Revenge Heroine and the Poisoned Chalice, An Irreversible Point of No Return... (1)
The call from Adventurer Guild Master Terry came just after noon.
Emilia, who had been idly passing the time in rest and recovery after completing the major dragon-slaying commission, felt a twinge of curiosity at the unexpected contact but headed straight to the guild.
If he was reaching out personally, it could only mean one of two things: an urgent commission that only a Platinum-rank adventurer like her could handle, or—though it seemed a bit early—news about the personal request she'd entrusted to him.
The door to the guild's inner lounge creaked open as usual, revealing the familiar rest area reserved for Platinum-rank adventurers.
Terry sat in his usual spot, flipping through a stack of papers with an unusually solemn and quiet demeanor.
"...Terry?"
"Yeah, Emilia. You came. ...Come on over here."
His voice was remarkably calm and gentle. The incongruity of his attitude was striking, but she'd seen him shift into this mode countless times before, adapting flawlessly to the occasion. And whenever something extremely important was at stake, he'd address her and the other adventurers in just this tone and manner.
Everyone in the guild knew the unspoken rule: take him seriously, no jokes or banter.
Maybe it was that gravity, but he looked somehow gaunter today. Though she often teased or acted cocky around her easygoing acquaintance, Emilia read the mood now, treating him with the respect due her boss and guild master as she stepped inside with a solemn air.
She sat on the sofa opposite as he gestured, and Terry cut straight to the chase.
"Emilia, results are in on that commission of yours."
"...Already?"
"I had a hunch from the start. Want to see the docs, or should I just sum it up?"
"...Hand 'em over. I'll read it myself."
She took the bundle from his hand and speed-read through the densely packed text, flipping pages rapidly.
The report detailed all sorts of rumors about a certain noble house, suspicious incidents spanning years, and more.
——The Melrn Count family. And its current head, Count Devro Melrn.
He'd become head of the house upon his parents' deaths over a decade ago, had never married, and had no children—a count famous for many reasons.
Seeing that name, Emilia could hardly believe her eyes.
No way... Count Melrn...?
She'd never met him in person. Or maybe she had, as a child. The reason? She'd heard that name from her father countless times.
He'd called him a friend, a fine man, mentioning him to his young daughter on several occasions.
Emilia's father, Edgar Edenberts, was an outstanding warrior but lacked talent in politics or estate management. She still vividly remembered how, during her childhood famines or when ominous rumors spread, even she could sense her father's deep worry.
Whenever he struggled, the count had helped multiple times, her father had said. Thanks to him, the Edenberts territory ran smoothly. He'd praised the man effusively at dinner tables.
After Emilia barely escaped their mansion, he'd even posted wanted posters across towns, vowing to protect the hero. Fearing enemies everywhere and not wanting to endanger her protectors, she'd resisted the temptation and kept her identity hidden. But perhaps even that had been a trap.
No—this report confirmed it.
"No way...."
Flip... Flip...
With every page, her shock deepened.
The Count Melrn she knew was one of the empire's finest, kindest nobles and lords. Sure, when he took over, his siblings died or vanished one by one, sparking odd rumors—but his character and ability crushed them, earning universal support.
He listened to his people, donated heavily to orphanages and the needy, and as a skilled alchemist and magic tool craftsman, produced convenient devices or imported them cheaply for the realm.
In a water-scarce land, easy access to drinking water and simple showers in inns were all thanks to his magic tools.
A lord respected and backed by so many...
"Human trafficking... Slave auctions... Human experimentation...."
The report's contents weren't ironclad proof individually. But connecting the dots formed lines, and those lines sketched unmistakable pictures of multiple crimes.
Flip... Flip...
Each page was so terrifying it made her dread the depths of human malice, an endless parade of horrors.
Finally, Emilia gave up reading, crumpling the papers as she set them down.
Terry, with an impassive face betraying no thoughts, continued his explanation.
"The last page has... well, an infiltration account—saw it with their own eyes. Couldn't go deep due to danger, but it backs up most of these guesses. Wanna see?"
"...No. I'd puke if I read more."
"Right. And there's this too."
Terry picked up another paper from beside him. This one was about a different noble—a marquis—with a special connection to the Melrn house, apparently.
■ years ago, he'd invited Count Melrn to his beloved daughter's wedding but was refused for personal reasons. Something very important. Truly critical.
The marquis had been furious, and their rift persisted to this day....
"That date matches the 'that day' you mentioned. ...This seals it, right?"
Unlike the thick report, this was a short, concise note. Emilia confirmed it with her own eyes, then crumpled it too.
Her deep navy eyes burned with quiet killing intent.
Rrrrr... Vrrrrmmm...
Her bound hair floated lightly, her clothes billowing. Mana overflowed in response to her rage, carrying her murderous aura.
Visible mana ripples stung the skin with terrifying pressure and killing intent.
Terry raised both hands to calm her, but it was futile.
——This man.
——This man... killed Father!
——This man, Father and Mother...!
The archenemy who crumpled her life, dragged her family to ruin. The devil who deceived her revered father with a kind, pure facade, then stabbed him in the back. The bastard who raped her beloved mother before Father's corpse, laughing in that vividly horrific way...!!
"G-Gahhh?!"
Crackle, crackle—the air ignited. The room seemed to shake as Terry yelped in shock.
Indeed, dense mana flames visibly blazed around her, scorching the air.
Whoosh—a storm of mana whipped papers into the air, toppling chairs.
This freak phenomenon arose purely from her overflowing mana echoing her fury.
But inside her burned an even denser, invisible inferno of hatred.
A hellfire blackening her mind, heart, and soul.
The torrent of boiling hatred and rage choked her like black tar in her throat.
It swelled so vast her heart might shatter, her head boil over in rage—!
I'll kill him. Kill him. KILL HIM!!!
No forgiveness. I'll capture and slaughter him. Tear him apart. Never let him escape. No mercy. NEVER!!!
The root of all evil! Demon spawn! I'll kill him! Drag him to hell!
Let him burn eternally in hellfire, writhing and screaming in agony forever!
I will... I WILL...!!!
"...Feeling a bit calmer now?"
"...Yeah... Sorry."
A short while later, the visible mana flames subsided, her beautiful blue eyes regaining their usual composure. Terry crept back from his corner retreat.
The rage wasn't gone. But the tightly contained hatred would now fuel her actions.
As a Platinum-rank adventurer and skilled warrior, she knew better than to let emotions sway her.
"...Alright. So, what's the plan?"
"Fight him. I'll head there tonight."
"Straight-up confrontation?"
Emilia shook her head. No chance. She was one person; he was a territory lord. Given his dealings, he'd have plenty of private soldiers.
"Tonight, I'll sneak in alone."
The Melrn Count's territory was right next door. She'd arrive by nightfall easily. What came after... she didn't know yet.
Whether to execute him in rage or demand the truth—it was something to decide once she acted.