms, they know that we are from the Brotherhood Pharmacy, so we won't face any harm."
"Yeah, you're right."
"But how are you so relaxed in such a gathering Bernard? Were you also once a noble?"
"No, you bastard. The crime of impersonating aristocrats doesn't end with just dying, so be careful. Oh, please give me a cup of that."
"Oh, me too."
"Me too!"
Bernard sighed as he tried to control some of the people in the pharmacy who lunged at a passing-by waiter and followed him to drink some champagne.
"These morons were meek and afraid and now look at them." Bernard sighed. His insides curled at the thought of keeping an eye on their behaviour the whole time.
"Please welcome the Count of the dungeon city of Maddo Kingdom, Sir Melto von Pellati!"
When the venue was full of guests, a booming voice rang out to announce the important visitors.
Everyone had been talking mildly until then.
As the announcement was heard throughout the venue, people's attention was directed towards the entrance.
"Count Melto von Pellati? I guess the Marquis's relations with him are thriving so much so that he came to the second son's birthday and not the family successor's."
"However, isn't this the first time his whole family has come together?"
"Oh yes. By the way, that child…"
The Count of the dungeon city of the Maddo kingdom was entering the venue with his wife and children.
However, everyone's eyes were transfixed on a beautiful milk-skinned girl who had blue eyes like sapphire and dazzling, waving hair.
Almost all of the people were sneaking glances at her and it wasn't hard to figure out what they were thinking inside their minds.
"Look, she is such a pretty child."
"She is Arisha von Pellati. If Evan can be regarded as the gem of the Sherden family then she can be regarded as the jewel of the Pelllati family of the Maddo Kingdom."
"Oh, I wish I was twenty years younger myself…"
On one hand, the nobles admired Arisha's heavenly beauty and, on the one hand, they felt helpless.
"She is the youngest of the Pellati family and daughter of the Count of the dungeon city of Maddo. I don't know who will be lucky enough to marry her in the future, but I'm certain it cannot be me."
Arisha had to endure all of their looks and all of the straightforward comments that she could overhear.
"The only thing I don't like is everything."
"Please wait quietly, Arisha. When Evan comes, you can meet him."
"… Hmm, I'm looking forward to seeing how strong Master Evan has gotten. He was already strong enough as he could beat my brother."
"I've also heard a lot about him. Ooh. I'm also looking forward to how much Evan has grown up since we last met him."
"But is Belois, his maid, still around? Maybe she will only come once Master Evan comes?"
The venue had already started buzzing with noise on the appearance of Count Pellati, and then the announcer's voice resonated once again to inform the people about the arrival of the Marquis of Sherden.
"The Father of Master Evan, the Marquis Sherden, who rules the dungeon city of Sherden will now enter!"
The sound of soft music began to resound throughout the hall. Those who were amazed by the quality of the mesmerizing music soon found its source.
A group of five female bards, also referred to as the Lute Girls, was playing calm music and dressed in modest clothes.
"Well, with the Marquis here the city is really safe."
"Did you know that the eldest son, who looks like the Marquis, actually has talent in magic? It is said that this is the first time a direct descendent with talent in magic was born to the Marquis of Sherden."
"Wow, is that because of his wife? She is not only beautiful but also has talent in magic that she passed on. What did the Marquis really do in his previous life to be so blessed? Where in the world did he find her?"
"Then there is his second wife too, right? She was born to a noble, Count of Eldon, and then she ran from her family and married him when they fell in love… But I don't seem to see her here today."
Unfortunately, the Second Wife and Elizabeth were not able to participate. Elizabeth, who was just one year old, was still too young and there was a possibility for her to catch a disease in a gathering with so many people.
"Everyone, thank you for coming together like this. You came when my first son turned twelve three years ago, and now my second son has also turned twelve years old."
After saying that, the Marquis just stood up on the stage and started bragging and showing off about Evan before the whole crowd. The newcomers laughed and listened to his stories, while the people who knew the Marquis were already familiar with it all, so they were just waiting for Evan to appear.
"His Majesty the King and Queen have arrived!"
Even the King's family entered at a time when no one had expected them to!
Not only the King and Queen but also the Princes and Princess were also here. The whole Royal Family had made an appearance at Evan's birthday party.
"Your Majesty the King!"
"Hello, Your Majesty the King!"
The nobles were cursing in their hearts about how the King had decided to just drop by like it was a surprise attack without giving them any chance to prepare. The Marquis of Sherden was also surprised a little and he hurried over to them.
"How come you arrived so early? The ceremony has not even started properly yet…"
"Huh, are you blaming me now?"
"How can I dare, Your Majesty? We are sorry for greeting you with poor preparations. Please don't mind it."
"Thank you… Sigh."
The King walked inside under the guidance of the Marquis but momentarily turned to see his daughter, Serena L. Silkline.
Actually, the other members of the Royal Family were also glancing at Serena while scanning the interior of the venue. With that alone, the Marquis could guess about why they had come so quickly.
The Marquis started to break out into a cold sweat after looking at the Princess who was playing with the slime on her shoulder, unaware of all the gazes directed at her.
'You said you didn't want to get involved with her, but what the hell did you do that stole this tomboy? Princesses' heart, Evan?'
He couldn't waste any more time in the yard welcoming the King. The Marquis hurried to finish the formalities and signalled to the butler. The butler nodded as if he knew, and prepared the band.
"Then welcome everyone. Evan, my second son, turns twelve this year!"
Somehow, he was being given more spotlight than the King, so he wanted to shift all the attention to today's most important person. Evan D. Sherden entered the venue confidently without any signs of a misdemeanour.
"Oh, my goodness!"
"Aah!"
The music stopped momentarily, even though that was not intended.
The moment Evan had entered, the musicians stopped the movements of their hands.
They were just as lost as everyone else.
"…Huh."
"Wow…"
However, Evan walked into the venue without being shaken even though the music had stopped.
Following him, Shine walked in wearing a knight's uniform with purple lines on a black background, Belois and Raihan also entered. The other trainees were also following in the back.
However, even though they had put on nice uniforms and were also pretty themselves, unfortunately, none of them could not steal the eyes of the others away from Evan at all.
"Unbelievable. Is that child really a human?"
Everyone's gaze was fixed only on Evan. He was such a beautiful child that they could not even believe that he was a human.
"Is that really a boy? It is strange because he looks even more beautiful than the Marquis' wife!"
"This is too much, it's too much… Already at this age, huh?"
"Goodness!"
Evan was being prepared by the servants from this morning until just before entering the hall.? His clothes had been decided relatively quickly, and his makeup was a problem.
Even if it was a twelve-year-old's birthday party, he couldn't just go out with only some light makeup.
If it had been done too intensely, the charm of his face would've died, and if it was too less, it would've been no different from not doing it at all, so the maids had taken it upon themselves to balance it out somehow.
'Woo… I am confident that I have created a masterpiece of the century.'
'Perfect. It's really perfect… Master, you really look perfect today!'
'Even if you went to a fortune-teller he would say that he is perfect!
Evan had been prohibited from jamming his hands. He had to control himself.
Evan's hands as he entered the hall were still and his fists were clenched calmly. His lofty gaze turned to the front smoothly, and his lips were firmly closed.
The fascinating purple eyeballs under the long curved lashes seemed to absorb anyone who looked at them, and the smooth and curled black hair was as if they were absorbing the light around them. It also had the effect of highlighting his healthy and milky skin.
"This level of beauty is too much even for a woman, yet he is still a man!"
"What can I say… No, I am so stupid. How can I dare to express him in words ?? when all the beauty of the world cannot be used to define him?"
"Evan, D. Sherden… "
"Evan D. Sherden!"
A boy who had just entered puberty could not be called an adult yet. They were just starting to grow in height, and their slender bodies could not be used to judge their genders.
Yet the intense aura that Evan exuded throughout his body made people forget his age, height, body type, and gender.
If someone stood up now and announced that he was the Devil, many people would have chosen to believe him. His appearance and personality that fascinated people had already reached realms of magic.
"Congratulations to my beloved son Evan D. Sherden, for turning twelve."
The party had paused completely after Evan's appearance.
The strange silence was then broken by the voice of the Marquis. Evan's voice also sailed through the ears of those who were murmuring in lowered voices.
"Thank you, Father. I will devote myself to the people and live a life without shame in the name of the Sherden family. I shall work hard to protect this dungeon city."
"If so, I will ask you more specifically. What do you want to be in the future, my son?"
All of this was the event's tradition and ritual.
Knowing that this was of great importance, everyone was focused on Evan. His hair, his eyes, his voice, and everything else about him did not allow them to separate their eyes and ears from him.
"I will…"
That was why his words sounded, even more slowed down than they actually were.
"I will create a Dungeon Knights squad."
This was a surprise for the majority, and very few were in disbelief, and it was obvious for the rest. Evan who had already decided, declared it before them as if it was absolutely natural.
"I will become the Dungeon Knights Commander and live my life protecting this city from the dungeon, Father."