Chapter 261: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (54)
Chapter 261: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (54)
“That is fate.”
The middle-aged man spoke with absolute certainty.
At that mechanical voice, the girl’s head slumped forward.
The way she pressed down on her pointed hat was pitiful to behold. A flicker of discontent sparked like a flame in her blue eyes.
“Fate is something that cannot be defied… I, too, once traveled across the Continent in search of freedom. Those were the years I lived because I loathed my family.”
“……I’ve already heard this.”
Her voice was sullen, but the middle-aged man showed no intention of scolding her.
He had watched over the girl since her childhood, after all. He was well-acquainted with her lack of manners.
He was, after all, her uncle.
His name was Reynold Lainella.
He was the uncle of Elsie Lainella, who sat across from him, and one of the Archmages that the Lainella family took great pride in.
“Then you should have realized it by now.”
Reynold’s voice remained flat. He was a man who never raised his voice to reprimand anyone. Instead, he would simply press his point with that level, chilling tone.
That was precisely why Elsie was particularly afraid of Reynold.
Not only was he a powerful mage who had reached the rank of Archmage, but he was also one of the few family members who never tired of lecturing her, regardless of the constant incidents she caused.
Elsie had more than enough reasons to avoid him.
No matter how much she feigned strength, she couldn't hide her true nature. Elsie feared and disliked those stronger than her. She was terrified that they might suddenly turn on her, abusing and tormenting her.
In truth, her inherent violence always originated from such fear. Because the violence she experienced in her childhood was so terrifying, she had chosen to become the source of fear herself.
Of course, such behavior didn't work on Reynold at all.
He had no reason to fear Elsie, nor was he kind to her like Ian was.
That was why Elsie hated Reynold.
‘Crazy old bastard,’ Elsie muttered a curse under her breath, biting her lip.
Of course, she didn't have the courage to say it out loud, so she kept it to herself.
“There is no reason for the family to bend its will. Did I not come to the Percus Territory specifically to bring you back? And yet, you lead the Magic Corps—a precious military asset—to defend someone else’s land?”
“B-But……!”
Seeing Elsie’s refusal to accept this, Reynold let out a rare, deep sigh.
“……Elsie.”
At that look of utter disappointment, Elsie’s spirit finally broke. Her head slumped forward again.
“You are a Lainella, not a Percus.”
It was a title she had once felt so proud of. ‘Lainella’ was practically Elsie’s entire identity. She was the one who had survived the dogfighting arena, becoming the finest fighting dog and wielding the family name like a treasured blade.
It made no sense to say Elsie didn't love the name Lainella.
But in truth, Elsie knew deep down. She didn't love ‘Lainella’ itself. She simply wanted to borrow the power that the name held. It was because she was afraid that someone might torment her.
Because she was such a weak coward, Elsie had always relied on something else. One day it was her family, and another day it was Ian.
So, where should Elsie choose to stand now?
In her heart, she wanted to choose Ian, whom she adored. She didn't care about the family’s circumstances. Elsie wanted to be of help to Ian even if she had to be stubborn, and she was willing to mobilize the family’s power to any extent if it meant she could do so.
However, the wall of reality was high and thick.
“Elsie, keep this in mind… Lainella's fate is decided by Lainella.”
‘Lainella's fate is decided by Lainella.’
She had heard those words so often they were practically engraved in her ears. If those words had a physical form, Elsie would have torn them to shreds long ago. That was how sick she was of the Lainella family motto.
“If you are a Lainella, you must follow the family’s decision.”
In other words, he was telling her to support the choice to abandon the Percus Territory. The very territory that Ian cherished and loved so much.
Elsie’s head snapped up in a surge of emotion. Her burning gaze spoke volumes of her feelings.
But in the next moment, Elsie met Reynold’s eyes.
They were cold, frigid eyes. In those pupils, which didn't show even a hint of a tremor, a firm resolve was evident.
They were the eyes of the strong.
Elsie eventually lowered her head and replied in a tiny, crawling voice.
“……Yes.”
Of course, her tone was still thick with dissatisfaction. Reynold was not a man who would fail to notice her feelings.
He stared at Elsie blankly for a while, then averted his gaze and murmured.
“……Still, Young Master Ian seemed like a decent match for you.”
“Yes, I underst—Wait, what?!”
Light returned to the eyes of Elsie, who had been nodding dejectedly. She had been half-dazed, expecting another tedious lecture to follow. But when such unexpected good news reached her ears, she couldn't help but be startled.
For the fastidious Reynold to acknowledge someone was a miracle. Elsie felt a renewed surge of affection and respect for her Master.
Reynold couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Elsie’s dramatic reaction. Elsie had already stood up, leaning her hands on the table.
Reynold was a man who rarely expressed emotion, but it seemed he couldn't overcome the bond of blood. The look in his eyes as he watched Elsie carried a sense of endearment.
“Why are you so surprised? Young Master Ian’s swordsmanship was quite remarkable.”
As he spoke, Reynold shifted his gaze to the spoils of war piled in a corner of the room. There lay a suit of armor that had been sliced in half. It was the armor worn by the test subject that Ian had destroyed with the Golden Silk Sword.
“To cut through steel armor so cleanly…….”
It was an exclamation mixed with both awe and a sigh.
At that, Elsie hesitated and cast her eyes down. She was happy that her Master was being recognized, but she felt a bit like she was lying. The one who had sliced that armor into pieces was ‘him’ from the future.
Regardless, Reynold simply shook his head and continued.
“His skill is sufficient, and it’s too late to find another suitable marriage prospect anyway. I shall speak to my brother about this.”
“……An e-engagement?!”
“Yes.”
Elsie let out a silent cheer of triumph. Several women flashed through her mind.
That slutty-titted bitch—she’ll probably wail in despair when she hears this, won’t she? Serves her right.
And I’ll have to see what that Delphine girl has to say. I bet she never imagined an engagement would be formed while she was away. ‘Master’ my ass…….
As various people passed through her mind, one person eventually stopped there.
Ian Percus.
In truth, his will was the most important. It was inevitable that Elsie’s next question followed.
“T-Then, did Mas—I mean, did Lord Ian agree to it too?”
At that, Reynold fell silent for a moment. He let out a thoughtful hum, appearing to contemplate, before uttering a single sentence.
“……In an engagement between families, the wishes of the individuals involved are not important.”
The man’s solemn voice always carried only the truth. And it was true. If Count Lainella proposed an engagement, Viscount Percus would have no choice but to accept. It was a union with nothing but benefits, whether viewed through the lens of practicality or prestige. If Viscount Percus was a nobleman, the probability of him refusing was infinitesimally low.
However, Elsie felt those words were somehow heavy.
‘Lainella's fate is decided by Lainella.’
It felt as though she was binding Ian’s life to her own wretched fate.
The little fighting dog, who had been so excited, soon lowered her ears.
*
The dawn wind was fierce and cold.
No matter how early it was, the climate was incomprehensible. It was summer; the air should have been hot and humid enough to take one's breath away.
Yet, an untimely cold wave was sweeping over the Percus Territory.
Regarding this, Yuren offered the following explanation.
“It’s the climate of the Demon Realm.”
Yuren’s voice was incredibly blunt. It was because I had forced him to stay behind at the mansion during the last battle.
To be honest, I wasn't comfortable leaving Sir Irene alone. That was why I had asked Yuren, who was experienced in escort duties, to look after Ria as well.
Of course, there was no way Yuren, a battle maniac, would have been happy about it. That was why he had been acting so cold toward me lately.
“They say that in the Demon Realm ruled by Delphirem, an eternal winter continues. That’s why a blizzard blows every time a subordinate of the Evil God descends.”
Despite his grumbling, he was a kind friend who kindly explained what he knew. I thought for a moment, feeling like I should give some kind of response.
The words that finally left my mouth after much deliberation were very simple.
“……We’ll have to hurry, then.”
It was just as I said. The Percus Territory was submerged in a gloomy atmosphere, like a city facing imminent destruction. Everyone was busily packing their belongings, but it was uncertain how many of them would actually be able to leave this place.
There were even some who insisted on staying here to die. It was a sight that felt foreign, even though it was the home where I was born and raised.
I let out a hollow laugh and took a drink. I was a man who had nothing to prepare. Even if I tilted a bottle of liquor like an idler from early morning, no one would bother me.
Wait, actually, there was one person.
“Master!”
It was the energetic voice of a boy. Shifting my gaze slightly, the person I expected was approaching me. It was a kid whose frame still had a lot of growing to do.
He used to serve me until recently, and he was a child I had often taught swordsmanship to during that time. I let out a sigh and called the boy’s name.
“……Ned, you should be packing your things too!”
“Aw, it’s fine. I only need to look after my younger sister anyway.”
Of course, I wasn't about to let it slide at that. I scolded Ned again.
“Even so, there are all sorts of things to pack……”
“Ah, I get it! Then I’ll just deliver the Head of the Family’s message and go right away.”
I looked at Ned with a suspicious gaze. There had been more than a few times when he had slacked off like that to chat with me. So, I spoke in a deliberately solemn voice.
“You know, don’t you? A great knight……”
“Does not lie! I know, I know. More importantly, the message I have to deliver is… Oh.”
Ned’s words trailed off. He was staring somewhere with wide eyes.
Feeling like I knew why, I slowly stood up and looked at the person approaching.
Black hair and golden eyes. There were a few people in the Percus Mansion who possessed such colors, but the person before me was the highest among them.
I silently bowed my head.
“You’ve come, Father.”
“Ian……”
Seeing me slightly avert my gaze, Father let out a deep sigh.
“……Let’s talk.”
I still had homework left to finish.
This was one day before the descent of the Demon God’s subordinate.