Chapter 19: Party

Later in the night, the quarterfinals concluded. Everyone who won would proceed to the semifinals as the first day of the Grand Star Festival ended. For everyone who made it through, a party was announced by the King, where guests from across the entire continent gathered in Aquallia Castle’s celebration hall. The hall was fully decorated with ribbons, colorful curtains, and balloons, its air filled with the aroma of delicious food.

“Whawhawha…” Rikka’s eyes narrowed at how shiny everything was. Being from a small village, it was her first time attending such a luxurious party. Feeling nervous, her hands shook as she turned to Shawn, who stood beside her.

“Sir Shawn, are you sure it’s really okay for me to be at such a royal event?”

“Hmm? Why not? I don’t think anyone will be disturbed by your presence. Also…” He turned toward Aria, who was surrounded by nobles praising and buttering her up. Struggling under their overwhelming compliments, she could only reply with a distant smile. “You are with the Sword Saint, so no one will be brave enough to even point a finger at you. And if you’re still afraid, why not just tag along with me?” he said with a grin.

“Okay…” She nodded.

“Ahem…” The King coughed hard to gain everyone’s attention.

“Everyone, thank you for joining us tonight and for making the Grand Star Festival a big success so far. As we all know, the festival will end in two days, so until then, I ask for your continued support.”

Hearing the King’s kind words, everyone started applauding as the event continued. Shawn and Rikka took plates, picked out their food, and walked toward an empty space in the corner. While eating, Rikka glanced at Shawn.

“So, now that you’re in the semifinals, who will you face next?” she asked, her mouth stuffed with food.

“If we look at today’s results, the next opponent I will face is—”

“Zenjo from the Sandsreach Kingdom,” a sharp voice interrupted him. They turned to find Celestia standing behind them in a blue gown with her hair tied back, looking like a perfect princess.

“Celestia-sama…” Rikka’s mouth hung open at Celestia’s beauty. Once she recovered, she added, “Y-You look so pretty, Celestia-sama. Right, Sir Shawn?”

“Huh...? Really?” Celestia’s cheeks turned red as she glanced toward Shawn.

“Well, you really—” As he opened his mouth to compliment her, his eyes darted past her.

Aria had finally managed to free herself from the crowd. Crawling on her feet, she bumped her head on a table, rubbed it, and stood up. Mesmerized by the aroma of wine, she had stumbled right into the alcohol table.

Aria, what are you doing! This is… I need to stop her before she can—

“Sorry, Princess Celestia, but this is important! I will talk to you later. Until then, Rikka, keep her company!” Panicking, he dashed toward Aria, but before he could reach her, he collided with a large, muscular man.

Thud!

Shawn fell backward and lifted his head to see a towering figure whose shadow completely covered him.

“Sorry…” Shawn stood up to dash forward again, but the man grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Hey, you’re the Sword Saint’s attendant, right?” the muscular man asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Ahh… yes, but could we talk later?” Shawn took a step, but the man blocked his path. Shawn tried stepping left, then right, but the man continued to block him.

“Just let me go, you moron! If she takes even one sip, she will…” Shawn pushed him slightly, but his eyes widened—Aria was no longer there, and the bottle that was on the table was gone too. He looked around, but Aria was nowhere to be found.

Frustrated, Shawn groaned in anger at the man. “Are you stupid?! Because of you, I—”

Before he could finish, the man grabbed him by the collar and lifted him into the air. Shawn struggled. “What are you—”

The man started choking Shawn, causing everyone at the party to panic and mutter among themselves.

Seeing the scene, Celestia bravely stepped in and raised her voice. “Hey! Let him go! We are here celebrating the Grand Star Festival’s success, don’t ruin the—”

Before she could finish, the muscular man swung his hand, sending Celestia flying into the wall. She fell to the ground, unconscious. Rikka rushed to her side. “Celestia-sama! Celestia-sama!”

Seeing this, Shawn’s rage erupted. He swung his legs, locked them around the man’s arm, and twisted his body to break free, but failed. Even as Elite Knights appeared and pointed their swords at the man, he remained unfazed.

Then, a sharp voice echoed across the hall. “Zenjo, I think that’s enough…”

A red-haired man with sharp eyebrows appeared. Without delay, Zenjo released his grip and dropped Shawn.

Shawn breathed heavily as the red-haired man offered him a hand. “Here. Sorry, but we were just checking how dangerous a Sword Saint’s attendant could be. I’m a little disappointed in you, though.”

“Huh?” Shawn slapped his hand away.

The red-haired man turned away and, without looking back, said, “Come on, Zenjo. We don't need to fear the Sword Saint's attendant. Let’s go train so you can become the next Sword Saint.”

They exited the hall while everyone was still processing what had just happened.

Damn it! What the hell is he made of? I couldn't move an inch against him. Facing him tomorrow will be way too difficult for me… but for now, I should check on Aria.

Shawn stood up, but seeing Celestia still unconscious, he hesitated and decided to check on Aria later.

Meanwhile, in an empty hallway…

Aria was stumbling on her feet, her face flushed red, losing her balance every few steps.

“Hehehehe…” Aria laughed with a hiccup, babbling nonsense. “I am… the greatest Sword Saint…”

Hiccup.

“Yet people still trouble me with their little problems!”

Hiccup.

“‘Aria-sama this, Aria-sama that!’ I hate all of them! Why can’t I just live a normal life?” she yelled in frustration, her voice breaking. “But… hehe, thanks to Shawn, I’m able to manage it somehow…”

She stumbled again, brought the wine bottle to her lips, and drank every last drop. Once it was empty, she checked for one final drop, threw the bottle aside, and staggered toward the balcony gallery.

“Fresh air… ummmmm!” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “This isn’t enough. Maybe if I fly a little higher, I’ll be able to get way more fresh air! Hehe.”

She pushed herself up, using her hands to balance on the gallery’s edge.

“Here I come… hehe!” She jumped, but instead of flying, she began plunging toward the ground below as the cold breeze hit her cheeks.

“Wheeeeee… hahahah…”

Meanwhile,

Leo walked around looking troubled, narrowing his eyes. “Where am I? I followed the guard’s directions. Maybe I should go back and look for the entrance again.”

He took a few steps when he heard someone scream, instantly becoming alert.

“Where is this noise coming from? Is someone in trouble? I should—”

As he looked around, he glanced up just in time to see Aria falling on top of him before he could brace himself—

Thud!

She landed right on top of him. As she sensed the mana surrounding them, words slipped from her mouth:

“OH… ISEKAI HERO TIME!”