The Fading Star and the Shining Moon
"...It's about time to get ready to leave, Young Master."
"...Yeah."
The weekend arrived, bringing the scheduled visit to the duke's mansion. Even if it hadn't been on the calendar, there was plenty of business for me to handle as the acting head of the family, so I had to go regardless.
"Then, before we head to the duke's mansion, allow me to give you the overdue reports."
"...Got it."
As I stood to get dressed, Kania pulled out her notebook and began reporting recent events in her stiff tone.
"First, regarding the 'arena kidnapping' incident... As per your instructions, Young Master, we've successfully downplayed it."
The arena kidnapping from a few days ago had been quietly swept under the rug under Kania's direction. She had full authority delegated to her the moment I arrived in the capital and took over as acting head of House Starlight. "Swept under the rug" was probably more accurate than "resolved."
"To cover it up, we slipped some bribes to the investigation team leader and Dean Lionel. The Magic Tower won't want any association with this sort of thing from the start, so you needn't worry about them."
"...Yeah, figures. The Magic Tower would've been desperate to bury it themselves. But the investigation leader took a bribe?"
"Yes. He even provided guidelines on how much we needed to pay to cover how much."
"The empire's gone mad."
Frowning, I added the investigation leader to my future blacklist, then asked cautiously,
"The rumors spread okay?"
"Yes. The rumor that you're behind the incident is now practically accepted fact at the academy. They just keep quiet about it in front of you."
"...Good, that's a relief. What about Ariane?"
"She was released yesterday and has returned to the academy. Of course, we subtly let slip that it was you who manipulated the guards with black magic to swap the scrolls."
"Well done, Kania."
Vowing to avoid Ariane as much as possible from now on, I turned back to Kania, who maintained her rigid tone, and asked my next question.
"Finally... Irina?"
"Yes, Miss Irina is waiting outside the room."
"...Sigh, got it. Send her in."
Tensing up as I spoke, I watched Kania nod quietly and leave the room. Seconds later, Irina entered silently.
"So... why're you here?"
Staring at her, I adopted my usual arrogant tone. Irina trembled, then flattened herself on the floor and spoke.
"From now on... I will absolutely obey you, Lord Frey..."
"...Absolutely obey?"
Intrigued, I eyed her. Irina crawled right up to me, slammed her forehead against the floor, and began.
"Please... I'll absolutely obey, so spare my life... I beg you..."
"What if I say no?"
Grinning, I watched her continue kowtowing. She glanced up cautiously.
"...I'll do anything you command. So please, just spare my life..."
"You just said anything, right?"
Grabbing her arm, I yanked her onto the bed.
"Hngh, h-haa...!"
"...Then, before we head out, care to entertain me for a bit?"
Straddling her, I whispered in her ear. She bit her lip, then nodded quietly.
"P-please... be gentle..."
".........."
Watching her coldly, I sighed, got off the bed, and said,
"Ugh, what the hell... You should've resisted here... You totally killed the mood."
"S-sorry..."
"Forget it. Clean the room spotless and do my laundry before I get back."
"........"
Ignoring her as she sat up and glared, I undressed and muttered inwardly.
...Damn it, she's definitely suspicious of me.
Irina suspected me. A few days ago, when we crossed paths, I'd used Mind Reading, and one of her emotions toward me was "suspicion." I didn't know what exactly, but something about me rubbed her the wrong way. So I'd gone pretty aggressive today, and sure enough, she provoked me by asking to be treated gently. Now, staring at my bare body, she was probably checking for scars.
Too bad for her—I'd already prepared for that.
"Including these, wash all the clothes in the room."
"Huh...?"
"What? Didn't you hear me?"
"N-no... yes, sir..."
Staring intently at my naked form, Irina blushed at my sharp rebuke, averted her eyes, and took the clothes.
...Kania never disappoints. Even with mana exhaustion, fooling Irina like this.
My body was disguised flawlessly with Kania's black magic. One snap of her fingers, and I'd revert to my mangled state. Black magic couldn't heal wounds well, but it was perfect for illusions like this.
"Then... have a safe trip."
"Save the fake concern."
"..........."
Successfully fooling Irina, I tossed the rest of my clothes in her face and left the room.
50pt (Close call)
"...Haa."
The low points confirmed it—this wouldn't fully dispel Irina's suspicions. I'd need a plan for that.
"...How did it go, Young Master?"
As I walked the hall lost in thought, Kania sidled up cautiously and asked.
"...No issues. Just had her do some chores."
"I see..."
I brushed it off casually. Kania nodded, then fixed me with a sharp gaze.
"...But what was that scream from your room just now?"
"Oh, that? I was... running a quick experiment."
I trailed off vaguely. Kania eyed me suspiciously.
"...Frey."
Avoiding her stare, I heard a familiar voice from down the hall.
"Isolet?"
Isolet approached with a terrifying expression.
"What brings you here...?"
"Straight to the point."
I tried my usual smug tone, but she cut me off sharply, stopping right in front of me.
"What's the truth behind the rampant rumor at the academy?"
She radiated killing intent I'd never seen from her before.
"I have no idea what you're—"
"Last warning, Frey. Speak the truth."
Sensing the moment had arrived, I dropped the act and smirked vilely.
"Well, evidence is gone, case buried... No point hiding it. Yeah, it was all me."
"...What?"
"Just like the rumors you heard, Professor. I was behind the kidnapping."
Isolet bowed her head, trembling.
"Why...? How could you... why do something like that...?"
"You already know—why keep asking?"
Desperate for her to finally stop worrying about me, I drove the wedge home.
"Kidnapped 'em under the guise of an accident to add to my sex slave collection. Pinned the crime on that lowly bitch who kept getting in my way—her friend."
Isolet froze like stone. I added indifferently,
"But one of my slaves helped the bitch escape and exposed my secret hideout. So now I've gotta train her a different way..."
- Thwack!!
"Gahk!!!"
Before I finished, Isolet's back kick slammed my gut. Agony exploded as I crumpled.
Glared at coldly, she pinned me down and rained fists.
"Hngh, wait! What the hell—"
"Cruel... disgusting... monstrous bastard..."
"Urgh..."
"To think I once liked you... it's shameful..."
After the beating, flailing my arms, I yelled,
"Hit me more, and as acting head of House Starlight, I'll formally complain to House Bywalk!! Stop!!"
"...Acting head?"
Pausing, she looked down incredulously.
"You mean the position you stole from your father, who collapsed from rage over your vile deeds?"
Grinning shamelessly, I shouted,
"That's right!! I'm the acting head of House Starlight!! Any more violence and— grk!"
"...Understood. No more violence, Acting Head."
With a final full-force punch, Isolet sneered contemptuously.
"Enjoy your weekend."
She stormed off.
"...Ha, haha. Hahaha."
Using Mind Reading as she left, I saw worry and pity gone from her status—relief mixed with despair that only Kania worried for me now. I laughed complexly.
700pt (Really fortunate)
"Ahaha, haha... ha.."
"Young Master..."
Kania, who'd averted her eyes, approached cautiously without dismissing the system window, took my hand, and whispered,
"Are you alright? Your wounds haven't fully..."
"Ahaha... Who cares... Isolet just saved my life."
"...!"
She looked pitying, reaching out, but
"Get lost! I don't need your help!"
"....?"
Slapping her hand away, I yelled. She stared, confused. Frowning at her, I glanced behind.
"...Ah."
Perloché approached holding a maid outfit.
Understanding my signal instantly, Kania walked past naturally to the other end of the hall.
"...As promised, I've come to serve."
Perloché stopped before me, disgust plain on her face.
"...What?"
Tilting my head, she gritted her teeth and spat angrily,
"As you commanded last time... to serve... I arrived exactly at 7:00... Master."
Staring blankly, I replied flatly,
"I said evening 7:00, not morning."
"...Ah."
Silence fell.
"...Then I'll return at evening 7:00, Master."
"Fine."
The saintess turned coldly and left.
Perloché... what the hell happened to you...
Normally her ditzy antics would've made me chuckle, but after dreaming her past, it wasn't funny. What turned the clever Perloché into this? And why had my memories been tampered so I never noticed?
"...Young Master, are you alright?"
"Not at all."
"Pardon?"
"Ah... no, I'm fine. No issues."
After brooding, I stammered to Kania, who'd approached, and stood.
"...Let's go, Kania."
"Yes."
Leaning on her, stumbling out, I paused and murmured,
"Oh, right—investigating the scroll swap?"
"Yes, but... it's extremely difficult to track. As you ordered, utmost secrecy, and limited witnesses and involved parties..."
"No matter how long, find them."
Nodding, I added coldly,
"Isolet gave me the perfect excuse to turn her back on me. Time to reward whoever did it."
- Neigh!!!
"We've arrived, Young Master."
"Yeah, looks like it."
Chatting idly with Kania in the carriage from the dorms, we reached the duke's mansion.
"Welcome, Acting Head."
"...Yeah, get the title right."
Stepping down, the Starlight servants—bowed 90 degrees—greeted us. I forced a cheerful smile at "acting head."
"............"
Some of Father's loyalists scowled. Tempted to yell for villainy points, but after this morning's mental drain, I headed inside.
"Y-Young Master! Forgive her!!"
En route, a maid from the right line dashed out, prostrating at my feet.
"Who the hell are you...?"
"P-please... forgive my sister...!"
"...Oh, you."
Realizing she was Ariane's sister, I smirked coldly and kicked her hard.
"...Hngh!"
She tumbled into the dirt. Servants' faces hardened.
"P-please... I beg you... Young Master... She's my only sister... I've lived for her alone..."
Trembling, she crawled, clutching my leg. My infamy for never letting go once marked explained her daily terror despite Ariane's release.
"...I remember your face now."
She froze, then slammed her face to the dirt.
"Th-thank you... thank you... hngk..."
"..........."
Satisfied, I glanced around—the maids avoided my eyes. Winking, I wrapped an arm around Kania's waist and entered.
100pt (Spectacular entrance)
Flashy as the system said—disgustingly so.
"Kania, where's your sister?"
Unpacking upon arrival, I sought Cardia first.
"...Cardia's asleep in her room."
"Good, that simplifies things."
"...I'm sorry I can't assist."
"It's fine."
Leaving worried Kania—her black magic would resonate painfully with Cardia's healing potential until awakened—I headed to Cardia's room alone.
"...Perfect, time to buy this at last."
Administering the elixir to awaken Cardia's healing was my job. Couldn't risk servants misunderstanding and dumping it, or diluting it in food/drink reducing efficacy.
- Creeeak...
Purchasing it, I quietly entered Cardia's room.
"Mmm... nom..."
"...Mini Kania through and through."
Admiring her Kania-like cuteness, I uncorked the elixir and trickled it into her mouth.
"Mmmgh..."
"There you go... good girl."
Frowning but swallowing without spitting, I stroked her hair proudly, murmuring,
"...Soon you'll be back in your sister's arms."
Emptying the vial, I smiled satisfied and left.
- Boom!!
"Guhk!!!"
Suddenly, sparkling light slammed me into the opposite wall.
"Cough... cough... what the—"
"You fucking bastard... what the hell did you just do...?"
Dazed against the wall, a girl approached with utter disgust.
"What did you do to Cardia, you filthy scum!!!"
Grabbing my collar, shaking and screaming, I realized my attacker.
"Aria... let go."
My sister, Aria Raon Starlight.
"You... that was an aphrodisiac, right...? Admit it!"
"Aphrodisiac? No—"
"Why else would you feed Cardia a potion, you trash!! You did it before too!!"
"Haa..."
Sighing at her accusation, she teared up, still gripping me.
"Father collapsed because of you... Is that all your brain can handle?"
"Like I said, this is—"
"Mother died because of you!! Now Father's dying too!! You come home to threaten maids and drug girls my age?!"
"........"
"Y-you should've died instead of Mother... You should've died instead!! You demon!!!"
Screaming so the mansion shook, I couldn't respond.
Because, accident or not... Mother did die because of me.
"......!"
Listening stoically as she wailed for me to die in Mother's place, I spotted Kania approaching, face twisted, then blacked out.
Today, even a nightmare would do—I wanted to see Mother again.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Western Continent.
"Hello, you old hag witch."
Serena Luna Moonlight, Frey's fiancée, smirked playfully at the old woman in a tattered cloak entering the rundown cabin where she ate cake.
"Hah, only you would call the rightful Magic Tower Master of the Sunrise Empire something like that."
"You like it better than 'Tower Master' anyway."
"Sigh... crafty bitch."
Shockingly, the self-proclaimed Tower Master shed her cloak, sat opposite, and spoke.
"...So, what's this urgent request?"
Serena's expression sharpened.
"Simple. Erase some of my memories."
The Tower Master burst laughing.
"Puhahaha!! Even you have memories you want gone? Dumped by Frey again? Caught him cheating?"
"...Who knows?"
"Pfft... not my business. How much to erase?"
Wiping tears, she asked. Serena replied calmly.
"...What?"
Hearing it, the Tower Master sobered, serious.
"Back to childhood?"
"Who knows?"
"...I wasn't gonna pry, but I have to. What's your angle?"
Uncharacteristically grave, Serena frowned slightly.
"Hmm... Not sure if interpreting words over sentences was divine inspiration... or my habit of doubting everything helped... but..."
"...What?"
"Anyway... 'Forced' suspicion has limits... and a 'conclusion' is forming, so I'm blocking it."
Her hand held a paper marked with checks and circles.
"...What nonsense?"
"Oh, one more request."
Ignoring the Tower Master's crazed stare, Serena dropped another bomb.
"...Cast Absolute Obedience Magic on me."
"......!!!"
Gaping, the Tower Master whispered,
"...Obedience to whom?"
Serena smiled softly, moonlit.
"Frey Raon Starlight."
Silence. Then, unable to hold back,
"Why the hell are you doing this madness?"
Serena beamed.
"To screw over Sis... no, the Sun God."
Forking cake, chewing, the Tower Master shook her head, muttering,
"...Crazy bitch."