Chapter 47: The Eldritch Godness and the Golden Festival

According to what I’ve heard, the Golden Festival is essentially a Christmas party—a social gathering.

"It’s tradition to dance with someone you like and deepen your bond,"

"Oh? Is that so?"

"There’s also gift exchanges between friends, and the choir and band clubs perform charity concerts. Iris, do you have any plans?"

"Not really. I suppose it’s just about making final memories."

No plans for Christmas. Just like my past life. How depressing to say out loud…

"Huh? Aren’t you dancing with Lord Felix?"

"We haven’t made that promise yet."

"Then you have to! It’s your last chance to make memories!"

Dancing with Felix, huh? It’d definitely be better than spending my final school Christmas alone. But there’s one problem.

"Um… Frieda? How exactly do you dance…?"

That’s right. I have zero experience with ballroom dancing.

"Just standard social dancing. Don’t worry—even I can do it."

"I really have no experience at all… Should I practice beforehand?"

"If you want to practice, I’ll help!"

Frieda offered eagerly.

"Thank you, Frieda. Then, may I take you up on that?"

"Sure! But… I think there’s someone else who’d rather help you?"

"Huh?"

Her gaze drifted behind me, and—

"Wah! L-Lord Felix?! Why are you behind me…?"

"I overheard that you can’t dance."

"Y-yes, that’s true, but…"

"If you’re going to practice, I’ll assist. Social dancing is between a man and a woman. Practicing with Lady Frieda would be difficult."

So he’d been eavesdropping, huh~?

"Iris, you should rely on Lord Felix. I can manage the male part, but only barely."

Frieda nudged me too.

Well, ballroom dancing is meant for partners. It’d be unfair to burden Frieda, so I should accept Felix’s help.

"Then, I’ll leave it to you, Lord Felix."

"Mm. Meet me in the student council room later."

If Felix is teaching me, I’ll manage somehow!

…Or so I thought, but we still haven’t even agreed to dance together at the Golden Festival yet…

I tried to match my steps to the solemn music and rhythm flowing from the record player.

"Ah! S-sorry, Lord Felix! I stepped on your feet again—"

"Don’t worry about it."

Instead of stepping in time, I’d been stomping all over Felix’s feet.

Honestly, ballroom dancing was way too close-quarters! You had to press near each other, follow intricate steps, and somehow not look at your feet—it was brutally difficult!

"Lady Iris, don’t dwell on missteps. You may tread on me as much as needed. Just trust me and let your body follow my lead. I’ll guide you—focus on moving with me."

"Y-yes."

His reassurance only made me feel guiltier…

I struggled to memorize the motions, determined to see this through.

"You seem to retain movements perfectly once you succeed. Keep at it, Lady Iris."

"Yes."

Thanks to the Evil God’s flawless memory, I wouldn’t repeat mistakes—if I got it right the first time. But getting there was the hard part.

Still, Felix patiently guided my clumsy steps. Under his lead, I gradually mastered the proper rhythm and posture.

"Well done. You’ve nearly ironed out all the errors. Shall we try a full run-through?"

"Yes."

"Then let’s begin, Fräulein."

Felix reset the record, and as music filled the room, he bowed slightly before taking my hand.

Led by him, I matched each step to the melody without faltering. To my own surprise, I danced smoothly—so much so that my tension melted into a spontaneous smile.

"Excellent form, Lady Iris."

Felix, too, praised me with a rare grin.

The song carried us to its end without a single misstep.

"Phew… Thank you, Lord Felix. I think I’ll manage now."

"No thanks needed. I have a request of my own."

"A request?"

How unusual—Felix asking for something?

"Would you honor me with a dance at the Golden Festival?"

His eyes held mine, unwavering.

"Hehe. What a coincidence—I was just about to ask you the same. It’d be a shame not to make memories at such a special event."

"N-no, I…! …Right. Memories are important."

Well, I’d been planning to invite him, so him beating me to it was a relief. Though his lack of enthusiasm was odd. Was he unhappy about dancing with a gorgeous beauty like me? Hmph~.

"Thank you again for today. I’ll look forward to the festival."

"…Indeed. As will I."

Even as I flashed him my most radiant smile, Felix’s response was just the faintest curve of his lips.

When Felix returned to the student council room, he found not only Chairman Klaus but also Elizabeth and Matthias deep in discussion about the cult.

"So, can Lady Iris dance now, Felix?" Klaus asked.

"Yes. She'll manage perfectly," Felix replied.

"Lucky teacher,"

Matthias exhaled cigarette smoke in the no-smoking student council room. "Hah. Teaching tricks to an Eldritch Godness now? After ballroom dancing, will you have her juggling next?"

"That's rude, Matthias," Elizabeth chided.

"Tch! We could get squashed like bugs whenever that god feels like it. Let me complain a little," Matthias shot back, earning a glare from Elizabeth.

Ignoring the jab, Felix turned to Elizabeth. "I have a question you might be able to answer."

"What would that be?"

"Has any human ever... bonded with one of these otherworldly gods you speak of?"

Elizabeth's expression grew guarded. "That requires a careful answer. First, you should explain why you're asking."

"I... love Lady Iris. I wish to be with her. That's all."

"As a human worshipping her divine aspect?"

"No. Simply as one person loving another."

Matthias barked a laugh, blowing smoke into the air. "Give it up, kid. Nothing good comes from that. She's not human - she's an evil god. A higher-dimensional monster. Loving something like that as a person? Impossible. You're smart enough to know that." His smirk held faint mockery.

Elizabeth, however, looked at Felix with genuine concern. "...I must agree with Matthias. You should abandon this."

"I see..." Felix fell silent, absorbing their words.