Chapter 430
Chapter 430
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Acalusia (2)
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‘Not easy. I must have underestimated her because she’s Eri’s mom.’
Adrian’s eyes were as cold as frost. The way she firmly seized control and pressed him exuded the dignity befitting the head of a great noble house. She was the complete opposite of the cool-headed yet somewhat unhinged Erzsebet.
“Ro, Ronan... Kehek.”
Asel suddenly called out to me. He was desperately struggling against the iron chains strangling his neck with his slender, reed-like hands.
“Asel.”
“I’m fine... Heek, if it’s a secret, don’t say it and run...”
Tears streamed down his cheeks, pale from suffocation. My grip tightened on the sword hilt.
What kind of show was this pathetic guy who’d probably piss his pants trying to pull, acting all loyal?
And for someone he’d barely exchanged words with, right on the brink of hanging.
“You idiot.”
“Hehe, what beautiful friendship. But I don’t think you’ll do it, Sir Ronan.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because there’s something you’re seeking here in Acalusia. I can tell just from the fact that you’ve held back your sword despite your power. It must be something terribly important.”
“...You knew?”
“Don’t underestimate the lion that howls beneath the moon. I noticed the difference in our strengths the moment you two set foot in the territory.”
Adrian sipped her black tea. Her relaxed demeanor sent chills down my spine.
This enchanting noblewoman had known everything from the start. She’d overlooked the lost invitation because she intended to handle it herself.
“Of course, challengers sometimes include fully accomplished powerhouses. They’re already strong enough but come seeking the privileges that come with the Acalusia name... Haah, personally, I dislike that type, but if they might benefit Acalusia, I let them take the test. But you, Sir Ronan, are on a different level.”
“Different level?”
“You’re too strong. Frankly, even if I gave it my all, I don’t think I could win. I’ve only felt this way twice before—once against the Mother of Flames and once against Archmage Rorhon.”
“......!”
“I wondered what kind of monster would come here. I tried to discern your purpose from our conversation and demeanor, but you showed no interest in noble honors or privileges. Not even after sneaking in using that child Adeshan’s invitation.”
My shoulders twitched involuntarily. That name hit me like a punch to the gut. I could barely remember the last time I’d seen her face.
Adrian delivered her ultimatum like a final warning.
“I’d appreciate the truth. Why have you come to Acalusia, Sir Ronan?”
“I...”
“If you lie or resort to force, then I, Adrian de Acalusia, will stake the family’s honor to face you. You might trample over my corpse, but I guarantee you’ll leave with nothing you desire.”
Her eyes, visible above the fan, stared at me without a flicker of doubt. Beautiful amethyst orbs. Beyond those pitch-black pupils burned the head of the house’s resolve to protect her family, even at the cost of her life.
You’ve got an amazing mom, Eri.
Muttering inwardly, I lowered the sword pointed at Adrian.
“Fine. You win.”
“Hm?”
“I had no intention of deceiving the head of the house. I was just racking my brain because I’m in a hurry, but it backfired.”
I let out a light sigh. The chains still bound Asel’s neck.
I set the sword down on the table entirely. Before Adrian could say anything, I bowed my head.
“First, let me apologize. I’m sorry.”
“...With that much power, you bow your head?”
Adrian’s eyes widened. She was genuinely shocked.
I slowly raised my head, revealing a smiling face.
“What does power have to do with it? Wrong is wrong.”
“A truth most don’t grasp. Hm, this is disconcerting.”
“Let me explain from the beginning. Could you free that guy first?”
“Well... alright. If you’ve shown good faith first.”
Adrian, who had been staring at me intently, folded the fan covering her lower face. The moment her beautiful features were revealed, the chains binding Asel vanished.
“Puhaaa! Khek! Kehek!”
Freed, Asel collapsed onto the sofa. He rubbed his neck repeatedly, then began sobbing openly. For someone so terrified, he’d put up quite the front.
“You did well, you wimp.”
“Ronan! As expected, because of me...!”
“Not that, so shut up. Thinking about it, we should’ve done this from the start.”
“Th-then that’s a relief, but... Right! The poison?!”
“Oh, right.”
I snapped my fingers. In the heat of the moment, I’d completely forgotten. Not wanting to melt from the inside out myself, I quickly glanced at Adrian.
“Take it.”
She gestured casually, as if it were no big deal. The vial of antidote remained on the table. I picked it up with a slightly suspicious look.
I couldn’t rule out the antidote being another trap yet.
“I’ll drink half first and give the rest to you, Asel. Okay?”
“B-but...”
“Even if it’s fake, I’ll die later than your scrawny ass. Here goes.”
Opening the vial released a sweet aroma. It matched the orange juice-like appearance. As the cool liquid slid down my throat...
“Kuk.”
Adrian’s lips curved up. Asel caught the subtle change and gasped. Having swallowed a sip, I glared.
“This is...!”
A shiver ran down my spine.
I drank exactly half and pulled away from the vial.
“......Orange juice.”
“Correct. There was no poison to begin with. My acting wasn’t half bad, was it?”
“Damn it. I’m speechless.”
I chugged the rest and crushed the empty vial in my fist. Opening my hand, shards like grains of sand scattered down.
A shrill scream erupted from Asel.
“Kyaack! The, the antidote!”
“It’s juice, you moron. The freshest orange juice I’ve ever tasted.”
“Uhuhu, hehehehe...!”
Adrian let out a low chuckle. Giggling behind her fan like a mischievous fox, she was utterly roguish. She bit into her pipe and snickered.
“You’re quite the prankster, Lady Head. I didn’t show it, but my guts were up in my throat. Honestly, if you weren’t so damn pretty, I’d have smashed that stupid vial in your face.”
“Hehe, uhuhu, sorry. You’re around the same age as my daughter, and though you lied, you didn’t seem like truly bad people, so I played a little trick.”
“If we didn’t meet that condition, you really would’ve poisoned it?”
“No. I’d have handled it with magic. You wouldn’t even reach the mansion—turned to ash and scattered in the Taimen River before you knew it. I don’t have time to waste either.”
“Hik.”
Asel froze at the terrifying words. I wasn’t surprised; it made sense. The fact that the head was meeting us alone at dawn meant she didn’t see us as entirely bad.
Damn, my mouth still tastes tangy.
Settling back on the sofa, I spoke.
“Then I’ll tell you what you’re curious about. It’ll be long—okay?”
“I could listen for days if needed. As long as it’s the truth.”
“Won’t take days. So, where to start...”
I pondered briefly, then decided to tell her everything from the beginning.
Just like in the parallel worlds I’d traversed, for this world to prepare smoothly for doom, its powerhouses needed the information only I knew.
The head of Acalusia, one of the Empire’s two great houses, was perfect for that.
“Regression? Parallel worlds...? You expect me to believe that?”
“You have to. Making you believe is my job.”
I presented evidence only a regressor could know. Though I had little connection to Acalusia, listing scoops from the mage world and politics was convincing enough.
“The Bajura of Destruction stirs beneath the Dawn Spire, its previous lord long devoured. And as Acalusia’s head, you know that Varca fawning over the Emperor isn’t right in the head. Noticed the inner court shifting bit by bit?”
“Top-secret among top-secrets. How...!”
“I know even more clandestine things. Like what happened recently...”
Before long, Adrian was listening raptly, dumbfounded. Asel, hearing it again, was the same.
Regression, parallel worlds, giant invasion, zealots, my romance with Adeshan.
By the time I explained everything—why I was here: seeking a magic tool to track Akasha—the sun was rising outside.
“That’s it. That’s why I came to Acalusia.”
“......My god.”
Adrian exclaimed.
Though we’d pulled an all-nighter, her exhilarated face showed no fatigue. Recalling my words, she spoke.
“So that’s how it was. No wonder the Empire’s rotting so fast—with that evil lurking behind. The Nebula Clage...”
“I know you hate them, but you’ll need to ally with Grancia too. In the original world, Erzsebet bridged that, but... Right, where is she now?”
“Eri’s probably in her room. I don’t know what miracle turned my daughter social, but it’s impossible now. She fell apart completely after that girl—practically her big sister—left.”
Adrian bit her lip. My heart sank.
I knew who ‘that girl’ referred to.
Composing herself, Adrian continued.
“Who’d have thought you were Adeshan’s lover. Your insight was extraordinary—fitting for the Grand General’s caliber.”
“How was she? As an adopted daughter.”
“An exceptionally bright child. Talented, but also beautiful and thoughtful, loved by many... Practically Eri’s only friend. Her death hurt me deeply too.”
A shadow crossed Adrian’s face. It was obvious she grieved like she’d lost her own daughter.
Calm down. You wallowed enough last world.
I swept my face and asked again.
“Can you tell me how she died?”
“An accident. She slipped off a cliff in the territory. By the time Eri heard the scream and rushed over, it was too late.”
In this world, Adeshan died from a fall. A swamp that swallowed everything lay at the base of the sheer cliff.
When Erzsebet, screaming as she ran, used magic to churn the swamp and retrieve the body, it was already a corpse dead from suffocation.
“...I see. An accident.”
“I don’t like recalling it. Eri cried for nearly a month without eating after the funeral. She’s better now, but... Healing that wound will take more time.”
Adrian sighed deeply. I couldn’t respond.
Not from sadness, but deepening suspicion. Even with a swamp below, the Grand General who’d regressed once wouldn’t die from a mere slip.
Something’s off.
It reeked of foul play. Murder. The certainty crept in.
But who, and why?
Heavy silence followed. Adrian sipped her tea and smiled faintly.
“I hope she’s happy in your world. The mood’s too gloomy—shall we change the subject?”
“Ah, sure.”
“I understand your intent. With this much evidence, doubting would be odd. I, Adrian de Acalusia, will cooperate in capturing this villain Akasha.”
“How merciful.”
I smirked. Talking straight had been the right call.
Just as I sighed in relief...
“However, Asel entering Acalusia is another matter.”
“Pardon?”
“Normally, those without invitations can’t enter Acalusia. I know the value of your story and that the lie about the invitation was for your pitiful friend, but principles must be upheld.”
“...So this poor dwarf becomes a stray dog again?”
“No. After coming this far and enduring such humiliation, outright banishing you would be too harsh. I can’t enroll you immediately, but I’ll allow you to take the test.”
“R-really?”
Asel’s eyebrows shot up. Adrian replied with a benevolent smile.
It brimmed with compassion, but I saw through it as strategy and barely suppressed a hollow laugh.
She really wants Asel. What a tough lady.
It was a plan to bind Asel tighter to Acalusia. Skipping procedures for him under the guise of helping me would leave him without belonging or achievement, so the test ensured that. Her eyes met Asel’s.
“It won’t be easy. But if you pass and prove your talent, you’ll become one of us and receive full support. Admission to Phileon Academy, future placement, startup funds—all without stint.”
“I-I’ll do it...! But what if I fail?”
“Hehehe... Such an obvious question.”
Adrian chuckled with her eyes. The seductive laugh echoed in the parlor.
I awaited her answer, imagining brutal penalties like exile or secret assassination.
“We’ll provide a carriage for your return home.”
“Eh... That’s it?”
“Oh, and a modest parting gift as encouragement. I forgot to mention.”
Adrian clapped lightly. The gift was a tea set from Acalusia territory.
Asel and I were utterly dumbfounded.
“I see.”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“No... I expected something colder. Poison in the meal or assassins... Punishment for a fool daring to reach for the heavens.”
“Mercy, how could we? We wouldn’t stoop to what Grancia’s pigs do.”
Adrian snickered incredulously. Straightening her attire, she continued.
“Talent is a beautiful flower. But without soil to root in, it won’t bloom. To break through tough shells and sprout, it needs help from seemingly ordinary folk.”
“Huh.”
“So take the test without pressure. We need time to support you anyway, Sir Ronan. Rest today and take it tomorrow.”
I was speechless. Acalusia wasn’t a great house dividing the Empire for nothing.
Come to think of it, Erzsebet talked big about sheep and wolves but had a heart as soft as Asel’s.
Turning from the lady’s face, I ruffled Asel’s hair.
“Easy deal like this. Right, Asel?”
“Hehe, not that simple. I’ll prepare the highest difficulty. In nearly a decade, fewer than three have passed.”
“Doesn’t matter. This dwarf’s a monster. Right?”
“I-I’m human...!”
Asel resisted futilely. Teasing him about pissing himself because he’s human...
Adrian, who’d been smiling at us, suddenly hardened.
“...Since when.”
“Huh?”
Her gaze was ominous. I whipped my head toward where she looked. Through the parlor door’s gap, a girl’s figure flickered.
Hair like hanging willows veiling her face, flowing nightgown, faint killing intent rising from her shoulders. Utterly changed, but definitely someone I knew.
Meeting her purple eyes, I reflexively murmured her name.
“Erzsebet.”