Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Lady of the Obury Duchy
“…H-how…?”
Rau trembled, his nostrils shaking as two bullets had already torn through his abdomen.
Fireworks continued exploding in the distance.
The gunshots were completely swallowed by the noise.
I quickly hid the revolver back into the subspace bag and spoke calmly.
“It was self-defense.”
You drew your sword first.
That alone was enough.
No matter how high a marquis house stands—
the Empire still has laws.
There was no reason for me to die quietly.
“…The aftermath will be troublesome.”
That was the real problem.
“Graaah!!”
But Rau—
was even crazier than I expected.
Clutching his bleeding stomach, he charged again.
One hand pressed to the wound—
the other swinging his sword wildly.
Even injured—
he was dangerous.
“…You’ve got to be kidding.”
I drew the revolver again.
Bang.
A clean headshot.
His head snapped back—
a hole opened in his forehead—
and he collapsed.
Thud.
Dead.
No hesitation.
No resistance.
In front of a gun—
even a marquis’ son is equal.
“…I actually killed him.”
This time—
I couldn’t help but mutter.
Self-defense or not—
this would have consequences.
Then—
“I… Ian…”
I turned.
Lien was staring at me.
Shock.
And—
fear.
“…Right. A witness.”
She probably didn’t see the gun clearly.
But she saw everything else.
“…Should I silence her?”
The thought crossed my mind.
But—
No.
Killing both a marquis’ heir and a duchess’ daughter?
That would be suicide.
Before I could decide—
she stepped forward.
“…Thank you, Ian.”
She bowed gracefully.
Perfect form.
Not a single flaw.
“…And I’m sorry.”
“…Sorry?”
“Yes. You were dragged into this because of me.”
She explained.
Rau had already been out of control.
He dragged her out—
threatened her—
almost crossed the line.
And then—
I arrived.
“…I see.”
“So please don’t worry. I’ll handle everything regarding Rau.”
“…That helps.”
If the Obury house intervenes—
the Perupe house can’t act freely.
That alone solved half the problem.
But then—
she smiled.
“But Ian… you’re quite strong.”
“….”
“You said you were a normal-difficulty climber, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“Defeating someone ten floors above you so easily… that’s quite the ‘good trait.’”
“….”
She stepped closer.
One step.
Then another.
“…Why are you getting closer?”
No answer.
Just a soft laugh.
Soon—
my back hit the wall.
No escape.
She stopped right in front of me.
Close enough to feel her breath.
“Ian.”
“…Yes?”
“You’re not a normal-difficulty climber, are you?”
My heart dropped.
“…What are you talking about?”
“I already know.”
“…Know what?”
“That you are KimHunter.”
“…What?”
I forced a laugh.
“Me? KimHunter? The one stronger than the Hero? Do I look like that?”
I raised my arm.
Thin.
Still not impressive.
But—
she didn’t budge.
“You can deny it if you want.”
“I’m not denying anything—it’s just not true.”
“Then why are you nervous?”
“…I’m not.”
“Your voice says otherwise.”
“….”
She was certain.
Completely.
“…Why?”
I asked.
Genuinely.
Why was she so sure?
She answered calmly.
“I made a list.”
“…A list?”
“Suspects. Among imperial nobles.”
Before the festival—
she investigated.
Spoke to all candidates.
And among them—
I stood out the most.
“Because you were too relaxed.”
“….”
“A fallen noble shouldn’t look like that.”
She was right.
I didn’t even notice it myself.
Confidence.
It leaked out.
“…Impressive.”
“And your sister entering the Imperial Academy.”
“….”
“That level of tuition isn’t possible from normal difficulty.”
“…I got lucky.”
“No. That level of money doesn’t come from Floor 10.”
“….”
She smiled.
Not believing a word.
“And now—this.”
She gestured toward Rau’s corpse.
“You confirmed it for me.”
“…You’re mistaken.”
“I’m not.”
“….”
Silence.
Then—
“Don’t worry.”
“…What?”
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“….”
“I won’t even ask why you’re hiding it.”
“…Why?”
“Because you saved me.”
Simple.
Direct.
“If someone risks themselves to help me, I don’t repay that by exposing their secrets.”
“….”
“That would be unworthy of a noble.”
…Unexpected.
“…You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
She stepped back slightly.
Giving me space.
“This never happened.”
“….”
“I’ll handle everything.”
“…Thank you.”
Even if I didn’t fully trust it—
this was the best outcome.
Then—
“Rau! Where are you?!”
A voice.
Someone approaching.
“…Trouble.”
A man appeared—
Rau’s friend.
He froze.
“…Rau? And you… what—”
Lien spoke first.
“Rau is dead.”
“…What?!”
“He and Ian fought a duel over me.”
“…A duel?”
“Yes.”
“…He lost?”
“Yes.”
The man looked at me—
terrified.
“…You killed him?”
“Want to avenge him?”
I smiled slightly.
He stepped back.
“Ghk—!”
Fear.
Pure fear.
Then—
he ran.
“…That was easy.”
The next day—
the story spread.
A fallen noble’s son—
defeated a marquis’ heir—
to protect a duchess’ daughter.
A perfect tale.
Heroic.
Dramatic.
Of course—
carefully adjusted.
By Lien.
“…Now I’m famous.”
Not what I wanted—
but useful.
And later—
“Mother, I’d like you to meet him.”
Lien stood before the Duchess.
“…The one who saved you?”
“Yes.”
“And more than that.”
“….”
The Duchess paused.
“…Bring him.”
I was introduced.
Briefly.
Politely.
But—
no deep conversation.
Just thanks.
Then she left.
Lien followed.
Later—
“…What did you think?”
“He’s acceptable.”
“…That’s all?”
“He has much to prove.”
“…I understand.”
A smile.
But not approval.
Lien knew.
“…You didn’t recognize him.”
A quiet thought.
Her eyes sharpened.
“…Then I’ll choose for myself.”
Because she had already decided.
Ian—
KimHunter—
was the future.
And she—
would stand beside it.