Chapter 494: Silent Night, Holy Night (6)
Chapter 494: Silent Night, Holy Night (6)
Neris Findleston, an agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency and the head of its Academy branch.
She was a woman fortunate enough to have been adopted into one of the Empire's Five Great Noble Families. However, as the weight of duty is usually proportional to the extent of one's rights, Neris’s life had been a continuous cycle of hardships and trials.
For instance, there was the training she had endured since childhood.
Days when she could sleep even four hours were rare. Despite being at an age where she needed plenty of rest, Neris had to spend her entire day studying foreign languages or tempering her body.
Her physical growth, at least, had proceeded properly.
This was thanks to a secret potion held by the Findleston family. It was a concoction with remarkable efficacy, forcibly relieving physical fatigue and accelerating a child’s growth.
Its only flaw was the excruciating pain it entailed.
Marquis Findleston was uniquely opposed to pain tolerance training. However, since he couldn't forgo administering the drugs, Neris grew increasingly terrified of both the medication and the pain.
And fear often brings worship in its wake.
The reason Neris harbored an unusual obsession with torture and poison likely stemmed from those childhood scars. Within such an environment, she learned the "Immovable Mind."
A heart that remains unshaken by anything.
Though it had once been ruthlessly shattered by Ian, Neris still took pride in being a member of the Imperial Intelligence Agency. She had once vowed that she would never lose her composure over ordinary matters again.
But today, Neris’s resolve faced yet another crisis.
“It is true that the Alphenhauser twins have been showing suspicious movements lately. For the most part, they are contacting influential figures in the Empire, particularly the leadership of the Academy…”
Whew, haaa.
The sound of deep inhalations and exhalations tickled Neris’s ears.
Ignore it. I must ignore it.
Neris squeezed her eyes shut, repeating the mantra she had recited to herself countless times.
“…The frequency of their contact with the leadership has also increased significantly. However, this trend doesn't seem to be limited to the Alphenhauser twins.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the Academy itself has become restless. Abnormalities are being detected in the movements of most influential figures within the Academy, not just the Alphenhauser twins.”
“Hmm,” the man grunted, closing his eyes as he processed Neris’s report.
A faint look of contemplation crossed his face. He seemed to possess some information of his own, but Neris did not dare show curiosity.
It was a survival tactic she had learned from the man himself.
‘The Imperial Crow must be blind to what it sees.’
Neris had etched that directive deep into her heart.
“However, it appears that only a very small number of individuals possess actual information. Most of the figures seem unable to hide their confusion…”
Sniff, sniff.
The sound was far too blatant. Finally, her composure snapped, and a vein pulsed on Neris’s forehead.
Ian, in turn, could only offer a troubled expression.
After all, the source of the irritating noise was closely tied to him.
Seria Yurdina.
She was famous for the nickname "Yurdina's Rude Brat," but as her reputation grew, she began to be called by the more elegant title of "Ice Princess." Neris had always thought both names suited the cold, aloof girl well.
Looking at her now, she realized she was wrong.
Seria was clinging to Ian with the languid expression of a cat. Hugging the man’s arm and rubbing her cheek against it, the girl looked profoundly happy.
Moreover, she would occasionally lean in to sniff Ian’s scent.
It was a sight so embarrassing it was hard to watch with both eyes open.
This was also why a rare complaint escaped Neris’s lips.
“Um, Lord Ian? Forgive me for saying this, but having an outsider present while I deliver a report as a member of the Imperial Intelligence Agency is…”
“It’s fine.”
The answer came not from Ian, but from the girl.
Without even sparing Neris a glance, Seria continued to nuzzle her cheek against Ian’s arm.
“Why am I an outsider? Senior Ian is right here.”
It was utter nonsense.
Regardless of where Ian was, the fact remained that Seria was not part of the Imperial Intelligence Agency. Naturally, she lacked any justification for being present.
The reason Neris couldn't push the issue, however, was Seria’s track record.
Outside the office, numerous subordinates lay facedown, groaning in pain. They had all charged at her, yet they couldn't handle this one monstrous girl.
Her skills had improved significantly since the last time Neris had seen her.
To the point where even Neris couldn't guarantee a victory.
It was then that Ian asked a question, his voice laced with a sigh.
“…How did you find me?”
“I caught Senior Ian’s scent.”
Seria’s tone was perfectly calm, as if she were stating the most obvious fact in the world.
“I was in the middle of looking for you when some strange people tried to block my way.”
You’re the strange one.
Neris barely suppressed the retort rising in her throat. For now, her opponent was one of the powerhouses of the Yurdina family.
There was no need to provoke conflict unnecessarily.
“So, I just swept them all aside. Ehehe…”
At Seria’s cute giggle, Neris had to struggle to soothe her burning heart.
I must endure. I must endure.
While she was chanting that to herself, Ian’s bewildered reaction followed.
“Seria… how are you going to handle the aftermath?”
Right then.
“That bitch will take care of it.”
For a moment, it felt as if the surrounding temperature had dropped several degrees. Even Neris was startled enough to look at Seria again.
A cold arc had formed on the girl’s lips. Her smile was so frigid that her blue eyes looked like midwinter frost.
It was killing intent.
A killing intent so intense it made the hair on one's arms stand up.
Neris instinctively counted the number of daggers hidden in her clothes. However, the girl’s emotions were not directed at Neris.
“I even went out of my way to get permission… that I could use any means necessary to claim Senior Ian for myself.”
The way her eyes curved into a smile was strangely bewitching.
Soon, the girl’s blue eyes slowly shifted. Moving away from the world where only she and the man existed, she turned to greet the uninvited guest who was interrupting their long-awaited reunion.
“So, Senior Ian… who is this woman?”
“For now, she’s my superior. And today’s business is a secret, so don’t go telling anyone.”
“……Aha.”
Seria let out an artificial exclamation and slowly scanned Neris from head to toe.
For some reason, Neris felt a strange sense of displeasure, and the corners of her mouth twitched. It was becoming difficult to even maintain a fake smile.
“Now that I think about it, I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”
Of course she had.
Neris had accompanied Ian to the North. At first, she had hidden her identity, but later, she had no choice but to reveal herself as she joined the battle.
There was no way Seria didn't know this.
By now, the girl’s face had frozen hard. The light had long since vanished from the eyes staring at Neris.
“I should be careful.”
It was a warning, though it was unclear who it was directed at.
Whether she was talking to herself or throwing the words at Neris.
Either way, Neris felt her anger rising.
This was the person who had made a mess of her precious workplace and her subordinates. How could she act so brazenly?
This was why Neris truly hated nobles.
She couldn't hold back the words that slipped out.
“……I agree.”
Two frozen gazes met in midair.
Neris, wearing a forced smile, parried the girl’s icy stare.
“You should be careful, in many ways.”
A silence heavy with tension stretched on.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
Immediately after, the sharp sound of the girl drawing her sword rang out. Neris responded instantly, daggers appearing in both her hands.
It was a challenge she, as the Academy branch manager, was duty-bound to accept.
Yes, if only the man sitting there hadn't been present.
“Stop it, seriously…”
After a plea mixed with a sigh, Ian was eventually forced to draw his hand axe.
It had been a long time.
Only after Ian’s "affectionate guidance" did Seria finally manage to regain her reason.
As for Neris, she had collapsed, trembling, the moment she saw the hand axe.
This was the new daily life that had found me.
Seria’s company continued the next day.
As if to make up for the time we had spent apart, Seria showed a strong obsession with me. It was to the point where she waited for me outside my dormitory door, staying up all night.
For me, it was a rather awkward situation.
Seria’s dependence had always been strong, but never quite to this extent.
I could guess two possible reasons.
The first was Seria’s confession to me.
Since she had already bared her heart long ago, Seria no longer felt the need to restrain herself. Perhaps that was why she was showing such blatant obsession.
And the other was the presence of Senior Delphine.
I had no idea what had happened between the sisters. However, judging by Seria’s testimony, it was clear that the relationship between the two had not improved.
Perhaps that memory was driving Seria to lose control even more.
On the other hand, I felt somewhat relieved.
There was only one night left until the "Holy Night Festival." I had been worried that I might have to dance with Reto again like last year, but since Seria had returned, I no longer had to worry about finding a partner.
Surely Seria wouldn't dump me too.
It was while I was indulging in such complacent thoughts.
“Ah, Sir Ian!”
From far away, a girl was hopping up and down, making her presence known.