Chapter 431
Chapter 431
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 431
Chapter Title: Acalusia (3)
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"My god, Eri."
Adrian shot to her feet. The calm expression she'd maintained until now wavered precariously. As if to hide her agitation, she covered her lower face with her fan and posed the question again.
"Eri... no, Erzsebet. Are you feeling better now? How's your body?"
Erzsebet kept silent. Losing patience, Adrian made a gesture like she was shoving something aside. The parlor door opened smoothly, revealing the girl who had been concealed.
"Hic."
Asel gasped in shock. His face was like he'd discovered a corpse in a closet. I was just as stunned. If not for the purple eyes—the same shade as Adrian's—I might not have recognized her at all.
"What the hell happened?"
Erzsebet was no longer the elegant noble lady.
Her uncombed hair covered most of her face. Her skinny limbs dangled limply like ropes from a gallows. Through her translucent slip, her skin gleamed not just white but pallid, like snow piled on a corpse.
It was rude, but she looked exactly like a junkie.
"Milady, you can't come out like that."
At that moment, a familiar maid rushed over and draped a blanket over Erzsebet's shoulders. It was Liz—the one who'd shredded Asel's underwear and dignity before.
"The family head aside, there are gentlemen visitors from outside. You need to mind your appearance."
Liz carefully adjusted the blanket to cover any exposed skin. Whether from habit or not, her movements were deft yet tender.
"......"
But Erzsebet didn't spare Liz so much as a glance until she left, let alone a word of thanks. Her purple eyes darted like beads, flicking back and forth between me and Asel.
Adrian, gazing at her daughter with eyes full of worry, was about to say something.
"......You're saying you're going to take the exam?"
Erzsebet's lips finally parted.
"Huh?"
"You're giving scammers—no one even knows where they crawled out from—the chance to become part of Acalusia?"
Her tone was sharp. Murderous intent flickered over her frail shoulders like wildfire. It was clearly meant to intimidate, but only Asel flinched.
Adrian's eyes twitched.
"Scammers? How can you say something so rude out of nowhere?"
"I heard everything. And you're just swallowing that nonsense whole, Family Head? Parallel worlds, giants that devour souls... None of that could possibly exist."
"Hah... Eavesdropping on the family head's conversation. Looks like my education fell short."
Adrian snapped her fan shut. Her hardened face came into view. The sternness she wore as family head overlaid the worry in her eyes.
"I don't know where you started listening from, but everything Ronan here said is true. It's the judgment of the family head who leads Acalusia, based on all information and experiences—including top-secret intel. No matter how outlandish it seems, if it's truth, we must accept it as is. Have you forgotten our house's golden rule?"
"Even that has limits. Even if by some miracle what they say is true, there's one thing I absolutely can't accept. How can you tolerate people who forged the invitation my sister Adeshan received? Have you already forgotten her face?"
"That's...!"
Adrian bit her lower lip, unable to respond.
I started to say something but stopped myself.
'Butting in here isn't a good idea.'
The golden rule for spats between spouses or mothers and daughters was to stay out of it and just listen. Besides, Erzsebet clearly wasn't in any state for a normal conversation.
Even if I brought up Adeshan's secrets—ones only she and I knew—to prove our innocence, it wouldn't help right now. Things like the mole deep on her left thigh, or how she had zero body hair below the neck. Stuff like that.
Damn, I really miss her.
"I can't understand it. How long has it been since the funeral... Are you casting her out now that she can't serve Acalusia anymore?"
"Watch your words, Erzsebet. You know that's not it."
"Right, of course. I know you won't bend your will, Family Head. You must think my outburst is just childish whining, but I have my reasons too. You there."
"M-Me?"
Erzsebet suddenly glared at Asel.
Asel froze solid under her deadly gaze.
"Yes, you. You said you'd take the highest-difficulty exam, right? That's a duel with an internal Acalusia member. Knight or mage, you have to beat a seasoned expert already active in the field."
"Th-That's...!"
"You're a mage, so a mage opponent it is. I don't know how talented you are, but you should be plenty to gauge your skill. I'd like to face this gentleman myself. That won't be a problem, right, Family Head? It's first-come, first-served anyway."
Erzsebet turned to Adrian. She stood there stunned, like she'd taken a jab to the chin. Adrian bit her lip, then nodded.
"......Strictly by the rules, no problem."
"Perfect. You're facing me. No need to tell me your name—I'm not curious. It'll be over in three seconds anyway."
Erzsebet cackled. The forced laugh was enough to shrink Asel, whose guts were ant-ass small.
Adrian shook her head, looking at her daughter with pity.
"But I can't permit that challenge, Erzsebet."
"......Why not?"
"It's the family head's judgment. The sacred Acalusia initiation trial must be undertaken with pure goodwill—and that's impossible for you right now."
"This is unprecedented, Family Head. Do you think I'll murder or cripple that scammer... I mean, challenger? You think I'd stoop to that against worthless lamb like him?"
Erzsebet asked, but Adrian didn't answer. Asel was still mute as a honey-glazed fool.
What a pathetic wretch, not saying a damn word.
The awkward silence stretched on.
"Aw, fuck it. Let him fight already."
I scratched my head and spoke up.
Adrian's eyes went wide.
"Ronan?"
"I've lived off my own hype long enough—time to get knocked down a peg. I get the sob story, but enough with the tantrums. You think every word out of your mouth is gospel?"
"......What did you say?"
Erzsebet's brow furrowed. Asel clapped a hand over his mouth, staring at me.
His eyes were half 'I'm fine with this' and half 'The family head's right here, you psycho.'
I kept going regardless.
"Time to get knocked down a peg. Holed up so long your earwax clogged your eardrums?"
"Do you... even know who I am?"
"That's why you better watch your mouth, you scraggly bitch. Who are you to insult my friend when you forgot how to wash your face? You think Adeshan would be happy seeing you like this?"
"How dare you say her name...!"
Erzsebet's eyebrows shot up. The murderous aura blooming over her shoulders thickened, and creaking noises started echoing from corners of the parlor.
"Ro-Ronan... please stop."
Asel was near tears, clinging to my back. I stood firm, hands in pockets, facing off with Erzsebet. She ground her teeth and growled low.
"Say one more word. Just try... and..."
"And what? Adeshan would've said this: Eri! Snap out of it!"
"Who gave you the right to say her name!!"
Erzsebet bellowed.
At the same instant, a violet flash erupted between us.
Kwaaaang-!!
A ferocious shockwave swept the parlor.
All the windows shattered at once. Books tumbled down, and the chandelier's chain snapped.
As the flash faded, Erzsebet appeared, gasping like a ghost.
"Hah, haaa...!"
"Whoa."
I whistled, pursing my lips. Exactly three steps ahead, a crater gaped like a meteor strike. The hole's sheer walls exposed the foundational stone.
"U-Uwaa."
Asel's legs gave out, and he collapsed. Terrifying power. A direct hit would've mangled him far worse than the lion statue at the main gate. I figured he deserved a knuckle sandwich and started to move.
Kwaang! An invisible shockwave fired from behind me slammed into Erzsebet.
"Ack!"
Her frail body tumbled backward. I whipped my head toward the source.
Adrian stood with eyes bulging, fan thrust out. The fallen chandelier and dislodged portrait hung frozen midair. No wonder it was so quiet—she'd pinned them with telekinesis.
Adrian took a deep breath and intoned coldly.
"Erzsebet. Back to your room."
"......I was going anyway."
Erzsebet staggered to her feet. Before she could turn, Adrian flicked her fan, slamming the door shut. The harsh echo reverberated.
Her fists clenched, trembling, she spoke.
"......I'm sorry, everyone. I'll apologize on her behalf."
"No, I get it completely. That's how she's been since Adeshan died, right?"
"......Yes."
Adrian nodded heavily. As expected, their bond didn't change in this parallel world. To Erzsebet, Adeshan was both big sister and eternal crush. No doubt she loved Adeshan second only to me.
"Hasn't she gotten better?"
"She comes out of her room sometimes, so I thought... I was glad to see her face after so long, but I had no idea she was still this broken... It's all because I used family head duties as an excuse not to care. I'm not fit to be a parent."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. It happens when you're busy. She'll get better with time."
"Sigh... Thank you for saying that. If he were alive, things would be so much better."
"He? You mean your husband?"
"Yes. The poster boy for genius who died young. Eri adored him... Sorry. I don't really want to talk about it."
Adrian trailed off and closed her eyes. There seemed to be some dark backstory. She set her fan on the table and turned to me.
"Sorry again for my daughter's rudeness. Asel, you won't have to duel her, so relax. As for the tool Ronan requested, we'll need to check the treasury first."
"It might not be there?"
"Hard to say for sure. As you know, blood vein needles are extremely rare magic tools. But we'll do our best to find them, so don't worry too much."
Adrian smiled faintly. Her awkward grin carried the will to smooth over the recent commotion.
"Rest well for today. Treasury visit and exam tomorrow... I'll guide you to the safest guest room in the mansion."
"Thanks. That works."
"Thank you for understanding. Oh, one thing to note."
"Yes?"
I tilted my head at the cryptic words. Adrian dropped her smile and spoke gravely.
"Just don't go into the basement. That's all I ask."