Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: 14. The Youngest Daughter of the Swordsmanship Clan (4)
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Previously, William, the scout who had asked Sylvia for help, was chattering excitedly among the crowd.
"So that's why I mustered up my courage and went straight to the carriage where the 1st Hero Party was..."
Ever since that day, William had been the village hero.
Not only had he boldly approached the 1st Hero Party in person to deliver his request, but he had even received their help.
It was only natural that everyone wanted to hear his heroic tale.
Of course, they were more interested in the fact that he had seen the 1st Hero Party up close than in his own bravery.
William knew it and enjoyed it anyway.
After all, he had made the request, they had fulfilled it, and the village was safe because of it.
"...Lady Sylvia stepped right up without any hesitation."
"As expected of Lady Sylvia."
"Just like the rumors say. They say she finds joy in helping people..."
"So, is she pretty?"
"Don't even ask. That navy-blue hair paired with her cool demeanor... And yet her heart is so kind."
"Hey, is that rumor true? Something about Lady Sylvia getting rejected by someone..."
"There he goes with the nonsense again."
All eyes turned back to William.
"Uh, well... I'm not sure about that. She did look a bit worn out, though?"
William's simple testimony quickly grew embellishments, turning Sylvia into a tragic woman heartbroken by lost love.
But facts didn't matter in a place like this.
Mentioning the 1st Hero Party alone made for great conversation fodder.
However.
Someone raised a question they wouldn't have dared voice before.
"Why don't you talk about the others?"
"H-Huh?"
"There were three others besides Lady Sylvia, right? You brag every time, so why do you always skip them?"
How had they reacted?
That question was a demand for clues to judge the circulating rumors.
Like how Kaily had stabbed someone for money.
Or how the 1st Hero Party, ignoring honor or whatever, had promoted Badenverk's tainted dark beer purely for cash.
Such rumors had already spread across the continent.
People hushed them because they involved the 1st Party.
But even here, there was a victim who had suffered days of stomach pain after drinking that dark beer.
"It all worked out fine, so why ask about that?"
William tried to brush it off like always, but today it wasn't so easy.
It was a day when those eager for answers had conspired.
One drink, two drinks.
Before he knew it, alcohol kept flowing into William.
And finally, dead drunk, William blurted out,
"Those bastards... The rest of those fuckers, huh? I was really pissed... Hey, do you know what Beatrice said to me?"
He spilled the insult Beatrice had hurled at him that day, right in front of everyone.
"Whoa... Now I get why he kept it hidden."
"See? No wonder those rumors are flying. If Kaily's that bad, you think the others are fine?"
"Thinks she's a hero so she can do anything? Even so..."
"Kaily and Aria heard it all but pretended not to know... Ah."
William spilled everything that had happened that day, unaware of his own words.
A new rumor about the 1st Party had just been added.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While William was spilling the truth about the 1st Party,
at a nearby farm by the acute dungeon Ian's group had cleared, a different conversation was unfolding.
"Acute dungeons are dangerous, so it's a real relief it was resolved without casualties."
"All thanks to those heroes who came then. Lady Vivian and Lady Helena."
"Exactly. And they came straight here after conquering another dungeon without even resting... Truly gracious people."
"Lady Helena healed the scouting party's wounded with such devotion, didn't she?"
Malcolm, who had led the scouting team back then and was listening in, nodded.
"Yes. She's still a novice, so her situational judgment was a bit slow, but her genuine kindness was unmistakable. Plus, the magic I saw then, and the speed they cleared the dungeon... They're no ordinary folk."
"Mm. They're bound for great things. Even when receiving our thanks in the village, they were so humble."
"Not like other heroes. Polite and kind-hearted."
Different rumors about Ian's party were spreading too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Sylvia had arrived in Superbia.
She had crammed her schedule tight just to see Ian longer.
She had cleared as many dungeons as possible, as fast as she could, to make time for this.
So it wasn't shirking her duties.
'Ian won't scold me for this.'
With trembling anticipation, she headed first to the training hall where Ian might be.
She hadn't forgotten the error notebook she'd been diligently keeping since reuniting with him that day.
She wouldn't actually meet Ian, so she had no reason to show it.
Still, Sylvia brought the notebook.
Clutching it preciously, she tracked Ian's whereabouts... but
"...He's not here?"
Ian was gone.
"Wh-where did he go...?"
After asking around with her attendants, she learned Ian had left for Fioreene City in the eastern continent.
"Damn..."
Sylvia clenched her fist and grumbled.
'I waited all day for today... I came to the central south for nothing...'
She turned her head east for no reason.
As if she might hear Ian's voice that way.
'Maybe if I go now, I can see him...'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lorenzo di Fioreene.
SS-rank hero.
Skilled, but full of vanity and greed.
Empire's first prince, Edipus, sat at the center of the banquet hall, musing on Lorenzo's traits while waiting.
He had just sent word of his arrival via servant.
During festival season, the city was relatively open to outsiders, so Lorenzo must have only now learned and was rushing over in a panic.
Before the prince sat only a cup of black tea and some cookies—simple fare.
The castle staff had offered more, but he refused.
This wasn't the place for extravagance.
By his side sat Provost Marshal Wolfgang.
Around them waited dozens, including the castle steward and Lorenzo's deputy castellan.
Normally, Edipus would have dismissed all but the essentials, but today was different.
To pressure Lorenzo, such measures were necessary.
He recalled the surface info from the palace, plus Ian's insights on Lorenzo's personality.
Before coming, Ian had advised:
'Simply put, he's like a naive child unaware of the world. He's fought as a hero even before the current hero system, so he's seasoned in battle.'
'But that's all his life has been. No ties to politics, social graces, or relationships. He's clumsy at reading people and flows.'
'Loose-lipped and gullible. He's been fooled often but uncovered it all with his own strength—a thorough warrior. Yet he's also a coward who dreads any dent to his honor or status.'
'This is just my guess, but the Anti-Empire Alliance wouldn't have revealed themselves. A few words show he's not trustworthy. So he doesn't know their identity... which raises a question. What moved that Lorenzo?'
Edipus felt a faint headache picturing the timid, boastful old hero.
'If only he were just a proper coward... He needs gentle coaxing, not pressure.'
Based on Ian's advice, he outlined a rough plan.
The prophet's ability had propelled him here, but Edipus valued Ian's insight highly too.
Ian's experience handling crises while managing the 1st Party was no small thing.
Especially against a hero—Ian's knowledge was likely spot-on.
"Ah, oh dear...! Your Highness!"
Soon, the banquet hall doors opened, and someone burst in with exaggerated fuss.
"Oof, goodness, I—I mean, forgive me! If only you'd sent word ahead, I—n-no, I'm not blaming Your Highness...!"
Tall stature, burly build.
Yet honed warrior muscle lurked beneath the flesh.
His expression, mismatched to his frame, was somewhat servile.
A beard mimicking noble poise quivered with his jaw.
He gawked at the prince's modest refreshments.
"No...! For Your Highness to visit, and only this paltry...!"
"It's fine."
The prince raised a hand first.
"I ordered it so. It's enough."
"A-ahh...! R-right you are. Ahem..."
Lorenzo cleared his throat awkwardly, at a loss.
No etiquette or formality for meeting a prince.
"Sit."
"Y-yes...! Thank you!"
Throat parched perhaps, Lorenzo poured his own tea and gulped it like cold water.
Servants paled at the breach, but Edipus quietly observed his manners and bearing.
Even without words, actions leaked much info.
'Just as Ian said.'
Edipus had three goals.
Pinpoint the Anti-Empire Alliance remnants' location.
Uncover the unidentified remnants.
Gauge Lorenzo's involvement.
To avoid startling him to death, Edipus opened gently with a soft smile.
"Forgive the unannounced visit. I heard by chance and came without schedule."
"Oh, n-no..."
"A tournament hosted by an imperial pride—a top SS-rank hero—no time for needless procedure. Understand it's because I hold such high expectations for you."
"...! Y-yes...! Of course! Haha, ha—!"
At the frank praise, Lorenzo couldn't hide his glee.
Cowardly and honor-hungry, weak to flattery.
'Easier than expected.'
Ian's final, rather vulgar analogy for a prince's ears resurfaced.
'A sucker is a sucker to everyone—that's why they're a sucker.'
First Prince Edipus's eloquent words ensnared Lorenzo's mind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What the fuck! Why is the first prince here...!"
Henry Somerset slammed the wall.
It only hurt his hand, but he needed the vent.
Free Alliance rep Edga watched silently.
"He couldn't know everything, right...? What if that blabbermouth Lorenzo spills?"
"Driving me mad. Didn't we keep it from that rowdy count?"
"That's the problem. I'm just an unofficial guest here! No reason for Lorenzo not to name me!"
Edga had to concede that point.
"Military police at the gates—escape's tough..."
Edga was in a bind too.
He was wanted by the provosts.
At least his sketch wasn't detailed like noble scions Henry or Gustav.
"Damn... Gotta inform Gustav first. He might manage something..."
Henry scribbled a hasty letter and handed it to Edga.
"Favor. Can't go out myself—have your servant outside deliver it."
Edga took it and opened the door.
Lorenzo happened to approach right then.
"Ah, my esteemed friends. Enjoying the accommodations I prepared?"
"Of course...!"
Henry hid his shock and replied.
"Edga, where are you off to?"
"Some business."
"Hm."
Lorenzo eyed Edga up and down suspiciously.
Unlike Henry and Gustav, no noble grace—just barbaric.
Kept in the castle only as their close friend.
"Very well. Handle it. Henry, good news for you."
"...What?"
"His Highness wishes to see you."
"......"
As Henry feared.
Lorenzo spilled Henry's stay here in detail.
Grinning broadly, he added,
"What an honor!"
Frozen Henry instantly thought of Kaily and Beatrice.
Even a prince—mentioning those two's names...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving pale Henry behind, Edga exited the castle.
Feigning calm, but dire for him too.
First prince with provosts meant one thing.
Stay, and his head rolls.
'Careless...'
Since Ian crippled the organization's prestige, Edga grew hasty.
Few major crime groups on the continent—but few meant one slip-up invites endless disdain.
Safety first, always cautious.
But infiltrating untouchable Superbia was too tempting honey.
Judgment clouded briefly by the sweet scent.
Not just judgment.
Public trial botched by Ian, Lydia tailed, Bertolt named—leading here.
Edga or Henry couldn't grasp the flow.
Nearby base let him hide, but provosts in the city? Unknown.
Few recognized him outright.
He'd stayed low-profile.
But a checkpoint, and he's done.
Delivering the letter to Henry's servant, Edga blamed Ian the whole way.
'If not for that guy...'
He'd stayed for the chance Ian might attend Lorenzo's tourney.
To Edga, Ian seemed the root of all this.
'No way to confirm if he's here... If only, I'd leave immediately...'
Pausing in thought, a man carrying a black-haired woman with bandaged face passed by.
'Where are you...'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I carried the fainted Lucia to my room and laid her on the bed.
No choice.
No Fioreene castle servant knew of Lucia.
They seemed clueless about her.
Telling of her treatment in the family hierarchy.
That puzzled me too.
Second superhuman child of Lorenzo's, with such talent.
Why such treatment?
Gazing at fainted Lucia, I pondered.
Lorenzo pursued refined movement.
Inferiority from base birth made him value noble grace even in battle.
Lucia's style? Powerful, but not noble.
Desperate, even cowardly.
Just for that, hate his superhuman daughter?
Lorenzo might.
Deluded by noble fantasies.
His "swordsmanship" stemmed from that illusion.
Swords as noble weapons or whatever.
But still, a blood heir he craved—a superhuman.
Hate that much?
Knew her somewhat from past life and regression, but not deeply—nothing certain.
Blood trickled from peacefully sleeping Lucia's mouth.
Not just exhaustion—internal injury?
Not a healthy spot on her...
I wiped the blood, supported her head with my left hand, and trickled potion sip by sip.
Conscious enough to swallow bit by bit.
If no useful info from this...
Why did this superhuman, resistant to most ills, cling to disease?
First time seeing mana circuits this tangled.
Ragged breaths, bandages now stained red-yellow pus.
Checking exposed neck carefully: bumpy hives, inflamed.
Nearly theoretically impossible lesions...
-Clunk.
"Ian! We have a gift...!"
Mercy burst in unannounced.
Mercy, plus Kati, Vivian, Helena—all froze at my sight.
Supporting Lucia's head, inspecting her neck lesions...
"...I know it looks bad. I can explain."
"......"
Door slid shut against my will.
Cold footsteps faded beyond.
"...Ah."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ By the time I roughly explained to Kati via Subordination Ring, Lucia stirred.
"Feeling better?"
"...Sorry."
Lucia grasped the situation and apologized swiftly.
Seemed routine for her.
"How long was I...?"
"Not long."
"I see."
Silent briefly, she spoke calmly.
"As expected, no good."
Meaning I wouldn't help—lacking.
Impressive, but fainting sans minutes of fight? Worry-worthy stamina.
"Not sure yet... Lots of questions; most pressing first. Why enter the tourney? For money?"
Lorenzo's daughter, superhuman, talent overwhelming despite clashing style.
No need for hard paths—could bask in favor, family glory.
Yet why?
With such afflictions?
Lucia met my eyes steadily, answering softly.
"...I'm not actually Lorenzo's child."
"...Pardon?"
"And my goal is to kill everyone in the Fioreene family, Lorenzo included."
...No way.
That explained why, in the second round, she was the sole Fioreene survivor...