"Um, heartfelt words of gratitude to all who came today..."

  "What is that 'um'? Please omit unnecessary words."

  Party day.

  While practicing the party opening speech, Celeste was still being drilled by Lady Biala.

  "Well, it's like a Japanese habit... a verbal tic, I unconsciously..."

  "Did I not teach you that not indulging in unnecessary verbiage is also a noble virtue?

  Moreover, as a person, one must not act purely on instinct?"

  "......No words to argue."

  And so forth—still struggling hard when—

  KNOCK KNOCK.

  "Come... in."

  At the knocking sound on the study door, Celeste who'd started answering "Yes" noticed Lady Biala gripping her fan while looking at him with half-lidded eyes, and barely managed "Come in."

  "Master, excuse me."

  Entering while offering a curtsey was Ajerine, a Caracal Felinoid, one of the cooking assistant maids.

  "What is it?"

  "Yes. A report from the head chef.

  The food ingredients you prepared today may run out, he says."

  "Hmm? I thought I prepared plenty?"

  "Well, the ingredient quality differs from practice, so it became tastier than he expected, he said.

  Therefore, it seems guests will receive it far better, he says."

  Come to think of it, for practice he'd casually bought things from the convenience store, but thinking to try a bit harder for the real thing, he remembered buying authentic crackers and baguettes from a bakery.

  Honestly, as "Japanese Amashiro," being completely accustomed to modern bread-making technology, and convenience store breads being quite high level too, he couldn't discern such dramatic differences...

  But for an Antero whose five senses seemed sharper than humans, especially him being a cook, that taste difference apparently had decisive impact.

  "Ah, I see... Understood.

  Is there spare ingredients?"

  "Yes. We're keeping the portion for you to 'duplicate,' Master."

  "Understood. Tell him I'll come immediately."

  "Understood."

  After Ajerine returned to the kitchen to convey Celeste's instructions, Celeste turned toward Lady Biala and said:

  "How many did they-maids 'failed' at, I wonder?"

  "Well. While it's an implicit rule employers overlook that kitchen 'failures' can be taken...

  If Garkan, who was a palace cook, spoke of it in such a way, the temptation 'to accidentally fail' must have been strong.

  I'll caution them later."

  "Well, that much is fine."

  For Celeste, no need to 'buy' all ingredients, and by his standards not expensive ingredients either, so he spoke casually—but Lady Biala didn't think so.

  "If that becomes 'normal,' he'll struggle when sent to serve other houses."

  "Ah..."

  Thinking 'that's true,' Celeste stood from his chair.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "Then I'll go to the kitchen to duplicate ingredients, then go to Earth as is.

  I must bring formal wear."

  Though Celeste usually wore casual clothes, thinking the party host should at least wear a tuxedo, he'd rented one and left it at his apartment.

  Though there'd been talk of tailoring Felideria noble formal wear, it took considerable time and wouldn't make it, plus worrying about making mistakes in unfamiliar clothes on a special day, so he'd decided to wear Earth clothes first.

  "Understood.

  In that world, time flows more slowly, I heard.

  Please work hard practicing the opening speech."

  Though about 3 hours remained in Tusita time until party start, going to Earth would gain a full day.

  Of course during those 3 hours, as this mansion's master and party host, he couldn't completely absent himself, so he intended to return soon.

  "Ah... yes, I'll do my best."

  Anyway, his face twitching at Lady Biala who gave no openings, Celeste began walking to the preparation building with the kitchen.

  Evening.

  At Alabaster Hall, invited nobles were entering one after another.

  Though saying "invited," it was no exaggeration that nearly all nobles staying in the capital this period attended.

  Normally invitations would be withheld or declined based on respective closeness or political dynamics, but Celeste had no such entanglements yet. Rather, an 'otherworlder closely resembling Humanita' who'd suddenly appeared and received both highest rank and royal family title.

  Not just that—rumors said he'd given all six ministers plus the Prime Minister 'otherworldly treasures' to make them allies, or the other day suddenly appeared in the noble district distributing strange drinks for free.

  Or single-handedly built a mansion on rocky wasteland.

  They even said serving as that mansion's mistress proxy was that 'Society Queen' Lady Biala herself.

  Through numerous rumors now the capital's most famous person, yet few had seen Celeste himself—that person was holding a mansion unveiling party.

  There was no way they wouldn't come.

  Another rumor said His Majesty and Her Majesty would also attend today's party.

  Nobles descending from Sus carriages before the entrance of the unusual pure white mansion were first surprised seeing the vast lawn filling the garden, then doubly surprised learning it actually wasn't lawn.

  Gasping at how such magnificent greenery was arranged on formerly barren rocky ground—because it looked like lawn yet actually was 'something that wasn't lawn.'

  Guided by a young Lupacid butler into the hall, they faced further shock.

  Time was evening.

  Normally the hour for lighting lamps.

  Since ancient times, light meant candles, lamps, or mantle-type oil lanterns widely used.

  Though magical lighting existed, being inefficient at magical power injection and quite costly, it was mainly used only for palace ceremonies and such.

  But what were those in this mansion?

  No flames, no heat emitted.

  Therefore not even producing smoke, yet several times brighter than other lighting.

  These were placed throughout the hall, filling the interior with midday-like radiance.

  In a situation where even noblewomen whose life was refinement couldn't help buzzing, at the hall's rear stood one elderly lady with a faint smile, gracefully present. Lady Biala, serving as this mansion's mistress proxy, handling guest reception until the host's appearance.

  Too dumbfounded by the scene, even noticing her presence delayed—while nobles hastily exchanged greetings, her son and wife, Comis Biala couple, addressed her unable to hide their surprise.

  "It's been a while, Mother."

  "Welcome to Alabaster Hall. Both of you, it's been a while."

  "Yes... but what is this mansion?"

  "Surprise is still early. That is merely this mansion's wonders' prologue."

  Seeing his mother's face—elegant smile yet somehow even looking bold—Comis Adein Biala Pahr was surprised his mother had such a side.

  Just then.

  The music flowing through the room stopped precisely.

  "Come to think of it, Mother... where is the orchestra waiting?"

  "There isn't one."

  "Pardon?"

  As Adein was dumbfounded, unable to gauge his mother's intent, an Ursort appearing to be a valet standing before the grand staircase from the second floor rang out in resonant voice:

  "Everyone.

  This mansion's master, Regis-Basi, Lord ōteru Celeste Pahr."

  As he finished, again from somewhere, different music from before—solemn and majestic—overflowed. As if matching heavy percussion echoes and metallic sharp wind instrument melody, atop the stairs appeared one figure clad in jet-black formal wear.

  "Ohh."

  "That person is..."

  Just as nobles in the hall buzzed at that vivid entrance—

  "Honored guests."

  The mansion's master—Celeste—opened his mouth.

  That voice resounded composedly through the hall.

  Not shouting loudly.

  Just quite normally, naturally addressing them, yet that voice reached clearly to the hall's every corner.

  'Sound transmission magic?'

  Such thoughts ran through the hall.

  That suspicion crossed the minds of attending nobles uniformly.

  However, no apparent magical tool, nor did he seem activating magic himself.

  "This time, having received from His Majesty the glorious rank of Regis-Basi, I am called ōteru Celeste Pahr.

  Though my origin is not of this country, blessed with no shallow ties to His Majesty's family, to achieve reunion in this land again, and to receive opportunity to serve His Majesty—I feel truly blessed beyond measure.

  Bathed in His Majesty's ocean-like great benevolence, I have established this house. Due to my immaturity, I hold conflicted feelings, but to unveil it to you all is an honor beyond compare.

  Though a humble abode, please enjoy this moment's diversion."

  What crossed the listening nobles' minds was all the same.

  Humble abode? What's that? This mansion?

  If calling this mansion a humble abode, our own mansions... no, even the royal castle would become a Sus stable, wouldn't it?

  Modesty has limits, you fool!

  'They must be thinking I've lost my mind, haven't they?

  But, Lady Biala...

  Taking the high ground is fine, but this feels a bit much.

  Well, already done it. Whatever.'

  While thinking such, Celeste muttered into the pin mic in his tuxedo's breast pocket:

  "Reinbardt, serve the food."

  Now, shall we raise the feast's signal—it's party time.