Chapter 36: I Always Feel Charisma Is Completely Useless
Unfortunately, by the time the banquet was nearing its end, few of these young ladies could manage to utter a complete sentence under Joshua's gaze. When they tried to strike up a conversation, most would stutter out their names, hastily bow, and then scurry off to the side, trembling until their female companions comforted them enough to stop shaking.
One finally managed a full self-introduction. The warrior nodded appreciatively and was about to respond with a word or two when he saw her take three quick steps backward, nearly tripping...
Was it really that bad?!
In truth, these young ladies didn't appear frail in appearance or temperament—they even carried a certain martial spirit. After all, they were Northerners, raised in an environment far harsher than the Empire's gentle south, which naturally prevented the cultivation of those delicate, pampered noble daughters.
But what was Joshua's Intimidation 18? It was a pressure that could frighten off a wolf pack with a single cold snort, an aura that unconsciously drove away wild beasts. Just two more points, and he'd gain the supernatural ability Fear Aura, like a mid-to-high-rank Abyss Demon.
Even with extreme restraint, it was still too intense for these maidens who had never seen blood.
All in all, aside from these minor incidents, the banquet went smoothly. Joshua made the acquaintance of various local trade leaders from Moldavia and roughly established the foundation for future commerce—unlike their female relatives, these men were well-traveled and experienced. Some had even traded with White Dragon Peak. While the warrior's intimidation was fearsome, it couldn't compare to draconic might.
Though not nobles, these merchants were far more important than minor aristocrats—they were entities no territory could afford to ignore. As Chris, who had already fled back to the Empire's south, had said, the Northern lands were a frozen hell teeming with magical beasts, extremely isolated. Before the Imperial Mage Corps reduced the cost of the [Wind Vortex] elemental engine and popularized airships, these trade caravans were the territory's lifeline to the outside world.
Time flowed amid conversation and raised glasses. When most other guests had departed, Joshua set down his wine glass and smiled at Alfonso, who was already somewhat tipsy beside him. "What's this? Already drunk?"
The colder the region, the stronger the alcohol—Moldavia was no exception. The local distilleries, in collaboration with dwarves, produced spirits potent enough to be used as accelerant with a little extra kick. Even Alfonso, a Black Iron-rank Northern merchant, couldn't hold his liquor after a few cups.
"A little, but it's nothing."
Though his face was slightly flushed, the middle-aged merchant's eyes remained clear. Without Joshua needing to speak, he understood the intent. "My lord has something to instruct? One moment—I'll find a quiet place immediately."
"Very well."
Seeing his quick response without needing prompting, Joshua nodded in satisfaction. "Then lead the way."
As Joshua and Alfonso headed toward the study, Hotaru, who had remained in the western detached residence, stood on a bench beside the courtyard's garden, staring blankly at the frozen pond before her.
Dusk was approaching. The yellowish-orange sunset illuminated the snow-covered city. A cold wind blew, and an old tree with no leaves left creaked, swaying slightly and shedding some snow from its branches.
Unconcerned by the frigid air, Hotaru gazed for a long while before crouching down, enthusiastically touching the ice that had formed on the artificial pond with her slender fingers. She murmured, "So hard, and cool... Is this ice? It feels a lot like glass."
Though forged in the Northern lands, she had always remained in the sealing chamber beneath the church until recently. The silver-haired Divine Mechanism had never had the chance to encounter snow or ice. She stood, walked to the tree, and tried to snap off a hanging icicle, but her height wasn't enough—she couldn't reach it at all, which was rather awkward.
But no matter how petite Hotaru's human form appeared, she still possessed the foundation of Silver-rank strength. With a slight leap, the somewhat embarrassed girl snatched the entire branch.
Holding the icicle in her hand, the silver-haired Divine Mechanism patiently watched the transparent ice release a chill in her palm, slowly melting from her body heat until it became a puddle of water.
"Just as recorded in my memory core—water can really become this hard from low temperatures."
Confirming the accuracy of the data stored in her soul once again, Hotaru looked thoroughly intrigued. She then pulled out a small notebook and pen from somewhere and wrote briskly, "This world is truly fascinating."
Joshua had left at noon to attend the banquet, and the unbound Lady Divine Mechanism had spent that time on her own testing and recording journey. Starting from the warrior's usual study, Hotaru had turned the entire house upside down. Driven by her insatiable curiosity, she had touched practically everything. She had even tried cooking a dish using the memory data in her soul, assisted by the other maids in the residence.
According to the maids recently hired for cleaning and cooking, Hotaru's culinary skills were decent—the dish tasted good, though her technique was still unrefined and needed more practice.
The sunset gradually faded, and the surrounding light grew dim.
Suddenly, Hotaru, who had been happily playing with the snow, stood up. Her slightly naive, smiling expression swiftly shifted to cold vigilance. She narrowed her eyes, warily scanning the outer edge of the courtyard. In the fading twilight, her green, firefly-like eyes seemed to ignite with a faint, eerie glow.
"This is the Radcliffe Family residence. Visitor, please reveal yourself."
The elegant, youthful voice echoed in the cold air. The silver-haired Divine Mechanism frowned, staring at the street corner. "Don't hide—I've already spotted you."
After a moment, a man in a black coat with red trim appeared there.
"Don't be nervous, little girl. I wasn't deliberately lurking here."
The man, who appeared to be a middle-aged man not young, wore a weathered expression and a calm demeanor, seemingly unsurprised at being discovered. He shrugged. "I'm just waiting here for your master to return. Do you know when he'll be back?"
"Who are you?"
The silver-haired Divine Mechanism ignored his explanation and refused to answer his question. She frowned and asked seriously, "If you're a guest without hostile intent, state your name and origin—that's basic etiquette."
"...So young and already Silver-rank—not bad. Joshua has a good subordinate."
Murmuring to himself, the middle-aged man shook his head with a smile. "Very well. I am Monst. You could say I'm an old acquaintance of his from the Black Crow Legion."
"..."
Without replying, Hotaru warily studied the man before her, as if trying to discern truth from falsehood through his expression. But she lacked Joshua's experience and could only tell that his strength was at Silver High-rank and that his expression was very composed.
"My master will return soon."
Hotaru said coldly, maintaining her guard. "Since you waited so long before, sir, I assume you won't mind waiting a bit longer?"
"Of course, lovely young lady."
Faced with a girl who looked only fourteen or fifteen, as young as his own daughter, even with such a cold attitude, it was hard for a man of this middle-aged temperament to truly get angry. He shrugged. "That was my original plan."
With that, he turned and walked back to the street corner where he had been waiting.
On his chest, a golden balance emblem gleamed in the dying light of the setting sun.