Alon had somewhat expected problems like these to arise.
In the game, the Palatio family merely appeared as a stepping stone for the protagonist's growth, but in the Kingdom of Asteria, the weight that the name carried was quite significant.
Of course, this status didn't necessarily mean that they were held in high honor. Even if, for about three generations, they were considered a highly reputable family within the kingdom, the current Count Palatio family was renowned as the most notorious troublemaker among the nobility in the eastern region.
To elaborate a bit more, they were known as a noble family that became incredibly bothersome if provoked.
However, if there was something Alon overlooked despite being aware of this issue…
"This wine has a rather unique taste."
"Huh? Oh… um, what…?"
"I quite like wine, and this one has a very distinct aroma. I'd love to take a few bottles home."
"I'll speak to my father and have some brought to you…!"
"Pardon…?"
…it was that the Palatio family's propensity for trouble far exceeded his imagination.
Alon watched the young lady, who shrunk back like a frightened mouse and quickly bowed her head, before scurrying away. He wore a hollow expression.
....
"Look at that! He's threatening Lady Malantino to forcefully take their specialty wine—"
"Is… is that so?"
"Just listen to him! It's exactly like when the eldest son of Palatio made threats before…! And that wine is a limited edition specialty…!"
As Alon pondered what the problem might be, he heard a small voice and thought to himself with a bitter expression.
'Leo, that damned troublemaker…'
Feeling despondent, Alon glanced at the place where the young ladies had been gossiping until just a moment ago. Upon noticing his gaze, they quickly lowered their heads and disappeared somewhere.
Alon couldn't comprehend the situation at all.
'Wasn't it just one of those notorious families in the east…?'
Of course, he could guess that there were negative rumors about the family, and he understood why some nobles might avoid them. But he didn't expect it to be this extreme.
More accurately, he hadn't known that the Palatio family was so notoriously ill-reputed among the nobility.
…He hadn't anticipated being treated this way just because of a misunderstanding about him bringing down the family's troublemakers.
'So, does this mean socializing is out of the question?'
Just as Alon let out a small sigh,
"Hello."
He turned at the voice, only to see a girl in a black dress smiling alluringly at him.
Even among the young ladies present at this ball, she stood out for her stunning beauty.
Alon greeted her with a return smile.
"Hello, Lady Zenonia."
"Oh my, do you know me?"
"Of course."
From Alon's perspective, it was impossible not to know her.
This was only natural, as the girl standing before him was the eldest daughter of the Zenonia family, who, like the Palatio family, were known for their notoriety in the western region.
In six years, she wouldn't just be the eldest daughter of the Zenonia family; she would become Countess Zenonia herself. Furthermore, she was one of the three major villains the protagonist would confront in the future in the Kingdom of Asteria.
"You're quite famous, after all."
"Famous, you say?"
"Indeed."
In short, she was someone he'd rather not get involved with. Seeing the momentary, subtle emotion flicker in Lady Zenonia's eyes, Alon continued.
....
"Because you are so beautiful."
Noble society was inherently quite complex.
Even within Asteria, there were more than a handful of factions. These factions were split into Royalists and Nobility, both fervently engaged in political struggles.
And it wasn't just empty political rhetoric. Since real interests were at stake, politics were a crucial element for the nobles.
Of course, Alon hadn't come to the ball to socialize for the sake of politics.
Even though it was half-baked, Alon's goal was still to live a peaceful life, and he knew very well that the words "peace" and "politics" could never coexist.
Nevertheless, the reason he had intended to socialize to some extent was that even minimal connections could be helpful in aristocratic life.
'Except for this person.'
Alon looked at Lady Zenonia.
The Zenonia family, like the Palatio family, was regarded as a notorious troublemaker in the western region. Unlike the Palatio family, which stayed out of politics to act without consequences, the Zenonia family leveraged political situations to their advantage.
In other words, they were a bit more cunning than the Palatio family… Perhaps more like a corporate criminal organization.
"Thank you for the compliment."
"It's the truth."
As a result, one might think that socializing with Lady Zenonia wouldn't be a bad idea if Alon wasn't planning to engage in politics. However, that would be a mistake.
People tend to congregate with others like themselves.
Politicians attract other politicians, and thugs gather around other thugs.
So, if Alon were to forge a connection with Lady Zenonia in such a situation?
If he were willing to dabble in illegal activities like those dead Palatio troublemakers, it might be a valuable connection. But if not, it would be an irreversible mistake.
In the worst-case scenario, he might even end up becoming one of Lady Zenonia's pawns.
Contrary to external rumors of him belonging to a group with a Swordmaster, Alon was, in reality, just an ordinary noble with nothing to his name.
"I'd like to talk more. What do you think?"
"I'd love to, but unfortunately, I think I must leave for today."
"Is that so?"
Lady Zenonia's eyes narrowed briefly, exuding a predatory vibe.
A look impossible to decipher.
However, just for a moment—
"…!"
....
The young lady's eyes opened slightly as if she were surprised by something, then she nodded as if she understood, a smile appearing on her face.
"Just as the rumors said."
"Pardon?"
"It's nothing. I look forward to seeing you again."
With those words, she brushed past him.
"…?"
"…?"
Alon turned around and looked at Lady Zenonia with a puzzled expression.
***
A specialty wine from Malantino.
Tangerine tea from Penia.
Crafted metalwork from Vilanda.
A premium horse from Paldeon.
These were the spoils Alon had gathered, instead of making friends, after he resolved to make a few acquaintances since he was already there.
'Socializing is a lost cause.'
Looking at the list of spoils he had obtained instead of acquaintances, Alon let out a helpless chuckle.
'I knew it; I shouldn't have studied something like noble hobbies.'
Recalling the wine studies he had undertaken, hoping it might help with socializing, Alon smacked his lips. He then turned around to do what he had originally intended.
"Just a moment."
"Hm?"
Another voice called out to Alon.
"Hello."
Turning his head, Alon saw a woman in a splendid red dress, adorned with various accessories.
It seemed she had paid a lot of attention to her appearance, down to the most minute details. However, despite her meticulous appearance, her face held no particular expression.
"Yes, hello."
Facing her, Alon greeted her while noticing how out of place she seemed in her outfit. She promptly asked him a question.
"If you have a moment, could we talk?"
Alon looked at her with a slightly surprised expression.
There had only been one person who had initiated a conversation with him at this ball.
'Is she from the same side as Zenonia?'
....
For a brief moment, he recalled a list of villains from the Kingdom of Asteria and then nodded.
"Sure."
Whatever her intentions might be, she wasn't on the list of villains Alon had in his mind, and, more importantly, she had approached him for a conversation.
The two of them stepped out onto the terrace to have a light chat.
Soon after—
"May I ask your name, young lady?"
"Forgive my late introduction. I am Roria, the third daughter of the Duke of Altia."
"Ah… The Altia family."
"Yes."
Alon involuntarily let out a sigh inwardly.
The Altia family was a notorious one from the northern part of Asteria.
And like Lady Zenonia, it was a family associated with one of the three major villains—the Duke of Altia.
'Then again, it's unlikely that anyone who approaches me would be normal. I should have asked for her name first.'
Alon thought, realizing how quickly he had grasped his situation from just attending a single ball.
'But why don't I remember her?'
Alon looked at Roria's face.
Her elaborate adornment only enhanced her already outstanding beauty.
'With a face like this, there's no way I wouldn't know her.'
In Psychedelia, every member of the Altia family was a villain.
In other words, if she were a member of the Altia family, Alon, who had played the game multiple times, should at least remember her name, even if he hadn't memorized her face.
That's why, after pondering, Alon asked directly.
"…May I be blunt?"
"What is it?"
"Please lend me your strength."
"…Strength?"
"I am about to be assassinated."
At those words, Alon realized one truth.
…In the game, the total number of Altia family members he'd seen was four: the Duke of Altia, his two elder sisters, and one younger brother. So, for Roria to be the third daughter…
In other words, it meant that Roria was already dead six years into the future.
"My sisters… No, they… They will try to kill me soon."
....
Summarizing Roria's story, which started as soon as he realized the truth, it was as follows: She was the daughter of the Duke's only concubine, whom he loved more than his legitimate wife. She had survived up until now because of his favor. However, the Duke of Altia was now gravely ill and could pass away any day.
In other words, the moment the Duke died, so would Roria.
"Then, why are you asking me for help?"
"With your power, it should be possible."
For the first time, her face showed signs of anxiety.
"I refuse."
But even seeing that expression, Alon had no choice but to reject her request.
"Of course, I'm not asking you to do this for free. If you help me, I will offer you half of the Altia family's—"
"I'm afraid I must decline."
Roria's expression was urgent as she spoke.
However, Alon's response remained unchanged.
It wasn't that he didn't feel sympathy for Roria.
Had he possessed the strength, her request would have been worth considering, even if he didn't agree outright.
Unfortunately, Alon didn't have that kind of power.
Most of the rumors surrounding Alon were untrue.
He didn't have an assassin who killed Leo of the Palatio family, nor did he have the strength of a Swordmaster that had taken down Avalon.
Therefore—
"I'll be going now."
As Alon turned around, he saw the despair flickering in Roria's silent eyes.
However, Alon didn't gain any power from seeing that.
He was too busy just trying to take care of himself.
Thus, as he was about to walk back toward the ballroom, he clicked his tongue and looked back at Roria.
"Good things will happen."
A blessing spoken to lighten his own somber mood.
Roria gave no response.
Alon didn't expect one, either, as he turned away.
"I hope we can meet again."
It was merely the faint echo of his modern sensibilities that made his heart ache slightly, so he murmured while looking absentmindedly at the crescent moon-shaped chandelier to offer some comfort.
And then—
....
"It would be best to report this part to the Red Moon."
On the roof of the ballroom, where the chandelier hung, an observer, stationed to monitor Alon and cut off any information about the Avalon incident if necessary, turned to his side and spoke.
"There's no need. She's not one of the targets. Even if we do nothing, Ladan will handle it."
"I see. So, she's the only one among Altia's children who isn't a 'target' for Ladan."
"Yes. In any case, we should focus on other matters."
As the observer with green eyes shifted his gaze to another location, Deus also turned his eyes in another direction.
There, he saw a black-clad figure quietly tailing Alon.
"…Is it a tail?"
Deus silently began to gather his mana to deal with the figure, but then he hesitated.
He recalled Yutia's order not to act rashly without permission.
Thus—
"Let's just watch for now."
Deus and Rine decided to quietly observe the black-clad figure following Alon.