Chapter 541: Jealousy is My Power (41)
Chapter 541: Jealousy is My Power (41)
After a desperate attempt at persuasion involving every gesture and frantic movement the Sword Duke could muster, I finally managed to clear up the misunderstanding.
Only then did the beads of sweat on my forehead finally recede. Letting out a long, weary sigh, I whispered in a voice thick with feigned sincerity.
"……I knew I could trust you, Elder."
The Sword Duke bristled, his tiny fist trembling with the urge to strike, but he couldn't bring himself to hurl the insults he clearly wanted to.
He simply stood there, vibrating with silent rage.
Even for the world-renowned Sword Duke, having two of his grand-nieces watching was a heavy burden. How could he possibly confess that he had been turned into the body of such a small girl?
Perhaps it was because the two of us had been whispering for too long.
The atmosphere in the sickroom had turned decidedly subtle. In particular, the look on Cien’s face was beginning to set off my survival instincts.
Unlike her lips, which were curled into a faint, pleasant smile, her eyes were not laughing at all.
It was a look I had seen countless times before. One must never carelessly provoke a woman making that face.
Women like Seria, for instance.
Or the Saintess.
Nightmarish memories flashed through my mind. I cleared my throat with a dry cough, trying to regain my composure. I needed to divert the attention that had settled on the Sword Duke and me.
"Princess Iris, please forgive my rudeness for not greeting you sooner… I trust you have been well?"
As I moved to give a slight, respectful bow, it was Iris herself who stopped me.
The woman raised a hand with effortless grace to check my movement, and then a pointed joke slipped from her lips.
"I am glad to see you still remember your manners, Ian Percus."
"I am a noble of the Empire, after all."
"A true noble does not rebuff a beautiful lady so coldly."
She snapped her folding fan open, concealing the lower half of her face as she spoke.
Though I couldn't see her mouth, I could easily guess her expression.
She was undoubtedly wearing a chilling smile.
No matter how I looked at it, she wasn't my type. In the end, I could only offer an awkward smile in return.
"……Surely, you aren't still dwelling on what happened last time?"
"Hmph."
Princess Iris snorted and whipped her head away.
'What happened last time.'
It referred to the incident a few days ago when we encountered a vampire's servant while investigating a missing person. I had been looking into a disappearance involving someone named 'Adela' when a battle broke out. In the aftermath, Princess Iris had made me an offer.
She had offered me the 'honor' of joining her side.
Naturally, having zero interest in power struggles, I had rejected her flatly. Besides, the Dark Cult wasn't an enemy one could face while being shackled to the interests of a specific faction.
She had seemed quite shocked at the time.
It appeared the wound to her pride hadn't quite healed yet.
However, confessing that openly would be a blow to her dignity. In times like these, it was usually the confidant's job to step in and smooth things over.
The woman who had taken that role upon herself was someone I already knew.
Senior Sienne, who had sidled up next to me before I realized it, began poking me in the ribs with her elbow.
"It’s been a while, Sir Allen Halberut… but why aren't you asking how I’ve been?"
"Why don't you ask that 'Sir Allen Halberut' yourself?"
"Sob, how heartless… I almost felt a little hurt. Is this how you treat someone who’s about to be executed? Sir Leon Einheart."
"No, I mean… Sigh."
I eventually shook my head, giving up on the conversation.
As always, she had a talent for giving me a headache. The fact that she was showing such blatant familiarity toward me was the most uncomfortable part of all.
If this continued, I’d be stuck here for hours.
It was time for a decisive move to save as much time as possible.
"……So, what brings you all here?"
At my question, the attention of everyone in the room focused on me once more.
I took note of the looks from two people in particular. Senior Sienne was just blinking as if she didn't understand the question, while Princess Iris had eyes so calm and sunken they were impossible to read.
My golden eyes met the gaze of both women in turn.
"You didn't come all this way for nothing, did you?"
"Fufu, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding… Princess Iris is Princess Cien’s older sister……."
"I’m busy."
My tone was calm, but my voice carried a subtle trace of killing intent.
It certainly wasn't something a mere desk-bound noble could handle.
As proof, Senior Sienne, who had been acting cheerful the whole time, turned pale.
Though she couldn't hide her indignation.
A flickering fire rose in her pupils, where the boundary between the iris and the white was blurred.
"Y-You… how dare you threaten royalty and an Alphenhauser……!"
"Enough."
The sound of a folding fan snapping shut echoed through the room.
I immediately withdrew my killing intent and cleared my throat, feigning innocence as I looked away. The person who had stopped the confrontation looked at me with a gaze full of disdain.
It was Princess Iris.
"Our time is precious, so I’ll get straight to the point. Ian Percus, I will give you one more chance."
"What kind of chance?"
"A chance to join us."
That again.
I shifted my gaze slightly toward Cien. The girl, who had been glaring intensely at the Sword Duke standing beside her, suddenly snapped back to reality.
For the record, the Sword Duke was currently drenched in a cold sweat, looking like he wanted to die.
I suppose being treated like a 'bitch' by your own grand-niece isn't exactly a pleasant experience.
Cien gave a small, subtle shake of her head, pulling me out of those stray thoughts.
It meant there was no need to make a decision right now.
Unfortunately, Reto—my most trusted advisor—wasn't here. Therefore, following the lead of Cien, who was the next smartest person available, was the best course of action.
I replied in a nonchalant tone.
"Haven't I already answered this? I am merely the Empire's sword and shield. I have no interest in internal political struggles……."
"Even if it’s a chance to achieve the 'Imperial Long-Cherished Wish'?"
It was a counter-question that caught me off guard.
As I fell silent, Iris finally wore a satisfied smile, as if the proper hierarchy had finally been established.
"This isn't merely a matter of power or honor. It is an achievement that could serve as the very first stepping stone for our great Empire."
"……What exactly is this 'Imperial Long-Cherished Wish'?"
At my low question, Princess Iris let out a soft chuckle.
She clearly thought she had gained the upper hand in information.
Even though one of the girls standing right next to me was a literal elder of the Imperial Household.
"Do you wish to know? Then first, promise your cooperation."
"Couldn't I just ask Princess Cien?"
"No one knows the details. Not even His Majesty the Emperor… at least, not regarding this specific wish!"
Her voice was unexpectedly thick with raw emotion.
The way she bit her lip revealed a subtle obsession. No, to be honest, Iris’s desire for this 'Long-Cherished Wish' was so blatant it could only be described as genuine.
Look at the blue fire burning in her eyes.
Anyone would have reached the same conclusion I did.
Princess Iris began to speak, her voice uncharacteristically heated.
One step, then two.
Her pale face began to flush as she stepped forward in her excitement.
"Ian Percus, all you have to do is make Cien the Great Witch’s disciple… No, anyone will do! Of course, it won't be easy for you alone. But what if you joined hands with me?"
"Uh, well……."
"Actually, there is a secret hidden in the blood of the dragon! Did you know?! If you take my hand, I will make Cien the Great Witch’s disciple! You might not be able to do it alone, but the two of us together……!"
"……Your Highness."
It was then that I let out a pained groan and looked away.
Princess Iris tilted her head, looking bewildered. In the end, it was Cien, wearing a chilling smile once again, who pointed out the problem.
"Sister, you’re too close… people might get the wrong idea."
Iris’s stunned blue eyes looked at Cien, then shifted back to me.
It was exactly as she said.
In her fervor, Princess Iris had stepped so close that our breaths were practically mingling. She was even clutching both of my hands tightly in hers.
Realizing this a moment too late, a sharp shriek escaped the Princess’s lips.
"……Kyaak!"
She even stumbled backward.
I cleared my throat and tried to calm my racing heart. By all accounts, I was the victim here, yet she was looking at me with eyes full of resentment.
Still, Iris’s fluster didn't last long.
After a few coughs to compose herself, the Princess regained her haughty tone.
"A-Anyway! What I mean is, I’m being generous enough to give you a chance. There aren't many people this Iris has made an offer to twice. Consider it the honor of a lifetime."
Even if you say that.
When I remained lukewarm despite her repeated persuasion, Princess Iris couldn't hide her frustration, her pride clearly wounded.
"Surely you aren't going to refuse again? Think carefully, Ian Percus… Without my help, you cannot possibly make Cien the Great Witch’s disciple on your own……!"
"My disciple, you say?"
A single sentence.
At that low voice, the air in the sickroom froze instantly.
Dazed gazes began to turn toward the source. All those eyes focused on the ceiling of the room.
A girl was clinging to the marble above.
With a bored expression and her chin resting on her hand, deep shadows were cast around her eyes. And what of those green eyes, steeped in fatigue and solitude?
Even the sound of her long yawn was the epitome of lethargy.
It felt as if she alone sat in a world where gravity was inverted.
No, rather, it felt as if everyone else, including me, was standing upon the wrong set of laws.
That was the sheer weight the girl possessed.
And there were only a handful of people on the entire continent who could command such a presence.
Princess Iris, her face turning deathly pale, called out one of those names.
"The… The Great Witch……."
Snap.
The moment the Great Witch flicked her fingers.
The world inverted, and everyone standing on the ground went tumbling toward the ceiling. It was a bizarre sight—the furniture remained fixed in place while only the people fell.
Only one person was unfazed by this strange phenomenon.
The Empire's Sword Duke—the continent's strongest swordsman currently wearing the shell of a girl—simply caught Cien in his arms and landed soundlessly.
Everyone else was left screaming as they tumbled onto the ceiling.
Or should I call it the 'floor' now?
I was at least able to perform a breakfall at the last second. Before I knew it, I was holding Princess Iris and Senior Sienne, whom I had instinctively grabbed.
Both of them were pale with shock.
Despite performing such an incredible feat, the Great Witch still looked utterly indifferent.
"I was waiting because I thought we might go for a stroll… but kid, were you already picking out a disciple?"
The first to react to those words was Princess Iris.
"S-Selecting a disciple……?"
She was so shocked that her breathing was ragged. Her chest, rising and falling rapidly, caught my eye, but I forced my male instincts down and carefully set the Princess down.
"Kyaak! Lian Berylud, why only me……!"
Of course, I just unceremoniously dumped Senior Sienne on the floor.
A short cry of resentment reached my ears, but I ignored it completely and caught my breath.
It was the Great Witch who stepped in to explain in my stead.
"Daughter of the dragon, did you not know? This kid has agreed to look after me for a while."
"By 'agent,' do you mean……?"
"It means that for troublesome matters like selecting a disciple, you should consult this kid."
Having said her piece, the Great Witch slowly stood up.
There was no need for her to say anything more. A single glance was enough to convey her intent to me.
It was time to leave.
I expressed my agreement with a simple nod, and only then did the Great Witch begin to walk slowly with her hands behind her back.
Space inverted once more immediately after.
Unlike before, the people stayed where they were, but the ceiling and floor flipped back to their original positions. Only those who had been sprawled where the bed used to be let out short yelps as they were bumped by the furniture.
Princess Iris was still dazed. I decided to show her the courtesy due to a noble of the Empire.
"Well, since things have turned out this way… I’ll be taking my leave."
The moment I took my first step.
"……Wait!"
A trembling voice escaped the woman's lips.
I glanced back over my shoulder. There stood Princess Iris, unable to hide her indignation.
The moisture gathering in her tightly shut eyes was proof enough.
"I-I’ll tell you everything……."
Even at that declaration of surrender, I didn't respond for a long time.
After a period of silence.
I asked back in a tone of feigned ignorance.
"……Tell me what?"
"Everything!"
The Princess cried out, slamming her hand against the floor.
"I’ll tell you everything… the 'Imperial Long-Cherished Wish' or whatever! S-So please……!"
Help me.
The Princess spoke, and I replied with a faint smile.
"I’ll listen first, then decide."
The one who loses is always the one who is desperate.