The New Sub-Duke (3)
"I... I'm not really sure."
During the Hersha baronet incident, Erin had been missing, and when she finally opened her eyes, she was too overwhelmed just taking in the situation around her.
She had heard from Eunhyeon that her brother Elvin was dead and that the culprit was Ashton, the heir to the ducal family. That news had sent her thoughts spinning in every direction.
"At first, so many emotions welled up inside me that I could barely hold them back—I wanted to let them all out."
Erin gazed at Eunhyeon, seated beside her, before continuing.
"But now... I just don't know."
"Hmm."
Abros offered no reply, simply watching Erin's face intently as he listened to her words.
"Right now... I don't think resenting you or plotting against your family would do anything to ease my anger or my brother's."
After receiving apologies from Elenoa and Alex, she learned it hadn't been the will of the entire Armitas ducal house but the unilateral actions of one man, Ashton. As a result, Erin's resentment stopped at that individual rather than extending to the whole Armitas family.
"I am the father of the man who is no different from your enemy. To protect my house, I covered up my son's crimes, framed your brother for stealing the gold your father embezzled in his criminal flight, and branded him a vile black mage who abandoned you. And yet you hold no grudge?"
"But you're helping me through Hyun now, aren't you?"
"……."
"Maybe Hyun could have exposed that man's crimes to the kingdom and ensured he faced judgment if I'd just asked. He could have restored my brother's honor. But instead, he gave me the choice, asking what I wanted to do. Don't you know why?"
Eunhyeon now understood that he hadn't wanted Erin depending on him to uncover Ashton's crimes and clear her brother's name. He wanted her to grow into someone who could do it herself.
Eunhyeon was simply fulfilling his role as a supporting character, providing the stepping stones for her to handle her own burdens.
"Now I get it—why you had no choice but to make that decision. Even for Alex or Elenoa... you couldn't have done otherwise. But someday, I'll bring it all to light. That my brother wasn't that kind of person. When that happens... is it too greedy to hope you'll help me then?"
"I'll do my utmost to support your efforts."
Deciding to expose his own son's misdeeds and tarnish the family name was no easy choice for a house head.
Their relationship may have started on poor terms, but Erin and Abros were gradually mending it, step by step.
"What happened to Ashton? I haven't seen him at all."
"I sent him and his mother to a annex in the duchy."
"Is his condition that bad?"
"Like the other victims, his body is severely weakened. No other abnormalities were found, but handling sub-duke duties in that state would be impossible."
But replacing the ducal heir over mere physical weakness didn't make sense.
Eunhyeon knew this was just an excuse. After repeatedly disappointing Abros, Ashton had finally lost his position as heir and was being punished.
Even if demon brainwashing had spurred him to kidnap Erin, the root problem was his impure intentions from the start—and the fact that he'd acted on them remained unchanged.
"Lady Elenoa's holy magic could have healed his condition, but you chose not to."
"He must pay the price for his actions. As for that, I hold neither you nor that girl responsible."
"Ah... Thank you."
Erin had only learned from Eunhyeon that something inside her had taken over her body and turned Ashton into that state.
He'd explained it while describing her body sprouting fox ears and nine tails during the fight with the succubus Lira, transforming into her beastkin form.
In the end, the public narrative flipped: Ashton had been attacked by a demon, absolving Erin—who'd first been pegged as the prime suspect—and recasting her as a hero who'd slain the demon threatening Fernin.
Erin felt no guilt toward the Armitas house for what her divine beast had done to Ashton, so she hadn't apologized. Instead, she was grateful for Abros's consideration in not holding her accountable.
"Well then, shall we discuss future matters?"
The conversation with Erin had eased one of Abros's long-held burdens.
With one issue resolved, he now turned to Eunhyeon with a serious gaze, signaling it was time for the next.
"Ah~. If it's complicated talk, I'll head out. C'mon, kid, you too."
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
Illyana, who had been quietly listening to Erin and Abros, waved dismissively and pulled Erin from the room.
"Father, then I'll step out as well."
"Mm."
Elenoa conveyed her intent to Abros simply and followed Illyana out.
"Perfect timing—we ran into each other."
"Riod? You got an invite too?"
"I'm a noble of this kingdom, after all."
"Hmph. Came alone?"
"No, just my wife and daughter. My son’s too young."
"Alright, head on in. They were just about to start the important discussion."
"Got it."
Before the door closed, the voices of Illyana and another man invited to the banquet drifted in.
Eunhyeon sighed upon seeing Riod enter the room where he sat with father and son Armitas.
"This lineup... feels a bit too familiar, doesn't it?"
"Problem?"
"Not really."
"Congratulations on becoming the new sub-duke."
"Thank you, Marquis Olivion."
As Riod congratulated Alex on his promotion, Alex bowed his head in gratitude.
"Take a seat."
"Yes."
At Abros's invitation, Riod nodded and sat beside Eunhyeon.
"By the way, one of the male students who kidnapped Erin was Count Orba's son—the one who emceed that public trial before."
"Heard about that."
The key factor in Count Orba emceeing the public trial had been the testimony of his son, Villad Orba, who personally witnessed Erin transform into a gumiho and drain Ashton's mana in the abandoned Gleor warehouse.
"It turned the whole situation upside down. The decisive evidence pointing to Erin as the culprit came from his own son's testimony. But the real perpetrator was a separate demon, so the Cracir knights who'd acted solely on that report had thrown an innocent person in jail and interrogated her."
Moreover, Villad Orba, son of the reporting count, couldn't dodge questions about why he'd been in that warehouse at that hour.
No matter how much they pressed, he couldn't admit to kidnapping Erin with plans to do unspeakable things to her later, so he'd stayed stubbornly silent.
"In the end, that witch lodged a fierce protest with the royals over Cracir's rogue knights and their assault on you—a civilian no different from innocent. Their position's gotten precarious. Meanwhile, Artia, known for capturing the demon with her cooperation, is gaining ground."
"From my perspective, it just felt like eating a meal someone else cooked and served. Not exactly thrilling."
Riod shrugged indifferently.
In truth, Artia's knights had worked day and night chasing leads on the assault case with no results—only for a girl to suddenly show up with the demon's head, claiming she'd caught the culprit.
How absurd and deflating was that?
It was fortunate for the people and kingdom's safety, but without the satisfaction of solving it themselves, the mood was bitterly frustrating.
Every time people praised "As expected of Artia!" despite doing nothing, it only added to the awkwardness.
"What are your plans going forward? It's hard to believe you'd reveal yourself so directly without some deeper thought—it's not like you."
Riod asked about Eunhyeon's future intentions.
"Build power first. The basics."
"Power? You?"
All three men, aware of Eunhyeon's combat prowess, eyed him strangely.
"No, no—not physical power. Something else."
Eunhyeon chuckled wryly and explained his next plan.
"I'm planning an expedition."
"Expedition?"
"Arkys Great Labyrinth."
Alex's brow twitched at the name.
Memories of what he'd endured there flooded back, furrowing his expression. Eunhyeon smirked at the sight and continued.
"I just need to claim it for myself."
"Whew…."
Erin let out a small sigh.
Strangely, despite her anxiety about facing Abros, the conversation had flowed surprisingly smoothly—a sigh of relief.
"Were you nervous?"
"Yeah, a little? Sorry to Elenoa and Alex, but... he's still that man's father."
The memory of her face and body being kicked until she lost consciousness lingered vividly.
She couldn't claim to feel no fear—that would be a lie.
Elenoa, understanding Erin's feelings all too well, could only wear an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry."
"No, that's not why I said it—I didn't want an apology."
"How long are you two going to mope like this? It's all over with, so cut it out. You kids are too young to keep making things so heavy."
Illyana, walking ahead and displeased with their mood, shot them a glare.
"If you're sorry, just do better from now on. Got it?"
"You heard her?"
"Yeah."
Elenoa gave a wry smile at Illyana's curt dismissal.
She resolved firmly to ensure this girl suffered no more wounds in the future.
"I was so nervous my stomach's growling—can we get something tasty?"
"Sure, let's do that."
It felt like gaining a much younger sister.
Elenoa didn't mind the feeling at all as she led the way ahead of the pair.
"Ah."
Elenoa let out a soft exclamation upon spotting a mother and daughter on the banquet hall terrace.
Illyana and Erin, following behind, recognized the familiar faces too and reacted similarly.
"Lady Eira!"
"Oh, Erin."
Eira turned at the voice calling her and brightly responded with Erin's name.
"I heard the news. Got your baronet title back? Congrats."
"Hehe, I didn't do anything—it was all Hyun."
"Eunhyeon... I see."
"……?"
Eira's cheerful congratulatory expression darkened abruptly at Eunhyeon's name.
Erin tilted her head in confusion at the shift.
"You've arrived."
Illyana greeted Terezia, Eira's mother and her friend Riod's wife.
"Yes. It's good to see you looking well, Lady Witch. Seems like you're enjoying things more these days."
"What... I won't deny it."
Illyana, caught off-guard and looking awkward, replied indifferently.
She frowned, glanced at Terezia again, and spoke up.
"I've got something I want to consult you about."
"Consult?"
Elenoa and Erin cocked their heads at Illyana's sudden request.
The woman who acted arrogantly even toward the kingdom's queen, fearing nothing in the world, showed unusual respect toward Terezia alone.
"A consultation?"
"Yeah. There's something I really want to repay. I need your help, Terezia."
"Hehe, not sure I can help, but I'll hear you out."
Terezia nodded and turned to Erin beside her.
"Ah, hello. Lady Marchioness."
"Hello. You seem to be doing well. I've heard the news."
Terezia gave a wry smile in response to Erin's greeting.
She then looked back at Eira, who wore a less-than-bright expression, and asked worriedly.
"What's wrong?"
It didn't seem like poor health.
She wouldn't have attended the banquet if that were the case.
But ever since Erin mentioned Eunhyeon, Eira had shown subtle unease—which prompted the question.
"Well... ."