The Female Knight of Doom - TFKOD 21: Grand Gathering Of the Upper Class

Even though most nobles were hesitant to challenge His Majesty the King’s decree, there were a few who did not care about the opinions of the monarch or the high priest.

One of these individuals was Duchess Felix, a powerful noble who owned vast lands in the western region.

It was unclear whether her frequent visits to the royal capital during the social season were for political reasons or simply to alleviate boredom. During her stay, she hosted numerous parties attended by socialites and trendsetters.

While the duchess was not particularly religious, it was enough for the Royal Temple and the king that she at least pretended to worship the God of Light. Given her esteemed status and generosity, no one dared to question her beliefs.

Despite any differences she may have had with others, her banquets were always filled with celebrities and charismatic personalities, attracting many noblewomen eager to be a part of them.

This time, she had heard about some fascinating individuals in the royal capital and had become just as intrigued as the king.

However, she wasn’t as concerned as the king was about whether the high priest would have an opinion on the matter, and she definitely didn’t care about anyone’s reaction when it came to choosing who she wanted to invite to her party.

Therefore, she tasked Alice with attending the party through the Mercenary Union.

Upon receiving this assignment, Alice was utterly surprised.

The noblewoman was exceedingly generous, as simply by participating in this harmless event, she could earn five gold coins, two in advance and three upon completion.

She had some knowledge about the commissions from the Mercenary Union and was aware that the noblewoman expected to pay around twenty to thirty gold coins for such a task.

Typically, Alice and Rom would undertake private missions together throughout the year, earning a modest sum of dozens of gold coins as compensation, after deducting expenses along the way. Ultimately, they would only manage to save three to five gold coins.

It was evident from the duchess’ offer that she was not one to give others the option to decline.

Even if Alice didn’t particularly desire to attend, the allure of money was compelling.

Alice had been facing financial difficulties lately.

Upon reaching the rank of Special Grade Mercenary, she realized that the title not only brought in more income but also required significant investment. Her existing equipment was no longer up to par for the missions she was now undertaking as a Special Grade Mercenary, prompting her to upgrade all of her gear.

Initially lacking any significant assets, she was fortunate to receive a substantial amount of money from the Mercenary Union as ransom for the Knight Gale. While she was supposed to receive thirty gold coins according to the rules, a handling fee deducted two coins, leaving her with only twenty-eight.

Although this would have been sufficient for standard mercenary equipment, it fell short for the specialized gear needed at her new rank.

Fortunately, she already possessed the sword she acquired from DeWitt, along with the horse that had slipped past unnoticed previously. Since nobody had ever come to claim the horse, she decided to keep it for herself. Although the horse was not particularly renowned, it had come to her aid when she needed it most and had earned a special place in her heart.

In addition to armor and other items, swords and horses were deemed crucial. While basic leather armor could be easily obtained, finding a high-quality piece was quite challenging.

Most exceptional pieces, crafted by renowned artisans, were typically reserved in the arsenals of noble families, thereby out of reach for common folks.

The good quality ones available in the market were often exorbitantly priced, with limited demand at times.

During her visit to the royal capital city’s market, the store owners at weapon shops astutely identified Alice as a noteworthy new mercenary, presenting her with their finest selection to browse through.

Among the offerings were a few exceptional pieces, albeit with a steep price tag of fifty to sixty gold coins. Despite spending half a day visiting various blacksmith and weapon stores, Alice eventually returned empty-handed.

Actually, she had the option to advance some funds at the Mercenary Union and purchase the necessary equipment in advance. However, the interest rate for borrowing money there was quite high, so she preferred not to borrow from the union if possible.

Her master, Rom, had offered to lend her money, but she felt indebted to him for using his own body as collateral to secure her position as an Special Grade Mercenary during the previous ceremony.

She did not want to cause more trouble for him.

Given the circumstances, the commission from the duchess could be seen as a sort of unexpected gift.

While the money she had on hand combined with the new gold coins still fell short of what she needed, it was a welcome addition that she could not easily pass up.

Alice had never experienced a noble’s dinner party before.

When she lived in Poztar City, the only nobles she knew were the city lord and his knights, who had no connection to her aside from occasional glimpses of them in their carriages.

As a mercenary, she had dealt with noble clients, but they usually remained in the background and the lifestyle of nobility still seemed distant to her.

She expressed that she was indifferent, but in reality, she felt somewhat anxious, prompting her to seek advice from Rom regarding the nobles she had encountered and their demeanor. Her master had a long history as a mercenary, giving him some familiarity with such individuals.

“It is important to note that this mission carries certain risks, as high society women can be as daunting as lions in the grasslands,” remarked Rom, who had some experience with nobility.

He added, “However, as a young woman, they may show some restraint and not be overly aggressive.”

Upon hearing his comments, Alice felt even more uneasy.

Nonetheless, when she pressed him for more details about the behavior of upper-class women, he refused to elaborate, stating that it was inappropriate for a young person’s ears.

Rom had a habit of being evasive, often beginning to speak in a roundabout way.

However, Alice was no longer a naive fourteen-year-old. Having spent the last three years socializing with mercenaries, she was well-versed in their coarse humor and could now somewhat comprehend what he was saying, causing her to furrow her brow in concern.

Despite this, Rom remained serious as he continued to address, “I am not merely joking with you. The high-class nobles only prioritize their own well-being and rarely consider others. To them, individuals like us are insignificant pawns. When you attend the banquet, you must be cautious. Do not agree to leave with anyone to engage in frivolous activities, and do not consume any drinks provided by other guests.”

Alice recognized the gravity of his words.

Having witnessed men attempting to spike girls’ drinks during her time at the tavern, she understood the potential dangers lurking at the noble gathering she was about to attend.

“The nobles become increasingly unethical.” He remarked, “Do not be deceived by their refined appearance, beneath that facade, their moral compass is even lower than that of a hired soldier.”

Even though Rom warned about the potential dangers of the elite gathering, Alice decided to venture there in pursuit of profit. As a mercenary, she couldn’t afford to shy away from danger.

Besides, she had faced far more perilous situations before, so a simple party posed no threat to her.

She accepted the assignment and on the evening of the event, the carriage from the duchess’ family arrived.

The duchess was considerate, she sent Alice a collection of dresses and skirts, and even arranged for a servant to assist her in getting dressed and styling her hair.

The last time she had worn formal attire was at a local tavern, and that had been three years ago.

Although she had recently revealed her identity as a woman to the public, she had not yet obtained women’s clothing and continued to wear her original garments.

As she observed the duchess’ servant bring in the elegant gown she would wear to the banquet, she felt her body tense up completely.

Oh dear, she only realized how troublesome it was to change into a gown for a banquet when the moment came.

The servant in the duchess’ household had an emotionless expression and did not smile.

Alice had been told once that servants in noble households like this were trained to conceal their emotions. She used to think it was an exaggeration, but seeing the duchess’ servant confirmed the truth of that statement.

She allowed the servant to fuss over her, recalling a similar experience when she was twelve and going to the temple.

Back then, it was Grizzie from the landlady’s family who had fussed over her. She had almost forgotten about her until now, when the sight of the duchess’ servant brought back memories of Grizzie’s cruel face.

Even Grizzie appeared to be more amiable compared to the stoic servant standing before her. She wished the servant would be as chatty as Grizzie, even if it meant hearing something unpleasant.

However, the servant remained silent, speaking only when necessary.

The servant acted as a window for Alice, showing her a world completely different from what she was accustomed to. While the old her might have been afraid, the current her was simply curious.

The servant helped her change into beautiful clothes and styled her hair.

She felt incredibly uneasy in women’s attire, as she had always disguised herself as a man by binding her chest with a cloth belt in the past.

Even though she had stopped wearing corsets, she still clung to her masculine wardrobe. The dress given to her had a plunging neckline, leaving her feeling exposed and chilly.

They had even prepared shoes for her, and she fit perfectly in them, despite not knowing where they got the sizes from. The shoes had a slightly high heel that added to her tall figure, making her feel proud of her agility as a mercenary all those years.

Rom’s farmhouse lacked a large dressing mirror, so Alice couldn’t see her full appearance in the outfit.

Despite this, she didn’t have time to dwell on it as the servant hurried her to the carriage, signaling the approaching deadline.

Seated in the carriage, she began to calm her thoughts and prepare herself for what lay ahead.

No matter what she wore, her identity always remained that of a mercenary.

The only manners she was familiar with were those taught by Grizzie at the landlady’s residence on Dark River Street.

She quickly realized that her limited understanding of etiquette would not suffice in such a high-class event, and if she followed it, she would only end up mocking others without cause.

Alice decided to set aside thoughts of etiquette and instead approached the situation with the mindset of a mercenary, knowing that while it might be a bit impolite, no one would be surprised.

Ultimately, she was now a mercenary.

The carriage transported her from the countryside to the duchess’ mansion, coming to a stop at the entrance where a servant assisted her in alighting.

Determined not to show any timidity, she refrained from looking down or adjusting her skirt as she confidently walked into the duchess’ residence.

Alice’s arrival time had been carefully planned by the duchess.

It was customary at that time to arrive a little later than the agreed time for a party, as it was considered a polite gesture. The duchess made sure to introduce her after most people had arrived, ensuring that everyone could see her entrance.

When Alice made her appearance, her presence stood out amongst the other ladies and noblewomen, immediately capturing everyone’s attention.

The servant stationed at the door announced her identity and name.

“Miss Alice of Great Sword, a highly ranked mercenary, has arrived.”

…

A/N

I have been considering the pricing issue in this book lately, so I adjusted the value of the two gold coins mentioned in the previous thirteen chapters yesterday. I will mention it here, and readers who have already read it don’t need to revisit that part.

In the world of this book, while ordinary citizens may earn the equivalent of one or two gold coins, they generally do not have access to them. Mercenaries like Rom may occasionally handle gold coins, but saving them is challenging. Nobles, mages, big merchants, and guilds are the ones who primarily use gold coins for transactions.

Due to the low productivity in this world, well-crafted items hold significant value. Additionally, anything connected to magic is extremely pricey and beyond the reach of common people.

This essentially summarizes the situation.