Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Bella's Request
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Seven Stars.
It was the term for the seven prestigious noble families of the empire, and it signified the largest noble faction in the country.
Bella Izarkhel, the lady of the Izarkhel familyone of those Seven Starshad invited me to their harmony meeting.
I leaned back in my chair.
Then, into those beautiful eyes waiting for my answer, I delivered my verdict.
I refuse.
Why?
Are you really asking because you dont know?
The Seven Stars were all families that had made great contributions to the prosperity of the Meikahel Empire.
They were nobles who had received stars on their family crests as rewards from the imperial family. In other words, they were the core of the pro-imperial faction.
Naturally, there was no way they could get along with the Ruelverta family.
You know that Its an uncomfortable seat for you, Count. But still
Bella trailed off.
Seeing that, I recalled the reason she dreaded the harmony meeting.
Casually, I voiced it.
Calling it a harmony meeting is laughable. Itd be more accurate to say its a boasting convention, since theyre all busy bragging about their families.
You knew?
Bellas face darkened.
Once, the Izarkhel family had claimed the leadership of the Seven Stars.
But now, with the current head, Duke Fred, lost to gambling, the Izarkhels had fallen to a point of no return.
Yet the reason they still led the Seven Stars and hosted the harmony meeting came down to just one thing.
I dont want my family to become a laughingstock for the others
Bella let out a deep sigh.
So I have no choice but to represent us at this harmony meeting. If Father went, hed just face mockery, plain and simple.
Bella was striving in her own way to revive the Izarkhel familys once-glorious past.
That was why, in the original story, she had been half-forced into an engagement with Tristanhe held the Izarkhels lifeline.
To her, the Izarkhel name was a source of pride.
It seemed like I ought to help her, just once.
!
..
But
Even if I went there, nothing would change.
That was the truth.
If I showed up, thered be nothing I could do.
At best, Id just draw the aggro of the Seven Stars.
That was why Bellas invitation still didnt make sense to me.
Soon, her lips parted cautiously.
Among the men whove proposed to me, theres a Patrick Wolfbert.
Ah I see.
Hearing that name, I stroked my chin.
Now it clicked why Bella had come to me.
The firstborn of the Wolfberts, right?
Yes. Do you know him?
Roughly.
The Wolfberts formed the backbone of the imperial navy, and Patrick was their eldest son.
If Tristan or the protagonist Peter hadnt existed, he might have claimed Bella.
Handsome, tall, with excellent athleticismPatrick was recognized for his abilities in the imperial army and held a solid position.
His future looked bright, so hed make a fine match for Bella.
But I knew exactly what kind of man Patrick was.
That was why I couldnt just cheer them on.
Sigh I clearly turned him down, but he wont give up. He keeps asking to meet, which has been troubling me. And now hes coming as the Wolfberts representative to this harmony meeting. So
Bella swallowed and said,
You dont have to do anything Just just stay by my side, please?
If I didnt know the circumstances, it mightve seemed like Bella was being capricious.
She was probably just asking me to accompany her out of anxiety.
But her instincts were spot on.
Patricks true nature was a character whod veered off in a different way from Tristan.
I opened my mouth.
You plan to use me?
I wont deny it. Just having youmy former fiancéby my side would have plenty of effect.
I fell into thought for a moment.
It didnt sit well with me.
Putting Patrick aside, if I went to a Seven Stars gathering, itd turn into total chaos.
A vicious atmosphere was inevitable.
Bella must have anticipated that too.
The fact that she was still asking meant shed steeled herself for it.
A declaration that the Izarkhels will side with the Ruelvertas over the Seven Stars
I didnt know what had changed in Bellas heart.
But her resolve would undoubtedly have a major impact on the story ahead.
Youll lose more than just a thing or two.
I have no regrets. Besides, my family has nothing left to lose. Well we might have to remove the star from our crest, but so what? That wont erase the Izarkhel history.
Bella spoke bluntly.
It was her conclusion after much thought, no doubt.
The Izarkhels would withdraw from the Seven Stars.
And this harmony meeting would likely be their last.
I found myself curious about the looks on their faces then.
I sipped my water quietly, pondering.
Sooner or later, the Ruelvertas and the Seven Stars would clash inevitably.
This moment had just come a little sooner.
The Seven Stars would be essential for the war against the players that was soon to erupt.
That said, I wouldnt ask for their cooperation.
Id demand it. Id force it.
Id make them submit.
Maybe this twisted personality was the influence of Tristans trait, Pride.
But even I had no desire to bow my head to them.
As I stayed silent, Bella quietly spoke up.
If you grant my request, Count Ill grant any one request of yours in return.
Any one?
Yes. Ah! B-but not something beyond my abilities!
Bella flushed slightly and spoke in a fluster.
What on earth was she thinking?
I clicked my tongue.
I have no need to ask you for anything.
But
I set down my fork.
Noble grace had long since seeped into my very bones. I elegantly dabbed my mouth and added,
Not yet, anyway. Who knows about later.
Not yet Not yet?
Bella tilted her head, but it didnt take long for her to grasp the meaning.
Th-then!
Bellas face bloomed like a flower.
But the next words never left her mouth.
Rumble.
A vibration rocked the entire building, accompanied by an explosion.
Ugh
Sia Ryu-min groaned under the pain crushing her entire body.
It hurt.
Her hands, feet, headall of it.
No, more than the pain, what bothered her was the dampness.
She had always handled water perfectly, so being soaked to the skin like this was unfamiliar.
Finally, Sia opened her eyes.
What?
The place looked like an explosion had gone offfilled with shattered debris.
Water poured endlessly from the broken sections.
And in the middle of it all lay Sia.
Ah
Only then did she remember.
That morning, her magic formula had gone haywire.
In her rage, she had swung her staff.
Naturally, her magic had spiraled out of control.
And this was the result.
Ah, youre awake?
?!
Sia flinched and turned toward the voice.
Are you okay?
The one asking Sia was a petite girl with her hair in twin tails.
She was the student who had given the entrance pledge as class repand the one who had taken the top spot from Sia.
She seemed unharmed by Sias magic.
Uh Yeah, Im fine.
Th-thats a relief! I was worried because you seemed unconscious!
Worried?
Y-yes!
Sia couldnt comprehend it.
This girl had just been threatening her life moments ago, yet here she was worrying.
You Youre not hurt?
Unlike Sia, who was drenched, the girls clothes werent even damp.
It had been water magic strong enough to demolish the surroundings.
Yet the girl was fine.
Sia herself was unharmed too, aside from being soaked.
Probably because this girl had protected her with magic.
The girls magic was on a whole different level from Sias.
This is the top seat
Realizing that, Sia was overcome with an indescribable sense of defeat.
Before her, the girl held something up.
Of course, m-my bread got a little No, really soaked B-but its okay Im fine Sniff
Wh-what?
The girl holding the drenched bread had tears welling in her eyes.
At the sight, Sia found herself apologizing on impulse.
S-sorry.
Nooo Its my fault for being such a klutz
No Its all my fault. I couldnt handle a single spell properly, and then I went and attacked you
She couldnt finish the rest.
Part of it was shallow pride, but Sia instinctively knew what shed done wasnt minor.
Damaging school property, unauthorized staff use, and assaulting a student This wouldnt end with mere discipline. Expulsion at minimum.
Just then, the girl spoke up.
Um, over there!
Yeah?
L-lets run No, get up quick!
Huh?
P-people are coming!
Voices murmuring from amid the rubble.
They must have heard the commotion and gathered.
The girl urgently grabbed Sia and pulled her up.
Q-quickly Lets get out of here!
Leave me
Sia resolved to accept her fate.
She couldnt tarnish her familys name any further.
She was prepared to pay for what shed done.
But the girl was persistent.
Wh-what are you saying! Lets go together!
Sia had just tried to attack her earlier. She couldve ignored her and fled.
Instead, she was helping Sia escape.
You Why?
This way!
The girl seized Sias arm and dashed through the debris.
Fortunately, they didnt run into anyone.
A small hand led Sia along.
Slowly, Sia spoke.
Why are you helping me escape?
Huh? W-well, if that many people come, Ill be
The girl tried to continue but couldnt.
You two. Stop.
!
A cold, sneering voice gripped their napes.
If they turned, the worst possible man for this situation would be standing there.
It wouldve been better if it were a nightmare.
What are you doing there?
Hic!
It was the chairman.
The moment they saw his emotionless, icy face, the two hiccuped in unison, as if on cue.