Chapter 16
Chapter 16
A Mother’s Misdeeds Passed to Her Daughter?
The cost of living in the empire’s most expensive place, the capital Dunaise, justified such prices.
But that’s Dunaise for you.
With the city already facing overcrowding, the old districts expanding, walls being torn down, and new districts under construction, real estate prices had skyrocketed.
In contrast, in the countryside where there was nothing around, it was normal to pay just 10 shillings a month even for horse care.
Though the church provided a significant subsidy, she hadn’t expected the prices in an academy-affiliated village to be so steep.
‘This system is optimized to bleed the academy students dry. And the village’s name, Blackcow… Black Cow? Or maybe a fool?’
Bringing many servants would bankrupt even the wealthiest nobles.
But going without servants wasn’t an option.
Without them, students would need to go out and buy supplies themselves, which the academy forbade.
Without resident servants, keeping up with academic schedules would be nearly impossible.
‘No weapons, but otherwise this is a robbery… Actually, wait, Baron Carl Oxbach was attacked by magic just now. Yeah, definitely a robbery.’
Betelgeuse Bishop provided generous funds, so she thought it would be manageable, but the academy’s expenses were unexpectedly high.
“Don’t worry, Master. We won’t leave our sacred horse, Blackfeather, just wandering the stable. Plus, if there’s work to be done, I can take on some decent side jobs to cover my expenses and Blackfeather’s feed.”
“No, that’s not right. A master is responsible for their servant’s living expenses…”
“Even as a servant, most of the time is free except for buying things. And you know I like gathering information while I work. Oh, and about that…”
He turned serious.
“Be careful of Baroness Bylem. She probably bears ill will toward you.”
“Eh? Baroness Bylem?”
Idnia was taken aback by Blackfang’s warning.
Baroness Bylem was a professor in the original game, a character known for her mix of harshness and leniency.
In terms of character, she wasn’t far off from Gibbes, who had been a significant challenge for Idnia in the original.
Yet why would she be a threat to this version of Idnia?
“Did you know your mother, former saint Flora, and Baroness Bylem were classmates at the academy?”
“No, really? They look like they have quite an age difference.”
Despite her apology to the Baroness, Idnia’s mother Flora had been remarkably beautiful and youthful, far from looking the same age as Bylem.
The age gap was significant, not just an issue of appearance.
“Well, Dunaise Academy doesn’t have a fixed entry age. Baroness Bylem is actually older than your mother. Yet, it seems during their school years, she was tormented a lot by your mother. That’s likely why she harbors resentment.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I was investigating Isolde Polzen… and I came across it.”
Idnia blinked at the unexpected revelation.
“Ah, you were curious, so you looked into it. Isolde Polzen was always eager to show off that she knew the crown prince, right? She wanted everyone to know she was connected to him.”
‘Ah, so when she glanced at the crown prince during the entrance ceremony, it wasn’t a subconscious action—it was deliberately flaunting it?’
Idnia realized Isolde Polzen’s manner of speaking was far more “noble” than she had assumed.
Even Idnia, a high-ranking noble, only recognized this thanks to Blackfang’s remark. She had been isolated from the social scene and now realized she needed to reflect.
“Isolde Polzen’s mother, Countess Aura Polzen, was the emperor Franz Kalliester’s consort.”
“Consort?”
“Yes, a consort—the kind of lover a noble or royal might have. She married Count Polzen, became Countess Polzen, and had a daughter. But everyone believed the daughter, Isolde Polzen, was the emperor’s child.”
“…….”
Idnia froze at the heavy implication.
Yet, in this world, it wasn’t unusual for nobles to have lovers as consorts.
Affairs and resulting duels were common, and even though the emperor legally forbade them, duels still occurred throughout the city multiple times daily.
“Why did Baroness Bylem come up while you were investigating Isolde Polzen?”
“Baroness Bylem was also a consort’s daughter, like Isolde Polzen. Honestly, it seems your mother gave her a hard time back then, which explains the ill will.”
“…….”
Idnia was speechless.
‘If true, the original Idnia was truly formidable. She could intimidate even Baroness Bylem. And Bylem wouldn’t dare touch her daughter, either.’
In the original game, Idnia had leveraged her engagement to the crown prince and her title as Duchess Betelgeuse to manipulate criminal organizations, even using high-ranking demon lords.
Even the most skilled magic user couldn’t make a commoner like Baroness Bylem dare oppose her. This confirmed just how formidable the original Idnia had been.
‘So that’s why Baroness Bylem seemed to favor Isolde Polzen…’
Idnia had already been keeping a close eye on Bylem based on previous game information.
“Be cautious. If you need anything, write it down. I’ll buy it and bring it to you tomorrow morning.”
“I already bought everything I needed… I don’t have money to spend on extra things. Blackfang, though, keep observing other students’ servants carefully. Especially the southern ones—they’re more like agents than servants. Make sure they don’t notice you…”
“Hah. Who do you think I am? They’ll never catch me.”
Blackfang was confident.
The targets were elite agents from the Mazdari Principality. Yet this young boy’s confidence wasn’t unfounded—Idnia knew it well.
“Let’s wait. If we act first, it could be troublesome. Also…”
Idnia gave him further instructions, then her thoughts turned to Astraea’s Marie.
She wondered how Marie managed without a servant, especially with student outings prohibited at the start of the term.
“No servant?”
Gibbes, the guard, squinted his eyes.
“Yes. Astraea Bishop provided the funds, so I have money. I inherited used textbooks and a magic wand from the church. But I need a cloak for the cold nights and a few other essentials.”
“Ah, I see. Don’t worry. When I have time, I’ll buy what you need. But the principal forbids students from receiving external food, so I can’t bring you food. No sugar or seasonings either.”
Gibbes chuckled at Marie, who was distressed over having no servant.
“But, perhaps as a substitute… could you write a receipt for me?”
“Eh? For what?”
“Just the date and that you, Astraea’s Marie, received great assistance from me. That’s all.”
“…….”
Marie froze at his request.
“Uh… Are you planning to use it for a curse or something?”
Some magic, like oath or contract magic, required proof of indebtedness.
She thought Gibbes might be some kind of demon—his appearance and his demand were strangely like something out of a dark fairy tale.
Marie, raised in the monastery, was shocked at the request.
“No, it’s not for any curse. I just need it for my duties as a guard.”
Of course, Gibbes simply enjoyed exercising his position in a twisted way.
He scrutinized Marie carefully.
‘Hmm… plain-looking, but has potential to be a beauty.’
Like heroines in most romance games, Marie had an unassuming exterior but concealed charm.
Plain at first glance, yet capable of revealing beauty when needed.
‘A student with this appearance has a bright future. If she becomes a saint candidate and later a saint, she could marry someone high-ranking. Nobles in the empire can’t stand being overshadowed by someone of lower rank. And leaving a receipt behind… heh heh.’
Marie didn’t fully realize the depth of Gibbes’ perversity, but she sensed he was driven by base greed.
Seeing other female students entrust laundry to their servants, Marie shivered at the thought of giving hers to Gibbes.
Normally, she had scorned nobles who relied on servants for trivial matters, but today she felt envious.
Then…
“Ah. Marie, are you alright? May I speak with you for a moment?”
“Ah, Betelgeuse… I mean, Idnia?”
“You came alone with all your belongings at the entrance ceremony, right? You must need many things for starting school…”
“Yes, I’m fine. I have my wand, and once I get permission to go out, I’ll buy the rest then.”
Marie didn’t tell Gibbes that she had intended to ask him for help.
“This is my roommate, Astraea’s Marie.”
“Ah, Astraea? The saint candidate recommended by the bishop who once bested Betelgeuse in their school days? So she’s your rival?”
“Just speculation, don’t take it as fact. Out of respect for the bishop.”
“That much isn’t speculation. If she survived being beaten like that, she must still harbor some grudge…”
Blackfang began recounting anecdotes of the bishop’s and Astraea’s youth.
Idnia stopped him and focused her gaze on Marie.
“Well then, Marie. This is Blackfang of the Holy Horse Tribe’s O Clan, who is assisting me.”
“P-pleased to meet you. You’re of the Holy Horse Tribe?”
“So, Blackfang… Marie seems to have come alone. If it’s okay, you can list what you need on a note, and I’ll buy it for you and collect receipts.”
“Is that alright? Isn’t it too much trouble?”
“Nah, it’s the same either way. Besides, with Blackfeather, it’s not too hard to carry things. And I’m strong.”
Blackfang flexed his arms in a double-bicep pose.
Though he was young, even slightly muscular arms seemed immense to Marie.
He didn’t glare at her or demand any favor like Gibbes.
“Then, I’ll rely on you.”
Marie exhaled in relief.
Gibbes snorted in response.