The Strongest Gun Magus: I Cast Bullet!-Chapter 86: Amelia’s Plan

Reynard almost didn’t recognize Amelia at first. Again. And not just because she was good at hiding her aura.

She was dressed up like the prettiest of the local noblewomen: in a flowing green dress with blue and white ribbons flowing down its skirt, and with her onyx-black hair tightly bound under a tall crown-like hat that was in fashion in Darland.

The skirt of Amelia’s dress hid her hips, but showed off her chest and her wasp-like waist. She walked with such elegance that she seemed to glide over the ground.

"You have both come! How wonderful, Mister Faust, Miss Windblown," Amelia said with a wicked smile and elegant bow. "I hope you have found the party to your liking. Oh, but where are my manners? I have heard all about you, but you see me for the first time. My name is Lady Karla Mevon."

Gears began turning in Reynard’s head.

’So Amelia is under a fake name here. Huh. Well, thanks to the mayor, there are no magi here besides us. If a magus wanted to sneak in assuming the guise of an ordinary person, he could do that easily... Just as Amelia did. But nobody would have THOUGHT to do something if they weren’t sure that there won’t be anyone who can out them! Was Amelia involved in the mayor’s decision, or did she just have a way to know it beforehand?’

Reynard’s head was starting to hurt from all that. Meanwhile, Marien was smiling. Her eyes sparkled with hungry curiosity that made Reynard a little uneasy.

While his reasons to want a meeting with Amelia were quite straightforward, Marien seemed to want to dig into Amelia’s every secret and ask her every question she couldn’t ask earlier.

But since Reynard was also curious, he decided to let Marien girlboss in his stead for now.

"Yes, it was very interesting so far, Miss Mevon. And what are your reasons for being here? Were you invited to the party because of your social standing, or because of the connection with the mayor?"

Amelia’s smile widened.

"Why, you are asking such bold questions... I would even call them rude, but for magi, boldness is a virtue. But I have a business with the mayor, actually, and I hope he will indulge me a little closer to the evening. For now, however, I intend to do what the rest of these people are doing."

She made a broad gesture with a gloved hand toward the guests. They were already breaking into a complex arrangement of a group dance with changing partners. Meanwhile, less athletically inclined people drifted to an adjacent hall, where for them waited tables with food and alcohol.

"Have fun," Amelia concluded. "And speaking of which... Do any of you know how to dance?"

Reynard glanced at Marien. She jutted her upper lip a little. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Formal dances are boring! I can just dance whatever I want. If I ever want to."

Amelia’s eyes moved to Reynard next, as if he could learn a dance in the week between Amelia’s invitation and his arrival here, considering that he also had to get a dress somewhere. And a dance teacher.

Dance teacher, most of whom only taught nobles anyway...

If not for this, maybe he could have. Would have.

Reynard sighed.

’I could have danced with Amelia... It would have been like a story book... So romantic...’

Amelia giggled.

"Well, I heard that dance is like fighting—"

"No, it’s not!" Reynard protested.

"The next dance is a much simpler one, and it will go in three rounds. Watch the first two, and I will save my third dance for one of you." Amelia pulled out a small book from a belt purse and a pencil. "Who would like the honor?"

Marien immediately waved her hand.

"I said that formal dancing is boring! If my Johan wants it, he can have it. But please, keep us company for now. I would love to chat more."

Amelia made a mark in her dance book (Reynard marvelled at how in her place she was here) and smiled at the pair.

"With pleasure. Other guests seem to avoid you for some reason—very impolite of them... But it’s their loss. And that means that we can converse here without anyone brushing elbows with us."

Reynard went a bit hot at the hooded look Amelia was giving him... Then remembered himself and his eyes narrowed.

"What makes the mayor bold enough to reject both local orders, and why do I feel like a certain heiress is involved somehow?"

"It’s the news of the entire city, and you don’t know? Truly, magi spin in different circles from nobility!" Amelia said in mock surprise. "Well, it’s said foreign caravans brought new magical weapons to the city, and those are being hoarded by the wealthy. In the past, Darland fought for its independence against the Empire. Now its people wish to fight for its independence against the tyrannical orders that tear it apart with their war."

"Tear it apart? There weren’t any major skirmishes for weeks!" Marien said as if this was a bad thing.

Amelia wagged her finger.

"Economically, my dear. Both orders endorse massive war tithes from the businesses and nobles under their so-called protection, so they could buy their expensive magical trinkets and pay the mercenaries. The tithes are a much bigger affront to these people than some exploded buildings."

Reynard’s eyes widened as it clicked.

’So... Amelia plans to stage a full-out rebellion? That’s what she was buying my weapons for! They all have a magical trigger, so non-magi won’t actually be able to use them, but even the weakest Nigredo magus can manage an activation pulse. In numbers, those can become a terrifying force... Not to mention, the nobles will definitely hire mercenaries of their own. And whatever allies Amelia has within the orders... Damn it. Sun cakes were awesome, but this mess is DEFINITELY not worth it! Marien and I should leave.’

The music in the background stopped. Amelia turned around.

"Excuse me, but I must go now. I will see you two dances later! So you better watch carefully."

She winked at Reynard and left him to watch her leave, feeling all torn on the inside.

And to try to learn some dancing.