Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Arranged Marriage
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Clack.
The firmly shut carriage door swung open, and before the flood of sunlight could hit, a thick, lush scent of foliage stung the nose first.
The air here seeped deep into the lungs, pure in a way that made the academy's seem worlds apart.
And at the same time, it was saturated with mana so dense it felt suffocating.
Only then did the realization sink in—we'd finally set foot in the most exclusive place of all.
"…Young Lady, we've arrived. Please step down."
The knight standing rigidly by the door, Loran, spoke in a stiff tone.
His voice carried a forced suppression of displeasure, laced with the same instinctive revulsion toward me.
'This punk. Still glaring like that.'
Thanks to Elisicia dropping the bombshell about my being her fiancé, he couldn't openly mock me anymore.
But those eyes glinting through his helmet's slit still looked at me like I was filth.
"Evan, take my hand."
"…"
Elisicia, who had stepped down first, extended her hand gently.
Normally, the man would escort the woman, but this was elven territory.
A human like me taking the lead in an elf's domain would rub them the wrong way.
Elisicia knew that, so she'd gotten out before I could move.
"…Thank you."
I didn't refuse her consideration, lightly grasping her hand as I stepped down.
"Master… this place really sucks."
Imir, following behind, sniffed the air and openly grimaced.
Accustomed to the harsh mountain winds, the near-pristine density of mana here must have felt alien and oppressive to her.
"Ugh. Feels like I can't breathe."
Normally, I'd have scolded her rudeness, but this time, I felt much the same.
I just nodded quietly in agreement.
Thud. Thud.
We stood in the plaza before a massive citadel.
Fashioned from living ancient trees carved and joined together, the structure itself was a colossal work of art.
Before I could even marvel at it, I followed Elisicia's lead.
It wasn't long before a line of elves—likely retainers—awaited us.
"…"
Each one had striking beauty that could draw awed gasps just from staring.
I nodded to myself, wondering if this was why people in novels and games fawned over elves.
Then, as some among them bowed to Elisicia, their gazes fixed on me.
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Contempt']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Disgust']
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Hostility']
'Starting off hot, huh?'
The windows flashing by reflected their sentiments clearly.
A few eyes met mine quietly, but I met them with a calm expression.
Compared to the contempt back at the Dreadnote estate, this was familiar territory.
"Hail, Young Lady!"
The elven knights slammed their weapons together in salute.
Elisicia shed her usual innocent smile, adopting the dignified poise of a duke's daughter as she gave a curt nod.
"You've all worked hard. Let's proceed."
At her command, the knights parted.
As we passed slowly through them under her lead, intense gazes raked over us.
"…"
"…Evan?"
She must have thought my silence meant I was upset or scheming.
Unprompted, she clung to my arm like a lover, guiding me forward.
"Evan, don't be too tense. Just stay by my side, and it'll be fine."
I wasn't tense at all.
'Besides…'
Glancing at her pressed close, I saw her arm gripping mine with tense strength.
Anyone could see she was the nervous one.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
To ease the tension hardening her face,
I flashed a light, reassuring smile.
"…Th-thank you."
Her usual cheer faded the deeper we went inside; her words grew fewer.
She tried not to shrink, face set firm, but her ears drooped regardless.
"…"
Elves had hearing several times keener than humans', so the whispers around her must have stung.
'Well, I can hear them too, so that says it all.'
"…Is that really the human Lady Elisicia mentioned?"
"What was the Young Lady thinking, bringing a human here?"
"Disgusting. A human daring to set foot in the ducal lands…"
"Ah, fuck. These pointy-eared bastards won't shut up…"
Imir's brow twitched with rising irritation.
She looked ready to draw her sword and rip their mouths open.
Smack!
"…Ow!"
I quietly tapped the back of Imir's hand.
As she scowled in complaint, I shook my head lightly.
'Hold it in.'
At my silent signal, Imir ground her teeth and looked away.
I understood her feelings, but causing trouble here would burden Elisicia, who'd brought us.
After a long walk, we reached a massive jade-green door.
Loran, our guide, halted before it and turned.
"The Family Head awaits. He originally said only the Young Lady, but since you call him your fiancé…"
He trailed off, his gaze on her expectant, as if leaving the choice to her.
…What a sleazy move.
No need to spell it out.
It meant: You brought the human, so go in and face the Family Head's wrath yourself.
"…Let's go in. Together."
Elisicia took a deep breath, gripping my arm even tighter.
Like she absolutely wouldn't let go. The resolute glint of a woman prepared for battle.
I felt her breath tremble beside me.
She seemed unaware, but she was clutching my arm hard enough to crush it.
"…"
Her eyes burned with resolve, but she couldn't hide her quivering lips.
Well, who could blame her? Heading to upend the path her parents had set.
"Evan. Father is intimidating, but… I'll protect you."
Who was protecting whom?
I barely swallowed a laugh at her childlike tension.
"Shall we go in?"
"E-Evan! W-Wait a sec…!"
I winked at her muttering about needing more time, then headed for the door first.
No intention of cowering behind.
If it had to be faced head-on, better to take the first hit.
Creeeak!
The heavy door groaned open, revealing a vast audience chamber.
And at its center, on a throne woven from tangled roots of a living ancient tree,
a man lounged, looking down at us.
"You've come."
'So that's Duke Arden.'
His brilliant golden hair, like Elisicia's, cascaded long.
Gazing impassively at his daughter, Elisicia, his eyes gleamed.
He looked like a youth on the cusp of middle age, untouched by time's flow, but the weight in those eyes spoke of vast centuries.
"…"
The moment his gaze shifted from Elisicia to me,
for a brief instant, an overwhelming pressure crushed me, like staring up at a mountain.
7th circle—or higher.
'Strong.'
His presence dwarfed even Aria's.
"Greetings, Father."
"Come closer."
"Yes… Father."
The duke's voice was low and heavy.
He seemed the type for few words. Terse, but weighted.
Our footsteps echoed loudly on the floor.
Elven elders lining the chamber sides stabbed us with blade-like stares.
Each step I took narrowed their eyes further, their displeasure blatant.
A filthy human defiling the sacred elven sanctuary—that was their view of me.
"…"
Guys like Kaien or Barcan couldn't endure this.
Confident in their skills, their pride was sky-high.
'Me? I'm used to it.'
I walked calmly, matching Elisicia's pace.
Her hand on my arm now trembled visibly.
I got it. Even she would struggle in this atmosphere.
"…"
Finally halting before Duke Arden,
another suffocating wave of pressure greeted us first.
The duke said nothing.
Just leaned back, gazing down with indifferent eyes.
But the mana pulsing in that indifference was far from light.
7th circle or above grand mage.
His aura warped the very air—or so it seemed.
"Elisicia."
After long silence, the duke spoke, his low, heavy voice resounding through the chamber.
"…Yes, Father."
Elisicia steadied her voice to reply.
Clutching my arm, she met his gaze head-on.
"I've heard the gist from the messenger you sent."
"…"
"That human beside you is the fiancé you've chosen?"
"…Yes. He's the one I truly love and have promised my future to."
Forcing out the words under his piercing stare, the chamber erupted in murmurs.
The elders' faces twisted in shock; some openly clicked their tongues.
Bam!
One elder, unable to hold back, slammed his staff and bellowed.
The white-haired ancient glared murderously at me, growling.
"You'd mix human blood into Arden's noble lineage? Preposterous!"
"That's going too far! Young Master Evan is practically my benefactor—he's helped me immensely!"
"Benefactor? Pay them with human coin by their standards! Fiancé? Absurd!"
"I agree with the elder."
"Young Lady, reconsider. An elf with a human…?"
Others chimed in at the elder's shout.
Then, Duke Arden, silent till now, raised a hand lightly—and the chamber fell deathly quiet.
His gaze slowly turned to me.
Those all-seeing eyes scanned my entire form.
"What was the name?"
Less a question, more a command.
Well, what could I do? Vast elder—best to forgive generously.
"Evan Dreadnote, Your Grace."
I didn't avert my eyes from his devouring stare.
Stood straight, met him squarely, and answered flatly.
At my demeanor, the duke's eyes narrowed.