Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Aide
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Arjan stared blankly at the collapsed cave. She trudged up to it and lightly touched a large boulder.
“It's dangerous, stay back.”
“Ah, yes.”
You shouldn't get close to the site of a recent collapse like this.
A second or third collapse could happen at any moment.
“…What in the world.”
Arjan trailed off.
It seemed she didn't know why the cave had suddenly collapsed.
There's no way she didn't hear the cave's continuous screams. Had she only just regained her senses?
“Don't be surprised. There were signs it was going to collapse for a while…”
I stopped mid-sentence, staggered, and fell over.
“Young Master!”
Arjan rushed over.
I tried to just nod to show I was okay, but even that wasn't easy.
So this is what it means to not have the strength to lift a finger.
I said, gasping for breath.
“Butler, you have some serious charisma.”
“Pardon?”
“Was it… 'Down!'? My head dropped before I even knew it.”
“Ah. Th-that was…”
Arjan's face grew slightly hot.
“I apologize. I was rude.”
“It's fine. It'd be dumber to insist on formalities in a situation like that. More importantly, are you okay?”
“You should be worried about yourself, Young Master, not me—”
“You need to be alright to carry me, don't you?”
“…Ah.”
Arjan nodded.
“I have more than enough strength to serve you, Young Master.”
“Then I have a favor to ask. I'm really at my limit. If I pass out now, I think I'll be out for a few days.”
“Please, tell me.”
“Go down the mountain just like this and take me to the main house. If we hurry, we'll make it just in time.”
“…”
Arjan fell silent.
“Worried about Kaljak?”
“…That's.”
“I understand. I feel the same.”
“…”
Arjan looked at me, as if searching for something.
“Still, we have to go. This isn't a humanitarian issue. And I'm certainly not talking about efficiency.”
I spoke, recalling Kaljak's final shout.
“It was what our senior wanted. In that instant, he assessed the situation and made the best possible choice.”
To be honest, I was quite surprised.
Grand Master Teacher, Sword Master Teacher.
I didn't think I was underestimating him, but perhaps I had been subconsciously looking down on him.
Unconsciously comparing him to my Master and other martial brothers I'd seen on Spirit Mountain.
The thinking of a frog in a well, truly.
Strength isn't defined solely by physical prowess.
The way Kaljak acted just now was enough to make me recognize him as a 'strong person'.
“Waiting here or turning back would be an insult to our senior. So we must follow his wishes and descend the mountain. Understood?”
“…Understood.”
“Good. Then…”
So, how many days were left exactly?
I spent three days in the cave, and how many days did I wander the mountains?
‘Ah…’
This is bad.
Maybe because the tension was gone, I suddenly felt incredibly sleepy.
I wanted to take the map out from my pocket, but my vision was gradually blurring, making it hard to even form a coherent thought.
“In my pocket… there's a map…? Took it from those assassins… Use it to find the way… Oh, and the gold coins… they were already there, so don't worry about them…”
“Young Master!”
I lost consciousness before I could finish.
Perhaps.
I might be at the main house when I open my eyes again, I thought.
* * *
The Blessing Ceremony.
An event that only those of a Great Family's bloodline could attend, it was, in name and reality, the Empire's grandest affair.
But in this day and age, the Blessing Ceremony was not merely a place to receive incredible talents from the gods.
Most of the Empire's influential figures always attended this important event.
At first, the purpose might have been to see the young blood who would lead the Empire and to ensure the event proceeded without issue…
But now, its role as a social gathering where powerful nobles confirmed their standing or fostered relationships had grown just as large.
In any case, since it was a gathering where the famous figures who supported the Empire came together in one place, political maneuvering was inevitable.
There was even a joke: 'If you want to know the exact hierarchy of the Imperial nobility, pay close attention to the seating arrangement at the Blessing Ceremony.'
In any case, as the Blessing Ceremony was steeped in the Empire's history and tradition, its preparation and execution could not be entrusted to an ordinary family.
This honor was granted to only three of the most prestigious noble families, including the Imperial Royal Family.
Bednicker.
One of the families currently wielding the most formidable authority in the Empire.
This domain, whose name meant [Earth] in the ancient elven tongue, possessed land so fertile and scenery so beautiful it was counted among the best in the Empire.
Many tourists, both domestic and foreign, visited every year.
Yet there was a forbidden place that not only such onlookers, but even the domain's residents who had lived there their whole lives, could not approach.
A place called the [Butterfly Forest].
The main house of the Bednickers, lords of this land, was built in the deepest part of this forest—a place that could never be reached by ordinary means.
There were two ways not to get lost in the Butterfly Forest.
Be of Bednicker blood.
Or be acknowledged by the Family Head.
“Hoo.”
Lucia, Ruan Bednicker's mother, was the latter.
It was the same even though she was one of the Iron-Blooded Duke's wives.
After all, being the daughter of another noble house, she did not have Bednicker blood flowing through her veins.
Was that why?
For some time now, Lucia had felt uneasy whenever she was at the main house.
“Hoo…”
Another sigh escaped her.
It had been almost a month since she came to the main house.
To think it had only been that long.
‘It feels like it's been a year.’
It had been one thing to rush to the main house for her only son, but life here was far from smooth.
“Cough.”
Lucia coughed, spitting out dust.
The shabby space assigned to her was little more than a storage room.
Lucia knew that even the servants of the main house lived in better rooms than this.
Her body had always been frail, and lately, her throat was constantly itchy and her headaches severe.
The small window in the room was far too tiny to properly ventilate the large space.
There were no servants to clean for her, and the room was needlessly large to do it herself.
Lucia had at least cleaned her bedside thoroughly, but it didn't have much of an effect.
“How childish.”
But Lucia shook her head, her voice calm.
She knew very well the reason for this treatment.
The wives of the Iron-Blooded Duke.
With the exception of one, those small fries, who could hardly be called mistresses of the house, were engaged in childish harassment.
The same ones who couldn't even squeak when the Iron-Blooded Duke was at the main house.
But childishness aside, Lucia had to admit their bullying was persistent and obsessive.
It started with trivial things.
“I'm sorry. There are no spare guest rooms due to the upcoming Blessing Ceremony…”
Saying that when there were clearly empty rooms.
“All the ingredients for today have been used. We have a little wheat bread left, would you like that? It's a bit hard, though.”
Every time she went to the dining hall, they would prattle on about how there was no food.
“I apologize, my lady. We currently have no spare hands to attend to your domestic needs.”
Forcing her to take on not just the room cleaning, but her own laundry as well.
“You said your clothes were torn? But this is all we have left…”
When she mentioned that all her clothes were torn the next day, they would give her a maid's uniform with a nasty smile.
Trivial.
Lucia considered all this harassment to be trivial.
Lucia had never been a prominent noble to begin with.
The land of the far north.
Her homeland was the domain of [Koland], once called the Kingdom of Ice.
Koland was technically part of the Empire, but a border domain could practically be seen as a separate country.
The Empire's influence waned the farther one was from the center.
It was only natural.
The environment was different, the culture was different, even their appearances were different.
They had united under the Empire's banner because of the great enemy known as the Dark Cult, but that was all.
Most Imperial citizens did not consider such people their countrymen and discriminated against them.
Their situation was better than that of other races with completely different appearances, but…
Thus, Koland was closer to a small kingdom than a border domain, and Lucia had held a status similar to a princess of that small land.
Although she had over ten older siblings.
In any case, Koland was a land with no particular features aside from being cold.
The reason the Iron-Blooded Duke took an interest in the daughter of such a family was that the Koland family had once produced the Empire's strongest swordsman.
It was a dusty old story from several hundred years ago.
Lucia let out a small laugh.
The royal palace of Koland was smaller than this Bednicker mansion.
Sleeping in a storage room? Not bad. Where else could she be warm without a fire?
No food? She could enjoy even wheat bread. When she got tired of it, she borrowed the kitchen and cooked for herself.
She was more than familiar with cleaning rooms and doing laundry. If only her body were healthier, she would have made this room shine.
Clothes or shoes, if they tore, she just had to sew them.
Yes. Such insults and humiliations were nothing to Lucia.
Not that it wasn't hard, and not that her pride was unscathed.
But for her only son, Ruan, she could endure it all.
This was the reason Lucia clung to the main house despite suffering all sorts of indignities.
‘It would be best if I could get Ruan into this year's second Blessing Ceremony, but…’
The Blessing Ceremony is held twice every five years.
Once in the first half of the year and once in the second.
Since Ruan was kicked out of the family this year for failing to receive a single Blessing, it would be realistically difficult this time.
The maximum number of participants each family could send to the Blessing Ceremony was five.
And because the Iron-Blooded Duke had numerous children, the competition for a spot in the ceremony was fierce during his era.
Since one could receive Blessings up to two times depending on their talent.
They would show no more mercy to Ruan, who had been given that precious opportunity and still failed to obtain a single Blessing.
So Lucia changed her original plan.
The Blessing Ceremony, which takes place over a total of two weeks.
She would attend the social gathering held during that time.
‘The Grand Master Teachers will surely be there.’
The ten guests who wielded great influence in the Bednicker family.
The powerhouses of the Empire, personally invited by none other than the Iron-Blooded Duke, were scheduled to appear at this social gathering.
If she was lucky, he might catch their eye and become a disciple.
In fact, quite a few of those attending this gathering likely had such a purpose in mind.
‘The social gathering starts today.’
Lucia straightened her clothes in front of the mirror.
‘I've never thought of myself as unattractive, but…’
Perhaps because her adornments were clumsy, something felt off.
She somehow exuded an air of poverty, certainly not looking like the wife of a prestigious noble family.
So she straightened her back even more.
Because she knew that without confidence, only shabbiness would remain.
When Lucia opened the door and stepped out, she could see servants bustling about in the hallway.
She passed them and headed for the venue of the social gathering—the main hall on the first floor of the mansion.
Upon arriving, she saw nobles in elegant attire.
Tables arranged at regular intervals, the fragrant scent of wine, and soft background music.
Despite the number of people, the atmosphere in the hall was serene.
As if speaking to the class and refinement of those present.
Lucia felt slightly intimidated, but she steeled her weakening resolve and took a step forward.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Just then, someone blocked Lucia's path.
Judging by the attire, it was the main house's butler.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
“We are checking identities before entry. May I ask which family you are from?”
“…”
For a moment, Lucia's mind went numb.
An identity check?
“You… don't know who I am?”
“My apologies, but… ah.”
The butler, who had finally looked at Lucia's face, bowed his head with an indifferent expression.
“My apologies. It was Lady Lucia.”
At that moment, faint laughter erupted from the hall.
Lucia looked and saw familiar faces.
The second and third wives of the Iron-Blooded Duke.
They were smiling, covering their mouths with fans.
“It's such a rare social gathering, I'm glad nothing is spoiling the mood.”
“My, that's why you should have shown your face more often.”
“Well, I think it might be more a matter of dignity.”
“Indeed. That patched-up dress is a bit… I wouldn't even make my handmaiden wear it.”
It was too loud to be called gossip.
The music seemed to have stopped as well, and though Lucia's face burned with shame, she stood rigidly in place, pretending not to hear.
It is all a momentary disgrace.
For Ruan's sake, she could not back down here.
“…If the check is complete, may I enter now?”
“Hmm.”
But the butler showed no intention of moving aside.
“My apologies, my lady, but did you come alone?”
“What do you mean?”
“More families than expected have visited for this Blessing Ceremony. For that reason, the family's Council of Elders has added a new condition for attending the social gathering to prevent unnecessary confusion and any unforeseen incidents.”
The butler smirked unpleasantly and said.
“If you do not have an attendant to escort you, you may not attend this social gathering.”
“What?”
“Pardon me, my lady, but please return for today.”
In her daze, Lucia once again heard snickers.
“Pfft.”
The difference from before,
was that this time, the ones mocking her weren't just the Iron-Blooded Duke's wives.
“I was wondering who it was. It's her. You know, the one from Koland…”
“Ah. No wonder her appearance was so unsettling.”
“Look at that hair. It gives me the creeps.”
“Hah. What a relief that she's leaving.”
“…”
Lucia's face turned pale.
She never imagined she would be insulted like this to her face, and by a Bednicker person at that.
Her mind went blank for a second, and in that moment, the butler reached out his hand.
Lucia's face hardened.
Was he really going to drag her out by force?
‘This is…’
No matter what, hadn't this gone too far?
*Grip.*
Someone grabbed the butler's outstretched hand.
The large, black-gloved hand easily enveloped the sturdy man's hand.
“Kugh…”
The butler, who had been grimacing from the pressure on his hand, soon saw his expression stiffen.
“Uh, uh-uh,” he stammered, his words trailing off.
“If you're looking for an attendant, one is right here.”
A low, firm voice.
“I shall be the one to escort Lady Lucia.”
The venue had suddenly fallen silent, as if doused with cold water.
All eyes were focused on a middle-aged man standing there.
A person Lucia had never expected to see, a bewildering figure.
“That will be acceptable, won't it?”
The Iron-Blooded Collector.
Keian raised the corners of his mouth beneath his mustache.