Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and the Romance System [164]

Surrounding voices continued unabated.

Allen simply kept gazing up at the enamel skylight above the banquet hall.

The sunset glow dyed the sky beyond the glass dome with a hazy wash of colors, outlining the Heart of Iron.

Scarlet descended from above,

branding itself into his pupils.

Allen slowly lifted his hand, and "grasped" at the Heart of Iron overhead.

“The Boreas family’s...”

“Heart of Iron.”

He murmured softly, involuntarily.

The words weren't loud, completely drowned out by the echoing conversations around him.

But in the next instant—

As he spoke, Hilda, Sylphy, Rudy, Eris, and Ghislaine all abruptly halted their ongoing conversations, turning their heads toward him in unison.

Allen had still been lost in thought, but these five people, these ten piercing eyes—felt through his Perception Flow like air raid sirens—violently yanked him out of his introspective trance.

He stiffly turned his head, catching the blazing gazes aimed directly at him, and his expression froze.

Wait...why is everyone staring at me?

He blinked awkwardly.

“…It's beautiful…” Allen pointed upward with his finger, “…the Heart of Iron.”

Hilda blinked gently, smiling.

“The crest on the high tower is even more beautiful, even more awe-inspiring.”

“Really?! Mother-sama, take us there! Allen should see it too!” Eris immediately turned, using her distinctive, high-pitched "little-lioness" voice to plead.

It was so shrill Rudy hurriedly covered his ears.

Hilda shook her head helplessly.

“Right now, Father-sama might be up there. It's too crowded; let's not disturb him. Besides, it’s already getting dark, you probably wouldn't see clearly anyway.”

“Ahh~ Is that so!”

Eris pouted in disappointment, then turned decisively to Allen, arms crossed and chin lifted high.

“Another day! I'll take you myself! How about that?! And Sylphy too—you can bring Rudy along!”

She had the air of a small adult, though it wasn't clear why she seemed so proud of herself.

Allen, Rudy, Sylphy:

“Thank you.” ×3.

Hilda watched this exchange unfold, a small laugh escaping her lips.

Meanwhile, the others just scratched their heads, staring at Eris in confusion.

“Eris.” Hilda gently stroked Eris’s head, smoothing down her wild ahoge.

“Hm?”

“Rather than worrying about the crest atop the tower, you might want to think more carefully about the present moment.”

“Huh?”

Hilda leaned down, meeting Eris’s gaze directly.

“Your tenth birthday banquet will be held right here. Nobles from all across the territory, big and small, will attend. Unlike your fifth birthday, this time—as the star of the banquet—you'll perform the opening dance. You can't just stand on the side watching. And, who knows, many talented young men might come ask you to dance.”

“What.”

“Do.”

“I.”

“Do.”

Eris’s face visibly stiffened at each playful word from Hilda, clearly revealing her displeasure.

“Can’t I skip dancing?! It’s completely unnecessary!”

“No, Father-sama would be angry.”

“Ahhh, but I... I can’t do it! Why must I do something I’m no good at?!”

“Don't worry. Edna will specially train you when the time comes.”

Eris paused briefly, glancing toward Sylphy and Rudy who were silently watching her. Although unwilling, under the gazes of these two teachers even younger than herself, her prideful personality wouldn't allow her to blurt out childish complaints like “I just don’t want to learn!”—not here, in front of her mother.

She reluctantly puffed her cheeks out.

“F-fine then.”

Hilda glanced warmly toward Allen, feeling strangely uplifted in this moment, as though genuinely surrounded by her children, teaching them little lessons.

But then her eyes quickly shifted from Allen to Sylphy, who had been quietly observing Hilda’s reactions this entire time—the white-haired girl, who had just been staring nervously at Allen, now seemed to have remembered something uncomfortable. Clearly stiff, she was attempting to stealthily slip behind Rudy, trying desperately to fade into the air itself.

“But Eris, you’ll have company—because Sylphy needs to learn as well.”

Under Allen and Rudy’s simultaneous questioning gazes, Sylphy’s entire body froze solid.

“Eh?”

Hearing this, Eris was momentarily confused—not wondering why Sylphy had to dance as well—but immediately broke into a bright smile.

She wouldn't be alone!

This simple feeling—one might endure hardship if friends were there too, but couldn't stand suffering alone while friends enjoyed comfort—was equally applicable whether in the modern world or a world of swords and magic.

“Really?!”

Hilda smiled and nodded gently.

“So, since we’re already here in the banquet hall with the perfect atmosphere and suitable setting, let's treat this as an early rehearsal for the birthday banquet in a few months. Instead of regular etiquette, today we'll first practice ballroom etiquette.”

Eris’s cheerful expression instantly froze. The child had intended to delay just a bit longer, but hadn’t expected the lesson to be shoved directly into her face.

Mirroring her expression was Sylphy.

The girl was equally stunned.

Only yesterday afternoon had she learned there was a possibility she’d have to dance with Allen at the banquet—she hadn't prepared herself mentally yet at all. She’d merely followed Rudy’s plan to lure Hilda into being their etiquette teacher today, bringing her in front of Allen.

Just as she'd nearly forgotten the entire thing, Hilda had immediately brought everyone to the actual dance venue—and started teaching directly?

This... was too sudden!

And she even directly called her out.

Hilda smiled gently, extending her hand and taking hold of Eris’s hand.

“Rather than calling it specifically Boreas etiquette, it’s more accurate to say these are the dance steps common to all Asuran nobles—Boreas etiquette is just interwoven throughout.”

She took two steps back, and Eris, panicking, stiffened completely.

Their arms straightened between them.

Two slender white arms, entwined like silk ribbons, linked the black-and-white formal attire with the fiery-red ballgown.

“There are many complicated dance steps, but broadly, there are two types. The first is the Asuran Court Small-Step Dance.”

Hilda stepped slightly forward, placing her feet beside Eris, arms intertwined, maintaining a proper yet comfortably familiar distance.

Then she stepped rhythmically, left to right, sideways once, bringing the other foot up smoothly. Every two beats, she paused, varying her steps, guiding Eris—whose expression was utterly frantic—into motion.

Yet Eris’s feet shuffled chaotically, repeatedly stepping onto Hilda’s pointed heels.

Because Hilda frequently pivoted and turned, her red skirt swirled beautifully clockwise, then counterclockwise, spinning elegant patterns.

Hilda maintained her smile the entire time, eyes fixed warmly on Eris’s face, without even a hint of pain showing despite her toes being trampled.

“This dance is primarily used for more formal occasions. The steps are minimal, maintaining a respectful distance without seeming unfamiliar. It's easier to learn.”

“But—”

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This is a fan translation of 无职转生：剑，魔法帽与恋爱系统 by 意外火灾 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!