Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Night of Chaos
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A little while earlier, back when Noxion was deep in the throes of paperwork in his study.
The Duchess's bedroom, where Roselia was currently staying, was filled with a strange, heated atmosphere.
"Really? You told the Duke everything, and he didn't completely deny it—he actually accepted it to some extent?"
"Thank goodness!"
Roselia's eyes sparkled as she asked again.
Leonier, sitting on the edge of the bed, nodded shyly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Y-Yeah. He said he needs some time to think it over since it's all so confusing right now... but he didn't push me away or look at me coldly like he used to."
"Oh my gosh! That's such a relief, truly!"
Roselia clapped her hands, rejoicing as if it were her own victory.
In truth, she'd been inwardly anxious.
She felt guilty, wondering if her meddling had twisted the original story's flow and irreparably damaged the relationship between the two.
But hearing Leonier's words made her feel like a massive weight had been lifted from her chest.
"It's actually a blessing in disguise! Thanks to me butting in, the Duke might have opened up his heart sooner, right?"
"Haha... maybe. Either way, I was able to muster the courage because of you."
The truth had nothing to do with Roselia's interference—it was simply because she'd laid all her secrets bare honestly. But there was no need to say that.
Seeing her so overjoyed made Leonier happy too, somehow.
"Who knew I had such a talent for counseling?"
Roselia hummed a little tune as she pulled something from the depths of the wardrobe.
It was a bottle of high-end wine with a reddish glow.
"Come on, we can't let a night like this pass without celebrating! I snuck this away and saved it just for today."
Pop!
The cork came out with a cheerful pop.
"Tonight's for possessors and regressors only! Cheers!"
"Pfft, what kind of toast is that?"
Leonier burst out laughing at Roselia's absurd declaration but didn't refuse the glass.
She had always lived in tension and obsession.
But tonight, the relief of unburdening her biggest secret, combined with the cheerful princess before her, had lightened her heart just a bit.
Yeah, I can afford to enjoy myself for one night.
The sweet, bittersweet wine slid down her throat.
One glass, two. As the empty glasses refilled, the women's cheeks flushed pink.
Leonier, now pleasantly tipsy, smiled dreamily with relaxed eyes.
"Hehe... this is nice..."
"Right? Oh, wait a sec."
Roselia suddenly perked up, raising her index finger.
"What if someone comes looking and smells the booze all over us? That'd be awkward, right? So... how about we set out some tea and snacks as camouflage?"
"Ooh, that's a great idea. Our Roselia's so smart—usually you're a bit of a scatterbrain."
"I am pretty smart, huh? Hang on, I'll call Rihhella."
Roselia rang the call bell to summon the maid.
Moments later, Rihhella entered at the summons. She twitched her eyebrows at the heavy scent of alcohol filling the room but pretended not to notice and bowed.
"You called for me, Your Highness?"
"Yeah, Rihhella. We're having a serious talk, but our throats are dry. Could you bring some tea and sweets? Something super sweet!"
"Understood. I'll prepare it right away."
Rihhella bowed politely and left the room.
Alone once more, the two women giggled and sipped the remaining wine.
Even the moonlight outside felt peaceful.
However, that peace didn't last long.
Bang!
Shortly after, the door flew open without a knock.
"Eek! What the—Rihhella? You scared me..."
Roselia clutched her chest and turned, startled.
But her words caught in her throat at the sight before her.
The neat and tidy Rihhella who'd just left was nowhere to be seen.
Her hair was disheveled, her apron torn.
And most shockingly, her white maid uniform was splattered with bright red blood everywhere.
Rihhella gripped a bloodied longsword in one hand instead of a tray.
"Huff... huff..."
"R-Rihhella...?"
The alcohol burned off in an instant.
Leonier snapped out of her haze and jumped to her feet.
Rihhella glanced outside, slipped inside quickly, and locked the door.
Then she knelt before the two women and spoke.
"You must listen carefully from now on."
"W-What's going on? That blood..."
"Intruders have breached us. I ran into some heading for the annex... I've taken care of all the visible ones on my way back."
Her trembling voice betrayed how shocking and chaotic the situation was.
Yet, perhaps from experience with such crises, Rihhella continued calmly.
"But I don't know how many there are. I'll go fetch the Duke right now, so..."
She looked them straight in the eye and emphasized.
"No matter who comes, do not open this door until you verify their voice. Understood?"
"..."
Sensing the dire situation, Leonier nodded gravely.
"Got it. We'll stay put. Be careful, Rihhella."
"Thank you for your concern. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Rihhella gave a brief bow, readjusted her sword, and opened the door again.
Roselia watched her silhouette vanish into the dark hallway, her trembling hand setting down the wine glass.
The joyful party atmosphere froze into icy tension in an instant.
The corridor leading to the bedroom was already a battlefield.
Right down to the acrid smoke and metallic tang of blood stinging my nose.
To think I'd encounter a situation like this inside the ducal residence—one I'd only seen on the battlefield.
With that thought, I quickened my pace—only to halt at the sudden presences I sensed.
"...Who's there?"
At my words, black mist billowed from the corridor ceiling, and three shadows in black masks dropped down.
Teleport? No, not quite. What technique is that?
They didn't hesitate for a second upon spotting me, hurling daggers as they closed in.
Whoosh!
Their stealth was masterful—only detectable up close—and the daggers aimed precisely for vitals. No amateurs.
But they'd picked the wrong opponent.
"Out of my way."
I swung the longsword I'd brought instead of Winter Fang lightly.
Clang!
The flying daggers ricocheted with a metallic ring, and blood fountained from the lead assassin's throat.
"Gurk...!"
In the split second the others faltered at their comrade's instant death, I plunged into their midst.
No room needed for a full swing.
Mixing short, snapping sword strikes with hand-to-hand, I crushed the remaining two's solar plexuses and slit their throats.
Thud, thud.
The bodies hit the floor without even a death rattle.
I didn't have time to shake the blood from my blade before moving on.
No time to play with these small fry.
Continuing down the hall, I kicked open the unlocked door to the Duchess's bedroom.
Bam!!
"Leonier! Roselia!"
I called out desperately, but no answer came.
The room was empty.
Just a rolling wine bottle on the floor, an overturned chair, and...
"......"
Two cold, lifeless bodies greeted me.
Men dressed like the ones I'd encountered in the hall.
I approached the corpses and checked them.
No sword wounds.
No blood splattered on the floor.
Instead, filthy, sticky traces of mana lingered around the room, and the bodies bore faint scorch marks and necrotic skin from rapid temperature shifts.
Magic.
High-powered fire magic, at that.
The lady wasn't a fighter, so the only one here who could cast spells was Princess Roselia.
That meant she'd taken out at least some of the attackers and, for whatever reason, decided she couldn't stay and fled.
A wave of relief hit me that the worst hadn't happened.
But questions arose too.
So where did they go?
A quick scan: windows sealed shut, and I'd come from the hall—no encounters.
The two had vanished completely, like they'd evaporated.
"...Hoo."
I steadied my breathing and thought.
In this chaos, if not me, who could have led them to safety?
The first that came to mind was...
Leonier Baldinmar.
Right—she's a regressor.
She holds all the memories of our married life, of being the lady of Kaltstein.
So she knows.
The safest place in this castle—cut off completely from the outside, excluding the family head's bedroom.
My gaze naturally drifted to the massive fireplace in one corner of the room and the antique bookshelf beside it, like decoration.
Most old noble families have secret spaces for emergencies—panic rooms.
Kaltstein was no exception.
A secret shelter deep underground, designed for past Duchesses.
Of course, no record exists of any Kaltstein Duchess ever using it.
No knight or assassin from any kingdom had ever reached the inner keep.
Until now.
I have no idea how these assassins slipped past the tight security into the inner keep.
Maybe inside help, or that teleport-like—not quite—technique from the hall.
And if this mess is the Crown Prince's doing, it means he has experts Kaltstein never detected.
...Anyway, the entrance is hidden where only the family head and lady know.
They must have gone there.
I was certain.
After dealing with intruders, anticipating more, Leonier had taken Roselia there to hide.
I headed straight for the bookshelf by the fireplace.
Rihhella followed silently behind, watching the hall, while Seria slowly worked the mechanism.
Rumble!
The fireplace and bookshelf slid aside, revealing a massive entrance.
Just hold on a little longer.
I stepped in first.
Now to reach the panic room, confirm they're safe, and exterminate these insolent rats.