Early morning. My room in the Star Palace.
I had risen before dawn and was surrounded by dozens of servants, caught in the midst of a fashion show.
Washing, getting makeup done, hair being trimmed...
At the same time, I was trying on this tuxedo, that suit, and even that evening coat, glancing at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
'In my life as a game addict, I never thought I'd be doing something like this.'
While being preened, plucked, and even having my ear hair trimmed (what the?!), I had a sudden realization.
Back on Earth, I wore shorts and a shirt every day. It had reached the point where my viewers even called it a uniform.
I had received donations several times, pleading for me to change my attire and buy some new clothes.
'But it was comfortable.'
Feeling the pressure of the suit that tightly encased my body, I let out a groan.
I can't breathe! Since when do men's clothes constrict the waist like this?
"Your Highness has such a naturally graceful appearance that you look good in anything, but of course, for a day like today, we must be even more meticulous!" Alberto announced, proudly grooming my facial hair.
"In the past, you would rip your clothes somewhere, or adorn yourself with grotesque skull decorations when attending events. On the worst day, you even wore a woman's dress..."
"A woman's dress? Me?"
I pointed to myself in horror, and Alberto gravely nodded.
"Yes. It was a vivid fluorescent green dress adorned with flamboyant flower decorations. You even wore high heels, and put flowers in your hair..."
"..."
Looking around, all the servants who had been attending to me turned pale, as if recalling that day. Really?
'I dressed as a woman and attended an official Imperial event? As the Crown Prince?'
You were a genuine living lunatic, Ash! I'm proud of you, you crazy bastard!
"Seeing Your Highness in such a serious and elegant, party-appropriate suit after so long... There's no regret left in Alberto's life now, even if I die..."
"Hey, you seem to still have plenty of regrets, so stop crying."
Every time I do something, this old man claims to have no more regrets? Grumbling, I slipped my arms into the next dress jacket.
I think I've tried on about twenty sets so far. I can't tell which is which, and my eyes are spinning.
If there were item options or set effects to choose from, it would be easier. But there's nothing like that here.
I just told Alberto to choose whatever he wanted, and after some deep consideration, he finalized a combination and dressed me in it.
"You look perfect, Your Highness! The most handsome man in the Imperial Capital!"
Listening to Alberto's flattery, I looked into the full-length mirror.
'It looks like I'm going to a funeral...?'
In the mirror, I was dressed in all black.
From the shirt to the vest, tie, outer coat, trousers, belt, socks, and even shoes. There was nothing that wasn't black.
I wouldn't be surprised if even my underwear had been switched to black.
'Isn't all-black a bit overboard, even for the Everblack Empire's Crown Prince?'
All I could see in the mirror was my pale face. My face, already pale, looked even more so with makeup. I tapped my neatly combed (and therefore unfamiliar) black hair.
"Wouldn't it have been okay to put some other colors in the shirt or vest? Everything's the same black."
Considering that the old Ash used to wear fluorescent dresses and go crazy, the suit was a bit much.
"What disheartening words, Your Highness! They are not all the same black!" Alberto exclaimed.
The coat and trousers were the royal symbol's deep black, the shirt was a lighter ebony color, the vest was velvet, the socks were silk, the shoes were made of some leather, and so on...
To my eyes, they all looked the same, but apparently, they were different according to this nation's etiquette.
"Alright... I get it. I'll wear it like this. Enough with the explanation~"
After all, I'm a gaming nerd who knows nothing about fashion. I'll just wear what's given.
I inserted my finger between the tight tie and loosened it slightly. Catching my breath, I thought to myself.
'I wish I could take a selfie and show the kids.'
I want to show the kids in Crossroad that when their lord dresses up, he looks like this.
Would they praise me for being dashing, or grab their stomachs and laugh?
Alberto was in front of me, bowing at the waist, and personally polishing my shoes to a shine.
Even though they were already gleaming enough to be used as a mirror, something seemed to keep catching the butler's eye.
"Alberto."
"Yes, Your Highness. Is there something else that's uncomfortable?"
"I have a favor to ask of you."
I calmly spoke to Alberto, who was looking up in confusion.
"It's a favor I'm entrusting to you because I trust you. Can you do it?"
"..."
Perhaps feeling the weight of my words, Alberto's old eyes flickered craftily.
***
The official start of the Victory Celebration Party was said to be at 6 p.m.
Why the fuss and preparation from dawn, I thought to myself.
The main event may begin at 6 p.m., but the actual party starts from the morning and continues on.
So, my arrival at the main palace's grand banquet hall was around 11 a.m.
This vast place, about the size of five of my palaces, was a venue solely created for the Imperial Family's events.
'My palace is three times larger than the estate of the Lord of Crossroad...'
That meant this grand banquet hall was about fifteen times the size of the Lord of Crossroad's estate. What a difference in power!
Anyway, this vast banquet hall was already swarming with people. Were there really so many idle people in the Empire?
First, I saw the servants carrying beverages, snacks, and meals, their faces expressionless, evidently used to this kind of work.
The orchestra, which occupied one entire side of the banquet hall, was currently resting.
Although the main event was still far off, the music team was already on standby.
And then, in the center of the banquet hall - aristocrats, dressed to impress, were conversing with champagne glasses in hand, even though it was still morning.
Sycophants, jokers, pleasure-seekers, they all seemed to have their business.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people engaged in a battle of wits in this bubbling crucible.
I stepped in.
"Presenting the third prince of His Imperial Majesty, and commander of the Southern Front, Ash 'Born Hater' Everblack, Your Highness!"
With the herald's bellowing announcement, I made my entrance.
The orchestra straightened up and began to play a lively, upbeat tune.
What, was this my character theme song? Like what plays for wrestlers or baseball players when they enter?
All at once, every eye in the banquet hall turned to me.
I'd given speeches before the citizens of Crossroad several times. The attention of this many people was nothing to me.
With a relaxed smile, I strolled towards the center of the banquet hall. Whispering reached me from left and right.
"The biggest scoundrel of the Imperial Family has arrived."
"That face is so pretty..."
"Did you hear? He lost thousands of soldiers in the first battle on the Southern Front."
"He's incompetent. If only he were half like his eldest brother..."
"This is why lineage is important..."
Some aristocrats openly bad-mouthed me, while others,
"Kyaaaaaah!"
"It's Prince Ash! Look this way just once!"
"Hey Ash! Marry me! Tonight!"
"Mom, I want to be Prince Ash when I grow up!"
"Date me! Or else I'll die!"
Some aristocrats frighteningly fawned over me...
They were like the obsessive viewers who would stick to me during broadcasts, sending chills down my spine.
Why were they so extreme, this place's atmosphere?
Anyway, outwardly maintaining a nonchalant smile, I spread cheer all around and made my way to the center of the party.
Taking a champagne glass from a passing servant and sipping it quietly, I tried my best to blend into the party.
Most aristocrats soon shifted their attention from me, but many young nobles crowded around me. How bothersome.
"Your Highness! How was the Southern Front?"
"They say the monsters shimmer and glow, did you kill them yourself?"
"I heard you spent the night with the queen of the monsters!"
"Kyaaaa! Prince Ash, you beast!"
What were they talking about, you crazy people? Well, I did spend a few nights on the same battlefield as the Black Spider Queen, but...
I felt the urge to summon an automatic defense turret on the spot, point its barrel at them, and shout, "Get lost!" But I restrained myself.
After all, these people were nobles, possessing the family background and wealth to attend such a party.
I had to put on a good show. They might become sponsors for the Southern Front.
After downing a glass of champagne, I looked around with a smirk.
"A hot night with the Monster Queen never happened, but I've killed my fair share of monster legion commanders... How about it? Want to hear about my struggles on the Southern Front?"
They all gathered around me, eager to listen.
I smiled bitterly.
The stories of those who sacrificed their lives to defend the frontlines were treated as mere entertainment in the Imperial Capital, and that saddened me.
But such is the way of the world.
The suffering of others, no matter how heart-wrenching, ends up being consumed as a novelty.
All I could do was tell them how many were suffering on the Southern Front and wring out as much support money as I could.
Clearing my throat, loosening my tie, I began my tale.
"Alright. I guess I'll have to start with the story of my first battle..."
I used to be a streamer, making a living by running my mouth in front of a camera.
Today's content was like a visual radio show, for the nobles of the Imperial Capital!
***
"...And so, we held funerals for the 155 who fell that day."
After recounting all, including Stage 5 and the battle against the Vampire King, I took another sip of champagne. Oh, this is exhausting.
The prolonged storytelling made my body weary. Time had flown, and it was now well into the afternoon.
I covered my past in the dungeon, with the Shadow Squad, and all the details I had to hide, but even without any exaggeration, it had taken this long.
The crowd of nobles listening had multiplied since I began.
Even those who had started off distant and indifferent leaned in as the stages progressed, and they gasped as I described the warriors falling one by one against the Vampire King.
I thought of those who had died defending the frontlines and looked around the audience with a faint smile.
"That concludes the stories of the heroes who are defending the Southern Front. If this stirs even a little interest in the frontlines, I would be pleased."
The nobles rushed towards me as I finished.
"I want to send support money, Your Highness!"
"Our family, too, for the warriors in the South...!"
"Why not establish a foundation for-"
I welcomed the flood of sponsorship promises and mentally yelled to my subordinates in Crossroad.
Guys, your lord is working hard here too!
I took down the list of nobles who pledged to support the Southern Front, promising to discuss the details at my mansion in a few days.
The hours of talking had not been in vain, as the list was long and extensive.
Besides money, I received promises for minerals, fabric, food, etc. I couldn't help but smile.
I hadn't expected this, and it was an unexpected harvest.
After spending considerable time organizing the pledges,
"Oh my, oh my, this is tiring..."
I sneaked out of the banquet hall to rest alone and crouched in a secluded corner of the sprawling garden.
'Darn, this is exhausting...'
I'm suited for and enjoy playing single-player games, where I can play alone.
I don't even play MMORPGs much because mingling with people is too burdensome. What am I doing in this party? I've milked enough donations, now go away, all you socialites!
'Huh?'
I then felt a gaze on me. Confused, I looked up.
"..."
A girl was quietly watching me in the garden.
She was a young girl, with ivory-colored hair tied up, and her skin, though pale, had a healthy cream color, slightly tanned by the sun.
Her pearl-colored dress was trimmed with the white fur of some unknown animal.
With ivory-colored hair, cream-colored skin, and a pearl-colored dress, the three hues were somewhat similar. In any case, there was a pale and pure sensation.
"Truly, befitting of the empire's infamous philanderer."
The girl slowly opened her mouth.
"You are quite articulate, Prince Ash. Just listening to you talk is entertaining."
The girl's wild, yellowish eyes narrowed.
"But how much of what you just said is truth, and how much is mere bluff...?"
I cocked my head.
"Who?"
"I wonder."
The girl shrugged indifferently.
"I might be one of the many women you've toyed with."